Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a tapping device, a connecting device for a beverage container, and a cooling device for the connecting device. <CIT> discloses an apparatus for sanitizing drink dispensers.

According to the invention there is provided an automated cleaning system for a beverage dispensing machine comprising: a first water branch; a second water branch comprising a check valve, each branch connected in fluid communication with a three-way valve; a cleaning supply connected to the second water branch downstream from the check valve via a pump; and a nozzle; wherein the three-way valve is configured to operate in a first mode to prevent a flow of a cleaner from the cleaning supply through the second water branch and allow a flow of a fluid through the first water branch and the three-way valve to the nozzle and operate in a second mode to allow a flow of a cleaner from the cleaning supply through the second water branch and the three-way valve to the nozzle.

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description:.

It should be understood at the outset that although illustrative implementations of one or more embodiments are illustrated below, the disclosed systems and methods may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not yet in existence. The disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.

In beverage dispensing machines that mix the ingredients of a beverage just prior to and/or as the ingredients are dispensed into a container, these ingredients, such as sweeteners, syrups, and/or other sugar-laden fluids, may collect on components of a beverage dispensing mechanism of a beverage dispensing machine, such as a dispensing nozzle, and/or other components of the beverage dispensing machine, such as a drain cover and/or within the drain itself. The build-up of these ingredients may result in malfunction of the dispensing mechanism, clogging of the drain, and/or microbiological growth on the dispensing mechanism and/or other components of the beverage dispensing machine. Often, failure of maintenance staff to perform regularly scheduled cleaning procedures, which requires removal of components of the beverage dispensing mechanism and/or other components of the beverage dispensing machine may further contribute to and/or worsen the build-up.

Therefore, the present disclosure provides a cleaning system for a beverage dispensing machine comprising a cleaning supply connected to a beverage dispensing mechanism, such as a nozzle. The automated cleaning system may comprise a three-way valve configured to isolate the cleaner and control the flow of the cleaner, water, and/or carbonated water through the nozzle to clean the nozzle, remove build-up that has collected on the nozzle, and/or eliminate microbiological growth that has formed on the nozzle. In an embodiment, the automated cleaning system also comprises a check valve upstream of the cleaning supply line further isolating the cleaner from micro-ingredients, macro-ingredients, water, carbonated water, and/or other ingredients that may be dispensed through the nozzle to a consumer for consumption.

In some embodiments, the cleaner may comprise a detergent cleaner and/or a sanitizing ingredient. In some embodiments, the cleaner may also comprise an enzyme that does not require the use of water and/or carbonated water and is configured to eliminate a build-up of ingredients, such as so-called "sugar snakes" that form in a drain of a beverage dispensing machine, without the use of water and/or carbonated water. The automated cleaning system disclosed herein may eliminate the need to remove components of the beverage dispensing machine for cleaning. The automated cleaning system disclosed herein may also ensure that regularly-scheduled maintenance, cleaning, and/or disinfecting operations are timely and accurately performed, which may eliminate the need for maintenance staff to perform such operations manually, thereby improving customer and/or consumer satisfaction with the beverage dispensing machine.

Referring now to <FIG> a schematic diagram of an automated cleaning system <NUM> is shown not in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The automated cleaning system <NUM> may generally comprise a component system of a beverage dispensing machine <NUM> and be installed in the beverage dispensing machine <NUM> along with other components to provide a flow of a plurality of ingredients (micro-ingredients, macro-ingredients, water, carbonated water, and/or other ingredients) and mix the ingredients prior to and/or simultaneously with dispensing the ingredients into a container. The automated cleaning system <NUM> comprises a water valve <NUM>, a carbonated water valve <NUM>, a nozzle <NUM>, a cleaning supply <NUM>, and a pump <NUM>. Additionally, as will be discussed later, the automated cleaning system <NUM> also comprises a system controller <NUM>.

The water valve <NUM> may comprise a solenoid activated valve that is configured to control the flow of water from a water source through the water valve <NUM> in each of an open position in which the flow through the water valve <NUM> remains substantially unrestricted and a closed position in which the flow of water through the water valve <NUM> is substantially restricted such that substantially no water passes through the water valve <NUM>. Accordingly, the open position may be associated with a maximum flow rate through the water valve <NUM>, while the closed position may be associated with substantially no flow through the water valve <NUM>. However, in other examples, the water valve <NUM> may be operated in a plurality of at least partially open positions to control the flow rate of water through the water valve <NUM>. In operation, when the water valve <NUM> is operated in the open position, water may flow from the water source, pass through the water valve <NUM>, and flow through a water supply line <NUM>, where the flow of water may enter a universal water line <NUM> that delivers the water to the nozzle <NUM>.

The carbonated water valve <NUM> may also comprise a solenoid activated valve that is configured to control the flow of carbonated water from a carbonated water source through the carbonated water valve <NUM> in each of an open position in which the flow through the carbonated water valve <NUM> remains substantially unrestricted and a closed position in which the flow of carbonated water through the carbonated water valve <NUM> is substantially restricted. Accordingly, the open position may be associated with a maximum flow rate through the carbonated water valve <NUM>, while the closed position may be associated with substantially no flow through the carbonated water valve <NUM>. However, in other examples, the carbonated water valve <NUM> may be operated in a plurality of at least partially open positions to control the flow rate of carbonated water through the carbonated water valve <NUM>. In operation, when the carbonated water valve <NUM> is operated in the open position, carbonated water may flow from the carbonated water source, pass through the carbonated water valve <NUM>, and flow through a carbonated water supply line <NUM>, where the flow of carbonated water may enter the universal water line <NUM> that delivers the carbonated water to the nozzle <NUM>.

The nozzle <NUM> may generally comprise a beverage dispensing mechanism configured to receive a flow of a plurality of ingredients (micro-ingredients, macro-ingredients, water, carbonated water, and/or other ingredients) and mix the ingredients prior to and/or simultaneously with dispensing the ingredients into a container. Accordingly, the nozzle <NUM> may be connected to a plurality of ingredient supplies, such as cleaning supply <NUM>, water via water valve <NUM>, and carbonated water through the carbonated water valve <NUM>, and may be further configured to selectively discharge through the nozzle <NUM> any of the plurality of ingredients.

The cleaning supply <NUM> may generally comprise a replaceable cartridge configured to carry a cleaner. The cleaning supply <NUM> may comprise a sensor for monitoring a level of the cleaner within the cleaning supply <NUM>. Additionally, in some examples, the cleaning supply <NUM> may also comprise radio frequency identification (RFID) and/or near field communication (NFC) tag for tracking and/or monitoring the cleaning supply <NUM>.

The cleaning supply <NUM> may generally comprise a cleaner configured to clean and/or sanitize the nozzle <NUM> and/or other components of the beverage dispensing machine <NUM>. The cleaner may be a liquid or a powder. In one example, the cleaning supply <NUM> comprises a cleaner configured to mix with water and/or carbonated water to clean and/or sanitize the nozzle <NUM> and/or a drain <NUM> of the beverage dispensing machine <NUM> to eliminate a build-up of ingredients and/or microbiological growth on the components of the beverage dispensing machine <NUM>. In such an example, the cleaning supply <NUM> may comprise iodine, chlorine, and/or any other suitable food-grade cleaning and/or sanitizing agent. However, in other examples, the cleaning supply <NUM> may comprise an enzyme configured to eliminate a build-up of ingredients, such as so-called "sugar snakes" that form in a drain <NUM> of the beverage dispensing machine <NUM>, without the use of water and/or carbonated water. Furthermore, while only one cleaning supply <NUM> is shown, it will be appreciated that the nozzle <NUM> is configured to receive the supply of a plurality of micro-ingredient supplies. For example, the nozzle <NUM> may be configured to receive the cleaning supply <NUM> and one or more micro and/or macro-ingredient supplies. In some examples, the automated cleaning system <NUM> may comprise one cleaning supply <NUM> comprising a cleaner configured to mix with water and/or carbonated water for cleaning the nozzle <NUM>, and may also comprise an additional cleaning supply <NUM> comprising an enzyme to eliminate a build-up of ingredients, such as the "sugar snakes," without the use of water and/or carbonated water.

Furthermore, in other examples, the nozzle <NUM> may further comprise a rotary switching mechanism that comprises a plurality of positions similar to the rotary switching mechanism disclosed in <CIT>. When configured in a first position, the rotary switching mechanism may allow each micro-ingredient of a plurality of micro-ingredients to flow via their respective micro-ingredient channels to the nozzle <NUM>. However, when the rotary switching mechanism is configured in a second position, the rotary switching mechanism simultaneously switches all of the micro-ingredient channels from their respective micro-ingredient sources to the cleaning supply <NUM>. As such, the cleaner from the cleaning supply <NUM> may flow through the nozzle <NUM> through the multiple micro-ingredient channels of the nozzle <NUM> to clean and/or sanitize the multiple micro-ingredient channels of the nozzle <NUM> and/or the nozzle <NUM> itself.

In some examples, instead of being a micro-ingredient supply flowing through a micro line, the cleaning supply <NUM> may be a macro-ingredient supply and the cleaner may flow through any macro line going to the nozzle <NUM>. Further, in some examples, the cleaning supply <NUM> may be located outside of the beverage dispensing machine <NUM>.

The pump <NUM> may generally comprise an electrically and/or mechanically activated pump. The pump <NUM> is configured to deliver a cleaner from the cleaning supply <NUM> to the nozzle <NUM>. More specifically, when the cleaning supply <NUM> is activated, the pump <NUM> may draw the cleaner from the cleaning supply <NUM> through a line <NUM>, pass the cleaner through the pump <NUM> and deliver the cleaner via a supply line <NUM> into a port of the nozzle <NUM>. Within the nozzle <NUM> and/or just prior to exiting the nozzle, the cleaner from the cleaning supply <NUM> may selectively mix with an incoming flow of water when the water valve <NUM> is configured to provide a flow of water to the nozzle <NUM> and/or carbonated water when the carbonated water valve <NUM> is configured to provide a flow of carbonated water to the nozzle <NUM>.

The pump <NUM> may be a positive displacement pump such as a piston pump, gear pump, nutating pump, diaphragm pump, or the like. Each cycle of the pump <NUM> may dispense a predetermined amount of the cleaning supply <NUM>. In operation, the pump <NUM> may receive instructions to cycle a predetermined number of times or for a predetermined length of time during a cleaning operation. After completion of a cleaning operation, the beverage dispensing system <NUM> may determine a total amount of cleaner dispensed from the cleaning supply <NUM> and determine a remaining amount of cleaner left in the cleaning supply <NUM>. The beverage dispensing system <NUM> may write the remaining amount of cleaner to the RFID or NFC tag on the cleaning supply <NUM>.

The system controller <NUM> comprises a user interface configured to control operation of the automated cleaning system <NUM>. Generally, the system controller <NUM> may configure the components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the automated cleaning system <NUM> in a "cleaning mode" to provide a flow of a cleaner from the cleaning supply <NUM> and/or a flow of water through the water valve <NUM> and/or a flow of carbonated water through the carbonated water valve <NUM> to clean and/or sanitize the nozzle <NUM> and/or other components of the beverage dispensing machine <NUM>.

The system controller <NUM> may be configured to operate the automated cleaning system <NUM> in the "cleaning mode," during periods of time when no other beverages are being dispensed through the nozzle <NUM>. The system controller <NUM> may comprise an internal timer, schedule, and/or other timing device or method, such that the system controller <NUM> operates the automated cleaning system <NUM> in the "cleaning mode" during off hours when the beverage dispensing machine <NUM> is not in use. In one example, the system controller <NUM> is configured to automatically operate the automated cleaning system <NUM> in the "cleaning mode" based on a schedule stored in the system controller <NUM> and/or a timer associated with the system controller <NUM>. For example, the system controller <NUM> may operate the automated cleaning system <NUM> in the "cleaning mode" each night at about <NUM> a. when a business containing a beverage dispensing machine <NUM> comprising the automated cleaning system <NUM> is closed. However, in other examples, the system controller <NUM> may be configured to operate the automated cleaning system <NUM> in the "cleaning mode" based on a user input via a user interface of the system controller <NUM> and/or an external device configured to communicate with the system controller <NUM> via WiFi, Bluetooth, RFID, NFC, and/or any other wireless and/or wired communication protocol. In yet other examples, the "cleaning mode" of the automated cleaning system <NUM> may be instituted manually by activation of a switch, button, RFID interface, NFC interface, GUI interface, and/or any other suitable input via the system controller <NUM> of the automated cleaning system <NUM>. In still other examples, the "cleaning mode" of the automated cleaning system <NUM> may be instituted as part of normal rebooting and/or reporting operations performed by the beverage dispensing system <NUM>, such as when the beverage dispensing system <NUM> is reporting daily dispensing statistics to a back end server. Furthermore, in yet other alternative examples, the system controller <NUM> may be configured to prevent the flow of the cleaner without water and/or carbonated water.

When the automated cleaning system <NUM> is configured to operate in the "cleaning mode," the system controller <NUM> may configure the water valve <NUM> and/or the carbonated water valve <NUM> in the open position to allow the flow of water and/or carbonated water, respectively, to flow to the nozzle <NUM>. In some examples, the water valve <NUM> may be configured in the open position so that water from the water source may pass through the water valve <NUM>, through the water supply line <NUM>, through the universal water line <NUM>, and to the nozzle <NUM>. In other examples, the carbonated water valve <NUM> may be configured in the open position so that carbonated water from the carbonated water source may pass through the carbonated water valve <NUM>, through the carbonated water supply line <NUM>, through the universal water line <NUM>, and to the nozzle <NUM>. However, in alternative examples, both the water valve <NUM> and the carbonated water valve <NUM> may be configured in an at least partially open position to supply a mixture of water and carbonated water through the universal water line <NUM> and to the nozzle <NUM>. Furthermore, in the case of a cleaning enzyme in the cleaning supply <NUM>, neither water nor carbonated water may be necessarily used.

Additionally, the system controller <NUM> may also activate the pump <NUM> to provide a flow of a cleaner from the cleaning supply <NUM> through the line <NUM>, through the pump <NUM>, and through the supply line <NUM> to a port of the nozzle <NUM>. Within the nozzle <NUM>, the water and/or the carbonated water passing through valves <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, may mix with the cleaner to form a cleaning solution that may clean and/or sanitize the nozzle <NUM>, remove build-up that has collected on the nozzle <NUM>, and/or eliminate microbiological growth that has formed on the nozzle <NUM>. Further, after the cleaning solution passes through the nozzle <NUM>, the cleaning solution may also contact a drain <NUM> cover and/or a drain <NUM> of the beverage dispensing machine <NUM>, where the cleaning solution may further clean, remove build-up that has collected, and/or eliminate microbiological growth that has formed on the drain <NUM> cover and/or the drain <NUM> of the beverage dispensing machine <NUM>.

Still further, in some examples, the automated cleaning system <NUM> may comprise one cleaning supply <NUM> comprising a cleaner configured to mix with water and/or carbonated water for cleaning the nozzle <NUM>, and may also comprise an additional cleaning supply <NUM> comprising an enzyme to eliminate a build-up of ingredients in the drain <NUM> of the beverage dispensing machine <NUM>, such as the "sugar snakes," without the use of water and/or carbonated water. In such instances, the cleaning supply <NUM> comprising a cleaner may be activated first to clean the nozzle <NUM>, and the additional cleaning supply <NUM> comprising an enzyme may be activated thereafter while ceasing the flow of water and/or carbonated water by closing the water valve <NUM> and/or the carbonated water valve <NUM>, respectively. However, in other examples, the enzyme may be activated first, and the cleaner may be activated thereafter. Still further, each of the cleaner and the enzyme may each be activated based on a schedule stored by the system controller <NUM> and associated with each of the cleaning supplies <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a schematic diagram of an automated cleaning system <NUM> configured in a default mode of operation is shown according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Automated cleaning system <NUM> may be substantially similar to automated cleaning system <NUM> of <FIG> and comprise a water valve <NUM>, a water supply line <NUM>, a carbonated water valve <NUM>, a carbonated water supply line <NUM>, a nozzle <NUM>, a universal water line <NUM>, a cleaning supply <NUM>, a line <NUM>, a pump <NUM>, and a supply line <NUM> that may be substantially similar to the water valve <NUM>, the water supply line <NUM>, the carbonated water valve <NUM>, the carbonated water supply line <NUM>, the nozzle <NUM>, the universal water line <NUM>, the cleaning supply <NUM>, the line <NUM>, the pump <NUM>, and the supply line <NUM> of <FIG>, respectively. Additionally, as will be discussed later, the automated cleaning system <NUM> also comprises a system controller <NUM> that may be substantially similar to system controller <NUM> of automated cleaning system <NUM> of <FIG>.

However, automated cleaning system <NUM> also comprises a three-way valve <NUM>, and a check valve <NUM>. Furthermore, the universal water line <NUM> of automated cleaning system <NUM> is split into a dispensing branch <NUM> and a cleaning branch <NUM>. Each of the dispensing branch <NUM> and the cleaning branch <NUM> may be connected in fluid communication with an input of the three-way valve <NUM>, and a main supply line <NUM> may connect an output of the three-way valve <NUM> with the nozzle <NUM>. Additionally, the supply line <NUM> may be connected in fluid communication with the cleaning branch <NUM> between the universal water line <NUM> and the three-way valve <NUM>. The supply line <NUM> may be connected in fluid communication with the cleaning branch <NUM> between the check valve <NUM> and the three-way valve <NUM> such that the check valve <NUM> is disposed upstream with respect to a flow of water and/or carbonated water through the automated cleaning system <NUM>. Accordingly, the check valve <NUM> may be configured to prevent the flow of a cleaner from the cleaning supply <NUM> from flowing upstream towards the universal water line <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the automated cleaning system <NUM> is configured in a default mode of operation. The default mode of operation may be a so-called "dispensing mode" where the automated cleaning system <NUM> is configured to dispense beverages through the nozzle <NUM> into a container. In the "dispensing mode," the three-way valve <NUM> may be configured to provide a flow path <NUM>' through the three-way valve <NUM> such that water and/or carbonated water may pass through the water valve <NUM> and/or the carbonated water valve <NUM>, respectively, flow through the universal water line <NUM>, through the dispensing branch <NUM>, and pass through the flow path <NUM>' of the three-way valve <NUM> to the main supply line <NUM> and through the nozzle <NUM>. Further, when the automated cleaning system <NUM> is configured in the "dispensing mode," the three-way valve <NUM> may prevent flow of water, carbonated water, and/or a cleaner from the cleaning supply <NUM> from passing through the cleaning branch <NUM> and the three-way valve <NUM> and into the nozzle <NUM>. Accordingly, the cleaning branch <NUM> may receive substantially no flow there through. In the "dispensing mode," the cleaner is isolated from the dispensing branch <NUM> by the check valve <NUM> in the upstream direction and by the three-way valve <NUM> in the downstream direction.

In addition, when configured in the "dispensing mode," the nozzle <NUM> may also be connected to a plurality of micro-ingredient supplies and/or macro-ingredient supplies and be further configured to selectively discharge any of the plurality of micro-ingredients and/or macro-ingredients, water, carbonated water, and/or other ingredient, simultaneously in a manner substantially similar to that of automated cleaning system <NUM> of <FIG>. In some embodiments, the nozzle <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, may also be substantially similar to the dispenser disclosed in <CIT> and/or the nozzle assembly disclosed in <CIT>. Thus, in operation of the automated cleaning system <NUM> in the "dispensing mode," water from the water valve <NUM> and/or carbonated water from the carbonated water valve <NUM> be dispensed into the nozzle <NUM>, where the water and/or carbonated water may mix with other micro-ingredients and/or macro-ingredients and be dispensed through the nozzle <NUM> into a container for a consumer.

Referring now to <FIG>, a schematic diagram of the automated cleaning system <NUM> of <FIG> configured in an alternative mode of operation is shown according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The automated cleaning system <NUM> may generally comprise a component system of a beverage dispensing machine <NUM>. The alternative mode of operation may be a so-called "cleaning mode" where the automated cleaning system <NUM> is configured to dispense a cleaner from the cleaning supply <NUM> through the nozzle <NUM>. In the "cleaning mode," the three-way valve <NUM> may be configured by the system controller <NUM> to provide a secondary flow path <NUM>" through the three-way valve <NUM> such that water and/or carbonated water may pass through the water valve <NUM> and/or the carbonated water valve <NUM>, respectively, flow through the universal water line <NUM>, through the cleaning branch <NUM>, through the check valve <NUM>, and pass through the secondary flow path <NUM>" of the three-way valve <NUM> to the main supply line <NUM> and through the nozzle <NUM>.

Additionally, in the "cleaning mode," the system controller <NUM> may activate the pump <NUM> to provide a flow of the cleaner from the cleaning supply <NUM> by drawing a cleaner from the cleaning supply <NUM> through the line <NUM>, pass the cleaner through the pump <NUM>, and deliver the cleaner via the supply line <NUM> into the cleaning branch <NUM> at a location downstream from the check valve <NUM>, where the cleaner from the cleaning supply <NUM> may mix with a flow of water and/or carbonated water to form a cleaning solution that may clean the nozzle <NUM>, remove build-up that has collected on the nozzle <NUM>, and/or eliminate microbiological growth that has formed on the nozzle <NUM>. Further, after the cleaning solution passes through the nozzle <NUM>, the cleaning solution may also contact a drain <NUM> cover and/or a drain <NUM> of the beverage dispensing machine <NUM>, where the cleaning solution may further clean, remove build-up that has collected, and/or eliminate microbiological growth that has formed on the drain <NUM> cover and/or the drain <NUM> of the beverage dispensing machine <NUM>. However, in the case of a cleaning enzyme in the cleaning supply <NUM>, neither water nor carbonated water may be necessarily used. Further, when the automated cleaning system <NUM> is configured in the "cleaning mode," the three-way valve <NUM> may also prevent flow of water and/or carbonated water from passing through the dispensing branch <NUM>, the three-way valve <NUM>, and into the nozzle <NUM>. Accordingly, the dispensing branch <NUM> may receive substantially no flow therethrough.

The system controller <NUM> may generally comprise a user interface configured to control operation of the automated cleaning system <NUM> and configure the automated cleaning system <NUM> in each of the "dispensing mode" and the "cleaning mode. " In some embodiments, the system controller <NUM> may also employ control architecture substantially similar to the control architecture disclosed in <CIT>. The system controller <NUM> may be configured to operate the automated cleaning system <NUM> in the "cleaning mode," during periods of time when no other beverages are being dispensed through the nozzle <NUM>. In an embodiment, the system controller <NUM> comprises an internal timer, schedule, and/or other timing device or method, such that the system controller <NUM> operates the automated cleaning system <NUM> in the "cleaning mode" during off hours when the beverage dispensing machine <NUM> is not in use. The system controller <NUM> may be configured to automatically operate the automated cleaning system <NUM> in the "cleaning mode" based on a schedule stored in the system controller <NUM> and/or a timer associated with the system controller <NUM>. In other embodiments, the system controller <NUM> may be configured to operate the automated cleaning system <NUM> in the "cleaning mode" based on a user input via a user interface of the system controller <NUM> and/or an external device configured to communicate with the system controller <NUM> via WiFi, Bluetooth, RFID, NFC, and/or any other wireless and/or wired communication protocol. In yet other embodiments, the "cleaning mode" of the automated cleaning system <NUM> may be instituted manually by activation of a switch, button, RFID interface, NFC interface, GUI interface, and/or any other suitable input via the system controller <NUM> of the automated cleaning system <NUM>.

In some embodiments, when the system controller <NUM> configures the automated cleaning system <NUM> in the "cleaning mode," the system controller <NUM> may open at least one of the water valve <NUM> and/or the carbonated water valve <NUM> to provide a flow of water and/or carbonated water, respectively, simultaneously with activation of the cleaner from the cleaning supply <NUM>. However, in other embodiments, the system controller <NUM> may open at least one of the water valve <NUM> and/or the carbonated water valve <NUM> to provide a flow of water and/or carbonated water, respectively, prior to activating the cleaner from the cleaning supply <NUM> to "pre-flush" the nozzle <NUM> and/or other components of the beverage dispensing machine <NUM>. Thus, the automated cleaning system <NUM> may be configured to first pre-flush the nozzle <NUM> for a predetermined time period, and activate the cleaner from the cleaning supply <NUM> at the expiration of the predetermined time period while continuing the flow of water and/or carbonated water through the nozzle <NUM>. In some embodiments, the pre-flush predetermined time period may be determined by the system controller <NUM>. Additionally, in the case of an enzyme that requires no additional water and/or carbonated water, a pre-flush operation may be staged in conjunction with the activation of the enzyme within the cleaning supply <NUM>. As such, the pre-flush operation may be enabled for a pre-determined time period, and upon expiration of the predetermined time period, the enzyme within the cleaning supply <NUM> may be activated while the pre-flush flow of water may be simultaneously ceased.

Activation of the cleaner from the cleaning supply <NUM> during the "cleaning mode" may also be enabled for a predetermined period of time. In some embodiments, the predetermined period of time may be a function of the strength and/or concentration of the cleaner when mixed with the water and/or carbonated water, a function of the time interval between "cleaning mode" operations, a function of the frequency of use of the beverage dispensing machine <NUM>, a function of a size of the nozzle <NUM>, a drain <NUM>, and/or other components of the beverage dispensing machine <NUM>, and/or a function of any other operating characteristics of the beverage dispensing machine <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments, the cleaner from the cleaning supply <NUM> may be activated through the automated cleaning system <NUM> for at least about <NUM> minutes. However, it will be appreciated that any time interval may selected and/or pre-programmed within the system controller <NUM>.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the system controller <NUM> may be configured to cease activation of the cleaner at the expiration of a predetermined time period associated with the cleaner while continuing the flow of water and/or carbonated water through the automated cleaning system <NUM> to provide a "post-flush" operation. The post-flush operation may ensure that no cleaner remains in the cleaning branch <NUM> downstream from the check valve <NUM>, the secondary flow path <NUM>", the main supply line <NUM>, and/or the nozzle <NUM>. Accordingly, the post-flush operation may further ensure that no cleaner remains in the automated cleaning system <NUM>, such that when the automated cleaning system <NUM> is reconfigured in the "dispensing mode" of <FIG>, no cleaner remains in the main supply line <NUM> and/or the nozzle <NUM> that may be dispensed into a consumer's container. The post-flush operation may be enabled for a predetermined time period. In some embodiments, the post-flush operation may be enabled for a substantially similar predetermined time period as the pre-flush operation. However, in other embodiments, the post-flush operation may be enabled for a different predetermined time period than the pre-flush operation. Furthermore, in the case of an enzyme as the cleaning agent that requires no water and/or carbonated water, a post-flush operation may also be enabled to ensure that no residual enzyme remains in the automated cleaning system <NUM> that may be dispensed into a consumer's container. If the cleaning cycle has been disrupted (e.g., due to power loss or user abort), the system controller <NUM> may automatically flush the nozzle <NUM> with water and/or carbonated water before allowing a drink to be poured for consumer consumption.

It will be appreciated that the pump <NUM> may be configured to supply the cleaner in the "cleaning mode" at a flow rate that is predetermined by the system controller <NUM>. In some embodiments, the flow rate of the cleaner may be determined as a result of a flow rate of the water and/or the carbonated water through the automated cleaning system <NUM> to ensure a cleaning mixture comprising an effective concentration to clean the nozzle <NUM>, remove build-up that has collected on the nozzle <NUM>, eliminate microbiological growth that has formed on the nozzle <NUM>, and/or eliminate a build-up of ingredients, such as so-called "sugar snakes" that form in a drain <NUM> of the beverage dispensing machine <NUM>. Further, in some embodiments, the automated cleaning system <NUM> may be configured to dispense a predetermined amount of cleaner for each operation in the "cleaning mode. " For example, in some embodiments, the pump <NUM> of the automated cleaning system <NUM> may be configured to deliver about <NUM> ounces of cleaner over the predetermined time period for which the cleaner from the cleaning supply <NUM> is activated.

In some embodiments, the automated cleaning system <NUM> may be configured with a plurality of cleaners in a corresponding number of cleaning supplies <NUM>. Accordingly, one cleaning supply <NUM> may comprise a cleaner that requires water and/or carbonated water during activation in the "cleaning mode," such as iodine and/or chlorine, while a second cleaning supply <NUM> may comprise an enzyme that requires no water and/or carbonated water. In such embodiments, each of the cleaners may be activated during a "cleaning mode. " Accordingly, the first cleaner may be activated first to clean the nozzle <NUM>, remove build-up that has collected on the nozzle <NUM>, and/or eliminate microbiological growth that has formed on the nozzle <NUM>, while the second cleaner may be activated thereafter to eliminate a build-up of ingredients that form in a drain <NUM> of the beverage dispensing machine <NUM>. However, in other embodiments, the enzyme may be activated first, and the cleaner may be activated thereafter. Still further, each of the cleaner and the enzyme may each be activated individually, for a predetermined time, and/or based on a schedule stored by the system controller <NUM> and associated with each of the cleaning supplies <NUM>.

In one exemplary embodiment, when the system controller <NUM> configures the automated cleaning system <NUM> in the "cleaning mode," the system controller <NUM> may configure the three-way valve <NUM> to connect the cleaning branch <NUM> in fluid communication with the main supply line <NUM> through the secondary flow path <NUM>". The system controller <NUM> may further open at least one of the water valve <NUM> and the carbonated water valve <NUM> for at least about <NUM> seconds to provide a pre-flush operation. At the expiration of the pre-flush operation, the system controller <NUM> may activate the pump <NUM> to provide a flow of a cleaner from the cleaning supply <NUM> into the cleaning branch <NUM> to mix with the flow of water and/or carbonated water. The cleaning solution of the cleaner and the water and/or carbonated water may flow through the "secondary flow path <NUM>" of the three-way valve <NUM>, through the main supply line <NUM>, and through the nozzle <NUM> for at least about <NUM> minutes. At the expiration of the cleaning operation, the flow of the cleaner may be stopped, while the flow of water and/or carbonated water may continue to provide a post-flush operation to flush any residual cleaner from the automated cleaning system <NUM> for a period of at least about <NUM> seconds. At the expiration of the post-flush operation, the system controller <NUM> may configure the automated cleaning system <NUM> in the default "dispensing mode" by adjusting the position of the three-way valve <NUM> to provide a flow path from the dispensing branch <NUM> through the flow path <NUM>' of the three-way valve <NUM>, through the main supply line <NUM>, and through the nozzle <NUM>. The system controller <NUM> may continue to operate the automated cleaning system <NUM> in the "dispensing mode" until a demand for the "cleaning mode" is acknowledged and/or received by the system controller <NUM>.

It will be appreciated that the automated cleaning system <NUM> may be configured to clean the nozzle <NUM>, remove build-up that has collected on the nozzle <NUM>, eliminate microbiological growth that has formed on the nozzle <NUM>, and/or eliminate a build-up of ingredients, such as so-called "sugar snakes" that form in the drain <NUM> of the beverage dispensing machine <NUM>, with and/or without the use of water and/or carbonated water. The automated cleaning system <NUM> may also be retrofit into existing beverage dispensing machines, such as beverage dispensing machines that are capable of injecting a plurality of ingredients simultaneously with water or carbonated water through a nozzle. Further, it will be appreciated that the automated cleaning system <NUM> may eliminate the need to remove components of the beverage dispensing machine for cleaning. The automated cleaning system <NUM> may also ensure that regularly-scheduled maintenance, cleaning, and/or disinfecting operations are timely and accurately performed, which may eliminate the need for maintenance staff to perform such operations manually, thereby improving customer and/or consumer satisfaction with the beverage dispensing machine.

The cleaning supply <NUM> may be internal or external to the beverage dispensing machine <NUM>. The cleaner in the cleaning supply <NUM> may flow through any micro, macro, or other lines to the nozzle <NUM>. In an embodiment, the cleaning supply <NUM> may be external to the beverage dispensing machine <NUM> and a water line may run through the cleaning supply <NUM> and dissolve the cleaner as it passes through cleaning supply <NUM>. In such an embodiment, the three-way valve <NUM> and/or the cleaning supply <NUM> may be located in a back room. Further, in such an embodiment, the cleaner may pass through a carbonation system and a cold plate in addition to the nozzle <NUM> and/or the drain <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the supply line <NUM> may be directly connected in fluid communication with the drain <NUM> and/or routed directly to the drain <NUM> of the beverage dispensing machine <NUM> in addition to being dispensed through the nozzle <NUM>. In such embodiments, during activation of the automated cleaning system <NUM> in the "cleaning mode," the cleaner from the cleaning supply <NUM> may be pumped by the pump <NUM> directly into, into contact with, and/or just above the drain <NUM> to clean the drain <NUM>, remove build-up that has collected on the drain <NUM>, eliminate microbiological growth that has formed on the drain <NUM>, and/or eliminate a build-up of ingredients, such as so-called "sugar snakes" that form in the drain <NUM> of the beverage dispensing machine <NUM>. Additionally, the cleaner from the cleaning supply <NUM> may be used with and/or without the use of water and/or carbonated water that may be dispensed through the nozzle <NUM> when required.

Referring now to <FIG>, a flowchart of a method <NUM> of operating an automated cleaning system is shown according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The method <NUM> may begin at block <NUM> by providing a cleaning system <NUM> in a beverage dispensing machine <NUM>. The method <NUM> may continue at block <NUM> by receiving a demand for a "cleaning mode" operation. In some embodiments, this may be performed based on a schedule stored in a system controller <NUM> and/or manually via a user interface of the system controller <NUM> of the automated cleaning system <NUM>. The method <NUM> may continue at block <NUM> by configuring the automated cleaning system <NUM> in the "cleaning mode. " The system controller <NUM> may configure a three-way valve <NUM> to provide a flow path between at least one of a water valve <NUM> and a carbonated water valve <NUM> through a dispensing branch <NUM> and through a secondary flow path <NUM>" of the three-way valve <NUM> to the nozzle <NUM>. In a first embodiment, the method <NUM> may continue at block <NUM> by introducing a cleaner into the dispensing branch <NUM>. The method <NUM> may continue at block <NUM> by flowing the cleaner through the nozzle <NUM>. The method <NUM> may continue at block <NUM> by ceasing the flowing the cleaner through the nozzle <NUM>. In some embodiments, the method <NUM> may comprise a pre-flush operation and/or a post flush operation. For example, the method <NUM> may conclude at block <NUM> by flowing water through the nozzle <NUM>.

In a second embodiment, which may occur in addition to the first embodiment, the method <NUM> may comprise introducing a cleaner into the drain <NUM> at block <NUM>. In the second embodiment, the method may conclude at block <NUM> by flowing the cleaner through the drain <NUM>. In some embodiments, the method <NUM> may also comprise returning the automated cleaning system <NUM> to a "dispensing mode" operation.

Referring now to <FIG>, a schematic diagram of an automated cleaning system <NUM> is shown according to another alternative embodiment of the disclosure. Cleaning system <NUM> may generally be configured substantially similar to cleaning system <NUM> of <FIG> and operate in accordance with the methods disclosed herein, including but not limited to, the method <NUM> of <FIG>. However, cleaning system <NUM> may be configured to store the cleaning system components such as a system controller <NUM>, a cleaning supply <NUM>, and/or a pump <NUM> in a remote location <NUM> from the beverage dispensing machine <NUM>. In some embodiments, the remote location <NUM> may be a back storage room, a cabinet that supports the beverage dispensing machine <NUM>, a cabinet located closely to the beverage dispensing machine <NUM>, and/or any other remote location <NUM> where the cleaning supply <NUM> may be connected to the beverage dispensing machine <NUM>.

Additionally, in some embodiments, other ingredients <NUM> may also be connected to the beverage dispensing machine <NUM> through at least one other ingredient supply line <NUM>. The other ingredients <NUM> may be stored in the remote location <NUM> as individual, replaceable cartridges containing the other ingredients <NUM>. However, in other embodiments, each other ingredient <NUM> may be connected to the beverage dispensing machine <NUM> through a dedicated other ingredient supply line <NUM>, such that the beverage dispensing machine <NUM> is connected to a plurality of other ingredients <NUM> through a plurality of other ingredient supply lines <NUM>. Still further, at least in some embodiments, it will be appreciated that a beverage dispensing machine <NUM> may comprise a display <NUM>. In some embodiments, the display <NUM> may comprise a touch screen user interface that allows selection of a beverage to be dispensed through the beverage dispensing machine <NUM>. In some embodiments, the display <NUM> may allow selection of a cleaning process after entering a standby mode and/or a maintenance mode. However, in some embodiments, the display <NUM> may be configured to alert a user and/or consumer that a "cleaning operation" of the cleaning system <NUM> is in place.

Referring now to <FIG>, a flowchart of a process flow <NUM> for an automated cleaning system is shown according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The process flow <NUM> may begin at block <NUM> with a determination of whether automated cleaning of a beverage dispensing machine <NUM> is needed. For example, a determination may be made whether a last time the automated cleaning process occurred matches a current date. If the determination is yes, the process flow <NUM> ends. If the determination is no, the process flow <NUM> may continue to block <NUM> where a cleaner drink recipe may be poured. The cleaner drink recipe may be with or without a diluent such as water or carbonated water. For example, if the cleaner is going straight to the drain <NUM>, the cleaner drink recipe may not include a diluent. In an embodiment, the cleaner drink recipe may be stored in a memory of the beverage dispensing machine <NUM> and may instruct which ingredient pumps and/or valves to drive and when. The process flow <NUM> may optionally continue to block <NUM> where water is poured as a post-flush operation to help ensure that no cleaner remains in the dispensing components of the dispenser <NUM>. The process flow <NUM> may then conclude at block <NUM> where the date of the occurrence of the automated cleaning process now matches the current date.

While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods may be embodied in many other specific forms. The present examples are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is not to be limited to the details given herein. For example, the various elements or components may be combined or integrated in another system or certain features may be omitted or not implemented.

Claim 1:
An automated cleaning system (<NUM>) for a beverage dispensing machine, comprising:
a first water branch (<NUM>);
a second water branch (<NUM>) comprising a check valve (<NUM>), each branch connected in fluid communication with a three-way valve (<NUM>);
a cleaning supply (<NUM>) connected to the second water branch (<NUM>) downstream from the check valve (<NUM>) via a pump (<NUM>); and
a nozzle (<NUM>);
wherein the three-way valve (<NUM>) is configured to operate in a first mode to prevent a flow of a cleaner from the cleaning supply (<NUM>) through the second water branch (<NUM>) and allow a flow of a fluid through the first water branch (<NUM>) and the three-way valve (<NUM>) to the nozzle (<NUM>) and operate in a second mode to allow a flow of a cleaner from the cleaning supply (<NUM>) through the second water branch (<NUM>) and the three-way valve (<NUM>) to the nozzle (<NUM>).