Abstract:
A method for altering an initiation time of an apparatus sanitation cycle based upon a base line flow rate. The method may include determining an actual flow rate through the apparatus, comparing the actual flow rate to the base line flow rate, and delaying the initiation time of the apparatus sanitation cycle if the actual flow rate exceeds the base line flow rate.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to a dispensing apparatus and more particularly relates to beverage dispensers or others types of devices that initiate a sanitation cycle based upon several predetermined factors. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Dispensing machines, such as those for beverages and confections, generally have product delivery systems that should be sanitized on a regular basis. Specifically, the machine may need to be sanitized on a daily, weekly, monthly, and/or semi-annually basis. For example, certain low acid beverages, such a frozen beverages, may have a pH level that may permit microorganism growth over a certain amount of time even given the cold temperatures involved. Laboratory testing may determine the growth parameters for a given product so as to determine a relevant time frame. The sanitation cycles generally are set on this determined time frame plus a margin of safety. Thus, most known equipment is sanitized on a straight time interval basis. 
     This time-based approach, while effective, generally does not compensate for varying product demand levels in a given location. Higher demand and usage levels generally require less sanitation due to the inverse ratio between product dwell time and product demand rate. In other words, because the product is in the dispenser for less time, there is less opportunity for microorganism growth. 
     Further, this time-based approach generally does not compensate for unscheduled shutdowns. A beverage dispenser generally must be sanitized immediately following any type of unscheduled shutdown. Known beverage dispensers, however, may not compensate for, or take into account, the additional sanitation cycle before initiating a regularly scheduled cycle. 
     What is desired, therefore, is a dispenser that takes into account other factors beyond the time between sanitation cycles. Preferably, the system can be adaptive to the nature of the product, demand levels, equipment functionality, time intervals, or other factors. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application thus describes a method for altering an initiation time of an apparatus sanitation cycle based upon a base line flow rate. The method may include determining an actual flow rate through the apparatus, comparing the actual flow rate to the base line flow rate, and delaying the initiation time of the apparatus sanitation cycle if the actual flow rate exceeds the base line flow rate. 
     The delaying step may include delaying the initiation time of the apparatus sanitation cycle if the actual flow rate exceeds the base line flow rate by a predetermined volume. The delaying step also may include initiating the apparatus sanitation cycle at a predetermined time if the actual flow rate does not exceed the base line flow rate by a predetermined volume. The method further may include initiating the apparatus sanitation cycle at a predetermined time if the actual flow rate does not exceed the base line flow rate. 
     The apparatus sanitation cycle may include defrosting the apparatus, cleaning the apparatus, rinsing the apparatus, sanitizing the apparatus, and/or refilling the apparatus. The comparing step may include determining a type of product loaded in the apparatus and looking up data on the type of product. The method further may include initiating the apparatus sanitation cycle if a not to exceed date is reached. 
     The present application further may describe a dispenser. The dispenser may include a source of product, a flow meter to determine the volume of the product flowing through the dispenser, a sanitation system, and a controller. The controller may activate the sanitation system based upon the volume of product flowing through the dispenser as measured by the flow meter. 
     The flow meter may include a paddlewheel. The source of product may include concentrate and water and the flow meter may determine the volume of the concentrate and the water flowing through the dispenser. The dispenser further may include a freezing chamber. 
     The controller may include data on the source of product. The controller may compare the volume of product flowing through the dispenser to a base line flow rate. The controller may activate the sanitation system at a predetermined time if the volume of product flowing through the dispenser does not exceed the base line flow rate. The controller also may activate the sanitation system when a not to exceed date is reached. 
     The source of product may include a radio frequency identification tag. The radio frequency identification tag may include data on a product therein. 
     A further method described herein provides for activating an apparatus sanitation cycle. The method may include determining an actual flow rate through the apparatus over a predetermined period, comparing the actual flow rate to a base line flow rate over the predetermined period for a given product, and activating the sanitation cycle if the actual flow rate is less than the base line flow rate. 
     These and other features of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of a frozen beverage machine that may be used with the invention as is described herein. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing an example of the process methodology as is described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings in which like numbers refer to like elements throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  shows an example of a beverage dispenser system  10  that may be used with the sanitation method as is described herein. The beverage dispenser system  10  may be a frozen beverage dispenser. Although a frozen beverage dispenser is shown, almost any type of dispensing system may be used herein. Suitable frozen beverage dispensers are show in, for example, commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,654, entitled “THREE-BARREL FROZEN PRODUCT DISPENSER”, incorporated herein by reference. Another example is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,625,993, entitled “FROZEN BEVERAGE MACHINE AND METHOD OF OPERATION”, also incorporated herein by reference. This reference also describes a “clean in place” system, i.e., an automatic, time based, sanitation cycle. 
     Similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,625,993, the beverage dispenser  10  may include a source of water  20 ; a source of syrup  30  (or other types of concentrate or additives); a source of gas  40 , such as a source of compressed carbon dioxide; and a source of cleaning solution  50 , such as sanitizer and/or detergent. A process flow block  60  may control the flow of these fluids. The combination of water, syrup, and gas from the sources  20 ,  30 ,  40  may be mixed as appropriate within a mixing block  70  and then frozen in a freezing chamber  80 . The freezing chamber  80  may be in communication with a conventional refrigeration system  90 . Once sufficiently mixed or frozen, a beverage may be dispensed via a nozzle  100 . 
     A controller  110  may govern operation of the beverage dispenser  10  as a whole. The controller  110  may be a conventional microprocessing device capable of executing software commands. The controller  110  may include an internal clock or the controller  110  may be in communication with any other type of time system. A data file  120  may be accessible by the controller  110 . The data file  120  may be any type of data storage system. The controller  110  and/or the data file  120  may be local or remote. 
     As described above, with known “clean in place” system, the sanitation cycle may begin upon the controller  110  determining that the predetermined time interval since the previous cleaning has occurred. Likewise, the controller  110  may start the sanitation cycle due to certain other events, such as a loss of power. Generally described, the sanitation cycle may include the steps of defrost, clean, rinse, sanitize, dispense, and refill. Other types of sanitation methods may be used herein. The sanitation cycle may include pumping the cleaning fluid through the beverage dispenser  10  as a whole. 
       FIG. 2  shows a flowchart of an example of the sanitation method  200  as is described herein. The sanitation method  200  may be executed by conventional software code running on the controller  110  in association with the data file  120  or other source of memory means. Remote control means also may be used herein. 
     To the extent not present in the beverage dispenser system  10 , one or more flow meters  210  may be positioned therein. The flow meter  210  may be positioned in any convenient location within the system  10  as a whole such as between the sources  20 ,  30 ,  40  and the process flow block  60 , between the freezing barrel  80  and the nozzle  100 , or in any other convenient location. The flow meter  210  may be a conventional paddlewheel or a similar type of measuring or counting device. Any other type of flow or velocity measuring device may be used, such as laser velocimeters, ultrasound, and similar devices. The flow rate may be measured directly or indirect methods also may be used. The term “flow meter” is intended to refer to any such measurement device. 
     The sanitation method  200  may begin at step  220  with the startup of the beverage dispenser system  10  as a whole. At step  230 , the controller  110  receives input from the flow meter  210  as to the flows from the water, syrup, and/or gas sources  20 ,  30 ,  40 ; the nozzle  100 ; and/or from other locations within the system  10  as a whole. At step  240 , the controller  110  looks up the relevant parameters in the data file  120  for a given product and/or time. At step  250 , the controller  110  compares the flow data from the input step  230  with the parameters found in the data file  120  in the lookup routine of step  240 . Specifically, the flow rate through the system  10  as a whole is compared to the predetermined time parameters. Based upon this comparison at step  250 , a decision is made at step  260  as to whether the flow rates or the given time intervals require the initiation of a sanitation cycle. If not, the routine returns to the input step  230 . If so, the controller  110  initiates a sanitation cycle at step  270 . 
     The data file  120  may contain the conventional data as to the time intervals between normal sanitation cycles based upon the laboratory analysis for a given product. As described above, these cycle intervals are time based and factor in additional safety concerns. For example, laboratory testing may indicate that the dispenser  10  can run for thirty-five (35) days under minimal draw rates for a given product and stay within standards. 
     Should the dispenser  10  experience higher draw rates more in line with real sales, however, the sanitation cycle could be lengthened. For example, if a daily or weekly flow rate exceeds a baseline figure, then the cycle may be extended for a predetermined number of days. This longer period could range, for example for about sixty (60) to about ninety (90) days depending upon the nature of the product. Lengthening the cycles would waste less product, sanitizer, and mechanical component lifetime without jeopardizing safety. 
     The data file  220  also may have a “not to exceed” date. In other words, the controller  110  may start the sanitation cycle after a given number of days regardless of the flow rate therethrough. 
     The method  200  also may accommodate unscheduled stops in a more economical fashion. For example, if a power loss occurred two days ago and a sanitation cycle was preformed but the next sanitation cycle is due today, the controller  110  will recognize that the sanitation cycle is to be measured from the last event as opposed to starting a new cycle today. 
     The controller  110  may be able to determine the nature of the source of the syrup  30  based upon user input or the system  10  may be able to sense the nature of the product via a RFID (radio frequency identification) tag  300  or similar types of identification means. Based upon the nature of the syrup or other source, the controller  110  may access a different file in the data file  120 . As a result, the system  10  as a whole can accommodate the use of different types of syrup sources  30  or other types of input. Further, the RFID tag  300  and the nature of the syrup also may effect the dispensing ratio and other product parameters of the system  10  as a whole. 
     It should be understood that the foregoing relates only to the preferred embodiments as are described herein and that numerous changes and modifications may be made herein without departing from the general spirit and scope of the invention as described by the following claims and the equivalents thereof.