Beverage dispenser

Abstract

We provide beverage dispensers with superior safety features. [Solution] The beverage server 1 comprises a housing 10 having a first tank for storing cold water and a second tank for storing hot water inside, a water outlet 20 for dispensing either cold water or hot water, a mode selection unit provided on the top surface 11 of the housing 10 for selecting between cold water mode and hot water mode, a lighting unit 40 provided on the front of the housing 10 that lights up when cold water mode is selected, and a front operation unit 45 provided on the front of the housing 10 that receives an operation to dispense cold water when the lighting unit 40 is lit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a beverage server.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a beverage server having a water outlet portion that discharges cold water or warm water. This beverage server has an operation unit at the center of the front surface of the housing that receives a user's operation (for example, a water discharge operation).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Generally, from the viewpoint of safety, it is desirable to discharge only cold water to children. However, in the above beverage server, since the operation unit is provided at a position where not only adults but also children can operate it, there is a risk that the safety may be impaired due to a child discharging warm water.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to provide a beverage server with excellent safety.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, a beverage server is provided, comprising: a housing having a first storage section for storing cold water and a second storage section for storing hot water inside; a water outlet for dispensing either the cold water or the hot water; a selection operation unit provided on the upper surface of the housing, which can select between a first state in which the water outlet can dispense the cold water and a second state in which the water outlet can dispense the hot water; an illumination unit provided on the front of the housing, which lights up when the first state is selected; and a front operation unit provided on the front, which receives an operation to dispense the cold water when the illumination unit is lit.

[0007] Furthermore, the front control panel may have pressable operation buttons, and the illumination unit may be arranged in a ring around the operation buttons.

[0008] Furthermore, the front operating section may be located below the water outlet section in the vertical direction.

[0009] Furthermore, the lighting unit may be turned off when the second state is selected. Furthermore, the housing may have a recess in the center of the front surface in the vertical direction that is recessed toward the rear in the front-to-back direction, the water outlet may be located on the vertically upper surface of the inner surface of the recess, and the lighting unit and the front operating unit may be located on the bottom surface of the recess.

[0010] Furthermore, the housing is provided with bottles for storing drinking water to be supplied to the first and second storage sections, and the lighting section may flash when the volume of drinking water in the bottles is below a threshold.

[0011] Furthermore, the housing may also be provided with a limiting operation unit located on the rear of the housing, which performs an operation to restrict the front operation unit from accepting operations.

[0012] Furthermore, the device may also be provided with a water dispensing operation unit located on the upper surface, which accepts an operation to dispense cold water when the first state is selected, and an operation to dispense hot water when the second state is selected. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a beverage dispenser with superior safety. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a beverage server 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a front view of beverage dispenser 1. [Figure 3] This is a left side view of beverage dispenser 1. [Figure 4] This is a plan view of beverage dispenser 1. [Figure 5] This is a diagram showing the upper rear of beverage dispenser 1. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing the state of the control panel 30. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram showing the state of the lighting unit 40. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] <Beverage dispenser configuration> The configuration of the beverage server 1 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a beverage server 1 according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the beverage server 1. FIG. 3 is a left side view of the beverage server 1. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the beverage server 1. FIG. 5 is a view showing the upper rear of the beverage server 1. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the state of the operation panel 30. FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the state of the lighting unit 40. FIG. 6(a) shows the operation panel 30 in the cold water mode, and FIG. 6(b) shows the operation panel 30 in the hot water mode. FIG. 7(a) shows the lighting state of the lighting unit 40, and FIG. 7(b) shows the extinguished state of the lighting unit 40. In FIG. 3, for convenience of explanation, the bottle 15, the first tank 17, the second tank 18, and the control unit 90 inside the beverage server 1 are shown by dashed lines.

[0017] The beverage server 1 is a server that stores drinking water (specifically, cold water and hot water) inside and can discharge the drinking water. The beverage server 1 includes a housing 10, a water discharge unit 20, an operation panel 30, a lighting unit 40, a front operation unit 45, a restriction operation unit 50, and a control unit 90.

[0018] The housing 10 has a vertically long box-shaped structure. Inside the housing 10, as shown in FIG. 3, a bottle 15 for storing drinking water is provided. The bottle 15 is detachably mounted at the lower part inside the housing 10. The drinking water stored in the bottle 15 is supplied to the first tank 17 and the second tank 18 shown in FIG. 3. The first tank 17 and the second tank 18 are provided at the upper part inside the housing 10. A pipeline (not shown) through which the drinking water flows is formed between the bottle 15 and the first tank 17 and the second tank 18. At the central part in the vertical direction on the front surface of the housing 10, a front recess 13 that is recessed toward the back side in the front-rear direction is provided.

[0019] The first tank 17 is a first accommodating portion that stores low-temperature drinking water (cold water). A cooling unit (not shown) for cooling the drinking water is provided in the first tank 17, and the first tank 17 stores cold water, which is the drinking water cooled by the cooling unit. The second tank 18 is a second accommodating portion that stores high-temperature drinking water (hot water). A heating unit (not shown) for heating the drinking water is provided in the second tank 18, and the second tank 18 stores hot water, which is the drinking water heated by the heating unit.

[0020] The water outlet portion 20 discharges either cold water or hot water. The water outlet portion 20 is provided on the front surface of the housing 10. The water outlet portion 20 discharges the cold water stored in the first tank 17 or the hot water stored in the second tank 18. The water outlet portion 20 is connected to the first tank 17 and the second tank 18 by a supply pipe (not shown). The water outlet portion 20 discharges cold water or hot water vertically downward. A tray portion 22 is provided directly below the water outlet portion 20 as shown in FIG. 3. The water outlet portion 20 and the tray portion 22 are located in the front recess 13. Specifically, the water outlet portion 20 is located on the vertical surface of the inner surface of the front recess 13, and the tray portion 22 is located on the vertically lower surface of the inner surface of the front recess 13.

[0021] The operation panel 30 receives the operations of the user of the beverage server 1. By operating the operation panel 30 by the user, the beverage server 1 is operated. For example, the operation panel 30 receives the operation of discharging cold water or hot water by the water outlet portion 20. The operation panel 30 is provided on the upper surface 11 of the housing 10 as shown in FIG. 1. The operation panel 30 is located on the front side of the upper surface 11 of the housing 10. An operation surface provided with a plurality of buttons capable of touch operation, for example, is formed on the operation panel 30. As shown in FIG. 4, the operation panel 30 includes a mode selection unit 32, a water discharge operation unit 34, a reheating operation unit 36, and a lighting unit 38.

[0022] The mode selection unit 32 is a selection operation unit that allows the user of the beverage server 1 to select a mode for dispensing cold water or hot water. The mode selection unit 32 allows the user to select between a cold water mode in which the dispensing unit 20 can dispense cold water, and a hot water mode in which the dispensing unit 20 can dispense hot water. In this embodiment, the cold water mode corresponds to a first state in which cold water can be dispensed, and the hot water mode corresponds to a second state in which hot water can be dispensed.

[0023] As shown in Figure 4, the mode selection unit 32 has a cold water button 33a and a hot water button 33b. The cold water button 33a is a button for the user to select the cold water mode. The hot water button 33b is a button for the user to select the hot water mode. When the user touches the cold water button 33a, the operation panel 30 is displayed as shown in Figure 6(a), and when the user touches the hot water button 33b, the operation panel 30 is displayed as shown in Figure 6(b).

[0024] In this embodiment, when the beverage server 1 is powered on, the cold water mode is set as the default. Therefore, when the user touches the hot water button 33b, the mode changes from cold water mode to hot water mode. Also, when the user touches the cold water button 33a while hot water mode is selected, the mode changes from hot water mode to cold water mode.

[0025] The water dispensing control unit 34 accepts the user's water dispensing operation in the mode selected by the mode selection unit 32. Specifically, when the cold water mode is selected, the water dispensing control unit 34 accepts the operation to dispense cold water. Also, when the hot water mode is selected, the water dispensing control unit 34 accepts the operation to dispense hot water.

[0026] As shown in Figure 4, the water dispensing control unit 34 has a first water dispensing button 35a, a second water dispensing button 35b, and a third water dispensing button 35c. The first water dispensing button 35a is a button that dispenses water only while the user is touching it. The second water dispensing button 35b is a button that dispenses a first amount of water. The third water dispensing button 35c is a button that dispenses a second amount of water. When the first water dispensing button 35a is touched in cold water mode, cold water is dispensed, and when it is touched in hot water mode, hot water is dispensed. The second water dispensing button 35b and the third water dispensing button 35c accept operation in cold water mode (see Figure 6(a)), but do not accept operation in hot water mode (see Figure 6(b)).

[0027] The reheating operation unit 36 ​​is the part that selects whether to reheat the hot water contained in the second tank 18. The reheating operation unit 36 ​​has a reheat button for reheating the hot water. When the user presses the reheat button, the heating unit of the second tank 18 heats the hot water to a high temperature.

[0028] The lighting unit 38 lights up to notify the user of the status of the beverage server 1. For example, the lighting unit 38 has a first lighting unit 39a and a second lighting unit 39b. The first lighting unit 39a lights up when the bottle 15 inside the housing 10 is empty. The second lighting unit 39b lights up when all operations related to the beverage server 1 are restricted.

[0029] The aforementioned control panel 30 is located on the top surface 11 of the housing 10, making it easy for taller users (adults) to look down at and operate the control panel 30. Therefore, adults can operate the buttons on the control panel 30 to dispense cold or hot water from the water dispenser 20. On the other hand, for shorter users (children), the control panel 30 is located above their eye level, making it difficult to operate. Therefore, in this embodiment, a lighting unit 40 and a front operating unit 45 are provided on the front of the housing 10, as shown in Figure 2, so that children can operate it safely. The lighting unit 40 and the front operating unit 45 are positioned so that adults can easily operate them while seated, resulting in a user-friendly beverage server 1.

[0030] The lighting unit 40 has the function of allowing the user to recognize the status of the beverage server 1 and prompting the user to operate it by turning on. The lighting unit 40 is located on the front of the housing 10. Specifically, the lighting unit 40 is located on the bottom surface of the front recess 13 of the housing 10. More specifically, the lighting unit 40 is located near the water outlet 20 in the vertical direction (up and down direction). This makes it easier for shorter users (children will be used as an example below) to see the situation illuminated by the lighting unit 40 when standing in front of the beverage server 1.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, the lighting unit 40 is provided adjacent to the operation buttons 46 of the front control unit 45. For example, the lighting unit 40 is arranged in a ring shape around the operation buttons 46. This makes it easier for the user to recognize the presence of the operation buttons 46 when the lighting unit 40 is turned on, and also makes it easier for the user to operate the operation buttons 46.

[0032] The lighting unit 40 operates differently depending on whether cold water mode or hot water mode is selected. For example, the lighting unit 40 turns on when cold water mode is selected (see Figure 7(a)) and turns off when hot water mode is selected (see Figure 7(b)). This allows users (especially children) to easily identify whether cold water mode or hot water mode is selected. As a result, it is possible to prevent children from accidentally dispensing hot water.

[0033] The lighting unit 40 flashes when the amount of drinking water in the bottle 15 is below a threshold. This allows even a child who cannot see the first lighting unit 39a on the top surface 11 of the housing 10 to recognize that the bottle 15 is empty by the flashing of the lighting unit 40.

[0034] The front control panel 45 is an operation panel that receives commands to dispense cold water from the water dispensing unit 20. Specifically, the front control panel 45 is capable of receiving commands when in cold water mode. Therefore, the beverage server 1 can dispense cold water by operating either the water dispensing operation panel 34 or the front control panel 45.

[0035] The front control unit 45 is located on the front of the housing 10. Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, the front control unit 45 is located on the bottom surface of the front recess 13 of the housing 10. The front control unit 45 has, for example, a pressable operation button 46. The water dispenser 20 dispenses cold water only while the user is pressing the operation button 46. By having the front control unit 45 located on the bottom surface of the front recess 13, it is possible to prevent the front control unit 45 from protruding from the front and thus detracting from the aesthetic appearance of the beverage server 1.

[0036] The front control panel 45 accepts the operation to dispense cold water when the lighting unit 40 is lit (Figure 7(a)). On the other hand, the front control panel 45 does not accept the operation to dispense hot water when the lighting unit 40 is lit. In other words, when the lighting unit 40 is lit, only cold water can be dispensed. This ensures safety because even if a child sees the lighting unit 40 lit and operates the front control panel 45, hot water will not be dispensed.

[0037] As shown in Figure 2, the front control unit 45 is located below the water outlet unit 20 in the vertical direction (up and down direction). Specifically, the operation buttons 46 of the front control unit 45 are located below the water outlet unit 20 on the bottom surface of the front recess 13. This positioning of the front control unit 45 below the water outlet unit 20 makes it easier for even short children to operate the front control unit 45.

[0038] The restriction control unit 50 is an operation unit that receives operations to restrict operations on the beverage server 1. For example, the restriction control unit 50 receives operations to restrict operations performed by the front control unit 45. By providing the restriction control unit 50, it is possible to prevent users unfamiliar with operating the beverage server 1 from performing incorrect operations.

[0039] The limiting operation unit 50 is located on the rear surface 14 of the housing 10, as shown in Figure 5. Specifically, the limiting operation unit 50 is located on the upper part of the rear surface 14 of the housing 10. The limiting operation unit 50 includes, for example, a first limiting switch 52 and a second limiting switch 53.

[0040] The first restriction switch 52 is a switch that restricts all operations. When the user turns on the first restriction switch 52, they cannot operate the mode selection unit 32, the water dispensing operation unit 34, the reheating operation unit 36, and the front operation unit 45. When the first restriction switch 52 is turned on, the first indicator light unit 39a lights up. The second restriction switch 53 is a switch that restricts only operations using the front operation unit 45. When the user turns on the second restriction switch 53, they cannot operate the operation buttons 46 on the front operation unit 45, and therefore cannot dispense cold water using the operation buttons 46.

[0041] The control unit 90 controls the operation of the beverage server 1. The control unit 90 is located inside the housing 10. When the mode selection unit 32, water dispensing unit 34, reheating unit 36, and front control unit 45 receive user input, the control unit 90 operates the beverage server 1 according to the received input.

[0042] The control unit 90 dispenses cold or hot water from the water outlet unit 20 in response to operations performed by the water outlet operation unit 34 and the front operation unit 45. For example, in cold water mode, the control unit 90 dispenses cold water when the user operates the button on the water outlet operation unit 34, and in hot water mode, it dispenses hot water when the user operates the button on the water outlet operation unit 34. In addition, in cold water mode, the control unit 90 dispenses cold water when the user operates the button on the front operation unit 45.

[0043] The control unit 90 operates the lighting unit 40 according to the mode selected by the mode selection unit 32. For example, when the mode selection unit 32 selects the cold water mode, the control unit 90 turns on the lighting unit 40 (see Figure 7(a)), and when the mode selection unit 32 selects the hot water mode, it turns off the lighting unit 40 (see Figure 7(b)). The control unit 90 allows the front control unit 45 to accept operations when the lighting unit 40 is lit, and does not allow the front control unit 45 to accept operations when the lighting unit 40 is off.

[0044] <Effects of this embodiment> The beverage server 1 of the above-described embodiment includes a mode selection unit 32 provided on the top surface 11 of the housing 10, which allows selection between a cold water mode and a hot water mode; an illumination unit 40 provided on the front of the housing 10, which lights up when the cold water mode is selected; and a front operation unit 45 provided on the front of the housing 10, which receives an operation to dispense cold water when the illumination unit 40 is lit. Since only cold water can be dispensed when the lighting unit 40 is lit, even if a child sees the lighting unit 40 lit and operates the front control unit 45, hot water will not be dispensed, thus ensuring the safety of the beverage server 1.

[0045] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its gist. For example, all or part of the apparatus can be configured by functionally or physically distributing and integrating in any unit. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combinations are combined with the effects of the original embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] 1. Beverage dispenser 10 cabinets 11 Top side 13 Front recess 20 Izumi Department 32 Mode Selection Section 34 Water output operation section 40 Lighting Section 45 Front control section 46 Operation Buttons 50 Restriction control unit

Claims

1. A housing having a first storage section for storing cold water and a second storage section for storing hot water inside, A water outlet that dispenses either the cold water or the hot water, An operation panel provided on the upper surface of the housing, comprising: a selection operation unit that allows selection between a first state in which the water outlet unit can dispense cold water and a second state in which the water outlet unit can dispense hot water; and a water outlet operation unit that accepts an operation to dispense cold water when the first state is selected and an operation to dispense hot water when the second state is selected, A lighting unit provided on the front of the housing, which lights up when the first state is selected, A front operating section is provided on the front and receives an operation to dispense the cold water when the lighting unit is lit, Equipped with, A beverage dispenser in which the front control panel and the lighting panel are located below the water outlet in the vertical direction.

2. The aforementioned front control panel has pressable operation buttons, The lighting unit is arranged in a ring shape around the operation button. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1.

3. The lighting unit turns off when the second state is selected. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1.

4. The housing has a recess in the center of the front in the vertical direction that is recessed toward the rear in the front-to-back direction, The water outlet portion is located on the vertically upper surface of the inner surface of the recess, The lighting unit and the front operating unit are located on the bottom surface of the recess. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1.

5. Inside the housing, there is a bottle for storing drinking water to be supplied to the first and second storage sections. The lighting unit flashes when the volume of drinking water in the bottle is below a threshold. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1.

6. The housing further includes a limiting operation unit provided on the rear of the housing, which performs an operation to restrict the front operation unit from accepting operations. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1.

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