JP2001118131A - Heater of beverage in container and vending machine of beverage provided with it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To speedily heat a beverage without regard to the material, the manu facturing method and shape of a container housing the beverage. SOLUTION: Since this machine is provided with a tank 2 for storing liquid, a container holding means 7 for holding a beverage container in the tank 2, a rotation means 18 for rotating the container in the state of holding the container, a container pushing up means 8 for pushing up the container and a container pushing down means 15 for pushing down the container during heating, beverage can speedily be heated without regard to the material, the manufacturing method and shape of the container housing the beverage and the container can easily be taken out by simple constitution.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for heating a beverage in a container for heating a beverage in a container such as a canned beverage or a PET bottled beverage in a short time at the time of sale, and to a beverage vending machine provided with the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a method for heating a beverage in a can in a short period of time, there is a method using induction heating or hot water decay. Technologies aiming at quality improvement and energy saving are disclosed.

[0003] For example, one method of heating canned beverages by induction heating is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-325971. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-325971 relates to a heating device for canned food and drink, which rapidly heats a canned beverage by an induction heating coil.

[0004] As a method of heating canned beverages by hot water bathing, there is a method described in JP-A-5-342471. The device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-342471 is provided with a hot tub for heating canned beverage, and a means for vibrating the canned beverage in the hot tub, and automatically supplies the canned beverage to the hot tub. By discharging the canned beverage out of the hot tub after a lapse of a predetermined time, the stored product is heated in a short time within a range that does not deteriorate the quality irrespective of the material and the manufacturing method of the metal can. It does not use high heat that degrades product quality, and uses a power supply similar to a household power supply.

[0005]

However, in the conventional heating method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-325971, large power (for example, AC2) is used to shorten the heating time.
When a 100 V AC power supply, which is a normal household power supply, is used, only about 1 kW of power can be obtained even when heating is performed efficiently, and the heating time becomes longer. Also, only metal cans can be used,
In addition, the heating efficiency may be significantly different or uneven heating may occur depending on the material of the metal can (steel can or aluminum can), the manufacturing method of the can (welding can or adhesive can), and the shape.

Further, in the conventional heating method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-342471, a sufficient stirring effect of the contents cannot be obtained by mere vibration, a long heating time is required, and a mechanism for unloading the container is required. The structure becomes complicated. In addition, since the drinking spout of the can container is also immersed in the hot water bath, water droplets remain at the drinking spout, causing a problem of giving the user discomfort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems. A heating device capable of rapidly heating a beverage in a container irrespective of the material, manufacturing method, and shape of the container containing the beverage even with an AC 100 V power supply. It is a first object to provide a device.

It is a second object of the present invention to make it easier to take out a container containing a heated beverage.

It is a third object of the present invention to prevent a heating liquid from remaining in a drinking spout of a container containing a heated beverage.

[0010]

In order to achieve the first object, the present invention comprises a heating device for rotating a container containing a beverage in a liquid heated to a predetermined temperature.

Thus, even with an AC 100 V power supply, regardless of the material, manufacturing method, and shape of the container containing the beverage,
The beverage in the container can be heated rapidly.

Further, in order to achieve the second object, the present invention provides, in addition to the first technical means for achieving the first object, a method for storing a liquid containing a beverage after heating. Means for pushing up the container so that the container can be taken out from the outlet at the top of the tank, and means for pushing down the container so that the container sufficiently contacts the liquid in the tank during heating. .

This makes it easier to take out the container containing the heated beverage.

At this time, if the means for pushing up the container is constituted by a float having a specific gravity lower than that of the liquid in the tank, the structure is simplified.

Further, in order to achieve the third object, in the present invention according to the second technical means, the means for pushing down the container is constituted by an opening / closing lid for opening and closing a take-out port of the tank.

Thus, the heating liquid can be prevented from remaining in the drinking spout of the container containing the heated beverage.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A container-containing beverage heating device, a tank for storing a liquid, a liquid heating means for heating the liquid in the tank to a predetermined temperature, and a container containing a beverage in contact with the liquid in the tank in the tank. Container holding means for holding the container, and rotating means for rotating the container holding means holding the container containing the beverage, wherein the container containing the beverage is rotated in a liquid heated to a predetermined temperature. By doing so, the beverage in the container can be rapidly heated, irrespective of the material, manufacturing method, and shape of the container containing the beverage, even with an AC 100 V power supply.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, the tank has a take-out port for taking out a container containing a beverage at an upper portion thereof, and the container can be taken out from the take-out port. Container pushing means for urging a force for pushing up the container held by the container holding means, and urging force of the container pushing means so that the container sufficiently contacts the liquid in the tank during heating. Container pushing means for urging a force to push down the container downward, in addition to the operation of the invention according to claim 1, when the urging force of the container pushing means is released after heating is completed,
Since the urging force of the container lifting means pushes the container upward and a part of the container projects from the outlet of the tank, the container containing the heated beverage can be easily taken out.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the container lifting means is a float which has a specific gravity lower than that of the liquid in the tank and is arranged below the container holding means. In addition to the effect of the invention described in 1, the container containing the heated beverage is pushed up to the outlet of the tank by using the buoyancy of the float.
This has the effect of making it easier to remove the container containing the heated beverage.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the container pressing means is provided with an opening / closing lid for opening and closing the tank outlet, and when the opening / closing lid is closed, the urging force of the container lifting means is used. The container is configured to abut on the top surface of the container partly protruding from the outlet and push down the container, and the position of the liquid level of the liquid in the tank when the opening / closing lid is closed is the open / close position. The amount of the liquid in the tank is adjusted so as to be lower than the top surface of the container when the lid is closed, and in addition to the operation of the invention according to claim 2, the drinking spout is always on the upper side of the container. If the container is placed in the heating device in such a way that the liquid does not come into contact with the drinking spout of the container, the heating liquid does not remain in the drinking spout of the container containing the heated beverage. Having.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a beverage vending machine is provided with the apparatus for heating a beverage in a container according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention. In addition to the function, the present invention has an effect that the transfer of the container to the heating device and the removal of the container from the heating device can be performed automatically.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an apparatus for heating a beverage in a container according to Embodiment 1.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a main body of the heating device, which comprises a tank 2 for storing about 4 L of hot water and a hatch 3. The tank 2 and the hatch 3 are connected by a hinge 4 and open and close 90 degrees. Reference numeral 5 denotes a heater for heating hot water, which is constantly heated to 95 ° C. by a thermistor and hot water temperature control means described later.
To control.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a beverage container, which will be described as a canned beverage in this embodiment. Numeral 7 is a container holding means for holding the beverage container 6 in the tank 2, and is made of a cylindrical metal having an inner diameter larger than the maximum diameter of various beverage containers. Further, the upper end of the container holding means 7 is arranged so as to be at a position higher than the liquid level of the hot water. 8 is a float which is a container lifting means,
The container holder 7 is moved up and down. Reference numeral 9 denotes a bottom plate for raising and lowering the beverage container 6 according to the elevation of the float 8.
It is structured to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a bottom support shaft provided on the center axis of the bottom of the container holding means 7, and is rotatably supported by a bottom bearing 11 provided on the bottom of the tank 2. Reference numeral 12 denotes a cylindrical bearing that supports the cylindrical container holding means 7 and is fixed to an opening provided at an upper portion of the tank 2. Reference numeral 13 denotes a container holding side coupling provided on the upper end circumferential portion of the container holding means 7, which is connected to an opening / closing lid side coupling 14 described later when the hatch 3 is closed by rotating the container holding means 7 when the hatch 3 is closed. .

Reference numeral 15 denotes an opening / closing lid, which is a container pressing means. The opening / closing lid 15 has a structure for covering the upper surface of the container holding means 7 when the hatch 3 is closed. Reference numeral 16 denotes an opening / closing lid support shaft provided on the central axis of the opening / closing lid 15, one end of which is attached to the opening / closing lid 15 via an opening / closing lid bearing 17, and the other end is fixed to the hatch 3.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a motor which is a main component of the rotating means and is attached to the hatch 3. The torque of the motor 18 is transmitted to the opening / closing lid 15 via the pulley 19 and the belt 20. The rotational force of the opening / closing lid is transmitted to the container holding means 7 by the coupling, and the opening / closing lid 15 and the container holding means 7 rotate simultaneously.

Reference numeral 21 denotes an infrared sensor which is an infrared detecting means disposed in the opening / closing lid support shaft 16, and
Is inserted, the hatch 3 is closed, the top surface of the beverage container 6 is opposed, and infrared light emitted from the top surface is detected to measure the temperature of the content beverage. At this time, since the beverage container 6 is under a pressure that is pushed upward by the float 8, the top surface of the beverage container 6 is pressed against the opening / closing lid located at a position higher than the liquid level of the hot water, and the top surface of the beverage container 6 is pressed. Also, hot water is prevented from entering between the infrared sensor 21 and the top surface of the beverage container 6.

In the case of a canned beverage, there is a drink called a pull-top on the top surface of the drink container 6, and the structure described above has a structure in which hot water does not touch the drink. Also, since warm water does not enter between the infrared sensor 21 and the top surface of the beverage container 6, accurate temperature detection is possible.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a lock mechanism for locking and unlocking the hatch 3 and comprises an inverted L-shaped hook and a spring. In the present embodiment, the lock mechanism 22 is manually operated to open and close the hatch 3.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a heating device for a beverage in a container when the hatch 3 is opened.

When the hatch 3 is opened, the beverage container 6 is pushed up by the buoyancy of the float 8, so that the beverage container 6 after heating is easily taken out.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the container holding means 7 of the apparatus for heating a beverage in a container according to the first embodiment.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a plurality of openings formed by hollowing out the cylindrical side surfaces of the container holding means 7, and has a large area for hot water. Therefore, the beverage container 6 comes into contact with the hot water while being held by the container holding means 7. Reference numeral 24 denotes a slit provided on the side surface of the column, and serves as a guide through which a projection 25 provided on the outer edge of the bottom plate 9 passes vertically.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the container holding means 7 taken along the line AA '.

Since the projections 25a and 25b of the bottom plate 9 protrude outward from the slits 24a and 25b of the container holding means 7, the bottom plate 9 rotates simultaneously with the rotation of the container holding means 7.

FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of the apparatus for heating a beverage in a container according to the first embodiment.

A lock SW 26 outputs a lock signal in conjunction with the lock mechanism 22 when the hatch 3 is closed.
Reference numeral 27 denotes a beverage heating control unit which detects a beverage temperature by inputting a detection signal of the infrared sensor 21 in the locked state, and controls the motor 18 until the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature (set to 55 ° C., which is a temperature at which a hot beverage can be drunk). Drive to heat the beverage. When the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, the motor 18 is stopped and the buzzer 28 is turned off.
To signal the end of heating.

Reference numeral 29 denotes a thermistor provided in the tank 2 for detecting the temperature of hot water. Numeral 30 denotes hot water temperature control means for controlling energization of the heater 5 so that the hot water temperature is always about 95 ° C. The hot water temperature control means 30 determines that the hot water temperature is 80 ° C.
In the following cases, since the heating time of the beverage becomes longer, the hot water temperature becomes 9
A signal for stopping the heating of the beverage until the temperature is restored to 5 ° C. is output to the beverage heating control means 27. The liquid heating means 31 includes the heater 5, the thermistor 29, and the hot water temperature control means 30.

The power supply of the heating apparatus is AC100V.
(15A), and a household outlet can be used.

The operation of the above-structured heating apparatus for beverages in containers will be briefly described.

First, the lock is released, the hatch 3 is opened, the beverage container 6 is inserted into the container holding means 7, and the hatch 3 is opened.
Close and lock. Thereafter, the temperature of the beverage is detected by the infrared sensor 21. If the temperature is 55 ° C. or lower, the motor 18 is driven to heat the beverage. Since the beverage container 6 rotates in warm water (95 ° C.), heat transfer from the warm water to the contents drink is promoted, and the contents drink is also agitated, so that the drink is rapidly heated.

When the beverage temperature reaches 55 ° C., the drive of the motor 18 is stopped and the buzzer 28 is sounded to notify the end of the heating. When heating is completed, unlock the hatch 3
Is opened, and the beverage container 6 heated to a temperature suitable for drinking is taken out.

FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram showing the heating characteristics of the heating device for a beverage in a container according to the first embodiment.

In this heating apparatus, the time required to heat a canned beverage (340 g) having an initial temperature of 5 ° C. to 55 ° C. is about 20 seconds, and the rotation speed of the container holding means 7 (the rotation speed of the beverage container 6) is It is about 1500 rotations. At this time, when the amount of heat applied to the canned beverage is calculated, it corresponds to the energy obtained by applying about 3.5 kW of power for 20 seconds.

As described above, the heating apparatus for beverage in a container according to the first embodiment has a tank 2 for storing about 4 L of hot water.
And a liquid heating means 31 for heating the hot water in the tank 2 to control the temperature to a predetermined temperature (95 ° C.), and an opening made of a cylindrical metal having an inner diameter larger than the maximum diameter of various beverage containers and opened into the hot water. 23, container holding means 7 for holding the beverage container 6 so that the hot water and the beverage container 6 come into contact with each other and the top surface of the beverage container 6 is higher than the liquid level of the hot water; A float 8 which is arranged and generates a buoyancy for pushing up the beverage container upward, a rotating means mainly comprising a motor 18 for rotating the container holding means 7 while holding the beverage container 6 by the container holding means 7, and a container holding means An opening / closing lid 15 connected to the upper end of the opening 7 and rotating simultaneously with the container holding means 7; an opening / closing lid support shaft 16 fixed to the central axis of the opening / closing lid 15 via an opening / closing lid bearing 17; Infrared detecting means, which is an infrared sensor that is disposed in the portion and that detects infrared rays emitted from the container top surface facing the top surface of the beverage container 6, and the infrared radiation temperature (beverage temperature) reaches a predetermined temperature (55 ° C.). For example, since the beverage heating control means 27 which determines that heating has been completed is provided, the beverage container 6 is rotated in contact with the hot water at 95 ° C. (about 1500 rpm) in conjunction with the container holding means 7, whereby A
Even with a C100V power supply, a canned beverage of 340 g can be rapidly heated from 5 ° C. to 55 ° C. in about 20 seconds regardless of the material, manufacturing method and shape of the container.

Further, the top surface of the beverage container 6 is higher than the level of the hot water, and the infrared sensor 21 is pressed while the top surface of the beverage container 6 is pressed against the opening / closing lid 15 by the buoyancy of the float 8.
The hot water does not enter between the infrared sensor 21 and the top surface of the beverage container 6 so that accurate temperature detection is possible, and the accurate temperature detection is possible regardless of the initial temperature and heat capacity of the beverage. Temperature control can be performed, and water droplets can be prevented from adhering to the drinking spout of the beverage container.

Further, after the heating is completed, the beverage container 6 comes out of the insertion opening by the buoyancy of the float 8 just by opening the hatch 3, so that the beverage container 6 can be easily taken out with a simple structure.

In the first embodiment, the container holding means 7
Is a cylindrical shape having an opening 23, but the same effect can be obtained even in a cage shape.

The same effect can be obtained by using a spring having one end fixed to the bottom of the container holding means 7 instead of the float 8 as the container lifting means.

Further, one end of the opening / closing lid support shaft 16 may be fixed to the opening / closing lid 15, and the other end may be attached to the hatch 3 via a bearing.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a beverage vending machine provided with a heating device for beverage in a container according to Embodiment 2.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 32 denotes a beverage vending machine;
3 is a display dummy, 34 is a coin slot, 3
5 is a return lever, and 36 is a change take-out port. 37
And 38 are selection buttons. The upper selection button 37 can select cold beverage, and the lower selection button 38 can select hot beverage. Reference numeral 39 denotes an outlet for taking out the selected canned beverage.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a beverage vending machine provided with a heating device for beverage in a container according to the second embodiment.

Reference numeral 40 denotes a column for storing a plurality of types of canned beverages. The column (A, B) for storing a small canned beverage 41 (250 g) and the column (C) for storing a large canned beverage 42 (340 g). Become. Although the actual number of columns of the beverage vending machine is about 20 to 30, the structure is simplified in the second embodiment. Reference numeral 43 denotes a container transporting unit which transports the canned beverage selected by the consumer with the selection buttons 37 and 38 to the heating device 1 for beverages in a container. Then, in the same manner as in Embodiment 1, the heating device 1 for a beverage in a container heats the canned beverage to a drinkable temperature (about 55 ° C.).

The beverage vending machine 32 cools the canned beverage in the column 40 to about 5 ° C. by a cooling device (not shown), and when the consumer selects a hot beverage, heats the beverage in the container-containing beverage heating device 1. Sell. 44 is a container take-out means for heating the heated canned beverage into the beverage heating device 1
And discharged to the outlet 39.

In this case, the length of the float 8 is made as long as possible (for example, about 1.5 times the length of the beverage container), and when the hatch 3 is opened, the beverage container 6 completely comes out of the container holding means 7. This facilitates the discharge of the beverage in the container from the heating means 1.

The hatch 3 of the heating device 1 for beverages in containers
Opening and closing is automatically performed by incorporating a hatch opening / closing means (not shown).

On the other hand, when the consumer selects the cold beverage, the can beverage is directly discharged from the column 40 to the outlet 39.

As described above, the beverage vending machine provided with the container-containing beverage heating device according to the second embodiment provides a container for transporting selected canned beverages 41 and 42 to the container-containing beverage heating device 1. Since it is provided with the conveying means 43 and the container taking out means 44 for taking out the canned beverage from the heating device 1 for the beverage in a container and discharging the canned beverage to the takeout port 39, the transporting, heating and taking out of the canned beverage are carried out automatically, and Beverages that have been kept cold can be quickly heated and sold.

In the second embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a beverage vending machine for selling canned beverages has been described.
The same effect can be obtained by applying the present invention to a vending machine that sells PET bottle drinks and paper pack drinks.

[0063]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a heating device for a beverage in a container includes a tank for storing a liquid, and a liquid heating means for heating the liquid in the tank to a predetermined temperature.
Container holding means for holding the container containing the beverage in the tank in contact with the liquid in the tank, and rotating means for rotating the container holding means for holding the container containing the beverage were configured. By rotating the container containing the beverage in the liquid heated to a predetermined temperature, even if the power source is an AC 100 V system, the container inside the container can be made irrespective of the material, manufacturing method and shape of the container containing the beverage. There is an effect that the beverage can be rapidly heated.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, the tank has a take-out port for taking out a container containing a beverage at an upper portion, and the container can be taken out from the take-out port. Container push-up means for urging the container held by the container holding means upward, and the container push-up means so that the container sufficiently contacts the liquid in the tank during heating. Container pressing means for urging the container to push down the container against the force. In addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 1, the container containing the heated beverage is easily taken out. It has the effect of becoming.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the container lifting means is a float which has a lower specific gravity than the liquid in the tank and is arranged below the container holding means. In addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, the simple configuration has an effect that the container containing the heated beverage can be easily taken out.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the container pushing means is provided with an opening / closing lid for opening and closing the tank outlet when the opening / closing lid is closed. It is configured such that the container abuts on the top surface of the container partly protruding from the outlet by the force and pushes the container downward, and the position of the liquid level of the liquid in the tank when the open / close lid is closed, The amount of the liquid in the tank is adjusted so as to be lower than the top surface of the container when the opening / closing lid is closed. In addition to the effect of the invention of claim 2, the amount of the beverage after heating is adjusted. There is an effect that the liquid for heating does not remain in the drinking spout of the container in which it is contained.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a beverage vending machine is provided with the apparatus for heating a beverage in a container according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention. In addition to the effects, there is an effect that the transfer of the container to the heating device and the removal of the container from the heating device can be performed automatically.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a heating device for a beverage in a container according to a first embodiment of the present invention when a hatch is closed.

FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view when the hatch of the heating device for a beverage in a container according to the embodiment is opened.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a configuration of a container holding means used in the apparatus for heating a beverage in a container according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line A-A ′ of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control system of the heating device for the beverage in a container according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between a heating time of the beverage in a container and a temperature of the beverage according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic front view of a beverage vending machine according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a process chart showing a process up to sale of a canned beverage in the beverage vending machine of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Heating device for beverage in container 2 Tank 6 Drink in container 7 Container holding means 8 Container lifting means (float) 15 Container pressing means (open / close lid) 18 Rotating means 31 Liquid heating means 32 Beverage vending machine

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Gen Nojima 4-5-2-5 Takaida Hondori, Higashiosaka-shi, Osaka Matsushita Refrigerator Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3E044 AA01 DB16 FB11 3E046 BA03 BB01 HA10

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A tank for storing a liquid, a liquid heating means for heating the liquid in the tank to a predetermined temperature, and a container for holding a container containing a beverage in the tank in contact with the liquid in the tank. An apparatus for heating beverage in a container, comprising: holding means; and rotating means for rotating the container holding means which holds the container containing the beverage. 2. The tank has an outlet for taking out a container containing a beverage at an upper portion thereof, and is provided with a force for pushing up the container held by container holding means so that the container can be taken out from the outlet. Container pushing-up means for urging, and a container presser for urging a force to push the container downward against the urging force of the container pushing-up means so that the container sufficiently contacts the liquid in the tank during heating. 2. The apparatus for heating a beverage in a container according to claim 1, further comprising means. 3. The apparatus for heating beverages in containers according to claim 2, wherein the container lifting means is a float having a specific gravity lower than that of the liquid in the tank and arranged below the container holding means. 4. The container pressing means comprises an opening / closing lid for opening and closing a take-out opening of the tank. When the opening / closing lid is closed, the top of the container partially protruding from the take-out opening by the urging force of the container pushing-up means. The container is pushed down by contacting the surface, and the position of the liquid level of the liquid in the tank when the opening / closing lid is closed is lower than the top surface of the container when the opening / closing lid is closed. The heating device for a beverage in a container according to claim 2, wherein the amount of the liquid in the tank is adjusted as described above. 5. A beverage vending machine provided with the heating device for a beverage in a container according to any one of claims 1 to 4.