Beverage supply device

Abstract

To provide a beverage supply device that achieves an excellent aftertaste of a beverage by introducing air into a beverage supply passage after stopping supply of the beverage, capable of preventing a supply amount of the beverage from varying and preventing the beverage from spattering in a peripheral area caused by air mixing with the beverage.SOLUTION: A beverage supply device 10 comprises: a beverage supply passage 45 to which the beverage is supplied in a pressurized state; a beverage supply valve 48 that opens and closes the beverage supply passage 45; and an air introduction part 50 disposed further downstream of a beverage flow than the beverage supply valve 48, which introduces the air after the beverage supply valve 48 is closed. The air introduction part 50 includes: large-diameter supply passages 52a, 53a with a diameter formed larger than an inner diameter of a portion formed smallest in respective inner diameters of an upstream side supply passage 46 and a downstream supply passage 47 of the beverage supply passage 45; an air introduction port 54a formed above the large-diameter supply passage 52a; and an air introduction pipe 55 connected with the air introduction port 54a. The large-diameter supply passages 52a, 53a are arranged in a position higher than the downstream supply passage 47.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a beverage supply device that supplies beverages from a beverage supply path, and more particularly to a beverage supply device that improves the dripping of beverages by introducing air into the beverage supply path after stopping the supply of beverages.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an invention of a beverage providing device. This beverage providing device provides beverages to a beverage container, and has a hot water tank that generates and stores hot water constituting the beverage, and a hot water supply pipe that supplies the hot water stored in the hot water tank to a beverage generation unit. In this beverage providing device, an air introduction hole is formed in an upward gradient portion that is above the water level of the hot water in the hot water tank in the hot water supply pipe and gradually slopes upward as it goes in the direction of supplying to the beverage generation unit, or in a horizontal extension portion that extends horizontally continuously on the downstream side in the supply direction of the upward gradient portion. An air introduction pipe is provided in a mode where one end communicates with the hot water supply pipe through the air introduction hole and the other end communicates with a region inside the hot water tank that is above the water level of the hot water in the hot water tank. Further, a reduced-diameter pipe is inserted into the upward gradient portion or the horizontal extension portion that extends horizontally continuously on the downstream side in the supply direction of the upward gradient portion so that the resistance to the supply of hot water in the upstream portion is greater than that in the downstream portion including the portion where the air introduction hole is formed.

[0003] Since the air introduction hole is formed in the upward gradient portion of the hot water supply pipe that is above the water level of the hot water in the hot water tank, the dripping of hot water is performed well when the hot water supply pump stops driving. In particular, since the upstream portion has a greater resistance to the supply of hot water than the downstream portion including the portion where the air introduction hole is formed by providing a reduced-diameter pipe in the upstream portion of the upward gradient portion, it is possible to prevent the flow rate and flow velocity of the hot water in the downstream portion of the air introduction hole in the upward gradient portion from decreasing and avoid the hot water from flowing back into the air introduction pipe.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-127488 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] In the beverage supply device described in Patent Document 1, an air inlet is formed in the hot water supply pipe (beverage supply pipe), and an air inlet pipe is connected to the air inlet. The air inlet is formed in an upward sloping portion that slopes upward as it moves downstream in the beverage supply direction, or in a horizontally extending portion that extends horizontally. Furthermore, a diameter-reducing pipe is inserted upstream of the air inlet in the hot water supply pipe, and the position where the air inlet is formed in the hot water supply pipe is larger than the diameter of the diameter-reducing pipe further upstream. As a result, the pressure of the hot water that has passed through the diameter-reducing pipe decreases, making it easier for air to escape through the air inlet and air inlet pipe. However, in the case where the air inlet is formed in the upward sloping portion, after the hot water supply from the hot water supply pipe is stopped, the hot water remaining in the upward sloping portion will flow back into the hot water tank. Therefore, the amount of hot water supplied from the hot water supply pipe after the hot water supply is stopped will vary depending on the amount of hot water flowing into the air inlet pipe.

[0006] Furthermore, in a system where an air inlet is formed in the horizontally extending portion, when the hot water supply from the hot water supply pipe is stopped, the hot water remaining in the horizontally extending portion is less likely to flow back into the hot water tank. However, downstream of the position where the air inlet is formed in the hot water supply pipe, there is no member that narrows in diameter like a diameter-reducing pipe. As a result, air flows from the air inlet to the hot water supply pipe, and the hot water poured from the nozzle into the cup through the hot water supply pipe is easily scattered into the surroundings by the incoming air. The present invention aims to improve the clean finish of the beverage supply by introducing air into the beverage supply path after stopping the beverage supply, thereby reducing variations in the amount of beverage supplied and preventing the beverage from scattering into the surroundings due to the mixing of air with the beverage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a beverage supply device comprising a beverage supply passage for supplying beverages under pressurized conditions, a beverage supply valve interposed in the beverage supply passage for opening and closing the beverage supply passage, and an air introduction section disposed downstream of the beverage flow from the beverage supply valve in the beverage supply passage for introducing air after the beverage supply valve is closed, wherein the air introduction section comprises a large-diameter supply passage interposed in the beverage supply passage and formed to be larger than the inner diameter of the smallest portion of the inner diameters of the upstream supply passage and the downstream supply passage, an air inlet formed above the large-diameter supply passage, and an air introduction pipe connected to the air inlet, and the large-diameter supply passage is positioned at a height equal to or greater than that of the downstream supply passage.

[0008] In the beverage supply device configured as described above, the air inlet section comprises a large-diameter supply passage, which is interposed in the beverage supply passage and is larger than the inner diameter of the smallest portion of the inner diameters of the upstream and downstream supply passages, an air inlet formed above the large-diameter supply passage, and an air inlet pipe connected to the air inlet, with the large-diameter supply passage positioned at a height greater than or equal to the height of the downstream supply passage. When the beverage supply valve is closed, air is introduced from the air inlet pipe into the large-diameter supply passage, so that the beverage in the beverage supply passage is less likely to remain in the beverage supply passage due to the air introduced from the air inlet pipe, and good beverage cutoff in the beverage supply passage can be achieved. The inner diameter of the large-diameter supply passage in the air inlet section is larger than the inner diameter of the smallest part of the upstream supply passage. As a result, when beverage flows from the upstream supply passage of the beverage supply pipe into the large-diameter supply passage of the air inlet section under pressurized conditions, the flow path expands, reducing the pressure and flow velocity. Furthermore, since the air inlet is located above the large-diameter supply passage, the beverage with reduced pressure and flow velocity is less likely to flow out through the air inlet and air inlet pipe, thus reducing variations in the amount of beverage supplied. Additionally, by making the inner diameter of the large-diameter supply passage larger than the inner diameter of the smallest part of the downstream supply passage and positioning the large-diameter supply passage at a height greater than the downstream supply passage, air is less likely to be mixed into the beverage flowing from the large-diameter supply passage into the downstream supply passage, and the beverage supplied from the beverage supply passage is less likely to scatter into the surrounding area.

[0009] In the beverage supply device configured as described above, it is preferable that the large-diameter supply channel is arranged so that the direction of beverage flow is downward, and the downstream supply channel extends downward from the bottom of the large-diameter supply channel. When this is done, the beverage in the large-diameter supply channel flows more easily into the downstream supply channel and is less likely to remain in the large-diameter supply channel, thereby shortening the beverage supply time.

[0010] In a beverage supply system configured as described above, it is preferable that the beverage supply path comprises an upstream supply pipe constituting the upstream supply path and a downstream supply pipe constituting the downstream supply path, and that the upstream supply pipe and the downstream supply pipe are connected by a connecting section having a large-diameter supply path. In this case, by connecting the upstream supply pipe constituting the upstream supply path and the downstream supply pipe constituting the downstream supply path of the beverage supply path with a connecting section having a large-diameter supply path, a large-diameter supply path can be installed in the beverage supply path with a simple structure.

[0011] In the beverage supply device configured as described above, the connection section has an opening on the upper side of the large-diameter supply passage, and it is preferable that the opening be closed and closed by a lid member. In this case, the large-diameter supply passage can be opened by removing the lid member, and the large-diameter supply passage can be easily cleaned. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the beverage supply device of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the front panel shown in Figure 1 with the panel removed. [Figure 3] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the central part of Figure 1 in the left-right direction along the front-back direction. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of the hot water supply section and the cold water supply section that make up the raw water supply unit. [Figure 5] Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional perspective view showing the air intake section located in the water supply section. [Figure 6] This is a partial perspective view showing the beverage supply line with an air intake section installed. [Figure 7] (a) is a cross-sectional view of the beverage supply passage with an air intake section interposed, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of (a) with the lid member removed from the upper side. [Figure 8] This is a partially enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of the joint member's position. [Figure 9] This is a block diagram of the control device. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram corresponding to Figure 4 of an embodiment in which the connecting pipe member of the air intake section is positioned horizontally in the direction in which the beverage (cold water) flows. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional view showing the air intake section of another embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] An embodiment of the beverage supply device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The beverage supply device 10 of the present invention is also called a tea dispenser or beverage dispenser, and is capable of supplying beverages such as hot water, cold water, or tea to drinking containers such as cups. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the beverage supply device 10 is equipped with a housing 11 that is substantially rectangular in shape, and the housing 11 is composed of a housing body 12 with an open front and a front panel 13 that closes the front opening of the housing body 12. The front panel 13 is pivotally supported on the right side of the housing body 12 so as to be rotatable around a vertical axis, and the front opening of the housing body 12 can be opened by rotating the front panel 13.

[0014] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a partition plate 14 is provided in the middle of the housing 11 in the front-to-back direction. A beverage production chamber 15 for producing beverages such as tea is formed in the front part of the housing 11 partitioned by the partition plate 14, and a machine room 16 is formed in the rear part of the housing 11 partitioned by the partition plate 14. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, an opening 13a is formed in the center of the lower part of the front panel 13 in the left-to-right direction, and a mounting platform 17 for placing a drinking container such as a cup is detachably provided in the lower part of the beverage production chamber 15 at the position where this opening 13a is formed. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the mounting platform 17 comprises a mounting section 18 for placing the drinking container and a cover section 19 that covers the upper part of the mounting section 18 except for the front. The mounting section 18 is formed in a grid shape (slat-like) so that a large number of water passages are formed to allow the beverage to pass through to the bottom. The cover portion 19 covers both the left and right sides, the rear, and the top of the mounting portion 18 above it.

[0015] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the housing 11 is provided with a beverage supply unit 20 that supplies hot water, cold water, or tea to a drinking container such as a cup placed on the mounting portion 18 of the mounting base 17. In this embodiment, the beverage supply unit 20 is capable of supplying hot water or cold water, as well as tea produced by pouring hot water over tea leaves. The beverage supply unit 20 includes a tea leaf storage unit 21 for storing tea leaves, a tea leaf dispensing unit 22 for dispensing tea leaves from the tea leaf storage unit 21, a tea strainer 23 for receiving tea leaves dispensed from the tea leaf dispensing unit 22, a funnel unit 24 for receiving tea produced by pouring hot water over the tea leaves in the tea strainer 23, a raw water supply unit 25 for supplying hot water to pour over the tea leaves in the tea strainer 23 or hot or cold water to a drinking container such as a cup placed on a stand 17, and a waste tea leaf receiving container 26 for receiving used tea leaves discarded from the tea strainer 23.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tea leaf storage unit 21 stores tea leaves, and a tea leaf outlet 21a with a shutter is provided at the lower end of the tea leaf storage unit 21. A tea leaf delivery unit 22 equipped with a metering drum for delivering tea leaves in predetermined amounts is provided below the tea leaf storage unit 21. The tea leaves in the tea leaf storage unit 21 are sent from the tea leaf outlet 21a to the lower tea strainer 23 by rotating the metering drum of the tea leaf delivery unit 22. The tea strainer 23 includes a substantially hemispherical net member and is configured to receive the tea leaves delivered from the tea leaf storage unit 21 by the tea leaf delivery unit 22. The tea strainer 23 is pivotally supported (supported) on the partition plate 14 so as to be rotatable (movable) about an axis in the front-rear direction, and is disposed above the funnel portion 24 at a pouring position for pouring tea, and is rotatable between the pouring position and a disposal position where it is rotated 180° counterclockwise from the pouring position and disposed above the used tea leaf receiving container 26 to dispose of the used tea leaves. An actuator (not shown) for rotating the tea strainer 23 is provided in the machine room 16, and the tea strainer 23 is rotated between the pouring position and the disposal position by the actuator. The used tea leaves (tea dregs) in the tea strainer 23 are disposed in the used tea leaf receiving container 26 by rotating the tea strainer 23 from the pouring position to the disposal position.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first hot water supply pipe 36a of the raw water supply unit 25 is disposed above the tea strainer 23, and the funnel portion 24 is provided below the tea strainer 23. When hot water is poured (supplied) from the first hot water supply pipe 36a into the tea strainer 23 into which tea leaves are delivered, the hot water passing through the tea strainer 23 is produced as tea. The funnel portion 24 receives the tea produced by passing through the tea strainer 23, and has a substantially hemispherical bowl shape with an open upper surface. At the lower end portion of the funnel portion 24, a spout 24a for pouring out the received tea is formed, and the tea produced in the tea strainer 23 is received by the funnel portion 24 and poured out from the spout 24a at the lower end into a drinking container such as a cup placed on the placement portion 18 of the placement table 17 and supplied. Further, on the front side of the funnel portion 24, the pouring end portion of the downstream supply pipe 47a that constitutes the downstream supply path 47 of the beverage supply path 45 described later is disposed, and the beverage composed of hot water in the hot water storage tank 31 in the machine room 16 or cold water cooled by the cooling tank 41 is poured out through the beverage supply path 45 into a drinking container such as a cup placed on the placement portion 18 of the placement table 17 and supplied.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 4, the raw water supply unit 25 includes a hot water supply unit 30 that supplies hot water (boiled water) that becomes a beverage or raw water for a beverage, and a water supply unit 40 that supplies water (cold water) that becomes a beverage. The hot water supply unit 30 supplies raw water for a beverage composed of tea received in a drinking container such as a cup on the placement portion 18 or boiled water that becomes a beverage. The hot water supply unit 30 includes a hot water storage tank 31 for storing hot water, and a first water supply pipe 32 led out from a water supply source such as a water supply is connected to the hot water storage tank 31. The first and second water supply valves 32a and 32b are interposed in the first water supply pipe 32, and the water from the water supply source is supplied to the hot water storage tank 31 by opening the first and second water supply valves 32a and 32b.

[0019] A heater 33 is provided on the lower surface of the bottom wall of the hot water storage tank 31, and the heater 33 heats the water (hot water) in the hot water storage tank 31 to produce hot water. A temperature sensor 34 is provided inside the hot water storage tank 31, and the temperature sensor 34 detects the temperature of the water (hot water) inside the hot water storage tank 31. The heater 33 is controlled to operate based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 34, and the hot water in the hot water storage tank 31 is heated (kept warm) by the heater 33 to a temperature suitable for drinking. In this embodiment, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 31 is set to 90°C. A water level sensor 35 is also provided inside the hot water storage tank 31, and the water level sensor 35 detects the water level inside the hot water storage tank 31. The first and second water supply valves 32a and 32b are controlled to open and close according to the water level detected by the water level sensor 35, and the water (hot water) in the hot water storage tank 31 is maintained at a predetermined water level.

[0020] A hot water supply pipe 36 is connected to the bottom of the hot water storage tank 31, and the hot water in the hot water storage tank 31 is supplied from the hot water supply pipe 36. The end of the hot water supply pipe 36 branches into two pipes, the first and second hot water supply pipes 36a and 36b, and the first and second hot water supply valves 37a and 37b are interposed in the first and second hot water supply pipes 36a and 36b. The outlet of the first hot water supply pipe 36a is located above the aforementioned tea strainer 23, and the end of the second hot water supply pipe 36b is connected to the beverage supply passage 45.

[0021] As shown in Figure 4, the water supply unit 40 supplies cold water (water) as a beverage to be received in a drinking container such as a cup on the mounting unit 18, and supplies cold water under pressurized conditions due to the water pressure from a water source such as a tap. The water supply unit 40 is equipped with a cooling tank 41 for generating cold water for drinking, and the cooling tank 41 stores cooling water. An evaporator tube 42 for the refrigeration system is also provided inside the cooling tank 41, and the cooling water in the cooling tank 41 is cooled by the heat of vaporization as the circulating refrigerant vaporizes, forming an ice layer around the evaporator tube 42. A water cooling tube 43 for cooling the water is also provided inside the cooling tank 41, and the water becomes cold water as it passes through the water cooling tube 43 and is cooled by the cooling water.

[0022] A second water supply pipe 44, which is led out from just downstream of the first water supply valve 32a of the first water supply pipe 32 (between the first water supply valve 32a and the second water supply valve 32b), is connected to the water inlet end of the water cooling pipe 43. Water from a water source such as a water supply pipe is sent to the water cooling pipe 43 in the cooling tank 41 through a part of the first water supply pipe 32 and the second water supply pipe 44. A beverage supply passage 45 for supplying chilled water as a beverage is connected to the water outlet end of the water cooling pipe 43, and the tip of the beverage supply passage 45 is located on the upper part of the cover portion 19 of the mounting base 17. A beverage supply valve 48 is interposed in the beverage supply passage 45, and by opening the first water supply valve (beverage supply valve) 32a and the beverage supply valve 48, chilled water that has passed through the water cooling pipe 43 is poured through the beverage supply passage 45 into a drinking container such as a cup placed on the mounting portion 18.

[0023] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, an air inlet 50 is provided in the beverage supply passage 45 downstream of the beverage supply valve 48 in the flow of chilled water. The air inlet 50 introduces air into the beverage supply passage 45 after the beverage supply valve 48 is closed, ensuring good drainage of chilled water in the beverage supply passage 45. The beverage supply passage 45 consists of an upstream supply passage 46 located upstream of the air inlet 50 and a downstream supply passage 47 located downstream of the air inlet 50. The beverage supply passage 45 comprises an upstream supply pipe 46a which constitutes the upstream supply passage 46 and is connected to the water cooling pipe 43, and a downstream supply pipe 47a which constitutes the downstream supply passage 47 and has its spout positioned on the upper part of the cover portion 19 of the mounting base 17. The upstream supply pipe 46a and the downstream supply pipe 47a are connected by a connection portion 51 of the air inlet 50.

[0024] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the connection section 51 includes a connecting pipe member 52 for connecting the upstream supply pipe 46a and the air introduction pipe 55 (described later), an outlet pipe member 53 connected to the outlet end 52d at the lower end of the connecting pipe member 52 to discharge water downwards, and a joint member 56 connecting the outlet pipe member 53 and the downstream supply pipe 47a. Large-diameter supply passages 52a and 53a, which serve as supply passages for drinking water (cold water), are formed in the connecting pipe member 52 and the outlet pipe member 53 of the connection section 51, and the inner diameter of each of the large-diameter supply passages 52a and 53a is formed to be larger than the inner diameter of the smallest portion of the inner diameter of each of the upstream supply passage 46 and the downstream supply passage 47.

[0025] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the connecting pipe member 52 of the connecting section 51 has a shape resembling the letter T rotated 90°. An air inlet pipe 55 is connected to the upper end of the connecting pipe member 52 via a cover member 54, and an outlet pipe member 53 is connected to the lower end of the connecting pipe member 52. The upstream supply pipe 46a of the upstream supply passage 46 is connected to the upper-middle part of the connecting pipe member 52 via the outlet 48a of the beverage supply valve 48. A large-diameter supply passage 52a extending vertically is formed in the connecting pipe member 52, and the large-diameter supply passage 52a is arranged so that the direction in which cold water flows is downward. A beverage supply pipe connecting section 52b for connecting the upstream supply pipe 46a is integrally formed in the upper-middle part of the connecting pipe member 52. In this embodiment, the upstream supply pipe 46a of the upstream supply passage 46 is connected to the beverage supply pipe connecting section 52b via the outlet 48a of the beverage supply valve 48. A beverage (cold water) supply passage 52c is formed in the beverage supply pipe connection 52b, and the cold water supplied from the upstream supply pipe 46a is supplied into the large-diameter supply passage 52a of the connecting pipe member 52 through the supply passage 52c of the beverage supply pipe connection 52b. In this embodiment, the supply passage 52c of the beverage supply pipe connection 52b constitutes a part of the upstream supply passage 46 and is the part of the upstream supply passage 46 that has the smallest inner diameter, and is smaller than the inner diameter of the large-diameter supply passage 52a of the connecting pipe member 52. When cold water supplied under pressure flows from the upstream supply passage 46 into the large-diameter supply passage 52a of the connecting pipe member 52, the pressure and flow velocity decrease. Since the supply passage 52c of the beverage supply pipe connection 52b, which is the part of the upstream supply passage 46 that has the smallest inner diameter, is located at the furthest downstream side of the upstream supply passage 46, the pressure and flow velocity of cold water supplied under pressure tend to decrease when it flows from the upstream supply passage 46 into the large-diameter supply passage 52a of the connecting pipe member 52.

[0026] As shown in Figure 7, an opening 52e is formed at the upper end of the connecting pipe member 52 above the large-diameter supply passage 52a, and a cover member 54 is provided in the opening 52e so as to be openable and closable. An air intake pipe connection part 54b having an air inlet 54a is formed on the cover member 54, and an air intake pipe 55 is connected to the air intake pipe connection part 54b. The air intake pipe 55 extends upward, and the tip of the air intake pipe 55 is positioned above the water level of the cooling water in the cooling tank 41. A chilled water outlet end 52d is formed at the lower end of the connecting pipe member 52, extending downward, and an outlet pipe member 53 is connected to the chilled water outlet end 52d. The outlet pipe member 53 has a large-diameter supply passage 53a that serves as a supply passage for cold water (beverage). The large-diameter supply passage 53a of the outlet pipe member 53 is larger than the supply passage 52c of the beverage supply pipe connection section 52b, which is the smallest part of the upstream supply passage 46, similar to the inner diameter of the large-diameter supply passage 52a of the connecting pipe member 52. The large-diameter supply passage 53a of the outlet pipe member 53 is positioned so that the direction in which the cold water flows is downward.

[0027] As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 8, a joint member 56 is connected to the outlet pipe member 53, and the second hot water supply pipe 36b and the downstream supply pipe 47a are connected to the joint member 56. The joint member 56 has a shape resembling the letter T rotated 180°. The outlet pipe member 53 is connected to the upstream end of the joint member 56 in the direction of cold water flow, the downstream supply pipe 47a is connected to the downstream end of the joint member 56 in the direction of cold water flow, and the second hot water supply pipe 36b is connected to the end of the portion of the joint member 56 that extends upward in the middle of the direction of cold water flow. A cold water (drinking) supply passage 56a is formed in the joint member 56, and the supply passage 56a of the joint member 56 constitutes part of the downstream supply passage 47. The supply channel 56a of the joint member 56 is formed at the smallest part of the inner diameter of the downstream supply channel 47, and is smaller than the inner diameters of the large-diameter supply channel 52a of the connecting pipe member 52 and the large-diameter supply channel 53a of the outlet pipe member 53. Since the supply passage 56a of the joint member 56, which is the part of the downstream supply passage 47 with the smallest inner diameter, is positioned at the upstream end of the downstream supply passage 47, it becomes difficult for air to be mixed into the cold water flowing from the large-diameter supply passages 52a and 53a into the downstream supply passage 47. The tip of the downstream supply pipe 47a connected to the joint member 56 is positioned on the upper part of the cover portion 19 of the mounting base 17.

[0028] As shown in Figure 9, the beverage supply device 10 is equipped with a control device 60 that controls the supply of beverages consisting of tea, hot water, or cold water to a drinking container such as a cup placed on the mounting section 18. The control device 60 is connected to the tea leaf delivery section 22, the first and second water supply valves 32a, 32b, the heater 33, the temperature sensor 34, the water level sensor 35, the first and second hot water delivery valves 37a, 37b, the beverage supply valve 48, and the operation panel 61 provided on the front panel 13 of the housing 11.

[0029] The control device 60 controls the operation of the heater 33 based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 34, and the hot water in the hot water storage tank 31 is adjusted to a temperature suitable for brewing tea or drinking hot water. The control device 60 controls the opening and closing of the first and second water supply valves 32a and 32b based on the water level detected by the water level sensor 35, and the hot water in the hot water storage tank 31 is adjusted to a water level that allows hot water to be discharged from the hot water supply pipe 36. The control device 60 includes a tea supply means for supplying hot tea as a beverage, a hot water supply means for supplying hot water (plain hot water) as a beverage, and a cold water supply means for supplying cold water as a beverage.

[0030] When the operation panel 61 is operated to execute the tea supply means, the first hot water dispensing valve 37a is controlled to open for a predetermined time corresponding to the capacity of a drinking container such as a cup. The hot water in the hot water storage tank 31 is poured into the tea strainer 23 through the hot water supply pipe 36 and the first hot water supply pipe 36a, and the tea produced after passing through the tea strainer 23 is received in the funnel section 24 and poured out from the spout 24a into a drinking container such as a cup placed on the mounting section 18.

[0031] When the hot water supply means is activated by operating the control panel 61, the second hot water outlet valve 37b is controlled to open for the duration of the operation button press. The hot water in the hot water storage tank 31 is poured into a drinking container such as a cup placed on the mounting unit 18 through the hot water supply pipe 36, the second hot water supply pipe 36b, and the downstream supply pipe 47a of the drinking water supply passage 45. Alternatively, the second hot water outlet valve 37b may be controlled to open for a predetermined time depending on the capacity of the drinking container. When the cold water supply means is activated by operating the control panel 61, the first water supply valve 32a and the drinking water supply valve 48 are controlled to open for the duration of the operation button press. The water supplied from the water source under pressurization is cooled by the cooling water in the cooling tank 41 as it passes through the water cooling pipe 43, and the cooled water is poured into a drinking container such as a cup placed on the mounting unit 18 through the drinking water supply passage 45. Alternatively, the first water supply valve 32a and the beverage supply valve 48 may be controlled to open at a predetermined time corresponding to the capacity of the drinking container such as a cup.

[0032] When the first water supply valve 32a and the beverage supply valve 48 are closed, air is introduced from the air introduction pipe 55 into the large-diameter supply passage 52a of the connecting pipe member 52. As a result, the cold water in the beverage supply passage 45 is less likely to remain in the beverage supply passage 45 due to the air introduced from the air introduction pipe 55, and the cold water in the beverage supply passage 45 is poured cleanly into a drinking container such as a cup placed on the mounting section 18. Furthermore, the inner diameter of the large-diameter supply passage 52a of the connecting pipe member 52 is larger than the inner diameter of the supply passage 52c of the beverage supply pipe connection part 52b, as it is the smallest formed part of the upstream supply passage 46 of the beverage supply passage 45. As a result, pressurized chilled water flows from the upstream supply passage 46 of the beverage supply passage 45 into the large-diameter supply passage 52a of the connecting pipe member 52, and the flow path expands, causing a decrease in pressure and flow velocity. In addition, since the air inlet 54a is located above the large-diameter supply passage 52a, the chilled water with reduced pressure and flow velocity is less likely to flow out through the air inlet 54a and the air inlet pipe 55, thus reducing the likelihood of variations in the amount of chilled water supplied. Furthermore, the inner diameter of the supply passage 56a of the joint member 56 constituting the downstream supply passage 47 is made smaller than the inner diameter of the large-diameter supply passages 52a and 53a of the connecting pipe member 52 and the outlet pipe member 53, and the large-diameter supply passages 52a and 53a are positioned at a height greater than or equal to the downstream supply passage 47. As a result, the chilled water accumulates at the bottom of the large-diameter supply passage 53a before flowing into the supply passage 56a of the joint member 56 constituting the downstream supply passage 47. This makes it difficult for air to be mixed into the chilled water flowing from the large-diameter supply passage 53a into the supply passage 56a of the joint member 56 constituting the downstream supply passage 47, and reduces the amount of chilled water supplied from the drinking supply passage 45 that splashes into the surroundings.

[0033] In the beverage supply device 10 configured as described above, there is a beverage supply passage 45 through which cold water (beverage) is supplied under pressurized conditions by water pressure from a water source such as a water supply; a beverage supply valve 48 interposed in the beverage supply passage 45 to open and close the beverage supply passage 45; and an air introduction section 50 located downstream of the beverage supply valve 48 in the beverage supply passage 45 to introduce air after the beverage supply valve 48 is closed. In this beverage supply device 10, the air introduction section 50 comprises large-diameter supply passages 52a and 53a interposed in the beverage supply passage 45 and formed to be larger than the inner diameter of the smallest portion of the inner diameters of the upstream supply passage 46 and the downstream supply passage 47, respectively, an air inlet 54a formed above the large-diameter supply passages 52a and 53a, and an air introduction pipe 55 connected to the air inlet 54a, with the large-diameter supply passages 52a and 53a positioned at a height equal to or greater than that of the downstream supply passage 47.

[0034] In this beverage supply device 10, when the first water supply valve (beverage supply valve) 32a and the beverage supply valve 48 are closed, air is introduced from the air introduction pipe 55 into the large-diameter supply passage 52a of the connecting pipe member 52 of the air introduction section 50. As a result, the cold water in the beverage supply passage 45 is less likely to remain in the beverage supply passage 45 due to the air introduced from the air introduction pipe 55, and the complete removal of cold water from the beverage supply passage 45 can be improved. The inner diameters of the large-diameter supply passages 52a and 53a of the air inlet section 50 are larger than the inner diameter of the supply passage 52c of the beverage supply pipe connection section 52b, as they are the smallest formed part of the upstream supply passage 46. Therefore, when chilled water flows into the large-diameter supply passage 52a of the connecting pipe member 52 from the upstream supply passage 46 of the beverage supply passage 45 under pressurized conditions, the flow path expands, causing a decrease in pressure and flow velocity. Furthermore, since the air inlet 54a is located in the lid member 54 provided above the large-diameter supply passage 52a of the connecting pipe member 52, the chilled water with reduced pressure and flow velocity is less likely to flow out through the air inlet 54a and the air inlet pipe 55, thus reducing the variation in the amount of chilled water supplied. Furthermore, since the supply passage 56a of the joint member 56 is formed to be smaller than the inner diameter of the large-diameter supply passages 52a and 53a, as the smallest part of the inner diameter of the downstream supply passage 47, and the large-diameter supply passages 52a and 53a are positioned at a height greater than or equal to the height of the downstream supply passage 47, it becomes difficult for air to be mixed into the chilled water flowing from the large-diameter supply passages 52a and 53a into the downstream supply passage 47, and chilled water supplied from the beverage supply passage 45 is less likely to splash into the surroundings.

[0035] In this beverage supply device 10, the large-diameter supply passages 52a and 53a of the connecting pipe member 52 and the outlet pipe member 53 are arranged so that the direction in which cold water flows is downward, and the downstream supply passage 47 extends downward from the lower part of the large-diameter supply passage 53a of the outlet pipe member 53. Cold water flowing into the large-diameter supply passage 52a of the connecting pipe member 52 flows easily into the large-diameter supply passage 53a of the outlet pipe member 53, and cold water flowing into the large-diameter supply passage 53a of the outlet pipe member 53 flows easily into the beverage supply passage 56a of the joint member 56 that constitutes the downstream supply passage 47 located below, making it less likely for cold water to remain in the large-diameter supply passage 53a, thus shortening the cold water supply time.

[0036] In the beverage supply device 10 of this embodiment, the large-diameter supply passages 52a and 53a of the connecting pipe member 52 and outlet pipe member 53 of the air intake section 50 are arranged so that the direction in which cold water (beverage) flows is downward. However, the device is not limited to this, and as shown in Figure 10, the large-diameter supply passage 53a of the outlet pipe member 53 may be eliminated, and the direction in which cold water (beverage) flows through the large-diameter supply passage 52a of the connecting pipe member 52 may be extended in a substantially horizontal direction, an air intake port 52f may be formed at the top of the connecting pipe member 52, and the air intake pipe 55 may be connected to the air intake port 52f. As described above, when the direction of flow of chilled water in the large-diameter supply channel is set downwards, it becomes more difficult to shorten the chilled water supply time. However, chilled water with reduced pressure and flow velocity is less likely to flow out through the air inlet 52f and the air inlet pipe 55, the amount of chilled water supplied becomes less variable, air is less likely to be mixed into the chilled water flowing from the large-diameter supply channel 52a into the downstream supply channel 47, and chilled water supplied from the drinking water supply channel 45 is less likely to splash into the surroundings.

[0037] In this beverage supply device 10, the beverage supply passage 45 is provided with an upstream supply pipe 46a that constitutes the upstream supply passage 46 and a downstream supply pipe 47a that constitutes the downstream supply passage 47, and the upstream supply pipe 46a and the downstream supply pipe 47a are connected by a connecting pipe member 52, an outlet pipe member 53 and a joint member 56 as a connecting section 51 having large-diameter supply passages 52a and 53a. By connecting the upstream supply pipe 46a that constitutes the upstream supply passage 46 and the downstream supply pipe 47a that constitutes the downstream supply passage 47 of the beverage supply passage 45 as a connecting section 51 having large-diameter supply passages 52a and 53a using a connecting pipe member 52, an outlet pipe member 53 and a joint member 56, large-diameter supply passages 52a and 53a can be provided in the beverage supply passage 45 with a simple structure.

[0038] In this beverage supply device 10, the connecting pipe member 52 of the connection section 51 has an opening 52e on the upper side of the large-diameter supply passage 52a, and the opening 52e is closed by a cover member 54 so as to be able to be opened and closed. By removing the cover member 54, the large-diameter supply passage 52a inside the connecting pipe member 52 can be opened, and the large-diameter supply passage 52a inside the connecting pipe member 52 can be easily cleaned.

[0039] In the beverage supply device 10 of this embodiment, the air introduction section 50 is provided with large-diameter supply passages 52a and 53a in the connecting pipe member 52 and the outlet pipe member 53, but it is not limited to this, and as shown in Figure 11, the large-diameter supply passage 52a may be provided only in the connecting pipe member 52. In this case, the connecting pipe member 52 may be provided with a reduced-diameter section 52g at the lower part where the inner diameter is narrowed, and the supply passage 52h formed at the outlet end 52d of the connecting pipe member 52 with a smaller inner diameter may be made part of the downstream supply passage 47, with the supply passage 52h formed at the outlet end 52d being the part of the downstream supply passage 47 with the smallest inner diameter. The chilled water (beverage) that flows into the large-diameter supply passage 52a of the connecting pipe member 52 remains in the large-diameter supply passage 52a due to the supply passage 52h formed at the outlet end 52d before flowing into the supply passage 52h. As a result, air is less likely to be mixed into the chilled water flowing from the large-diameter supply passage 52a into the supply passage 52h at the outlet end 52d, and the chilled water supplied from the beverage supply passage 45 is less likely to splash into the surroundings.

[0040] The beverage supply unit 20 of the beverage supply device 10 described above supplies cold water as a beverage from the beverage supply passage 45, but is not limited to this. It may also supply hot water in addition to cold water from the beverage supply passage 45, or supply a beverage produced by stirring and mixing beverage raw material powder or concentrated raw material liquid with raw water (raw material hot water) from the beverage supply passage 45.

[0041] In the beverage supply device 10 described above, cold water is supplied to the beverage supply passage 45 under pressurized conditions by the water pressure from a water source such as a water supply. However, the device is not limited to this, and beverages such as cold water may be supplied to the beverage supply passage 45 under pressurized conditions by a water supply means such as a pump.

[0042] 10...Beverage supply device, 45...Beverage supply path, 46...Upstream supply path, 46a...Upstream supply pipe, 47...Downstream supply path, 47a...Downstream supply pipe, 48...Beverage supply valve, 50...Air inlet, 51...Connection, 52a, 53a...Large diameter supply path, 52f, 54a...Air inlet, 55...Air inlet pipe.

Claims

1. A beverage supply channel in which beverages are supplied under pressurized conditions, A beverage supply valve interposed in the beverage supply passage for opening and closing the beverage supply passage, A beverage supply device comprising: an air introduction unit disposed downstream of the beverage supply valve in the beverage supply path and for introducing air after the beverage supply valve is closed, The beverage supply device is characterized in that the air intake section comprises a large-diameter supply passage interposed in the beverage supply passage and having an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the smallest portion of the inner diameters of the upstream supply passage and the downstream supply passage, an air inlet formed above the large-diameter supply passage, and an air intake pipe connected to the air inlet, wherein the large-diameter supply passage is positioned at a height equal to or greater than that of the downstream supply passage.

2. In the beverage supply device according to claim 1, The aforementioned large-diameter supply channel is arranged so that the direction in which the beverage flows is downward. A beverage supply device characterized in that the downstream supply channel extends downward from the lower part of the large-diameter supply channel.

3. In the beverage supply device according to claim 1 or 2, The beverage supply route comprises an upstream supply pipe constituting the upstream supply route and a downstream supply pipe constituting the downstream supply route, as separate components. A beverage supply device characterized in that the upstream supply pipe and the downstream supply pipe are connected by a connecting part having the large-diameter supply passage.

4. In the beverage supply device according to claim 3, The beverage supply device is characterized in that the connecting portion has an opening on the upper side of the large-diameter supply passage, and the opening can be opened and closed by a lid member.

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