Abstract:
A method and apparatus for sanitizing a dispenser ( 20 ) is provided in which a sanitizing cup ( 10 ) is coupled to the dispenser after removing a nozzle ( 22 ). The sanitizing cup ( 10 ) is filled with a sanitizer, and flushed through a check valve ( 14 ). Flushing may be accomplished by dispensing water from the dispenser ( 20 ) while the sanitizing cup ( 10 ) is coupled to the dispenser ( 20 ).

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to sanitizing systems, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for sanitizing dispensers. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A wide variety of beverage dispensers have been commercialized. In one particular class of dispensers, referred to as post-mix dispensers, beverage concentrates (also referred to as syrups) are mixed with water (plain or soda) to form finished beverages. 
         [0003]    As non-limiting examples, post-mix dispensers as used herein include bar guns, counter top, drop-in, and freestanding dispensers, and any other device for dispensing concentrates and water. 
         [0004]    In a post-mix dispenser, the concentrate and water are mixed at the time of dispensing. In particular, the concentrate and water usually flow through a nozzle at the time of dispensing, and the mixing occurs in or downstream of the nozzle. The nozzle receives the water and concentrate from outlet ports in fluid communication with the nozzle. 
         [0005]    Because of the flow of the concentrate and water, it is important to sanitize the nozzle and the associated parts of the dispenser. Although removing and cleaning the nozzle may be relatively convenient in some designs, cleaning the associated parts of the dispenser, such as the ports through which the water and concentrate flow, is often difficult and overlooked. 
         [0006]    Furthermore, this sanitizing problem exists in more than just post-mix dispensers. For example, non-mixing dispensers (such as, for example and without limitation, some milk dispensers, water dispensers, or juice dispensers) and food dispensers have similar issues, in that the dispensing nozzle and associated areas need to be periodically sanitized. 
         [0007]    Therefore, a need has arisen for improved methods and apparatus for sanitizing dispensers. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, methods and apparatus for sanitizing dispensers are provided that eliminate or substantially reduce problems associated with prior art systems. 
         [0009]    In a particular embodiment, a method for sanitizing a dispenser having a nozzle attached at a receptacle includes disengaging the nozzle from the receptacle, filling a sanitizing cup with a sanitizer, and coupling the sanitizing cup to the dispenser at the receptacle. 
         [0010]    This method may further include flushing the sanitizing cup with water by dispensing water from the dispenser while the sanitizing cup is coupled to the dispenser. In a particular method, flushing comprises flushing water through a check valve. 
         [0011]    Filling the sanitizing cup may comprise mixing an effervescent sanitizer with water. In a particular method, water is dispensed into the sanitizing cup after it is coupled to the dispenser to activate the sanitizer. 
         [0012]    An important technical advantage of the invention is that it provides a sanitizing system and method that can be easily utilized to provide efficient cleansing of dispensers. A particular advantage is that it employs a sanitizing cup that can be coupled to a dispenser at its existing nozzle receptacle. The cup allows for sanitizing parts that are often neglected in cleaning procedures. Furthermore, by providing a check valve, the sanitizing cup may be flushed while coupled to the dispenser, thus enhancing sanitization. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    Reference is made in the description to the following briefly described drawings, which are not drawn to scale, with certain features enlarged for clarity, in which like reference numerals indicate like features: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective diagram of one embodiment of a sanitizing cup according to the teachings of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are, respectively, side and top views of an assembled sanitizing cup as in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the sanitizing cup of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , taken along line “A” of  FIG. 2A ; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a dispenser on which the sanitizing cup of the present invention may be employed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , sanitizing cup  10  includes connecting collar  12  and a check valve  14 . The cup  10  may include separate parts joined in any suitable manner (such as with a solvent weld). Also, cup  10  may be formed as a single piece. In a preferred embodiment, the cup  10  is formed of plastic. 
         [0019]    Check valve  14  may be any suitable valve, including, without limitation, a self-sealing dispensing valve such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,236, issued on May 25, 1993 to Brown et al., and entitled “DISPENSING VALVE FOR PACKAGING.” That patent is herein incorporated, in its entirety, by reference.  FIG. 1  shows alternate valves  14 , and valve  14  may be held in place with a fitment  15 . 
         [0020]    In operation, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a dispenser  20  is sanitized using the present invention by first removing dispensing nozzle  22  from the dispenser  20 . Nozzle  22 . is removed from dispenser  20  by disengaging it from receptacle  24 . The engagement structure of nozzle  22  and receptacle  24  varies depending upon the manufacturer of the dispenser. In a typical, non-limiting example, receptacle  24  and nozzle  22  rotatingly engage. Thus, “receptacle” is used herein in a non-limiting manner, and includes any suitable stricture to and from which a nozzle may be engaged and disengaged.  - Nozzle  22  may be cleaned in any suitable manner, including, without limitation, by soaking it in a cleaning solution. 
         [0021]    Cup  10  is then filled (as used herein, cup  10  is filled if it is full or partially full) with a sanitizing solution, which may include, without limitation, an effervescent cleanser. As non-limiting examples, a sanitizing solution may be premade, or prepared by mixing a sanitizing element with plain or carbonated water, either in or outside the cup  10 . In a particular example, cup  10  may be filled with a sanitizing element, such as, without limitation, a tablet or powder or liquid, and then attached to the dispenser. The element may be activated or mixed by dispensing water (plain or carbonated) into the cup  10  after it is attached to dispenser  20 , or by adding water (plain or carbonated) before it is attached to dispenser  20 . Any of the sanitizing elements or solutions may be referred to herein as sanitizers. The cleanser solution is held in the cup by the check valve  14 . Cup  10  is coupled to dispenser  20  by engagement of collar  12  with receptacle  24 . To facilitate such engagement, collar  12  includes an engagement structure suitable for engaging with the receptacle  24 . 
         [0022]    Cup  10  is left on the dispenser  20  for a suitable amount of time. In one approach, the nozzle  22  is removed at the end of the day and soaked overnight. Similarly, the cup  10  is left on dispenser  20  over night. The sanitizing solution in cup  10  cleans the parts of dispenser  20  associated with dispensing, such as the ports from which water and beverage concentrates flow. 
         [0023]    Before disengaging the cup  10  from dispenser  20 , water (which may be plain or carbonated) is dispensed into the cup  10  to flush out the cup  10 . As water is dispensed into the cup  10 , pressure increases and check valve  14  opens to allowing the flushing of cup  10 . 
         [0024]    Some dispensers may not include a water or soda supply, and no cup flushing would be used with such dispensers. Instead, after removing the sanitizing cup, the dispensing parts would be flushed in any suitable manner. With such dispensers, cup  10  need not include a check valve  14 , and may be a closed cup. Even with dispensers with water or soda lines, a closed cup (with no check valve  14 ) may be used, and no cup flushing employed. 
         [0025]    The particular embodiments and descriptions provided herein are illustrative examples only, and features and advantages of each example may be interchanged with, or added to the features and advantages in the other embodiments and examples herein. Moreover, as examples, they are meant to be without limitation as to other possible embodiments, are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention to any particular described detail, and the scope of the invention is meant to be broader than any example. Also, the present invention has several aspects, as described above, and they may stand alone, or be combined with some or all of the other aspects. 
         [0026]    And, in general, although the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, alterations, substitutions, additions and modifications can be made without departing from the intended scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims.