JP7567162B2 - Cleaning Equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cleaning device, and more specifically, to a cleaning device that is applied to a beverage supply device that supplies beverages to containers through a beverage supply path and that cleans the beverage supply path.

Conventionally, a cleaning device that is applied to a beverage supply device that supplies a beverage to a container through a beverage supply path and that cleans the beverage supply path has been proposed, for example, in Patent Document 1.

When a cleaning command is given, this cleaning device generates cleaning liquid by mixing the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid storage unit with cleaning hot water supplied from a hot water storage unit that stores hot water for generating pressurized steam that constitutes a beverage in a mixing container. The mixing container and the beverage supply path are then connected to each other, and cleaning liquid is supplied to the beverage supply path. The cleaning device then supplies the hot water supplied from the hot water storage unit to the beverage supply path as rinsing hot water.

JP 2017-105489 A

In the above-mentioned cleaning device, when a cleaning command is given, the cleaning liquid is generated by mixing the cleaning liquid and the cleaning hot water in a mixing container, the mixing container is connected to the beverage supply path, and the cleaning liquid is supplied to the beverage supply path. This requires time to generate the cleaning liquid, which results in a long cleaning time. In addition, since the amount required for one cleaning is generated in the mixing container, the mixing container also needs to have a sufficient capacity, which results in an increase in the size of the entire device.

In view of the above, the present invention aims to provide a cleaning device that can reduce the cleaning time while preventing the device from becoming too large.

To achieve the above object, the cleaning device according to the present invention is applied to a beverage supply device that supplies a beverage to a container through a beverage supply path, and is a cleaning device for cleaning the beverage supply path, characterized in that, when a cleaning command is given, the cleaning device supplies hot water from a hot water storage unit that stores hot water constituting the beverage to the beverage supply path, and includes a control unit that intermittently supplies cleaning concentrate stored in a cleaning concentrate storage unit to supply the cleaning concentrate to the beverage supply path in a state in which the cleaning concentrate is dispersed in the hot water.

The present invention is also characterized in that in the above-mentioned cleaning device, the control unit supplies the cleaning concentrate to the beverage supply path while diffusing it in the hot water, and then supplies the hot water supplied from the hot water storage unit to the beverage supply path as rinsing hot water.

The present invention is also characterized in that in the above-mentioned cleaning device, the control unit supplies the alkaline cleaning concentrate stored in the cleaning concentrate storage unit to the beverage supply path in a state where the alkaline cleaning concentrate is diffused in the hot water, and then supplies the rinsing water, and then supplies the acidic cleaning concentrate stored in the cleaning concentrate storage unit to the beverage supply path in a state where the acidic cleaning concentrate is diffused in the hot water, and then supplies the rinsing water.

According to the present invention, when a cleaning command is given, the control unit supplies hot water from the hot water storage unit that stores the hot water that constitutes the beverage to the beverage supply path, and supplies the cleaning concentrate stored in the cleaning concentrate storage unit intermittently, so that the cleaning concentrate is dispersed in the hot water and then supplied to the beverage supply path. This eliminates the need for a container to mix the cleaning concentrate and the cleaning hot water, and also eliminates the need for time to mix the cleaning concentrate and the cleaning hot water to produce the cleaning liquid. This has the effect of shortening the cleaning time while preventing the device from becoming too large overall.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a beverage supplying apparatus to which a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the diffusion portion shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the cleaning concentrate check valve shown in FIG. 2. FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the cleaning concentrate check valve shown in FIG. 2. FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of the cleaning control process performed by the control unit shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the process contents of the pre-rinse process shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the process of the alkaline cleaning process shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the process contents of the alkaline cleaning and rinsing process shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the processing contents of the acid cleaning treatment shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the processing contents of the acid cleaning and rinsing process shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a main part of a modification of the cleaning device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The following describes in detail a preferred embodiment of the cleaning device according to the present invention with reference to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a beverage supplying device to which a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The beverage supplying device 1 shown here supplies milk, which is a dairy beverage, in a foamed state to a cup C, which is a container, and is configured with a steam supplying section 20, a concentrate supplying section 30, an air supplying section 40, a mixing section 50, a foaming section 52, a nozzle section 54, and a cleaning section (cleaning device) 60.

The steam supply unit 20 is configured with a steam tank 21, a first steam supply pipe 22, and a second steam supply pipe 23. The steam tank 21 is connected to a hot water tank 25 through a hot water supply pipe 24. Here, the hot water tank 25 is a hot water storage unit for storing hot water, and heats water supplied from a water supply means (not shown) and stores it as hot water. One end of the hot water supply pipe 24 is connected to the hot water tank 25 and the other end is connected to the steam tank 21, connecting the hot water tank 25 and the steam tank 21. A hot water supply pump 24a is provided in the middle of the hot water supply pipe 24. The hot water supply pump 24a is driven by a command given from the control unit 100, and when driven, it supplies hot water from the hot water tank 25 to the steam tank 21. Here, the control unit 100 comprehensively controls the operation of each part of the beverage supply device 1, including the cleaning unit 60, according to programs and data stored in a memory (not shown).

The steam tank 21 generates pressurized steam by heating the hot water supplied from the hot water tank 25 through the hot water supply pipe 24. As a result, the hot water tank 25 stores the hot water used to generate the pressurized steam.

The first steam supply pipe 22 is connected at one end to the steam tank 21 and at the other end to the mixing section 50, and connects the steam tank 21 and the mixing section 50. A first steam supply valve 22a and a first steam check valve 22b are disposed in the middle of the first steam supply pipe 22. The first steam supply valve 22a opens and closes in response to a command given from the control section 100. When the first steam supply valve 22a is open, it allows pressurized steam to pass through the first steam supply pipe 22. When the first steam supply valve 22a is closed, it restricts the passage of pressurized steam through the first steam supply pipe 22. The first steam check valve 22b allows the passage of fluid (pressurized steam) from the steam tank 21 to the mixing section 50, while restricting the passage of fluid from the mixing section to the steam tank 21.

The second steam supply pipe 23 has one end connected to the steam tank 21 and the other end connected to a first connection part 26 that can be connected to the raw liquid supply part 30 and the cleaning part 60, and connects the steam tank 21 to the first connection part 26. Here, the first connection part 26 is attached to one end of a liquid supply pipe 27 that is connected to the mixing part 50. This liquid supply pipe 27 is provided with a liquid check valve 27a. The liquid check valve 27a allows the passage of fluid from the first connection part 26 to the mixing part 50, while restricting the passage of fluid from the mixing part 50 to the first connection part 26.

A second steam supply valve 23a and a second steam check valve 23b are disposed in the middle of the second steam supply pipe 23. The second steam supply valve 23a opens and closes in response to a command given from the control unit 100. When the second steam supply valve 23a is open, it allows pressurized steam to pass through the second steam supply pipe 23. When the second steam supply valve 23a is closed, it restricts the passage of pressurized steam through the second steam supply pipe 23. The second steam check valve 23b allows the passage of fluid (pressurized steam) from the steam tank 21 to the first connection 26, while restricting the passage of fluid from the first connection 26 to the steam tank 21.

The raw liquid supply unit 30 is configured with a bag-in-box (hereinafter also referred to as BIB) 31, a tube pump 32, and a second connection unit 33.

The BIB31 is constructed by housing a bag-shaped container in a box-shaped container that contains the concentrate (hereinafter referred to as concentrate milk) of the milk drink (frothed milk) to be supplied to the cup C. The BIB31 is placed in a cooler (not shown) of the beverage supply device 1. The cooler is a thermally insulated chamber provided inside the device body 10a of the beverage supply device 1.

The tube pump 32 is provided below the BIB 31 inside the cooler. This tube pump 32 is driven by commands given from the control unit 100, and when driven, the tube 34 connected to the BIB 31 is crushed by a number of rollers or the like to pump out the raw milk liquid from the BIB 31. The second connection part 33 is attached to the tip of the tube 34 connected to the BIB 31, and is a connector that can be connected to the first connection part 26.

The air supply unit 40 is configured with an air supply pipe 41. One end of the air supply pipe 41 is connected to the air pump 42 and the other end is connected to the mixing unit 50, connecting the air pump 42 and the mixing unit 50. The air pump 42 is driven in response to a command given by the control unit 100, and when driven, it compresses air and sends out the compressed air through the air supply pipe 41.

An air check valve 41a is provided in the air supply pipe 41. The air check valve 41a allows the passage of fluid (compressed air) from the air pump 42 to the mixing section 50, while restricting the passage of fluid from the mixing section 50 to the air pump 42.

The mixing section 50 heats the milk concentrate by mixing the pressurized steam supplied through the first steam supply pipe 22 with the milk concentrate supplied through the liquid supply pipe 27, and then mixes in the compressed air supplied through the air supply pipe 41 to produce a slightly foamed milk beverage.

The foaming section 52 is connected to the mixing section 50 via the beverage delivery pipe 51. The foaming section 52 foams the milk beverage delivered from the mixing section 50 through the beverage delivery pipe 51.

The nozzle portion 54 is connected to the forming portion 52 via a beverage outlet passage (not shown). This nozzle portion 54 supplies the milk beverage (foamed milk beverage) delivered from the forming portion 52 through the beverage outlet passage to the cup C.

In this embodiment, the first connection section 26, the liquid supply pipe 27, the mixing section 50, the beverage delivery pipe 51, the forming section 52, the beverage delivery passage, and the nozzle section 54 constitute a beverage supply path that supplies the milk beverage.

The cleaning section 60 is configured with a diffusion section 61, a cleaning solution supply pipe 62, a cleaning supply pipe 63, and a cleaning water supply pipe 64, some of which are provided in a storage cabinet 10b separate from the device main body 10a.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the diffusion section 61 shown in Figure 1. The diffusion section 61 will be described using Figure 2 as appropriate. The diffusion section 61 is in the form of a cylinder with a bottom, and has a cylindrical side section 611 and a conical bottom section 612 whose cross-sectional area gradually decreases downward, with the central section being the lowest. The top opening 611a of the diffusion section 61 is closed by a lid 613.

The cleaning solution supply pipe 62 is branched into two at one end, one of which is connected to a first cleaning solution storage section 65 that stores an alkaline cleaning solution (hereinafter also referred to as an alkaline cleaning solution), and the other of which is connected to a second cleaning solution storage section 66 that stores an acidic cleaning solution (hereinafter also referred to as an acidic cleaning solution).

The other end of the cleaning concentrate supply pipe 62 is connected to the side 611 of the diffusion section 61, and is fitted with a cleaning concentrate check valve 70, also known as a duckbill valve. More specifically, the cleaning concentrate supply pipe 62 is connected to the side 611 of the diffusion section 61 in such a manner that the cleaning concentrate check valve 70 attached to the other end protrudes from the side 611 of the diffusion section 61 toward the central axis L of the diffusion section 61. As shown in FIG. 3, the cleaning concentrate check valve 70 closes the discharge opening 71 under normal conditions due to the elastic restoring force of the component 72 that constitutes the discharge opening 71. When the cleaning concentrate flows through the cleaning concentrate supply pipe 62, as shown in FIG. 4, the component 72 that constitutes the discharge opening 71 elastically deforms to open the discharge opening 71 and discharge the cleaning concentrate.

A switching valve 62a and a cleaning solution supply pump 62b are provided in the cleaning solution supply pipe 62. The switching valve 62a is provided at a branch point in the cleaning solution supply pipe 62, and is a selection means that allows either the alkaline cleaning solution or the acidic cleaning solution to pass through the cleaning solution supply pipe 62 in response to a command given by the control unit 100.

The cleaning solution supply pump 62b is driven by a command given by the control unit 100, and when driven, supplies the cleaning solution selected by the switching valve 62a toward the diffusion unit 61. In this way, the cleaning solution supply pipe 62 forms a common cleaning solution supply path for supplying the alkaline cleaning solution and the acidic cleaning solution.

The cleaning supply pipe 63 has one end connected to the diffusion section 61 and the other end connected to the third connection section 68, and connects the diffusion section 61 and the third connection section 68. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, one end of the cleaning supply pipe 63 is connected to the diffusion section 61 in a manner that communicates with the discharge port 612a provided at the bottom 612 of the diffusion section 61. The third connection section 68 is a connector that can be connected to the first connection section 26.

A cleaning check valve 63a is provided in the cleaning supply pipe 63. The cleaning check valve 63a allows the passage of fluid from the diffusion section 61 to the third connection section 68, while restricting the passage of fluid from the third connection section 68 to the diffusion section 61.

One end of the cleaning hot water supply pipe 64 is connected to the hot water supply pipe 24 upstream of the hot water supply pump 24a. The other end of the cleaning hot water supply pipe 64 is connected to the diffusion section 61 in such a manner that it communicates with the hot water supply port 613a provided in the cover 613 of the diffusion section 61. The hot water supply port 613a is provided on the central axis L of the diffusion section 61, similar to the discharge port 612a.

A cleaning hot water pump 64a is provided in the cleaning hot water supply pipe 64. The cleaning hot water pump 64a is driven by a command given from the control unit 100, and when driven, supplies hot water from the hot water tank 25 to the diffusion unit 61.

In the beverage supply device 1 having the above configuration, milk can be supplied in a frothed state to the cup C as follows.

The control unit 100 opens the first steam supply valve 22a and drives the tube pump 32 and the air pump 42. The second steam supply valve 23a is closed. The first connection part 26 and the second connection part 33 are connected, and the third connection part 68 is disconnected from the first connection part 26.

By driving the tube pump 32 in this manner, the raw milk liquid in the BIB 31 is pumped out in the raw milk supply section 30. The raw milk liquid pumped out from the BIB 31 passes through the tube 34 and then through the liquid supply pipe 27. The raw milk liquid passing through this liquid supply pipe 27 reaches the mixing section 50.

When the first steam supply valve 22a is open, the pressurized steam generated in the steam tank 21 passes through the first steam supply pipe 22 and reaches the mixing section 50. Also, when the air pump 42 is driven, compressed air passes through the air supply pipe 41 and reaches the mixing section 50.

In the mixing section 50, the milk concentrate is heated by pressurized steam. Compressed air also enters the mixing section 50 and is mixed with the milk concentrate heated by the pressurized steam to produce a milk beverage. The milk beverage produced here is slightly foamed by the compressed air. The milk beverage produced in this way in the mixing section 50 passes through the beverage delivery pipe 51 and reaches the foaming section 52.

In the foaming section 52, the milk beverage comes into contact with the wall surface, etc., increasing the amount of foaming of the milk beverage. The milk beverage thus foamed passes through the beverage outlet passage and is sent to the nozzle section 54, and is supplied by being discharged from the nozzle section 54 into the cup C.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2, with the second connection part 33 disconnected from the first connection part 26 and the third connection part 68 connected to the first connection part 26, if a user performs an input operation through a predetermined input means (not shown) and a cleaning command is given to the control part 100, the control part 100 performs a cleaning control process. Note that, in the following, it is assumed that each valve is closed and each pump is stopped.

Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the process of the cleaning control process performed by the control unit 100. In this cleaning control process, the control unit 100 performs a pre-rinse process (step S100).

Figure 6 is a flow chart showing the processing contents of the pre-rinse process shown in Figure 5. In this pre-rinse process, the control unit 100 drives the cleaning water pump 64a by sending a drive command to the cleaning water pump 64a (step S101), starts measuring time using a built-in clock unit (not shown), and waits for the lapse of a preset drive time (step S102).

As a result, hot water is supplied as cleaning hot water from the hot water tank 25 through the cleaning hot water supply pipe 64 to the diffusion section 61. The hot water supplied to the diffusion section 61 flows from top to bottom inside the diffusion section 61 along the central axis L of the diffusion section 61, and is discharged from the discharge port 612a to the cleaning supply pipe 63, and passes through the cleaning supply pipe 63. The hot water that has passed through the cleaning supply pipe 63 passes through the first connection section 26, liquid supply pipe 27, mixing section 50, beverage delivery pipe 51, forming section 52, beverage delivery passage, and nozzle section 54, which constitute the beverage supply path, as cleaning hot water.

If the drive time has elapsed (step S102: Yes), the control unit 100 sends a drive stop command to the cleaning hot water pump 64a to stop the drive of the cleaning hot water pump 64a (step S103), and issues an open command to the second steam supply valve 23a to open the second steam supply valve 23a (step S104). Having thus opened the second steam supply valve 23a, the control unit 100 starts measuring time through the clock unit and waits for the elapse of the preset open time (step S105).

By keeping the second steam supply valve 23a open until the open time has elapsed, the pressurized steam that has passed through the second steam supply pipe 23 passes through the first connection section 26, the liquid supply pipe 27, the mixing section 50, the beverage delivery pipe 51, the forming section 52, the beverage delivery passage and the nozzle section 54, and can blow out the hot water supplied in step S101 above.

If the open time has elapsed (step S105: Yes), the control unit 100 sends a close command to the second steam supply valve 23a to close the second steam supply valve 23a (step S106), and then returns the procedure to end this pre-rinse process.

After performing the pre-rinse process in this manner, the control unit 100 performs an alkaline cleaning process (step S200).

Figure 7 is a flow chart showing the process of the alkaline cleaning process shown in Figure 5. In this alkaline cleaning process, the control unit 100 controls the switching valve 62a by sending a command to the switching valve 62a so that the alkaline cleaning solution passes through the cleaning solution supply pipe 62 (step S201), and sends a drive command to the cleaning water pump 64a to drive the cleaning water pump 64a (step S202).

As a result, hot water is supplied as cleaning hot water from the hot water tank 25 through the cleaning hot water supply pipe 64 to the diffusion section 61. The hot water supplied to the diffusion section 61 flows from top to bottom inside the diffusion section 61 along the central axis L of the diffusion section 61, is discharged from the discharge port 612a into the cleaning supply pipe 63, and passes through the cleaning supply pipe 63.

Then, the control unit 100 intermittently drives the cleaning solution supply pump 62b by intermittently sending a drive command to the cleaning solution supply pump 62b (step S203), starts measuring time through the clock unit, and waits for the preset drive time to elapse (step S204).

As a result, the alkaline cleaning concentrate passes through the cleaning concentrate supply pipe 62 and is intermittently discharged into the diffusion section 61 from the discharge opening 71 of the cleaning concentrate check valve 70, so that the alkaline cleaning concentrate is intermittently supplied to the diffusion section 61. The alkaline cleaning concentrate intermittently supplied to the diffusion section 61 in this way collides with the hot water flowing from top to bottom inside the diffusion section 61 and becomes diffused in the hot water. As a result, the alkaline cleaning concentrate is discharged from the discharge port 612a into the cleaning supply pipe 63 in a diffused state in the hot water, and after passing through the cleaning supply pipe 63, it passes through the first connection section 26, the liquid supply pipe 27, the mixing section 50, the beverage delivery pipe 51, the forming section 52, the beverage delivery passage, and the nozzle section 54, which constitute the beverage supply path.

When the drive time has elapsed (step S204: Yes), the control unit 100 sends a drive stop command to the cleaning liquid supply pump 62b to stop the drive of the cleaning liquid supply pump 62b (step S205), sends a drive stop command to the cleaning hot water pump 64a to stop the drive of the cleaning hot water pump 64a (step S206), and sends an open command to the second steam supply valve 23a to open the second steam supply valve 23a (step S207). Having opened the second steam supply valve 23a in this way, the control unit 100 starts measuring time through the clock unit and waits for the preset open time to elapse (step S208).

By keeping the second steam supply valve 23a open until the opening time has elapsed, the pressurized steam that has passed through the second steam supply pipe 23 passes through the first connection section 26, the liquid supply pipe 27, the mixing section 50, the beverage delivery pipe 51, the forming section 52, the beverage delivery passage and the nozzle section 54, and blows out the hot water in which the alkaline cleaning concentrate supplied in steps S201 to S206 has been diffused.

If the open time has elapsed (step S208: Yes), the control unit 100 sends a close command to the second steam supply valve 23a to close the second steam supply valve 23a (step S209), and then returns the procedure to end the current alkaline cleaning process.

After performing the alkaline cleaning process in this manner, the control unit 100 performs an alkaline cleaning rinse process (step S300).

Figure 8 is a flow chart showing the process of the alkaline cleaning and rinsing process shown in Figure 5. In this alkaline cleaning and rinsing process, the control unit 100 drives the cleaning water pump 64a by sending a drive command to the cleaning water pump 64a (step S301), starts measuring time using the built-in clock, and waits for the lapse of a preset drive time (step S302).

As a result, hot water is supplied as rinsing hot water from the hot water tank 25 through the cleaning hot water supply pipe 64 to the diffusion section 61. The hot water supplied to the diffusion section 61 flows from top to bottom inside the diffusion section 61 along the central axis L of the diffusion section 61, and is discharged from the discharge port 612a to the cleaning supply pipe 63, passing through the cleaning supply pipe 63. The hot water that has passed through the cleaning supply pipe 63 passes through the first connection section 26, liquid supply pipe 27, mixing section 50, beverage delivery pipe 51, forming section 52, beverage delivery passage, and nozzle section 54, which constitute the beverage supply path, as rinsing hot water.

If the drive time has elapsed (step S302: Yes), the control unit 100 sends a drive stop command to the cleaning hot water pump 64a to stop the drive of the cleaning hot water pump 64a (step S303), and issues an open command to the second steam supply valve 23a to open the second steam supply valve 23a (step S304). Having thus opened the second steam supply valve 23a, the control unit 100 starts measuring time through the clock unit and waits for the preset open time to elapse (step S305).

By keeping the second steam supply valve 23a open until the open time has elapsed, the pressurized steam that has passed through the second steam supply pipe 23 passes through the first connection section 26, the liquid supply pipe 27, the mixing section 50, the beverage delivery pipe 51, the forming section 52, the beverage delivery passage and the nozzle section 54, and blows out the hot water (rinse water) supplied in step S301 above.

If the open time has elapsed (step S305: Yes), the control unit 100 sends a close command to the second steam supply valve 23a to close the second steam supply valve 23a (step S306), and then returns the procedure to end this alkaline cleaning and rinsing process.

After performing the alkaline cleaning and rinsing process in this manner, the control unit 100 performs an acid cleaning process (step S400).

Figure 9 is a flow chart showing the processing contents of the acid cleaning process shown in Figure 5. In this acid cleaning process, the control unit 100 controls the switching valve 62a by sending a command to the switching valve 62a so that the acid cleaning solution passes through the cleaning solution supply pipe 62 (step S401), and sends a drive command to the cleaning water pump 64a to drive the cleaning water pump 64a (step S402).

As a result, hot water is supplied as cleaning hot water from the hot water tank 25 through the cleaning hot water supply pipe 64 to the diffusion section 61. The hot water supplied to the diffusion section 61 flows from top to bottom inside the diffusion section 61 along the central axis L of the diffusion section 61, is discharged from the discharge port 612a into the cleaning supply pipe 63, and passes through the cleaning supply pipe 63.

Then, the control unit 100 intermittently drives the cleaning solution supply pump 62b by intermittently sending a drive command to the cleaning solution supply pump 62b (step S403), starts measuring time through the clock unit, and waits for the preset drive time to elapse (step S404).

As a result, the acidic cleaning concentrate passes through the cleaning concentrate supply pipe 62 and is intermittently discharged into the diffusion section 61 from the discharge opening 71 of the cleaning concentrate check valve 70, so that the acidic cleaning concentrate is intermittently supplied to the diffusion section 61. The acidic cleaning concentrate intermittently supplied to the diffusion section 61 in this way collides with the hot water flowing from top to bottom inside the diffusion section 61 and becomes diffused in the hot water. As a result, the acidic cleaning concentrate is discharged from the discharge port 612a into the cleaning supply pipe 63 in a diffused state in the hot water, and after passing through the cleaning supply pipe 63, it passes through the first connection section 26, the liquid supply pipe 27, the mixing section 50, the beverage delivery pipe 51, the forming section 52, the beverage delivery passage, and the nozzle section 54, which constitute the beverage supply path.

When the drive time has elapsed (step S404: Yes), the control unit 100 sends a drive stop command to the cleaning liquid supply pump 62b to stop the drive of the cleaning liquid supply pump 62b (step S405), sends a drive stop command to the cleaning hot water pump 64a to stop the drive of the cleaning hot water pump 64a (step S406), and sends an open command to the second steam supply valve 23a to open the second steam supply valve 23a (step S407). Having opened the second steam supply valve 23a in this way, the control unit 100 starts measuring time through the clock unit and waits for the preset open time to elapse (step S408).

By keeping the second steam supply valve 23a open until the open time has elapsed, the pressurized steam that has passed through the second steam supply pipe 23 passes through the first connection section 26, the liquid supply pipe 27, the mixing section 50, the beverage delivery pipe 51, the forming section 52, the beverage delivery passage and the nozzle section 54, and blows out the hot water in which the acidic cleaning solution supplied in steps S401 to S406 has been diffused.

If the open time has elapsed (step S408: Yes), the control unit 100 sends a close command to the second steam supply valve 23a to close the second steam supply valve 23a (step S409), and then returns the procedure to end the current acid cleaning process.

After performing the acid cleaning process in this manner, the control unit 100 performs an acid cleaning rinse process (step S500).

Figure 10 is a flow chart showing the process of the acid cleaning rinse process shown in Figure 5. In this acid cleaning rinse process, the control unit 100 drives the cleaning water pump 64a by sending a drive command to the cleaning water pump 64a (step S501), starts measuring time using the built-in clock, and waits for the lapse of a preset drive time (step S502).

As a result, hot water is supplied as rinsing hot water from the hot water tank 25 through the cleaning hot water supply pipe 64 to the diffusion section 61. The hot water supplied to the diffusion section 61 flows from top to bottom inside the diffusion section 61 along the central axis L of the diffusion section 61, and is discharged from the discharge port 612a to the cleaning supply pipe 63, passing through the cleaning supply pipe 63. The hot water that has passed through the cleaning supply pipe 63 passes through the first connection section 26, liquid supply pipe 27, mixing section 50, beverage delivery pipe 51, forming section 52, beverage delivery passage, and nozzle section 54, which constitute the beverage supply path, as rinsing hot water.

If the drive time has elapsed (step S502: Yes), the control unit 100 sends a drive stop command to the cleaning hot water pump 64a to stop the drive of the cleaning hot water pump 64a (step S503), and issues an open command to the second steam supply valve 23a to open the second steam supply valve 23a (step S504). Having thus opened the second steam supply valve 23a, the control unit 100 starts measuring time through the clock unit and waits for the preset open time to elapse (step S505).

By keeping the second steam supply valve 23a open until the open time has elapsed, the pressurized steam that has passed through the second steam supply pipe 23 passes through the first connection section 26, the liquid supply pipe 27, the mixing section 50, the beverage delivery pipe 51, the forming section 52, the beverage delivery passage and the nozzle section 54, and can blow out the hot water (rinse water) that was supplied in step S501 above.

If the open time has elapsed (step S505: Yes), the control unit 100 sends a close command to the second steam supply valve 23a to close the second steam supply valve 23a (step S506), and checks whether the number of times the cleaning hot water pump 64a has been driven has reached a preset number of times, m (step S507).

If the number of times the cleaning hot water pump 64a has been driven has not reached m times (step S507: No), the control unit 100 repeats the processes of steps S501 to S506 described above. On the other hand, if the number of times the cleaning hot water pump 64a has been driven has reached m times (step S507: Yes), the control unit 100 sends a cleaning completion signal to a host device (not shown) or a display unit (not shown) (step S508), and then returns the procedure to end the current acid cleaning rinse process. By performing the acid cleaning rinse process in this manner, the procedure of the above cleaning control process is returned and the current cleaning control process is ended.

As described above, according to the cleaning unit 60, which is an embodiment of the present invention, when a cleaning command is given, the control unit 100 supplies hot water from the hot water tank 25 to the beverage supply path, and intermittently supplies the cleaning solution (alkaline cleaning solution, acidic cleaning solution) stored in the cleaning solution storage units 65, 66, so that the cleaning solution is supplied to the beverage supply path in a state in which it is dispersed in the hot water. This eliminates the need for a container to mix the cleaning solution and the cleaning water, and also eliminates the need for time to mix the cleaning solution and the cleaning water to produce the cleaning solution. This makes it possible to reduce the cleaning time while preventing the device from becoming too large overall.

In particular, the diffusion section 61 has a cylindrical side section 611 and a conical bottom section 612 whose cross-sectional area gradually decreases downward with the central section being the lowest, and the bottom section 612 is provided with a discharge port 612a, which allows the original cleaning solution to be diffused well into the cleaning water.

According to the above-mentioned cleaning unit 60, the switching valve 62a provided in the cleaning liquid supply pipe 62, which is a common cleaning liquid supply path for supplying the alkaline cleaning liquid and the acidic cleaning liquid, allows either the alkaline cleaning liquid or the acidic cleaning liquid to pass through the cleaning liquid supply pipe 62. When a cleaning command is given, the control unit 100 controls the open/close state of the switching valve 62a to supply the alkaline cleaning liquid and then the acidic cleaning liquid. This makes it possible to prevent the alkaline cleaning liquid from remaining in the cleaning liquid supply pump 62b provided in the cleaning liquid supply pipe 62. This makes it possible to prevent the rubber material, such as fluorine-based rubber, constituting the cleaning liquid supply pump 62b from deteriorating relatively early, and suppresses a decrease in the service life.

The above describes a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this and various modifications can be made.

In the above-described embodiment, milk was used as an example of a milk beverage, but in the present invention, milk beverages such as soy milk may also be used.

In the above-described embodiment, the beverage supply path is cleaned after the first connection portion 26 and the second connection portion 33 are separated and the third connection portion 68 is connected to the first connection portion 26. However, in the present invention, the beverage supply path may be cleaned while the first connection portion 26, the second connection portion 33, and the third connection portion 68 are connected to each other. This makes it possible to more easily clean the beverage supply path, without the need to separate the second connection portion 33 from the first connection portion 26 and connect the third connection portion 68 to the first connection portion 26.

In the above-described embodiment, when a cleaning command is given, the control unit 100 controls the open/close state of the switching valve 62a to supply an alkaline cleaning solution and then an acidic cleaning solution, thereby preventing the alkaline cleaning solution from remaining in the cleaning solution supply pump 62b. However, in the present invention, various configurations can be adopted as long as the control unit can control the open/close state of the switching valve when a cleaning command is given, and prevent the alkaline cleaning solution from remaining in the supply pump (cleaning solution supply pump 62b) arranged in the cleaning solution supply path.

11, one end of the cleaning solution supply pipe 62' is branched into three, one of which is connected to the first cleaning solution storage section 65, another of which is connected to the second cleaning solution storage section 66, and the last of which is connected to the water storage section 67 for storing water. The other end of this cleaning solution supply pipe 62' is connected to the side section 611 of the diffusion section 61, as with the above-mentioned cleaning solution supply pipe 62, although not shown in the figure. The switching valve 62c provided in the middle of such a cleaning solution supply pipe 62' is provided at the branching point of the cleaning solution supply pipe 62', and is a selection means that allows either the alkaline cleaning solution, the acidic cleaning solution, or water to pass through the cleaning solution supply pipe 62' in response to a command given from the control section 100. According to this, when a cleaning command is given, the control unit 100 controls the open/close state of the switching valve 62c to supply an alkaline cleaning solution, then an acidic cleaning solution, and then water, thereby preventing the alkaline cleaning solution from remaining in the cleaning solution supply pump 62b.

1...beverage supply device, 20...steam supply section, 21...steam tank, 24...hot water supply pipe, 25...hot water tank, 26...first connection section, 27...liquid supply pipe, 30...concentrate liquid supply section, 40...air supply section, 50...mixing section, 51...beverage delivery pipe, 52...forming section, 54...nozzle section, 60...cleaning section (cleaning device), 61...diffusion section, 62...cleaning concentrate liquid supply pipe, 62a...switching valve, 62b...cleaning concentrate liquid supply pump, 63...cleaning supply pipe, 63a...cleaning check valve, 64...cleaning hot water supply pipe, 64a...cleaning hot water pump, 65...first cleaning concentrate liquid storage section, 66...second cleaning concentrate liquid storage section, 100...control section, C...cup.

Claims (3)

A cleaning device for cleaning a beverage supply path applied to a beverage supply device that supplies a beverage to a container through a beverage supply path, the cleaning device comprising:
A cleaning device characterized in that, when a cleaning command is given, a control unit drives a cleaning hot water pump to supply hot water from a hot water storage section that stores the hot water that makes up the beverage to the beverage supply path via a diffusion section, and intermittently drives a cleaning concentrate supply pump to intermittently supply cleaning concentrate stored in a cleaning concentrate storage section to the diffusion section, thereby colliding the cleaning concentrate with the hot water passing through the diffusion section and supplying it to the beverage supply path in a diffused state. The cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit supplies the cleaning concentrate to the beverage supply path in a state where it is dispersed in the hot water, and then supplies the hot water supplied from the hot water storage unit to the beverage supply path as rinsing hot water. The cleaning device according to claim 2, characterized in that the control unit supplies the alkaline cleaning solution stored in the cleaning solution storage unit to the beverage supply path in a state where the alkaline cleaning solution is diffused in the hot water, and then supplies the rinsing hot water, and then supplies the acidic cleaning solution stored in the cleaning solution storage unit to the beverage supply path in a state where the acidic cleaning solution is diffused in the hot water, and then supplies the rinsing hot water.

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