CN114072354A

CN114072354A - Beverage machine

Info

Publication number: CN114072354A
Application number: CN202080049602.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 吉原庆太; 松山智洋
Original assignee: Suntory Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Suntory Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2019-05-21
Filing date: 2020-05-21
Publication date: 2022-02-18
Also published as: JPWO2020235656A1; KR20210150575A; WO2020235656A1

Abstract

The beverage machine (100) uses a non-collapsible beverage container (1) as a beverage source. A beverage machine (100) is provided with: a 1 st support part (31) for supporting a 1 st beverage container (1A); a water tank (5) disposed below the 1 st beverage container (1A); and a pipe (41) for conveying the beverage from the 1 st beverage container (1A) to the water tank (5). The piping (41) has a gas inlet (41a) that allows the gas (G) to pass therethrough and does not allow the beverage to pass therethrough.

Description

Beverage machine

Technical Field

The present application relates to a beverage machine.

Background

In the past, beverage machines for supplying beverages have been known. For example, a beverage dispenser using bib (bag In box) is generally known as a beverage container (for example, patent document 1). The BIB of patent document 1 has a container made of a flexible resin in a paper box. The BIB is configured to contract with the pouring of the beverage.

In addition, a beverage maker using a non-shrinkable beverage container that does not shrink with the pouring of a beverage is also generally known (for example, patent document 2). The beverage dispenser of patent document 2 uses a beverage bottle such as a plastic bottle as a beverage supply source. This beverage machine possesses: a cap with a valve mounted on the mouth of the beverage bottle; and a connecting part matched with the cover, wherein the connecting part is used for supporting the beverage bottle upside down. In the 1 embodiment of the cited document 2, the connection portion is configured to open the valve of the lid when the beverage bottle is attached, and to allow air to flow into the beverage bottle and beverage to be poured out from the beverage bottle. In another embodiment of the cited document 2, the connecting portion has a structure different from the above, and the beverage maker further includes a perforated portion for punching a hole for air inflow in the bottom of the beverage bottle supported upside down by the connecting portion.

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese unexamined patent publication No. 2006-27661

Patent document 2: japanese patent No. 4464290 publication

Disclosure of Invention

As described in patent document 2, in a beverage maker using a non-collapsible beverage container, a structure for allowing air to flow into the beverage container is required. The object of the present invention is to provide a beverage machine which, by means of a simple construction, enables the use of a non-collapsible beverage container.

The 1 st aspect of the present invention is a beverage dispenser using a non-shrinkable beverage container as a beverage source, including: a 1 st support part for supporting the 1 st beverage container; a water tank disposed below the 1 st beverage container; and a pipe for delivering the beverage from the 1 st beverage container to the water tank, the pipe having a gas inlet hole which allows the gas to pass therethrough and does not allow the beverage to pass therethrough.

In the beverage maker according to claim 1 of the present invention, the piping for conveying the beverage from the upper beverage container 1 to the lower water tank is provided with a gas inlet hole through which the gas is allowed to pass but the beverage is not allowed to pass. Therefore, when the beverage is poured from the water tank to the outside of the beverage maker, the beverage is replenished from the 1 st beverage container to the water tank by the weight of the beverage in the 1 st beverage container and the pipe, and the gas is supplied to the 1 st beverage container from the gas inflow hole. Accordingly, the beverage maker according to claim 1 of the present invention does not require a dedicated lid to be attached to the beverage container or a hole to be drilled in each beverage container in order to allow gas to flow into the beverage container. Thus, the non-collapsible beverage container can be used with a simple structure.

The lower end of the pipe may be disposed inside the tank, and the gas inlet may be provided in the pipe at a position inside the tank. For example, when the beverage container is replaced, the beverage container may be pressed by a user when the beverage container is disposed in the 1 st supporting portion. The beverage is pushed out from the beverage container to the pipe by the pressing force, and the beverage may leak from the gas inlet. In this aspect, since the gas inlet is located inside the tank, the beverage leaking from the gas inlet can be guided into the tank.

The water tank may further have: a suction port for introducing gas from the outside; and a stopper for blocking the air inlet when the beverage in the tank reaches a predetermined liquid level, wherein the gas inlet may be provided in the pipe at a position higher than the predetermined liquid level. At this time, when the beverage in the tank reaches a predetermined liquid level, the air inlet is blocked. Accordingly, the gas is prevented from entering the pipe through the gas inlet hole in the water tank, and the beverage is prevented from being replenished from the 1 st beverage container to the water tank. Thus, the liquid level of the beverage inside the water tank is prevented from exceeding a prescribed liquid level. In addition, since the gas inlet hole is provided at a position higher than the predetermined liquid level, the gas inlet hole does not sink in the beverage in the tank. Thus, the beverage can be prevented from clogging the gas inflow hole.

The obturator may also be a float that floats above the surface of the beverage. In this case, the air inlet can be closed with a simple structure.

The beverage machine may further include: 1 st cock for hot drinking; and a 2 nd faucet, the water tank may further have a heater for heating the beverage from the 1 st beverage container, and is connected to the 1 st faucet. At this point, the beverage machine is able to supply 2 beverages, including the hot beverage from the 1 st tap and the other beverages from the 2 nd tap.

The beverage machine may further include: a 2 nd support part supporting the 2 nd beverage container; and a cooling device for cooling the 2 nd beverage container, wherein the 2 nd tap is connected to the 2 nd beverage container and supplies cold beverage from the 2 nd beverage container. At this time, since the hot beverage from the 1 st beverage container supplied from the 1 st faucet is heated by the heater of the water tank, it is possible to sterilize microorganisms in the hot beverage. In addition, since the cold drink from the 2 nd beverage container supplied from the 2 nd faucet is cooled by the cooling device, microorganisms in the cold drink can be reduced.

In other words, the beverage maker may further include a cooling device for cooling the 1 st beverage container, and the 2 nd tap may be configured to be connected to the 1 st beverage container without the water tank and to supply cold beverage from the 1 st beverage container without the water tank. At this time, the beverage is supplied from the common 1 st beverage container to both the tank (1 st cock) and the 2 nd cock. The 1 st beverage container is cooled by the cooling device. Thus, in addition to the cold beverage supplied to the 2 nd faucet, the beverage supplied to the water tank is also cooled by the cooling device within the 1 st beverage container. Therefore, microorganisms in the beverage supplied to the water tank can also be reduced.

The 2 nd aspect of the present invention is a beverage dispenser using a non-shrinkable beverage container as a beverage source, including: a support portion supporting the beverage container; a water tank disposed below the beverage container; a 1 st pipe for conveying the beverage from the beverage container to the water tank; and a gas supply tube for delivering gas to the beverage container, allowing gas to pass through and not allowing beverage to pass through.

In the beverage maker according to claim 2 of the present invention, the beverage container is provided with the 1 st pipe for transporting the beverage, and in addition, with an air supply pipe which allows gas to pass therethrough but does not allow the beverage to pass therethrough. Therefore, when the beverage is poured from the water tank to the outside of the beverage machine, the beverage is replenished from the beverage container to the water tank by the weight of the beverage in the beverage container and the 1 st pipe, and gas is supplied to the beverage container through the gas supply pipe. Accordingly, the beverage maker according to claim 2 of the present invention does not require a dedicated lid to be attached to the beverage container or a hole to be formed in each beverage container in order to allow gas to flow into the beverage container. Thus, the non-collapsible beverage container can be used with a simple structure. In the beverage maker according to claim 2 of the present invention, the beverage flowing from the beverage container to the water tank and the gas flowing into the beverage container through the air supply pipe move on respective paths. Therefore, when the beverage is replenished from the beverage container to the water tank, no pulse is generated in the 1 st pipe. Thereby, a quiet beverage maker can be provided.

The air supply tube may also be connected from the water tank to the beverage container. In other words, the air supply tube may also be connected to the beverage container from outside the water tank.

The gas supply pipe may further be provided with a 1 st valve. In particular, when the air supply tube is connected from the water tank to the beverage container, since air is supplied from the inside of the water tank to the air supply tube, the presence of air is required at the connection between the water tank and the air supply tube. Therefore, the liquid level of the beverage inside the water tank needs to be equal to or lower than a predetermined liquid level so that the connection portion between the water tank and the air supply pipe does not sink in the beverage. In this embodiment, the gas supply from the tank to the beverage container can be stopped by closing the 1 st valve except when necessary, and the replenishment of the beverage from the beverage container to the tank can also be stopped. Therefore, the liquid level of the beverage inside the tank can be prevented from exceeding a predetermined liquid level.

The 1 st pipe may further include a 2 nd valve between the tank and the beverage container. At this time, by closing the 2 nd valve except when necessary, heat from the heater can be prevented from being transferred to the beverage container. In addition, by closing the 2 nd valve when necessary, the replenishment of the beverage from the beverage container to the water tank can be stopped, and when the air supply pipe is connected from the water tank to the beverage container, the liquid level of the beverage in the water tank can be more surely prevented from exceeding a predetermined liquid level.

The beverage machine may further include: cooling means for cooling the beverage container; 1 st cock for hot drinking; and a 2 nd faucet for cold drink, the water tank having a heater for heating the drink from the drink container and being connected to the 1 st faucet, the 2 nd faucet being further configured to be connected to the drink container without the water tank and to supply cold drink from the drink container without the water tank. At this time, the beverage maker can supply 2 beverages including a hot beverage from the 1 st tap and a cold beverage from the 2 nd tap. At this time, the beverage is supplied from the common beverage container to both the tank (the 1 st faucet) and the 2 nd faucet. The 1 st beverage container is cooled by the cooling device. Therefore, microorganisms in the cold drink supplied to the 2 nd faucet and in the drink supplied to the water tank can be reduced.

The beverage machine may further include: a 2 nd pipe for delivering the beverage from the beverage container to the 2 nd faucet; and a sterilizing heater disposed in the 2 nd pipe, wherein the 2 nd pipe may be connected to the 1 st pipe between the beverage container and the tank. In this case, the beverage maker includes both the heater of the water tank and the sterilization heater of the 2 nd pipe. Both the tank having the heater and the 2 nd pipe having the sterilizing heater are connected to the 1 st pipe extending to the beverage container. Therefore, sufficient heat can be transferred to the connection portion between the beverage container and the 1 st pipe. Therefore, the beverage can be sufficiently sterilized up to the connection between the beverage container and the 1 st pipe.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a beverage maker that can use a non-collapsible beverage container with a simple structure.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing a beverage maker according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing a beverage maker according to another embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view showing a beverage maker according to still another embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing a beverage maker according to still another embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view showing a beverage maker according to still another embodiment.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, a beverage maker according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof is omitted. The scale of the drawings is sometimes changed for ease of understanding.

A beverage maker according to a 1 st aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 1 and 2. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a beverage maker 100 according to an embodiment. The beverage dispenser 100 according to the present invention is configured to supply a hot beverage from the 1 st faucet 2A and a cold beverage from the 2 nd faucet 2B. The beverage dispenser 100 is configured to use a 1 st beverage container 1A and a 2 nd beverage container 1B (described in detail later). The beverage in the 1 st beverage container 1A may be the same as or different from the beverage in the 2 nd beverage container 1B. The beverage maker 100 uses the non-collapsible beverage container 1 as a beverage source.

In the present invention, the "non-shrinkable beverage container" means a container that does not shrink with the pouring of a beverage, unlike a container (for example, BIB) that shrinks with the pouring of a beverage. For example, the beverage container 1 may be a plastic bottle made of plastic such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), or Polyethylene (PE). The beverage container 1 has a mouth 11 for pouring out a beverage. The mouth 11 may also be sealed prior to use. In use, the beverage container 1 is supported by the beverage maker 100 such that the mouth portion 11 faces downward. The mouthpiece 11 of the beverage container 1 is configured to allow needles N1 and N2 (described in detail later) of the beverage maker 100 to pass therethrough. The beverage container 1 can contain various beverages (for example, water, tea, coffee, refreshing drink, and the like). The beverage container 1 has a capacity of, for example, 500ml to 20L. For easy understanding, the beverage container 1 is shown as a simple cylinder in fig. 1, but it is desirable to note that the container may have various shapes such as a shape of a normal plastic bottle.

The beverage maker 100 includes a 1 st chamber (1 st support part) 31, a 2 nd chamber (2 nd support part) 32, a cooling device 33, a 1 st pipe 41, a 2 nd pipe 42, a 3 rd pipe 43, and a water tank 5. The beverage maker 100 may also have other constituent elements.

The 1 st chamber 31 is configured to receive and support the 1 st beverage container 1A. The 1 st chamber 31 is positioned above the water tank 5, and the 1 st beverage container 1A is disposed above the water tank 5. The interior of the 1 st chamber 31 may be, for example, ambient temperature (the same temperature as the surroundings of the beverage maker 100), so that the beverage inside the 1 st beverage container 1A may be ambient temperature. The 1 st pipe 41 connects the 1 st beverage container 1A of the 1 st chamber 31 and the tank 5. A needle N1 is connected to one end (upper end) of the 1 st pipe 41. When the 1 st beverage container 1A is disposed in the 1 st chamber 31, the needle N1 is inserted through the mouth 11 of the 1 st beverage container 1A. With this configuration, the beverage in the 1 st beverage container 1A is poured into the 1 st pipe 41 and is replenished to the tank 5.

The 2 nd chamber 32 is configured to receive and support the 2 nd beverage container 1B. The 2 nd chamber 32 is positioned above the water tank 5, and the 2 nd beverage container 1B is disposed above the water tank 5. The 2 nd beverage container 1B may not be disposed above the water tank 5. The cooling device 33 is disposed inside the 2 nd chamber 32, and the 2 nd chamber 32 is insulated from the outside. The interior of the 2 nd chamber 32 may be maintained at a low temperature (e.g., below 10 ℃), so that the beverage inside the 2 nd beverage container 1B may be at a low temperature. The 2 nd pipe 42 connects the 2 nd beverage container 1B in the 2 nd chamber 32 and the 2 nd cock 2B. A needle N2 is connected to one end (upper end) of the 2 nd pipe 42. When the 2 nd beverage container 1B is disposed in the 2 nd chamber 32, the needle N2 is inserted through the mouth 11 of the 2 nd beverage container 1B. With this configuration, the beverage in the 2 nd beverage container 1B is poured into the 2 nd pipe 42. Cold drink is poured out when the 2 nd cock 2B is opened.

The water tank 5 stores the beverage from the 1 st beverage container 1A. The water tank 5 is disposed below the 1 st beverage container 1A. The water tank 5 has a heater 51 for heating the stored beverage. In addition, the water tank 5 has a suction port 52 for introducing gas from the outside (for example, air around the water tank 5). The suction port 52 may further include a filter (not shown) for removing contaminant materials from the introduced gas.

The 3 rd pipe 43 connects the tank 5 and the 1 st cock 2A. One end (lower end) of the 3 rd pipe 43 is designed to be disposed inside the tank 5, more specifically, at a position slightly lower than the liquid level L of the beverage inside the tank 5, and is configured to draw in the beverage at a higher position and at a higher temperature.

The tank 5 has a float (stopper) 53 that blocks the air inlet 52 when the beverage in the tank 5 reaches a predetermined liquid level Lf. The float 53 is configured to float on the liquid surface of the beverage in the tank 5 (described in detail later).

Next, the 1 st pipe 41 will be described in detail.

The other end (lower end) of the 1 st pipe 41 is disposed inside the tank 5. Specifically, a flat plate (may also be referred to as a baffle) 41b is attached to the other end of the 1 st pipe 41, and the flat plate 41b is disposed near the bottom of the tank 5. With this configuration, the beverage supplied to the bottom of the tank 5 is prevented from easily rising, and the beverage in the tank 5 can be efficiently heated by the heater 51.

The 1 st pipe 41 has a gas inlet 41A for allowing gas G to flow into the 1 st beverage container 1A. The gas inlet 41a may include 1 or more holes penetrating the wall surface of the 1 st pipe 41. The gas inlet 41a is configured to allow gas to pass therethrough but not allow beverage flowing through the inside of the 1 st pipe 41 to pass therethrough due to surface tension. For example, the 1 st pipe 41 may have an inner diameter of 5 to 10mm, and the gas inlet 41a may have a diameter of 0.5 to 3mm (e.g., a diameter of about 1 mm). Further, in the present invention, "not allowing the beverage to pass" means that the beverage does not leak from the gas inlet 41A to the outside of the 1 st pipe 41 in a state where the 1 st beverage container 1A is accommodated in the 1 st chamber 31 and the 1 st beverage container 1A is not subjected to an external force from another element (for example, a user), and for example, if it is desired to leave a pressing force applied from the user to the 1 st beverage container 1A when the 1 st beverage container 1A is replaced, the beverage may leak from the gas inlet 41A.

The gas inlet 41a is provided in the 1 st pipe 41 at a position inside the tank 5. More specifically, the gas inlet 41a is provided in the 1 st pipe 41 at a position higher than the predetermined liquid level Lf. For example, the gas inlet 41a may be provided in the 1 st pipe 41 at a position higher than the predetermined liquid level Lf.

Next, the operation of the beverage maker 100 will be described.

When a hot beverage is to be served, the 1 st tap 2A is opened. When the 1 st cock 2A is opened, the hot beverage in the tank 5 is pushed out to the 3 rd pipe 43 by the weight of the beverage in the 1 st beverage container 1A and the 1 st pipe 41, and the hot beverage is supplied from the 1 st cock 2A. When the hot beverage is supplied from the tank 5 to the 1 st faucet 2A, the liquid level L of the beverage in the tank 5 is lowered below a predetermined liquid level Lf, and the float 53 opens the suction port 52 (indicated by a solid line in fig. 1). Thereby, the gas G enters the gas inlet hole 41A, the gas G flows from the gas inlet hole 41A into the 1 st beverage container 1A through the 1 st pipe 41, and the beverage is replenished from the 1 st beverage container 1A to the tank 5 through the 1 st pipe 41. When the 1 st tap 2A is closed, the level L of the beverage inside the tank 5 rises. When the liquid level L of the beverage reaches a predetermined liquid level Lf, the float 53 blocks the suction port 52 again (indicated by a broken line in fig. 1). Accordingly, the gas G from the gas inlet 41A into the 1 st pipe 41 is also stopped from entering the tank 5, and the 1 st beverage container 1A is also stopped from being replenished into the tank 5. Thus, the liquid level L of the beverage inside the tank 5 is maintained at a predetermined liquid level Lf. With the above configuration, the gas inlet hole 41a provided at a position higher than the predetermined liquid level Lf does not sink in the beverage in the tank 5.

When a cold drink is to be served, the 2 nd cock 2B is opened. When the 2 nd cock 2B is opened, the cold drink from the 2 nd beverage container 1B is supplied from the 2 nd cock 2B via the 2 nd pipe 42, while the gas flows from the 2 nd cock 2B into the 2 nd beverage container 1B via the 2 nd pipe 42.

In the beverage dispenser 100, the 1 st pipe 41 for conveying the beverage from the 1 st beverage container 1A above to the water tank 5 below is provided with a gas inlet hole 41A that allows the passage of gas but does not allow the passage of the beverage. Accordingly, when the beverage is poured from the water tank 5 to the outside through the 1 st cock 2A, the beverage is replenished from the 1 st beverage container 1A to the water tank 5, and gas is supplied from the gas inlet 41A to the 1 st beverage container 1A. Thus, the beverage maker 100 does not need to install a dedicated lid on the 1 st beverage container 1A or to perforate each 1 st beverage container 1A in order to flow gas into the 1 st beverage container 1A connected to the water tank 5. Thus, the non-collapsible beverage container can be used with a simple structure.

In the beverage maker 100, the lower end of the 1 st pipe 41 is disposed inside the water tank 5, and the gas inlet hole 41a is provided in the 1 st pipe 41 at a position inside the water tank 5. Therefore, for example, when the 1 st beverage container 1A is replaced, if the beverage leaks from the gas inlet 41A due to the pressing force applied to the 1 st beverage container 1A by the user, the beverage leaking from the gas inlet 41A can be guided to the inside of the water tank 5.

In addition, in the beverage maker 100, the water tank 5 has: a suction port 52 for introducing gas from the outside; and a stopper 53 for blocking the air inlet 52 when the beverage in the tank 5 reaches a predetermined liquid level Lf, and the gas inlet 41a is provided in the 1 st pipe 41 at a position higher than the predetermined liquid level Lf. Therefore, when the beverage is replenished from the 1 st beverage container 1A to the tank 5, the air inlet 52 is blocked when the beverage in the tank 5 reaches the predetermined liquid level Lf. Accordingly, the gas G is prevented from entering the 1 st pipe 41 through the gas inlet 41A in the tank 5, and the beverage is not replenished from the 1 st beverage container 1A to the tank 5. Thus, the liquid level L of the beverage inside the water tank 5 is prevented from exceeding the prescribed liquid level Lf. In addition, since the gas inlet hole 41a is provided at a position higher than the predetermined liquid level Lf, the gas inlet hole 41a does not sink in the beverage inside the water tank 5. Thus, the beverage can be prevented from clogging the gas inflow hole 41 a.

In addition, in the beverage machine 100, the obturator is a float 53 that can float above the liquid surface of the beverage. Thus, the air inlet 52 can be closed with a simple structure.

Further, the beverage dispenser 100 includes: a 1 st cock 2A for hot drinking; and a 2 nd cock 2B, the water tank 5 has a heater 51 for heating the beverage from the 1 st beverage container 1A, and is connected to the 1 st cock 2A. Thus, the beverage maker 100 can supply 2 kinds of beverages including the hot beverage from the 1 st tap 2A and the other beverage (cold beverage in the present embodiment) from the 2 nd tap 2B.

The beverage maker 100 further includes a cooling device 33 for cooling the 2 nd beverage container 1B, and the 2 nd faucet 2B is connected to the 2 nd beverage container 1B and configured to supply cold beverage from the 2 nd beverage container 1B. In the present embodiment, the hot beverage from the 1 st beverage container 1A supplied from the 1 st faucet 2A is heated by the heater 51 of the water tank 5, and therefore microorganisms in the hot beverage can be sterilized. In addition, since the cold drink from the 2 nd beverage container 1B supplied from the 2 nd faucet 2B is cooled by the cooling device 33, microorganisms in the cold drink can be reduced.

Next, a beverage maker according to another embodiment will be described.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a beverage maker 200 according to another embodiment. The beverage maker 200 is different from the beverage maker 100 described above in that it does not have the 1 st chamber 31 for normal temperature, but supplies the beverage from the 1 st beverage container 1A cooled in the 2 nd chamber 32 to both the 1 st tap 2A and the 2 nd tap 2B. Accordingly, the beverage dispenser 200 according to the present invention is configured to use only the 1 st beverage container 1A, and the 1 st beverage container 1A is housed in the 2 nd chamber 32 provided with the cooling device 33. In the present embodiment, the 2 nd chamber 32 functions as a 1 st support portion for supporting the 1 st beverage container 1A.

In the beverage dispenser 200, the 2 nd pipe 42 is connected to the 1 st beverage container 1A without the tank 5, and the cold beverage is supplied from the 1 st beverage container 1A without the tank 5. More specifically, the 2 nd pipe 42 is connected to the 1 st pipe 41 between the 1 st beverage container 1A and the tank 5. In other words, the 2 nd pipe 42 may be directly connected to the 1 st beverage container 1A without the 1 st pipe 41.

Next, the operation of the beverage dispenser 200 will be described.

When a hot beverage is to be served, the 1 st tap 2A is opened. When the 1 st cock 2A is opened, similarly to the beverage maker 100, the hot beverage in the tank 5 is pushed out to the 3 rd pipe 43 by the weight of the beverage in the 1 st beverage container 1A and the 1 st pipe 41, and the hot beverage is supplied from the 1 st cock 2A. When the hot beverage is supplied from the tank 5 to the 1 st faucet 2A, the liquid level L of the beverage in the tank 5 is lowered below a predetermined liquid level Lf, and the float 53 opens the suction port 52 (indicated by a solid line in fig. 2). Thereby, the gas G enters the gas inlet hole 41A, the gas G flows from the gas inlet hole 41A into the 1 st beverage container 1A through the 1 st pipe 41, and the beverage is replenished from the 1 st beverage container 1A to the tank 5 through the 1 st pipe 41. When the 1 st tap 2A is closed, the level L of the beverage inside the tank 5 rises. When the liquid level L of the beverage reaches a predetermined liquid level Lf, the float 53 blocks the suction port 52 again (indicated by a broken line in fig. 2). Accordingly, the gas G from the gas inlet 41A into the 1 st pipe 41 is also stopped from entering the tank 5, and the 1 st beverage container 1A is also stopped from being replenished into the tank 5. Therefore, the liquid level L of the beverage in the tank 5 is maintained at the predetermined liquid level Lf, and the gas inlet hole 41a does not sink in the beverage in the tank 5.

When a cold drink is to be served, the 2 nd cock 2B is opened. When the 2 nd cock 2B is opened, the cold drink from the 1 st drink container 1A is supplied from the 2 nd cock 2B via a part of the 1 st pipe 41 and the 2 nd pipe 42, and simultaneously the gas flows from the 2 nd cock 2B into the 1 st drink container 1A via the 2 nd pipe 42 and a part of the 1 st pipe 41.

Such a beverage maker 200 may exert substantially the same effect as the beverage maker 100. In particular, the beverage maker 200 includes the cooling device 33 for cooling the 1 st beverage container 1A, and the 2 nd faucet 2B is connected to the 1 st beverage container 1A without using the water tank 5, and is configured to supply cold beverage from the 1 st beverage container 1A without using the water tank 5. Accordingly, the beverage is supplied from the common 1 st beverage container 1A to both the tank 5 (the 1 st cock 2A) and the 2 nd cock 2B. Since the 1 st beverage container 1A is cooled by the cooling device 33, the beverage supplied to the water tank 5 is cooled by the cooling device 33 in the 1 st beverage container 1A in addition to the cold beverage supplied to the 2 nd faucet 2B. Therefore, microorganisms in the beverage supplied to the water tank 5 can be reduced. Although the beverage can be heated by the heater 51 to sterilize microorganisms in the beverage, if the number of microorganisms to be sterilized is large, the hot beverage may become stale. As described above, since microorganisms in the beverage supplied to the water tank 5 can be reduced in the beverage maker 200, it is possible to prevent the hot beverage heated in the water tank 5 from becoming stale.

Although the embodiment of the beverage maker according to the 1 st aspect of the present invention has been described, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments. Further, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the features included in 1 embodiment can be incorporated into or substituted for the features included in the other embodiments as long as no contradiction occurs.

For example, in the above embodiment, a valve may be provided between the tank 5 of the 1 st pipe 41 and the 1 st beverage container 1A. At this time, for example, heat transfer from the water tank 5 to the 1 st beverage container 1A can be prevented.

In addition, for example, in the above embodiment, only 1 st beverage container 1A is connected to the water tank 5. However, in other embodiments, a plurality of the 1 st beverage containers 1A may be connected to the water tank 5. In this case, the 1 st pipes 41 may be connected to the tank 5, and valves may be provided between the 1 st beverage container 1A and the tank 5 of the 1 st pipes 41. With this configuration, the 1 st beverage container 1A for replenishing the water tank 5 with a beverage can be selected from the plurality of 1 st beverage containers 1A. In another embodiment, the upper end of the 1 st pipe 41 may be branched into a plurality of branches, or valves may be provided between the branching portion and each of the plurality of 1 st beverage containers 1A. With this configuration, the 1 st beverage container 1A for replenishing the water tank 5 with the beverage can be selected. Also, in the above embodiment, only 12 nd beverage container 1B is connected to the 2 nd cock 2B. However, in other embodiments, a plurality of 2 nd beverage containers 1B may also be connected to the 2 nd tap 2B.

In the above embodiment, the obturator is the float 53. However, in other embodiments, the obturator may be another mechanism. For example, the obturator may be a valve provided in a pipe having the air inlet 52. At this time, for example, when the 1 st cock 2A is closed, the closing of the valve can prevent the liquid level L of the beverage inside the tank 5 from exceeding the predetermined liquid level Lf.

A beverage maker according to embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 3 to 5. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a beverage maker 300 according to still another embodiment. The beverage dispenser 300 according to the present invention is configured to supply a hot beverage from the 1 st tap 2A and a cold beverage from the 2 nd tap 2B. The beverage maker 300 uses the non-collapsible beverage container 1 as a beverage source.

The beverage maker 300 includes a 1 st cock 2A, a 2 nd cock 2B, a 1 st chamber (support portion) 31, a cooling device 33, a 1 st pipe 41, a 2 nd pipe 42, a 3 rd pipe 43, a 4 th pipe (air supply pipe) 44, a water tank 5, a sterilizing heater 6, and a control device 7. Beverage maker 300 may also have other components.

The 1 st chamber 31 is configured to receive and support the beverage container 1. The 1 st chamber 31 is located above the water tank 5 so that the beverage container 1 is disposed above the water tank 5. The cooling device 33 is disposed inside the 1 st chamber 31, and the 1 st chamber 31 is insulated from the outside. The inside of the 1 st chamber 31 may be maintained at a low temperature (e.g., below 10 ℃), so that the beverage inside the beverage container 1 may be at a low temperature.

The 1 st pipe 41 connects the beverage container 1 in the 1 st chamber 31 and the water tank 5 (described in detail later). A needle N1 is connected to one end (upper end) of the 1 st pipe 41. When the beverage container 1 is disposed in the 1 st chamber 31, the needle N1 is inserted through the mouth 11 of the beverage container 1. With this configuration, the beverage in the beverage container 1 is poured out to the 1 st pipe 41 and is replenished to the tank 5.

The 4 th pipe 44 connects the beverage container 1 in the 1 st chamber 31 and the water tank 5, and is configured to supply gas from the water tank 5 to the beverage container 1 (described in detail later). A needle N4 is connected to one end (upper end) of the 4 th pipe 44. When the beverage container 1 is disposed in the 1 st chamber 31, the needle N4 is inserted through the mouth 11 of the beverage container 1. With this configuration, the gas G inside the water tank 5 is supplied to the beverage container 1.

The 2 nd pipe 42 connects the beverage container 1 in the 1 st chamber 31 and the 2 nd cock 2B. The 2 nd pipe 42 is connected to the beverage container 1 without the tank 5, and supplies the cold drink from the beverage container 1 to the 2 nd faucet 2B without the tank 5. More specifically, the 2 nd pipe 42 is connected to the 1 st pipe 41 between the beverage container 1 and the tank 5. The sterilizing heater 6 is disposed in the 2 nd pipe 42. The sterilizing heater 6 is configured to heat the beverage in the 2 nd pipe 42.

The water tank 5 stores the beverage from the beverage container 1. The water tank 5 is arranged below the beverage container 1. The water tank 5 has a heater 51 for heating the stored beverage. In addition, the water tank 5 has a suction port 52 for introducing gas from the outside (for example, air around the water tank 5). The suction port 52 may further include a filter (not shown) for removing contaminant materials from the introduced gas.

The control device 7 is configured to control components of the beverage maker 300. For example, the controller 7 may be configured to communicate with the 1 st cock 2A, the 2 nd cock 2B, the 1 st valve V1, and the 2 nd valve V2 (described in detail later) by wire or wireless, and control the opening and closing of these valves. For example, the control device 7 may be configured to be able to communicate with the heater 51 and the sterilizing heater 6 by wire or wireless, and to control the on/off and the temperature of these. For example, the control device 7 may also have a hot drink supply mode, a cold drink supply mode, a sterilization mode, and a standby mode. For example, the control device 7 may also have a button for starting execution of the hot beverage supply mode. Also, the control device 7 may also have a button to start execution of the cold drink supply mode. The control device 7 may be configured to automatically start the sterilization mode at predetermined intervals (for example, several hours, 1 day, or several days, 1 week, or several weeks). Instead of or in addition to the control device 7, it is also possible to have a button for starting the execution of the sterilization mode. The control device 7 may be in a standby mode except when a hot drink supply mode, a cold drink supply mode, and a sterilization mode are performed.

The control device 7 may further include, for example, a processor, a memory, an operation unit, and the like. A processor may comprise, for example, 1 or more CPUs (Central Processing Unit). Instead of a processor, a separate integrated circuit, microprocessor and/or firmware may also be used. The memory may include a rom (read Only memory) and a ram (random Access memory) storage device such as a flash memory. The memory may store various programs that are executed by the processor. For example, the program may be loaded into the memory from a computer-readable removable storage medium such as a CD-ROM (compact Disk Read Only memory), a DVD-ROM (digital Versatile Disk Read Only memory), or the like, using a known installation program or the like. The operation portion may have an input function and a display function, and may include a touch panel, for example. Other components (e.g., a liquid crystal display and/or buttons) may be included in the operation unit instead of or in addition to the operation unit.

Next, the 1 st pipe 41 and the 4 th pipe 44 will be described in detail.

The 1 st pipe 41 has a 2 nd valve V2 between the beverage container 1 and the water tank 5. More specifically, the 2 nd valve V2 is provided in the 1 st pipe 41 between the connection portions of the 1 st pipe 41 and the 2 nd pipe 42 and the tank 5. The 2 nd valve V2 may be, for example, a solenoid valve. As described above, the opening and closing of the 2 nd valve V2 is controlled by the control device 7, for example.

As described above, the 4 th pipe 44 is configured to supply the gas (for example, air) G from the water tank 5 to the beverage container 1. The 4 th pipe 44 is connected to an upper portion (upper surface) of the tank 5, and is configured to introduce gas located above the tank 5. The 4 th pipe 44 is configured to allow the gas to pass therethrough but not to allow the beverage to enter from the needle N4 by surface tension. For example, the 1 st pipe 41 for transporting the beverage may have an inner diameter of 5 to 10mm, and the 4 th pipe 44 for transporting the gas may have an inner diameter of 0.5 to 3mm (for example, about 2 mm). If the inner diameter of the 4 th pipe 44 is too large (for example, if it is larger than 3 mm), water may enter the 4 th pipe 44. When the inner diameter of the 4 th pipe 44 is too small (for example, less than 0.5 mm), the gas flow rate into the 4 th pipe 44 may be insufficient, and the beverage may not be supplied from the beverage container 1 to the tank 5.

The 4 th pipe 44 has a 1 st valve V1 between the water tank 5 and the beverage container 1. The 1 st valve V1 may be, for example, a solenoid valve. As described above, the opening and closing of the 1 st valve V1 is controlled by the control device 7, for example.

Next, the operation of the beverage maker 300 will be described.

As described above, the beverage maker 300 may be in the standby mode, except when the hot beverage supply mode, the cold beverage supply mode, and the sterilization mode are performed. When the beverage maker 300 is in the standby mode, the 1 st tap 2A, the 2 nd tap 2B, the 1 st valve V1, and the 2 nd valve V2 are all closed. In addition, when the beverage maker 300 is in the standby mode, the heater 51 is turned on and the sterilizing heater 6 is turned off. In this state, there is no movement of the beverage in the beverage maker 300. In addition, since the heat from the heater 51 of the water tank 5 is also cut off by the 2 nd valve V2, the heat is not transferred from the water tank 5 to the beverage container 1.

When a hot beverage is to be served, as described above, a button for starting execution of the hot beverage serving mode may also be pressed. When the hot beverage supply mode is started, the control means 7 opens the 1 st cock 2A, the 1 st valve V1 and the 2 nd valve V2. By this operation, the hot beverage in the tank 5 is pushed out to the 3 rd pipe 43 by the weight of the beverage in the beverage container 1 and the 1 st pipe 41, and the hot beverage is supplied from the 1 st cock 2A. The gas G enters the 4 th pipe 44 from the inside of the tank 5, and the gas G flows into the beverage container 1 through the 4 th pipe 44, and the beverage is replenished from the beverage container 1 to the tank 5 through the 1 st pipe 41. The hot beverage supply mode can also be ended when the above-mentioned button is released. When the hot beverage supply mode is finished, the control means 7 closes the 1 st cock 2A, the 1 st valve V1 and the 2 nd valve V2 again. By this operation, the flow of the gas G from the 4 th pipe 44 into the beverage container 1 is stopped, and the replenishment of the beverage from the beverage container 1 into the water tank 5 is also stopped.

When a cold drink is supplied, as described above, a button for starting execution of the cold drink supply mode may also be pressed. When the cold drink supply mode is started, the control device 7 opens the 2 nd faucet 2B and the 1 st valve V1. By this operation, the cold drink inside the beverage container 1 is supplied from the 2 nd faucet 2B via the 2 nd piping 42. The gas G enters the 4 th pipe 44 from the inside of the tank 5, and flows into the beverage container 1 through the 4 th pipe 44. The cold drink supply mode may also be ended when the above-mentioned button is released. When the cold drink supply mode is finished, the control device 7 closes the 2 nd cock 2B and the 1 st valve V1 again. By this operation, the inflow of the gas G from the 4 th pipe 44 to the beverage container 1 is stopped, and the supply of the beverage from the beverage container 1 to the 2 nd faucet 2B is also stopped.

As described above, the sterilization mode may also be executed at prescribed intervals or when a button for starting execution of the sterilization mode is pressed. When the sterilization mode starts to be executed, the control device 7 opens only the 2 nd valve V2. By this operation, although heat transfer can be performed from the water tank 5 through the 1 st pipe 41, the 1 st valve V1 is closed, and therefore, the inflow of the gas G from the 4 th pipe 44 to the beverage container 1 is stopped, and the replenishment of the beverage from the beverage container 1 to the water tank 5 is also stopped. Accordingly, the heat from the heater 51 of the tank 5 efficiently flows to the needle N1 through the 1 st pipe 41. When the execution of the sterilization mode is started, the control device 7 turns on the sterilization heater 6. The heat from the sterilizing heater 6 flows to the needle N1 through the 2 nd pipe 42 and the 1 st pipe 41. In this manner, in the beverage maker 300, in the sterilization mode, both the heat from the heater 51 of the water tank 5 and the heat from the sterilization heater 6 of the 2 nd pipe 42 are transmitted to the pin N1, and therefore, the pin N1 can be sufficiently sterilized. The sterilization mode may also be automatically ended after a prescribed period (e.g., 1 minute or several minutes or 1 hour or several hours). When the sterilization mode is finished, the control device 7 closes the 2 nd valve V2 again, turning off the sterilizing heater 6.

In the beverage dispenser 300 as described above, the beverage container 1 is provided with the 1 st pipe 41 for transporting the beverage, and in addition thereto, the 4 th pipe (air supply pipe) 44 which allows the gas to pass therethrough but does not allow the beverage to pass therethrough. Accordingly, in the hot drink supply mode, when a drink is poured from the water tank 5 to the outside of the drink maker 300 through the 1 st tap 2A, the drink is replenished from the drink container 1 to the water tank 5 by the weight of the drink in the drink container 1 and the 1 st pipe 41, and gas is supplied to the drink container 1 through the 4 th pipe 44. Thus, the beverage maker 300 does not require a dedicated lid to be mounted on the beverage containers 1 or a hole to be punched in each beverage container 1 in order to allow gas to flow into the beverage container 1. Thus, the beverage container 1 of non-contractible property can be used with a simple structure. In the beverage dispenser 300, the beverage flowing from the beverage container 1 to the water tank 5 and the gas flowing into the beverage container 1 through the 4 th pipe 44 move through respective paths. Therefore, when the beverage is replenished from the beverage container 1 to the tank 5, no pulse is generated in the 1 st pipe 41. Thus, a quiet beverage maker 300 can be provided.

In the beverage maker 300, the 4 th pipe 44 is connected from the water tank 5 to the beverage container 1, and a 1 st valve V1 is provided between the water tank 5 and the beverage container 1. Therefore, in the beverage maker 300, in order to supply gas from the inside of the water tank 5 to the 4 th pipe 44, the gas needs to be present at the connection portion between the water tank 5 and the 4 th pipe 44 (the upper portion of the water tank 5). Therefore, the liquid level L of the beverage inside the water tank 5 needs to be equal to or lower than a predetermined liquid level so that the upper portion of the water tank 5 does not sink in the beverage. In the beverage maker 300, the supply of the gas G from the water tank 5 to the beverage container 1 can be stopped by closing the 1 st valve V1 when necessary, and the replenishment of the beverage from the beverage container 1 to the water tank 5 can also be stopped. Therefore, the liquid level L of the beverage inside the water tank 5 can be prevented from exceeding a predetermined liquid level.

In the beverage maker 300, the 1 st pipe 41 has a 2 nd valve V2 between the water tank 5 and the beverage container 1. Accordingly, by closing the 2 nd valve V2 except when necessary, heat from the heater 51 can be prevented from being transferred to the beverage container 1. Thus, the temperature of the cold drink inside the beverage container 1 can be prevented from rising. Further, by closing the 2 nd valve V2 as necessary, the replenishment of the beverage from the beverage container 1 to the tank 5 can be stopped more reliably, and the liquid level L of the beverage in the tank 5 can be prevented more reliably from exceeding a predetermined liquid level.

In addition, the beverage dispenser 300 includes: a cooling device 33 for cooling the beverage container 1; a 1 st cock 2A for hot drinking; and a 2 nd faucet 2B for cold drink, the water tank 5 has a heater 51 for heating the drink from the drink container 1, and is connected to the 1 st faucet 2A, and the 2 nd faucet 2B may be configured to be connected to the drink container 1 without the water tank 5 and to supply cold drink from the drink container 1 without the water tank 5. Thus, the beverage maker 300 can supply 2 kinds of beverages including a hot beverage from the 1 st tap 2A and a cold beverage from the 2 nd tap 2B. In the beverage dispenser 300, the beverage is supplied from the common beverage container 1 to both the water tank 5 (the 1 st cock 2A) and the 2 nd cock 2B. The beverage container 1 is cooled by cooling means 33. Therefore, microorganisms in the cold drink supplied to the 2 nd faucet 2B and in the drink supplied to the water tank 5 can be reduced. In particular, although the beverage can be heated by the heater 51 to sterilize microorganisms in the beverage, if the number of microorganisms to be sterilized is large, the hot beverage may become stale. As described above, since microorganisms in the beverage supplied to the water tank 5 can be reduced in the beverage maker 300, it is possible to prevent the hot beverage heated in the water tank 5 from becoming stale.

In addition, the beverage dispenser 300 includes: a 2 nd pipe 42 for feeding the beverage from the beverage container 1 to the 2 nd cock 2B; and a sterilizing heater 6 disposed in the 2 nd pipe, wherein the 2 nd pipe 42 is connected to the 1 st pipe 41 between the beverage container 1 and the water tank 5. Accordingly, the beverage maker 300 includes both the heater 51 of the water tank 5 and the sterilizing heater 6 of the 2 nd pipe 42. Both the tank 5 having the heater 51 and the 2 nd pipe 42 having the sterilizing heater 6 are connected to the 1 st pipe 41 extending to the beverage container. Therefore, in the sterilization mode, sufficient heat can be transferred to the needle N1. Thus, the needle N1 can be sufficiently sterilized.

Next, a beverage maker according to still another embodiment will be described.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a beverage maker 400 according to still other embodiments. The beverage maker 400 is different from the beverage maker 300 described above in that it includes the 1 st chamber 31 for normal temperature, and supplies the beverage from the 1 st beverage container 1A disposed in the 1 st chamber 31 to the 1 st faucet 2A, and supplies the beverage from the 2 nd beverage container 1B disposed in the 2 nd chamber 32 provided with the cooling device 33 to the 2 nd faucet 2B. Accordingly, the beverage dispenser 400 is configured to use the 1 st beverage container 1A and the 2 nd beverage container 1B. The 1 st beverage container 1A and the 2 nd beverage container 1B can be made the same as the beverage container 1 of fig. 3. In the present embodiment, the 1 st chamber 31 functions as a support portion for supporting the 1 st beverage container 1A. The interior of the 1 st chamber 31 may be, for example, ambient temperature (the same temperature as the surroundings of the beverage maker 400), so that the beverage inside the 1 st beverage container 1A may be ambient temperature.

A needle N3 is connected to one end (upper end) of the 2 nd pipe 42. When the 2 nd beverage container 1B is disposed in the 2 nd chamber 32, the needle N3 is inserted through the mouth 11 of the 2 nd beverage container 1B. With this configuration, the beverage in the 2 nd beverage container 1B is poured into the 2 nd pipe 42. Cold drink is poured out when the 2 nd cock 2B is opened.

Next, the operation of the beverage dispenser 400 will be described. In such a beverage maker 400, the hot beverage supply mode can be performed as in the beverage maker 300.

In the cold drink supply mode, the control means 7 opens only the 2 nd faucet 2B. By this operation, cold drink from the 2 nd beverage container 1B is supplied from the 2 nd cock 2B, while gas is taken in from the 2 nd cock 2B and gas G flows into the 2 nd beverage container 1B. When the cold drink supply mode is finished, the control means 7 turns off the 2 nd faucet 2B again. By this operation, the supply of the beverage from the 2 nd beverage container 1B to the 2 nd faucet 2B is stopped.

In the sterilization mode, the control device 7 opens only the 2 nd valve V2. By this operation, the heat from the heater 51 of the tank 5 efficiently flows to the needle N1 through the 1 st pipe 41, and sterilizes the needle N1. When the execution of the sterilization mode is started, the control device 7 turns on the sterilization heater 6. The heat from the sterilizing heater 6 flows to the needle N3 through the 2 nd pipe 42, and sterilizes the needle N3. When the sterilization mode is finished, the control device 7 closes the 2 nd valve V2 again, turning off the sterilizing heater 6.

Even in the beverage dispenser 400 as described above, the 1 st beverage container 1A is provided with the 4 th pipe 44 that allows gas to pass and does not allow beverage to pass, in addition to the 1 st pipe 41 for transporting beverage. Thus, in the hot drink supply mode, the water tank 5 is replenished with drink from the 1 st drink container 1A, and gas is supplied to the 1 st drink container 1A through the 4 th pipe 44. Thus, the beverage maker 400 does not need to mount a dedicated lid on the 1 st beverage container 1A or to perforate each 1 st beverage container 1A in order to flow gas into the 1 st beverage container 1A. Thus, the non-collapsible 1 st beverage container 1A can be used with a simple structure. In the beverage dispenser 400, the beverage flowing from the 1 st beverage container 1A to the water tank 5 and the gas flowing through the 4 th pipe 44 to the 1 st beverage container 1A move through the respective paths. Therefore, when the 1 st beverage container 1A is replenished with beverage from the tank 5, no pulse is generated in the 1 st pipe 41. Thus, a quiet beverage maker 400 can be provided.

In the beverage dispenser 400, the 4 th pipe 44 is connected from the water tank 5 to the 1 st beverage container 1A, and a 1 st valve V1 is provided between the water tank 5 and the 1 st beverage container 1A. Therefore, by closing the 1 st valve V1 as necessary, the supply of the gas G from the water tank 5 to the 1 st beverage container 1A can be stopped, and the replenishment of the beverage from the 1 st beverage container 1A to the water tank 5 can also be stopped. Therefore, the liquid level L of the beverage inside the water tank 5 can be prevented from exceeding a predetermined liquid level.

In the beverage dispenser 400, the 1 st pipe 41 has a 2 nd valve V2 between the water tank 5 and the 1 st beverage container 1A. Accordingly, by closing the 2 nd valve V2 as necessary, the replenishment of the beverage from the 1 st beverage container 1A to the tank 5 can be stopped more reliably, and the liquid level L of the beverage in the tank 5 can be prevented more reliably from exceeding a predetermined liquid level.

Next, a beverage maker according to still another embodiment will be described.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a beverage maker 500 according to still other embodiments. The 4 th piping 44 of the beverage maker 500 is connected to the beverage container 1 from the outside of the water tank 5, and the 5 th piping 54 having the suction port 52 extends to the same height as the beverage container 1, in which point the beverage maker 500 is different from the beverage maker 300 described above. In the beverage maker 500, since the 4 th piping 44 is connected to the beverage container 1 from the outside of the water tank 5, the gas G enters the 4 th piping 44 from the outside of the water tank 5. Thus, the water tank 5 can be filled with the beverage. Accordingly, the beverage is also contained in the 5 th pipe 54, and the liquid level L of the beverage in the 5 th pipe 54 is the same as the liquid level of the beverage in the beverage container 1. The 5 th pipe 54 is provided with a sterilizing heater 8. The germicidal heater 8 may also be the same as the germicidal heater 6, for example. The control device 7 may be configured to be able to communicate with the sterilizing heater 8 by wire or wirelessly, and to control the on/off and temperature of the sterilizing heater 8.

Next, the operation of the beverage maker 500 will be described.

In the hot beverage supply mode, the control device 7 opens the 1 st cock 2A, the 1 st valve V1 and the 2 nd valve V2. By this operation, the hot beverage in the tank 5 is pushed out to the 3 rd pipe 43 by the weight of the beverage in the beverage container 1 and the 1 st pipe 41, and the hot beverage is supplied from the 1 st cock 2A. Further, the gas G enters the 4 th pipe 44 from the outside of the tank 5, and the gas G flows into the beverage container 1 through the 4 th pipe 44, and the beverage is replenished from the beverage container 1 to the tank 5 through the 1 st pipe 41. When the hot beverage supply mode is finished, the control means 7 closes the 1 st cock 2A, the 1 st valve V1 and the 2 nd valve V2 again. By this operation, the flow of the gas G from the 4 th pipe 44 into the beverage container 1 is stopped, and the replenishment of the beverage from the beverage container 1 into the water tank 5 is also stopped.

In the cold drink supply mode, the control unit 7 opens the 2 nd faucet 2B and the 1 st valve V1. By this operation, the cold drink inside the beverage container 1 is supplied from the 2 nd faucet 2B via the 2 nd piping 42. Further, the gas G enters the 4 th pipe 44 from the outside of the tank 5, and flows into the beverage container 1 through the 4 th pipe 44. When the cold drink supply mode is finished, the control device 7 closes the 2 nd cock 2B and the 1 st valve V1 again. By this operation, the inflow of the gas G from the 4 th pipe 44 to the beverage container 1 is stopped, and the supply of the beverage from the beverage container 1 to the 2 nd faucet 2B is also stopped.

In the sterilization mode, the control device 7 opens only the 2 nd valve V2. By this operation, although heat transfer can be performed from the water tank 5 through the 1 st pipe 41, the 1 st valve V1 is closed, and therefore, the inflow of the gas G from the 4 th pipe 44 to the beverage container 1 is stopped, and the replenishment of the beverage from the beverage container 1 to the water tank 5 is also stopped. Accordingly, the heat from the heater 51 of the tank 5 efficiently flows to the needle N1 through the 1 st pipe 41. In the sterilization mode, the controller 7 turns on the sterilization heaters 6 and 8. The heat from the sterilizing heater 6 flows to the needle N1 through the 2 nd pipe 42 and the 1 st pipe 41. Further, the inside of the 5 th pipe 54 can be sterilized by the heat from the sterilizing heater 8. When the sterilization mode is finished, the controller 7 closes the 2 nd valve V2 again, and turns off the sterilization heaters 6 and 8.

Even in the beverage maker 500 as above, the beverage container 1 is provided with the 4 th pipe 44 that allows gas to pass and does not allow beverage to pass, in addition to the 1 st pipe 41 for transporting beverage. Accordingly, in the hot drink supply mode, the water tank 5 is replenished with drink from the drink container 1, and gas is supplied to the drink container 1 through the 4 th pipe 44. Thus, the beverage maker 500 does not require a dedicated lid to be mounted on the beverage container 1 or a hole to be punched in each beverage container 1 in order to allow gas to flow into the beverage container 1. Thus, the beverage container 1 of non-contractible property can be used with a simple structure. In the beverage dispenser 500, the beverage flowing from the beverage container 1 to the water tank 5 and the gas flowing into the beverage container 1 through the 4 th pipe 44 move through respective paths. Therefore, when the beverage is replenished from the beverage container 1 to the tank 5, no pulse is generated in the 1 st pipe 41. Thus, a quiet beverage maker 500 can be provided.

In addition, in the beverage maker 500, the 4 th pipe 44 is connected to the beverage container 1 from the outside of the water tank 5, and has the 1 st valve V1. Therefore, by closing the 1 st valve V1 as necessary or otherwise, for example, even when the user strongly presses the beverage container 1 at the time of replacing the beverage container 1, it is possible to reliably prevent the beverage in the beverage container 1 from leaking from the 4 th pipe 44.

In the beverage maker 500, the 1 st pipe 41 has a 2 nd valve V2 between the water tank 5 and the beverage container 1. Accordingly, by closing the 2 nd valve V2 except when necessary, heat from the heater 51 can be prevented from being transferred to the beverage container 1. Thus, the temperature of the cold drink inside the beverage container 1 can be prevented from rising.

In addition, the beverage maker 500 includes: a cooling device 33 for cooling the beverage container 1; a 1 st cock 2A for hot drinking; and a 2 nd faucet 2B for cold drink, the water tank 5 has a heater 51 for heating the drink from the drink container 1, and is connected to the 1 st faucet 2A, and the 2 nd faucet 2B may be configured to be connected to the drink container 1 without the water tank 5 and to supply cold drink from the drink container 1 without the water tank 5. Thus, the beverage maker 500 can supply 2 beverages including a hot beverage from the 1 st tap 2A and a cold beverage from the 2 nd tap 2B. In the beverage dispenser 500, the beverage is supplied from the common beverage container 1 to both the water tank 5 (the 1 st cock 2A) and the 2 nd cock 2B. The beverage container 1 is cooled by cooling means 33. Therefore, microorganisms in the cold drink supplied to the 2 nd faucet 2B and in the drink supplied to the water tank 5 can be reduced. In particular, although the beverage can be heated by the heater 51 to sterilize microorganisms in the beverage, if the number of microorganisms to be sterilized is large, the hot beverage may become stale. As described above, since microorganisms in the beverage supplied to the water tank 5 can be reduced in the beverage maker 500, the hot beverage heated in the water tank 5 can be prevented from becoming stale.

In addition, the beverage maker 500 includes: a 2 nd pipe 42 for feeding the beverage from the beverage container 1 to the 2 nd cock 2B; and a sterilizing heater 6 disposed in the 2 nd pipe, wherein the 2 nd pipe 42 is connected to the 1 st pipe 41 between the beverage container 1 and the water tank 5. Accordingly, the beverage maker 500 includes both the heater 51 of the water tank 5 and the sterilizing heater 6 of the 2 nd pipe 42. Both the tank 5 having the heater 51 and the 2 nd pipe 42 having the sterilizing heater 6 are connected to the 1 st pipe 41 extending to the beverage container 1. Therefore, in the sterilization mode, sufficient heat can be transferred to the needle N1. Thus, the needle N1 can be sufficiently sterilized.

Although the embodiment of the beverage maker according to the 2 nd aspect of the present invention has been described, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments. Further, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the features included in 1 embodiment can be incorporated into or substituted for the features included in the other embodiments as long as no contradiction occurs.

For example, in the above embodiment, only 1

beverage container

1, 1A is connected to the water tank 5. However, in other embodiments, a plurality of

beverage containers

1, 1A may be connected to the water tank 5. At this time, the 1 st pipe 41 and the 4 th pipe 44 may be connected to the tank 5. In other embodiments, the upper end of the 1 st pipe 41 may be branched into a plurality of branches, or the upper end of the 4 th pipe 44 may be branched into a plurality of branches. Also, in the beverage maker 400, only 12 nd beverage container 1B is connected to the 2 nd tap 2B. However, in other embodiments, a plurality of 2 nd beverage containers 1B may also be connected to the 2 nd tap 2B.

Description of the symbols

1-a beverage container;

1A-1 st beverage container;

1B-2 nd beverage container;

2A-1 st tap;

2B-No. 2 cock;

5-a water tank;

6-sterilization heater;

31-1 st chamber (1 st support);

32-2 nd chamber (2 nd support);

33-a cooling device;

41-1 st pipe;

42-2 nd piping;

44-4 th piping (gas supply pipe);

41 a-gas inflow hole;

51- -a heater;

52-suction port;

53-float (obturator);

100-a beverage machine;

200-a beverage machine;

300-a beverage machine;

400-the beverage machine;

500-a beverage machine;

g-gas;

l-liquid level;

lf-specified liquid level;

v1-valve 1;

v2-2 nd valve.

Claims

1. A beverage maker using a non-collapsible beverage container as a beverage source, characterized in that,

the disclosed device is provided with: a 1 st support part for supporting the 1 st beverage container;

a water tank disposed below the 1 st beverage container;

and a pipe for delivering the beverage from the 1 st beverage container to the water tank,

the piping has a gas inflow hole that allows gas to pass therethrough and does not allow the beverage to pass therethrough.

2. Beverage machine according to claim 1,

the lower end of the pipe is disposed inside the tank,

the gas inlet is provided in the pipe at a position inside the tank.

3. Beverage machine according to claim 2,

the water tank has: a suction port for introducing gas from the outside;

and an obturator for blocking the air inlet when the beverage in the water tank reaches a predetermined liquid level,

the gas inlet hole is provided in the pipe at a position higher than the predetermined liquid level.

4. A beverage machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the obturator is a float which is buoyant on the level of the beverage.

5. Beverage machine according to any 1 of claims 1-4,

the disclosed device is provided with: 1 st cock for hot drinking;

and a 2 nd cock, wherein the cock is provided with a cock body,

the water tank has a heater for heating the beverage from the 1 st beverage container and is connected to the 1 st tap.

6. Beverage machine according to claim 5,

the disclosed device is provided with: a 2 nd support part supporting the 2 nd beverage container;

and a cooling device for cooling the 2 nd beverage container,

the 2 nd faucet is configured to be connected to the 2 nd beverage container and to supply cold beverage from the 2 nd beverage container.

7. Beverage machine according to claim 5,

a cooling device for cooling the 1 st beverage container,

the 2 nd faucet is configured to be connected to the 1 st beverage container without the water tank and to supply cold beverage from the 1 st beverage container without the water tank.

8. A beverage maker using a non-collapsible beverage container as a beverage source, characterized in that,

the disclosed device is provided with: a support portion supporting the beverage container;

a water tank disposed below the beverage container;

a 1 st pipe for conveying the beverage from the beverage container to the water tank;

and a gas supply tube for delivering gas to the beverage container, allowing gas to pass through and not allowing the beverage to pass through.

9. Beverage machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the air supply tube is connected from the water tank to the beverage container.

10. Beverage machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the air supply tube is connected to the beverage container from outside the water tank.

11. Beverage machine according to any 1 of claims 8-10, characterized in that the air supply duct is provided with a 1 st valve.

12. Beverage machine according to any of claims 8-11, characterized in that the 1 st pipe is provided with a 2 nd valve between the water tank and the beverage container.

13. Beverage machine according to any of claims 8-12,

the disclosed device is provided with: cooling means for cooling the beverage container;

1 st cock for hot drinking;

and a 2 nd faucet for cold drinking,

the water tank has a heater heating the beverage from the beverage container, and is connected to the 1 st tap,

the 2 nd faucet is configured to be connected to the beverage container without the aid of the water tank and to supply cold beverage from the beverage container without the aid of the water tank.

14. Beverage machine according to claim 13,

the disclosed device is provided with: a 2 nd pipe for delivering the beverage from the beverage container to the 2 nd tap;

and a sterilizing heater disposed in the 2 nd pipe,

the 2 nd pipe is connected to the 1 st pipe between the beverage container and the tank.