JP2007128478A - Automatic beverage vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic beverage vending machine which can brew drink with many bubbles brewed by a high pressure and drink with few bubbles brewed by a low pressure by one brewing apparatus without changing the discharge pressure of a pump. <P>SOLUTION: The automatic beverage vending machine has a first pressure control valve 12a which adjust a supply pressure to the brewing apparatus 8 to a first pressure by returning part of drinking water discharged from the pump 12 to the pump 12 suction-side, and a second pressure control valve 12b which adjust the supply pressure to the brewing apparatus 8 the 2nd to a predetermined pressure lower than the first pressure by returning part of drinking water discharged from the pump 12 to the pump 12 suction-side, and the supply pressure to the brewing apparatus 8 is switched to the first pressure by the first pressure control valve 12a, or the second pressure by the second pressure control valve 12b. Thereby, the supply pressure to the brewing apparatus 8 can be switched to either the high-pressure or low-pressure without changing the discharge pressure of the pump 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a beverage vending machine that extracts beverages from raw materials such as coffee beans and injects them into a cup for sale.

Conventionally, as this kind of beverage vending machine, the coffee beans are extracted from the extractor by supplying the raw material obtained by grinding the coffee beans with a mill into the extractor and supplying hot water generated by the boiler to the extractor. What was made is known (for example, refer patent document 1).
JP 2000-348255 A

  By the way, in the beverage vending machine, the inside of the extraction cylinder is sealed by each piston inserted in the extraction cylinder, and the beverage is extracted by supplying hot water into the extraction cylinder at a predetermined pressure. Depending on the supply pressure of the hot water, the concentration and foaming of the coffee beverage will vary. That is, when the supply pressure is higher than the extraction of regular coffee, it is possible to extract a coffee beverage with a lot of foam and espresso coffee. However, in the conventional beverage vending machine, the discharge pressure of the pump is fixed at a predetermined pressure, so the supply pressure cannot be changed according to the type of beverage, and both espresso coffee and regular coffee are used. It was not possible to extract with an extractor. In addition, it is possible to change the supply pressure by controlling the pump output, but in this case, complicated control such as feedback control of the pump output by detecting the supply pressure is required. was there.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a thick beverage with a lot of foam extracted at a high pressure and a foam extracted at a low pressure without changing the discharge pressure of the pump. It is an object of the present invention to provide a beverage vending machine capable of extracting a thin beverage with a small amount with a single extractor.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a beverage vending machine for extracting beverage from an extractor by supplying drinking water to the extractor supplied with the raw material by a pump. A first pressure control valve for controlling the supply pressure of the drinking water fed to the side to a predetermined first pressure, and the first supply pressure of the drinking water fed from the pump to the extractor side A second pressure control valve for controlling the pressure to be a predetermined second pressure lower than the first pressure, and the supply pressure to the extractor side is the first pressure and the second pressure control by the first pressure control valve And switching means for switching so as to be either one of the second pressures by the valve.

  Thus, by switching the supply pressure to the extractor to one of the first pressure by the first pressure control valve and the second pressure by the second pressure control valve, the discharge pressure of the pump is not changed. The supply pressure to the extractor is switched between high pressure and low pressure.

  According to the present invention, the supply pressure to the extractor can be switched between high pressure and low pressure without changing the discharge pressure of the pump, so that a strong coffee beverage (espresso coffee) with a lot of foam due to high pressure and a low pressure A thin coffee beverage (regular coffee) with less foam can be extracted by a single extractor, which is extremely advantageous when selling a wide variety of coffee beverages. Further, since the supply pressure to the extractor is controlled by the pressure control valve, the supply pressure can be controlled with high accuracy by a simple system.

  FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a front view of a beverage vending machine, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing its configuration, and FIG. 3 is its main part and beverage extraction operation. FIG.

  This beverage vending machine includes a vending machine body 1, a boiler 2 for heating drinking water, a water supply tank 3 for storing drinking water, a plurality of powder raw material containers 4 for storing powder raw materials, and each powder raw material container. 4, a plurality of mixing balls 5 for mixing the raw materials carried out with hot water, a ventilation fan 6 for ventilating each mixing ball 5, a coffee raw material container 7 for storing coffee beans as raw materials, and an extractor for extracting coffee beverages 8, a cup unloader 9 for unloading the cup A, a cup moving mechanism 10 for moving the cup A unloaded from the cup unloader 9 to the product outlet 1g, a drainage container 11 for storing unnecessary drainage liquid, And a pump 12 for supplying drinking water to the extractor 8 via the boiler 2.

  On the front surface of the vending machine body 1, there are a plurality of product selection switches 1a, a sales lamp 1b attached to each product selection switch 1a, and an auxiliary selection switch 1c for selecting a seasoning such as sugar, milk, black, etc. Two types of coffee drinks, espresso coffee and regular coffee, can be selected. In addition, a coin insertion slot 1d, a coin return slot 1e, a money amount display portion 1f, and a product outlet 1g are provided on the front surface of the vending machine main body 1, and a coin processing device (not shown) is inserted into the coin insertion slot 1d. Is to be processed by.

  The boiler 2 is a known instantaneous small boiler that generates hot water of about 100 ° C. by an internal heater (not shown), and has a tank 2a having a capacity of about 400 cc. The tank 2a is provided with a water supply port 2b and a drain port 2c, and a plurality of discharge ports 2d for discharging hot water, and the drain port 2c is opened and closed by an electromagnetic valve 2e.

  The water supply tank 3 is connected to the pump 12 side through a water supply pump 3a, a cistern 3b, a filter 3c, and a flow meter 3d, and supplies drinking water stored therein to the cistern 3b by the water supply pump 3a. This water supply tank 3 is installed in the lower part in the vending machine main body 1, for example, is directly replenished with drinking water from the outside, or is replaced with a new water supply tank 3 that stores drinking water in advance. It may be a thing.

  Each powder raw material container 4 contains black tea (or Japanese tea), cream, cocoa and sugar as powder raw materials, respectively, and carries out a predetermined amount of raw materials.

  Each mixing ball 5 is arranged below each powder raw material container 4 and receives the raw material carried out from the powder raw material container 4. That is, hot water is supplied to the mixing ball 5 from the boiler 2, and the powder raw material and hot water are mixed in the mixing ball 5 and injected into the cup A of the product outlet 1g. Some of the mixing balls 5 are provided with a stirrer 5a.

  The ventilation fan 6 is connected to a duct 6a disposed above each mixing ball 5, and the steam in the mixing ball 5 is discharged to the outside through the duct 6a.

  The coffee raw material container 7 has a mill 7a for grinding coffee beans, and a predetermined amount of raw material (ground beans) measured by the measuring device 7b is carried out to the extractor 8.

  The extractor 8 has a well-known configuration for extracting coffee beverages from raw materials (ground beans) using hot water fed from the discharge port 2d of the boiler 2, and the extracted beverage is injected into the cup A of the product outlet 1g. Thus, the extracted raw material koji is discharged into the koji container 8a.

  The cup unloader 9 has a well-known configuration that accommodates cups A for selling beverages, and drops the cups A one by one to the cup moving mechanism 10 side.

  The cup moving mechanism 10 includes an arm 10a that can receive the cup A at one end and a motor 10b that rotates the arm 10a. The cup moving mechanism 10 receives the cup A carried out from the cup unloader 9 by the arm 10a, and rotates the arm 10a by the motor 10b, thereby moving the cup A to the product outlet 1g. .

  The drainage container 11 is installed in the lower part in the vending machine main body 1 and accommodates unnecessary liquid discharged from the drainage port 2c of the boiler 2 and the product outlet 1g.

  The pump 12 is a known electromagnetic pump, and sucks drinking water in the cistern 3b and discharges it to the boiler 2 side. A first pressure control valve 12 a is provided on the downstream side of the pump 12, and the first pressure control valve 12 a supplies a part of drinking water according to the pressure of drinking water discharged from the pump 12 to the suction side of the pump 12. The supply pressure to the extractor 8 is set to a predetermined first pressure. Moreover, the 2nd pressure control valve 12b is provided in the downstream of the 1st pressure control valve 12a, and the 2nd pressure control valve 12b respond | corresponds to the pressure of the drinking water which flows out out of the 1st pressure control valve 12a. By returning a part of the drinking water to the suction side of the pump 12, the supply pressure to the extractor 8 is set to a predetermined second pressure lower than the first pressure. In this case, the discharge pressure of the pump 12 is set to a pressure higher than the first pressure. The discharge side flow path 12c of the pump 12 is connected to the inflow side of the first pressure control valve 12a, and the outflow side flow path 12d of the first pressure control valve 12a is connected to the inflow side of the second pressure control valve 12b. ing. In addition, the suction side passage 12e of the pump 12 includes a first return passage 12f for returning a part of drinking water from the first pressure control valve 12a to the suction side of the pump 12, and a second pressure control valve 12b. The second return flow path 12g for returning a part of the drinking water to the suction side of the pump 12 is connected to the second return flow path 12g, and an electromagnetic valve 12h is provided in the second return flow path 12g. The first pressure control valve 12a has a well-known relief valve mechanism 12a ′ that opens a valve body made of, for example, a ball with a spring in the closing direction and opens when the pressure exceeds the first pressure. This is configured by arranging 12a 'on the first return flow path 12f side of the T-shaped pipe joint. The second pressure control valve 12b has a relief valve mechanism 12b 'that opens when the pressure exceeds the second pressure. The relief valve mechanism 12b' is connected to the second return flow path 12g side of the T-shaped pipe joint. It is comprised by arranging in.

  In the beverage vending machine configured as described above, when a user inserts money and an arbitrary product is selected by the product selection switch 1a, a predetermined sales operation is started. In other words, the cup A is unloaded from the cup unloader 9, and the cup A is moved to the product outlet 1 g by the cup moving mechanism 10, and an arbitrary beverage is injected into the cup A. For example, when coffee is selected by the product selection switch 1a and cream and sugar are selected by the auxiliary selection switch 1c, the hot water of the boiler 2 is supplied to the extractor 8 to extract the coffee drink, Cream and sugar are carried out from the powder raw material container 4. In this case, the powder raw material carried out from the powder raw material container 4 is mixed with hot water supplied from the boiler 2 by the mixing ball 5 and injected into the cup A.

  In the beverage extraction operation, when espresso coffee is selected as the coffee beverage, the solenoid valve 12h is closed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), the drinking water discharged from the pump 12 flows into the second pressure control valve 12b via the outflow side passage 12d of the first pressure control valve 12a, and the second Part of the drinking water that has flowed into the first pressure control valve 12a flows into the suction-side flow path 12e of the pump 12 via the first return flow path 12f, and flows out of the first pressure control valve 12a. The pressure is maintained at the first pressure. At that time, since the second return flow path 12g is closed by the electromagnetic valve 12h, the drinking water flowing out from the first pressure control valve 12a does not flow into the second return flow path 12g, but the first pressure. After passing through the second pressure control valve 12b and being heated by the boiler 2, it is supplied to the extractor 8. Thereby, a strong coffee drink (espresso coffee) with a lot of foam is extracted by a high pressure (first pressure).

  When regular coffee is selected as the coffee beverage, the solenoid valve 12h is opened. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the drinking water discharged from the pump 12 flows into the second pressure control valve 12b via the outflow side passage 12d of the first pressure control valve 12a, and the second Since the return valve 12g of the second solenoid valve 12h is opened, a part of the drinking water that has flowed into the second pressure control valve 12b passes through the second return channel 12g to the suction side channel of the pump 12. The pressure of the drinking water flowing into 12e and flowing out of the second pressure control valve 12b is maintained at the second pressure. And the drinking water which flowed out from the 2nd pressure control valve 12b is heated with the boiler 2, and is supplied to the extractor 8. FIG. Thereby, the thin coffee drink (regular coffee) with few foams is extracted by low pressure (2nd pressure).

  Thus, according to the beverage vending machine of this embodiment, the 1st pressure control valve which controls the supply pressure to the extractor 8 side of the drinking water discharged from the pump 12 becomes the 1st pressure. 12a, and a second pressure control valve 12b that controls the supply pressure of the drinking water discharged from the pump 12 to the extractor 8 side to be a predetermined second pressure lower than the first pressure. Since the supply pressure to the extractor 8 is switched between the first pressure by the first pressure control valve 12a and the second pressure by the second pressure control valve 12b, the discharge pressure of the pump 12 The supply pressure to the extractor 8 can be switched to either high pressure or low pressure without changing the pressure, and a strong coffee beverage with a lot of foam due to high pressure (espresso coffee) and a thin coffee beverage with a low pressure due to low pressure (regular coffee) And one It can be extracted by the extruder 8. In this case, since the supply pressure to the extractor 8 is controlled by the pressure control valves 12a and 12b, the supply pressure can be controlled with high accuracy by a simple system.

  In addition, since the first pressure control valve 12a is provided on the downstream side of the pump 12, and the second pressure control valve 12b is provided on the downstream side of the first pressure control valve 12a, the first pressure control valve 12a and the second pressure control valve 12a are provided. The two pressure control valves 12b can be arranged in series, and the flow path can be simplified.

  Moreover, the supply pressure to the extractor 8 side is changed to the first pressure by returning a part of the drinking water fed from the pump 12 to the extractor 8 side to the suction side of the pump 12 by the first pressure control valve 12a. The supply pressure to the extractor 8 side by returning a part of the drinking water fed from the pump 12 to the extractor 8 side to the suction side of the pump 12 by the second pressure control valve 12b. Is configured to be the second pressure, the supply pressure to the extractor 8 can be easily controlled using the pressure control valves 12a and 12b including known relief valves, and the control of the supply pressure is simplified. Can be performed with high accuracy by a simple system.

  In this case, the supply pressure to the extractor 8 is switched by opening and closing the second return passage 12g for returning a part of the drinking water from the second pressure control valve 12b to the suction side of the pump 12 by the electromagnetic valve 12h. Since it did in this way, supply pressure can be switched only by opening / closing operation | movement of the solenoid valve 12h, and the simplification of a structure can be achieved.

  In the above embodiment, the drinking water discharged from the pump 12 is heated by the boiler 2 and then supplied to the extractor 8. However, for example, hot drinking water stored in a hot water supply tank is shown. May be supplied from the pump to the extractor.

  FIG. 4 shows a modification of the first embodiment, in which a throttle mechanism 12i made of an orifice or the like is provided in the second return channel 12g. Thereby, the flow volume and feed water pressure from the outflow side flow path 12d of the 1st pressure control valve 12a to the 2nd return flow path 12g can be adjusted, and the drink supply which can exist for every drink taste and product The amount of variation can be reduced.

  FIG. 5 shows another modified example of the first embodiment. A relief valve separate from the pipe joint is used as the first pressure control valve 12j and the second pressure control valve 12k, respectively, and the return flow path 12f. , 12g. In this case, the first pressure control valve 12j has a relief valve mechanism 12j 'that opens when the pressure exceeds the first pressure, and the second pressure control valve 12j opens when the pressure becomes greater than the second pressure. It has a mechanism 12k '. In this modification, the second pressure control valve 12j is provided on the upstream side of the electromagnetic valve 12h. However, the second pressure control valve 12j may be provided on the downstream side of the electromagnetic valve 12h.

  FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic diagram showing a main part of a beverage vending machine and a beverage extraction operation. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and shown to the component equivalent to the said embodiment.

  In this embodiment, the 1st pressure control valve 13a is provided in the downstream of the pump 13, and the 1st pressure control valve 13a pumps a part of drinking water according to the pressure of the drinking water discharged from the pump 13. By returning to the suction side 13, the supply pressure to the extractor 8 is set to a predetermined first pressure. In this case, the discharge pressure of the pump 13 is set to a pressure higher than the first pressure. The discharge side flow path 13b of the pump 13 is connected to the inflow side of the first pressure control valve 13a, and the outflow side flow path 13c of the first pressure control valve 13a is connected to the boiler 2. A first return passage 13e for returning a part of drinking water from the first pressure control valve 13a to the suction side of the pump 13 is connected to the suction side passage 13d of the pump 13. Further, a second return flow path 13f that branches from the outflow side flow path 13c of the first pressure control valve 13a and returns a part of drinking water to the suction side of the pump 13 is connected to the suction side flow path 13d. The second return channel 13f is provided with an electromagnetic valve 13g. In addition, a second pressure control valve 13h is provided on the downstream side of the electromagnetic valve 13g in the second return flow path 13f, and the second pressure control valve 13h is used for drinking water flowing through the second return flow path 13f. By returning a part of the drinking water to the suction side of the pump 13 in accordance with the pressure, the supply pressure to the extractor 8 is set to a predetermined second pressure lower than the first pressure. The first pressure control valve 13a has a relief valve mechanism 13a 'that opens when the pressure exceeds the first pressure, as in the above embodiment, and the relief valve mechanism 13a' is a T-shaped pipe joint. 1 on the return flow path 13e side. The second pressure control valve 13h has a relief valve mechanism 13h 'that opens when the pressure exceeds the second pressure, and the relief valve mechanism 13h' is located on the second return flow path 13f side of the L-shaped pipe joint. It is comprised by arranging in.

  In the above configuration, when espresso coffee is selected as the coffee beverage, the electromagnetic valve 13g is closed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), the drinking water discharged from the pump 13 flows through the outflow side passage 13c via the first pressure control valve 13a and the drinking water in the outflow side passage 13c. The pressure is maintained at the first pressure by the first pressure control valve 13a. At that time, since the second return flow path 13f is closed by the electromagnetic valve 13g, the drinking water flowing out from the first pressure control valve 13a is supplied to the boiler 2 without flowing into the second return flow path 13f. After being heated by the boiler 2, it is supplied to the extractor 8. Thereby, a strong coffee drink (espresso coffee) with a lot of foam is extracted by a high pressure (first pressure).

  Moreover, when regular coffee is selected as the coffee beverage, the electromagnetic valve 13g is opened. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), the drinking water discharged from the pump 13 flows through the outflow channel 13c via the first pressure control valve 13a, and the drinking water in the outflow channel 13c. The pressure is maintained at the second pressure by the second pressure control valve 13h. And the drinking water which distribute | circulates the outflow side flow path 13c is heated with the boiler 2, and is supplied to the extractor 8. FIG. Thereby, the thin coffee drink (regular coffee) with few foams is extracted by low pressure (2nd pressure).

  Thus, according to the beverage vending machine of this embodiment, the 1st pressure control valve which controls so that the supply pressure to the extractor 8 side of the drinking water discharged from the pump 13 becomes the 1st pressure. 13a and a second pressure control valve 13h that controls the supply pressure of the drinking water discharged from the pump 13 to the extractor 8 side to be a predetermined second pressure lower than the first pressure. Since the supply pressure to the extractor 8 is switched to one of the first pressure by the first pressure control valve 13a and the second pressure by the second pressure control valve 13h, the same as in the previous embodiment. The supply pressure to the extractor 8 can be switched to either high pressure or low pressure without changing the discharge pressure of the pump 13, and a coffee beverage with a lot of foam due to high pressure (espresso coffee) and a coffee beverage with a small amount of foam due to low pressure. (Regular coffee Preparative can be extracted by a single extractor 8.

  In the second embodiment as well, as in the modification of the first embodiment, the second return channel 13f may be provided with a throttle mechanism including an orifice.

  In the second embodiment, as the first and second pressure control valves 13a and 13h, relief valve mechanisms 13a 'and 13h' formed integrally with a pipe joint are used. As in the other modification of the embodiment, a relief valve separate from the pipe joint may be provided in the return flow paths 13e and 13f as the first and second pressure control valves, respectively.

The front view of the drink vending machine which shows the 1st Embodiment of this invention Schematic diagram showing the configuration of a beverage vending machine Schematic showing essential parts of beverage vending machine and beverage extraction operation Schematic which shows the modification of 1st Embodiment Schematic which shows the other modification of 1st Embodiment. Schematic which shows the principal part and drink extraction operation | movement of the drink vending machine which concern on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Boiler, 8 ... Extractor, 12 ... Pump, 12a ... 1st pressure control valve, 12b ... 2nd pressure control valve, 12f ... 1st return flow path, 12g ... 2nd return flow path, 12h ... Solenoid valve, 12i ... Throttle mechanism, 12j ... First pressure control valve, 12k ... Second pressure control valve, 13 ... Pump, 13a ... First pressure control valve, 13e ... First return flow path, 13f ... 2nd return flow path, 13g ... Solenoid valve, 13h ... 2nd pressure control valve.

Claims (5)

In a beverage vending machine adapted to extract beverage from an extractor by supplying drinking water to the extractor supplied with the raw material by a pump,
A first pressure control valve for controlling the supply pressure of drinking water fed from the pump to the extractor side to be a predetermined first pressure;
A second pressure control valve for controlling the supply pressure of drinking water fed from the pump to the extractor side to be a predetermined second pressure lower than the first pressure;
And switching means for switching so that the supply pressure to the extractor side is either the first pressure by the first pressure control valve or the second pressure by the second pressure control valve. Beverage vending machine. A part of the drinking water fed from the pump to the extractor side is returned to the suction side of the pump by the first pressure control valve so that the supply pressure to the extractor side becomes the first pressure. The beverage vending machine according to claim 1. A part of the drinking water fed from the pump to the extractor side is returned to the suction side of the pump by the second pressure control valve so that the supply pressure to the extractor side becomes the second pressure. The beverage vending machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The beverage vending machine according to claim 3, wherein the switching means is configured by an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes a flow path for returning a part of drinking water from the second pressure regulating valve to the suction side of the pump. The beverage vending machine according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a throttling mechanism is provided in a flow path for returning a part of drinking water to the suction side of the pump via the second pressure control valve.

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