JP2003054696A - Sparkling beverage detection device and sparkling beverage pouring device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To provide a sparkling beverage detection device capable of accurately detecting the presence or absence of a sparkling beverage such as beer and a sparkling beverage dispensing device using the same. SOLUTION: For example, a beer to be poured out of a beer barrel 2 to the outside of a beer server 3 through a supply pipe of a sparkling beverage is detected. That is, the pair of electrodes is connected to the beer inlet 12.
And a beer detection sensor 53 which is provided at the air outlet 15 or the like and outputs data relating to the resistance value between these electrodes, and compares the data from the beer detection sensor 53 with a preset threshold to determine the presence or absence of beer. Control means 41 for determining
b. The threshold value is corrected according to beer conditions such as beer type and beer temperature.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sparkling beverage detection device for detecting a sparkling beverage such as beer and a sparkling beverage pouring device using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a beer server, compressed gas such as carbon dioxide is supplied into a beer barrel so that beer is poured from a beer pouring currant to a beer jug or the like. In this beer server, when the beer in the beer barrel is almost empty, the last beer spouts vigorously to the beer mug etc. where beer is poured halfway, making it foam too much or pouring out beer. There was a risk that beer would be splashed on the person operating the curran.

As a measure against this, for example, the actual Kaihei 4-10
As shown in Japanese Patent No. 2300, there is one in which a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of beer is provided in the middle of a connecting pipe connecting a beer barrel and a beer pouring currant. This sensor has a structure in which a pair of electrode terminals are arranged at a predetermined interval in the connection pipe, and when there is beer between the electrode terminals, energization between the electrode terminals is turned on to detect beer. On the other hand, when beer does not come between the electrode terminals and the energization between the electrode terminals is turned off, a buzzer or a warning light is activated,
Alternatively, the connecting pipe is cut off.

Even if the beer in the beer barrel is empty, beer bubbles flow through the connecting tube for a while, so that the electric current between the electrode terminals of the sensor is not completely turned off. As a result,
Even if the beer barrel is empty, there is a risk of false detection of beer.

In this case, paying attention to the fact that the resistance value of the foam of beer becomes higher than the resistance value of beer due to the inclusion of air, the resistance value between the electrode terminals of the sensor is measured, and When the resistance value becomes higher than a predetermined value (threshold value), it can be considered that the beer in the beer barrel is empty. As a specific measuring method, a constant current is passed between the electrode terminals to measure a voltage between the electrode terminals, thereby indirectly measuring a resistance value between the electrode terminals.

[0006]

When measuring the resistance value between the electrode terminals, the components, alcohol content, etc. differ depending on the type of beer, and thus the resistance values of beer and foam change depending on the type of beer. Further, the resistance values of beer and foam also change depending on the temperature of beer. As a result, there is a problem in that the presence or absence of beer may be erroneously detected.

When the beer barrel is emptied, it is replaced with a new beer barrel filled with beer. At the start of use of this new beer barrel, the beer foam accumulated in the new beer barrel is connected to the connecting pipe. It flows for a while. For this reason, conventionally, this beer foam was discharged from the beer-pouring currant, but with this, it is necessary to visually confirm that the beer foam is no longer ejected from the beer-pouring currant and the beer is discharged. There was a risk that beer wasted wastefully.

An object of the present invention is to obtain an effervescent beverage detecting device capable of accurately detecting the presence or absence of an effervescent beverage and an effervescent beverage dispensing device using the same. An object of the present invention is to prevent the sparkling beverage from being unnecessarily discharged during bubble removal.

[0009]

A sparkling beverage detecting device of the present invention has a pair of electrodes provided at a portion where a sparkling beverage flows, and outputs a data regarding a resistance value between the electrodes. 53 and this sparkling beverage detection means 53
And a determination unit 41b that determines the presence or absence of a sparkling beverage by comparing the data from 1) with a preset threshold value. The threshold value is corrected according to the situation regarding the sparkling beverage.

The sparkling beverages here include beer, sparkling liquor, and non-alcoholic sparkling beverages. The flowable portion of the sparkling beverage is connected to the container 2 in which the sparkling beverage is stored, a supply pipe and a hose for pouring the sparkling beverage in the container 2 to the outside, and this supply pipe. It is a concept including a connecting portion and a spout 4 and the like. The data regarding the resistance value is a concept including data of the voltage value between the electrodes measured by applying a constant current between the electrodes to obtain the resistance value. The situation regarding the sparkling beverage corresponds to the type of the sparkling beverage determined according to the brand of the sparkling beverage, the alcohol component contained in the sparkling beverage, the temperature of the sparkling beverage, and the like.

More specifically, the storage means 41a for storing the threshold value according to the situation regarding the sparkling beverage is provided, and the judging means 41b stores the threshold value stored in the storage means 41a according to the situation regarding the sparkling beverage. Select and compare with the data from the sparkling beverage detection means 53.

Further, temperature detecting means 52 for detecting the temperature of the sparkling beverage may be provided so that the threshold value according to the detection result of the temperature detecting means 52 is compared with the data from the sparkling beverage detecting means 53.

The sparkling beverage dispensing device of the present invention is a sparkling beverage dispensing device for dispensing a sparkling beverage contained in a container 2 to the outside via a supply conduit and a dispensing tool 4, wherein the sparkling beverage detecting device is the foaming beverage detecting device. Is used. That is, a pair of electrodes is provided in the supply pipeline, and the sparkling beverage detection means 53 that outputs data regarding the resistance value between the electrodes, and the data from the sparkling beverage detection means 53 and a preset threshold value are set. The determination means 41b for determining the presence or absence of the sparkling beverage is provided, and the threshold value is corrected according to the situation regarding the sparkling beverage.

Further, the foam removing pipes 46 and 47 for discharging the foam of the foamed beverage are connected to the supply pipe, and the foam removing pipes 46 and 47 are provided with the foaming beverage detecting means 53 and the foam removing. Pipe line opening / closing means 39 for opening / closing the pipe lines 46/47
The determination means 41b is provided with a sparkling beverage detection means 53.
When it is determined that there is a sparkling beverage in the foam removing conduits 46/47 based on the data from the above, the foam removing conduits 46/47 can be closed by the conduit opening / closing means 39. . The bubble removing pipes 46 and 47 include a hose for discharging bubbles.

[0015]

In the sparkling beverage detecting device and the sparkling beverage dispensing device of the present invention, the sparkling beverage disappears and the bubbles of the sparkling beverage reach between the electrodes of the sparkling beverage detecting means 53, and the resistance value between the electrodes is increased. However, it is determined by comparing the data regarding the resistance value between the electrodes and the threshold value that the level is higher than that when there is a sparkling beverage between the electrodes. That is, the determination means 41
Judges that there is a sparkling beverage when the resistance value between the electrodes of the sparkling beverage detecting means 53 is lower than the threshold value, while it judges that there is no sparkling beverage when the resistance value is equal to or higher than the threshold value. In addition, even when neither the sparkling drink nor the foam of the sparkling beverage is present between the electrodes of the sparkling beverage detecting means 53, it is determined that there is no sparkling beverage because the resistance value is equal to or more than the threshold value.

When it is determined that there is no sparkling beverage, a lamp for notifying the fact is turned on, or for example, a supply pipe line for pouring the sparkling beverage from the container 2 to the outside is closed. And so on. When the supply line is closed, the last sparkling beverage is vigorously ejected to a jug or the like in which the sparkling beverage is being poured halfway, to make it foam too much or to operate the pouring tool 4. It is prevented that the person drinks sparkling drinks.

In addition, since the threshold value is corrected according to the situation regarding the sparkling beverage such as the type of the sparkling beverage and the temperature of the sparkling beverage, the resistance value of the sparkling beverage and the foam resistance of the sparkling beverage that changes depending on the situation regarding the sparkling beverage. The presence or absence of a sparkling beverage can be accurately detected.

A defoaming pipe line 4 connected to the supply route of the sparkling beverage
7 is provided with the sparkling beverage detecting means 53, and when the foaming beverage reaches the foam removing pipe line 47 at the time of removing the foam and the foam removing pipe line 47 is closed when this is detected, the foam removing pipe line 47 is closed. It is possible to open and perform the bubble removal, and it is possible to reliably prevent the bubbled beverage from being unnecessarily discharged via the bubble removal conduit 47 during the bubble removal.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The drawings show a beer pouring device 1 equipped with a sparkling beverage detection device according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the beer brewing apparatus 1 is connectable to four beer barrels (containers) 2 and is housed in the cooling chamber 3 a of the beer server 3 together with these beer barrels 2. The beer server 3 has a beer pouring currant (pouring tool) 4 arranged above the container placing section 3b, and each beer barrel 2 is
The beer pouring device 1 is connected to the beer pouring currant 4.

Each of the beer barrels 2 is connected to a carbon dioxide gas cylinder 8 via a dispensing head 5, a carbon dioxide gas hose 6, a pressure reducing valve 7, etc., and the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 8 is connected.
By supplying compressed carbon dioxide gas to each beer barrel 2,
The beer (foamed beverage) in the beer barrel 2 is the beer pouring device 1
Sent to the side. Then, by opening the beer pouring currant 4, beer is poured into a beer mug or the like placed on the container placing section 3b. The beer barrel 2 may be filled with Happoshu or the like.

As shown in FIG. 3, an operation panel 9 and a beer hose 11 (FIG. 2) connected to the dispensing head 5 of each beer barrel 2 are connected to the front of the beer dispensing device 1. Of the beer inlet 12, a beer outlet 14 connected to the beer pouring currant 4 via a beer hose 13 (FIG. 2), a bubble outlet 15 for removing bubbles, and a carbon dioxide connected to a carbon dioxide gas cylinder 8. And a carbon dioxide gas inlet portion 17 to which the gas hose 16 is connected.

The operation panel 9 includes a power switch 21, a bubble removing button 22 and a washing button 23 of each beer barrel 2.
The display unit 24 displays the barrel number currently used, the temperature of beer, and the like, and the display switching button 25 of the display unit 24. Further, the beer brewing apparatus 1 is provided with a remote control unit 27, and the remote control unit 27 is arranged in the vicinity of the beer brewing caran 4 of the beer server 3 or the like.

As shown in FIG. 4, the remote controller 27 has various buttons such as a barrel selection button 28, a bubble removal button 29 of each beer barrel 2, a beer brand selection button 30, a power lamp 31, and a gas out. Lamp 32,
The pouring lamp 33 that lights the barrel number of the beer barrel 2 that is currently being poured, the beer-existing lamp 34 that lights the barrel number of the beer barrel 2 filled with beer, and the beer brand (type of beer) are displayed. It has various display lamps such as the brand lamp 35.

Inside the beer pouring device 1, as shown in FIG. 5, four barrel switching ball valves 38, a bubble discharging ball valve (pipe line opening / closing means) 39, and five solenoid valves 40. And a control unit 41 and the like. Each barrel switching ball valve 38 has its inlet side connected to each beer inlet 12 via a beer pipeline 43, and its outlet side connected to a manifold 45 in the beer dispensing device 1 via a beer pipeline 44. To be done. In addition, each barrel switching ball valve 38
Are connected to the corresponding solenoid valves 40 via gas lines 48, respectively.
It is driven to open and close by 0.

The bubble discharging ball valve 39 has its inlet side connected to the manifold 45 via a bubble removing pipe line 46 and its outlet side connecting to the bubble outlet 15 via a bubble removing pipe line 47. As shown in FIG. 2, the foam outlet 15 is connected to a foam receiving tank 37 via a foam discharging hose 36. The bubble discharging ball valve 39, as shown in FIG.
It is connected to the corresponding solenoid valve 40 via a gas line 48. Each solenoid valve 40 has a gas line 49.
It is connected to the carbon dioxide gas inlet portion 17 via.

The control unit 41 controls the solenoid valves 40 to open and close the ball valves 38 and 39, respectively. A gas pressure sensor 51 is connected to the gas conduit 49 to the solenoid valve 40, and when the gas pressure sensor 51 detects that the pressure of carbon dioxide gas from the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 8 has dropped below a set value, The out-of-gas lamp 32 of the remote controller 27 is turned on.

The manifold 45 is attached to the beer outlet portion 14, and the collecting pipe portion 45 in the manifold 45 is installed.
The beer pipeline 44 of each barrel switching ball valve 38 and the foam removal pipeline 46 of the foam discharging ball valve 39 are connected to a. A temperature sensor 52 including a thermistor or the like is provided in the collecting pipe portion 45a in the manifold 45, and the temperature of the beer is detected by the temperature sensor 52.

A beer detection sensor (foamed beverage detection means) 53 is provided at each beer inlet 12 and foam outlet 15. Each beer detection sensor 53 is provided with a pair of electrode terminals (not shown) in the pipeline of each beer inlet 12 or foam outlet 15. The resistance value between the electrode terminals is indirectly measured by flowing a constant current between the electrode terminals of the beer detection sensor 53 and measuring the voltage between the electrode terminals.

As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 41 is connected to the operation panel 9 and the remote control unit 27, and is also connected to the sensors 51, 52 and 53. In addition, the control unit 41
Each solenoid valve 40 is connected to. Control unit 41
Is a storage unit 41a for storing various data and the like, operation on the operation panel 9 and the remote controller 27, and each sensor 51.
A control unit (determination unit) 41b for controlling each solenoid valve 40 based on the detection results of 52 and 53 is provided.

Further, the control means 41b determines the presence or absence of beer based on the detection result of each beer detection sensor 53.
That is, the control means 41b measures the resistance value between the electrode terminals of the beer detection sensor 53 based on the voltage between the electrode terminals of the beer detection sensor 53 as described above. Will be higher than. Then, the control means 41b compares the resistance value between the electrode terminals with a predetermined value (threshold value) set in advance, and judges that beer is detected when the resistance value is lower than the threshold value, while When the resistance value is equal to or higher than the threshold value, it is determined that the beer foam or the state without beer is detected.

The resistance value of this beer changes depending on the brand of beer and the temperature of the beer. Control means 4 to respond to this
1b uses a beer brand selected by the brand selection button 30 of the remote control unit 27, a threshold value corrected according to the beer temperature data by the temperature sensor 52, and the like.

That is, the storage means 41a of the control unit 41 stores, for example, a table of beer brands and threshold values corrected by the temperature of beer as shown in FIG. 6, and the control means 41b stores beer brands and The presence or absence of beer is determined by the threshold value selected from the table based on the temperature of beer. Note that FIG. 6 exemplifies four types of beer brands A to D.

Next, the operation of the beer pouring device 1 will be described.
4 beer barrels filled with beer before use
Are respectively connected to the dispensing head 5. Each dispensing head 5 is connected to the beer pouring device 1, and further a carbon dioxide gas cylinder 8 is connected thereto. And
When the main stopper of the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 8 is opened, the compressed carbon dioxide gas in the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 8 is adjusted to an appropriate pressure by the pressure reducing valve 7 and then sent to each beer barrel 2.

In this state, the four bubble removing buttons 29 or the operation panel 9 of the remote controller 27 of the beer dispensing device 1
By pressing the four bubble removal buttons 22 of, each beer barrel 2
Defoaming is performed. 1 beer barrel 2 connected
In the case of the number of pieces to three pieces, the bubble removing buttons 29 and 22 corresponding to the barrel number of the beer barrel 2 are pressed.

The control means 41b of the control unit 41 controls the solenoid valve 40 to open the barrel switching ball valve 38 of the beer barrel 2 having the barrel number corresponding to the pressed bubble removing button 29.22. Then, the bubble discharging ball valve 39 is opened. At this time, the beer pouring currant 4 is closed.

Then, the bubbles in the beer barrel 2 are discharged to the bubble receiving tank 37 through the barrel switching ball valve 38, the bubble discharging ball valve 39, the manifold 45 and the bubble outlet 15 by the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas. At this time, the control means 41b
Judges the presence or absence of beer at the foam outlet 15 by the beer detection sensor 53 of the foam outlet 15. When the beer is detected, the bubble removal is completed. Therefore, the barrel switching ball valve 38 and the foam discharging ball are The valve 39 is closed. In addition, the beer lamp 34 of the remote control unit 27 corresponding to the beer barrel 2 for which the bubble removal is completed is turned on. This bubble remover
If you replace the empty beer barrel 2 with a new beer barrel 2,
It is also performed when the beer is restarted after being stopped for a long time.

The beer barrel 2 from which beer is poured is basically selected in the order of the barrel number, but can be arbitrarily selected by the barrel selection button 28 of the remote controller 27. Then, after the bubble removal is completed, only the barrel switching ball valve 38 of the selected beer barrel 2 is opened, and the other barrel switching ball valves 38 and the bubble discharging ball valve 39 are closed. After that, by opening the beer pouring currant 4, the beer in the selected beer barrel 2 is poured into a beer mug or the like mounted on the container mounting portion 3b.

The control means 41b determines the presence or absence of beer by the beer detection sensor 53 of the beer inlet section 12 connected to the beer barrel 2 during beer pouring, and the beer detection sensor 53 detects beer foam. In that case, it is determined that the beer barrel 2 is empty, and the barrel switching ball valve 38 connected to the beer barrel 2 is closed. Next, the control means 41b automatically opens the barrel switching ball valve 38 of another beer barrel 2 filled with beer, and causes the beer barrel 2 to be dispensed with beer.

When the beer pouring device 1 is washed, the beer barrel 2 is removed from the dispensing head 5, and a washing tank (not shown) filled with water or the like is connected (replaced) to the dispensing head 5 to beer. Open pouring Karan 4. Thereafter, the cleaning button 23 on the operation panel 9 having the barrel number corresponding to the replaced cleaning tank is pressed to open the barrel switching ball valve 38 and the bubble discharging ball valve 39. The washing tank may be replaced with all of the four beer barrels 2 or with any beer barrel 2.

The water in the cleaning tank is heated by the pressure of carbon dioxide, and the beer hoses 11 and 13 and the beer pipeline 43 are connected.
44, the barrel switching ball valve 38 and the manifold 45 flow to wash them, and then they are discharged from the beer pouring currant 4 and the foam outlet 15. After the washing, carbon dioxide gas flows through the empty washing tank through the beer hoses 11 and 13, the beer pipelines 43 and 44, the barrel switching ball valve 38, and the manifold 45, and the remaining water is left. Etc. are removed. After that, the washing tank is replaced with the beer barrel 2, and after defoaming as described above,
Beer is poured out.

In the above description, the presence or absence of beer is determined by comparing the resistance value between the electrode terminals of the beer detection sensor 53 with the resistance value as a threshold value.
The presence or absence of beer may be determined by comparing the voltage value between the three electrode terminals with a voltage value as a threshold value.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of a control unit of a beer pouring device including a sparkling beverage detection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a beer pouring device.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a beer pouring device.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a remote control unit of the beer pouring device.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a beer pouring device.

FIG. 6 is a table of threshold values.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 beer barrels 39 Bubble discharge ball valve 41 Control unit 41a storage means 41b Control means 46/47 Defoaming pipeline 52 Temperature sensor 53 Beer detection sensor

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Soichi Kamiya             4-20-1 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo             Inside Polo Beer Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masahiro Sasai             3-16-11 Minejima, Nishiyodogawa-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture             Fukushima Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Susumu Sueda             3-16-11 Minejima, Nishiyodogawa-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture             Fukushima Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Isamu Takatsuki             3-16-11 Minejima, Nishiyodogawa-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture             Fukushima Industry Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 3E082 AA04 BB02 BB03 CC01 DD01                       DD05 FF03 FF05

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A sparkling beverage detecting means 53 which has a pair of electrodes provided in a region where a sparkling beverage flows and outputs data relating to a resistance value between the electrodes, and data from the sparkling beverage detecting means 53. An effervescent beverage detection apparatus, comprising: a determination unit 41b that compares a preset threshold value to determine the presence or absence of an effervescent beverage, wherein the threshold value is corrected according to a situation regarding the effervescent beverage. 2. A storage unit 41a for storing a threshold value according to the situation regarding the sparkling beverage is provided, and the judging unit 41b selects the threshold value stored in the storage unit 41a according to the situation regarding the sparkling beverage, The sparkling beverage detecting device according to claim 1, which is compared with data from the sparkling beverage detecting means 53. 3. A temperature detecting means 52 for detecting the temperature of the sparkling beverage is provided, and the threshold value corrected according to the detection result of the temperature detecting means 52 is compared with the data from the sparkling beverage detecting means 53. Item 3. The sparkling beverage detection device according to Item 1 or 2. 4. A sparkling beverage dispenser for discharging a sparkling beverage contained in a container 2 to the outside via a supply pipeline and a dispenser 4, wherein a pair of electrodes are provided in the supply pipeline. A sparkling beverage detection means 53 that outputs data regarding the resistance value between the electrodes.
And a determination unit 41b that determines the presence or absence of a sparkling beverage by comparing the data from the sparkling beverage detection unit 53 with a preset threshold value, and the threshold value is corrected according to the situation regarding the sparkling beverage. A sparkling beverage pouring device characterized by being processed. 5. A foam removing pipe line 46/47 for discharging the foam of the foamed beverage is connected to a supply pipe line. The foam removing pipe line 46/47 is provided with a foaming beverage detection means 53 and a foam. When the pipeline opening / closing means 39 for opening / closing the removal pipelines 46/47 is provided, and the determination means 41b determines that there is a sparkling beverage in the foam removal pipelines 46/47 based on the data from the sparkling beverage detection means 53. Then, the bubble opening / closing means 46 is provided by the conduit opening / closing means 39.
The sparkling beverage dispenser according to claim 4, wherein 47 is closed.