JPH04105192A - Beverage supplying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify operation and to optimize the taste of coffee by operating a concentrated beverage extracting means and a water supplying means corresponding to the operated switch of plural concentration selecting switches and instructing the discharging of the concentrated beverage liquid and the water of a quantity necessary to make the goods of required concentration. CONSTITUTION:Plural concentration selecting switches 12 to 14 to assign the mixing ratio of the material of mixed beverage 8a and able to select the mixed beverage 8a to have required concentration are attached on a servicing customers part 8b of the front panel and the like of a beverage supplying device. Then, an arithmetic control circuit 35 operates a concentrated beverage extracting means 33 and a water supplying means 27 corresponding to the operated switch of the plural concentration selecting switches 12 to 14 and instructs the discharging of concentrated beverage liquid 32a and water 17a of a quantity necessary to make the goods 8a of the required concentration. Thus, the mixed beverage of the required concentration. Thus, the mixed beverage of the required concentration of a user can be made and can be offered with one operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a beverage dispensing device for mixing a concentrated beverage liquid with hot or cold water and dispensing a mixed beverage.

Conventional technology Beverage supply in offices and leisure facilities has traditionally been
Due to rising labor costs and labor shortages, there is a trend toward automation, and many automated coffee servers have been commercialized and used in coffee beverage dispensing devices.

The conventional coffee server as described above will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of a conventional coffee server. In Fig. 7, 1 is a heater 2.
A hot water storage tank 3 having a water supply tank is connected to the hot water storage tank 1 via a water supply pipe 4. 5 is a spray nozzle, the opening of which is located at the center of the chamber 6. A paper filter is placed inside the chamber 6, and drip coffee powder is placed inside. 7 is a decanter for storing extracted coffee.

The operation of the coffee server configured as described above will be explained below.

First, as a preparation, a paper filter is placed in the chamber 6 and a predetermined amount of coffee powder is poured into the chamber 6. Next, when a predetermined amount of water is poured into the water supply tank 3, after the water has accumulated in the water supply tank 3, the water supply pipe 4
The hot water storage tank I gradually fills up with water, and is heated by the heater 2.

The hot water discharged from the spray nozzle 5 is then sprayed onto the coffee grounds in the chamber to extract the coffee.

On the other hand, regarding the conventional mixing method of drinking raw materials,
- As shown in Publication No. 148682, a vending machine was devised in which a cart storing raw material formulation data is read and stored in a storage means, and the data is read out from the storage means to mix raw materials and sell products. has been done.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in the conventional coffee server as shown in Fig. 7, it is necessary to place a paper filter in the chamber 6 in preparation for extracting coffee and add the necessary amount of coffee powder. There was a problem in that it required a lot of manpower because it required disposing of paper filters and coffee grounds. Furthermore, since coffee is usually extracted in batches of 5 to 10 cups, if there is any leftover coffee left for 2 to 3 hours, oxidation will proceed due to contact with air and the taste will deteriorate. Furthermore, when supplying coffee powder used by coffee raw material manufacturers or conventional coffee servers to users, the strength and amount of coffee are varied according to the type of coffee to ensure the taste quality of the coffee. There is a demand for improving the quality of the coffee, but since the strength and amount of coffee will change each time it is added, it is up to the user to maintain a constant taste of the coffee. I couldn't come.

In addition, it was difficult and unfair for users to purchase coffee ingredients from each other and each user to manage the amount of money that they drank.

On the other hand, in a beverage vending machine having the configuration shown in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 60-148682, is it easy to set data related to raw materials stored in the cart in advance in the vending machine? If you tried to change it, you would need another cart, making it difficult for users to achieve their desired cooking conditions.

In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has been developed by mixing water and a concentrated beverage extracted quantitatively from a pre-prepared concentrated beverage (coffee) storage container, and adjusting the coffee strength to match the user's preference. The present invention provides a beverage dispensing device that can be selected, automated, and easily operated to optimize the taste of coffee.

Means for Solving the Problem In order to solve this problem, the beverage dispensing device of the present invention includes a concentrated beverage storage device for storing a concentrated beverage liquid, and a concentrated beverage extractor for extracting the concentrated beverage liquid from the concentrated beverage storage device. means and
A tank for storing water, a water supply means for supplying water from the tank, a plurality of concentration selection switches attached to the customer service department and corresponding to the desired concentration of the product, and a plurality of concentration selection switches corresponding to the operated switches. and an arithmetic control circuit that operates the concentrated beverage extracting means and the water supply means to instruct dispensing of the concentrated beverage and water in the amount necessary to cook the product of the desired concentration. There is.

Function: With this configuration, a fixed amount of concentrated beverage can be extracted by the concentrated beverage extracting means, and a fixed amount of water for dilution can be supplied by the water supply means from the tank for storing water. As a result, the concentrated beverage liquid and water, which are the raw materials for mixed drinks, can be dispensed accurately at a preset mixing ratio and amount, and the taste of the mixed drink as a product can be maintained constant. . In addition, there are multiple concentration selection switches on the front panel of the beverage dispensing device that allow users to specify the mixing ratio of raw materials for a mixed drink and select a mixed beverage with the desired concentration, allowing users to choose according to their preference. A mixed drink with a corresponding taste can be taken out by the operation of the arithmetic control circuit. Furthermore, since it has a built-in container for storing concentrated beverage liquid and water for dilution, there is no need to set the raw materials in the beverage supply device every time the user wants to drink this mixed drink. Purchasing the liquid and setting the taste can be done in one go, making cleaning up easier.

EXAMPLE An example of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 without reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external view of the beverage supply device of the present invention.

In the same figure, reference numeral 8 denotes a beverage supply device, and a customer service section 8b such as a front panel has an operation section 9, which has a power switch 10, a power lamp II, and a-degree selection switches 12-14. 12 is a dark switch, 13 is a standard density switch, and I4 is a light switch.

] 5 is a prepaid card slot, and 16 is a remaining amount display for displaying the remaining amount of the prepaid card.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the main part of FIG. 1, and in the figure, 17
is a tank covered with a heat insulating material 18, into which water 17a for dilution is poured. Compressor 19 Condenser 20.
Evaporator 21 wrapped around tank 17. Evaporator 23 wrapped around concentrated beverage storage refrigerator compartment 22. It is mounted on top of a cooling system consisting of a blower 24. 25 is a water inlet provided on the back, and is directly connected to the water supply. 2
b is a water injection vibrator that communicates the water injection port 25 and the tank 17, and a water injection valve 27 that controls the amount of water as a water supply means is provided between them. 28 is a water supply vibrator that communicates the tank 17 and the water supply port 29. A drain vibe 31 communicating with a drain port 30 is provided at the bottom of the tank 17. Reference numeral 32 denotes a concentrated beverage storage device (hereinafter referred to as concentrated beverage pack) inserted into the concentrated beverage storage refrigerator compartment 22, and the tip thereof is connected to a concentrated liquid extraction coil 33 for extracting the concentrated beverage liquid 32a from the concentrated beverage bag 32. is inserted into. A valve mechanism (not shown) is built into the tip of the concentrated beverage pack 32, and the concentrated beverage 32a is generated by electromagnetic interaction with the concentrated beverage extracting coil 33 as a concentrated beverage extracting means.
This is to extract. A nozzle 34 mixes the water supplied from the water supply port 29 and the concentrated drinking liquid 32a.

35 is an arithmetic control circuit that performs overall control of the beverage supply device 8.

Next, the electric circuit of the beverage supply device 8 shown in FIG. 3 will be explained. 36 is a commercial AC power source, 10 is a power switch, to which the power lamp 1j is connected via a current fuse 37, and the compressor is connected via a first thermostat 38 whose temperature sensor is installed in close contact with the tank 17. I9 and the blower 24 are connected in parallel, and furthermore, a solenoid valve 40 is connected in parallel via a second thermostat 39, and the primary side of a power transformer 41 is also connected. On the secondary side of the power transformer 4J,
A calculation-side m-circuit 35 composed of a microcomputer 42 and peripheral circuits is connected thereto.

Connected to the arithmetic control circuit 35 are a card reader/writer 44 that reads and writes the contents of the concentration selection switches 12 to 14 and a prepaid card 43 as input, and a quantity setting switch 45 that allows the administrator to set the quantity of beverage to be used. , a water injection valve (water supply means) 27, a concentrated liquid extraction coil (concentrated beverage extraction means) 33, and a remaining amount display 1 as outputs.
6 is connected.

FIG. 4 shows each frame F to F1 of the prepaid card 43.
4 shows an example of the format of the data written in frame F6 to F8, and the amount code serving as the balance is magnetically stored in frames F6 to F8.

Regarding the beverage supply device 8 configured as described above, the fifth
The operation will be explained using the functional block diagram shown in the figure and the flowchart shown in FIG.

The water 17a in the tank 17 is cooled by the evaporator 21 in conjunction with the operation of the first thermostat 38 by the cooling system.

First, in step l, it is detected that the prepaid cart 43 has been inserted, and the insertion detection means 46 is activated. The loading detection means 46 is provided in the cart reader/writer 44. Next, in step 2, the stored contents of the prepaid card (hereinafter referred to as the cart) 43 are read out by the cart reader/writer 44 through the reader/writer/decoder 47. Step 3: First, the read amount data is sent to the amount calculation means 4.
8 cents.

In step 4, since the data or cents have been sent to the amount calculation means 48, the content of this data is converted by the display decoder 49 and displayed on the remaining amount display (hereinafter referred to as the display) 16, and from then on,
If the contents of this data are changed, the changed contents are displayed. At this point, the user can check the remaining amount in the cart 43. Next, in step 5, the concentration selection switch 12
-14 inputs are determined.

If the card 43 is inserted and the mixed drink (product) is not required, the cart 43 is returned using the return switch (not shown) as shown in steps 6 to 7. The data stored in the card 43 remains as it was before the card was inserted. Concentration selection switch 12
If the inputs in steps 1 to 14 have been made, the process moves on to the sales operation, and at this point, in step 8, the concentration values corresponding to the concentration selection switches 12 to 14 and the amount values of the amount setting switch 45 are set to the concentration.
The amount is set in the amount setting means 50. Next, in step 9, the value of the concentration/amount setting means 50 is sent to the driving pulse/time calculation means 51, and the concentration data (to be converted into a mixing ratio) and the amount data (to be taken as a consumption unit amount B) are obtained in steps 10 and 11. It is calculated as follows.

In steps IO and 11, the consumption unit amount B is adjusted to the mixing ratio of concentrated beverage liquid and water, and the mixing ratio A is 1:1 to 1.9.
It is possible to set up to 9 in 1 increments. The consumption unit amount B is 1
0c, c, to 990c, c, well IOc, c,
It is possible to set it in increments, and from the set mixing ratio A and consumption unit amount B, the drive pulse number C of the concentrate extraction coil 33 and the drive time of the water injection valve 27 are calculated based on the following formula. The calculation means 51 performs the calculation.

C=XB-, -E1+A D=xB+p1+A Here, E is the amount of concentrated liquid extracted per pulse, and was built into the tip of the concentrated beverage bag 32. 1< Lube mechanism (
(not shown) and the concentrate extraction coil 33. Normally there are 0.2c, c, ,' pulses, 1
The pulse is 0.1 seconds. F is the water supply amount per second, which is determined by the water supply system consisting of the water injection valve 27, the cold water tank, the water injection vibrator 26, and the water supply pipe 28.

Normally it is 20c, c, 7 seconds.

For example, the mixing ratio A is 25, i.e. 1:25, the consumption unit amount B
or 150c, c,, amount of concentrated liquid extracted per second E or 0.
2c, c, /pulse, water supply amount per second F or 20c,
c.

In the case of 7 seconds, the driving pulse number C of the concentrate extraction coil 33 is the same as that of the water injection valve 2.
The driving time of 7 is calculated as follows.

Next, in step 12, coffee is extracted as the mixed beverage 8a. That is, the concentrated liquid extracting coil 33 is driven by zero pulses based on the output from the arithmetic control circuit 35 to extract a certain amount of concentrated beverage liquid 32a. At the same time, the water injection valve 27 is driven for a certain amount of time to inject a certain amount of water from the tap water 17a or through the water injection vibrator into the tank I7.
Due to the water pressure, cold water in the tank is supplied from the water supply port 25 through the water supply pipe 28. Then, the concentrated beverage liquid 32a and the cooled water 17a are discharged to the nozzle 3.
Coffee is supplied as a mixed drink 8a of 4 to 1 cup (consumption unit amount).

In the above example, the concentrate extraction coil 33 is pulsed 29 times to extract 5.8 c.c. of coffee concentrate. At the same time, the water injection valve is activated for 7.2 seconds and +4
4.2 c, c, cold water is supplied, and one cup (150 c, c, ) of iced coffee is supplied from the nozzle.

Next, in step 13, the drive pulse/time calculation means 51
The value of the amount calculation means 4B is subtracted by the price of one drink in response to the signal from. Then step 14 and go to card 43.
The balance data after the amount calculation means 48 has been reduced is written to the cart reader/writer 44 through the reader/writer decoder 47. Thereafter, in step 7, the cart 43 is returned. The remaining amount display 16 displays the amount after the reduction, and the remaining amount is displayed after the cart is returned.

The display is erased through the display decoder 49.

The above operation is considered as one cycle, and the device returns to the original waiting state for card insertion.

As described above, according to this embodiment, there is no need to prepare for coffee extraction by placing a paper filter and adding coffee powder, and the mixed beverage 8a such as iced coffee can be supplied with a single touch without requiring any manual labor. It is. Furthermore, there is no need to dispose of paper filters and coffee grounds after brewing coffee. In addition, since it is possible to extract each cup individually, it is economical because the leftover coffee does not oxidize, deteriorate its taste, and is not discarded. In addition, by inserting the Brivate Cart 43, the user's unique personal information such as the balance amount in the data mat is read, and the unused balance can be confirmed using the prepaid cart installed in the operation section 9 of the beverage supply device 8. 43, and the payment for the mixed drink 8a can be automatically made from the prepaid cart 43 at the same time as the cooking of the mixed drink 8a is completed. Therefore, each user can drink the charged mixed drink 8a, such as coffee, at the desired concentration without having to carry coins.

In the embodiment, the tank 17 is used as a cold water tank for storing cold water, but in the case of a mixed drink such as hot coffee, the cold water tank can be replaced with a hot water tank.

In addition, the same mechanism can be used for sweet syrup and milk instead of coffee drinks, and multiple concentration selection switches 1 are used.
It is possible to instruct various mixing ratios and mixing amounts corresponding to items 2 to 14 and provide products to users.

Furthermore, frame 1. is used to record personal information of the prepaid card 43. ~F1- stores a concentration coat representing the mixed concentration of the mixed drink and a quantity coat representing the number of CCs to be dispensed by one extraction of the mixed drink 8a, and the prepaid cart 43 is installed in the beverage supply device 8 by the user. It is also possible to purchase a mixed drink 8a having the concentration and amount desired by the user at a cassouilles by pouring it into the inlet 15.

Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, there are provided a concentrated beverage storage device for storing a concentrated beverage solution, a concentrated beverage extraction means for extracting the concentrated beverage solution from the concentrated beverage storage device, and a tank for storing water.
a water supply means for supplying water from the tank; a plurality of concentration selection switches attached to the customer service department according to the desired concentration of the product; and the concentrated beverage extraction means corresponding to the operated switch of the plurality of concentration selection switches. and an arithmetic control circuit that operates the water supply means and instructs the dispensing of the concentrated beverage liquid and water in the amount necessary to cook the product of the desired concentration. By using the concentration selection switch, a mixed drink of the desired concentration can be prepared and served with a single touch. Furthermore, as long as the same concentration selection switch is operated, the supplied mixed drink will be
The concentration will always be the same, and the quality of the mixed drink will be stabilized. In addition, since it is extremely easy to replace the beverage pack in the concentrated beverage storage device, refilling the concentrated beverage or changing the type of concentrated beverage can be easily done by the administrator who has installed the beverage supply device of the present invention. be able to.

In addition, the setting of the mixing ratio and amount of the mixed drink and the display of the balance on the prepaid card are electrically processed by the arithmetic and control circuit, so the cooking conditions for the mixed drink are transmitted from the card reader/writer connected to the arithmetic and control circuit to the prepaid card. You can also enter or change.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of the beverage supply device of the present invention, and FIG.
3 is an electric circuit diagram of the beverage supply device, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the data format of the prepaid card, FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the beverage supply device, and FIG. The figure is a flowchart showing the operation of the beverage supply device, and FIG. 7 is a side view of a conventional coffee server. 8... Beverage supply device, 8a... Mixed beverage [product],
8b...Customer service department, 12.13.14...Concentration selection switch, 17...Tank, 17a...Water, 27...
- Water injection valve [water supply means], 32... Concentrated beverage storage device, 32a... Concentrated beverage liquid, 33... Concentrate extraction coil [Concentrate extraction means], 35 Arithmetic control circuit. Agent Yoshihiro Morimoto/2. /j
,/4 -Ahogai summer season 4th 4th 15- F'rihei 4
Insert the card card/A-da (Fig. 7) To "ΔF" 5-・, Sude L-Nos. 6-...+~nha' 7---te°

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A concentrated beverage storage device for storing concentrated beverage liquid, a concentrated beverage extraction device for extracting concentrated beverage liquid from the concentrated beverage storage device, a tank for storing water, and a water supply device for supplying water from the tank; A plurality of concentration selection switches are attached to the customer service department and correspond to the desired concentration of the product, and the concentrated beverage extraction means and the water supply means are operated in response to the operated switches of the plurality of concentration selection switches to obtain the desired concentration. A beverage dispensing device provided with an arithmetic control circuit for instructing dispensing of the concentrated beverage liquid and water in an amount necessary for cooking the product.