DE102006044205B3 - Washing/rinsing station at a bar, to clean the drinks supply pipes and taps, has a water feed pipe and an outflow pipe opening into a wash basin part of a washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The washing and rinsing station, for the drinks supply lines at a bar, has a water feed pipe (52) and a water extraction pipe (72) with taps (20,22) opening into a wash basin (36), which is part of a washing machine (14). A pump (54) is at one pipe to feed the water so that the water can flow to and from the taps in both pipes. The outflow pipe has a valve (74) to pass water into the wash basin and from the washing machine.

Description

The The invention relates to a cleaning and rinsing device for a beverage dispenser, which at least one extending between a tap head and a tap Having beverage line, with a first cleaning line (inflow line), the first End is connectable to a first tap, and a second Cleaning line (drain line), the first end to a second Tap can be connected is.

Flushing or cleaning devices for flushing and cleaning beverage lines of a beverage dispensing system are well known. So is, for example, in DE 297 047 94 U1 discloses an arrangement for automatic cleaning of tap, beverage lines and dispensing head in a beverage dispenser. Also in the publication DE 103 377 35 A1 is a dispenser with cleaning device described.

Generally are located at dispensers in restaurants and the like, the taps on a counter in a taproom. The beverage container, eg. beer kegs or container with other carbonated Drinks, On the other hand, they are in a beverage store, which is usually lies below the taproom. The connection between the taps and The beverage containers will be over beverage lines manufactured, which can be up to 80 m long.

Out establish Hygiene requires the dispensers including the beverage lines to clean regularly. Usually this happens after closure the restaurant, before the dispenser is switched off. For cleaning the beverage line is in known dispensers still located in the beverage line drinks rest drained and then the beverage line is cleaned. This usually happens in that a liquid Detergent in the beverage line is initiated and over there a certain period of time stops. The cleaning agent will then drained as well, and it is washed several times with a rinsing agent, usually Water, rinsed.

For cleaning and rinsing the beverage lines corresponding devices are provided in the known systems, which include pumps, detergent dispensers, etc. this leads to apparent to a certain technical effort and more expensive so that the dispenser.

Although the aforementioned cleaning and rinsing devices for beverage dispensers in proven in practice have the desire to continue cleaning and cleaning flushing easier and thus cheaper build up.

A device for dispensing beverage in the form of fresh milk and / or fresh milk mixed drink, for the cleaning of which a dishwashing machine connected to it is used, is known from US Pat DE 36 03 532 C2 known. The cleaning of a beverage dispensing system, which has between a tap head and a tap extending beverage lines, but there is not provided.

Of the Invention is therefore the object of a cleaning and flushing of the type mentioned in such a way that the design effort and the number of required components is reduced. At the same time the cleaning and flushing device is cheaper fail, but without affecting the function and the quality of cleaning.

at a cleaning and rinsing the The aforementioned type, this object is achieved according to the invention solved, that the second ends of the two cleaning pipes in a sink lead, the sink Part of a dishwasher is, and one of the two cleaning lines a pump for promotion one in the sink existing liquid is assigned, so that the liquid over the two cleaning lines from or to the taps to the cleaning is leitbar.

The is called in other words, that the sink a usual one dishwasher is used to absorb the cleaning and rinsing, by the taps and the beverage lines respectively is. Because dishwashers, especially glass dishwashers, installed almost in every bar in a taproom near the dispenser are, can for the Cleaning and rinsing device Consequently, components are used that already exist. Leave it reduce the effort and in particular reduce costs, as existing components take on additional tasks.

Of the Invention is therefore based on the knowledge in the embodiment a cleaning and rinsing device for one Beverage dispenser too Use components that already exist and others Purposes are used. So it is not so according to the invention more required, a reservoir for the cleaning and rinsing fluid provided.

It is readily apparent that this also cost advantages because of the dishwasher necessary conversion measures not are very big.

at a preferred embodiment of the cleaning invention and flushing device is one of the two cleaning lines, in particular the drain line, a drain valve is assigned to the liquid in the sink and / or a drain of the dishwasher to lead. It is further preferred to provide a Spülbeckenfüllventil, with a Fresh water pipe is connected and controllable fresh water in the sink leads.

These activities have the advantage that the possibilities during cleaning and rinsing the taps and beverage lines can be improved. That's how it is over the valves provided are possible the in the beverage lines existing liquid instead of in the sink into a drain, or during the cleaning and rinsing process fresh water into the sink again respectively. The one in the sink existing liquid let yourself therefore during the cleaning and rinsing process change.

at In a preferred embodiment, a direct flush valve is provided, on the one hand with the fresh water line and on the other hand with the inflow line connected is.

These measure has the advantage that the taps and the beverage lines can be acted upon directly with fresh water, bypassing the im Sink existing liquid. This can be the quality cleaning and rinsing increase.

at In a preferred embodiment, the pump, the Spülbeckenfüllventil, the direct flush valve and / or the drain valve part of the dishwasher.

The is called in other words, that this embodiment of the invention cleaning and wash cycle direction accesses other components in a dishwasher normal design already exist. Thus, every dishwasher contains a pump that the in the sink existing liquid circulates. This pump can be used, including the liquid through the taps and beverage lines to promote. On a separate pump, this embodiment of the invention cleaning and flushing device consequently refrain.

The same by the way also for various valves, which are also provided in a dishwasher and the liquid flow Taxes. So is in every dishwasher a drain valve exists that communicates between sinks and drain to the existing liquid in the sink derive. Also, a basin filling valve is provided, with its Help over the at the dishwasher connected fresh water pipe water in the sink can be introduced.

By Use of these in the dishwasher Components, leaves to achieve a further saving in the cleaning and rinsing device, so that ultimately it has only very few of its own components.

at a preferred embodiment is in both cleaning lines each provided a sensor, the content or concentration at rinsing or cleaning agent of the liquid flowing through the cleaning lines detected.

These measure has the advantage that a better dosage based on the measured concentration of the rinse or cleaning agent is possible. In addition, the conditioner can be optimized at the end of a cleaning process, as they last only so long must, like still detergent is detected in the lines. In addition, it is avoided that dish soap in the beverage lines remains and thus enters the drafted beverage.

Of course it would be too conceivable the sensors in the beverage lines provided.

at A preferred development is at least one metering device provided to a liquid, in particular a cleaning agent, controllable in the sink to promote. More preferably, a plurality of such metering devices are provided.

These activities have the advantage that the desired Amount of detergent automatically in the sink can be introduced. External intervention is not required. In particular, must the user is not for every rinse Add detergent manually. Together with the aforementioned sensors is it also possible the dosage based on the measured concentration of the detergent automated in the lines. Such a dynamic Dosage leads to better cleaning results and to a more economical handling with the detergent.

At the Use of multiple metering devices, it is also conceivable different Use cleaning agent. Different cleaning agents are with certain drinks necessary and used at different time intervals. When storing several cleaning agents is therefore an automatic Cleaning operation also over longer periods possible, without having to manually replace a detergent.

In addition, it is of course conceivable that the metering device for adding a Reini to use, which is necessary when rinsing glasses, etc. in the dishwasher. This would have the advantage that can be saved by double use of a component of the dishwasher effort and thus costs in the cleaning and flushing device for the beverage dispensing system.

at a preferred development, the two cleaning lines an external and an internal line section, via line couplings each being connectable to each other, wherein the line couplings on an exterior wall the dishwasher are attached.

The is called in other words, that the dishwasher, for example, at the front door with two line connections is provided to the use then the two external cleaning lines very easy and fast to connect this way a fluid connection to the taps to accomplish. The cleaning and flushing device This makes it particularly easy to handle.

In summary It should again be noted that one of the core concepts of the present invention It consists of being in a usual Dishwasher, especially glasses dishwasher existing components also for the cleaning and rinsing device to be used to clean the taps and beverage lines required are. Since the conversion of such a dishwasher in reasonable Frame holds, can significant cost savings for the cleaning and rinsing device be achieved.

embodiments The invention are illustrated in the drawings and in the following description explained. Show it:

1 a schematic representation of a dispensing system cleaning system according to a first embodiment;

2 a schematic representation of a cleaning system according to a second embodiment;

3 a schematic representation of a cleaning system according to another embodiment; and

4 a schematic representation of a cleaning system according to another embodiment.

In 1 is shown in the form of a highly schematic block diagram representation of a dispensing system cleaning system and with the reference numeral 10 characterized. As in the present invention, what matters most is conduction and components associated with the conduits, all other components still required to implement the dispenser cleaning system are not shown. The skilled person, however, these components are known.

The dispensing system cleaning system 10 (hereinafter referred to as cleaning system) includes a beverage dispenser 12 , a glasses dishwasher 14 and a cleaning device 16 , The structure of the beverage dispensing system is shown extremely schematically, but the components required for understanding the invention are shown.

The beverage dispenser 12 includes at least one, in the present embodiment, at least two taps 20 . 22 which are arranged in a taproom of a restaurant above a counter. The taps 20 . 22 are about beverage lines 24 . 26 each with a tap head 28 respectively. 30 connected. The dispensing heads 28 . 30 are placed on appropriate beverage kegs (not shown), so that the beverage contained in the beverage keg can be passed over the beverage line to the tap. This general structure of a tap system is known per se, so that it is not discussed further. It should be noted, however, that in the embodiment shown in FIG 1 a connection line 32 is provided, which is between the two dispensing heads 28 . 30 runs and a fluid connection between the lower end of the beverage line 24 and the bottom of the beverage line 26 manufactures. This connection line 32 Can be set manually in case of cleaning, or could, for example, be switched on automatically in a cleaning mode.

It should also be noted that the beverage kegs are not necessarily in the area of the taps 20 . 22 carrying bar, but that the beverage kegs rather in a beer cellar, etc. store, from where the beverage lines 24 . 26 then possibly over a relatively long distance up to the taps 20 . 22 run.

Other lines between the taps 20 . 22 and the tapping heads 28 . 30 may be provided, but are not to the understanding of the present invention without meaning, which is why a corresponding representation is missing. These lines include not only beverage lines, but, for example, also pressure lines or electrical lines.

The glasses dishwasher 14 is in 1 also shown in a highly schematic manner to the Ver to improve the understanding of the invention. At the glasses dishwasher 14 (called dishwasher for short) is a well-known standard glasswasher, which is available in almost every restaurant in the bar area.

The dishwasher 14 includes a sink 36 , which is formed in the interior thereof and during operation of the dishwasher serves to accommodate the required cleaning and rinsing liquid, preferably water. For this sink 36 is via a pump 54 Taken from liquid and to fixed or rotating nozzles 112 that's done in the dishwasher 14 spray existing dishes for cleaning and rinsing.

Usually owns a dishwasher 14 an overflow or drainage pipe 38 , which is provided inside the dishwasher and prevents too high a liquid level inside the dishwasher.

Finally, the dishwasher points 14 two more line connections or line couplings 42 on, which are preferably attached to the front door of the dishwasher. At the line connections 42 they are hose couplings or other means to connect a pipe close to it.

In addition, the dishwasher has 14 as a fresh water connection a fresh water line 60 on, usually at a faucet 62 is connected, so that fresh water in the dishwasher 14 can flow.

Although a standard dishwasher 14 has a variety of other components, will not be discussed further at this point, since they are not required for understanding the invention.

As already mentioned, the cleaning system includes 10 the cleaning device 16 , in the 1 is also highly schematic represented by those components that lie within the dashed rectangle, the reference numeral 16 is marked.

First, the cleaning device 16 a (first) fluid line 52 up here as an inflow line 52 referred to as. This inflow line 52 ends on the one hand at one of the two line connections or line couplings 42 , At the other end of the inflow line 52 is the circulation pump 54 connected, the suction side, for example, via a (not shown) line in the sink 36 empties. With the help of this circulation pump 54 is it possible in the sink 36 existing liquid over the line 52 to the line connection 42 to promote.

To prevent from the inflow line 52 Liquid back into the sink 36 flows, is a check valve 66 provided in appropriate place.

To the inflow line 52 also leads another line 56 that has a direct flush valve 58 with the fresh water pipe 60 connected is. This freshwater pipe 60 is - as previously mentioned - then, for example, via other external lines to the faucet 62 connected.

The direct rinse valve 58 is electrically controllable, so that in this way a connection between the fresh water line 60 and the inflow line 52 programmatically produced. About another in the line 56 provided check valve 66 can prevent the pump 54 Liquid in the pipe 56 inflated.

It should be noted that the fresh water line 60 not only at the tap 62 can be connected, but also on another fresh water line 64 passing over the drainpipe 38 inside in the interior of the dishwasher 14 and there to the fresh water line 60 arrives.

Parallel to the direct rinse valve 58 is a sink filling valve 68 provided, on the one hand with the fresh water line 60 and on the other hand with another line 69 connected, which has a heating device 70 in the sink 36 leads. By appropriate activation of the basin filling valve 68 can therefore via the fresh water pipe 60 Water in the sink 36 to be brought. The water can also be heated via the heater 70 be heated to a preselected temperature. Also in this line 69 is a check valve 66 provided to prevent liquid from the sink 36 to the sink filling valve 68 arrives.

Finally, it is still on a ventilation duct 71 referenced with the line 69 is connected and allows ventilation. Also in this ventilation line is a check valve 66 intended.

As already mentioned, is at one of the two line connections 42 the inflow line 52 appropriate. At the other line connection 42 There is also a pipe attached here as a drain pipe 72 referred to as. The other end of the drainage line 72 is via a drain valve 74 with a line 76 connected via the drainpipe 38 leads into the drain. Parallel to the drain valve 74 is a circulation valve 78 provided that the line 72 with the line 69 over a line 80 combines. Again, for safety reasons, a check valve 66 provided that prevents from the line 69 Liquid to the valve 78 over the line 80 flows.

The 1 also shows that between one of the two pipe connections 42 and the tap 22 a line 88 and between the other line connection 42 and the other tap 20 a line 86 is provided. This is the inflow line 52 with the beverage line 26 over the line connection 42 , The administration 88 and the tap 22 connected. The same applies to the drainage line 72 that over the line connection 42 , The administration 86 and the tap 20 with the beverage line 24 connected is.

Finally, there are two sensors 82 . 84 provided that the rinsing or cleaning agent content of the through the line 72 respectively. 60 detect fluid flowing and transmit a reading to a controller.

The cleaning device described 16 now performs the following function:
As already mentioned in the introduction, beverage lines and taps as well as dispensing heads of a dispensing system must be cleaned at regular intervals for hygiene reasons. For this purpose, a detergent in the beverage lines ge introduced and removed after a certain period of time again. Subsequently, the beverage lines are rinsed to then be available again for the passage of drinks. Due to the often very long lengths of the beverage lines 24 . 26 , the beverage residues are pushed back into the beverage barrels before the actual cleaning process. Then the tapping heads 28 . 30 knocked off the barrels, so that no connection between the beverage lines and the barrel contents exists.

In the present embodiment, the connection line will now be 32 between the two dispensing heads 28 . 30 set, allowing a connection between the beverage line 26 and the beverage line 24 in the area of tapping heads 28 . 30 arises.

The cleaning device 16 then opens by opening the direct purge valve 58 Fresh water over the pipe 60 to the inflow line 52 from where it passes through the beverage line 26 down and from there via the beverage line 24 and the tap 20 over the line 86 to the drainage line 72 can flow. Depending on the position of the two valves 74 . 78 The liquid is then either in the drain over the line 76 guided or over the line 69 in the sink 36 , Usually, the liquid is first led into the drain.

By opening the valve 68 can then fresh water on the fresh water line 60 and the line 69 be guided into the sink, where it is on the heater 70 is heated. As soon as the basin is sufficiently filled, the valve becomes 68 pressed again to the fresh water supply 60 to interrupt.

Now, about the circulation pump 54 in the sink 36 existing liquid via the inflow line 52 and the tap 22 in the beverage line 26 and from there via the beverage line 24 and the tap 20 into the drainage line 72 be guided. From there, the liquid then passes through the valve 78 back to the sink 36 so as to form a fluid circuit in this way.

For a thorough cleaning of the beverage lines 24 . 26 a cleaning agent is required, which in the in 1 shown embodiment manually in the sink 36 is given. From there it passes through the circulation pump 54 in the beverage lines 24 . 26 and from there back to the sink 36 , Once the cleaning process is completed, the liquid with the detergent from the sink 36 over the two beverage lines 24 . 26 , The administration 72 and the valve 74 in the drain 38 promoted. The subsequent rinsing can then via the direct connection of the inflow 52 with the fresh water pipe 60 over the valve 58 take place, in which case the water is either in the sink 36 or preferably in the drain over the pipe 76 to be led.

After completion of the cleaning and rinsing process, the two lines 86 and 88 from the taps 20 . 22 and the line connections 42 disconnected, leaving the dispensing system 12 can be prepared again for the normal beverage outlets.

For a more economical cleaning of the beverage lines 24 . 26 are in the fresh water pipe 60 and the drainage line 72 one sensor each 82 . 84 intended to measure the detergent content in the line. By subtraction can then be seen how strong the beverage lines 24 . 26 and the two taps 20 . 22 still contain detergent or how high its concentration. A controller, not shown, can be used to set the duration of the rinse individually. In addition, based on the measured concentration, the dosage of the detergent can be controlled.

The special thing about the aforementioned Vor Direction can be seen in that a variety of components of the cleaning device 16 , such as the sink, the circulation pump 54 as well as some of the valves part of the dishwasher 14 are and from the cleaning device 16 be shared.

In particular, the cleaning device requires 16 no own pump to circulate the cleaning fluid through the two lines 24 . 26 , If in an advantageous embodiment, the machine contained in the Spülma pump is used. In addition, the cleaning device 16 also the control unit of the dishwasher 14 only one additional program for rinsing the dispensing system has to be programmed. This program must be designed to execute the aforementioned process in the order described or in a different order.

In 2 is another embodiment of a dispensing system cleaning system 10 represented, however, only insignificantly from the in 1 shown differs. Therefore, the components denoted by like reference numerals will not be explained again.

Unlike the in 1 embodiment shown contains the cleaning device 16 according to 2 a metering device 90 that have a detergent container 92 and a metering pump 94 features. The dosing pump 94 is on its pressure side via a line 96 with the line 69 connected in the sink 36 empties. For safety reasons is in the line 96 a check valve 66 intended.

With the help of the dosing device 90 it is possible, instead of - as in the previous example - manually, automatically adding detergent to the sink. The cleaning and rinsing process itself then runs just as in the example according to 1 , so it does not need to be discussed further here.

In 3 is another variant of the dispensing system cleaning system 10 shown, the cleaning system 10 essentially the in 2 shown corresponds. The only difference is that another metering device 100 is available. This metering device 100 includes a detergent container 102 , a valve 104 and an injector 106 , The valve 104 is over a line 108 with the fresh water pipe 60 connected and on the other hand with the injector 106 , Will the valve 104 closed, the pressure is in the fresh water line 60 at the injector 106 so that via a piston cleaning agent from the container 102 in a line 109 is led into the line 69 and with it in the sink 36 empties.

Even with this metering device, it is possible to automatically detergent in the sink 36 to give, which is required for cleaning the beverage lines and taps. In contrast to the metering device 90 However, it is not an electric pump, but a water-pressure-operated injector intended for dosing.

The actual cleaning and rinsing function remains however, the same, so that at this point not discussed must become.

Finally, in 4 shown a further embodiment, wherein here the rinsing cycle of the dishwasher is shown schematically.

As is known, includes a dishwasher 14 eg two spray arms 112 usually rotatable in the interior of the dishwasher 14 are provided and can bring water to the dishes to be washed. The spray arms 112 be over the pump 54 and a valve 110 from the sink 36 supplied with liquid.

Should the dishwasher 14 for cleaning the beverage lines 24 . 26 be used, the valve 78 opened and the valve 110 closed. This promotes the pump 54 in the sink 36 do not dispose of existing liquid to the spray arms 112 but rather to the inflow line 52 and therefore then in the line 26 and the line 24 from which the liquid then passes through the tap 20 , The administration 86 and the drainage line 72 back in the sink 36 arrives.

Should the in the sink 36 be pumped out existing liquid, the two valves 78 . 110 closed and the valve 74 open. The pump 54 then conveys the liquid into the drain 38 ,

Still to mention are the multiple dosing 90.1 to 90.n which can provide different detergents in the respective containers. Thus, a detergent container may be filled with a detergent for glasses, while the container of another metering device contains the detergent for the beverage lines. This allows fully automatic operation.

In addition, it is possible to stockpile various cleaning agents, which are then used at different intervals. For many drinks, it is necessary to use several detergents for different impurities. These can now be stored with the multiple dosing and ge in the desired time intervals are used automatically.

From the in 4 shown representation that the cleaning device according to the invention ultimately only a few lines, namely the inflow line 52 and the drainage line 72 must include, as well as the valve 78 via which the inflow line 52 with the pump 54 is connected.

All other measures to build the cleaning device affect the control electronics of dishwasher and are done by simple programming work.

In summary shows that the inventive cleaning device for a beverage dispensing system by using the in a glasses dishwasher existing components is easy and inexpensive to implement and even later can still be integrated.

Claims (11)

Cleaning and rinsing device for a beverage dispenser, which at least one between a dispensing head ( 28 . 30 ) and a tap ( 20 . 22 ) extending beverage line ( 24 . 26 ), with a first cleaning line ( 52 ; Inflow) whose first end to a first tap ( 22 ) is connectable, and a second cleaning line ( 72 ; Drain line) whose first end to a second tap ( 20 ), characterized in that the second ends of the two cleaning lines ( 52 . 72 ) in a sink ( 36 ), the sink ( 36 ) Part of a dishwasher ( 14 ), and one of the two cleaning lines ( 52 . 72 ) a pump ( 54 ) for pumping in a sink ( 36 ) is assigned, so that the liquid via the two cleaning lines ( 52 . 72 ) from or to the taps ( 22 . 20 ) is conductive to their purification. Cleaning and flushing device according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the two cleaning lines ( 52 . 72 ), in particular the discharge ( 72 ), a drain valve ( 74 ) is assigned to the liquid in the sink ( 36 ) and a drain of the dishwasher ( 14 ). Cleaning and rinsing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a Spülbeckenfüllventil ( 68 ) provided with a fresh water line ( 60 ) and controllable fresh water in the sink ( 36 ) leads. Cleaning and flushing device according to claim 3, characterized in that a direct flushing valve ( 58 ) is provided, on the one hand with the fresh water line ( 60 ) and on the other hand with the inflow line ( 52 ) connected is. Cleaning and rinsing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pump ( 54 ), the pelvic filling valve ( 68 ), the direct rinse valve ( 58 ), the fresh water line ( 60 ) and / or the drain valve ( 74 ) Part of the dishwasher ( 14 ) are. Cleaning and rinsing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in both cleaning lines ( 52 . 72 ) one sensor each ( 82 . 84 ) is provided, which detects the rinsing or cleaning agent content of the liquid flowing through the cleaning lines. Cleaning and rinsing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one dosing device ( 90 ; 100 ) is provided to promote a liquid, in particular a cleaning agent, controllable in the sink. Cleaning and rinsing device according to claim 7, characterized in that a plurality of dosing devices ( 90.1 - 90.n ) are provided, which can each promote controllable liquids in the sink. Cleaning and rinsing device according to claim 8, characterized in that different cleaning agents be dosed by the multiple metering devices. Cleaning and rinsing device according to claim 6 and 7 or 8, characterized in that the metering device ( 90 ; 100 ) is designed to perform the dosage depending on the measured rinsing and cleaning agent content. Cleaning and rinsing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two cleaning lines ( 52 . 72 ) have an external and an internal line section, which via line couplings ( 42 ) are connectable to each other, wherein the line coupling ( 42 ) on an outer wall of the dishwasher ( 14 ) are mounted.