AN APPARATUS FOR SANITIZING DRINK DISPENSERS

Abstract: An apparatus for sanitizing drink dispensers and drink dispensing systems comprising a water inlet fitting (6), a gas inlet fitting (7), a tank of concentrated detergent, mixing means (19) connectable to said water inlet fitting (6), and a plurality of outlet fittings (11-14), each connectable to at least a machine or system for dispensing drinks or beverages, and provided with a solenoid valve. Programmable control means controls through solenoid valves the flow of water and/or gas, their mixing with the detergent and the delivery of the so formed mixture(s) through said outlet fittings (11-14), either in sequence or simultaneously.

Description: AN APPARATUS FOR SANITIZING DRINK DISPENSERS Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for sanitizing machines and systems for dispensing drinks and beverages, and more particularly for washing the piping, the cooling coils and the inner devices of such machines and systems. Drink dispensers and drink dispensing systems (usually defined as "on tap dispensers") can store and dispense large amounts of drinks, such as carbonated analcoolic drinks, beer, wine, etc., at a controlled temperature, and the distance between the beverage containers or cans and the dispensing device can be large. The drinks can be of the type known as "pre-mix", i.e. a drink that is dispensed by the machine as it has been filled in the cans or drums by the producer, without any addition of water or other ingredients, or of the so-called "post-mix" type when a concentrated syrup is mixed with water, either carbonated or natural to obtain the drink. By way of an example, Fig. 7 schematically shows a system for dispensing pre-mix drinks. The system comprises some cans 50-53 containing the drinks, a C02 cylinder or bottle 54 connected to the cans via tubes or pipes 60a, b, c, d, a cooling machine 55 incorporating a separate vessel for each drink, each vessel being connected to the corresponding drink can via tubes or pipes 61a, b, c, d, and a dispensing device 58. The conduits 56 connecting the cooling machine 55 to the dispensing device are properly lagged. A sanitizing operation or sanitation substantially comprises a (multiple cycles) wash of the conduits and the devices forming the drink dispenser or drink dispensing system, with suitable chemicals that removes from the conduits the deposits left by the drinks, while carrying out a disinfecting action to prevent bacterial growths. Background Art The sanitizing of drinks dispensers and the like is manually carried out by skilled personnel at regular intervals. This causes additional considerable increase of the running costs for operating the machines, both due to the travelling expenses and the intervention cost, and to the long downtimes of the dispensers since the operation has usually to be carried out at times when the machines should be operating. Object of the Invention It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks and limitations of the prior art, and more particularly to provide an apparatus for sanitizing drink dispensers that is simple to use by unskilled workers, and that ensures a thorough and effective sanitizing washing. The invention achieves the above objects through an apparatus for sanitizing drink dispensers and drink dispensing systems as claimed in claim 1. Additional advantageous features are the objects of the depending claims . By employing an apparatus according to the invention a person with only a minimal knowledge of the systems, such as for example the machine operator or the warehauser, is enabled to carry out the sanitizing of a dispenser or a dispensing system without difficulties and without risks. This way the intervention of skilled personnel from outside is avoided, and the treatment is rendered more rapid and efficient. The apparatus is further adapted to be programmed to comply with the requirements and the constructions of machines and systems of different types. Disclosure of the Invention The invention will now be disclosed with reference to the attached drawings illustrating preferred but non- limiting embodiments of the invention, in which: Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the front part of an apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the rear part of an apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention; Figures 4 and 5 are block diagrams of a second and a third embodiment of the invention, respectively; Fig. 6 is a time chart illustrating a washing cycle of the apparatus of Fig. 3; Fig. 7, already briefly discussed, schematically illustrates a system for dispensing pre-mix drinks; and Fig. 8 schematically illustrates the connection between the system of Fig. 7 and an apparatus according to the invention. Throughout all the Figures the same numeral references have been used to indicate the same or substantially equivalent components. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments With reference to Figures 1 and 2, an apparatus according to the invention is received in a metal case or housing 1 provided with outlet fittings or ports 11, 12, 13 and 14 (preferably equipped with valve means) . Each fitting can be connected to at least one line of the drink dispensing system, and to this aim each fitting is equipped with a rapid connection device or head. In the illustrated embodiments there are shown four outlet fittings, however there could be provided more fittings than those shown, or even less than four fittings (with a minimum of one) . On the same side of the housing 1 carrying the above fittings there are mounted a block bar 3 that will be disclosed in detail later, and a control and display panel 4. On the opposite side (i.e. the rear one) there are provided a water inlet fitting 6 and an inlet fitting 7 for a gas, for example C02 or N2 or a mixture thereof, to be connected to one or more gas sources (such as bottles, cylinders or reservoirs not shown in the drawings) . These gases are usually available in any dispensing system. On the rear panel there are further located a power supply switch 8 and a power supply plug for the electrical feeding, typically from a 220 V A.C. With reference now to the block diagram of Fig. 3, the construction of an apparatus according to the invention will be disclosed in detail. The apparatus comprises a tank or reservoir of a concentrated detergent that can be connected via a pump 20 to a mixer 19, and is provided with a level sensor 37. The mixer 19 is in turn connected to four tubes or conduits. The other end of each tube is connected to one of the outlet fittings 11-14, with a control device such as a solenoid valve 21, 22, 23 and 24 inserted in each tube. Each valve 21-24 is independently controlled by programmable control means, schematically represented by an electronic control unit 40, e.g. programmable by inserting proper electronic cards into slots of unit 40. The control and display panel 4 is connected to the unit 40, and an external programmer 41 can be connected to such unit. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3, the fitting 6 for the inlet of water and the fitting 7 for the inlet of a gas are connected to the inlet of mixer 19 through respective solenoid valves 16 and 17 controlled by the unit 40. Moreover, along the tube connecting the water fitting 6 and the mixer 19 there are inserted, respectively upwardly and downwardly of the solenoid valve 16, a mechanical filter 15 and a. The signal output of the flowmeter 18 is connected to the unit 40 for supplying information about the flow rate of the water being fed to the mixer. It is stressed that the mixer 19 needs not to be formed as a discrete component, since a mixing of the water and the gas can be accomplished in different ways, such as in tube sections having properly enlarged and/or restricted cross-sections. For this reason the mixer 19 is shown in dashed lines in Fig. 3. The unit 40 operates in accordance with one or more programs included in such unit, typically programs written in a memory Ml by an external programming device 41 adapted to insert and/or modify the washing data/parameters and the instructions. Unit 40 contains an additional memory M2 for recording the events, that can be read out through the same device 41, in order to verify the proper operation of the apparatus and/or the washing cycle, and in case to trace possible malfunctions. According to the invention, a blocking arrangement is provided for the fittings 11-14 and comprises a bar 3 actuated by an electromagnet 25 under commands from unit 40 to allow the fitting disengagement only at the end of the cycle, thus preventing the fortuitous or wrong interruption of the cycle by an accidental disengagement of the fittings. A similar block is caused also by a mains breakdown and in this latter situation, since the current phase of the cycle is stored (in 40) , the cycle is correctly resumed when the feeding is restored. As shown in Fig. 8, the apparatus according to the invention is connected to a dispensing system such as the one illustrated in Fig. 7. More particularly, the fitting 7 for gas inlet is connected to the C02 cylinder 54, while the fitting 6 for water inlet is connected to a (not shown) water intake or tap of the water system. The four outlet fittings 11-14 are connected to the tubes 60a, b, c, d after these latter have been disconnected from the respective cans and a device 57 for draining the liquids is properly connected to the dispensing device 58. The operation of the apparatus according to the invention will now be disclosed. After the dispensing machine has been switched off and the system has been disconnected from the drinks cans, and the fittings 6 and 7 have been connected to suitable supplies of water and gas, and the fittings 11-14 have been connected to the dispenser to be sanitized, for example as shown in Fig. 8, in order to start the washing cycle, the following requirements are to be met : 1. the detergent is present in the tank as detected by the sensor 37; 2. block bar 3 is in a lowered (safety) position; 3. no alarm has been activated. When all the above conditions are met, by pushing a start button in the control panel, a cycle is started and automatically carried out. At the start, the sanitizing cycle starts with a C02 prewashing by activating (energizing) the main solenoid valve 16 and the solenoid valve 21 connected to the outlet fitting 11. The flowing water actuates the flowmeter 18 that in turn forwards to the unit 40 a signal representative of the flow rate. As a consequence the control unit 40 drives the pump 20 to draw an amount of detergent proportional to the water flow and in accordance with the programmed characteristics of the cycle. The detergent injected by the pump into the circuit forms with the water a cleansing and sanitizing solution that is properly blended in mixer 19 and reaches the flowmeter 21 of the first outlet 11. The flowmeter 21 transfers to the unit 40 information about the flow rate effectively coming out from the outlet 11. If a gas is provided for in the solution, also the solenoid valve 17 will be actuated. Only after a predetermined amount of solution has been delivered the apparatus switches to the next cycle phase or the next cycle. At the end of the cycle the fitting block bar is disengaged. For each outlet fitting (line or valve) , the apparatus can perform a programmable cycle, for example the one listed hereinbelow and illustrated in Fig. 6. Prewashing with C02 Prewashing Pause duration 1 Washing with C02 Washing Pause duration 2 Rinse Emptying with C02 where all the phases are programmable in respect of the flow or the duration, with different values for each outlet . To ensure a more effective removal of organic residues that can possibly be present in the pipes and in the components in contact with the beverages, the cycle is advantageously made up of different phases. The first phase provides for a prewashing with C02 in order to remove the bulk of the residues by exploiting the chemical action of the cleansing solution together with the mechanical action exerted by the gas injected. The gas is injected for times and at pressures in accordance with the specific system to be sanitized, through the pressure reducer already present in the system. The subsequent prewashing without C02 aims to prepare the system to the first pause. This phase allows to remove from the pipes gas bubbles that could form in the pipes and could hinder the action of the cleansing and sanitizing solution occurring during the first pause. In fact during this pause the first resistant layer of residues is attacked, and it is later removed in the subsequent washing phase with C02, that serves to prepare the system to the second pause during which the inner surfaces of the pipes - already almost completely cleaned - are subjected to an effective sanitizing action by the solution. After the predetermined time for the second pause has elapsed, the cycle proceeds with the rinsing phase with flowing water to remove the sanitizing solution from the system. The subsequent emptying of the tubes with C02 removes from the pipes any remaining water. The system of the dispensing machine is now ready " to be reconnected to the beverage cans and then the dispenser is started. Thanks to the above disclosed apparatus, it is achieved a simultaneous sanitizing preventing the forming of bacterial proliferation. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4, the phases of the cycle are carried out in sequence on a single outlet (11-14) one at a time. The embodiment of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 4 is adapted to sequentially carry out the phases of a cycle on two outlets (11-14) at a time. In such apparatus, the outlet fittings 11-14 are connected together in couples, upwardly of the respective solenoid valves 21-24 and of the C02 inlet fitting 7, and downwardly of the associated solenoid valve 17. Moreover, a flowmeter 35 is inserted between the mixer 19 and the common connection point of outlets 11 and 12, and a flowmeter 36 is inserted between the mixer 19 and the common connection point of outlets 13 and 14, such flowmeters inputting the respective flow information to the unit 40. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5, the phases of the cycle are carried out simultaneously at all the four outlets (11-14) . In such apparatus, the C02 inlet fitting 7 is directly connected to each one of the outlet fittings 11-14, upwardly of the respective solenoid valves 21-24. There are further provided flowmeters 31-34, each connected between the mixer 19 and one solenoid valve 21-24 of the outlet fittings 11-14, these flowmeters being connected to the programmable control means 40 for independently adjusting the flow rate of the mixture delivered from each outlet fitting 11-14. The basic structure of the apparatus according to the invention allows for easily obtaining several arrangements differing from one another by the outlet numbers, the number of flowmeters in the outlet tubes, etc. Thus it is possible to obtain a large flexibility with a cost and a performance of the apparatus that precisely comply with the system or machine to be sanitized. Although the invention has been illustrated with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it is generally susceptible of other applications and modifications that fall within the scope of the invention, as will be evident to the skilled of the art.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An apparatus for sanitizing drink dispensers and drink dispensing systems, characterized by comprising in combination: a water inlet fitting (6) a tank of a concentrated detergent; mixing means (19) that can be connected to said water inlet fitting (6) ; a pump (20) connected between said tank (30) and said mixing means (19); a plurality of outlet fittings (11-14), each of said fitting being adapted to be connected to at least one machine or system for dispensing drinks, and provided with a solenoid valve; a gas inlet fitting (7) that can be connected to said outlet fittings (11-14); programmable control means (40) for controlling through solenoid valves the water and/or gas flow, their mixing with said detergent and the delivery of the resulting mixture (s) through at least one of said outlet fittings (11-14) . • 2. A sanitizing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a solenoid valve (16, 17) actuated by said programmable control means (40) is provided upwardly of each inlet fittings (6,7). 3. A sanitizing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized by providing a flowmeter (18) connected between the solenoid valve (16) applied to said water inlet fitting (6) and said mixing means (19), the signal output of said flowmeter (18) being connected to said programmable control means (40) for regulating the mixing amounts of said water and concentrated detergent. 4. A sanitizing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that said mixing means comprises a mixer (19) . 5. A sanitizing apparatus as claimed in claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said gas inlet fitting (7) is directly connected to said mixer (19) and that each of said outlet fittings (11-14) is connected to said mixer (19) . 6. A sanitizing apparatus as claimed in claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said outlet fittings (11-14) are connected together in couples, upwardly of the respective solenoid valves (21-24), and the common connection point of the couples of outlet fittings are further connected to said gas inlet fitting downwardly of its solenoid valve (17) . 7. A sanitizing apparatus as claimed in claim 6, characterized by providing a flowmeter (35, 36) inserted between said mixer (19) and each of the common connection points of said couples of outlet fittings. 8. A sanitizing apparatus as claimed in claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said gas inlet fitting (7) is directly connected to each outlet fitting (11-14), upwardly of the respective solenoid valve (21-24). 9. A sanitizing apparatus as claimed in claim 8, characterized by providing a flowmeter (31-34) connected between said mixer (19) and each outlet fitting (11-14), each of said flowmeters being connected to said programmable control means (40) for independently adjusting the flow rate of the mixture delivered by each outlet fitting (11-14) . 10. A sanitizing apparatus as claimed in the preceding claims, characterized in that said programmable control means (40) comprise a microprocessor unit with a reading memory (Ml) storing the programs and a write memory (M2) for storing operating data and events. 11. A sanitizing apparatus as claimed in the preceding claims, characterized in that said gas is selected between C02, N2 and mixtures thereof. 12. A sanitizing apparatus as claimed in the preceding claims, characterized in that said outlet fittings (11-14) are equipped with rapid connection heads for connecting to pipes or tubes (60a, b, c, d) of the machine or system to sanitize . 13. A sanitizing apparatus as claimed in the preceding claims, characterized by providing a block bar (3), actuated by an electromagnet (25) under control of said control unit (40), for preventing the disengagement of said fittings (11-14) 14. A sanitizing apparatus as claimed in the preceding claims, characterized in that all said solenoid valves at said outlet fittings (11-14) are opened simultaneously. 15. A sanitizing apparatus as claimed in claims 1-14 characterized in that at least two solenoid valves at said outlet fittings (11-14) are opened in sequence.

Inventors: DALLE FRATTE LUIGI, DALLE FRATTE, LUIGI
Applicants: DALLE FRATTE LUIGI, DRINKATERING S R L, DALLE FRATTE, LUIGI, DRINKATERING S.R.L.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B08B9
IPC codes: B08B9, B67D1