JP4349985B2 - Beverage server and connection for beverage server - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a beverage server that cools and heats beverages such as drinking water, stores the beverages, and dispenses the beverages, and more specifically to a beverage server connection part. The present invention relates to a beverage server and a beverage server connecting portion that can efficiently prevent bacteria and the like from entering a beverage in a beverage container.

  Beverage servers that can cool and cool drinking water, such as mineral water, and those heated to warm water are known. These cold water and hot water are normally stored in a cold water tank and a hot water tank in the beverage server. In this case, since the temperature of the hot water is high (for example, about 80 ° C.), the bacteria do not propagate, but relatively few bacteria are present in the beverage container, the cold water tank, and the pipe connected to the cold water tank. The environment will be easy to breed.

  Therefore, a technique as described in Patent Document 1 below is known. Patent Document 1 describes a drinking water dispenser in which a sterilizer using an ultraviolet lamp is disposed immediately before a cold water extraction valve of a cold water supply unit to sterilize cold water to be supplied. Cold water is supplied from a water bottle to a cold water tank, a sterilizer, and a cold water extraction valve. And warm water is supplied from a water bottle to a cold water tank, a warm water tank, and a warm water extraction valve.

  In order to prevent the growth of bacteria and the like, it is preferable to use a BIB (bag in box) type container. BIB is a paper container in which a bag-like container made of a flexible resin is arranged. In a BIB container, a beverage that has been sufficiently sterilized and sterilized in a factory is filled in the BIB container, and the inside is kept in a sealed state and transported to a final consumption place. For this reason, bacteria etc. do not penetrate | invade into the drink in a BIB container until it reaches the final consumption place.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a connection part for connecting the BIB type beverage container 10 to the beverage server. The beverage container 10 is placed on the support plate 24 as shown with the base 101 facing downward. When placing the beverage container 10 on the support plate 24, the position of the beverage container 10 is determined by the stopper 25. The support plate 24 can swing around a rotation shaft 26 disposed in the horizontal direction.

After placing the beverage container 10, the locking member 29 is removed from the engaging portion 28 and tilted, the support plate 24 is swung downward, and brought into contact with the contact portion 27 to be in a horizontal state. At this time, the distal end portion 41 of the connecting portion 5 is inserted into the base portion 101 of the beverage container 10, and the distal end portion 41 penetrates the sealing film and enters the beverage container 10. And the drinking water in the drink container 10 flows in into the connection part 5 side.
JP 2000-085892 A

  As described above, the conventional beverage server has relatively few problems on the hot water side, but there is a problem that bacteria are likely to be generated on the cold water side tank and supply path, and in particular, the cold water side tank and supply path. It was necessary to frequently perform sterilization treatment. For this reason, time and cost are required for maintenance, and the running cost of the beverage server is increased. Moreover, if maintenance is neglected, there is a possibility that a drink that is not suitable for drinking may be poured out.

  Even in the technique of Patent Document 1, if the irradiation time of ultraviolet rays is short, the sterilization treatment may not be sufficiently performed. In addition, since the range where the sterilization effect reaches is limited to the range where ultraviolet rays reach, there is a problem that efficient sterilization treatment is difficult. In addition, since cold water is stored inside the cold water tank and there is a portion where the cold water stays for a long time, there is a problem in that bacterial growth easily proceeds in such a stay portion. Furthermore, it was necessary to add a sterilizer, which led to an increase in the cost of the beverage server.

  Further, in the beverage server using the BIB type beverage container 10 as shown in FIG. 7, there is still a possibility that bacteria or the like may adhere to the outer periphery and the inner periphery in the vicinity of the tip portion 41. When bacteria or the like adheres to the beverage, there is a problem that the bacteria or the like enter the beverage in the container from the tip portion 41 inserted into the beverage container 10. Such intrusion of bacteria or the like through the tip portion 41 may occur during the replacement operation of the beverage container 10.

  Therefore, the present invention can prevent the propagation of bacteria and the like in the beverage container and the beverage passage, and efficiently prevent the bacteria and the like from entering the beverage in the container even when the beverage container is replaced. It is an object of the present invention to provide a beverage server and a connection portion for a beverage server that can be used.

  In order to achieve the above object, the beverage server of the present invention is a connection part connected to a beverage container arranged so that the base part is located downward, and is formed in a sharp shape for insertion into the base part. A tip portion having a flow hole through which a beverage is circulated, a sterilization pipe for ejecting a sterilizing fluid to the tip portion side, and the cap so that the sterilizing fluid does not flow out of the cap portion A sealing member that seals fluid between the inner peripheral surface of the unit, a first branch flow passage that is connected to the sterilization pipe and branches and distributes the beverage in the beverage container, and the circulation hole A connecting portion having a second branch flow passage for communicating and branching and distributing the beverage in the beverage container, and a low temperature beverage pouring cock for pouring the beverage supplied from the first branch flow passage And connected to the second branch flow path, from the beverage container A hot tank for storing while heating the feed beverage, a heater installed in the hot tank, and has a hot beverage extraction cock for pouring the beverage in the hot tank.

  The beverage server preferably has an upper cooling chamber for storing and cooling the beverage container.

  In the above beverage server, the low temperature beverage dispensing pipe connecting the first branch flow passage and the low temperature beverage dispensing cock and the high temperature tank connected to the high temperature tank for circulating a high temperature fluid for sterilization. A second sterilization pipe connected to the piping, the hot water circulation pump connected to the sterilization pipe and circulating the high temperature fluid for sterilization, and the discharge side of the hot water circulation pump and the low temperature beverage dispensing pipe It is preferable to have a pipe and an on-off valve arranged in the second sterilization pipe.

  In the above beverage server, the connection position between the second sterilization pipe and the low temperature beverage dispensing pipe is in the vicinity of the end of the low temperature beverage dispensing pipe on the cold beverage dispensing cock side. It is preferable.

  Further, the beverage server of the present invention is a connecting portion connected to a beverage container arranged so that the cap portion is on the lower side, and is formed in a sharp shape for insertion into the cap portion, and distributes the beverage A tip portion in which a hole is formed, a sterilization pipe for ejecting a sterilizing fluid to the tip portion side, and an inner peripheral surface of the base portion so that the sterilizing fluid does not flow out of the base portion A sealing member that seals the fluid between, a first branch flow passage that communicates with the flow hole and branches and distributes the beverage in the beverage container, and communicates with the flow hole in the beverage container A second branch flow passage for branching and distributing the beverage, and a low-temperature tank connected to the first branch flow passage and storing the beverage supplied from the beverage container in a cooled state, A cooler installed in the low temperature tank and the low temperature tank; A low temperature beverage pouring cock for pouring out the beverage, a high temperature tank connected to the second branch flow passage and storing the beverage supplied from the beverage container in a heated state, and installed in the high temperature tank And a high-temperature beverage pouring cock for pouring out the beverage in the high-temperature tank.

  Further, in the above beverage server, a sterilization pipe that is connected to the high temperature tank and distributes a high temperature fluid for sterilization, a hot water circulation pump that is connected to the sterilization pipe and circulates the high temperature fluid for sterilization, It is preferable to include a second sterilization pipe connecting the discharge side of the hot water circulation pump and the sterilization pipe, and an on-off valve disposed in the second sterilization pipe.

  The beverage server may further include a support plate on which the beverage container is placed, the support plate having a first position where the connection portion and the base portion are separated, and the tip portion being the base. It is preferable that it can be positioned at a second position for disinfecting disposed inside the portion and a third position at which the beverage in the beverage container can be supplied via the connecting portion. .

  The connection part for a beverage server of the present invention is formed in a sharp shape for insertion into a base part of a beverage container, and has a tip part formed with a circulation hole for distributing a beverage, and a sterilizing fluid on the tip part side A sterilizing pipe for spraying the liquid, a sealing member for sealing the fluid between the inner peripheral surface of the base part so that the sterilizing fluid does not flow out of the base part, and the sterilizing pipe A first branch flow passage that branches and distributes the beverage in the beverage container, and a second branch flow passage that communicates with the distribution hole and branches and distributes the beverage in the beverage container. Is.

  The connection part for a beverage server of the present invention is formed in a sharp shape for insertion into a base part of a beverage container, and has a tip part formed with a circulation hole for distributing a beverage, and a sterilizing fluid on the tip part side A sterilizing pipe for spraying the liquid, a sealing member for sealing the fluid between the inner peripheral surface of the base part so that the sterilizing fluid does not flow out of the base part, and the flow hole A first branch flow passage that communicates and distributes the beverage in the beverage container, and a second branch flow passage that communicates with the distribution hole and branches and distributes the beverage in the beverage container. It is.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the beverage server connection part has a sterilization pipe connection part for supplying a sterilization fluid to the sterilization pipe.

  Since this invention is comprised as mentioned above, there exist the following effects.

  Since the connection part is provided with a sterilization pipe for sterilizing the vicinity of the tip part and the base part, when the beverage container is replaced, the sterilization treatment of the vicinity of the tip part and the base part can be easily performed. There is no risk of bacteria or the like entering the beverage container. Further, the sterilization treatment in the vicinity of the tip portion and the base portion can be completed in a short time.

  Since the beverage from the beverage container cooled in the upper cooling chamber is directly poured out from the low-temperature beverage pouring cock, a tank for low-temperature beverage is not necessary, and the cost of the beverage server can be reduced. And a sanitary drink can always be provided by eliminating the tank for low temperature drinks in which bacteria are easy to propagate. Since the beverage container is kept cooled in the upper cooling chamber, the propagation of bacteria and the like can be suppressed.

  Since the sterilization pipe is connected to the high temperature tank and the hot water circulation pump and the on-off valve are provided, the sterilization treatment can be efficiently performed using the hot water in the high temperature tank. The sterilization process can be easily performed by anyone without requiring skill.

  Since the connection position of the second sterilization pipe and the low temperature beverage dispensing pipe is set to the vicinity of the end of the low temperature beverage dispensing pipe on the low temperature beverage dispensing cock side, the sterilization treatment in the vicinity of the tip portion and the base portion is performed. At the same time, the inside of the low temperature beverage dispensing pipe can be sterilized, and the sterilization can be performed efficiently.

  Even for a beverage server having a low temperature tank, a sterilization pipe for sterilizing the vicinity of the tip part and the base part is provided at the connection part, so that the sterilization treatment of the vicinity of the tip part and the base part is performed when the beverage container is replaced. This can be easily performed, and there is no possibility of bacteria or the like entering the new beverage container by the replacement operation. Further, the sterilization treatment in the vicinity of the tip portion and the base portion can be completed in a short time.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, as a drink, drink water, such as mineral water, will be described as an example. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the beverage server 1 of the present invention. An upper cooling chamber 2 for housing the beverage container 10 and cooling the drinking water inside the beverage container 10 is disposed at the top of the beverage server 1. The wall surface 21 and the front door 22 around the upper cooling chamber 2 are filled with a heat insulating material. When the door 22 is closed, the inside and the outside of the upper cooling chamber 2 are thermally blocked.

  The internal space of the upper cooling chamber 2 is cooled by the cooler 23 disposed on the ceiling portion of the upper cooling chamber 2, and the drinking water inside the beverage container 10 is cooled. Drinking water is cooled to a suitable temperature (for example, 10 ° C. or less) as cold water.

  As the beverage container 10, for example, a BIB (bag in box) type container is preferable. However, other synthetic resin bottles or the like can be used as long as they can be stored in the upper cooling chamber 2. BIB is a paper container in which a bag-like container made of a flexible resin is arranged. As the beverage container 10, for example, one having a capacity of about 10 to 20 L can be used. The beverage container 10 is placed on the support plate 24 as illustrated with the connection port facing downward.

  The support plate 24 can swing around a rotation shaft 26 disposed in the horizontal direction. The method for installing the beverage container 10 will be described in detail later. After the beverage container 10 is installed, the swinging end portion side of the support plate 24 is abutted and supported by the abutment portion 27, and the support plate 24 is in a horizontal state as illustrated. When the support plate 24 is swung upward, it can be positioned at a first position 24a indicated by a two-dot chain line.

  In addition, the support plate 24 can be positioned at a second position 24b below the first position 24a. For positioning to the first position 24a and the second position 24b, for example, two locking members 29 having different lengths are prepared as the locking members 29 in FIG. It can be easily performed by a known mechanism such as providing in

  When the support plate 24 is positioned at the first position 24a, the distal end portion 41 of the connection portion 4 is completely detached from the base portion 101 of the beverage container 10, and the connection portion 4 and the base portion 101 are separated. (State as shown in FIG. 7). In this state, the used beverage container can be replaced. That is, the used beverage container is removed from the support plate 24 and a new beverage container is placed on the support plate 24. When placing the beverage container 10 on the support plate 24, the position of the beverage container 10 is determined by the stopper 25.

  When the support plate 24 is positioned at the second position 24b, a sterilization process is performed inside the base part 101 and in the vicinity of the tip part 41 of the connection part 4. This sterilization process will be described in detail later. Further, the support plate 24 can be positioned at a third position where the support plate 24 is in contact with and supported by the contact portion 27 and becomes horizontal. When the support plate 24 is positioned at the third position, the drinking water in the beverage container 10 can flow out through the connection portion 4.

  The upper part of the connection part 4 (see FIG. 3) is inserted into the base part 101 of the beverage container 10, and the drinking water in the beverage container 10 falls by gravity through the connection part 4. A first branch flow passage 52 (see FIG. 3) and a second branch flow passage 53 (see FIG. 3) are formed in the lower portion of the connecting portion 4. The drinking water descending through the circulation hole 50 (see FIG. 3) branches out into the first branch flow passage 52 and the second branch flow passage 53 and flows out. A cold water pipe 55 is connected to the first branch flow passage 52, and a cold water cock 56 is connected to the distal end side of the cold water pipe 55.

  When the lever of the cold water cock 56 is operated to be in the open state, the cold water cooled to an appropriate temperature in the upper cooling chamber 2 is poured out from the cold water cock 56. Thus, the beverage server 1 of the present invention does not require a cold water tank for storing cold water, and the cooled drinking water in the beverage container 10 is directly poured out from the cold water cock 56 as cold water.

  One end of a pipe 61 is connected to the second branch flow passage 53, and the other end side of the pipe 61 is disposed in the high temperature tank 6. The high temperature tank 6 is for storing drinking water (hot water) heated to a high temperature. A heater 64 is disposed on the outer periphery lower side of the high temperature tank 6. The drinking water in the high temperature tank 6 is heated by the heater 64 and is kept at a substantially constant high temperature (for example, 80 to 85 ° C.). For this reason, the drinking water in the high temperature tank 6 is completely sterilized and in a sterile state.

  A hot water pipe 62 is connected to the upper portion of the high temperature tank 6, and a hot water cock 63 is connected to the front end side of the hot water pipe 62. When the lever of the hot water cock 63 is operated to open the hot water cock 63, hot hot water is poured out from the hot water cock 63. When hot water is poured out from the hot water cock 63, the same amount of drinking water is introduced from the beverage container 10 into the high temperature tank 6. Thus, the inside of the high temperature tank 6 is always full.

  One end of a sterilization pipe 65 is connected to the lower part of the high-temperature tank 6. The other end of the sterilization pipe 65 is connected to a hot water circulation pump 66, and one end of a sterilization pipe 67 is connected to the discharge side of the hot water circulation pump 66. The other end of the sterilization pipe 67 is connected to the vicinity of the end of the cold water pipe 55 on the cold water cock 56 side. An electromagnetic opening / closing valve 68 is disposed in the middle of the sterilization pipe 67.

  These hot water circulation systems for sterilization, when the drinking water in the beverage container 10 is emptied and the beverage container 10 is replaced, the cold water pipe 55, the inner periphery and the outer periphery in the vicinity of the tip 41 of the connection portion 4, This is for sterilizing the inner periphery of the base 101 of the new beverage container 10. In the operation of replacing the beverage container, first, the support plate 24 is swung to the first position 24 a and positioned, the used beverage container is removed from the support plate 24, and a new beverage container is placed on the support plate 24. Place.

  Next, the support plate 24 is swung to the second position 24b to be positioned, the electromagnetic on-off valve 68 is opened, and the hot water circulation pump 66 is driven so that the hot water in the high temperature tank 6 is cooled with cold water. It supplies to the connection part 4 via the piping 55 for work. The operation of these sterilization processes is started by pressing a “start sterilization process at the time of replacement” push button or the like. Hot hot water is jetted from the sterilization pipe 67 and the cold water pipe 55 through the flow passage 54 in the sterilization pipe 48 (see FIG. 2) to the vicinity of the tip portion 41.

  Hot hot water for sterilization flows into the base part 101 from the tip part 41, and heats and sterilizes the inner periphery and outer periphery in the vicinity of the tip part 41 and the inner periphery of the base part 101. The warm water that has flowed into the base 101 passes through the side hole 411 provided at the tip 41 and returns to the inside of the connection portion 4, and is further returned to the high-temperature tank 6 from the second branch flow passage 53 and the pipe 61. The spray of warm water for sterilization is maintained only for a time when sterilization is sufficiently performed. For example, if the temperature of the hot water is 80 ° C. or higher, about 1 to 2 minutes is sufficient. When the sterilizing hot water is ejected for a predetermined time by a timer or the like, the hot water circulation pump 66 is stopped, the electromagnetic on-off valve 68 is closed, and the circulation of the hot water is automatically stopped.

  By this sterilization treatment, the vicinity of the tip portion 41 and the base portion 101 are sufficiently heated, and even if bacteria or the like are attached to the tip portion 41, they die in a short time. At the same time, the inside of the cold water pipe 55 is also sterilized by heating. Thus, since the inner periphery and outer periphery in the vicinity of the tip portion 41 of the connection portion 4 and the base portion 101 are sufficiently sterilized when the beverage container 10 is replaced, the support plate 24 is then moved to the third position. Even if the tip portion 41 is inserted into a new beverage container 10 by being swung to a position (horizontal state) and positioned, there is no possibility that bacteria or the like will enter the beverage container 10.

  In the lower part of the beverage server 1, a lower cooling chamber 3 for storing a spare beverage container 11 and cooling drinking water inside the beverage container 11 is arranged. The wall 31 around the lower cooling chamber 3 and the front door 32 are filled with a heat insulating material. When the door 32 is closed, the inside and the outside of the lower cooling chamber 3 are thermally blocked.

  The internal space of the lower cooling chamber 3 is cooled by the cooler 33 disposed on the ceiling portion of the lower cooling chamber 3, and the drinking water inside the beverage container 11 is cooled. As described above, the beverage container 11 to be used next is cooled in the lower cooling chamber 3 in advance, so that even when the beverage container 10 currently in use in the upper cooling chamber 2 becomes empty, the next beverage If the container 11 is installed in the upper cooling chamber 2, cold water with an appropriate temperature can be poured out immediately.

  The cooling capacity of the lower cooling chamber 3 may be equivalent to that of the upper cooling chamber 2, and the drinking water inside the container may be cooled to an appropriate temperature (for example, 10 ° C. or less) as cold water. The cooling capacity may be smaller than the cooling capacity of the upper cooling chamber 2. Even if the cooling capacity of the lower cooling chamber 3 is small, if the beverage container 11 that has been preliminarily cooled is installed in the upper cooling chamber 2, it can be cooled to an appropriate temperature in a short time.

  A compressor 7 is disposed in the middle part of the beverage server 1. The refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 7 and sent to the radiator 8, cooled and liquefied by the cooling fan 9 and the radiator 8, and further sent to the cooler 23. The refrigerant after partially evaporating in the cooler 23 and cooling the upper cooling chamber 2 is then sent to the cooler 33. The refrigerant after being vaporized in the cooler 33 and cooling the lower cooling chamber 3 is circulated to the compressor 7 again. Thus, since the upper cooling chamber 2 and the lower cooling chamber 3 are cooled by the cooler 23 and the cooler 33 connected to one cooling cycle, the cost of the cooling system can be reduced.

  Although not shown here, it is preferable to cover the outer periphery of the high temperature tank 6 and the hot water pipe 62 with a heat insulating material or the like. Thereby, while reducing the power consumption for a heating, hot water can be poured out from the hot water cock 63, maintaining a high temperature state.

  The compressor 7, the heater 64, the hot water circulation pump 66, and the electromagnetic on-off valve 68 are driven and controlled by a drive control unit (not shown). The drive control unit drives and controls the heater 64 to keep the drinking water in the high temperature tank 6 at a predetermined high temperature (for example, 80 to 85 ° C.) and also drives and controls the compressor 7 to drink the drinking water in the low temperature tank 5. Is cooled and kept at a predetermined appropriate temperature (for example, 10 ° C. or lower). The drive control unit drives and controls the hot water circulation pump 66 and the electromagnetic on-off valve 68 to execute the sterilization process as described above.

  Note that the beverage container 10 replacement operation itself is the same as the beverage container 10 replacement operation in FIG. 7 except for the sterilization process. The support plate 24 is provided so as to be swingable about a rotation shaft 26 arranged in the horizontal direction. A holding hole for holding the base portion 101 of the beverage container 10 is formed in the support plate 24, and the base portion 101 of the beverage container 10 is held in this holding hole.

  In order to replace the beverage container 10, the support plate 24 is swung upward, positioned at the first position 24 a, and the base portion 101 is detached from the connection portion 4. If the empty beverage container 10 is pulled out to the front side (left side in FIG. 1) with the support plate 24 in such an inclined state, the beverage container 10 can be easily removed.

  Next, the beverage container 11 preliminarily cooled in the lower cooling chamber 3 is placed on the support plate 24 in an inclined state. At this time, the base 101 is made to enter the holding hole. Then, if the new beverage container 11 is slid downward, the base part 101 enters and is held at a predetermined position of the holding hole, and the beverage container 11 is brought into contact with the stopper 25 and positioned at the predetermined installation position. Is done.

  Next, the support plate 24 is swung downward and positioned at the second position 24b. In the second position 24b, the sterilization process as described above is executed. When the sterilization process is completed, the support plate 24 is further swung downward and brought into contact with the contact portion 27 to be in a horizontal state (third position). At this time, the distal end portion 41 is inserted to the deepest position in the base portion 101, and the distal end portion 41 penetrates the sealing film 104 and enters the inside of the beverage container. And the drinking water in a drink container flows in into the connection part 4 side. As described above, the replacement operation and the sterilization treatment of the beverage container 10 can be easily performed by anyone without requiring skill.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1, since the drinking water from the beverage container 10 cooled in the upper cooling chamber 2 is poured out from the cold water cock 56, a tank for cold water becomes unnecessary, The cost of the beverage server can be reduced. And the sanitary drinking water can always be provided by eliminating the cold water tank in which bacteria easily propagate. Since the beverage container 10 is kept in the cooled state in the upper cooling chamber 2, the propagation of bacteria and the like can be suppressed.

  2 and 3 are enlarged cross-sectional views showing the configuration of the connecting portion 4. FIG. 2 shows a state where the support plate 24 is positioned at the second position 24b (see FIG. 1), and FIG. 3 shows a state where the support plate 24 is positioned at the third position (horizontal state). Is. Drinking water is sealed in the beverage container 10 in a completely sterilized state, and a sealing film 104 is provided on the base 101 to completely seal the inside of the beverage container 10. Therefore, there is no room for breeding bacteria or the like in the drinking water in the beverage container 10 before use.

  In a state where the support plate 24 is positioned at the second position 24b (see FIG. 1), the tip portion 41 is inserted into the base portion 101 as shown in FIG. The position of has not been reached. Further, the outer peripheral surface of the connection portion 4 and the inner peripheral surface of the base portion 101 are sealed with an O-ring 401. In this state, the sterilization process described above is executed. That is, high-temperature hot water is ejected through the flow passage 54 in the sterilizing pipe 48 to the vicinity of the tip portion 41. At this time, warm water does not flow into the beverage container 10 because of the sealing film 104. Moreover, since it is sealed by the O-ring 401, the hot water does not flow out of the base part 101.

  In the state where the support plate 24 is positioned at the third position (horizontal state), as shown in FIG. 3, the tip portion 41 is inserted deeper into the base portion 101, and the sharp tip portion 41 of the connection portion 4 is inserted. It penetrates the sealing film 104 and enters the beverage container 10. Drinking water in the beverage container 10 flows into the connecting portion 4 from the flow hole 50 and the side hole 411 of the tip 41 and moves downward in the flow passage 54 in the sterilizing pipe 48 to the first branch flow passage 52. In addition to branching, the communication passage 51 is moved downward to branch to the second branch flow passage 53. The upper cooling chamber 2 is disposed at the top of the beverage server 1, and drinking water is supplied to each portion by gravity.

  The outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 4 and the inner peripheral surface of the base portion 101 are sealed with an O-ring 401. For this reason, drinking water does not leak from the base part 101. The base part 101 is projected from the paper outer box 103 to the outside, and a bag-like inner container 102 is adhered to the inner end face of the base part 101 in a sealed state. A concave groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base 101, and the support plate 24 is engaged with the concave groove.

  The connecting portion 4 includes an upper member 40 and a lower member 43, and the upper member 40 and the lower member 43 are connected and fixed to the flange portions 42 and 44 formed respectively by the bolts 19. Further, the connecting portion 4 is fixed to the wall surface 21 on the bottom surface side of the upper cooling chamber 2 by the bolt 19. The lower member 43 is formed with a first pipe connection part 45 and a second pipe connection part 46. A first branch flow passage 52 is formed inside the first pipe connection portion 45, and a second branch flow passage 53 is formed inside the second pipe connection portion 46.

  A cold water pipe 55 is connected to the first pipe connection part 45, and a pipe 61 following the high temperature tank 6 is connected to the second pipe connection part 46. Further, the sterilization pipe 48 is formed so as to communicate with the first pipe connection portion 45. A flow passage 54 is formed inside the sterilizing pipe 48, and the flow passage 54 communicates with the first branch flow passage 52. The distal end side of the sterilizing pipe 48 opens toward the inner peripheral surface of the distal end portion 41.

  The connection part 4 is comprised with the metal with favorable heat conductivity. The collar portion 42 of the upper member 40 is cooled by the cool air in the upper cooling chamber 2, and the entire connection portion 4 is further cooled by heat conduction. Moreover, the outer periphery of the lower member 43 of the connection part 4 is covered with a heat insulating material (see FIG. 1). For this reason, cold water can be poured out from the cold water cock 56, maintaining the state cooled.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the beverage server 18 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The beverage server 18 is different from the beverage server 1 of FIG. 1 in that it has a cold tank 12 for cold water. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the member common with the drink server 1. FIG. The beverage container 10 is connected to the beverage server 18 by the connecting portion 4a. Here, with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the structure of the connection part 4a is demonstrated.

  5 and 6 are enlarged cross-sectional views showing the configuration of the connecting portion 4a. Also in this embodiment, the beverage container 10 is placed on the support plate 24, and the support plate 24 has the first position 24a, the second position 24b, and the third position, like the support plate 24 of FIG. Positioning is possible (horizontal state). FIG. 5 shows a state in which the support plate 24 is positioned at the second position 24b (see FIG. 1), and FIG. 6 shows a state in which the support plate 24 is positioned at the third position (horizontal state). Is.

  In the state where the support plate 24 is positioned at the second position, as shown in FIG. 5, the tip portion 41 is inserted into the base portion 101, but the tip portion 41 reaches the position of the sealing film 104. Not. Further, the outer peripheral surface of the connection portion 4 and the inner peripheral surface of the base portion 101 are sealed with an O-ring 401. Sterilization processing is performed in this state. That is, high-temperature hot water is ejected through the flow passage 54 in the sterilizing pipe 48 to the vicinity of the tip portion 41. At this time, warm water does not flow into the beverage container 10 because of the sealing film 104. Moreover, since it is sealed by the O-ring 401, the hot water does not flow out of the base part 101.

  In the state where the support plate 24 is positioned at the third position (horizontal state), as shown in FIG. 6, the tip 41 is inserted deeper into the base 101 and the sharp tip 41 of the connecting portion 4a is inserted. It penetrates the sealing film 104 and enters the beverage container 10. The drinking water in the beverage container 10 flows into the connection portion 4a from the flow hole 50 and the side hole 411 of the tip portion 41, and further passes through the communication passage 51 and is formed below the connection portion 4a. And branch to the second branch flow passage 53. The beverage container 10 is disposed at the top of the beverage server 18, and drinking water is supplied to each part by gravity.

  A space between the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 4 a and the inner peripheral surface of the base portion 101 is sealed with an O-ring 401. For this reason, drinking water does not leak from the base part 101. The configuration of the connection portion 4a shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is similar to that of the connection portion 4 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, but the sterilization pipe 48 is provided with a dedicated sterilization pipe connection portion 47. Is different. In addition, the common code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is common to these.

  The connecting portion 4a includes an upper member 40 and a lower member 43, and the upper member 40 and the lower member 43 are connected and fixed to the flange portions 42 and 44 formed by the bolt 19 respectively. Further, the connecting portion 4 is fixed to the main body of the beverage server 18 by the bolts 19. The lower member 43 is formed with a first pipe connection part 45, a second pipe connection part 46, and a sterilization pipe connection part 47. A first branch flow passage 52 is formed inside the first pipe connection portion 45, and a second branch flow passage 53 is formed inside the second pipe connection portion 46.

  A pipe following the low temperature tank 12 is connected to the first pipe connection part 45, and a pipe following the high temperature tank 6 is connected to the second pipe connection part 46. Further, a sterilization pipe 48 is continuously formed in the sterilization pipe connection portion 47, and a flow passage 54 is formed inside the sterilization pipe 48. The distal end side of the sterilizing pipe 48 opens toward the inner peripheral surface of the distal end portion 41. The sterilizing pipe 48 is disposed inside a communication passage 51 that communicates the flow hole 50 with the first branch flow passage 52 and the second branch flow passage 53. A sterilization pipe 67 is connected to the sterilization pipe connection portion 47.

  Again, the description of the beverage server 18 will be continued with reference to FIG. Drinking water in the beverage container 10 is supplied to the low temperature tank 12 and the high temperature tank 6 from the first branch flow passage 52 and the second branch flow passage 53 provided in the connecting portion 4a, respectively. The high temperature tank 6 is provided with a heater 64, and the drinking water in the high temperature tank 6 is heated by the heater 64 and is kept at a substantially constant high temperature (for example, 80 to 85 ° C.). For this reason, the drinking water in the high temperature tank 6 is completely sterilized and in a sterile state.

  A hot water cock 63 is connected to the upper portion of the high temperature tank 6 through a hot water pipe. When the lever of the hot water cock 63 is operated to open the hot water cock 63, hot hot water is poured out from the hot water cock 63. When hot water is poured out from the hot water cock 63, the same amount of drinking water is introduced from the beverage container 10 into the high temperature tank 6. Thus, the inside of the high temperature tank 6 is always full. A drain valve 71 and a drain pipe 72 are provided to completely discharge the drinking water in the high temperature tank 6 when not in use.

  The low-temperature tank 12 is provided with a cooler 13, and the drinking water in the low-temperature tank 12 is cooled to an appropriate temperature (for example, 10 ° C. or less) as cold water by a cooling cycle including the compressor 17, the radiator 16, and the cooler 13. The temperature is maintained. A cold water cock 56 is connected to the upper portion of the low temperature tank 12 via a cold water pipe.

  When the lever of the cold water cock 56 is operated to make it open, low-temperature cold water is poured out from the cold water cock 56. When cold water is poured out from the cold water cock 56, the same amount of drinking water is introduced from the beverage container 10 into the low temperature tank 12. Thus, the inside of the low temperature tank 12 is always full. A drain valve 14 and a drain pipe 15 are provided to completely discharge the drinking water in the low temperature tank 12 when not in use.

  One end of a sterilization pipe 65 is connected to the lower part of the high-temperature tank 6. The other end of the sterilization pipe 65 is connected to a hot water circulation pump 66, and one end of a sterilization pipe 67 is connected to the discharge side of the hot water circulation pump 66. The other end of the sterilization pipe 67 is connected to the sterilization pipe connection part 47 (see FIG. 5) of the connection part 4. An electromagnetic on-off valve 68 is disposed in the vicinity of the end of the sterilization pipe 67 on the side where the hot water circulation pump 66 is connected.

  One end of another sterilization pipe 70 is connected to the discharge side of the hot water circulation pump 66, and the other end side of the sterilization pipe 70 is connected to the low-temperature tank 12 via a cold water cock 56. . An electromagnetic on-off valve 69 is disposed in the vicinity of the end of the sterilization pipe 70 on the side where the hot water circulation pump 66 is connected. These sterilizing hot water circulation systems sterilize the vicinity of the tip 41 of the connecting portion 4 and the inner periphery of the base 101 when the drinking water in the beverage container 10 becomes empty and the beverage container 10 is replaced. In particular, the inside of the low temperature tank 12, the cold water cock 56, and the cold water pipe is sterilized.

  When sterilizing the vicinity of the tip 41 and the base 101, after replacing the beverage container 10 with a new beverage container, the support plate 24 is swung to the second position and positioned. Then, the electromagnetic on-off valve 68 is opened, the electromagnetic on-off valve 69 is closed, and the hot water circulation pump 66 is driven to supply hot hot water in the high-temperature tank 6 to the connecting portion 4. The operation of these sterilization processes is started by pressing a “start sterilization process at the time of replacement” push button or the like. Hot hot water is ejected from the sterilization pipe connection 47 through the flow passage 54 in the sterilization pipe 48 (see FIG. 5) to the vicinity of the tip 41.

  Hot hot water for sterilization flows into the base part 101 from the tip part 41, and heats and sterilizes the inner periphery and outer periphery in the vicinity of the tip part 41 and the inner periphery of the base part 101. The warm water that has flowed into the base part 101 returns to the inside of the connection part 4 through the side hole 411 provided in the tip part 41 and is further returned to the high-temperature tank 6 from the second branch flow passage 53. The spray of warm water for sterilization is maintained only for a time when sterilization is sufficiently performed. For example, if the temperature of the hot water is 80 ° C. or higher, about 1 to 2 minutes is sufficient. When the sterilizing hot water is ejected for a predetermined time by a timer or the like, the hot water circulation pump 66 is stopped, the electromagnetic on-off valve 68 is closed, and the circulation of the hot water is automatically stopped.

  By this sterilization treatment, the vicinity of the tip portion 41 and the base portion 101 are sufficiently heated, and even if bacteria or the like are attached to the tip portion 41, they die in a short time. Thus, since the inner periphery and outer periphery in the vicinity of the tip portion 41 of the connection portion 4 and the base portion 101 are sufficiently sterilized when the beverage container 10 is replaced, the support plate 24 is then moved to the third position. Even if the tip portion 41 is inserted into a new beverage container 10 by being swung to a position (horizontal state) and positioned, there is no possibility that bacteria or the like will enter the beverage container 10.

  Next, when the inside of the low temperature tank 12, the cold water cock 56, and the cold water pipe is sterilized, the compressor 17 is stopped to stop the operation of the cooling cycle, the electromagnetic switching valve 68 is closed, and the electromagnetic switching valve 69 is opened. The hot water circulation pump 66 is driven to supply the hot water in the high temperature tank 6 to the cold water cock 56 and the low temperature tank 12 through the sterilization pipe 70. Hot water is returned from the low temperature tank 12 to the high temperature tank 6. The sterilization treatment of this cold water pouring system has a wide circulation range of hot water and is initially in a state in which the low-temperature tank 12 and the like are cooled. Therefore, it takes about one hour to perform sufficient sterilization. .

  When the sterilization process is completed, the hot water circulation pump 66 is stopped, the electromagnetic on-off valve 69 is closed, and the hot water circulation is stopped. Then, the operation of the cooling cycle is resumed. It is preferable to set the sterilization treatment of the cold water pouring system to automatically start at midnight or the like by a timer or the like. Then, it is set so that the end of the sterilization process and the restart of the operation of the cooling cycle are automatically executed by a timer or the like.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the sterilization pipe 48 for sterilizing the vicinity of the tip 41 and the base 101 is provided in the connecting parts 4 and 4a, the tip 41 when the beverage container 10 is replaced. The vicinity and the base 101 can be easily sterilized, and there is no possibility of bacteria or the like entering the new beverage container 10 by the replacement operation. Moreover, the sterilization process at the time of this exchange operation can be completed in a short time.

  In addition, although the above embodiment gave and demonstrated drink water, such as mineral water, as an example as a drink, it is applicable also to arbitrary drinks other than drink water.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the drink server which can always pour out sanitary drinking water can be provided. Also, anyone can easily perform the sterilization treatment.

It is the schematic which shows the whole structure of the drink server 1 of this invention. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a connection part 4. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a connection part 4. It is the schematic which shows the whole structure of the drink server 18 of other embodiment of this invention. It is an expanded sectional view which shows the structure of the connection part 4a. It is an expanded sectional view which shows the structure of the connection part 4a. It is a figure which shows the procedure which installs the beverage container 10 in the support plate 24. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,18 Beverage server 2 Upper cooling room 3 Lower cooling room 4,4a, 5 Connection part 6 High temperature tank 7,17 Compressor 8,16 Radiator 9 Cooling fan 10,11 Beverage container 12 Low temperature tank 13 Cooler 14 Drain valve 15 Drain pipe 19 Bolt 21, 31 Wall surface 22, 32 Door 23, 33 Cooler 24 Support plate 25 Stopper 26 Rotating shaft 27 Contact portion 28 Engagement portion 29 Locking member 40 Upper member 41 Front end portion 42, 44 Gutter portion 43 Lower portion Member 45 First pipe connection portion 46 Second pipe connection portion 47 Sterilization pipe connection portion 48 Sterilization pipe 50 Flow hole 51 Communication passage 52 First branch flow passage 53 Second branch flow passage 54 Flow passage 55 Cold water pipe 56 Cold water Cock 61 Piping 62 Hot water piping 63 Hot water cock 64 Heater 65, 67, 70 Sterilization piping 66 Hot water circulation Amplifier 68 solenoid valve 71 drain valve 72 drain pipe 101 base part 102 the inner container 103 outer box 104 sealing film

Claims (10)

A connection part (4) for connecting to a beverage container (10) arranged so that the base part (101) is on the lower side,
A tip portion (41) formed in a sharp shape for insertion into the base portion (101), and formed with a flow hole (50) for distributing a beverage;
A sterilizing pipe (48) for ejecting a sterilizing fluid to the tip (41) side;
A sealing member (401) for sealing fluid between the inner peripheral surface of the base part (101) so that the sterilizing fluid does not flow out of the base part (101);
A first branch flow passage (52) connected to the sterilization pipe (48) and branching and circulating the beverage in the beverage container (10);
A connecting portion (4) comprising a second branch flow passage (53) communicating with the flow hole (50) and branching and flowing the beverage in the beverage container (10);
A low temperature beverage dispensing cock (56) for dispensing the beverage supplied from the first branch flow passage (52);
A high-temperature tank (6) connected to the second branch flow passage (53) and storing the beverage supplied from the beverage container (10) in a heated state;
A heater (64) installed in the high temperature tank (6);
A beverage server comprising a high temperature beverage dispensing cock (63) for dispensing beverage in the high temperature tank (6). The beverage server according to claim 1,
A beverage server having an upper cooling chamber (2) for storing and cooling the beverage container (10). The beverage server according to any one of claims 1 and 2,
A cold beverage dispensing pipe (55) connecting the first branch flow passage (52) and the cold beverage dispensing cock (56);
A sterilization pipe (65) connected to the high-temperature tank (6) and circulating a high-temperature fluid for sterilization;
A hot water circulation pump (66) connected to the sterilization pipe (65) and circulating a high temperature fluid for sterilization;
A second sterilization pipe (67) connecting the discharge side of the hot water circulation pump (66) and the low temperature beverage dispensing pipe (55);
A beverage server having an on-off valve (68) disposed in the second sterilization pipe (67). A beverage server according to claim 3,
The connection position of the second sterilization pipe (67) and the low temperature beverage dispensing pipe (55) is the end of the low temperature beverage dispensing pipe (55) on the low temperature beverage dispensing cock (56) side. Beverage server in the vicinity of the department. A connection part (4a) for connecting to a beverage container (10) arranged so that the base part (101) is on the lower side,
A tip portion (41) formed in a sharp shape for insertion into the base portion (101), and formed with a flow hole (50) for distributing a beverage;
A sterilizing pipe (48) for ejecting a sterilizing fluid to the tip (41) side;
A sealing member (401) for sealing fluid between the inner peripheral surface of the base part (101) so that the sterilizing fluid does not flow out of the base part (101);
A first branch flow passage (52) communicating with the flow hole (50) and branching and flowing the beverage in the beverage container (10);
A connecting portion (4a) comprising a second branch flow passage (53) communicating with the flow hole (50) and branching and flowing the beverage in the beverage container (10);
A low temperature tank (12) connected to the first branch flow passage (52) and storing the beverage supplied from the beverage container (10) in a cooled state;
A cooler (13) installed in the low temperature tank (12);
A cold beverage dispensing cock (56) for dispensing the beverage in the cold tank (12);
A high-temperature tank (6) connected to the second branch flow passage (53) and storing the beverage supplied from the beverage container (10) in a heated state;
A heater (64) installed in the high temperature tank (6);
A beverage server comprising a high temperature beverage dispensing cock (63) for dispensing beverage in the high temperature tank (6). The beverage server according to claim 5,
A sterilization pipe (65) connected to the high-temperature tank (6) and circulating a high-temperature fluid for sterilization;
A hot water circulation pump (66) connected to the sterilization pipe (65) and circulating a high temperature fluid for sterilization;
A second sterilization pipe (67) connecting the discharge side of the hot water circulation pump (66) and the sterilization pipe (48);
A beverage server having an on-off valve (68) disposed in the second sterilization pipe (67). It is a drink server given in any 1 paragraph of Claims 1-6,
Having a support plate (24) on which the beverage container (10) is placed;
The support plate (24) includes a first position (24a) where the connection portion (4, 4a) and the base portion (101) are separated, and the tip end portion (41) is the base portion (101). A second position (24b) for sterilization disposed inside the container and a third position at which the beverage in the beverage container (10) can be supplied via the connecting portion (4, 4a) Beverage server that is positionable. A tip portion (41) formed in a sharp shape for insertion into the mouthpiece portion (101) of the beverage container (10) and formed with a circulation hole (50) for circulating the beverage;
A sterilizing pipe (48) for ejecting a sterilizing fluid to the tip (41) side;
A sealing member (401) for sealing fluid between the inner peripheral surface of the base part (101) so that the sterilizing fluid does not flow out of the base part (101);
A first branch flow passage (52) connected to the sterilization pipe (48) and branching and circulating the beverage in the beverage container (10);
A beverage server connection portion having a second branch flow passage (53) communicating with the flow hole (50) and branching and flowing the beverage in the beverage container (10). A tip portion (41) formed in a sharp shape for insertion into the mouthpiece portion (101) of the beverage container (10) and formed with a circulation hole (50) for circulating the beverage;
A sterilizing pipe (48) for ejecting a sterilizing fluid to the tip (41) side;
A sealing member (401) for sealing fluid between the inner peripheral surface of the base part (101) so that the sterilizing fluid does not flow out of the base part (101);
A first branch flow passage (52) communicating with the flow hole (50) and branching and flowing the beverage in the beverage container (10);
A beverage server connection portion having a second branch flow passage (53) communicating with the flow hole (50) and branching and flowing the beverage in the beverage container (10). A connection part for a beverage server according to claim 9,
Beverage server connection having a sterilization pipe connection (47) for supplying a sterilization fluid to the sterilization pipe (48).

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