JP6910863B2 - Beverage supply device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a beverage supply device.

Conventionally, a beverage supply device for supplying a beverage (for example, water) taken from a beverage bottle from a supply nozzle has been known. This beverage supply device includes a server body on which a beverage bottle can be mounted or built-in, and a storage tank that is housed in the server body and stores the beverage taken from the beverage bottle at a predetermined temperature. ing. The beverage stored in the storage tank is supplied from the supply nozzle according to the operation of the user.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a beverage supply device including a cold water tank and a hot water tank as storage tanks. In this beverage supply device, a connecting recess for mounting a beverage bottle is formed in the center of the upper surface of the housing. The connecting recess has an inner surface shape into which the neck portion of the beverage bottle is fitted, and also has a communication tube portion that projects upward along the central axis thereof. This communication tube portion is inserted upward into the neck of the water bottle to communicate the inside of the beverage bottle and the inside of the cold water tank with each other, and supplies the water taken in from the beverage bottle to the cold water tank.

In such a beverage supply device, temperature-controlled water such as heating or cooling can be easily used. However, when using cooled water, it may feel too cold depending on the surrounding outside air temperature and the feeling of the user. Also, when taking medicine, cooled water may be too cold. Therefore, when trying to obtain water at room temperature, it is necessary to alternately pour cold water and hot water and adjust the temperature by the user himself / herself.

For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a beverage supply device that supplies room temperature water from a small beverage bottle. Further, for example, Patent Document 3 discloses a beverage supply device that supplies beverages from replaceable beverage bottles.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-126189 Utility Model Registration No. 3169251 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-21285

In the beverage supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a beverage intake section (communication tube section) that takes in water from the beverage bottle into the device enters the inside of the cold water tank, and water is taken in from the beverage bottle. Is done in a cold water tank. On the other hand, among the water stored in this cold water tank, the water existing in the upper layer is generally at room temperature. Therefore, in a beverage supply device having such a configuration, water equivalent to room temperature can be taken out from the cold water tank by connecting a room temperature water supply pipe to the peripheral wall portion of the cold water tank.

However, in the case of this method, it is necessary to connect the room temperature water supply pipe to the curved peripheral side wall of the cold water tank (tank body), which complicates the connection work such as welding. In addition, since the circumference of the cold water tank is covered with a heat insulating material to ensure the heat retention of the cold water, connecting the normal temperature water supply pipe may affect the heat insulating property of the cold water tank (tank body). There is sex. Furthermore, if the product lineup is planned to have specifications that take out normal temperature water and specifications that do not take out normal temperature water, it is necessary to change the cold water tank according to each specification.

Further, when water is circulated between the hot water tank and the cold water tank for heat sterilization, the hot water in the hot water tank is sent out to the cold water tank, so that the cold water tank is filled with hot water. Therefore, in the configuration in which normal temperature water is taken out from the cold water tank, there is an inconvenience that normal temperature water cannot be taken out at the time of heat sterilization.

Further, in this type of beverage supply device, as disclosed in Patent Document 3, when the amount of beverage in the beverage bottle is reduced, the pressure state inside the beverage bottle may become negative pressure. Are known. In this negative pressure state, there is an inconvenience that the supply of the beverage from the beverage bottle is hindered.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to enable the supply of not only temperature-controlled beverages but also beverages at room temperature, and stable supply of beverages at room temperature. Realize a beverage supply device with a simple configuration.

In order to solve such a problem, the present invention presents a beverage supply device that supplies a beverage taken from a beverage bottle through a supply nozzle, a beverage intake unit that is inserted into the beverage bottle and takes in the beverage, and a temperature control to a predetermined temperature. A storage tank for storing the beverage, an opening for circulating air between the air layer existing in the storage tank and the atmosphere outside the storage tank, and a beverage connected between the beverage intake and the storage tank. A connection pipe that supplies the beverage taken in from the intake section to the storage tank, a normal temperature water supply pipe that branches from the middle of the connection pipe and guides the beverage at room temperature to the supply nozzle, and the pressure state inside the beverage bottle is around the beverage bottle. A check valve that allows air to flow into the beverage bottle through the connecting pipe when the negative pressure is lower than the atmosphere, and a check valve that the connecting pipe has and is branched from the middle of the connecting pipe. The air inflow pipe connected to the storage tank so as to communicate with the air layer via the air layer, and the part of the beverage intake section that extends in the vertical direction, the upper end side is inserted into the beverage bottle and the lower end side is. A cylindrical portion connected to the connecting pipe, a partition wall extending in the flow direction of the beverage and dividing a series of internal flow paths from the cylindrical portion to the connecting pipe into a first internal flow path and a second internal flow path. The first internal flow path is formed in a cylindrical portion and has a first water supply opening and a second water supply opening corresponding to the first internal flow path and the second internal flow path, and the beverage is taken into the internal flow path. The normal temperature water supply pipe is communicated with the second internal flow path, and the air inflow pipe is communicated with the second internal flow path.

In the present invention, the open mouth, it is preferable that a filter is arranged.

Further, in the present invention, it is preferable that the partition wall extends to a position closer to the front end of the connecting pipe.

According to the present invention, a connecting pipe provided with a room temperature water supply pipe is arranged between the beverage intake portion and the storage tank. Therefore, the beverage in the beverage bottle in the normal temperature environment, that is, the beverage at room temperature can be supplied from the supply nozzle. As a result, a beverage supply device that supplies not only temperature-controlled beverages but also beverages at room temperature can be realized with a simple configuration.

Further, according to the present invention, even when the number of beverages in the beverage bottle is reduced, the check valve suppresses the pressure state inside the beverage bottle from becoming negative pressure. As a result, the beverage can be stably supplied from the beverage bottle, and the beverage at room temperature can be stably supplied.

A perspective view showing the appearance of the beverage supply device according to the present embodiment. The figure which shows typically the internal structure of the beverage supply device which concerns on this embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows typically the piping structure of the beverage supply device which concerns on this embodiment. The figure which shows typically the main part of the beverage supply apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. The figure which shows typically the main part of the beverage supply apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. Explanatory drawing showing the flow of water around the connection pipe when water is supplied at room temperature Explanatory drawing showing the flow of water around the connecting pipe during cold water supply or hot water supply Explanatory drawing explaining connection piping and check valve The figure which shows typically the main part of the beverage supply apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment

(First Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the beverage supply device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the beverage supply device 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of the beverage supply device 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a piping configuration of the beverage supply device 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a main part of the beverage supply device 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a main part of the beverage supply device 1 according to the present embodiment.

The beverage supply device 1 according to the present embodiment is a device that heats or cools a beverage to a predetermined temperature, or supplies the beverage at room temperature. In the present embodiment, water is exemplified as a beverage, but other beverages may be used.

The beverage supply device 1 is mainly composed of a housing 2 which is a main body of the device, a cooling tank 3 and a heating tank 4 housed therein, and an operation panel 5.

A bottle mounting portion 20 is provided at the upper end portion of the housing 2, and a beverage bottle 6 filled with a beverage can be placed on the bottle mounting portion 20 (FIGS. 4 and 5). In, the beverage bottle 6 is omitted). The water in the beverage bottle 6 placed on the bottle placing portion 20 becomes a room temperature according to the ambient temperature.

The beverage bottle 6 is, for example, a beverage bottle (soft type beverage bottle) made of a soft material, and when water flows out from the beverage bottle 6, the initial shape (shape in a state where water is full) is obtained. It collapses and deforms without maintaining. As shown in FIG. 2, the beverage bottle 6 is placed on the bottle mounting portion 20 with the beverage outlet 60 protruding from the upper end portion of the beverage bottle 6 facing downward. In this mounting state, the beverage outlet 60 is inserted into the insertion recess 21 provided in the center of the bottle mounting portion 20.

On the lower surface (back surface) side of the bottle mounting portion 20, a beverage receiving portion 22 that takes in water from the beverage bottle 6 mounted on the bottle mounting portion 20 is provided. The beverage intake portion 22 is provided at the center of the bottom surface of the intake portion main body 22a made of a tubular member whose bottom surface side is closed, and the cylindrical portion (water) extending in the vertical direction through the bottom surface. It is composed of a guard) 22b.

The inner peripheral surface on the upper end side of the intake portion main body 22a is a fitting portion that fits into the outer peripheral surface on the lower end side of the insertion recess 21, and the intake portion main body 22a is on the lower surface side of the bottle mounting portion 20. Therefore, it is fitted and fixed to the insertion recess 21.

The cylindrical portion 22b is set at a height protruding from the upper end of the intake portion main body 22a, and the tip portion thereof reaches the inside of the insertion recess 21. The tip of the cylindrical portion 22b is formed in a hemispherical shape that bulges upward. Two water supply openings 22c and 22d are formed in the cylindrical portion 22b at a position slightly lower than the tip portion. One water supply opening (first water supply opening) 22c is provided corresponding to one internal flow path partitioned by the partition wall 22e described later, and the other water supply opening (second water supply opening) 22d is partitioned by the partition wall 22e. It is provided corresponding to the other internal flow path provided.

Inside the cylindrical portion 22b, a partition wall 22e extending in the vertical direction (direction in which water flows) is provided. The partition wall 22e is set in a range from the upper end to the lower end of the cylindrical portion 22b. The internal flow path of the cylindrical portion 22b is divided into two internal flow paths by the partition wall 22e.

When the beverage bottle 6 is placed on the bottle mounting portion 20 and the beverage outlet 60 is inserted into the insertion recess 21, the cylindrical portion 22b is inserted into the beverage bottle 6 from the beverage outlet 60. At this time, the water supply openings 22c and 22d of the cylindrical portion 22b are also located inside the beverage bottle 6. Therefore, the water stored in the beverage bottle 6 flows into the inside of the cylindrical portion 22b from the water supply openings 22c and 22d, and the water in the beverage bottle 6 is taken into the inside of the beverage supply device 1. A connecting pipe 25, which will be described later, is connected to the lower end of the cylindrical portion 22b, and the water flowing into the cylindrical portion 22b is supplied to the cooling tank 3 via the connecting pipe 25.

The cooling tank 3 is a metal storage tank for storing cooled (temperature-controlled) water, and is arranged in a space located above the inside of the housing 2. The cooling tank 3 is arranged below the beverage intake portion 22.

The cooling tank 3 includes a bottomed tubular tank body 30 whose bottom surface is closed. A heat exchange unit 70 for cooling the water in the tank body 30 is installed in the lower region of the peripheral side wall of the tank body 30.

A cooling device 71 is provided at the bottom of the housing 2, and the cooling device 71 includes a refrigerant pipe (not shown) for circulating a refrigerant with the heat exchange unit 70. The refrigerant circulates through the refrigerant pipe, and the cooled refrigerant is supplied to the heat exchange unit 70, so that the water stored in the cooling tank 3 (particularly the water stored on the lower side) is cooled.

Further, the tank body 30 is covered with a heat insulating material 32 in order to ensure cold insulation. The heat insulating material 32 is made of, for example, styrofoam.

The cooling tank 3 includes a tank lid 35 that closes the upper surface of the tank body 30. The tank lid 35 is made of, for example, a resin material, and a heat insulating material (not shown) is disposed on the upper surface thereof, except for the pipe connecting portion 36 described later.

At a required position of the tank lid 35, a tubular pipe connecting portion 36 having a through hole for communicating the inside and outside of the cooling tank 3 is provided. A connection pipe 25 is connected to the pipe connection portion 36 from the upper surface side of the tank lid 35, and the water flowing through the connection pipe 25 passes through the tank lid 35 and is supplied to the tank body 30. The outlet end (lower end) of the connection pipe 25 reaches below the tank lid 35, for example, to the lower end of the pipe connection portion 36. The connection pipe 25 may have an integral structure with the tank lid 35 including the pipe connection portion 36.

Further, in the tank lid 35, a filter 31 is installed in an opening penetrating the inside and outside of the cooling tank 3. The water in the cooling tank 3 is controlled to be maintained at a constant water level by the float 38 and the valve body 37, which will be described later, and an air layer is formed between the liquid level of the water in the cooling tank 3 and the tank lid 35. Exists. The filter 31 regulates the inflow of foreign matter into the cooling tank 3 while allowing the flow of air between the air layer inside the cooling tank 3 and the outside of the cooling tank 3.

A float 38 having a valve body 37 is provided on the lower surface side of the tank lid 35 (that is, inside the cooling tank 3). The float 38 is rotatably attached to the tank lid 35 and rotates according to the vertical movement of the liquid level in the cooling tank 3. The valve body 37 moves in the vertical direction in response to the rotational operation of the float 38 to open and close the outlet end of the connecting pipe 25. The water in the cooling tank 3 is maintained at a predetermined water level by the operation of the float 38 and the valve body 37.

Specifically, when the water level in the cooling tank 3 drops according to the consumption of water, the float 38 rotates in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. The valve body 37 is separated from the lower surface side of the pipe connecting portion 36 in response to the rotation of the float 38, whereby the lower surface side of the pipe connecting portion 36 is opened. As a result, water is supplied from the beverage bottle 6 to the cooling tank 3 via the connecting pipe 25, and the water level in the cooling tank 3 rises. On the other hand, the float 38 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4 in response to the rise in the water level. The valve body 37 closes the lower surface side of the pipe connecting portion 36 in response to the rotation of the float 38, whereby the inflow of water from the connecting pipe 25 is stopped. In this way, water corresponding to consumption is supplied to the cooling tank 3 from the beverage bottle 6.

A partition plate 39 is installed in the cooling tank 3 at an intermediate position in the vertical direction. The water in the cooling tank 3 is partitioned by the partition plate 39 into water above the partition plate 39 and water below the partition plate 39 that is positionally corresponding to the heat exchange portion 70. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the mixing of the lower water cooled by the heat exchange unit 70 and the uncooled upper water, and to prevent the cooled water from being warmed.

A chilled water supply pipe 33 is connected to the bottom surface side of the cooling tank 3, and the chilled water supply pipe 33 is provided with a chilled water solenoid valve 34. The downstream side of the chilled water supply pipe 33 from the chilled water solenoid valve 34 is connected to the supply nozzle 11. The supply nozzle 11 is for the user to receive the supply of the beverage, and the tip end side thereof extends to the outside of the housing 2. The tip of the supply nozzle 11 is set at a position below the liquid level of the water accumulated in the cooling tank 3. When a cold water supply instruction is given by operating the operation panel 5 or the like, the cold water solenoid valve 34 is opened, and the cold water in the cooling tank 3 is supplied from the supply nozzle 11 via the cold water supply pipe 33.

The heating tank 4 is a storage tank for storing heated (temperature-controlled) water, and is arranged in a space located in the middle of the housing 2. The heating tank 4 is arranged below the cooling tank 3 and above the cooling device 71. A heater (not shown) is installed in the heating tank 4, and the water in the heating tank 4 is heated by the heater.

A relay pipe 40 is connected to the upper surface side of the heating tank 4, and the other end of the relay pipe 40 is connected to the cooling tank 3. Specifically, a through hole is formed in the central portion of the partition plate 39 in the cooling tank 3. Further, inside the cooling tank 3, a hollow pipe portion 41 extending in the vertical direction is arranged. The upper end of the pipe portion 41 is connected to the partition plate 39, and the hollow portion of the pipe portion 41 communicates with the through hole of the partition plate 39. The other end side of the relay pipe 40 is disposed in the hollow portion of the pipe portion 41 in a state of penetrating the bottom surface of the cooling tank 3, and the tip thereof reaches the partition plate 39.

When the water above the partition plate 39 in the cooling tank 3 flows into the relay pipe 40, it is supplied to the heating tank 4 via the relay pipe 40. As described above, the water supply to the heating tank 4 is not directly performed from the beverage bottle 6, but is performed from the cooling tank 3.

A hot water supply pipe 42 is connected to the upper part of the heating tank 4, and the hot water supply pipe 42 is provided with a hot water solenoid valve 43. The downstream side of the hot water supply pipe 42 from the hot water solenoid valve 43 is connected to the supply nozzle 11 as in the cold water supply pipe 33. When a hot water supply instruction is given by operating the operation panel 5 or the like, the hot water solenoid valve 43 is opened, and the heated water in the heating tank 4 is supplied from the supply nozzle 11 via the hot water supply pipe 42. ..

When water is supplied from the heating tank 4, the supplied amount of water is supplied from the cooling tank 3 to the heating tank 4. Similarly, the water supplied to the heating tank 4 is supplied from the beverage bottle 6 to the cooling tank 3.

A circulation pipe 44 is connected to the upper part of the heating tank 4, and the circulation pipe 44 is provided with a circulation solenoid valve 45, which is an electric on-off valve that is electrically opened and closed. The other end of the circulation pipe 44 is connected to the lower surface side of the cooling tank 3, and the heating tank 4 and the cooling tank 3 are connected to each other via the circulation pipe 44. When a cleaning instruction is given by operating the operation panel 5 or the like, the normally closed circulation solenoid valve 45 is opened. As a result, the heated water in the heating tank 4 is sent to the cooling tank 3, and the inside of the cooling tank 3 is filled with the heated water, so that thermal sterilization (cleaning) in the cooling tank 3 can be performed. .. By adding the circulation pipe 44 between the cooling tank 3 and the heating tank 4, water is circulated between the cooling tank 3 and the heating tank 4 by the relay pipe 40 and the circulation pipe 44, and water is circulated during cleaning. Can be circulated quickly.

As shown in FIG. 1, a housing opening 24 having a required size is provided in the central portion of the front surface (front surface) 2a of the housing 2, and a decorative panel 50 is arranged in the housing opening 24. It is installed.

A bulging portion 51 projecting toward the front side is provided on the upper portion of the decorative panel 50. The bulging portion 51 has an inclined shape that is inclined so as to protrude toward the front side from the upper side to the lower side, and an operation panel 5 is arranged on the surface of the bulging portion 51. An operation means for receiving an operation from a user is arranged on the operation panel 5. As the operating means, a touch panel, a dial, a switch, or the like can be used, but other operating methods may be used. Through the operation on the operation panel 5, the user can give an instruction to supply hot water, cold water, or room temperature water, and an execution instruction to various functions provided in the beverage supply device 1.

Further, the decorative panel 50 below the bulging portion 51 is provided with an inclined wall portion 52 that is inclined so as to enter the inside of the housing 2 from the upper side to the lower side, and a continuous portion below the inclined wall portion 52. Therefore, a vertical wall portion 53 that stands up in the vertical direction is provided. The inclined wall portion 52, the vertical wall portion 53, and the left and right side surfaces 2b and 2c forming the housing 2 form a water supply space S for receiving the water supplied from the supply nozzle 11.

The inclined wall portion 52 is provided with a nozzle opening 52a, and the nozzle opening 52a is arranged so that the tip portion of the supply nozzle 11 described above projects downward. The tip of the supply nozzle 11 protruding from the nozzle opening 52a is covered with a nozzle cover 54.

At the lower end of the water supply space S, a drip tray 55 for placing a container such as a cup or receiving water overflowing from the container is arranged. When the beverage supply device 1 is used, the container is placed at a predetermined position on the drip tray 55 and a predetermined water supply operation is performed on the operation panel 5, so that the water supplied from the supply nozzle 11 can be received by the container. ..

As one of the features of the present embodiment, the beverage supply device 1 not only has a function of supplying cold water and a function of supplying hot water, but also has a function of supplying normal temperature water.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the beverage intake unit 22 that takes in water from the beverage bottle 6 and the cooling tank 3 are separated from each other by a certain distance along the vertical direction. A connection pipe 25 is arranged between the beverage intake unit 22 and the cooling tank 3 arranged downward from the lower end of the beverage intake unit 22. One end of the connecting pipe 25 is connected to the lower end of the cylindrical portion 22b of the beverage intake portion 22, and the other end of the connecting pipe 25 is connected to the pipe connecting portion 36 from the upper surface side of the tank lid 35. That is, the connection pipe 25 connects the lower end portion of the beverage intake portion 22 and the upper surface portion (tank lid 35) of the cooling tank 3. The pipe connection portion 25 may have an integral structure with the beverage intake portion 22.

Inside the connecting pipe 25, a partition wall 25b extending in the vertical direction is provided. Specifically, the lower end of the partition wall 25b extends to a position on the upper side (front side) of the outlet end (protruding end) of the connecting pipe 25. Specifically, the lower end of the partition wall 25b is located above the outlet end of the connecting pipe 25 and below the branch position of the air inflow pipe 28 and the room temperature water supply pipe 26, which will be described later. The internal flow path in the connecting pipe 25 is divided into two internal flow paths by the partition wall 25b.

Here, in a state where the cylindrical portion 22b and the connecting pipe 25 are connected, the lower end of the partition wall 22e of the cylindrical portion 22b and the upper end of the partition wall 25b of the connecting pipe 25 are continuous. As a result, continuous partition walls 22e and 25b extending from the cylindrical portion 22b to the connecting pipe 25 are formed. As a result, the series of internal flow paths from the cylindrical portion 22b to the connecting pipe 25 are divided into two internal flow paths N1 and N2, that is, the first internal flow path N1 and the second internal flow path N2 by the partition walls 22e and 25b. It is divided.

In this embodiment, partition walls 22e and 25b are set in the cylindrical portion 22b and the connecting pipe 25, respectively. However, the function of the partition wall 25b may be replaced by omitting the partition wall 25b of the connecting pipe 25 and extending the partition wall 22e of the cylindrical portion 22b to the connecting pipe 25. Similarly, the function of the partition wall 22e may be replaced by omitting the partition wall 22e of the cylindrical portion 22b and extending the partition wall 25b of the connecting pipe 25 to the cylindrical portion 22b.

The connection pipe 25 includes a room temperature water supply pipe 26 which is a branch pipe branching from the connection pipe 25. The room temperature water supply pipe 26 communicates with the first internal flow path N1. The normal temperature water supply pipe 26 is a pipe that guides the water taken in from the beverage intake unit 22 to the supply nozzle 11, and the normal temperature water supply pipe 26 is provided with a solenoid valve 27 for normal temperature water. The downstream side of the room temperature water supply pipe 26 from the room temperature water solenoid valve 27 is connected to the supply nozzle 11 as in the cold water supply pipe 33 and the hot water supply pipe 42 described above.

In the present embodiment, the room temperature water supply pipe 26 is a separate component independent of the connection pipe 25, and is connected to the branch portion 25a of the connection pipe 25 and the supply nozzle 11, respectively. The room temperature water supply pipe 26 is composed of a flexible pipe, for example, a tube made of silicon rubber. Since the positions of the connection pipe 25 and the supply nozzle 11 are fixed in advance in the housing 2a, the normal temperature water supply pipe 26 can be easily assembled by realizing the normal temperature water supply pipe 26 with such a configuration. .. Further, the beverage supply device 1 may be collected and reused by the business operator after a certain period of use, but by realizing the room temperature water supply pipe 26 with such a configuration, the beverage supply device 1 can be reused at the time of reuse. Cleaning work and parts replacement work become easy.

Further, the connection pipe 25 includes an air inflow pipe 28 which is a branch pipe branching from the connection pipe 25. The air inflow pipe 28 is set so as to face the room temperature water supply pipe 26 and communicates with the second internal flow path N2. The other end of the air inflow pipe 28 is connected to the tank lid 35 of the cooling tank 3 and communicates with the air layer in the cooling tank 3.

A check valve 29 is provided in the middle of the air inflow pipe 28, and a check valve 29 exists between the connection pipe 25 and the cooling tank 3. The check valve 29 is a second internal flow path from the beverage bottle 6 when the pressure state inside the beverage bottle 6 is equal to or greater than the pressure of the atmosphere around the beverage bottle 6 (usually atmospheric pressure). It prevents the water that reaches the air inflow pipe 28 via N2 from flowing out to the downstream side (cooling tank 3 side) of the check valve 29. Further, in the check valve 29, when the pressure state inside the beverage bottle 6 becomes a negative pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure, the air in the air layer in the cooling tank 3 becomes the air inflow pipe 28, the connecting pipe 25 and the air inflow pipe 25. It is allowed to flow into the beverage bottle 6 through the beverage intake unit 22.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of water centered on the connecting pipe 25 when water is supplied at room temperature. In the beverage supply device 1 according to the present embodiment, when a water supply instruction for normal temperature water is given by operating the operation panel 5 or the like, the solenoid valve 27 for normal temperature water is opened. In this case, the water (normal temperature water) in the beverage bottle 6 flows into the inside of the cylindrical portion 22b from the water supply openings 22c and 22d.

When there is sufficient water in the beverage bottle 6, the check valve 29 is in the closed state. Further, the outlet end side of the connecting pipe 25 is closed by the valve body 37. Therefore, the water flowing in from the first water supply opening 22c flows through the first internal flow path N1 separated by the partition walls 22e and 25b, and flows to the room temperature water supply pipe 26. On the other hand, when the water flowing in from the second water supply opening 22d flows through the second internal flow path N2 separated by the partition walls 22e and 25b, it goes around the lower end of the partition wall 25b and reaches the first internal flow path N1. It flows and then flows to the room temperature water supply pipe 26. As a result, the water (normal temperature water) in the beverage bottle 6 is supplied to the supply nozzle 11 via the normal temperature water supply pipe 26.

Further, if the supply of normal temperature water is continued in a state where the amount of water in the beverage bottle 6 is low, the pressure state inside the beverage bottle 6 becomes negative pressure. In this case, the check valve 29 opens under the negative pressure in the beverage bottle 6, and the air leading to the air layer in the cooling tank 3 is drawn in. This air flows into the beverage bottle 6 via the air inflow pipe 28, the connection pipe 25, and the beverage intake portion 22, and the inflow of this air eliminates the negative pressure state in the beverage bottle 6. As a result, water can be supplied from the beverage bottle 6.

Further, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of water centered on the connecting pipe 25 during cold water supply or hot water supply. When the water level in the cooling tank 3 drops according to the supply of cold water or hot water, the valve body 37 is separated from the outlet end side of the connection pipe 25, and the outlet end side of the connection pipe 25 is opened. As a result, the water in the beverage bottle 6 flows from the pair of water supply openings 22c and 22d into the internal flow path of the cylindrical portion 22b. The water flowing in from the first water supply opening 22c flows through the first internal flow path N1 separated by the partition walls 22e and 25b, and is supplied to the cooling tank 3. Further, since the check valve 29 is in the closed state, the water flowing in from the second water supply opening 22d also flows through the second internal flow path N2 separated by the partition walls 22e and 25b and is supplied to the cooling tank 3. Will be done. As a result, water corresponding to consumption is supplied from the beverage bottle 6 to the cooling tank 3.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the beverage supply device 1 supplies the water taken in from the beverage bottle 6 from the supply nozzle 11. The beverage supply device 1 is arranged below the bottle mounting unit 20, and is inserted into the beverage bottle 6 mounted on the bottle mounting unit 20 to take in the beverage, and the beverage receiving unit 22 and the beverage receiving unit 22. The cooling tank 3 which is arranged downward from the lower end and stores the water cooled to a predetermined temperature is connected between the beverage intake unit 22 and the cooling tank 3, and the water taken in from the beverage intake unit 22 is taken in. It has a connection pipe 25 for supplying to the cooling tank 3. In this case, the connection pipe 25 includes a room temperature water supply pipe 26 that is branched from the middle of the connection pipe 25 and guides room temperature water to the supply nozzle 11.

According to this configuration, a connection pipe 25 including a room temperature water supply pipe 26 is arranged between the beverage intake unit 22 and the cooling tank 3. Therefore, the water taken in from the beverage intake unit 22 can be guided to the supply nozzle 11 by bypassing the cooling tank 3 before being guided to the cooling tank 3. Thereby, the water of the beverage bottle 6 in the normal temperature environment, that is, the normal temperature water can be supplied from the supply nozzle 11.

By the way, as shown in the present embodiment, when the beverage bottle 6 is a soft type beverage bottle, the beverage bottle 6 is crushed and deformed according to the outflow of water from the beverage bottle 6. However, when the amount of water in the beverage bottle 6 is small, even if the water from the beverage bottle 6 flows out, the crushing deformation of the beverage bottle 6 does not proceed, and the pressure state inside the beverage bottle 6 becomes negative pressure. .. In this case, normal temperature water cannot be discharged.

In this respect, according to the present embodiment, the beverage supply device 1 has a negative pressure in which the pressure state inside the beverage bottle 6 is lower than the atmosphere around the beverage bottle 6, so that the beverage bottle is passed through the connecting pipe 25. A check valve 29 for allowing air to flow into the 6 is provided.

According to this configuration, when the amount of water in the beverage bottle 6 becomes low, the check valve 29 causes air to flow into the beverage bottle 6, so that the negative pressure state is eliminated. As a result, water can be supplied from the beverage bottle 6, so that normal temperature water can be stably supplied. In addition, the water in the beverage bottle 6 can be effectively used to the end.

Further, in the present embodiment, the cooling tank 3 is provided with a filter 31 at an opening through which air flows between the air layer existing in the cooling tank 3 and the atmosphere outside the cooling tank 3. In this case, the connection pipe 25 includes an air inflow pipe 28 that is branched from the middle of the connection pipe 25 and is connected to the cooling tank 3 via a check valve 29 so as to communicate with the air layer.

According to this configuration, the air flowing into the beverage bottle 6 becomes the air in the cooling tank 3. The air in the cooling tank 3 is taken in through the filter 31 installed in the cooling tank 3. Therefore, hygienic air can be used for the air flowing into the beverage bottle 6. Further, since the filter 31 is installed in the cooling tank 3, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to separately prepare a dedicated filter when the air flows into the beverage bottle 6 by using this filter 31. There is.

Further, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, even if water leaks from the check valve 29, the water flows into the cooling tank 3, so that the outflow of water to the outside can be prevented. At this time, if the cooling tank 3 is provided with a secondary valve (not shown) for controlling the water level in the tank, this is activated to more effectively prevent the outflow of water to the outside. can do.

Further, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, since the cooling tank 3 is located below the connecting pipe 25, the air inflow pipe 28 is composed of a horizontal pipe and a downward pipe as shown in FIG. 8A. .. Therefore, even if water leaks from the check valve 29, the water is unlikely to remain in the air inflow pipe 28. As a result, the beverage supply device 1 can be maintained hygienically.

Further, in the present embodiment, the check valve 29 is arranged in the horizontal piping region of the air inflow pipe 28. According to this configuration, the air inlet of the check valve 29 is oriented in the horizontal direction. Therefore, even if water leaks from the check valve 29, it is difficult for water to stay in the check valve 29. As a result, the beverage supply device 1 can be maintained hygienically.

As shown in FIG. 8B, the check valve 29 may be arranged in the downward piping region of the air inflow pipe 28. According to this configuration, the check valve 29 can be arranged so that the air inlet thereof faces downward. Therefore, even if water leaks from the check valve 29, it is difficult for water to stay in the check valve 29. As a result, the beverage supply device 1 can be maintained hygienically.

As shown in FIG. 8C, even if the air inflow pipe 28 has an upward pipe in the piping area on the air-opening side of the check valve 29, the effect of the check valve 29 can be obtained. be able to. However, if water leaks from the check valve 29, water may remain in the air inflow pipe 28, and the water may remain until the check valve 29 is activated next time. Therefore, the piping configuration shown in the present embodiment can maintain the beverage supply device 1 more hygienically.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8D, even when the check valve 29 is arranged in the upward piping region of the air inflow pipe 28, the effect of the check valve 29 can be obtained. However, according to this configuration, the check valve 29 is arranged so that the air inlet thereof faces upward. Therefore, when water leaks from the check valve 29, the water tends to stay in the check valve 29. Therefore, the piping configuration shown in this embodiment can maintain the beverage supply device 1 more hygienically.

Further, in the beverage supply device 1 according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. Specifically, in a configuration in which the range of motion of the valve body 37 is small, a water film is generated between the outlet end of the connecting pipe 25 and the valve body 37 in a situation where the water in the beverage bottle 6 is small. , The phenomenon that water is not supplied to the cold water tank 3 may occur. In this case, it is conceivable to design a large range of motion of the float 38 including the valve body 37 and increase the opening width of the valve body 37. However, this method may lead to an increase in size of the device. In this regard, according to the beverage supply device 1 according to the present embodiment, since air flows in from the check valve 29, water can be supplied to the cold water tank 3 even if the range of motion of the valve body 37 is small. At the same time, it is possible to suppress the increase in size of the device.

In the present embodiment, the check valve 29 is interposed in the intermediate portion of the air inflow pipe 28. However, the connection pipe 25 and the check valve 29 may be integrated, and the air inflow pipe 28 may be connected between the check valve 29 and the tank lid 35. Alternatively, the tank lid 35 and the check valve 29 may be integrated, and the air inflow pipe 28 may be connected between the connection pipe 25 and the check valve 29. According to this configuration, as compared with the method of providing the check valve 29 in the middle portion of the air inflow pipe 28, the number of pipe connection points is small, and the number of parts and the cost can be reduced. However, by providing the check valve 29 as close as possible to the connecting pipe 25, the amount of water that collects in the pipe is small even when the pipe is not used for a long period of time, so that a hygienic configuration can be obtained. ..

Further, the lower end of the connecting pipe 25 may be extended into the chilled water tank 3 and a check valve 29 may be provided in the pipe portion in the chilled water tank 3. In this case, the air inflow pipe 28 can be omitted.

Further, in the present embodiment, the beverage intake portion 22 extends in the vertical direction, and the upper end side is inserted into the beverage bottle 6 and the lower end side is connected to the connection pipe 25 in the cylindrical portion 22b and the beverage flow direction. A series of internal flow paths extending along the line and extending from the cylindrical portion 22b to the connecting pipe 25 are divided into partition walls 22e and 25b that divide the series of internal flow paths into the first internal flow path N1 and the second internal flow path N2. It is provided corresponding to one internal flow path N1 and a second internal flow path N2, and has a first water supply opening 22c and a second water supply opening 22d for taking a beverage into the internal flow paths N1 and N2. In this case, the room temperature water supply pipe 26 communicates with the first internal flow path N1, and the air inflow pipe 28 communicates with the second internal flow path N2.

According to this configuration, the partition walls 22e and 25b provide two internal flow paths N1 and N2, so that the flow path through which air enters the beverage bottle 6 and the flow path through which water flows from the beverage bottle 6 are separated. Be done. If the partition walls 22e and 25b are not provided, the supply of normal temperature water may be intermittent, but according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the normal temperature water can be smoothly supplied. Further, the partition walls 22e and 25b divide the first internal flow path N1 and the second internal flow path N2, and the second internal flow path N2 acts as an air inflow flow path when the check valve 29 operates. Other than that, since it becomes a flow path of water from the beverage bottle 6, the flow rate does not decrease.

Further, in the present embodiment, the partition wall 25b extends to a position closer to the outlet end of the connecting pipe 25. That is, the outlet end side of the connecting pipe 25 is a common flow path portion in which the partition wall 25b does not exist.

According to this configuration, even if the partition wall 25b does not extend to the outlet end of the connecting pipe 25 and the outlet end of the connecting pipe 25 is closed by the valve body 37, the first internal flow path N1 and The second internal flow path N2 communicates with each other (see FIG. 6A). Therefore, the water flowing through the second internal flow path N2 goes around the lower end of the partition wall 25b, flows to the first internal flow path N1, and then flows to the room temperature water supply pipe 26. As a result, normal temperature water can be supplied by making maximum use of the internal flow path.

According to the present embodiment, the partition walls 22e and 25b provide two internal flow paths N1 and N2, but three or more internal flow paths may be provided. That is, it is sufficient that at least an internal flow path that functions as a first internal flow path N1 and a second internal flow path N2 is provided. The same applies to the water supply openings 22c and 22d.

In the present embodiment, the water supply opening 22d arranged in the second internal flow path N2 through which the air inflow pipe 28 communicates and the water supply provided in the first internal flow path N1 through which the room temperature water supply pipe 26 communicates. The opening 22c is in the same position. However, the water supply opening 22d arranged in the second internal flow path N2 may be located above the water supply opening 22c arranged in the first internal flow path N1. As a result, the replacement of air and water can be performed more smoothly.

(Second embodiment)
In the above-described embodiment, the description is made on the premise that the beverage bottle 6 is a soft type bottle made of a soft material. On the other hand, the beverage supply device 1 according to the present embodiment uses a rigid type beverage bottle 6 made of a rigid material. The rigid type beverage bottle 6 maintains a predetermined shape regardless of the amount of water in the beverage bottle 6.

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a main part of the beverage supply device 1 according to the second embodiment. The configuration common to the first embodiment will not be described, and the differences will be mainly described below.

In the beverage supply device 1 according to the present embodiment, the float 38 (including the valve body 37) shown in the first embodiment can be omitted. In this case, the water surface of the water stored in the cooling tank 3 is maintained at a position where it reaches the outlet end (lower end) of the connection pipe 25 or at a position slightly higher than the outlet end.

When the water level in the cooling tank 3 drops below the outlet end of the connecting pipe 25 by using cold water or hot water, a gap is created between the outlet end of the connecting pipe 25 and the water surface, and the air in the cooling tank 3 is released. It flows into the beverage bottle 6 through the connecting pipe 25. Due to this inflow of air, water flows from the beverage bottle 6 to the cooling tank 3 via the connecting pipe 25, whereby the water level in the cooling tank 3 rises. Then, when the water level in the cooling tank 3 reaches the outlet end of the connecting pipe 25, the outlet end of the connecting pipe 25 is sealed by the water surface. As a result, the supply of water from the beverage bottle 6 to the cooling tank 3 is stopped, and as described above, the water level in the cooling tank 3 reaches the outlet end of the connection pipe 25, or is slightly higher than the outlet end. Maintained at a high water level.

When the beverage bottle 6 made of a hard material is used, when the amount of water in the beverage bottle 6 decreases, the pressure state inside the beverage bottle 6 becomes a negative pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure (the atmosphere around the beverage bottle 6). become. In this case, the cold water in the cooling tank 3 may be pulled, and the cold water may flow out from the room temperature water supply pipe 26.

However, according to the beverage supply device 1 of the present embodiment, when the pressure state inside the beverage bottle 6 becomes a negative pressure, the check valve 29 that allows air to flow into the beverage bottle 6 via the connecting pipe 25 is provided. I have. According to this configuration, even when the amount of water in the beverage bottle 6 is low, the check valve 29 eliminates the negative pressure in the beverage bottle 6. Therefore, since the water can be supplied from the beverage bottle 6, normal temperature water can be stably supplied. As a result, it is possible to suppress a situation in which cold water flows out through the room temperature water supply pipe 26. In addition, the water in the beverage bottle 6 can be effectively used to the end.

Further, the beverage supply device 1 includes partition walls 22e and 25b that divide a series of internal flow paths from the upper end of the cylindrical portion 22b of the beverage intake portion 22 to the outlet end of the connection pipe 25 into two internal flow paths. In the present embodiment using the rigid type beverage bottle 6, the lower end of the partition wall 25b may extend to the outlet end of the connecting pipe 25 as shown in FIG. However, as shown in the first embodiment, the lower end of the partition wall 25b may extend to a position on the front side of the outlet end of the connecting pipe 25.

Further, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, even if water leaks from the check valve 29, the water flows into the cooling tank 3, so that the outflow of water to the outside can be prevented. At this time, if the cooling tank 3 is provided with a secondary valve (not shown) for controlling the water level in the tank, this is activated to more effectively prevent the outflow of water to the outside. can do.

In the second embodiment, the configuration in which the float 38 with the valve body 37 is omitted has been described, but even in the beverage supply device 1 to which the hard type beverage bottle 6 is applied, the float 38 with the valve body 37 is omitted. It may be provided with.

Further, according to the beverage supply device 1 shown in the first embodiment, if there is no check valve 29 on the downstream side of the branch portion branching from the connection pipe 25, the water from the beverage bottle 6 does not stop. Although there is a problem, such a problem does not occur in the beverage supply device 1 shown in the second embodiment. Therefore, the check valve 29 may be arranged at any location as long as it fulfills the function of allowing air to flow into the beverage bottle 6 via the connecting pipe 25.

Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the valves arranged in the cold water supply pipe, the hot water supply pipe, and the normal temperature water supply pipe are composed of solenoid valves, but any of these solenoid valves may be replaced with mechanical valves. Further, in the present embodiment, the cold water supply pipe, the hot water supply pipe, and the normal temperature water supply pipe are merged upstream of the supply nozzle and connected to a single supply nozzle, but the supply nozzle is provided for each supply pipe. There may be.

Further, in the present embodiment, the method of installing the beverage tank above and supplying the beverage from the beverage tank has been described, but in the beverage supply device of the present invention, the beverage tank is installed below and pumped up by a pump. It may be a drink.

1 Beverage supply device 11 Supply nozzle 2 Housing 20 Bottle mounting part 21 Insertion recess 22 Beverage intake part 22a Intake part main body 22b Cylindrical part 22c, 22d Water supply opening 22e Partition 24 Housing opening 25 Connection piping 25a Branch 25b Partition 26 Room temperature Water supply piping 27 Room temperature water solenoid valve 28 Air inflow piping 29 Check valve 3 Cooling tank 30 Tank body 31 Filter 32 Insulation material 33 Cold water supply piping 34 Cold water solenoid valve 35 Tank lid 36 Piping connection 37 Valve body 38 Float 39 Partition plate 4 Heating tank 42 Hot water supply piping 43 Hot water solenoid valve 44 Circulation piping 45 Circulation solenoid valve 5 Operation panel 50 Decorative panel 6 Beverage bottle 60 Beverage outlet S Water supply space N1, N2 Internal flow path (1st internal flow path) , 2nd internal flow path)

Claims (3)

In the beverage supply device that supplies the beverage taken from the beverage bottle from the supply nozzle
A beverage intake unit that is inserted into the beverage bottle to take in beverages,
A storage tank that stores beverages that have been temperature-controlled to a predetermined temperature,
An opening that allows air to flow between the air layer existing in the storage tank and the atmosphere outside the storage tank, and
A connecting pipe that is connected between the beverage intake section and the storage tank and supplies the beverage taken in from the beverage intake section to the storage tank.
A room temperature water supply pipe that is branched from the middle of the connection pipe and guides a beverage at room temperature to the supply nozzle.
A check valve that allows air to flow into the beverage bottle through the connection pipe when the pressure state inside the beverage bottle becomes a negative pressure lower than the atmosphere around the beverage bottle.
An air inflow pipe that is a pipe included in the connecting pipe, is branched from the middle of the connecting pipe, and is connected to the storage tank so as to communicate with the air layer via the check valve.
A cylindrical portion of the beverage intake portion that extends in the vertical direction and has an upper end side inserted into the beverage bottle and a lower end side connected to the connection pipe.
A partition wall extending in the flow direction of the beverage and dividing a series of internal flow paths from the cylindrical portion to the connection pipe into a first internal flow path and a second internal flow path.
A first water supply opening and a second water supply opening which are formed in the cylindrical portion and correspond to the first internal flow path and the second internal flow path and which take a beverage into the internal flow path,
Have a,
A beverage supply device characterized in that the room temperature water supply pipe is communicated with the first internal flow path and the air inflow pipe is communicated with the second internal flow path. The beverage supply device according to claim 1, wherein a filter is provided in the opening. The beverage supply device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the partition wall extends to a position closer to the tip of the connecting pipe.

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