JP2000025895A - Pan structure of beverage dispensing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a height position of a pan to be changed in response to a height size of a receiving container and at the same time to keep a horizontal level of the pan. SOLUTION: A receiving section 34 of a pan 30 is provided with a supporting section 36 extending upwardly. The supporting section 36 is formed with a pair of longitudinal holes 36a, 36a spaced apart in a width direction by a size corresponding to a threaded hole of a front panel 16a and extending in an upward or downward direction. Bolts 26, 26 inserted into each of the longitudinal holes 36a from a front side and threadably inserted into their corresponding threaded holes are loosened to cause a height position of the pan 30 to be adjusted within an allowable range of each of the longitudinal holes 36a. Both side ends in a width direction of the supporting section 36 are formed with bent sections 38, 38 bent at a substantial right angle at the front panel 16a. A width size of the supporting section 36 is set to be substantially the same size as that of a width size of the front panel 16a and then both bent sections 38, 38 are abutted against the steps 32a, 32a of the side panels 32, 32 under a state in which the supporting section 36 is being abutted against the front panel 16a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tray structure of a beverage dispensing apparatus, and more particularly, to a tray which can be adjusted in a vertical direction in accordance with the height of a receiver for receiving a beverage. The present invention relates to a saucer structure of a beverage dispensing device which can be fixed to a tray.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A beverage dispensing apparatus is known as an apparatus for cooling or heating a beverage such as liquor in accordance with the situation and serving the beverage. An example of this beverage dispensing device includes an insulated cabinet for storing a beverage container storing beverages such as liquor, and a required amount of beverage dispensed from the beverage container via a dispensing mechanism,
It is configured to supply to a receiver such as a cup.

[0005] A beverage dispensing apparatus 10 shown in FIG.
A dispensing mechanism (not shown) and a dispensing nozzle 14 are disposed in a heat-insulating cabinet 12 having a heat-insulating groove for accommodating the liquid (not shown). It is configured to be discharged downward through the outlet nozzle 14. As shown in FIG. 6, a receiver 18 for receiving a beverage from the pouring nozzle 14 is placed on a front panel 16a which forms a front side of the lower housing 16 installed below the heat insulating cabinet 12. A saucer 20 is attached. The receiving tray 20 is always horizontally held and has a receiving portion 22 on which the receiver 18 is placed.
And a support plate 24 which is located on the back side of the receiving portion 22 and extends upward. A pair of elongated holes 24a, 24a extending in the vertical direction are formed in the support plate 24 so as to be spaced apart in the width direction. The receiving tray 20 is screwed into the corresponding screw hole 16b formed in the lower housing 1.
6 is positioned and fixed. The pan 20 is configured to be vertically adjustable with respect to the lower housing 16 in the extending range of the elongated hole 24a.

[0004]

As described above, since the receiving tray 20 of the beverage dispensing apparatus 10 has a structure that can be adjusted in height, the height of the receiver 18 used by the store where the beverage dispensing apparatus 10 is installed is set. It is possible to cope with the case where the dimensions are different.
That is, the receiver 18 having a large size cannot be placed on the receiving tray 20 due to contact with the discharge nozzle 14, or the receiver 18 having a short size has a large separation height from the discharge nozzle 14. Therefore, it is possible to avoid problems such as a large amount of beverage scattered outside the receiver 18 and a large amount of foam generated for some beverages.

However, a pair of long holes 24a, 24a for adjusting the height position of the receiving tray 20 are spaced apart in the width direction, and the inner width of each long hole 24a has a margin with respect to the shaft of the bolt 26. When the height position of the tray 20 is adjusted, the fixing position of the bolts 26, 26 inserted into the long holes 24a, 24a may be shifted vertically in the left and right directions (FIG. 6 ( b)). In this case, the receiving tray 20 is not in a horizontal state, and the receiver 18 cannot be stably placed, and in some cases, the beverage is spilled when the beverage is poured. Further, since the receiving tray 20 is supported by the flat supporting plate 24 only with respect to the lower housing 16, when the receiving portion 22 is positioned below the lower end of the lower housing 16, the receiver 18 and the Pointed out is the difficulty of becoming unstable due to the weight of beverages and the like poured out.

As a structure capable of adjusting the height while maintaining the pan 20 in a horizontal state, as shown in FIG.
A configuration using a plurality of fixing holes 28 instead of 4a and 24a is conceivable. In this case, since the receiving tray 20 can be fixed by the bolts 26, 26 inserted into the fixing holes 28, 28 having the same left and right height positions, the horizontal posture is impaired by adjusting the height position of the receiving tray 20. There is no. However, since the change position of the height position is limited by the drilling position of the fixing hole 28, it is difficult to accommodate the receivers 18 of various sizes.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks inherent in the prior art, and has been proposed to solve the problem suitably. It is an object of the present invention to provide a tray structure of a beverage dispensing device which can easily change a height position and can always maintain the level of the tray.

[0008]

[Means for solving the problems] To overcome the above-mentioned problems,
In order to suitably achieve the intended purpose, the saucer structure of the beverage dispensing device according to the present invention includes a dispensing nozzle for dispensing a beverage stored in a beverage container, and a lower portion located below the dispensing nozzle. A saucer on which a receiver for receiving the beverage from the dispensing nozzle is placed on the front surface of the housing so as to be adjustable in a vertical position, wherein the saucer is placed on the saucer.
A support portion that is in contact with the front portion of the lower housing, and is provided at a distance in the width direction from the support portion and extends substantially perpendicularly to the lower housing side, and the support portion is in contact with the front portion of the lower housing. In the state, it consists of a pair of guide portions that abut on both side surfaces of the lower housing,
In a state where the two guide portions are in contact with both side portions of the lower housing,
The apparatus is characterized in that the tray can be moved and adjusted vertically while maintaining a horizontal posture.

[0009]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a beverage dispensing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that the same members as those already described in the related art described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, a lower housing 16 constituting a lower portion of the beverage dispensing apparatus 10 has a dispensing nozzle 14 side, that is, a front panel (front portion) 16a on the front side for receiving a dispensed beverage. Receiving tray 30 on which receiver 18 such as a cup is placed
Are fixed so that their positions can be adjusted in the vertical direction via bolts 26 as fixing means. The front panel 16
Screw holes 16b, 16b corresponding to the bolts 26, 26 and capable of being screwed are formed at predetermined positions a.
In the present invention, a bolt is used as the fixing means. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this. For example, means that can be fixed without using a tool using a thumb screw or the like may be used. . A pair of side panels 32, 32 forming both sides in the width direction of the lower housing 16 are formed with narrower steps (side parts) 32a, 32a at the front side thereof. The tray 30 is configured to move in the up-down direction while being guided.

[0011] As shown in FIG.
(Left side in the figure), a receiving portion 34 on which the receiver 18 is placed, and a receiving portion 34 formed on the front panel 16a side of the receiving portion 34 and extending upward. 16a
And a supporting portion 36 that supports the supporting member 36. The support portion 36 has screw holes 16b, 16 of the front panel 16a.
A pair of long holes 36a, 36a extending at a predetermined length in the up-down direction are formed at a size corresponding to b and separated in the width direction. Each of the long holes 36a is set to a size that allows the shaft portion of the bolt 26 to be inserted, and the bolts 26, 2 inserted through the long hole 36a from the front side surface and screwed into the corresponding screw holes 16b.
By loosening 6, the tray 30 can be moved in the vertical direction, that is, the height position can be adjusted within the allowable range of the long hole 36 a.

As shown in FIG. 3, bent portions 38, 38 are formed at both ends in the width direction of the support portion 36 as guide portions which are bent substantially at right angles to the front panel 16a side.
The support portion 36 and the two bent portions 38, 38 have a substantially U-shape in a plane. The width of the support portion 36 is set to be substantially the same as the width of the front panel 16a. With the support portion 36 in contact with the front panel 16a, the both bent portions 38, 38 are connected to the side panels 32, 32. Step 32
a, 32a. That is, when the height of the tray 30 is adjusted, the left and right ends of the tray 30 are tilted in the vertical direction by the both bent portions 38, 38 contacting the step portions 32a, 32a on both sides of the front panel 16a. It is designed to prevent that. The thickness of the bent portion 38 is set substantially equal to the width of the step portion 32a.
When the tray 30 is fixed to the lower housing 16, the bent portion 38 is configured not to protrude outward from the side panel 32.
(See FIG. 1). Here, the length of the bent portion 38 is not particularly limited, and the length of the bent portion 38 may be adjusted while maintaining the receiving portion 34 of the receiving tray 30 in a horizontal posture when adjusting the height position of the receiving tray 30. I just need.

[0013]

Next, the operation of the tray structure of the beverage dispensing apparatus according to the above-described embodiment will be described. The receiver 18
If the height of the tray 30 fixed and positioned on the lower housing 16 is kept normal, the receiver 18 and the pouring nozzle 14 are too far apart, and the beverage may be scattered. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4A, the height of the tray 30 is changed and adjusted to an arbitrary upper position. That is, with the pair of bolts 26, 26 loosened, the tray 30 is moved upward with respect to the lower housing 16 using the pair of long holes 36a, 36a as guides. In this case, the support portion 3
6 are formed with corresponding step portions 32a, 32a with the front panel 16a of the lower housing 16 interposed therebetween.
, From both sides, the left and right ends of the tray 30 do not tilt in the vertical direction, and the receiving portion 34 is adjusted while maintaining a horizontal posture. Then, if the bolts 26, 26 are tightened at arbitrary positions, the receiving tray 30 is positioned and fixed while the receiving portion 34 on which the receiver 18 is placed is held horizontally.

The height of the receiver 18 is high, and
If the height position of 0 is normal, the receiver 18 and the ejection nozzle 14 interfere with each other, and the receiver 18 is moved to the receiving portion 34 of the tray 30.
If it cannot be placed on the tray, as shown in FIG.
The height position of 0 is changed and adjusted to an arbitrary lower position. Also in this case, both bent portions 38, 38 formed on the support portion 36 are used.
The position of the tray 30 can be adjusted while maintaining the horizontal position of the receiving part 34 because the position of the receiving part 30 is adjusted in a horizontal state.

When it is necessary to position the receiving portion 34 of the receiving pan 64 further below the lower end of the front panel 16a, the two bent portions 38, 38 formed by bending the support portion 36 are used. It also functions as a reinforcing member for loads applied in the vertical direction. That is, the support portion 36 does not bend due to the weight of the tray 64, the receiver 28, and the poured beverage, and the receiver 28 is always kept in a stable state.
Can be supported.

[0016]

[Modification] In the embodiment, both bent portions as guide portions are formed integrally with the support portion. However, the support portion and the guide portion are formed by separate members, and both are joined by welding or screws. It may be. Further, the guide portion does not need to extend over the entire length of the support portion in the vertical direction, and the side portion of the lower housing may be provided.
A configuration in which a plurality of guide portions are vertically separated from the support portion may be adopted as long as the guide portions on the left and right sides contacting the (step portion) prevent the tray from tilting. Further, the guide portion may directly contact the side panel without forming a step on the side panel of the lower housing.

[0017]

As described above, according to the saucer structure of the beverage dispensing apparatus according to the present invention, a pair of guide portions provided at both ends in the width direction of the support portion are provided on both side portions forming the lower housing. The guide portion functions as a guide member when adjusting the height position of the tray, so that the height position can be easily changed. In addition, since the position of both sides of the support portion can be regulated by the guide portion, the receiving tray is always kept horizontal, and the receiver can be stably placed.

Further, since the guide portion also functions as a reinforcing member for the supporting portion, even when the lower end of the pan is positioned below the lower end of the lower housing, the pan is strong. It is fixed to the lower housing in a stable state. Further, since the thickness of the support portion can be reduced, the weight of the pan can be reduced and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a main part of a beverage dispensing apparatus employing a saucer structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a main part of the beverage dispensing apparatus according to the embodiment, which is partially cut away.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a mounting state of the tray according to the embodiment to a lower housing.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an essential part showing a state in which the height position of the tray according to the embodiment is changed, with a part cut away.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a beverage dispensing apparatus employing a saucer structure according to the related art.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a saucer structure according to a conventional technique.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing another saucer structure according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

14 dispensing nozzle, 16 lower housing, 16a front panel
(Front part) 18 receptacles, 26 volts, 30 saucers, 32a step
(Side) 36 Support, 36a Slot, 38 Bend (Guide)

Claims (2)

[Claims] An up-down position can be adjusted on a front surface of a lower housing (16) located below the pouring nozzle (14) and a pouring nozzle (14) for discharging a beverage stored in a beverage container. And a receiver (18) for receiving the beverage from the dispensing nozzle (14).
And a supporting portion (36) disposed on the receiving tray (30) and abutting against a front portion (16a) of the lower housing (16). The support portion (36) is provided at a distance in the width direction and extends substantially at right angles to the lower housing (16) side, and the support portion (36) is provided on the front portion (16a) of the lower housing (16). In the contact state, the lower case (16) comprises a pair of guide portions (38, 38) that contact the side surfaces (32a, 32a) of the lower housing (16).
8, 38) in contact with both side surfaces (32a, 32a) of the lower housing (16), the pan (30) can be adjusted to move up and down while maintaining a horizontal posture. The saucer structure of the beverage dispensing device. 2. A pair of elongated holes (36a, 36a) extending in the vertical direction are formed in the support portion (36) so as to be separated in the width direction, and bolts (26) are inserted through the elongated holes (36a). 2. The receiving tray structure of the beverage dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving tray is fixed to the lower housing so that the vertical position can be adjusted by screwing the lower tray on the lower housing.