JP2000099822A - Cup beverage dispenser and bag-in-box syrup container for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To release a trouble and an erroneous setting in setting a rate of dilution of syrup and setting a tube inner diameter accompanying the former, to prevent a syrup of different manufacturer from being used and sold and to maintain trust of a customer and a force of brand with respect to a cup beverage automatic dispenser. SOLUTION: When a bag-in-box syrup container (BIB) 1 is stored in a BIB storage part 25 of a cup beverage automatic dispenser or the like, a bar code 2 is read by a bar code reader 22. By information of the bar code 2, a rate of dilution of syrup and a tube inner diameter are set to the cup beverage automatic dispenser or the like. Also, when the bag-in-box syrup container 1 is the unexpected one, processing such as stopping sales is performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cup beverage dispenser incorporated in a cup beverage vending machine, installed in a family restaurant, a fast food store, and the like, and a bag suitable for use in the cup beverage dispenser. It relates to an in-box syrup container.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a cup beverage dispenser, for example, a cup beverage vending machine incorporating the same, a bag-in-box syrup container containing a highly concentrated beverage material (hereinafter, referred to as syrup) is loaded into the cup beverage vending machine. Then, syrup and water, carbonated water, ice, milk, etc. (hereinafter, referred to as diluent) are mixed into a cup while being mixed at an appropriate ratio.

[0003] In such a cup beverage vending machine,
Since a plurality of types of beverages are usually sold, a plurality of types of bag-in-box syrup containers containing syrup are prepared (loaded) according to the type.

When installing a cup beverage vending machine, when the remaining amount of syrup becomes small, when the syrup runs out, or when changing the product (drink type), a new bag-in-box syrup container is required. Must be loaded into a cup beverage vending machine.

[0005] As mentioned above, syrup is mixed with a diluent and supplied to customers and purchasers, so that the mixing ratio of both must be optimized for each beverage. Therefore, the dilution ratio is displayed on the bag-in-box syrup container containing the syrup so that the mixing ratio (dilution ratio) is optimally set.

[0006] Each time a manager of a cup beverage vending machine loads a new bag-in-box syrup container, the displayed dilution ratio is checked, and this is the same as that of the bag-in-box syrup container used up to now. If different, the setting relating to the dilution ratio of the cup beverage vending machine must be changed to a new setting.

[0007] If this setting is incorrect, the sale of bad beverages will result in a loss of customer and purchaser trust and adversely affect the sales volume.

[0008] Since a cup beverage vending machine sells a plurality of types of beverages, it handles many types of bag-in-box syrup containers, and the dilution ratio differs for each beverage. Therefore, setting the dilution ratio is cumbersome and incorrect. It was easy. In addition, when setting the dilution ratio, the diameter of the tube set in the tube pump (the tube provided in the bag-in-box syrup container) must be set, and this setting is also troublesome and error-prone. .

Usually, the name of the beverage maker is displayed on the cup beverage vending machine, and the purchaser trusts the brand name of the maker and purchases the beverage. However, some retailers and others sell this cup beverage vending machine using syrup from a different manufacturer (so-called,
Hermit crabs), which undermines the unique flavors of the beverage manufacturers that we have built,
There was a risk that brand power would be reduced. Such a situation is the same in a cup beverage dispenser in a family restaurant or a fast food restaurant.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims to reduce the complexity of setting the dilution ratio when loading a bag-in-box syrup container in a cup beverage dispenser as described above, and to eliminate the erroneous setting of the dilution ratio. It is the purpose.

It is a further object to prevent brand strength from being reduced by using syrups (bag-in-box syrup containers) from other manufacturers.

[0012]

The above object is achieved by the following means.

[0013] A bag-in-box syrup container suitable for use in a cup beverage dispenser, wherein the container has an exterior or
The container has a tube that is machine-readable,
A bag-in-box syrup container, which is provided with a code indicating information on a syrup dilution ratio.

[0014] In the bag-in-box syrup container according to the first aspect of the present invention, the symbol further indicates information on the inner diameter of a tube provided in the container. And a bag-in-box syrup container.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the bag-in-box syrup container according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the code is a bar code.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cup beverage dispenser, wherein the cup beverage dispenser includes a storage unit for storing a bag-in-box syrup container, and a bag-in-box syrup stored in the storage unit. A reading device for reading the code attached to the exterior of the container or the tube of the container, and recognizing the dilution ratio of the syrup in the container or the dilution ratio and the inner diameter of the tube from the code read by the reading device; A cup beverage dispenser, comprising: a control device for controlling a syrup dilution ratio.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the cup beverage dispenser according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the reader is a bar code reader.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cup beverage dispenser, wherein the cup beverage dispenser includes a storage unit for storing a bag-in-box syrup container, and a bag-in-box syrup stored in the storage unit. A reading device for reading the code attached to the exterior of the container or the tube of the container, and the manufacturer of the bag-in-box syrup container or the name of the syrup is recognized from the code read by the reading device. The function of stopping the supply of the product when it is not scheduled, the function of stopping the operation of the cup beverage dispenser itself, or the function of displaying and warning that an unscheduled bag-in-box syrup container has been loaded. A cup beverage dispenser characterized by having:

[0019]

1 is an external view of a bag-in-box syrup container according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a bag-in-box syrup container, and reference numeral 2 denotes a bar code attached to the surface of the bag-in-box syrup container 2.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining control relating to a cup beverage dispenser of the present invention, taking a cup beverage vending machine as an example.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a main part of the cup beverage dispenser of the present invention.

In FIG. 3, the bag-in-box syrup container 1 is stored in a BIB storage unit 25 of a cup beverage vending machine. The BIB storage unit 25 is provided with a barcode reading device 22 at a position facing the barcode 2 attached to the surface of the bag-in-box syrup container 1.
In this example, assuming that the barcode is located on the top when the bag-in-box syrup container is set,
The barcode reader 22 is provided above the BIB storage unit 25, but the position where the barcode reader 22 is provided can be changed according to the position of the barcode 2.

Reference numerals 23 are selection buttons provided above the BIB storage unit 25, and are provided in a number corresponding to the number of bag-in-box syrup containers 1 to be stored. Reference numeral 26 denotes a dispenser unit, and the dispenser unit 26 has a tube pump and the like (not shown).

The bag-in-box syrup container 1 is BI
The tube 3 is stored in the B storage unit 25, is pulled out of the tube storage unit 25, and is set in a tube pump or the like.

The syrup is supplied by the dispenser unit 26 in a set amount. However, since the supply amount at one time depends on the rotation amount of the tube pump and the inner diameter of the tube, it is necessary to set the syrup supply amount at one time. Must set the amount of rotation of the tube pump per supply and the inner diameter of the tube. When the tube inner diameter is constant irrespective of the type of bag-in-box syrup container, only the dilution ratio needs to be set because the supply amount per one time is automatically determined from the rotation amount of the tube pump.

In the present invention, when the bag-in-box syrup container 1 is set in the cup beverage vending machine, the operation is as follows.

Insert the bag-in-box syrup container 1 into BI
The tube is placed in the B storage unit 25, the tube is pulled out, and the tube is set in the dispenser unit 26, and the tube end is cut near the sealed portion.

When the selection button 23 is pressed, the control device 21 receives this signal and sends a reading command signal to the bar code reading device 22. The barcode reading device 22 that has received the reading command signal reads the barcode 2 of the bag-in-box syrup container 1.

The read bar code information is stored in the control unit 2.
1 and is analyzed here. Analysis of the barcode information reveals information about the manufacturer, syrup name, dilution ratio, tube inner diameter, and contents.

The amount of rotation of the tube pump per supply is derived from the inner diameter of the tube and the dilution ratio. At the time of sale, the pump drive unit 24 of the dispenser unit 26 is supplied according to this value.
Is controlled.

If the bar code information analysis reveals that the syrup manufacturer or syrup name is different from the expected one, the product using the syrup cannot be sold or the cup beverage is automatically sold. Make the machine itself unsellable. In some cases, the fact that the syrup is not the intended one can be displayed on the display.

In the above example, the bar code is attached to the exterior surface of the bag-in-box syrup container, but it is also possible to attach this to the surface of the tube. In this case, a bar code reader may be provided on the dispenser unit along the tube so that the tube can be read while being set in the dispenser unit.

Further, in the above example, the information on the manufacturer, syrup name, dilution ratio, tube inner diameter, and inner volume is represented by a bar code. However, other information that can be read by a machine (optical code, magnetic code, etc.) is used. (Sign). In this case, the barcode reader 22 must be replaced with a reader corresponding to the means.

As described above, when the cup vending machine of this embodiment and the bag-in-box syrup container therefor are used, the displayed dilution ratio is checked each time a new bag-in-box syrup container is loaded. If this is different from the bag-in-box syrup container used previously, there is no need to change the setting relating to the dilution ratio of the cup beverage vending machine to a new setting, and the installer of the cup beverage vending machine is not required. And the like, place the new bag-in-box syrup container 1 in the BIB storage unit 25, pull out the tube, and insert it into the dispenser unit 26.
And cut around the sealed part of the tube end,
A simple operation by simply pressing the selection button 23 is sufficient.

Further, since the operation is simple, erroneous setting can be prevented.

When the bag-in-box syrup container (syrup) is not a predetermined one, sales of products using the syrup and dispensing of the cup beverage vending machine itself are prohibited. Since it is possible to indicate on the display that the product is not what was planned, it is possible to prevent sales (so-called hermit crabs) using syrups of different manufacturers, and to maintain the trust and brand power of consumers. Become.

[0038]

[Effects of the Invention of Claims 1 to 3]
The exterior of the bag-in-box syrup container of the present invention, or the tube provided in the container, is machine-readable, and is machine-readable indicating information on the syrup dilution ratio or information on the inner diameter of the tube together with the dilution ratio. Since possible codes (codes using bar codes as an example) are attached, when the bag-in-box syrup container is loaded into the cup beverage dispenser, the above information is read, and the dilution ratio of the cup beverage dispenser is set. You.

With this function, the dilution ratio of the cup beverage dispenser can be set without inputting a numerical value or the like, so that it is possible to eliminate the troublesome setting and to prevent an erroneous setting.

"Effects of Claims 4 and 5" The cup beverage dispenser of the present invention comprises a storage section in which a bag-in-box syrup container is stored, and a bag-in-box syrup container stored in the storage section. A reading device for reading the code attached to the outer package or the tube of the container, and from the code read by the reading device, the dilution ratio of the syrup in the container or the dilution ratio and the inner diameter of the tube are recognized, and the syrup of the syrup is recognized. A control device for controlling the dilution ratio.

For this reason, when the bag-in-box syrup container is loaded in the cup beverage dispenser, information on the dilution ratio of the syrup attached to the exterior of the bag-in-box syrup container or the tube, or the tube ratio together with this dilution ratio is used. A machine-readable code (a code such as a bar code) representing information on the inner diameter is read by the reading device, and the control device controls the syrup dilution ratio based on this information. It is possible to set the dilution ratio of the cup beverage dispenser, and it is possible to eliminate the cumbersome setting,
Further, there is an effect that erroneous setting can be prevented.

"Effect of Claim 6" This cup beverage dispenser recognizes a manufacturer or a syrup name when a bag-in-box syrup container is set, and when the syrup name is not a predetermined one, the cup beverage dispenser recognizes the syrup. Stop the product supply, stop the operation of the cup beverage dispenser itself, or display and warn that an unscheduled bag-in-box syrup container has been loaded, so only the scheduled bag-in-box syrup container Is used, and it is possible to maintain the credibility and brand power of customers and consumers.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a bag-in-box syrup container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining control of an embodiment according to the present invention in a cup beverage vending machine.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a main part of a cup beverage dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 bag-in-box syrup container 2 barcode 3 tube 21 controller 22 barcode reader 23 selection button 24 pump drive unit 25 BIB storage unit 26 dispenser unit

Claims (6)

[Claims] Claims 1. A bag-in-box syrup container suitable for use in a cup beverage dispenser, wherein the exterior of the container or the tube provided in the container is machine-readable and has a syrup dilution ratio. A bag-in-box syrup container, which is provided with a code indicating information about the syrup. 2. The bag-in-box syrup container according to claim 1, wherein the code further indicates information on an inner diameter of a tube provided in the container. . 3. The bag-in-box syrup container according to claim 1, wherein the code is a bar code. 4. A cup beverage dispenser, comprising: a storage section in which a bag-in-box syrup container is stored; an exterior of the bag-in-box syrup container stored in the storage section, or a tube of the container. And a control for recognizing the dilution ratio or the dilution ratio of the syrup in the container and the inner diameter of the tube from the code read by the reading device, and controlling the dilution ratio of the syrup. A cup beverage dispenser comprising: a device. 5. The cup beverage dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the reader is a bar code reader. 6. A cup beverage dispenser, wherein the cup beverage dispenser includes a storage unit for storing a bag-in-box syrup container, and an exterior of the bag-in-box syrup container stored in the storage unit or a tube of the container. A reading device for reading the code attached to the device, and the manufacturer of the bag-in-box syrup container or the name of the syrup is recognized from the code read by the reading device. A function to stop the supply of the product, a function to stop the operation of the cup beverage dispenser itself, or an indication that an unscheduled bag-in-box syrup container is loaded,
A cup beverage dispenser having a warning function.