JPS5938159B2 - Semi-frozen carbonated beverage dispenser - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally involves supplying syrup, water and carbon dioxide gas appropriately to a freezing cylinder, and cooling the cylinders to produce a semi-frozen carbonated beverage product, and optionally converting the product to hot gas. The present invention relates to a semi-frozen carbonated beverage dispenser with a heating and thawing function, and particularly to one that dispenses syrup, water and carbon dioxide gas depending on the pressure inside the freezing cylinder.

Generally, in this type of dispenser, when the product manufactured in the freezing cylinder is taken out, the internal pressure of the refrigeration cylinder decreases, thereby replenishing the syrup, main syrup, and carbon dioxide gas.

On the other hand, the products manufactured in the frozen printer are maintained in a good quality state by appropriately controlling the cooling operation.

However, if this high-quality product is left in cooling operation for a long time without being taken out, the ice crystals will grow and the product will become sleet-like and extremely unpleasant to the taste.

In such cases, by heating the freezing cylinder to completely melt the product and cooling it again, a product with a fine texture and a smooth texture can be obtained.

Although the heating operation as described above has the effect of constantly providing a high quality product, this causes other major problems.

This is because this type of dispenser controls the supply of syrup, water, and carbon dioxide gas to the freezing cylinder according to the pressure state inside the freezing cylinder.

For example, as shown in Fig. 1, which is a product manufacturing system diagram for one semi-frozen carbonated beverage dispenser, 1 is a carbon dioxide gas cylinder, a regulator 2 that adjusts the discharge amount and pressure, and a sealed relay tank 4 via a carbon dioxide valve 3. It is connected to a refrigeration cylinder 5 equipped with a refrigeration system via.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a syrup tank for storing liquid syrup, which is connected to the suction side of a pump device 9 via a syrup exhaustion detection device 7 connected to the piping and a syrup valve 8.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a water tank that constantly stores a predetermined amount of water supplied from the tap, and is also connected to the other suction side of the pump device 9.

Further, the discharge side of the pump device 9 is connected to the refrigeration cylinder 5 via the relay tank 4 along the same route as the carbon dioxide cylinder 1.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a raw material supply pressure switch that indirectly senses the pressure state inside the freezing cylinder 5 by being connected to the relay tank 4, and controls the supply of syrup, water, and carbon dioxide gas to the freezing cylinder 5.

A safety pressure switch 12 is connected to the relay tank 4 like the raw material supply pressure switch 11 and also senses the pressure state inside the freezing cylinder 5, and operates to open the contact at a higher pressure than the raw material supply pressure switch 11.

13 is a V-pulley 1 via a belt (not shown).
This is an agitation device that agitates the product in the freezing cylinder 5 by engaging the torque coupling 15 with the rotational force of a motor (not shown) transmitted to the refrigeration cylinder 5.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a limit switch that controls the cooling operation based on the viscosity of the product in the freezing cylinder 5, and the contact is turned on to control the cooling operation by a predetermined amount of movement of the torque coupling 15 based on the torque of the stirring device 13. , OFF
do.

17 is a service cock for taking out the product.

According to the product manufacturing system as described above, the water and water are mixed and pressurized in an appropriate ratio by the pump device 9, and the predetermined pressure detected by the raw material supply pressure switch 11 is delivered to the freezing cylinder 5 together with carbon dioxide gas from the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 1. Until pressure is reached (OFF at 2 kg/d, 1.5 kg/cyit
The raw material is fed into the freezing cylinder 5 by a stirring device 13, cooled to an appropriate viscosity, and served from a service cock 17 into a suitable container as a semi-frozen carbonated beverage in the form of fine snow.

By the way, the product supply has been cut off for a long time and heating operation has become necessary.

Therefore, when the above-mentioned dispenser performs a heating operation using the conventional control method, a major problem occurs as a result of the process described in detail below.

This will be explained based on FIG.

At the start of heating operation, the temperature of the product is 12°C and the internal pressure of the freezing cylinder 5 is 3.3 kg/Cr/l. As the product thaws over time, the internal pressure gradually decreases. go.

When the pressure reaches 1.5 kg/i, the raw material supply pressure switch 11 operates to supply syrup, water and carbon dioxide into the freezing cylinder 5.

When the internal pressure reaches 2 kg/c11t, the supply of syrup, water, and carbon dioxide gas is stopped.

During this time, the temperature of the product gradually increases.

By the way, the temperature of this product is generally about 4℃ in terms of water.
Until the product reaches this temperature, it does not prevent the generation of energy to lower the internal pressure even if it is heated. The temperature had not yet reached 4°C, and the internal pressure decreased again until it reached 1.5ky/=, and the raw material supply pressure switch 11 was activated again to 2 kg/cyt.
Syrup, water and carbon dioxide gas are fed into the freezing cylinder 5 until reaching t.

Such supply of syrup, water and carbon dioxide gas is repeated until the temperature of the product reaches approximately 4°C.

When the temperature exceeds 4°C, the internal pressure continues to rise due to overheating.

At this point, the product has completely thawed, which is detected by the thermostat, and heating operation is stopped.

Then, it shifts to cooling operation.

When the cooling operation is started, the internal pressure gradually decreases, and when it reaches 1.5 kg/CrIt, the raw material supply pressure switch 11 is activated again to supply syrup, water, and carbon dioxide to the internal pressure of 21<g/cfIt. It is fed into the freezing cylinder 5 until the pressure is reached.

By the way, since carbon dioxide gas has a property that the lower the temperature, the better its absorption into the liquid becomes, so the internal pressure starts to decrease again.

When the pressure reaches 1.5 kg/cri, the raw material supply pressure switch 11 is activated again to supply Shida Nobu, water, and carbon dioxide gas into the freezing cylinder 5 until the pressure reaches 2 kg/cri.

This supply is repeated several times while the raw material is in a liquid state, or as the cooling operation progresses, the raw material gradually freezes and expands in volume, so after a certain point the internal pressure increases and does not decrease. .

At the internal pressure of 3 kg/cit, the semi-frozen carbonated beverage was regenerated.

Thereafter, the product is maintained in a substantially balanced state by appropriately controlling the cooling operation using the limit switch 16.

The problem that has arisen in the course of the above-mentioned operations is that syrup, water and carbon dioxide gas are supplied twice, once during the heating operation and once during the cooling operation.

In other words, syrup, water, and carbon dioxide gas were supplied to the freezing cylinder 5 in amounts significantly exceeding the predetermined amounts.

Therefore, when the raw material freezes after being re-cooled, it naturally expands in volume, resulting in an abnormal pressure rise, which can sometimes damage the freezing cylinder 5, or absorb the abnormal pressure to prevent the freezing cylinder 5 from being damaged. IJ IJ-
A fuel valve (not shown) is installed to allow a large amount of syrup, water and carbon dioxide to escape from the IJ valve.

This resulted in a very unnecessary loss, especially in the case of syrup.

In this case, although it was possible to regenerate a high-quality product by performing heating operation, it was meaningless.

In view of this, the present invention provides a simple device that completely stops the supply of all raw materials, syrup, water, and carbon dioxide, regardless of the state of the internal pressure of the freezing cylinder during heating operation. An embodiment of the present invention will be described below based on the electric circuit shown in FIG. 3.

Note that the product manufacturing system shown in FIG. 1 can be applied as is, so a description thereof will be omitted.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a first interlocking operation switch having two stages of contacts for cooling and heating; and 19 a second interlocking switch having two stages of contacts for supplying all raw materials of syrup, water and carbon dioxide, and carbon dioxide gas.
The operation switches are the first stage switches 18Aj19 respectively.
A is connected via the safety pressure switch 12.

The electric compressor 20 of the refrigeration system and the high/low pressure switch 21 are connected through the cooling contact 18A1 of the first stage switch 18A, and the first normally closed state of the first relay 22 is connected through the cooling contact 18B1 of the second stage switch 18B. The contact 22a1, the limit switch 16, and the cooling valve 23 are connected.

On the other hand, a parallel circuit of the first relay 22 and the hot gas valve 24 is connected via the heating contact 18B2 of the second stage switch 18B, and a hot gas return thermostat 25 that senses the temperature of the freezing cylinder 5 and turns off at a predetermined high temperature is connected. has been done.

In addition, the first normally open contact 22b of the first relay 22 is connected between the cooling contact 18A1 of the first stage switch 18A, the first relay 22, and the hot gas valve 24, and the safety pressure switch 12, the first relay 22, and the hot gas valve 24 are connected to each other. hot gas valve 24
A second normally open contact 22b2 of the first IJ relay 22 is connected between them.

Further, the second normally closed contact 2 of the first IJ relay 22 is connected to the second operating switch 19 via the raw material supply contact 19A1 and the carbon dioxide supply contact 19A2 of the first stage switch 19A.
2a2, the raw material supply pressure switch 11, the second relay 2
The first normally open contact 26b of 6 is connected to the carbon dioxide gas valve 3, and the second normally open contact 26b2 of the second relay 26 is selectively turned on and off via the raw material supply pressure switch 11.
A parallel circuit of a manual switch 2T is connected, and the other end is connected to the second stage switch 19B of the second operation switch 19, and the pump motor of the pump device 9 is A parallel circuit of 9A and syrup valve 8 is connected.

28 is a motor for driving the stirring device 13.

26b3 is the third normally open contact of the second relay 26.

Reference numeral 1 denotes the syrup out detection device, which is mainly composed of a sensor part IA with a pair of electrodes that detects the presence or absence of syrup, and a syrup switch IB that switches the contact between presence and absence based on the sensing state of the sensor part 7A. A second relay 26 is connected to the active contact 7B side of the syrup switch IB.

Next, the present invention will be explained in detail.

When the power is turned on, first turn the first operation switch 18 to the cooling contact 1.
8A.

The second operation switch 19 is connected to the raw material supply contact 19 in 18B1.
A,, Switch to 19B1.

Then, safety pressure switch 12.1st stage switch 18A
The electric compressor 20 operates via the cooling contact 18A1.

Note that when the syrup tank 6 is filled with syrup and the syrup-out detection device 7 in the syrup path detects the presence of syrup, the syrup switch IB is turned on and the contact 7B is turned on.

It is located in

Since the second relay 26 is energized, the first relay 26 is energized.
The normally open contact 26 bl, the second normally open contact 26b2, and the third normally open contact 26b3 are closed, respectively, and the safety pressure switch 12, the third normally open contact 26b3, and the cooling contact 18B of the second stage switch 18B are closed. Since the cooling valve 23 operates via the first normally closed contact 22a and the limit switch 16, the cooling operation of the refrigeration cylinder 5 is started.

On the other hand, at the same time, the safety pressure switch 12, the raw material supply contact 19A1 of the first stage switch 19A in the second operation switch 19. The second normally closed contact 22a of the first relay 22 is connected to the raw material supply pressure switch 11, and the second normally closed contact 22a of the first relay 22 is closed at this time.
The carbon dioxide gas valve 3 is operated via the first normally open contact 26b of the relay 26, and also the raw material supply pressure switch 11, the second normally open contact 26b2 of the second relay 26, and the raw material supply contact of the second stage switch 19B. The pump motor 9A and syrup valve 8 are operated via 19B1.

Carbon dioxide gas is supplied from the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 1, and a mixed liquid of Shida Nobuyoshi water is supplied from the syrup tank 6 and water tank 10 to the freezing cylinder 5 via the pump device 9.

When the raw material supply pressure switch 11 senses that a predetermined amount of these supplied raw materials has been supplied into the freezing cylinder 5, its contact is opened.

Therefore, the carbon dioxide gas valve 3, pump motor 9A, and syrup valve 8, which were energized via the switch 11, become inoperable, and the supply of carbon dioxide, syrup, and water to the freezing cylinder 5 is stopped.

The raw material supplied into the freezing cylinder 5 is then cooled and stirred by the stirring device 13 to produce a semi-frozen carbonated beverage with a fine texture similar to snow.

As the cooling operation progresses, the product increases in viscosity and tends to freeze, but this viscosity is absorbed by torque coupling 1.
5 is sensed by the limit switch 16 which operates and opens its contact, the cooling valve 23 becomes inoperable and the circulation of the refrigerant is stopped.

However, the electric compressor 20 is in an operating state, and as a result, the pressure on the low pressure side of the compressor 20 suddenly decreases, and the low pressure switch of the high/low pressure switch 21 is opened, and at this point, the electric compressor 20
becomes inactive.

Then, when the viscosity of the product decreases again, the torque coupling 15 moves normally and the limit switch 16 is reset, so that the cooling operation is restarted.

In this way, the cooling operation is appropriately controlled by the limit switch 16, so that the product inside the freezing cylinder 5 is maintained in a good condition.

When the product manufactured as described above is taken out to the outside by opening the service cock 17, the pressure inside the freezing cylinder 5 decreases, so the raw material supply pressure switch 11 returns to normal, and the carbon dioxide gas valve returns to normal. 3. Operate the pump motor 9A1 and syrup valve 8 to remove the refrigeration cylinder 5.
The product is manufactured by supplying carbon dioxide gas, syrup, and water to the tank and cooling it.

Suppose now that the external supply of the product has been cut off for a long time, and as explained above, it becomes necessary to perform a heating operation.

At this time, first, the first operation switch 18 is switched to the heating contact.

Then, the safety pressure switch 12, the third normally open contact 26b3 of the second relay 26, and the heating contact 1 of the second stage switch 18B
The first IJ relay 2 is excited via the 8B2, and at the same time the hot gas valve 24 is opened.

By excitation of the 11th J relay 22, the first normally closed contact 22a and the second normally closed contact 22a2 of the relay are opened, and the first normally open contact 22b1 and the second normally open contact 22b2 are closed.

Since the electric compressor 20 continues to operate via the second normally open contact 22b2 and the first normally open contact 22b, heating operation of the refrigeration cylinder 5 by hot gas is started.

By the way, when the heating operation is started, the pressure inside the freezing cylinder 5 decreases, and the raw material supply pressure switch 11 is closed, or the second normally closed contact 22a2 of the first relay 22 is opened, so the carbon dioxide valve 3 and the pump motor 9A are closed. , the Sorotub valve 8 does not operate, and the supply of syrup, water, and carbon dioxide to the freezing cylinder 5 is completely interrupted.

In addition, the viscosity of the product decreases and the limit switch 16 closes, but since the first normally closed contact 22a1 of the first relay 22 is open, the cooling valve 23 does not open, making the heating operation using hot gas more reliable. There is.

The heating operation is continued until the hot gas return thermostat 25 is opened and the 11th J-ray 22 is de-energized.

Note that when performing the heating operation, if the first operation switch 18 is switched from the cooling contact to the heating contact and then back to the cooling contact, the cooling operation will be restarted automatically after the hot gas return thermostat 25 is opened.

This is because the second normally open contact 22b2 of the first relay 22 forms the self-holding contact of the relay.

The product manufacturing system diagram shown in Figure 1 is merely an example of one dispenser that embodies the present invention. The invention can be widely practiced.

As described above, when the product is being heated with hot gas, the present invention does not supply any of the refrigeration cylinder, water, and carbon dioxide to the refrigeration cylinder, regardless of the pressure state inside the refrigeration cylinder. The refrigeration cylinder can be reliably protected from damage without causing an abnormal pressure rise.

Furthermore, it is possible to prevent unnecessary waste from escaping to the outside of the raw material tray, which is a very significant effect as in the conventional method.

In addition, when heating operation starts, the viscosity of the product decreases and a limit switch is activated, but during heating operation there is no transition to cooling operation, so heating operation using hot gas can be ended reliably. Compared to a method that thaws for a fixed period of time, the invention allows the thawing time to be lengthened or shortened depending on the freezing temperature of the product, so it is possible to thaw the product well without under-thawing or over-thawing. Furthermore, it has the advantage that recooling can be automatically started after thawing is completed.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of a product manufacturing system for a semi-frozen carbonated beverage dispenser according to the present invention, and Fig. 2 shows the internal pressure of the freezing cylinder and the product over time when heating operation and recooling operation are performed in a conventional dispenser. FIG. 3, which is a diagram showing the temperature relationship, is an electric circuit diagram. 5... Refrigeration cylinder, 11... Raw material supply pressure switch, 16... Limit switch, 22... First relay, 22a1... First 1 normally closed contact, 22a2...2nd normally closed contact.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Solotub, water, and carbon dioxide gas are appropriately supplied to a freezing cylinder and cooled to produce a semi-frozen carbonated beverage product, and if necessary, the product is heated with hot gas to thaw it. In a semi-frozen carbonated beverage dispenser equipped with the following features: an operating switch having a cooling contact and a heating contact, and regardless of the return of the switch to the cooling contact when the switch is positioned from the cooling contact to the heating contact; a relay device that forms a self-holding circuit so that the syrup, water, and carbon dioxide gas are not all supplied by heating the cylinder with hot residue to thaw the cylinder; When the temperature of the semi-frozen carbonic acid rises to a predetermined temperature, the self-holding circuit of the relay device is released and the cooling operation is restarted, and the semi-frozen carbonic acid is provided with a thermostat that enables the supply of syrup, water and carbonic acid gas. beverage dispenser. 2 A semi-frozen product that has the function of supplying syrup, water and carbon dioxide gas appropriately to a freezing cylinder and cooling it to produce a semi-frozen carbonated beverage product, as well as thawing the product by heating it with hot gas as necessary. In the carbonated beverage dispenser, a raw material supply pressure switch detects the pressure state in the freezing cylinder to control the supply of syrup, water and carbon dioxide to the freezing cylinder, and a raw material supply pressure switch controls the supply of syrup, water and carbon dioxide to the freezing cylinder based on the viscosity of the product in the freezing cylinder. a rigid switch that controls the cooling operation; and a rigid switch that is arbitrarily energized to stop the cooling operation and the supply of syrup, water, and carbon dioxide regardless of the states of the rigid switch and the raw material supply pressure switch, and heats the product with hot gas. A relay device that forms a self-holding circuit for thawing, and when the temperature of the freezing cylinder rises to a predetermined temperature due to thawing, the self-holding circuit of the relay device is released and the cooling operation is resumed, and syrup, water and carbon dioxide gas are released. A semi-frozen carbonated beverage dispenser characterized by being equipped with a thermostat that enables the supply of carbonated beverages.