JPH01215336A - Drink feeder using portable tank - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To take out a portable tank by providing a tank guide device for guiding the tank in the engaging direction of first and second couplers and a coupler guide to engage the first coupler with the second coupler. CONSTITUTION:The portable tank 21 is made freely attachable and detachable to and from a cabinet. The first coupler 36 provided at the outlet of the tank 21 is engaged with the second coupler 49, and made separable from the coupler 49. A coupler mounting part 45 is fixed to the cabinet. The second coupler 49 is elastically supported by the coupler mounting part 45 so that its axial center can be moved in a supporting device 48. A pipe 26 is connected to the second coupler 49. The tank 21 is guided in the engaging direction of the two couplers by the tank guide devices 37 and 38. The coupler 36 is engaged with the coupler 49 by the coupler guide device 51. As a result, the portable tank as a drinking water tank can be taken out from the cabinet.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to beverage dispensing devices, such as post-mix carbonated beverage dispensing devices.

[Conventional technology] Conventionally, an aquarium for storing drinking water (hereinafter referred to as a drinking aquarium)
An evaporator of a refrigeration circuit is installed in the refrigeration circuit to constantly cool drinking water, and the drinking water is drawn out from the drinking water tank as required and supplied to a carbonation tank, i.e., a carbonator, where it is combined with CO2 to create carbonated water. There is a device in which the carbonated water is further mixed with syrup or the like and poured into a cup at the beverage supply end (for example, see Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-46205).

According to this, the carbonated beverage dispensing device can be built into a compact cabinet and made movable.

It is therefore possible to provide a carbonated beverage dispensing device of the Bostomyx type, which is suitable for use in small offices or places of small volume.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the conventional device described above, since the evaporator of the refrigeration circuit is assembled in the drinking water tank, the drinking water tank has to be of a fixed type. Fixed to the cabinet. Drinking water to be replenished into the drinking water tank is transported in a separate container, and is poured into the drinking water tank at the site where the carbonated beverage dispensing device is installed.

However, if water is poured at the site where the carbonated beverage dispensing device is installed, there is a risk that the drinking water will be spilled during the pouring operation and the device itself and its surroundings will become wet.

This problem can be solved by making the drinking water tank a portable tank. However, problems arise in connection with the connection and disconnection of the portable tank to the pipe for conveying drinking water. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a beverage dispensing device in which the drinking water tank is a portable tank that can be removed from the cabinet.

Another object of the invention is to provide a beverage dispensing device which solves the problems associated with connecting and disconnecting portable tanks.

[Means for Solving the Problems 1] According to the present invention, in a beverage supply device including a cabinet and a portable tank that is detachably attached to the cabinet, a first coupler provided at an outlet of the tank; a second coupler detachably fitted and connected to the first cover; a cup mounting portion fixed to the cabinet; The attachment includes a support device elastically supported by the part, a pipe connected to the second coupler, and a tank guide device that guides the movement of the tank in the fitting direction between the first and second couplers. , and a coupler guide device that guides the first coupler to fit into the second coupler. There is obtained a beverage supply device using a portable tank 1□.' [Function] According to this beverage dispensing device, the portable tank can be taken out of the cabinet and water can be poured at a location away from the installation location of the beverage dispensing device.After pouring water, the portable tank can be set in the cabinet.

When the portable tank is placed in the cabinet, the first coupler is matingly connected to the second coupler. As a result, the potable water in the portable tank can be drained through the pipe. Movement of the portable tank when connecting the first and second cups to each other is guided by a tank guide device. Further, if the first coupler is slightly off-axis, the coupler guiding device guides the first coupler so that it is properly fitted and connected to the second coupler.

- On the other hand, if the second coupler is slightly misaligned, the second coupler automatically moves its axis when mating, so that the connection is properly performed.

[Embodiment] FIGS. 1 to 3 show a carbonated beverage dispensing device as an example of a beverage dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated carbonated beverage dispensing device includes a cabinet 2.
has a front wall 3, a top wall 4, a side wall 5, a back wall 6, and a bottom wall 7. A water filling station 11 in the form of a recess is provided below the front wall 3. A drain tray 12 which also serves as a cup holder is provided at the bottom of the water filling station 11. At the top of the water filling station 11 is a distribution section 13 that serves as a beverage supply end.
The zero distribution section 13 is provided with a valve lever 14 that projects forward.

A cooling water tank 16 surrounded by a heat insulating material is arranged inside the cabinet 2. Cooling water 4116 is for storing cooling water. A carbonator 17, a cooling pipe 18, an agitator, and an ice sensor (all not shown) are arranged in the cooling water tank 16.

Further, in the upper part of the cabinet 2, there is a portable tank 21 as a drinking water tank and a control box 22 for electrical control.
, a carbon dioxide gas container 23, and a plurality of syrup tanks Sl, S2, and S3 connected to the distribution section 13 are arranged.

Although not shown in the lower part of the cabinet 2, a pump for water pressure feeding, a compressor and a J1m unit constituting a refrigeration circuit are disposed.

The portable tank 21 is connected to a pump via a seal coupler 24 and a water supply pipe 26.

Seal coupler 24 connects portable tank 21 and water supply pipe 1
26 can be disconnected without water leakage. Of course, the seal coupler 24 prevents water from leaking even when the portable tank 21 and the water supply pipe 126 are connected. As this seal coupler 24, various known ones can be used.

Next, the structure of the portable tank 21 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. In the portable tank 21, a first lid 31 having a pneumatic type is removably provided by a screw type or the like on the upper front surface of a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped hollow tank body 28. The tank body 28 is also provided with a handle 33 below the first M*31, and further provided with a supply section 34 at the lower front. A second lid 32, which is slightly larger than the first lid 31, is removably provided on the right or left side of the supply section 34 by screwing or the like. The second lid body 32 is the supply part 34
Further, a first coupler 36 is provided at the rear of the supply section 34 . This first coupler 3
6 is a part of the seal coupler 24 mentioned above. Furthermore, 35
is the reinforcement part.

Further, referring to FIG. 16 in addition to FIG. 3, inside the cabinet 2 there are first, second, and third guide portions 37,
38.39 is fixed. First and second guide parts 3
7.38 serves to guide the insertion and removal of the portable tank 21 into and out of the cabinet 2, and is therefore collectively referred to as a tank guide device herein.The third guide portion 39 serves to guide the portable tank 21 in the insertion direction. It abuts and prevents movement. Note that 41, 42, and 43 are bent portions that guide the side surfaces of the portable tank 21.

A coupler mounting portion 45 is further fixed inside the cabinet 2. The coupler attachment section 45 connects the first and second guide sections 37, 38 to each other. A cylindrical fixing member 46 is fixed to the coupler mounting portion 45 with a set screw 47 or the like. A second coupler 49 is elastically supported inside the fixed member 46 via a flexible support member 48 .

As a result, the axis of the second coupler 49 is slightly movable. The above-mentioned water supply pipe 26 is connected to the second coupler 49 .

The second coupler 49 is fitted and connected to the first coupler 36. That is, the first coupler 36 and the second coupler 49
and constitute a seal coupler 24. Note that in order to guide the movement of the first coupler 36 to fit into the second coupler 49, a guide portion 51 is provided on the fixing member 46. The guide portion 51 is herein referred to as a cover guide device.

According to the carbonated beverage dispensing device described above, the portable tank 21 can be taken out of the cabinet 2 and filled with water at a location away from the location where the beverage dispensing device is installed. After pouring water, the portable tank 21 may be set in the cabinet 2. When the portable tank 21 is set in the cabinet 2, the first coupler 36 is fitted and connected to the second coupler 49. As a result, the potable water in the portable tank 21 can flow out through the water supply pipe 26. Movement of the portable tank 21 when connecting the first and second couplers 36, 49 to each other is guided by a tank guide device. Further, if the first coupler 36 is slightly off-axis, the coupler guide device guides the first coupler 36 so that it is properly fitted and connected to the second coupler 49. On the other hand, the second
If the second coupler 49 is slightly misaligned, the second coupler 49 automatically moves its axis during mating, so that the connection is properly made.

Note that the support member 48 is not limited to the structure shown in FIG.
The structure shown in the figure may be used.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the beverage supply device of the present invention,
Since a portable tank is used as the drinking water tank, there is no risk of spilling drinking water during water injection and getting the device itself and its surroundings wet.Also, the inside of the portable tank can be easily cleaned, which is good from a hygienic standpoint. In addition, even if there is a slight misalignment between the first and second couplers for connecting the portable tank to the pipe, the portable tank can be connected and disconnected without any problem. be.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a beverage dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the beverage dispensing device shown in FIG. 1 with the front and top wall removed, and FIG. A cross-sectional view along the m-■ line,
Figure 4 is a right side view of the portable tank, Figure 5 is a front view of the portable tank, Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view of only the main parts of the beverage supply device in Figure 1, and Figure 7 is a modified example. FIG. 6 is a diagram similar to FIG. 6 shown in FIG. 2... Cabinet, 11... Water filling station,
13...Distribution part, 14...Valve lever, 16...
- Cooling water tank, 17... Carbonator, 21... Portable tank, 23... Carbon dioxide gas container, 24... Seal coupler, 26... Water supply pipe, 28... Tank body, 36...・First coupler, 37... first guide part, 38... second guide part, 39... third guide part,
45...Coupler installation part, 46...Fixing member, 48
...Supporting member, 49...Second coupler, 51...
Guide part, Sl, S2, 33...Syrup tank.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) In a beverage supply device including a cabinet and a portable tank that is detachably attached to the cabinet, a first coupler provided at an outlet of the tank is detachably fitted to the first coupler. a second coupler to be connected, a coupler mounting part fixed to the cabinet, a support device elastically supporting the second coupler on the coupler mounting part so that its axis is movable; a pipe connected to a second coupler; a tank guide device that guides movement of the tank in the fitting direction between the first and second couplers; and a pipe connected to the first coupler and the second coupler. 1. A beverage dispensing device using a portable tank, characterized in that it is equipped with a coupler guide device that guides the drinker.