Ultraviolet disinfecting device for food and beverage dispensers

Disinfecting devices and related methods are provided that apply germicidal ultraviolet light to disinfect dispensing components of food and beverage dispensers. A disinfecting holster for a nozzle of a beverage dispensing handle includes a housing adapted to receive a nozzle of a beverage dispensing handle and an ultraviolet light source bent around the housing to surround at least a portion of the housing. The ultraviolet light source generates and emits germicidal ultraviolet light onto the nozzle. The housing substantially contains the ultraviolet light within the housing during the application of the ultraviolet light to the dispensing nozzle. The ultraviolet light can be periodically applied to maintain the nozzle in a disinfected state.

BACKGROUND

The present invention is related to food and beverage dispensers, and more specifically to a method and means to provide ultraviolet disinfection of dispensing points of food and beverage dispensers.

Food and beverage dispensers can become contaminated with molds and/or bacteria. Such molds and/or bacteria can then be inadvertently passed along for consumption, thereby posing a potential health threat. Such contamination can occur in various ways.

For example,FIGS. 1a, 1b, and 1cshow a known bar gun12(or beverage dispenser) that is placed in its holster14. Such a bar gun12and holster14set up is commercially available from the assignee of this patent application.FIG. 1adepicts the general position of the dispensing nozzle16of the bar gun12as it is being inserted into the holster14, while being supported by the operator's hand.FIG. 1bdepicts the at-rest (or unsupported) position of the bar gun12when stowed in the holster14. The weight of the tubing bundle (not shown) attached to the bar gun12, along with location of the center of gravity of the bar gun12relative to the holster14, can cause the dispensing nozzle16to come into direct contact with the potentially contaminated interior surface18of the holster14. The holster-based solution includes a generally cylindrical member that is configured to accept and encompass the nozzle of the bar gun, and provide a collection device for fluid discharged by the bar gun. This collection device may or may not be fitted with a drainage means, such as the drain line20shown. Additionally, while the collection device does provide for collection of fluid discharged from the dispensing nozzle16of the bar gun12, continued use may cause a build-up on the interior surface18of the holster14as the fluids dry. Furthermore, if not regularly attended to, the interior surface18of the collection device can provide a medium for the growth of bacteria and/or molds. The size of the collection device can also readily allow for contact between the dispensing nozzle16and the inner surface18of the collection device, and thus potentially contaminating the dispensing nozzle through which the next beverage is dispensed to a customer.

Additionally, existing beverage dispensers, for example, hand-held beverage dispensers (e.g., a bar gun), are prone to contamination due to frequent handling by one or more users (who may have less than sanitary hands). Additionally, the residue of fluids dispensed by beverage dispensers often provides an environment that supports the growth of molds and/or bacteria either airborne or deposited by unsanitary contact. Such molds and/or bacteria may then be transferred into a dispensed beverage that is then consumed.

There is therefore a need to provide a way to disinfect food and beverage dispensers to avoid dispensing food and/or beverages that contain pathogens such as molds and/or bacteria.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention provides a method and means to disinfect dispensing components of food and beverage dispensers (e.g., a dispensing port of a food dispenser, a dispensing nozzle of a beverage dispenser). The dispensing components are subjected to contained ultraviolet radiation of adequate duration and intensity to disinfect the dispensing components. Various approaches can be used to trigger the application of the ultraviolet light, such as by triggering the application when a beverage dispenser such as a bar gun is returned to its support, and/or activation at regular intervals (e.g., intervals not exceeding a maximum period of non-activation). To enhance the impact of the applied ultraviolet light, some or all of the dispensing components can be made from materials that can be at least partially penetrated by ultraviolet light (e.g., ultraviolet transparent (UVT) materials) to pass the ultraviolet light onto surfaces potentially in need of disinfection, while being suitable for food contact (e.g., NSF/ANSI Std. 51 materials (National Sanitation Foundation—Food Equipment Materials). The ultraviolet light can also be used to generate ozone for additional germicidal and/or deodorant action. The generated ozone can be applied to the dispensing components to penetrate into areas that the ultraviolet light does not reach.

Thus, in one aspect, a disinfecting holster for a nozzle of a beverage dispensing handle is provided. The disinfecting holster includes a housing adapted to receive a nozzle of a beverage dispensing handle, an ultraviolet light source arranged around at least a portion of the housing, and a first enclosure defining a first chamber holding the housing and containing the ultraviolet light source. The ultraviolet light source configured to generate and emit germicidal ultraviolet light onto the housing and the nozzle. The first enclosure having a top surface including a nozzle opening aligned with the housing and configured to hold the nozzle of the beverage dispensing handle such that only the nozzle extends into the housing.

In some embodiments, the ultraviolet light source may be a U-bend ultraviolet light source. In other embodiments, the ultraviolet light source may be an O-ring ultraviolet light source. The ultraviolet light source may be formed of a plurality of ultraviolet light source modules that surround at least the portion of the housing.

An interior of the housing may be formed of or lined with food-grade ultraviolet-transmissive plastic. An exterior of the housing may be formed of or lined with transmissive quartz sleeve to protect the ultraviolet light source from spatters coming out of the nozzle.

The first enclosure may be formed on top of a second enclosure defining a second chamber. The first enclosure and the second enclosure may be separated by a perforated surface provided at a bottom of the first enclosure. The perforated surface may be formed of or lined with reflective material to reflect the ultraviolet light into an orifice of the nozzle. The first enclosure may include a fan to distribute ozone generated by the ultraviolet light within the first enclosure and the housing.

The disinfecting holster may further comprise a controller configured to periodically activate the ultraviolet light source to maintain the nozzle in a disinfected state. The controller provides for a manually-initiated application of ultraviolet light.

In another aspect, a method for disinfecting a nozzle of a beverage dispensing handle is provided. The method includes arranging an ultraviolet light source around at least a portion of a nozzle of a beverage dispensing handle, and emitting germicidal ultraviolet light by the ultraviolet light source onto the nozzle. The ultraviolet light source is provided within a housing that substantially contains the ultraviolet light and the ultraviolet light is emitted by the ultraviolet light source with a duration and an intensity selected to disinfect the nozzle.

In some embodiments, the ultraviolet light source may be a U-bend ultraviolet light source. In other embodiments, the ultraviolet light source may be an O-ring ultraviolet light source.

The step of emitting germicidal ultraviolet light may also include controlling an activation of an ultraviolet light source via a controller configured to periodically activate the ultraviolet light source to maintain the nozzle in a disinfected state. The step of emitting germicidal ultraviolet light onto the nozzle may also include manually initiating the emission of the ultraviolet light. The step of emitting germicidal ultraviolet light onto the nozzle may also include emitting the light from a plurality of ultraviolet light source modules distributed around the housing.

An interior of the housing may be formed of or lined with food-grade ultraviolet-transmissive plastic. An exterior of the housing may be formed of or lined with transmissive quartz sleeve to protect the ultraviolet light source from spatters coming out of the nozzle.

In another aspect, an apparatus for disinfecting a nozzle of a beverage dispensing handle is provided. The apparatus comprises a housing adapted to receive a nozzle of a beverage dispensing handle, an ultraviolet light source arranged around at least a portion of the housing, a first enclosure defining a first chamber containing the ultraviolet light, and a second enclosure defining a second chamber provided below the first enclosure. The ultraviolet light source is configured to generate and emit germicidal ultraviolet light onto the nozzle. The first enclosure has a top surface including a nozzle opening aligned with the housing and configured to hold the nozzle of the beverage dispensing handle such that only the nozzle extends into the housing. The second enclosure is separated from the first enclosure by a perforated surface. An interior of the housing is formed of or lined with food-grade ultraviolet-transmissive plastic, and an exterior of the housing is formed of or lined with transmissive quartz sleeve to protect the ultraviolet light source from spatters coming out of the nozzle.

For a further understanding of the nature and advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention described herein provides methods and means to disinfect dispensing components of food and beverage dispensers. Contained ultraviolet light is applied to the dispensing components to kill molds and/or bacteria on the components. The ultraviolet light can be applied with a sufficient intensity and duration to provide a desired level of disinfection. The ultraviolet light can also be used to generate ozone, which can be used to provide additional disinfection and/or deodorant action, and can be distributed to reach areas of dispensing components not reached by the applied ultraviolet light.

Ultraviolet Disinfection Devices

FIGS. 2athrough 2eillustrate a bar gun assembly100that includes a bar gun102and a holster104configured to apply contained ultraviolet light to disinfect dispensing components of the bar gun102. The holster104includes an outer wall106that helps to prevent emission of ultraviolet light from the holster104during an application of ultraviolet light by the holster104onto dispensing components of the bar gun102(e.g., nozzle108).

FIG. 2ashows the bar gun102stowed in the holster104.FIGS. 2bthrough 2dillustrate internal components of the holster104(outer wall106not shown to avoid obscuring the internal components). The holster104includes an ultraviolet light source (e.g., a germicidal lamp or tube lamp110) mounted in the holster104via a lamp mount112. A germicidal ballast (not shown) for the tube lamp110can be mounted within the lamp mount112. The holster104further includes a nozzle receiving portion114that accommodates the nozzle108when the bar gun102is stowed, thereby positioning the nozzle108to receive germicidal ultraviolet light emitted by the tube lamp110. Ultraviolet light emitted by the tube lamp110enters the nozzle receiving portion114by way of an aperture116positioned between the tube lamp and the nozzle receiving portion. One or more inner surfaces of the nozzle receiving portion can be configured (e.g., via a surface finish, an applied surface layer, and via its shape) to reflect ultraviolet light so that ultraviolet light entering through the aperture116is reflected onto the nozzle108from all sides, including from the bottom so that the ultraviolet light enters into the orifice of the nozzle to at least some extent. For example, the outer wall106can be shaped and include an internal reflective surface that evenly distributes the ultraviolet light entering through the aperture116to all sides of the nozzle108.

The holster104and/or the bar gun102can be configured with a means that senses when the bar gun is stowed in the holster. For example, known switches, contacts, proximity sensors, etc., can be used to sense when the bar gun is stowed. Control circuitry (not shown) can used to activate the tube lamp110at suitable times and intervals. The control circuitry can be mounted in a suitable location (e.g., within the lamp mount112). Although a variable intensity can be used, in many embodiments the ultraviolet light source is configured to emit ultraviolet light at an intensity known to provide a suitable level of disinfection. The control circuitry can keep track of suitable parameters (e.g., time since last ultraviolet application, usage parameters of the bar gun, etc.) to provide periodic applications of ultraviolet light suitable to maintain the nozzle of the bar gun in a disinfected state. In many embodiments, the control circuitry limits the application of ultraviolet light to when the bar gun is stowed and stops any application of ultraviolet light upon removal of the bar gun from the holster. A means to manually initiate the application of ultraviolet light can also be provided (e.g., via a switch, button, control panel interface, etc.).

The holster104can also be configured to distribute ozone generated by the ultraviolet light to provide further disinfection and/or deodorant action to dispensing components of the bar gun102. For example, the holster104can further include a circulation means (e.g., a fan) to circulate ozone around the interior of the holster104to enhance distribution of ozone around the nozzle108.

FIG. 2eis an exploded view of the holster104. The holster104includes a grommet118, a top cover120, the outer wall106, a drip collection member122, the tube lamp110, a reflector124, and the lamp mount112. Components of the holster104not shown include the control circuitry for activating the lamp110, and the above-discussed means for sensing when the bar gun102is stowed in the holster. The grommet118and the nozzle108can be configured with mutually shaped portions to establish and maintain a substantial seal between the nozzle108and the grommet118when the bar gun is stowed in the holster, thereby preventing the escape of ultraviolet light from the holster and enhancing the concentration of any ozone generated within the holster.

The above-discussed ultraviolet disinfection can be applied to other types of beverage dispensers. For example,FIGS. 3aand 3billustrate a beverage dispensing tower200configured to periodically apply contained ultraviolet light to disinfect dispensing components (e.g., nozzle202) of the dispensing tower200. The beverage dispensing tower200includes a disinfecting chamber204that is movable to surround the nozzle202so that ultraviolet light can be applied to the nozzle202in a contained manner.FIG. 3ashows the disinfecting chamber204disengaged from the nozzle202. AndFIG. 3bshows the disinfecting chamber204positioned to surround the nozzle202to contain ultraviolet light during an application of ultraviolet light to the nozzle202. The ultraviolet light applied can be generated, for example, via an ultraviolet light source mounted within the disinfecting chamber204, or can be mounted in a suitable location exterior to the disinfecting chamber204and the ultraviolet light introduced into the disinfecting chamber (e.g., via an aperture as disclosed above, via one or more fiber optic cables, or via any other suitable known transmission means). Suitable control circuitry, such as discussed above, can be mounted in a suitable location and used to control an actuation of the disinfecting chamber to position the disinfecting chamber and the application of ultraviolet light to provide periodic applications of ultraviolet light, as discussed above with reference to the holster104.

FIGS. 4aand 4billustrate a similar application of ultraviolet disinfection to a multi-nozzle beverage dispensing tower300. The multi-nozzle beverage dispensing tower300can include multiple disinfecting chambers302corresponding to multiple nozzles304as illustrated. Alternatively, any number of the disinfecting chambers can be integrated into one or more common disinfecting chambers configured to surround any suitable number of the nozzles during an application of ultraviolet light. The multi-nozzle beverage dispensing tower300can include, for example, any of the applicable features and/or functionality discussed above with respect to the holster104and the beverage dispensing tower200.

FIGS. 5aand 5billustrate a coffee maker400configured to apply contained ultraviolet light to disinfect dispensing components of the coffee maker400. The coffee maker400includes a disinfecting chamber402that can be positioned (e.g., attached, moved, actuated, etc.) for the application of ultraviolet light to dispensing components of the coffee maker400. The coffee maker400can include, for example, any of the applicable features and/or functionality discussed above with respect to the holster104, the beverage dispensing tower200, and the multi-nozzle beverage dispensing tower300.

FIGS. 8athrough 8eillustrate another exemplary a bar gun holster configured to apply contained ultraviolet light to disinfect dispensing components of the bar gun, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.FIGS. 8athrough 8eillustrate similar features toFIGS. 2athrough 2e. The reference numerals for these elements are kept the same and a discussion of these elements is provided above. Accordingly, the discussion of these similar elements is omitted below with respect toFIGS. 8athrough8e.

The bar gun holster800illustrated inFIGS. 8athrough 8eincludes a support surface821configured to interface with a beverage dispensing handle (e.g. a bar gun102) to support the bar gun102when stowed in the holster800. The holster800may also include a receiving housing814coupled with the support surface821configured to receive the nozzle108of the bar gun102when the bar gun102is stowed in the holster800. The holster800may also include an ultraviolet light source802that surrounds at least a portion of the receiving housing814. For example, the ultraviolet light source802may include a U-bend (e.g. horseshoe shaped, U-shaped) lamp. The U-bend lamp may be provided around the receiving housing814. When the bar gun102is coupled to the bar gun holster800(e.g. when the bar gun102is stowed in the bar gun holster800), the U-bend lamp surrounds the nozzle108of the bar gun102. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that even though a U-shaped shaped lamp is illustrated inFIGS. 8athrough 8eas the ultraviolet light source802, the ultraviolet light source can be a ring-shaped (e.g. O-bend, O-shaped, O-ring) lamp that completely surrounds the receiving housing814. According to various embodiments, the ultraviolet light source802may be continuous and/or one-piece (e.g. a U-bend lamp or an O-ring). Alternatively, the ultraviolet light source802may be formed of multiple ultraviolet light source modules (e.g. multiple ultraviolet light emitting lamps) provided around the receiving housing814to surround at least a portion of the nozzle108when provided within the receiving housing814.

In some embodiments, the receiving housing814may be provided at an angle with respect to the ultraviolet light source802such that more ultraviolet rays may fall on the nozzle104when the nozzle is provided in the receiving housing814. The bar gun holster800may include a raised surface828to accommodate the nozzle108of the bar gun102at an angle.

The extremities of the ultraviolet light source802may be coupled to corresponding tube sockets804via, for example, contact pins. The ultraviolet light source802may be coupled to the tube socket(s)804by any suitable means. The ultraviolet light source802illustrated inFIGS. 8athrough 8eemits ultraviolet light on the nozzle from multiple angles around the nozzle108to sanitize/sterilize the nozzle108. The embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 8athrough 8eeffectively sanitizes both the tip and upper body portion of the nozzle108.

According to various embodiments, an interior surface of the receiving housing814may be molded to have a similar shape to the nozzle108so as to snugly hold the nozzle108in place. The receiving housing814may have an opening816through which the nozzle108may be inserted into the receiving housing814. In some embodiments, an interior surface of the receiving housing814that faces the nozzle108(when the nozzle108is stowed in the receiving housing814) may be formed of or lined with food-grade ultraviolet-transmissive plastic818. An exterior of the receiving housing814may be formed of or lined with quartz sleeve820to act as a shield to protect the electronics and the ultraviolet light source802from spatters that may come out of the nozzle108. The quartz sleeve820may be fully transmissive to allow the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light source802to be transmitted onto the nozzle108.

The bar gun holster800may include a drip pan806having a plurality of perforations807(e.g. holes) to allow for any liquid remaining in or dripping from the nozzle108to flow through. According to various embodiments, the perforated drip pan806may be coated with a reflective material to reflect the ultraviolet light so that ultraviolet light is reflected onto the nozzle108from the bottom so that the ultraviolet light enters into the orifice of the nozzle108to disinfect the interior surface of the nozzle108as well.

An enclosed disinfecting chamber812may be provided above the drip pan806to house the ultraviolet light source802and the nozzle108. The enclosed disinfecting chamber812may be defined by a top wall822, side wall824, front wall834and the drip pan806at the bottom. The bar gun holster800can also be configured to distribute ozone generated by the ultraviolet light to provide additional disinfection and/or deodorant action to the nozzle108of the bar gun102. For example, the disinfecting chamber812can further include a circulation means (e.g., a fan) to circulate ozone around the interior of the disinfecting chamber812and the receiving housing814to enhance distribution of ozone around the nozzle108. The enclosed disinfecting chamber812and the receiving housing814may be in communication such that the ozone gas generated by the ultraviolet light source802provided in the disinfecting chamber812can travel into the receiving housing814to further disinfect the nozzle108.

A drip collection chamber810may be provided below the drip pan806to collect the liquid dripping from the nozzle108. The drip collection chamber810may be defined by the bottom of the disinfecting chamber812on the top, side wall826, front wall836and bottom surface846. Accordingly, the disinfecting chamber812may be kept dry by means of the drip pan806.

FIG. 6is a simplified diagram illustrating an ultraviolet light disinfection system500. The disinfection system500includes a power input510, a power switch520, a controller530, an ultraviolet lamp ballast(s)540, and an ultraviolet lamp(s)550. The disinfection system500can also include optional additional components such as an ozone generator560and/or a circulation fan(s)570.

The power input510receives electrical power (e.g., alternating current from an external source, direct current from an external source, direct current from a internal battery) used to operate the disinfection system500. The power input510can transfer the received power directly. If required by the operational needs of the disinfection system, the power input can also convert the received power into one or more forms used by components of the disinfection system (e.g., into a DC voltage suitable to operate digital circuitry in the controller; into any form required to operate the lamp ballast(s)540, the lamp(s)550, the ozone generator560, and/or the circulation fan(s)570). In many embodiments, the power switch is an on/off switch used to activate and deactivate the disinfection system.

In many embodiments, the controller530is configured to periodically activate the UV lamp(s)550to maintain a food or beverage dispenser in a disinfected state. For example, the controller can include an interval timer that provides a periodic application of power to the lamp ballast(s)540. The controller can be implemented in any suitable manner (e.g., using analogue components, using digital components, a mix of analogue and digital components). The controller can also be programmable through, for example, a suitable user interface and/or communication channel.

While the above-discussed embodiments involve certain types of beverage dispensers, the present invention is not limited to such beverage dispensers. For example, contained ultraviolet light can be applied to other types of beverage dispensers and/or food dispensers. Such food dispensers include, for example, a hot cheese dispenser (e.g., as described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009-023544 A1, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference); a refrigerated milk dispenser (e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,832,487, the entire disclosure of which in incorporated herein by reference); a pizza sauce dispenser (e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,074,277, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference); and a liquid egg dispenser (e.g., as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/763,992, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference).

The disclosed disinfection devices and system can also be retrofitted to existing food or beverage dispensers.FIG. 7is a simplified top-level diagram illustrating a retrofit kit600for retrofitting an ultraviolet light disinfection system to a pre-existing food or beverage dispenser. The retrofit kit600includes installation hardware610and disinfection assembly components620. In many embodiments, the disinfection assembly components620include, for example, one or more ultraviolet light sources such as the UV lamp(s)550, a housing/shield component(s) used to contain the ultraviolet light, and related electrical components such as the power input510, the power switch520, the controller530, the UV lamp ballast(s)540, and any related electrical connectors/wires. A variety of retrofit kits can be configured for use on a wide variety of existing food and beverage dispensers. Each retrofit kit can be configured for use on one or more existing food and/or beverage dispenser types/models.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. These other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims.