JP2024118196A - Beverage pour-out device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a beverage pour-out device capable of reducing the amount of beverage remaining in a beverage container.SOLUTION: A beverage pour-out device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a mounting part on which a first beverage container C1 and a second beverage container C2 are mounted; a faucet that pours out a beverage X2 in the second beverage container C2 mounted on the mounting part; a first beverage passage 21 that transports a beverage X1 in the first beverage container C1 mounted on the mounting part to the second beverage container C2; a second beverage passage 22 that transports the beverage X2 in the second beverage container C2 mounted on the mounting part to the faucet; a first gas passage 6c that supplies a gas G1 for pushing out the beverage X1 in the first beverage container C1 mounted on the mounting part to the second beverage passage 22 via the first beverage passage 21, to an internal part of the first beverage container C1; and a second gas passage 6d that supplies a gas G2 for pushing out the beverage X2 in the second beverage container C2 mounted on the mounting part to the faucet via the second beverage passage 22, to the internal part of the second beverage passage 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

This disclosure relates to a beverage dispensing device that dispenses beverages.

Patent Document 1 describes a home beverage server, which is a type of beverage dispensing device. The home beverage server has an exterior case, a container storage chamber provided inside the exterior case for storing two beverage containers, and two beverage dispensing pipes inserted into each beverage container. The two beverage dispensing pipes pass through the ceiling wall of the container storage chamber and join at a flow path switching valve located above the ceiling wall. The flow path switching valve is connected to a dispensing cock via a dispensing relay pipe.

The home beverage server is equipped with a pressurizing means consisting of a gas cylinder housed in an exterior case, an on-off valve, and a gas supply hose. The gas cylinder supplies gas to the inside of the container housing chamber via the on-off valve and the gas supply hose. The gas cylinder pushes the beverage in each beverage container into each beverage dispensing pipe by supplying this gas. The beverages pushed out into each beverage dispensing pipe are then poured out from the dispensing cock after joining together at the flow path switching valve.

JP 2002-68379 A

In the home beverage server described above, two beverage containers are pressurized at the same time, and beverages are dispensed from the two beverage containers at the same time. However, in reality, differences in the state of the two beverage containers or the state of the two beverage dispensing tubes can cause differences in the amount of beverage dispensed from the two beverage containers. If a difference occurs in the amount of beverage dispensed from the two beverage containers, one of the two beverage containers will be emptied first. If one of the two beverage containers is emptied first, gas will pass through the beverage dispensing tube extending from that beverage container, so a problem may arise in which the beverage cannot be dispensed even if the other of the two beverage containers is not empty. In other words, in this state, the gas passing through one beverage dispensing tube and the beverage passing through the other beverage dispensing tube will merge, so in some cases only foam may be dispensed from the beverage tap. As a result, a problem may arise in which a large amount of beverage remains in the other beverage container without being dispensed.

The present disclosure aims to provide a beverage dispensing device that can reduce the amount of beverage remaining in a beverage container.

The beverage dispensing device according to the present disclosure includes (1) an installation section in which a first beverage container for containing a beverage and a second beverage container for containing a beverage are installed, a faucet for dispensing the beverage contained in the second beverage container installed in the installation section, a first beverage flow path for transferring the beverage contained in the first beverage container installed in the installation section to the second beverage container, a second beverage flow path for transferring the beverage contained in the second beverage container installed in the installation section to the faucet, a first gas flow path for supplying gas to the inside of the first beverage container for pushing the beverage contained in the first beverage container installed in the installation section to the second beverage container via the first beverage flow path, and a second gas flow path for supplying gas to the inside of the second beverage container for pushing the beverage contained in the second beverage container installed in the installation section to the faucet via the second beverage flow path.

This beverage dispensing device includes an installation section in which a first beverage container and a second beverage container are installed, and a faucet. The beverage in the first beverage container is transferred to the second beverage container via the first beverage flow path, and the beverage in the second beverage container is transferred to the faucet via the second beverage flow path. The faucet dispenses the beverage transferred from the second beverage container. Therefore, since the beverage in the first beverage container is transferred to the second beverage container and the beverage in the second beverage container is transferred to the faucet, the beverage in the second beverage container can continue to be dispensed from the faucet even if the first beverage container is empty. Therefore, the beverage can be continued to be dispensed until both the first beverage container and the second beverage container are empty, so that the amount of beverage remaining in the beverage container can be reduced. This beverage dispensing device includes a first gas flow path that supplies a gas to the first beverage container for pushing the beverage in the first beverage container to the second beverage container, and a second gas flow path that supplies a gas to the second beverage container for pushing the beverage in the second beverage container to the faucet. Therefore, gas is supplied to both the first beverage container and the second beverage container, so that the beverage can be transferred smoothly from the first beverage container to the second beverage container, and from the second beverage container to the faucet. As a result, the beverage can be efficiently dispensed from the faucet.

(2) In the above (1), the beverage dispensing device may include a control unit that controls the first beverage container installed in the installation unit to be emptied before the second beverage container installed in the installation unit. In this case, the control unit prevents the second beverage container from being emptied before the first beverage container. Therefore, the first beverage container is emptied first, allowing the beverage to continue being dispensed from the second beverage container, so that the amount of beverage remaining in the beverage container can be more reliably reduced.

(3) In (1) or (2) above, the first beverage flow path may have an outlet portion that allows the beverage to flow into the second beverage container installed in the installation portion. The outlet portion may allow the beverage to flow in a direction oblique to the vertical direction. In this case, inside the second beverage container, the beverage flows out of the outlet portion in a direction oblique to the vertical direction. This can prevent the beverage inside the second beverage container from foaming, thereby preventing the generation of coarse bubbles that accompany the pouring of the beverage from the faucet. This can improve the quality of the poured beverage.

(4) In any of (1) to (3) above, the first beverage flow path may have an outlet portion that allows the beverage to flow into the second beverage container installed in the installation portion, and the outlet portion may allow the beverage to flow onto the inner wall surface of the second beverage container. In this case, the beverage flows from the outlet portion onto the inner wall surface of the second beverage container, thereby suppressing foaming of the beverage inside the second beverage container. As a result, the generation of coarse foam that accompanies the pouring of the beverage from the faucet can be suppressed, thereby improving the quality of the beverage.

(5) In the above (3) or (4), the outflow portion may be an attachment that is detachable from the first beverage flow path. In this case, since the outflow portion as an attachment can be detachably attached to the first beverage flow path having a simple shape, the manner in which the beverage flows into the inside of the second beverage container can be freely changed.

(6) In any of (1) to (5) above, the beverage dispensing device may include a speed reduction unit that reduces the speed of the beverage passing through the first beverage flow path. In this case, the speed reduction unit reduces the speed of the beverage passing through the first beverage flow path, thereby reducing foaming of the beverage inside the second beverage container. Therefore, foaming associated with the dispensing of the beverage from the faucet can be reduced, improving the quality of the beverage.

This disclosure makes it possible to reduce the amount of beverage remaining in a beverage container.

1 is a perspective view showing a beverage dispensing device according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the beverage dispensing device of FIG. 1, seen from a different direction than that of FIG. 1. 2 is a perspective view showing a first gas flow path and a second gas flow path of the beverage dispensing device of FIG. 1. [0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first beverage flow path and a second beverage flow path of the beverage dispenser of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a first beverage flow path, a second beverage flow path, a first gas flow path, and a second gas flow path of the beverage dispensing device of FIG. 1; FIG. 6(a) is a perspective view showing an outlet portion as an attachment of the beverage dispenser of Fig. 1. Fig. 6(b) is a perspective view showing the attachment of Fig. 6(a). 7A is a perspective view showing an outlet portion different from that in Fig. 6A, and Fig. 7B is a perspective view showing a flow path conversion portion of the attachment in Fig. 7A. 1 is a plan view illustrating a positional relationship between a beverage can, which is an example of a beverage container, and an outlet portion. FIG. 5A and 5B are schematic plan views for explaining the angle of the outflow direction of the beverage with respect to the inner wall surface of the beverage container. FIG. 13A, 13B, and 13C are diagrams showing modified examples of the attachment.

Below, an embodiment of a beverage dispensing device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted as appropriate. The drawings may be partially simplified or exaggerated to facilitate understanding, and the dimensional ratios, etc. are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

The beverage dispensing device according to this embodiment has an installation section in which a first beverage container for containing a beverage and a second beverage container for containing a beverage are installed, and a faucet for dispensing the beverage. A "beverage dispensing device" is a device for dispensing a beverage, and "beverage" refers to a drinkable liquid or semi-solid. "Beverage" includes alcoholic beverages such as beer, happoshu, chuhai, and wine, as well as non-alcoholic carbonated beverages and soft drinks.

The "beverage" is, for example, a sparkling beverage. A "sparkling beverage" includes, for example, a fermented alcoholic drink containing a gas such as carbon dioxide. A "sparkling beverage" is a beverage that has a foaming characteristic in which a layer of foam is formed on the liquid when poured into a glass or the like, and a foam retention characteristic in which the formed foam is maintained for a certain period of time or more.

The "sparkling beverage" may be a beer-tasting beverage. Beer-tasting beverages include beverages that taste like beer and beverages that give the drinker the sensation of drinking beer. Beer-tasting beverages with an alcohol content of 1% or more are also called beer-tasting alcoholic beverages. Note that the "sparkling beverage" may be a beverage other than a beer-tasting beverage. In this embodiment, as an example, an example will be described in which the sparkling beverage is beer and the liquid in the sparkling beverage is a beer liquid.

"Beverage container" refers to a vessel that holds a beverage. A beverage container is, for example, a lightweight container that holds a beverage and can be carried by hand. For example, a beverage container is a beverage can, a bottle, a plastic bottle, a barrel, or a growler (one example is a water bottle). "Flask" refers to a part that pours the beverage inside the beverage container to the outside of the beverage dispensing device. The beverage dispensing device has an installation section in which a first beverage container and a second beverage container are installed.

The first beverage container and the second beverage container each contain a beverage. For example, the type of beverage contained in the first beverage container is the same as the type of beverage contained in the second beverage container. However, the type of beverage contained in the first beverage container may be different from the type of beverage contained in the second beverage container.

In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the beverage contained in the first beverage container and the beverage contained in the second beverage container are both sparkling beverages. In this disclosure, the beverage contained in the first beverage container and the beverage contained in the second beverage container may be referred to as the beverage of the first beverage container and the beverage of the second beverage container, respectively.

The "installation section" is a portion where at least a first beverage container and a second beverage container are installed. A third beverage container may also be installed in the installation section. In other words, the number of beverage containers installed in the installation section is not particularly limited as long as it is more than one. The beverage dispensing device has a gas supply section that supplies gas to each of the first beverage container and the second beverage container.

In the beverage dispensing device, the beverage is supplied from the first beverage container to the second beverage container by the gas pressure of the gas supplied to the first beverage container, and the beverage is supplied from the second beverage container to the faucet by the gas pressure of the gas supplied to the second beverage container. The faucet dispenses the beverage supplied from the second beverage container to the outside of the beverage dispensing device.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a beverage dispensing device 1 according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the beverage dispensing device 1 as viewed from a different direction than that of Figure 1. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the beverage dispensing device 1 includes an installation section 2 in which a first beverage container C1 and a second beverage container C2 are installed, a sealing mechanism 3 that seals the first beverage container C1 and the second beverage container C2 installed in the installation section 2, and a faucet 10 that dispenses a beverage X2 (see Figure 5) contained in the second beverage container C2. The faucet 10 dispenses the beverage X2 contained in the second beverage container C2 installed in the installation section 2.

For example, the first beverage container C1 and the second beverage container C2 each contain beverages X1 and X2, which are sparkling beverages. The type of beverage X1 contained in the first beverage container C1 is, for example, the same as the type of beverage X2 contained in the second beverage container C2. However, the type of beverage X1 contained in the first beverage container C1 may be different from the type of beverage X2 contained in the second beverage container C2.

For example, the first beverage container C1 and the second beverage container C2 are the same container. Therefore, in the following, when there is no need to distinguish between the first beverage container C1 and the second beverage container C2, the first beverage container C1 and the second beverage container C2 will be collectively described as the beverage container C. However, the first beverage container C1 and the second beverage container C2 may be different containers.

For example, the beverage container C is a beverage can. In this case, the beverage container C is a cylindrical or box-shaped container made of metal. The beverage container C may be, for example, any of a short can, a long can, a demitasse can, a bottle can, a barrel-shaped can, and a waist wave can. The beverage container C may be, for example, any of a 135 ml can, a 250 ml can, a 335 ml can, a 350 ml can, a 355 ml can, a 500 ml can, a 700 ml can, a 750 ml can, a 1000 ml can, a 2000 ml can, and a 3000 ml can. In this way, the type, shape, and size of the beverage container C are not particularly limited.

The beverage dispensing device 1 has, for example, a gas supply unit 4 that supplies gas (e.g., carbon dioxide gas) to each of the first beverage container C1 and the second beverage container C2 installed in the installation unit 2. The gas supply unit 4 is a carbon dioxide gas cylinder. As an example, the gas supply unit 4 is a mini gas. The installation unit 2 has, for example, a base 2b that extends in a first direction D1 that is a horizontal direction and a second direction D2 that is a horizontal direction intersecting the first direction D1, and a container holding unit 2c placed on the base 2b. The first direction D1 corresponds to the direction in which the first beverage container C1 and the second beverage container C2 are lined up. For example, the second direction D2 is perpendicular to the first direction D1.

For example, the base 2b has a first plate-shaped portion 2d that extends in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 and has a thickness in a third direction D3 that intersects both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, and a pair of second plate-shaped portions 2f that protrude in the third direction D3 (e.g., upward) from both ends of the first plate-shaped portion 2d in the first direction D1. The second plate-shaped portions 2f extend in both the second direction D2 and the third direction D3 and have a thickness in the first direction D1.

The first plate-like portion 2d has an upper surface 2g on which the container holding portion 2c is placed. The container holding portion 2c has a container mounting portion 2h extending in both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 on the upper surface 2g, a first opposing portion 2j facing the side of the first beverage container C1 placed on the container mounting portion 2h, and a second opposing portion 2k facing the side of the second beverage container C2 placed on the container mounting portion 2h. The shape of the first opposing portion 2j in a plan view (when viewed along the third direction D3) is curved along the outer periphery of the first beverage container C1, and the shape of the second opposing portion 2k in a plan view is curved along the outer periphery of the second beverage container C2.

For example, the installation section 2 has a gas supply section holding section 2m that holds the gas supply section 4. The first opposing section 2j, the second opposing section 2k, and the gas supply section holding section 2m are aligned along the first direction D1. The shape of the gas supply section holding section 2m in a plan view is curved along the outer periphery of the gas supply section 4. For example, by fitting the gas supply section 4 into the gas supply section holding section 2m, it is possible to hold the gas supply section 4 in an upright state.

The sealing mechanism 3 has, for example, a lid 3b that covers the first beverage container C1 and the second beverage container C2, a shaft 3c that penetrates the lid 3b in the third direction D3, and a nut 3d having a hole through which the shaft 3c is inserted. The shape of the lid 3b in a plan view is an ellipse having a major axis extending along the first direction D1 and a minor axis extending along the second direction D2.

For example, the underside of the lid portion 3b has a pair of circular opposing portions 3h (see FIG. 6(a)) that face the upper surfaces of the first beverage container C1 and the second beverage container C2, and a packing portion 3j located outside each opposing portion 3h in a plan view. The lid portion 3b has the packing portions 3j positioned to surround the upper ends of the first beverage container C1 and the second beverage container C2 with their upper end surfaces facing each opposing portion 3h, thereby sealing the first beverage container C1 and the second beverage container C2.

The sealing mechanism 3 has a plurality of shafts 3c and a plurality of nuts 3d. The shafts 3c and nuts 3d are arranged, for example, at both ends of the lid portion 3b in the first direction D1 and at the center of the lid portion 3b in the first direction D1. As an example, the shafts 3c and nuts 3d may be arranged at the center of the lid portion 3b in the first direction D1 and at both ends of the lid portion 3b in the second direction D2. With the first beverage container C1 and the second beverage container C2 held in the container holding portion 2c and the lid portion 3b placed on the first beverage container C1 and the second beverage container C2, the lower ends of the shafts 3c inserted through the nuts 3d and the lid portion 3b are fastened to the container holding portion 2c, and the nuts 3d are tightened to the shafts 3c, so that the sealing mechanism 3 seals the first beverage container C1 and the second beverage container C2.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a gas supply path of the beverage dispensing device 1 according to this embodiment. Note that in Figures 1 and 2, the gas supply path is not shown for ease of understanding. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the beverage dispensing device 1 has a pressure reducing valve 5 attached to the top of the gas supply unit 4, and multiple gas flow paths 6 that supply gas from the gas supply unit 4 to each of the first beverage container C1 and the second beverage container C2.

The gas supply unit 4 is, for example, a container filled with carbon dioxide gas at high pressure, and has the function of pushing the beverage X1 in the first beverage container C1 to the second beverage container C2 and pushing the beverage X2 in the second beverage container C2 to the faucet 10. For example, the inside of the gas supply unit 4 is filled with carbon dioxide gas in a liquid state.

The pressure reducing valve 5 maintains the pressure (gas pressure) of the beverage X1 inside the first beverage container C1 and the pressure of the beverage X1 inside the second beverage container C2. For example, the pressure reducing valve 5 has an operating unit 5b for operating the supply of gas from the gas supply unit 4 to the first beverage container C1 and the second beverage container C2. By operating the operating unit 5b, the supply of gas from the gas supply unit 4 to the first beverage container C1 and the second beverage container C2 can be turned on and off. As an example, the operating unit 5b has a cylindrical shape. For example, when the operating unit 5b is rotated to one side in the circumferential direction of the operating unit 5b, the supply of the gas is turned on, and when the operating unit 5b is rotated to the other side in the circumferential direction of the operating unit 5b, the supply of the gas is turned off.

The gas flow paths 6 include a main flow path 6b extending from the pressure reducing valve 5, a first gas flow path 6c that supplies gas G1 (see FIG. 5) that has passed through the main flow path 6b to the inside of the first beverage container C1, and a second gas flow path 6d that supplies gas G2 that has passed through the main flow path 6b to the inside of the second beverage container C2. For example, each of the main flow path 6b, the first gas flow path 6c, and the second gas flow path 6d is made of a flexible tube.

The beverage dispensing device 1 has, for example, a coupler 7 provided in the main flow path 6b, a branching member 8 that connects the main flow path 6b, the first gas flow path 6c, and the second gas flow path 6d to one another, and a plurality of flow rate adjustment members 9 that adjust the flow rate of the gas. For example, the main flow path 6b includes a first tube 6f that extends from the pressure reducing valve 5 to the coupler 7, and a second tube 6g that extends from the coupler 7 to the branching member 8. The coupler 7 is, for example, a one-touch coupler. Note that the coupler 7 may be omitted. In this case, the main flow path 6b can be configured with a single tube.

For example, the branching member 8 has a first pipe section 8b, a second pipe section 8c, and a third pipe section 8d. The first pipe section 8b is connected to the main flow path 6b, the second pipe section 8c is connected to the first gas flow path 6c, and the third pipe section 8d is connected to the second gas flow path 6d. As an example, the first pipe section 8b, the second pipe section 8c, and the third pipe section 8d are T-shaped. Gas from the gas supply section 4 passing through the main flow path 6b enters the first pipe section 8b and branches into the second pipe section 8c and the third pipe section 8d, and is supplied to each of the first gas flow path 6c and the second gas flow path 6d.

The flow rate adjusting member 9 is, for example, a speed controller. The flow rate adjusting member 9 has a function of adjusting the flow rate of gas to each of the first beverage container C1 and the second beverage container C2. The beverage dispensing device 1 is equipped with a control unit 20 that empties the first beverage container C1 before the second beverage container C2. The control unit 20 is, for example, a plurality of flow rate adjusting members 9. For example, by providing the control unit 20, transfer and dispensing can be performed to the first beverage container C1 and the second beverage container C2 even at the same pressure.

As an example, the multiple flow rate adjustment members 9 are set so that the flow rate of gas G1 to the first beverage container C1 is faster than the flow rate of gas G2 to the second beverage container C2. In this case, the supply rate of beverage X1 from the first beverage container C1 to the second beverage container C2 is faster than the supply rate of beverage X2 from the second beverage container C2 to the faucet 10, so the first beverage container C1 is emptied before the second beverage container C2. Therefore, the multiple flow rate adjustment members 9 function as a control unit 20 that empties the first beverage container C1 before the second beverage container C2.

For example, the multiple flow rate adjustment members 9 include a first flow rate adjustment member 9b arranged in the first gas flow path 6c and a second flow rate adjustment member 9c arranged in the second gas flow path 6d. The first gas flow path 6c includes a first gas tube 6h extending from the branching member 8 to the first flow rate adjustment member 9b, and a second gas tube 6j extending from the first flow rate adjustment member 9b to the lid portion 3b.

The lid 3b has a tubular attachment 3f that penetrates the lid 3b in the third direction D3 and protrudes upward from the lid 3b, and a second gas tube 6j is attached to the attachment 3f. The internal space of the attachment 3f is connected to the internal space of the first beverage container C1 installed in the installation section 2. Therefore, the gas G1 from the branching member 8 reaches the first flow rate adjustment member 9b through the first gas tube 6h, and is supplied to the inside of the first beverage container C1 through the second gas tube 6j with its speed adjusted by the first flow rate adjustment member 9b.

The second gas flow path 6d includes a third gas tube 6k extending from the branching member 8 to the second flow rate adjustment member 9c, and a fourth gas tube 6m extending from the second flow rate adjustment member 9c to the lid portion 3b. The lid portion 3b has an attachment portion 3g similar to the attachment portion 3f described above, and the fourth gas tube 6m is attached to the attachment portion 3g.

The internal space of the mounting portion 3g is connected to the internal space of the second beverage container C2 installed in the installation portion 2. Therefore, the gas G2 from the branching member 8 passes through the third gas tube 6k to reach the second flow rate adjustment member 9c, and is supplied to the inside of the second beverage container C2 through the fourth gas tube 6m with its speed adjusted by the second flow rate adjustment member 9c.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a beverage supply path of the beverage dispensing device 1 according to this embodiment. In Figures 1 and 2, the beverage supply path is omitted for ease of understanding. As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, the faucet 10 includes an operating lever 11 that can be moved by gripping it with the hand, a faucet body 12 to which the operating lever 11 is attached, and a beverage dispensing section 13 that extends diagonally downward from the faucet body 12.

The beverage dispensing section 13 includes a liquid nozzle 14 through which the liquid of beverage X2, which is a carbonated beverage (beer liquid as an example), is dispensed, and a foaming nozzle 15 located on the opposite side of the beverage container C as viewed from the liquid nozzle 14. The operating lever 11 can be moved both to the opposite side of the beverage container C as viewed from the faucet 10 by the person dispensing beverage X2 (the front side of the beverage dispensing device 1, the front side of the paper in FIG. 1), and to the beverage container C side (the rear side of the beverage dispensing device 1, the rear side of the paper in FIG. 1). The operating lever 11 can be moved along the second direction D2. Hereinafter, the side opposite the beverage container C as viewed from the faucet 10 may be referred to as the front side, and the beverage container C side as viewed from the faucet 10 may be referred to as the rear side.

The operating lever 11 is rod-shaped and extends upward from the faucet body 12. The faucet body 12 includes, for example, a cylindrical portion 12b in which the operating lever 11, the liquid nozzle 14, and the foam nozzle 15 are provided, and an attachment portion 12c that expands in diameter on the side of the cylindrical portion 12b opposite the operating lever 11.

For example, the beverage dispensing device 1 includes an attachment member 16 that attaches the faucet 10 to the sealing mechanism 3. The attachment member 16 has an upper attachment portion 16b to which the attachment portion 12c is attached, and a pair of lower attachment portions 16c that extend from the lower end of the upper attachment portion 16b toward the front and rear, respectively. The lower attachment portion 16c has a first extension portion 16d that extends from the lower end of the upper attachment portion 16b in the second direction D2, and a second extension portion 16f that extends downward from the end of the first extension portion 16d opposite the upper attachment portion 16b.

The beverage dispensing device 1 has a fixing member 17 that fixes the mounting member 16 to the sealing mechanism 3. The fixing member 17 is, for example, a screw that fixes the second extension portion 16f of the mounting member 16 to the lid portion 3b of the sealing mechanism 3. The faucet body 12 is fixed to the upper mounting portion 16b via the mounting portion 12c. The faucet 10 is fixed to the sealing mechanism 3 via the mounting member 16.

The beverage dispensing device 1 has a first beverage flow path 21 that transfers the beverage X1 in the first beverage container C1 to the second beverage container C2, and a second beverage flow path 22 that transfers the beverage X2 in the second beverage container C2 to the faucet 10. For example, each of the first beverage flow path 21 and the second beverage flow path 22 is constructed of a flexible tube. The beverage X2 in the second beverage container C2 flows into the inside of the faucet body 12 via the second beverage flow path 22.

The faucet body 12 has a built-in slide valve that opens and closes the flow path of the beverage X2 that has flowed into the faucet body 12. For example, when the operating lever 11 is pulled and moved toward the front, the slide valve moves toward the back and the liquid of the beverage X2 is dispensed from the liquid nozzle 14, and when the operating lever 11 is pushed and moved toward the back, the slide valve moves toward the front and the foam of the beverage X2 (for example, fine foam of beer) flows into the foam nozzle 15.

For example, the beverage dispensing device 1 is a home beverage server. In this case, a first beverage container C1 and a second beverage container C2 are placed in the installation section 2, and the liquid and fine foam of beverage X2 can be dispensed to enjoy a carbonated beverage at home. As described above, the faucet 10 is capable of dispensing both the liquid and foam of beverage X2 by pushing and pulling the operating lever 11. That is, when the operating lever 11 is pulled, the liquid of beverage X2 is dispensed from the liquid nozzle 14, and when the operating lever 11 is pushed, the foam of beverage X2 is dispensed from the foam nozzle 15.

The lid portion 3b has a plurality of tubular attachment portions 3p that penetrate the lid portion 3b in the third direction D3 and protrude upward from the lid portion 3b. The plurality of attachment portions 3p include a first attachment portion 3q to which one end of the first beverage flow path 21 is attached above the first beverage container C1, a second attachment portion 3r to which the other end of the first beverage flow path 21 is attached above the second beverage container C2, and a third attachment portion 3s to which one end of the second beverage flow path 22 is attached above the second beverage container C2.

3 and 4, for example, the first mounting portion 3q and the first gas flow path 6c (mounting portion 3f) are arranged on one side of the first direction D1 of the lid portion 3b, and the second mounting portion 3r, the third mounting portion 3s, and the second gas flow path 6d (mounting portion 3g) are arranged on the other side of the first direction D1 of the lid portion 3b. For example, in the lid portion 3b, the first mounting portion 3q and the first gas flow path 6c are arranged along the second direction D2. For example, in the lid portion 3b, the second mounting portion 3r, the third mounting portion 3s, and the second gas flow path 6d are arranged along the second direction D2 in this order. Above, an example of the positions of the first mounting portion 3q, the second mounting portion 3r, the third mounting portion 3s, the first gas flow path 6c, and the second gas flow path 6d on the lid portion 3b has been described. However, the positions of the first mounting portion 3q, the second mounting portion 3r, the third mounting portion 3s, the first gas flow path 6c, and the second gas flow path 6d on the lid portion 3b are not limited to the above example and can be changed as appropriate.

The beverage dispensing device 1 has a connection structure 19 that connects the other end of the second beverage flow path 22 to the faucet 10. For example, the connection structure 19 includes an attachment member 16 (upper attachment portion 16b), a tube attachment portion 19b to which the second beverage flow path 22 is attached, and a fastening portion 19c that fastens the tube attachment portion 19b to the attachment member 16. The internal space of the second beverage flow path 22 is connected to the internal space of the faucet body 12 via the connection structure 19. Therefore, the beverage X2 in the second beverage container C2 is transferred to the faucet 10 via the second beverage flow path 22 and the connection structure 19.

Next, the configuration of the gas flow path 6, the first beverage flow path 21, and the second beverage flow path 22 will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the gas flow path 6, the first beverage flow path 21, and the second beverage flow path 22 for the first beverage container C1 and the second beverage container C2 installed in the installation section 2 of the beverage dispensing device 1.

The first beverage flow path 21 transfers the beverage X1 contained in the first beverage container C1 installed in the installation section 2 to the second beverage container C2. The first beverage flow path 21 has a first insertion section 21b inserted into the first beverage container C1, a second insertion section 21c inserted into the second beverage container C2, and an exposed section 21d located between the first insertion section 21b and the second insertion section 21c and outside the first beverage container C1 and the second beverage container C2.

In the first beverage flow path 21, the beverage X1 of the first beverage container C1 that flows in from the lower end of the first insertion portion 21b passes through the exposed portion 21d and flows into the interior of the second beverage container C2 from the lower end of the second insertion portion 21c. For example, the height of the lower end of the second insertion portion 21c is higher than the height of the lower end of the first insertion portion 21b. The height of the lower end of the first insertion portion 21b may be such that it reaches the bottom surface C11 of the first beverage container C1. In this case, it is possible to transfer almost all of the beverage X1 of the first beverage container C1 from the lower end of the first insertion portion 21b to the second beverage flow path 22.

For example, the beverage dispensing device 1 has a speed reduction section 23 that reduces the speed of the beverage X1 passing through the first beverage flow path 21. For example, the inner diameter of the exposed portion 21d is smaller than the inner diameter of the portion of the first beverage flow path 21 other than the exposed portion 21d, and is smaller than the inner diameter of the second beverage flow path 22. Therefore, the speed of the beverage X1 passing through the exposed portion 21d is smaller than the speed of the beverage passing through the portion other than the exposed portion 21d. Therefore, the exposed portion 21d functions as the speed reduction section 23 that reduces the speed of the beverage X1 passing through the first beverage flow path 21. Note that the speed reduction section 23 may be omitted.

The second beverage flow path 22 transfers the beverage X2 contained in the second beverage container C2 installed in the installation section 2 to the faucet 10. The second beverage flow path 22 has an insertion section 22b that is inserted into the second beverage container C2, and an exposed section 22c that extends from the second beverage container C2 toward the faucet 10.

In the second beverage flow path 22, the beverage X2 in the second beverage container C2 flows into the inside of the faucet 10 (faucet body 12) through the exposed portion 22c. The height of the lower end of the insertion portion 22b may be such that it reaches the bottom surface C21 of the second beverage container C2. In this case, it is possible to transfer almost all of the beverage X2 in the second beverage container C2 to the faucet 10 from the lower end of the insertion portion 22b.

The first gas flow path 6c supplies gas G1 to the inside of the first beverage container C1 installed in the installation section 2 to push the beverage X1 contained in the first beverage container C1 into the second beverage container C2 via the first beverage flow path 21. The gas G1 supplied to the first beverage container C1 via the first gas flow path 6c transfers the beverage X1 in the first beverage container C1 to the second beverage container C2 via the first beverage flow path 21. Note that the beverage X1 in the first beverage container C1 is not transferred directly to the faucet 10. In other words, the beverage X1 in the first beverage container C1 is transferred to the faucet 10 via the second beverage container C2.

The second gas flow path 6d supplies gas G2 to the inside of the second beverage container C2 installed in the installation section 2 to push the beverage X2 contained in the second beverage container C2 to the faucet 10 via the second beverage flow path 22. The gas G2 supplied to the second beverage container C2 via the second gas flow path 6d transports the beverage X2 in the second beverage container C2 to the faucet 10 via the second beverage flow path 22.

Figure 6 (a) is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the lid portion 3b and the second insertion portion 21c of the first beverage flow path 21 that enters the second beverage container C2. As described above, the lid portion 3b has, on its underside, a facing portion 3h that faces the upper surface of the second beverage container C2, and a packing portion 3j that surrounds the facing portion 3h.

For example, the lid 3b has a tubular attachment portion 3k on the underside 3m to which the second insertion portion 21c of the first beverage flow path 21 is attached. For example, the second insertion portion 21c is an outlet portion 25 that allows the beverage to flow into the inside of the second beverage container C2. FIG. 6(b) is a perspective view showing the outlet portion 25. As shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), the outlet portion 25 is an attachment that is detachable from the first beverage flow path 21. In this embodiment, the outlet portion 25 is detachable from the first beverage flow path 21 in a manner that it is detachable from the attachment portion 3k that communicates with the first beverage flow path 21 (exposed portion 21d).

For example, the outflow portion 25 is J-shaped. Alternatively, the outflow portion 25 may be L-shaped. The outflow portion 25 has a first extension portion 25b extending downward from the lower surface 3m of the lid portion 3b, a bent portion 25c bent at the lower end of the first extension portion 25b, and a second extension portion 25d extending obliquely upward from the end of the bent portion 25c opposite to the first extension portion 25b. Inside the outflow portion 25, a flow path is formed that communicates with the exposed portion 21d of the first beverage flow path 21 and through which the beverage X1 from the first beverage container C1 passes. The inner diameter of the outflow portion 25 (inner diameter of the flow path) is, for example, 3 mm or more and 6 mm or less (4.5 mm as an example).

The outflow portion 25 has a bent portion 25c at the lower end of the first extension portion 25b, so that, for example, the tip of the flow path through which the beverage X1 passes is bent to follow the liquid level of the beverage in the second beverage container C2. This reduces the impact of the beverage X1 on the liquid level inside the second beverage container C2, thereby suppressing the generation of coarse foam inside the second beverage container C2. When coarse foam is generated inside the second beverage container C2, it may be poured out of the faucet 10. This coarse foam is also called initial foam.

Coarse foam (initial foam) is different from the fine foam dispensed from the foaming nozzle 15. If a large amount of initial foam is generated when the beverage X2 is dispensed from the faucet 10, there is a concern that the appearance of the beverage may be marred and the design of the beverage X2 may be reduced. Therefore, it is desirable to suppress the initial foam inside the second beverage container C2.

The tip of the outflow portion 25 is bent obliquely upward with respect to the liquid surface. That is, the second extension portion 25d of the outflow portion 25 extends obliquely upward with respect to the liquid surface. For example, the angle of the extension direction of the second extension portion 25d with respect to the liquid surface is greater than 0° and less than or equal to 45°. As an example, the angle is 20°.

The flow path of the outflow portion 25 is formed so that the angle of the direction in which the beverage flows out relative to the liquid level is greater than 0° and less than 45° upward relative to the liquid level. That is, the tip of the outflow portion 25 from which the beverage flows out is directed obliquely upward at an angle greater than 0° and less than 45° relative to the liquid level. However, the value of the angle is not particularly limited. For example, the angle of the extension direction of the second extension portion 25d relative to the liquid level may be 0°, or the orientation of the second extension portion 25d relative to the liquid level may be obliquely downward.

Figure 7(a) is a perspective view showing the configuration of the first beverage flow path 21 according to a modified example. Figure 7(b) is a perspective view showing the flow path conversion section 35d of the outlet section 35 according to a modified example. As shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), the outlet section 35, which is the second insertion section 21c, has a silicon tube 35b and a flow path conversion section 35d. The flow path conversion section 35d is, for example, detachable from the silicon tube 35b.

The silicon tube 35b extends, for example, along the third direction D3. The silicon tube 35b is attached to the mounting portion 3k of the lid portion 3b, and the flow path conversion portion 35d is attached to the end of the silicon tube 35b opposite the mounting portion 3k. The flow path conversion portion 35d is connected to the mounting portion 3k of the lid portion 3b via the silicon tube 35b.

The flow path conversion section 35d has, for example, an extension section 35f that extends along the silicon tube 35b, and a curved section 35g that curves from the lower end of the extension section 35f to follow the liquid level inside the second beverage container C2. The curved section 35g has an outlet 35h through which the beverage X1 flows out. The outlet 35h faces diagonally upward with respect to the liquid level.

That is, the normal to the opening surface of the outlet 35h (the surface that defines the opening of the outlet 35h) is directed obliquely upward with respect to the liquid level. The inclination angle of the normal to the opening surface of the outlet 35h with respect to the liquid level is, for example, greater than 0° and less than 45°. Therefore, the beverage X1 flows out obliquely upward from the outlet 35h at an angle greater than 0° and less than 45° with respect to the liquid level. Therefore, in the outlet 35, like the outlet 25 described above, the generation of initial foam inside the second beverage container C2 can be suppressed.

Figure 8 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the second beverage container C2 and the first and second beverage flow paths 21 and 22 in a plan view. As shown in Figure 8, the second beverage container C2 has an opening C3 into which the second insertion portion 21c of the first beverage flow path 21 and the insertion portion 22b of the second beverage flow path 22 are inserted.

The opening C3 is, for example, a drinking spout formed in the top surface C4 of the second beverage container C2 (for example, a can lid), and the second insertion portion 21c and the insertion portion 22b are inserted into this drinking spout. As an example, the opening C3 has an elliptical shape. That is, the opening C3 has a shape that extends in the long axis direction D4 and the short axis direction D5 perpendicular to the long axis direction D4.

For example, in the opening C3, the second insertion portion 21c and the insertion portion 22b are arranged to be aligned along the long axis direction D4 of the opening C3. The positions of the second insertion portion 21c and the insertion portion 22b in the opening C3 are offset from a reference line L that passes through the center of the top surface portion C4 of the second beverage container C2 and extends along the short axis direction D5. The second insertion portion 21c is provided on one side of the long axis direction D4 as viewed from the reference line L, and the insertion portion 22b is located on the other side of the long axis direction D4 as viewed from the reference line L.

As described above, the second insertion portion 21c is, for example, the outflow portion 25. Figures 9(a) and 9(b) show the positional relationship between the outflow portion 25 and the inner wall surface C6 of the second beverage container C2 in a plan view. As shown in Figures 8, 9(a) and 9(b), the orientation of the outflow portion 25 in a plan view is, for example, the long axis direction D4 of the opening C3 or the short axis direction D5 of the opening C3.

For example, the outflow portion 25 causes the beverage X1 to flow onto the inner wall surface C6 of the second beverage container C2. That is, the outflow portion 25 causes the beverage X1 to flow towards the inner wall surface C6, rather than flowing onto the liquid surface inside the second beverage container C2. As shown in Figures 8 and 9(a), for example, when the beverage X1 flows out of the outflow portion 25 in the short axis direction D5, the beverage X1 hits the inner wall surface C6 at an angle close to a right angle.

In contrast, as shown in Figures 8 and 9(b), for example, when beverage X1 flows out of outlet 25 in longitudinal direction D4, beverage X1 hits inner wall surface C6 at an angle farther from a right angle. In other words, beverage X1 hits inner wall surface C6 at an angle. In this case, the impact force of beverage X1 against inner wall surface C6 can be further reduced, and therefore the generation of initial foam inside second beverage container C2 can be more reliably reduced.

Next, the effects of the beverage dispensing device 1 according to this embodiment will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5, the beverage dispensing device 1 includes an installation section 2 in which a first beverage container C1 and a second beverage container C2 are installed, and a faucet 10. The beverage X1 in the first beverage container C1 is transferred to the second beverage container C2 via the first beverage flow path 21, and the beverage X2 in the second beverage container C2 is transferred to the faucet 10 via the second beverage flow path 22. The faucet 10 dispenses the beverage X2 transferred from the second beverage container C2. Therefore, since the beverage X1 in the first beverage container C1 is transferred to the second beverage container C2, and the beverage X2 in the second beverage container C2 is transferred to the faucet 10, the beverage X2 in the second beverage container C2 can continue to be dispensed from the faucet 10 even if the first beverage container C1 is empty. Therefore, the beverage can be continuously dispensed until both the first beverage container C1 and the second beverage container C2 are empty, thereby reducing the amount of beverage remaining in the beverage container C.

The beverage dispensing device 1 includes a first gas flow path 6c that supplies gas G1 to the first beverage container C1 for pushing the beverage X1 in the first beverage container C1 into the second beverage container C2, and a second gas flow path 6d that supplies gas G2 to the second beverage container C2 for pushing the beverage X2 in the second beverage container C2 into the faucet 10. As a result, gases G1 and G2 are supplied to the first beverage container C1 and the second beverage container C2, respectively, so that the beverage X1 can be smoothly transferred from the first beverage container C1 to the second beverage container C2, and the beverage X2 can be smoothly transferred from the second beverage container C2 to the faucet 10. As a result, the beverage can be efficiently dispensed from the faucet 10.

As shown in Figures 1, 3 and 5, the beverage dispensing device 1 may include a control unit 20 that controls the first beverage container C1 installed in the installation unit 2 to be emptied before the second beverage container C2 installed in the installation unit 2. In this case, the control unit 20 prevents the second beverage container C2 from being emptied before the first beverage container C1. Therefore, the first beverage container C1 is emptied first, allowing the dispensing of beverage X2 from the second beverage container C2 to continue, so that the amount of beverage remaining in the beverage container C can be more reliably reduced.

As shown in Figures 5, 6(a) and 6(b), the first beverage flow path 21 may have an outlet portion 25 that allows the beverage X1 to flow into the second beverage container C2 installed in the installation portion 2. The outlet portion 25 may allow the beverage X1 to flow out in a direction oblique to the vertical direction (third direction D3). In this case, inside the second beverage container C2, the beverage X1 flows out from the outlet portion 25 in a direction oblique to the vertical direction. Therefore, the beverage X2 inside the second beverage container C2 can be prevented from foaming, and the generation of coarse bubbles accompanying the pouring of the beverage X2 from the faucet 10 can be prevented. This can improve the quality of the poured beverage X2.

As shown in Figures 6(a), 6(b), 9(a) and 9(b), the first beverage flow path 21 may have an outlet portion 25 that allows the beverage X1 to flow into the second beverage container C2 installed in the installation portion 2, and the outlet portion 25 may allow the beverage X1 to flow onto the inner wall surface C6 of the second beverage container C2. In this case, the beverage X1 flows from the outlet portion 25 onto the inner wall surface C6 of the second beverage container C2, so that foaming of the beverage X2 inside the second beverage container C2 can be suppressed. As a result, the generation of coarse foam accompanying the pouring of the beverage X2 from the faucet 10 can be suppressed, and the quality of the beverage X2 can be improved.

The outflow part 25 may be an attachment that is detachable from the first beverage flow path 21. In this case, the outflow part 25 as an attachment can be detachably attached to the first beverage flow path 21, which has a simple shape, so that the manner in which the beverage X1 flows into the interior of the second beverage container C2 can be freely changed.

As shown in FIG. 5, the beverage dispensing device 1 may include a speed reduction section 23 that reduces the speed of the beverage X1 passing through the first beverage flow path 21. In this case, by reducing the speed of the beverage X1 passing through the first beverage flow path 21 in the speed reduction section 23, foaming of the beverage X2 inside the second beverage container C2 can be reduced. Therefore, foaming associated with the dispensing of the beverage X2 from the faucet 10 can be reduced, thereby improving the quality of the beverage X2.

Next, examples of the beverage dispenser according to the present disclosure will be described. The beverage dispenser according to the present disclosure is not limited to the contents of the following examples. In the experiment according to this example, the final foam volume was measured for the beverage dispenser according to the following Example 1 and the beverage dispenser according to the comparative example.
Example 1
The beverage dispenser according to Example 1 has a gas flow path 6, a first beverage flow path 21, and a second beverage flow path 22, as shown in Fig. 5, similar to the beverage dispenser 1 described above. In Example 1, the inner diameter of the first beverage flow path 21 and the inner diameter of the second beverage flow path 22 were set to 2.5 mm. The gas pressure from the gas supply unit 4 was set to 0.12 MPa.
Comparative Example
The beverage dispenser according to the comparative example differs from the first beverage flow path 21 and the second beverage flow path 22 in configuration. In the beverage dispenser according to the comparative example, the first beverage flow path 21 does not enter the second beverage container C2, and has a junction where the first beverage flow path 21 and the second beverage flow path 22 merge outside the second beverage container C2. Therefore, in the beverage dispenser according to the comparative example, the beverage X1 of the first beverage container C1 and the beverage X2 of the second beverage container C2 merge at the junction, and the merged beverages X1 and X2 are dispensed from the faucet 10. In the comparative example, the inner diameter of the first beverage flow path 21 and the inner diameter of the second beverage flow path 22 were 2.5 mm. The gas pressure by the gas supply unit 4 was 0.12 MPa.

In the beverage dispensing device of Example 1, the temperature of beverage X2 was 4.2°C. On the other hand, in the beverage dispensing device of the comparative example, the temperature of beverage X2 was 4.4°C. The final foam volume was measured in each of the beverage dispensing device of Example 1 and the beverage dispensing device of the comparative example. More specifically, the first beverage container C1 and the second beverage container C2 were placed in the installation section 2, the operation section 5b was operated, the gas supply to the first beverage container C1 and the second beverage container C2 by the gas supply section 4 was turned on, and the operation lever 11 of the faucet 10 was pulled.

The operating lever 11 was pulled to continue dispensing beverage from the faucet 10 until beverage no longer came out of the liquid nozzle 14, and the amount of foam remaining in the beverage container C at that point was determined as the final foam amount. The final foam amount was measured by pulling the operating lever 11 further after beverage no longer came out of the liquid nozzle 14, and measuring the amount of foam dispensed from the liquid nozzle 14 at that time. As a result of measuring the final foam amount as described above, it was found that the final foam amount was 71.6 g in the beverage dispensing device of the comparative example, while the final foam amount could be reduced to 33.6 g in the beverage dispensing device of Example 1.

Next, an experiment was conducted to measure the initial foam height for each of the beverage dispensers according to Examples 2 to 5. In the experiment using the beverage dispensers according to Examples 2 to 5, the initial foam height was measured when the beverage was dispensed using the outlet portion 25 shown in Fig. 6(a) as the second insertion portion 21c of the first beverage flow path 21. In Examples 2 to 5, the outlet portion 25 was attached directly to the attachment portion 3k of the lid portion 3b as shown in Fig. 6(a) (referred to as "directly attached to the top surface" in Table 1). The specifications of the beverage dispensers according to Examples 2 to 5 are shown below.
Example 2
The inner diameter of the outflow portion 25 was 4.5 mm, and the beverage was poured from the outflow portion 25 at an upward angle of 20° with respect to the liquid level. The inner diameter of the first beverage flow path 21 was 2 mm only at the exposed portion 21d, and 2.5 mm at the portion other than the exposed portion 21d. That is, the beverage pouring device according to Example 2 has a velocity reduction portion 23. And, the beverage was poured in the longitudinal axis direction D4 shown in FIG. 8.
Example 3
The inner diameter of the outflow portion 25 was 4.5 mm, and the beverage was poured from the outflow portion 25 at an upward angle of 20° with respect to the liquid level. The inner diameter of each of the first beverage flow paths 21 was 2.5 mm. That is, the beverage pouring device according to Example 3 did not have the velocity reduction portion 23. The beverage was poured in the longitudinal axis direction D4.
Example 4
The inner diameter of the outflow portion 25 was 4.5 mm, and the beverage was poured from the outflow portion 25 at an upward angle of 20° with respect to the liquid level. The inner diameter of each of the first beverage flow paths 21 was 2.5 mm. The beverage pouring device according to Example 4 did not have the velocity reduction section 23. The beverage was poured in the minor axis direction D5 shown in FIG. 8.
Example 5
The inner diameter of the outflow portion 25 was 4.5 mm, and the beverage was poured from the outflow portion 25 at an angle of 0° (horizontal) with respect to the liquid level. The inner diameter of each of the first beverage flow paths 21 was 2.5 mm. The beverage pouring device according to Example 5 did not have the velocity reduction portion 23. The beverage was poured in the longitudinal axis direction D4.

For each of the beverage dispensers according to Examples 2 to 5, the faucet 10 was operated to dispense a beverage, and the height of the initial foam at that time was measured. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

As shown in Table 1, the beverage dispensers according to Examples 2 to 4, in which the beverage dispense angle relative to the liquid level is 20° upward, were found to be able to suppress the height of the initial foam compared to the beverage dispenser according to Example 5, in which the beverage dispense angle relative to the liquid level is 0°. A comparison of Example 3 and Example 4 revealed that the beverage dispenser according to Example 3, in which the beverage is dispensed in the long axis direction D4, was able to suppress the height of the initial foam more than the beverage dispenser according to Example 4, in which the beverage is dispensed in the short axis direction D5. Furthermore, a comparison of Example 2 and Example 3 revealed that the beverage dispenser according to Example 2, in which the inner diameter of the exposed portion 21d is 2 mm (with the speed reduction portion 23 provided), was able to further suppress the height of the initial foam more than the beverage dispenser according to Example 3, in which the inner diameter of the entire first beverage flow path 21 is 2.5 mm (without the speed reduction portion 23). This result revealed that the initial foam can be further suppressed when the speed reduction portion 23 is provided.

Next, an experiment was conducted to measure the height of the initial foam for each of the beverage dispensers according to the following Examples 6 to 9. In the experiment using the beverage dispensers according to Examples 6 to 9, the initial foam height was measured when a beverage was dispensed using the outlet portion 35 with the silicon tube 35b shown in Fig. 7(a) as the second insertion portion 21c of the first beverage flow path 21 (referred to as "silicon tube" in Table 2). The specifications of the beverage dispensers according to Examples 6 to 9 are shown below.
Example 6
The inner diameter of the outflow portion 35 was 3 mm, and the beverage was poured from the outflow portion 35 at an upward angle of 45° with respect to the liquid level. The inner diameter of the first beverage flow path 21 was 2 mm only at the exposed portion 21d, and 2.5 mm at the portion other than the exposed portion 21d. That is, the beverage pouring device according to Example 6 has a velocity reduction portion 23. And, the beverage was poured in the longitudinal axis direction D4.
(Example 7)
The inner diameter of the outflow portion 35 was 3 mm, and the beverage was poured from the outflow portion 35 at an upward angle of 45° with respect to the liquid level. The inner diameter of the first beverage flow path 21 was 2 mm only at the exposed portion 21d, and 3 mm at the portion other than the exposed portion 21d. The beverage pouring device according to Example 7 has a velocity reduction portion 23. The beverage was poured in the longitudinal axis direction D4.
(Example 8)
The inner diameter of the outflow portion 35 was 3 mm, and the beverage was poured from the outflow portion 35 at an upward angle of 45° with respect to the liquid level. The inner diameter of the first beverage flow path 21 was 2 mm only at the exposed portion 21d, and 2.5 mm at the portion other than the exposed portion 21d. The beverage pouring device according to Example 8 has a velocity reduction portion 23. The beverage was poured in the minor axis direction D5.
Example 9
The inner diameter of the outflow portion 35 was 3 mm, and the beverage was poured from the outflow portion 35 at an upward angle of 45° with respect to the liquid level. The inner diameter of each of the first beverage flow paths 21 was 2.5 mm. The beverage pouring device according to Example 9 did not have the velocity reduction portion 23. The beverage was poured in the longitudinal axis direction D4.

For each of the beverage dispensers according to Examples 6 to 9, the faucet 10 was operated to dispense a beverage, and the height of the initial foam at that time was measured. The results are shown in Table 2 below.

As shown in Table 2, a comparison of Example 7 and Example 8 revealed that the beverage dispenser according to Example 7, which dispenses the beverage in the long axis direction D4, can suppress the initial foam height more than the beverage dispenser according to Example 8, which dispenses the beverage in the short axis direction D5. A comparison of Example 8 and Example 9 revealed that the beverage dispenser according to Example 8, in which the inner diameter of the exposed portion 21d is 2 mm (the speed reduction portion 23 is provided), can suppress the initial foam height more than the beverage dispenser according to Example 9, in which the inner diameter of the entire first beverage flow path 21 is 2.5 mm. Furthermore, it was found that the beverage dispenser according to Example 6, in which the inner diameter of the first beverage flow path 21 is 2.5 mm in the portion other than the exposed portion 21d, can suppress the initial foam height more than the beverage dispenser according to Example 7, in which the inner diameter of the first beverage flow path 21 is 3 mm in the portion other than the exposed portion 21d. These results show that initial foaming can be further suppressed if the inner diameter of the first beverage flow path 21 other than the exposed portion 21d is less than 3 mm (2.5 mm).

The above describes the embodiment and various examples of the beverage dispensing device according to the present disclosure. However, the beverage dispensing device according to the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment or examples, and can be further modified within the scope of the gist described in the claims. In other words, the configuration, shape, size, material, number and arrangement of each part of the beverage dispensing device according to the present disclosure can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the above gist.

For example, in the above embodiment, an example was described in which the control unit 20 that controls the first beverage container C1 to be emptied before the second beverage container C2 is the flow rate adjustment member 9. However, the control unit 20 may be something other than the flow rate adjustment member 9. For example, the control unit 20 may be an expanded diameter portion in the first beverage flow path 21 of the beverage from the first beverage container C1 to the second beverage container C2, and the amount of beverage transferred from the first beverage container C1 to the second beverage container C2 in the expanded diameter portion may be increased to empty the first beverage container C1 first. Also, the control unit 20 may be an installation unit where the first beverage container C1, which is smaller than the second beverage container C2, is installed, and the control unit 20 may control the first beverage container C1 to be emptied before the second beverage container C2. In this way, the aspect of the control unit 20 can be changed as appropriate.

For example, in the above embodiment, a beverage dispensing device 1 was described that includes the outlet portion 25 or the outlet portion 35, which is an attachment with a curved lower end. However, the shape of the outlet portion is not limited to the shape of the outlet portion 25 or the outlet portion 35. Figures 10(a), 10(b), and 10(c) show modified examples of the outlet portion that can be used in place of the outlet portion 25 or the outlet portion 35.

As shown in Fig. 10(a), the outflow portion may be an outflow portion 45 having a tubular portion 45b extending along the vertical direction and an extension portion 45c extending obliquely upward from the lower end of the tubular portion 45b. As shown in Fig. 10(b), the outflow portion may be an outflow portion 55 having a tubular portion 55b extending along the vertical direction, a curved portion 55c curved to protrude horizontally from the lower end of the tubular portion 55b, and an extension portion 55d extending obliquely upward from the lower end of the curved portion 55c in the opposite direction to the protruding direction of the curved portion 55c. As shown in FIG. 10(c), the outflow section may be an outflow section 65 having a tubular section 65b extending vertically, a bent section 65c that bends horizontally from the lower end of the tubular section 65b, a curved section 65d that curves so as to protrude horizontally from the bent section 65c, and an extension section 65f that extends from the lower end of the curved section 65d to below the bent section 65c.

In the outflow portion 45, the distance Z1 from the tubular portion 45b to the tip of the extension portion 45c is, for example, 9.8 mm. In the outflow portion 55, the distance Z2 from the tubular portion 55b to the tip of the extension portion 55d is 6.6 mm. Therefore, there is an advantage that the outflow portion 55 is easier to insert into the opening C3 of the beverage container C than the outflow portion 45. Also, in the outflow portion 65, the distance from the tubular portion 65b to the tip of the extension portion 65f is 0 mm. The outflow portion 55 is easier to insert into the opening C3 of the beverage container C than this outflow portion 65. As described above, the shape of the outflow portion can be changed as appropriate, such as the outflow portions 45, 55, and 65.

In addition, the outflow portion 25 or the outflow portion 35 does not have to be an attachment, and for example, the lower end of the second insertion portion 21c may have a shape similar to the outflow portion 25. Furthermore, the lower end of the second insertion portion 21c does not have to be curved. For example, the second insertion portion 21c of the first beverage flow path 21 may be arranged so as to follow the inner wall surface C6 of the second beverage container C2. In this case, the beverage flows down along the inner wall surface C6, suppressing the generation of initial foam inside the second beverage container C2.

In the above embodiment, a beverage dispensing device 1 having an installation section 2 capable of installing two beverage containers C has been described. However, the beverage dispensing device may be capable of installing three or more beverage containers C. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a beverage dispensing device 1 in which a beverage container C that is a beverage can is installed has been described. However, the beverage container may be something other than a beverage can. The beverage container may be, for example, a bottle, a plastic bottle, a barrel, or a growler, and the type of beverage container is not particularly limited.

1...beverage dispensing device, 2...installation portion, 2b...base, 2c...container holding portion, 2d...first plate-shaped portion, 2f...second plate-shaped portion, 2g...upper surface, 2h...container mounting portion, 2j...first opposing portion, 2k...second opposing portion, 2m...gas supply portion holding portion, 3...sealing mechanism, 3b...lid portion, 3c...shaft, 3d...nut, 3f, 3g...mounting portion, 3h...opposing portion, 3j...packing portion, 3k...mounting portion, 3m...lower surface, 3p...mounting portion, 3q...first mounting portion, 3r...second mounting portion, 3s...third mounting portion, 4...gas supply portion, 5...pressure reducing valve, 5b...operation portion, 6...gas flow path, 6b...main flow path, 6 c...first gas flow path, 6d...second gas flow path, 6f...first tube, 6g...second tube, 6h...first gas tube, 6j...second gas tube, 6k...third gas tube, 6m...fourth gas tube, 7...coupler, 8...branching member, 8b...first pipe section, 8c...second pipe section, 8d...third pipe section, 9...flow rate adjusting member, 9b...first flow rate adjusting member, 9c...second flow rate adjusting member, 10...faucet, 11...operating lever, 12...faucet body, 12b...cylindrical section, 12c...mounting section, 13...beverage dispensing section, 14...liquid nozzle, 15...foam nozzle, 16...mounting Member, 16b...Upper attachment part, 16c...Lower attachment part, 16d...First extension part, 16f...Second extension part, 17...Fixing member, 19...Connection structure, 19b...Tube attachment part, 19c...Fastening part, 20...Control part, 21...First beverage channel, 21b...First insertion part, 21c...Second insertion part, 21d...Exposed part, 22...Second beverage channel, 22 b...insertion part, 22c...exposed part, 25...outflow part, 25b...first extension part, 25c...bent part, 25d...second extension part, 35...outflow part, 35b...silicone tube, 35d...channel conversion part, 35f...extension part, 35g...curved part, 35h... Outlet, 45... Outlet, 45b... Tubular part, 45c... Extension part, 55... Outflow part, 55b... Tubular part, 55c... Curved part, 55d... Extension part, 65... Outflow part, 65b... Tubular part, 65c... Bent part, 65d... Curved part, 65f... Extension part, C... Beverage container, C1... First beverage container, C2... Second beverage container, C3 ... opening, C4 ... top surface, C6 ... inner wall surface, C11, C21 ... bottom surface, D1 ... first direction, D2 ... second direction, D3 ... third direction, D4 ... long axis direction, D5 ... short axis direction, G1, G2 ... gas, L ... reference line, X1, X2 ... beverage, Z1, Z2 ... distance.

Claims (6)

a mounting portion in which a first beverage container for containing a beverage and a second beverage container for containing a beverage are mounted;
a faucet for pouring a beverage contained in the second beverage container installed in the installation portion;
A first beverage flow path that transfers a beverage contained in the first beverage container installed in the installation portion to the second beverage container;
A second beverage flow path that transfers the beverage contained in the second beverage container installed in the installation portion to the faucet;
a first gas flow path that supplies gas to an inside of the first beverage container so as to push the beverage contained in the first beverage container installed in the installation portion into the second beverage container through the first beverage flow path;
a second gas flow path that supplies gas to the inside of the second beverage container so as to push the beverage contained in the second beverage container installed in the installation portion to the faucet through the second beverage flow path;
Equipped with
Beverage dispensing device. a control unit configured to empty the first beverage container placed on the installation unit before emptying the second beverage container placed on the installation unit;
2. The beverage dispenser of claim 1. The first beverage flow path has an outlet portion that allows the beverage to flow into the second beverage container installed in the installation portion,
The outlet portion allows the beverage to flow out in a direction oblique to a vertical direction.
3. A beverage dispenser according to claim 1 or 2. The first beverage flow path has an outlet portion that allows the beverage to flow into the second beverage container installed in the installation portion,
The outlet portion allows the beverage to flow onto an inner wall surface of the second beverage container.
3. A beverage dispenser according to claim 1 or 2. The outlet portion is an attachment that is detachable from the first beverage flow path.
4. The beverage dispenser of claim 3. a velocity reduction section for reducing the velocity of the beverage passing through the first beverage flow path;
3. A beverage dispenser according to claim 1 or 2.

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