EA020823B1 - Method and device of detecting the operational mode of a beverage system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of detecting the operational mode of a beverage dispensing system, which comprises a sealable pressure chamber (10) to be shifted between a first open position and a second closed position, a collapsible keg (168) to be received within the sealable pressure chamber, a tapping line (68), at least during use connected to the collapsible keg, and a fluid pressure source (112) connected to the pressure chamber for pressurising the pressure chamber. The beverage dispensing system further comprises a first detector having a pressure input and a control pressure output and a second detector having a pressure input and a control pressure output. The method comprises evaluating as a logical "AND" the control pressures from the control pressure outputs of the detectors and determining the operational mode of the beverage dispensing system.

Description

Beverage dispensing systems are commonly used in beverage dispensers to efficiently dispense large quantities of beverages. Typically, beverage dispensing systems are used to dispense carbonated alcoholic beverages such as draft beer and cider. Although also non-alcoholic drinks, such as soft drinks, and non-carbonated drinks, such as wine and fruit juice, can be dispensed using a beverage dispensing system. Distribution systems for drinks are delivered mainly for professional users, such as establishments like bars, restaurants and hotels, but more often for private users, for example, in private homes.

Professional beverage dispensing systems typically distribute beverages delivered in large beverage kegs. Such beverage kegs can hold 20-50 liters of a beverage for a professional beverage dispensing system and allow, as a rule, 50-100 beverage dispensing operations to be performed before a keg with a beverage needs to be replaced. Typically, beverage kegs are made from hard materials such as steel and are refilled many times. Between the fillings the kegs with the drink are thoroughly cleaned. Improper cleaning can lead to a breach of hygiene in the kegs with the drink, which, in turn, can lead to health problems for the consumer of the drink. Alternatively, beverage kegs are compressible for single use only due to the above hygiene problems. An example of such a beverage dispensing system using compressible kegs with a drink is the OgandSHMaMsg ™ system. supplied by the company filing this application. Such beverage dispensing systems using compressible beverage kegs typically have a beverage keg mounted in a pressure chamber.

When dispensing a beverage from a beverage dispensing system, the compressed fluid is able to enter a beverage keg (in the case of a metal keg) or a pressure chamber (in the case of a compressible keg). When using a metal keg, the keg itself can be considered a pressure chamber. During dispensing the beverage from the pressure chamber, the compressed fluid acts on the beverage and pushes the beverage out of the pressure chamber. If a compressible keg with a beverage is used, then the keg with the beverage is compressed during dispensing of the beverage, and the volume of the keg with the beverage is reduced in accordance with the amount of dispensed beverage. The compressible beverage kegs are preferably made of flexible and recyclable material, such as plastic.

In the dispensing operation, the pressure force forces the beverage to flow from the beverage container into the filling line. The tapping line leads to a tapping device, typically having a tapping valve and a tapping lever, allowing the operator to control the tapping valve and therefore the beverage dispensing operation. An operator, such as a bartender or waiter, uses a dispenser to control the amount of beverage dispensed. After each beverage dispensing operation, the remainder of the beverage inevitably remains in the tapping line and in the tapping device. After some time, a layer of the remaining beverage may form inside the tapping line and tapping device. Such layers of the remaining beverage may solidify and ultimately clog the tapping line and / or tapping device, thereby disrupting the beverage dispensing operation. However, long before the filling line and / or filling device is clogged, the remaining beverage will create a hygiene problem. The tapping line and tapping device are areas where bacterial growth can be accelerated due to the presence of the drink, the large surface area compared to the volume of the drink, the lack of adequate cooling and proximity to the environment. Bacterial growth due to lack of hygienic conditions inside the tapping line and tapping device can create a quality problem for the consumer of the drink. In addition, crusting of the solidified beverage within the tapping line may occur. Thus, there is a need for technologies for cleaning the tapping line and tapping device after a certain period of time or, alternatively, after a certain number of beverage dispensing operations.

Pending and yet unpublished European patent application 07388059.3, filed on August 20, 2007, describes a beverage distribution system having a separate rinse line. By using a specially designed outlet valve, the rinsing fluid and the beverage can alternately enter the tapping line. Rinsing fluid is supplied from a separate pressurized reservoir. The exhaust valve includes safety means to prevent mixing of the rinsing fluid and the beverage.

In νθ 2007/076584 A2, an automatic home dispenser for dispensing several types of beer is described. The above publication briefly describes that a cleaning cartridge can be used to clean a beverage dispenser. However, this publication does not describe any additional details of how the cleaning is carried out.

Pending and still unpublished European patent application 08388029.4, filed September 11, 2008, describes a cleaning and rinsing cartridge for internal use. The cleaning and rinsing cartridge is installed in the pressure chamber like a keg with a drink and the distribution of it is carried out in the same way as the distribution of the drink.

- 1,020,823

However, it may be advantageous to create an external system for cleaning and rinsing, which can be operated while the keg with the drink or, alternatively, the drink is still inside the pressure chamber.

Beverage dispensing systems are often used in bars, restaurants and similar establishments. Such establishments tend, under certain circumstances, to subject operators to high levels of stress. In the present context, observations have shown that accidents can occur as a result of improper handling of the beverage dispensing system during the replacement of the compressible keg with the beverage inside the pressure chamber. When the keg with the drink is about to be replaced, the pressure is released from the pressure chamber, the used keg with the drink is removed, a new keg with the drink is set and pressure is again created in the pressure chamber. It is imperative that it is impossible to create pressure in the pressure chamber when it is open, as a high-pressure jet can form and cause injuries to people nearby. Likewise, any cleaning and flushing operations should be prevented if the pressure chamber is open, as unhealthy and possibly toxic cleaning fluids and flushing fluids can be thrown out of the pressure chamber on nearby people. Without safety measures, such incidents can occur frequently.

Attempting to activate a beverage dispensing system without a keg with a beverage may result in compressed fluid entering the dispensing line, discharging it through the beverage tap, and causing injury to the operator. Thus, any attempts to actuate a beverage dispensing system without an established beverage keg should be prevented. Likewise, rinsing the filling line without a keg with the beverage should also be prevented, since cleaning and flushing fluids can enter the pressure chamber and contaminate it. When the beverage container is closed, it is usually not possible to determine the operating mode of the beverage dispensing system. Correct determination of the operating mode is therefore important for the safe operation of the beverage dispensing system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide technologies for determining the operating mode of a beverage dispensing system. Among the other objectives of the present invention relates to the creation of technologies for cleaning and washing the beverage dispensing system using an external cleaning and washing cartridge.

The above need and the above tasks, together with many other needs and tasks that will be apparent from the following detailed description in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, are solved by a method for determining the operating mode of a beverage dispensing system, the beverage dispensing system comprising a pressurized chamber , translatable between the first, open, position and the second, closed, position, compressible keg placed inside executed with the possibility of hermetically closing the pressure chamber, a tapping line, at least during use, connected to the compressible keg, a source of compressed fluid connected to the pressure chamber to create pressure in the pressure chamber, a first sensor having a pressure inlet for receiving compressed fluid from a source of compressed fluid and an outlet for control pressure, determining whether the pressure chamber configured to be sealed is in a first, open, position or a second, closed position, and, if the pressure chamber, which is capable of hermetically closing, is in a second, closed position, which supplies the control pressure from the outlet for the control pressure, and a second sensor having a pressure inlet for receiving compressed fluid from the source of the compressed fluid and an outlet for the control pressure, which determines whether the compressible keg is in the pressure chamber sealed to be closed, and if the keg is in the sealed chamber of pressure, the feed e is the pressure from the outlet for the control pressure, and this method includes the following steps: evaluating the control pressures from the exits for the control pressure of the first and second sensors using a logical function and determining the operating mode of the beverage distribution system, and this operating mode does not take place if none or only one of the first and second sensors supplies the control pressure from its outlet for the control pressure, and takes place only if both control pressures are supplied from the control outlets st pressure of said first and second sensors.

Most pressure chambers have a removable lid for accessing the interior of the pressure chamber when installing or removing a keg with a drink. Some pressure chambers can have a vertical orientation when they are in a closed position, and can be translated into a horizontal orientation when they are in an open position, when it is necessary to replace a keg with a drink. Before opening a keg with a drink, pressurized air is usually slowly released to avoid personal injury when opening the lid. When the camera

- 2 020823 of pressure is hermetically closed and pressure is created in it using compressed fluid, the volume of the compressible keg decreases as the beverage is dispensed through the filling line. A filling line usually leads to a beverage tap for controlled dispensing of the beverage. The compressed fluid source may be an air compressor or any other suitable device for dispensing a compressed fluid having a pressure suitable for dispensing a beverage.

The first sensor may supply compressed fluid from its outlet for the control pressure when the pressure chamber is closed. Consequently, the compressed fluid is not supplied from the outlet for the control pressure of the first sensor if the pressure chamber is open. The first sensor may, for example, determine whether the beverage container is in a vertical orientation and / or if a lid is installed. The second sensor likewise determines whether the keg with the drink is correctly installed in the pressure chamber, and then delivers the compressed fluid from its outlet for the control pressure. If the beverage container is not installed, or if the beverage container is not installed correctly, i.e. is not in fluid communication with the discharge line, the compressed fluid is not supplied from the outlet for the control pressure of the second sensor.

Under the assessment using the logical function AND, it should be understood that the presence of the operating mode is not determined if none or only one of the first and second sensors supplies the control pressure from its output for the control pressure. Only in the event that both the first and second sensors supply the control pressure from their respective outputs for the control pressure, is the presence of the operating mode determined. The control pressures mentioned above and the determination of the operating mode can preferably be used in combination with a safety system to prevent the use or at least warning of the undesirability of using the beverage distribution system when the beverage distribution system is not in operation.

As part of the logical system, the use of a simple and cheap electronic circuit to determine the operating mode instead of using the control pressure, i.e. pneumatic signal, the implementation of which is more complex and expensive. However, in this case, the control pressure unexpectedly turned out to be more advantageous than the electrical circuit for determining the operating mode, since the electrical components are not fault-tolerant in a given medium containing a beverage, cleaning fluids and flushing fluids. A short circuit caused by the penetration of fluid into the electronic circuits can lead to failure of the electronic system and the complete loss of the logic system, and, consequently, the safety system.

The safety system can be provided as a system that includes means that allow you to create pressure in the pressure chamber only if there is an operating mode.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the operation mode may be indicated by some warning signal, such as, for example, green light, green signal plate, and the like. Such warning signals may preferably be located at several suitable locations, for example, on a beverage tap and on a pressure chamber.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the first and second sensors may be connected in series configuration or, alternatively, be connected to a pressure valve acting as a logic element AND to generate an activation pressure, provided that an operating mode is present. When the first and second sensors are connected in series, it is assumed that no activating pressure is generated if one of the sensors does not supply a control pressure. The activation pressure is thus directly generated from the control pressure. Alternatively, control pressures are used to control an AND acting as a logic element. Acting as an AND gate, the valve provides compressed fluid if both the first and second control pressures are applied. Such valves are well known in the art. The activating pressure can preferably be used to create pressure in the pressure chamber, resulting in a fail-safe system. When any of the sensors does not apply a control pressure, pressure cannot be created in the pressure chamber.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an exhaust valve may be provided between the beverage keg and the tapping line, the exhaust valve having a beverage dispensing position and a closed position, the operating mode corresponding to the state where the pressure chamber is under pressure and the activation pressure is used to transfer outlet valve to the beverage dispensing position. An outlet valve may prevent the beverage from entering the filling line by preventing fluid from communicating between the beverage keg and the filling line if the beverage distribution system is not in operation. When the operating mode takes place, the exhaust valve may allow the beverage to be dispensed by restoring fluid communication between the beverage keg and the dispensing line. The outlet valve preferably uses activating pressure to enter the beverage dispensing position. Without activating pressure, the closed position can be adopted by a counter spring or the like.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there may be provided

- 3,020,823 rinsing cartridges in fluid communication with the tapping line, and a third sensor having a pressure inlet for receiving compressed fluid from the rinsing cartridges and an outlet for a control pressure that determines whether the rinsing cartridges are pressurized and, if rinsing the cartridge is under pressure, which supplies the control pressure from the outlet for the control pressure, and the method includes the following steps: evaluation using a logical function AND control pressures from the exits for control pressure of the first, second and third sensors and determining the rinse mode of the beverage distribution system, provided that all three control pressures are supplied from the outlets for the control pressure of the first, second and third sensors.

Cleaning and flushing should not be able to start if the pressure chamber is not under pressure, i.e. if the pressure chamber is open, or if the keg is not present in the pressure chamber. This requirement prevents the cleaning fluid from accidentally entering the pressure chamber when the pressure chamber is open. A third sensor can be used to determine that the rinse cartridge is under pressure, since rinsing cannot begin if the rinse cartridge is not under pressure. The third sensor may supply compressed fluid from its outlet for control pressure when the rinse cartridge is under pressure. Accordingly, the compressed fluid is not supplied from the outlet for the control pressure of the third sensor if the rinsing cartridge is not under pressure.

Under the assessment using the logical function And it should be understood that the presence of the rinse mode is not determined if none, only one or only two of the first, second and third sensors supply the control pressure from their outputs for the control pressure. Only if all of the first, second and third sensors supply control pressure from their respective outputs for the control pressure, is the presence of a rinsing mode determined. The control pressures mentioned above and the determination of the rinse regimen can preferably be used in combination with a safety system to prevent the use or at least warn of the undesirability of using the rinse cartridge when the beverage dispensing system is not in the rinse mode.

From the foregoing, it is clear that the supply of control pressure from the exits for the control pressure of both the first and second sensors is a prerequisite for determining both the rinsing mode and the operating mode. Therefore, some embodiments of the present invention can use two sequential estimates using the AND logic function: in the first stage, the outputs for the control pressure of the first and second sensors are evaluated using the AND logic function to determine the operating mode, and in the next step, the result of the first stage and the output for the control the pressure of the third sensor is evaluated using the logical function AND to determine the rinse condition.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the rinsing mode may be indicated by some warning signal, such as, for example, red light, red signal plate, and the like. Such warning signals may preferably be located in several suitable places, for example, on the beverage tap and on the pressure chamber, in order to avoid attempts to dispense the beverage when the rinse condition has been determined.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the first, second and third sensors may be connected in series configuration or, alternatively, may be connected to a pressure valve acting as a logic element AND to generate a rinse-activating pressure, provided that a rinse mode is present. When connecting the first, second and third sensors in series, it was found that activating rinsing pressure is not generated if one of the sensors does not supply a control pressure. The activating rinse pressure is thus directly generated from the control pressure. Alternatively, control pressures are used to control an AND acting as a logic element. Acting as an AND gate, the valve provides compressed fluid if all of the first, second, and third pilot signals are supplied. Such valves are well known in the art. Either a discharge valve acting as a logic element AND having three inlets is used, or, alternatively, two series-connected acting as a logic elements AND discharge valves, each of which has two inputs.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an exhaust valve may be provided between the rinse cartridges and the tapping line, wherein the exhaust valve has a rinse position, the rinse mode corresponding to the state where the rinse cartridge is pressurized and the rinse activating pressure is used to transfer the exhaust valve to the rinse position .

An exhaust valve may not allow cleaning and flushing fluids to enter the tapping line by eliminating fluid communication between the rinse cartridge and the tapping line if the beverage dispensing system is not in rinse mode. When the rinsing mode is 4,020,823, the exhaust valve may allow fluid to be dispensed by restoring the fluid communication between the rinsing cartridge and the tapping line. The outlet valve preferably uses an activating rinse pressure to occupy the rinse position. Without activating pressure, a closed position can be achieved by a counter spring or the like. Preferably, the exhaust valve has three positions: a rinsing position, a beverage dispensing position, and a closed position. Activating rinse pressure, activating pressure and spring transfer the valve to the three above positions.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the rinse cartridge may be detachably mounted to the pressure chamber, or, alternatively, the rinse cartridge is a separate rinse unit. The rinse cartridge is preferably prepared and then attached to the side of the pressure chamber to initiate rinsing. Alternatively, a centralized rinse aid may be used.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the pressure in the rinse cartridge may be generated using an activating pressure, or, alternatively, the pressure in the rinse cartridge may be generated using a compressed fluid source or pressure chamber. When creating pressure in the rinse cartridge using the activating pressure, it can be guaranteed that the rinse mode is determined only when the pressure chamber is also under pressure. Alternatively, there may be a connection between the pressure chamber and the rinse cartridge, so that pressure in the rinse cartridge is generated by the pressure chamber. Alternatively, the rinse cartridge may have a separate connection to a source of compressed fluid, independent of the pressure chamber and activating pressure.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a rinse cartridge can be connected to a plurality of beverage dispensing systems. Preferably, the centralized rinse cartridge may be a common rinse unit for a plurality of beverage dispensing systems. Beverage dispensing systems sharing a single rinse cartridge preferably belong to the same kit, i.e. their respective beverage taps are located close to each other, for example on the same bar counter. The tapping lines of the beverage dispensing systems are typically separate, however, in some embodiments, a common tapping line may be used.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the rinsing cartridge may be provided with a switch for selectively supplying cleaning and rinsing fluids from the rinsing cartridge to a single filling line of a plurality of beverage dispensing systems. The switch can be used to selectively distribute the cleaning and flushing fluids to only one beverage dispensing system at a time so as to make it possible to determine the exact amount of cleaning and flushing fluids passing through each tapping line. Alternatively, all of the tapping lines are rinsed simultaneously, which allows the rinsing process to be carried out quickly, but without the ability to determine the amount of cleaning and rinsing fluids passing through each tapping line.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the rinsing cartridge may be provided with a switch for selectively supplying pressure from the outlet for the control pressure of the third sensor to one of the beverage dispensing systems, or, alternatively, pressure from the outlet for the control pressure of the third sensor may be supplied to all beverage dispensing systems. When applying a control pressure from the output of the third sensor to all beverage dispensing systems, such a situation is prevented that some beverage dispensing systems are in the rinse mode, while others are in the operating mode. This is an important safeguard because the ability to confuse rinse fluids and the drink is prevented if the beverage is not dispensed simultaneously with the rinse. When the control pressure is selectively applied from the outlet of the third sensor to one of the beverage dispensing systems, dispensing beverages and rinsing are possible at the same time.

The above need and the above tasks, together with many other needs and tasks that will be apparent from the following detailed description, in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, are solved by a system for determining the operating mode of the beverage distribution system comprising a pressure chamber sealed to be shuttered, translatable between the first, open, position and the second, closed, position, compressible keg, placed inside made with the possibility of tight sealing covering of the pressure chamber, the dispensing line, at least during use, attached to a compressible keg, a source of pressurized fluid connected to the pressure chamber to create a pressure chamber pressure, the first sensor having an input pressure for receiving pressurized fluid from a source of compressed

- 5,020,823 fluids and an outlet for control pressure, determining whether the pressure chamber configured for hermetically closing is in the first, open, position or in the second, closed position, and if the pressure chamber configured for hermetically closing is in the second, closed position, supplying control pressure from the outlet for control pressure, and a second sensor having an inlet for pressure for receiving compressed fluid from a source of compressed fluid and an outlet for control pressure, determine whether the compressible keg is located in the pressure chamber capable of hermetically closing, and if the keg is in the pressure chamber capable of hermetically closing, supplying the control pressure from the outlet for the control pressure, and an evaluation unit for evaluation using the logical function AND control pressures from the outputs for the control pressure of the first and second sensors and determine the operating mode of the beverage distribution system, and the specified operating mode does not occur if none or only one of the first and the second sensor supplies the control pressure from its outlet for the control pressure, and takes place only if both control pressures are supplied from the outputs for the control pressure of the first and second sensors.

The evaluation unit may preferably be completely mechanical, i.e. for example, be a pneumatic system, in order to avoid the risk of failure, for example, due to the ingress of fluids on the electrical circuit, etc. It is contemplated that the above system may be used in conjunction with the above methods. Any of the features according to the first aspect of the present invention described above can equally be applied to its second aspect.

The present safety system may include a safety valve that prevents the exhaust valve from rinsing if the rinsing cartridge and pressure chamber are not pressurized. If the pressure chamber is open, pressure cannot be created in it, and therefore, the outlet valve will not take a rinse position. If the pressure chamber is under pressure, then the rinse position is automatically occupied when the rinse cartridge is under pressure, as a result of which the rinse fluid is able to enter the tapping line. The safety valve is preferably designed to allow compressed fluid to flow from the safety valve to the exhaust valve only if the compressed fluid is supplied from both the pressure chamber and the rinse cartridge. The outlet valve is preferably a pneumatic valve, i.e. when the compressed fluid is supplied from both the pressure chamber and the rinse cartridge, the compressed fluid flows into the exhaust valve and places the exhaust valve in the rinse position. For the safe operation of an external cleaning and flushing system, some safety requirements are mandatory in order to avoid personal injury and similar incidents. Preferably, all taps for a beverage belonging to the same establishment or located on the same bar counter should be in the same mode. For example, it should not be possible to dispense a beverage from some beverage taps while cleaning other beverage taps. The reason for this is that there is an obvious risk of confusing the drink and the cleaning fluid.

List of figures

The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a series of figures showing an external cleaning and rinsing cartridge; FIG. 2 is a series of figures showing a compressible cleaning cartridge; FIG. 3 is a series of figures showing a pre-filled cleaning cartridge; FIG. 4 is a series of figures showing the dissolution of a cleaning tablet; FIG. 5 is a series of figures showing a piston external cleaning and rinsing cartridge; FIG. 6 is a top view and a side view of an external cleaning and washing cartridge; FIG. 7 is an external cleaning and flushing cartridge mounted on a pressure chamber; FIG. 8 is a set of connected pressure chambers for a centralized external cleaning and flushing unit, FIG. 9 - lower part of the pressure chamber, FIG. 10 shows a centralized rinse system in the rinse mode; FIG. 11 shows a centralized rinse system in the dispensing mode of the beverage; FIG. 12 is a centralized rinse system in a closed mode, FIG. 13 is a local rinse system in the rinse mode, FIG. 14 is a local rinse system in the dispensing mode of the drink, FIG. 15 - local rinse system in a closed mode, FIG. 16 - exhaust valve in the mode of dispensing a drink, FIG. 17 shows an outlet valve in the rinse mode and FIG. 18 is an alternative embodiment of a centralized rinse system. Information confirming the possibility of carrying out the invention

The following is a detailed description of the figures depicting some of the currently preferred embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1A shows the most preferred embodiment of an external cleaning and rinsing unit 20. The cleaning and rinsing unit 20 comprises an external chamber, which is a cartridge 36 for flushing fluid, having a volume of approximately 4 L, and an inner chamber, which is a cartridge 46 for cleaning fluid having a volume of approximately 1 liter Volumes of 1 and 4 L, respectively, are typical values suitable for most beverage dispensing systems. The flushing fluid cartridge 36 is in fluid communication with the flushing fluid cartridge 46 through a cartridge connection 40 that connects the bottom of the flushing fluid cartridge 36 and the upper portion of the flushing fluid cartridge 46. The flushing fluid may flow into the cartridge connection 40 through the flushing fluid outlet 38 located at the bottom of the flushing fluid cartridge 36, flow through the cartridge connection 40 into the cleaning fluid cartridge 46 and enter the cleaning fluid cartridge 46 through the inlet 42 for flushing fluid, located at the top of the cartridge 46 for cleaning fluid. A non-return valve 43 is provided at the flushing fluid inlet 42 to prevent the flow of the cleaning fluid into the flushing fluid cartridge 36.

An outlet for rinsing fluid is provided at the bottom of the cartridge 46 for cleaning fluid. In the present context, it is understood that the rinsing fluid is any of the following fluids: cleaning fluids and flushing fluids. The rinse line 25 connects the outlet 24 for rinse fluid with a rinse fitting 27 located on the side of the cleaning and flushing unit 20. A float valve 50 is provided inside the cartridge 46 for the cleaning fluid to prevent the flow of compressed fluid from the cartridge 46 for the cleaning fluid inside the outlet 24 for rinsing fluid. The float valve 50 allows liquids, i.e. flushing and cleaning fluids, flow through outlet 24 for rinsing fluid and does not allow gas, i.e. compressed fluid flow through outlet 24 for rinsing fluid. The group of protrusions forming the support 52 of the float valve ensures that the float valve 50 is positioned securely closed in the cartridge 46 for cleaning fluid, when the cleaning fluid is not in the cartridge 46 for cleaning fluid. The compressed fluid tube 29 supplies compressed fluid from the outside with respect to the cleaning and flushing unit to the upper inner portion of the flushing fluid cartridge 36 so as to prevent the flushing fluid from entering the compressed fluid tube 29 when the flushing cartridge 36 The fluid is full.

The cleaning and flushing unit 20 can be prepared by filling with flushing fluid, i.e. water, a cartridge 46 for cleaning fluid and a cartridge 36 for flushing fluid. The flushing fluid cartridge 36 is then isolated from the flushing fluid cartridge 46 by a flushing fluid cap 56. The flushing fluid cover 56 isolates the flushing fluid cartridge, but allows access to the flushing fluid cartridge through the opening 54. When the flushing fluid cartridge 36 has been properly separated from the flushing fluid cartridge 46, the cleaning tablet 59 is dissolved in the cartridge 46 for the cleaning fluid, converting the flushing fluid located in the cartridge 46 for the cleaning fluid into a cleaning fluid. Alternatively, the cleaning component may be loaded in the form of a powder, liquid or paste, or a combination thereof, preferably in a precisely defined amount or unit dose. The cleaning fluid cartridge 46 is then sealed by a cleaning fluid cap 58.

FIG. 1B shows the cleaning and flushing unit of FIG. 1A after it has been installed in a beverage dispensing system (not shown). When a compressed fluid, such as pressurized air, is supplied into the flushing fluid cartridge 36 through the compressed fluid tube 29, the compressed fluid forces the flushing fluid from the flushing fluid cartridge 36 to enter the cleaning fluid cartridge 46 through the connection 40 cartridges. The flushing fluid leaves the flushing fluid cartridge 36 through the flushing fluid outlet 38 and enters the flushing fluid cartridge 46 through the flushing fluid inlet 42 and thereby forces the flushing fluid from the flushing fluid cartridge 46 to pass through the outlet 24 for rinsing fluid and then through rinsing line 25 and rinsing connecting device 27. The direction of flow of the fluid is shown in the drawing by arrows. The rinse fitting 27 must be connected to the dispensing line and the beverage tap of the beverage dispensing system to be cleaned (not shown). A beverage tap (not shown) is located at the opposite end of the tapping line and is usually located on the bar. The cleaning fluid is differentiated from the flushing fluid in the drawing by means of small bubbles.

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FIG. 1C shows the cleaning and flushing unit 20 of FIG. 1A, when the flushing fluid cartridge 36 is empty and the flushing fluid cartridge 46 is filled with flushing fluid. The compressed fluid forces the flushing fluid to pass through the rinse fluid outlet 24. When the cartridge 46 for cleaning fluid is empty, the float valve 50 has reached the bottom of the cartridge 46 for cleaning fluid and does not allow compressed fluid to pass through the outlet 24 for rinsing fluid.

FIG. 2A shows another embodiment of an external cleaning and washing unit 20 '. The external cleaning and flushing unit 20 'comprises a cartridge 36 for flushing fluid, which makes up most of the interior of the cleaning and flushing unit 20'. Cartridge 46 'for the cleaning fluid is presented in the form of a flexible container pre-filled with a cleaning fluid. The cartridge 46 'for the cleaning fluid contains a connecting device 60 with a piercing element, which is a sharp knife, needle or similar tearing element. Coupling device 60 is connected to the rinse fluid outlet 24, allowing fluid to flow between the cleaning fluid cartridge 46 'and the rinsing line 25. After the cleaning fluid cartridge 46' has been installed, the rinsing fluid cartridge 36 is filled with rinsing fluid fluid and install the cover 58, hermetically closing the cartridge 36 for flushing fluid.

FIG. 2B shows the cleaning and flushing unit 20 'of FIG. 2A after it has been installed in a beverage dispensing system (not shown). The compressed fluid entering the flushing fluid cartridge 36 through the compressed fluid tube 29 causes the flushing fluid to exert pressure on the flushing fluid cartridge 46 '. The cleaning fluid therefore passes through the connecting device 60 to the rinsing line 25, while the cleaning fluid cartridge 46 'is compressed. The cleaning fluid cartridge 46 ′ is compressed against the connector 60 and punctured or torn by the connector 60.

FIG. 2C shows the cleaning and flushing unit 20 of FIG. 1A, when the flushing fluid cartridge 36 is empty and torn or, alternatively, punctured, allowing the flushing fluid to pass through the rinse fluid outlet 24.

FIG. 3A shows another embodiment of an external cleaning and rinsing unit 20. The cleaning and rinsing unit 20 comprises a flushing fluid cartridge 36, which makes up most of the interior of the cleaning and rinsing unit 20. The cleaning fluid cartridge 46 'is located at the bottom of the cartridge 36 flushing fluid. The cleaning fluid cartridge 46 ′ is pre-filled with the cleaning fluid and attached to the rinse fluid outlet 24. The flushing fluid inlet 42 'in the cartridge 46' for the flushing fluid is located opposite the flushing fluid outlet 24. The flushing fluid cartridge 36 is provided with a float valve 50.

FIG. 3B shows a cleaning and flushing unit 20 of FIG. 2A when it was installed in a beverage dispensing system (not shown). The compressed fluid entering the flushing fluid cartridge 36 through the compressed fluid tube 29 causes the flushing fluid to enter the flushing fluid cartridge 46 ′ through the flushing fluid inlet 42 ′. The cleaning fluid therefore passes through the rinse fluid outlet 24 to the rinse line 25.

FIG. 3C shows the cleaning and flushing unit 20 of FIG. 3A when the cleaning fluid cartridge 46 ′ is filled with a flushing fluid. The compressed fluid forces the flushing fluid to pass through the rinse fluid outlet 24. When the flushing fluid cartridge 36 is empty, the float valve 50 has reached the bottom of the flushing fluid cartridge 46 'and does not allow the compressed fluid to pass through the rinse fluid outlet 24.

FIG. 4A-C show yet another embodiment of an external cleaning and flushing unit 20 ', very similar to the unit of FIG. 3A-C, except that the cleaning fluid cartridge 46 'includes a cleaning tablet 59 that dissolves and creates a cleaning fluid when the washing fluid flows inside the cleaning fluid cartridge 46' as described above with respect to FIG. 3B. When approximately 1 liter of flushing fluid has passed through the cleaning fluid cartridge 46 ′, the cleaning tablet is completely dissolved and the remaining flushing fluid continues to flow through the rinse fluid outlet 24.

FIG. 5A shows yet another embodiment of an external cleaning and flushing unit 20. The cleaning and washing unit 20 comprises an external flushing fluid cartridge 36 'and an internal flushing fluid cartridge 46, similar to FIG. 1 and 2.

In addition to the compressed fluid tube 29, which delivers the compressed fluid through the inlet 44 '

- 8,020,823 for compressed fluid to the top of the flushing fluid cartridge 36 ', an auxiliary compressed fluid tube 29' is provided for supplying compressed fluid through a compressed fluid inlet 44 to the top of the cleaning fluid cartridge 46. Both the cleaning fluid cartridge 46 and the washing fluid cartridge 36 'are filled with the washing fluid, and the cleaning tablet 59 is dissolved in the cleaning fluid cartridge to create a cleaning fluid.

FIG. 5B shows a flushing fluid cartridge 36 'and a flushing fluid cartridge 46 divided into respective upper space and lower space by an internal piston 53 and an external piston 55, respectively. The corresponding flushing and cleaning fluids are located in the corresponding lower spaces under the respective internal and external pistons 53, 55. The compressed fluid is able to enter the upper space of the cleaning fluid cartridge 46 and act on the internal piston 53, which in turn displaces a cleaning fluid through an outlet 24 'for rinsing fluid. The lower spaces of the flushing fluid cartridge 36 'and the flushing fluid cartridge 46 are connected through a flushing fluid inlet 42'. A flushing fluid valve 57 is located at the bottom and inside the cleaning fluid cartridge 46 and does not allow the flushing fluid to enter the cleaning fluid cartridge 46 from the flushing fluid cartridge 36 '. The flushing fluid valve 57 defines a plurality of holes that are pressed against the wall between the flushing and cleaning fluid cartridges 36 ', 46. When the inner piston 53 is under pressure from the compressed fluid in the direction of the rinse fluid outlet 24 ′, the inner piston 53 acts on the flushing fluid valve 57 and pushes it into the groove 51 of the valve. If the flushing fluid valve 57 has come into contact with the bottom of the valve groove 51, then the internal piston 53 has reached its end position, and the openings in the flushing fluid valve 57 are opposite the flushing fluid inlet 42 '. A fluid communication is established between the flushing fluid cartridge 36 'and the flushing fluid cartridge 46 through the flushing fluid valve 57 and the flushing fluid inlet 42'.

FIG. 5C shows the displacement of the flushing fluid through the rinse fluid outlet 24 ′ by the external piston 55 when the compressed fluid is able to enter the upper space of the flushing fluid cartridge 36 ′ through the compressed fluid inlet 44 ′. The direction of flow of the flushing fluid is shown in the figure by arrows. When the outer piston 55 has reached its final position, it does not allow the compressed fluid to enter the rinse fluid outlet 24 ', thereby eliminating the need for a float valve (with a ball float) for this purpose. The present embodiment has the advantage of physically separating the compressed fluid from the flushing and cleaning fluids, and can therefore be preferably used with a liquid compressed fluid. Such a fluid compressed fluid may be water.

FIG. 6A shows a top view of an embodiment of an external cleaning and washing unit 20 shown in FIG. 1. The cleaning and flushing fluids exit the cleaning and flushing unit 20 through rinsing coupler 27. Rinsing coupler 27 may be connected to a pressure chamber or beverage dispensing system (not shown). Two compressed fluid connectors 28 are disposed one on each side of the rinse fluid connector 27 to supply the compressed fluid to the cleaning and rinsing assembly 20 through a compressed fluid pipe 29 (not shown in this view). Compressed fluid fittings 28 are connected to each other as part of a safety system, which will be described later with reference to FIGS. 13-15.

FIG. 6B shows a side view of an embodiment of an external cleaning and washing unit 20 of FIG. 1. When the cleaning and flushing unit is empty, the float valve 50 closes the outlet 24 for the rinsing fluid and does not allow the compressed fluid to exit the cleaning and flushing unit 20 through the rinsing fitting 27. In this view, the connecting devices 28 for the compressed fluid are not visible .

FIG. 7 shows a cleaning and flushing unit 20 mounted outside the pressure chamber 10. The pressure chamber 10 may preferably accommodate a compressible beverage container. The pressure chamber is placed in the housing 114. Access to the beverage container (not shown) can be achieved by tilting or rotating the pressure chamber from its current vertical orientation to horizontal orientation, followed by separation of the upper part forming the cover 14 of the pressure chamber 10 using handles 12. The cleaning and rinsing unit 20 is preferably made of hard plastics or, alternatively, metal. The cleaning and flushing unit 20 may preferably be at least partially transparent to allow an external observer to determine the level of cleaning and flushing fluids inside the cleaning and flushing unit 20. To be able to distinguish between the cleaning and flushing fluids The cleaning fluid can be painted in a specific color, for example, green, red or blue. The cleaning and washing unit 20 preferably has a cylindrical shape.

FIG. 8 shows a plurality of pressure chambers 10, 10 ′, 10. The pressure chambers 10, 10 ', 10 are individually connected to a centralized cleaning and flushing unit using a set of rinse fluid feeders 128 and collectively to the fourth discharge pipe 142. The control valve 124 controls the flow of compressed fluid from the fourth discharge pipe 142 to the exhaust valve ( not shown here, but will be described below with reference to Fig. 9-18 and is indicated by 72), which is a connecting device of the keg of the pressure chamber 10. The control valve 124 will be described below with reference to FIG. 10-12. The cleaning and flushing fluids are supplied from a centralized cleaning and flushing unit (not shown here, but will be described below with reference to Figs. 10-12 and indicated by 118) attached to the distal end of the set of rinse fluid feeders 128. The centralized cleaning and rinsing unit (not shown here, but will be described below) may be the cleaning and rinsing unit 20 described above with reference to FIG. 1-6, however, it can be significantly larger, depending on the number of pressure chambers 10 and / or filling lines / taps for the drink that it should serve.

FIG. 9 shows a group of beverage dispenser bases 66 for use with any of the pressure chamber embodiments described above (not shown here, but described with reference to FIGS. 7-8, will be described below with reference to FIGS. 10-15, and indicated by 10 ) A tapping line 68 is provided at the rear of the base 66. A beverage container (not shown) can be installed on top of the base 66 and connected to the beverage outlet 70.

The tapping line 68 delivers the beverage as well as cleaning and flushing fluids to the beverage tap (not shown). The base 66 includes an outlet valve 72 for selectively dispensing through the dispensing line 68 either the beverage from the beverage outlet 70 or the cleaning / flushing fluid from the first rinse fluid feeder 128. The pressure in the pressure chamber is generated by a compressed fluid conduit 74 and a compressed fluid inlet 76. It is contemplated that the above-described embodiment of the base 66 may also be used with topical cleaning and rinsing units, as described above with respect to FIG. 7.

FIG. 10-15 show two specific embodiments (centralized and local rinsing systems 110, 116, respectively) having a safety system for controlling rinsing and dispensing a beverage. A safety system prevents rinsing from starting if the pressure chamber 10 is not under pressure, or if the outlet valve 72 is not in the rinsing position. FIG. 10-12 show a centralized rinse system for a plurality of pressure chambers, while FIG. 13-15 show a local rinse system for only one pressure chamber. The centralized and local rinsing systems 110, 116 contain two identical pressure chambers 10, 10 '.

FIG. 10 shows a centralized rinse system 110 in the rinse mode. The centralized rinsing system comprises an air compressor 112, a first pressure chamber 10, a second pressure chamber 10 ′ and a centralized cleaning and flushing unit 118. The air compressor 112 is connected to the first pressure chamber 10 through a first pressure relief valve 120 and a second pressure relief valve 122 through a first pressure tube 136. When the beverage keg is installed in the pressure chamber 10, the first safety valve 120 allows compressed air to flow from the air compressor 112 to the second safety valve. mu valve 122. The second pressure relief valve 122 allows compressed air to build up pressure in the pressure chamber 10 when the pressure chamber has a vertical orientation as shown in FIG. 7, which is a sign that the first pressure chamber 10 is ready for dispensing a beverage. The second safety valve 122 prevents the compressed air from creating pressure in the first pressure chamber 10 when the pressure chamber 10 has taken a horizontal orientation. Any of the pressure chambers 10, 10 ′ can be tilted in a horizontal orientation when it is necessary to install a new keg with a drink, for example, when the old keg with a drink is empty. With a horizontal orientation, the compressed air has the ability to exit the pressure chamber 10, which allows you to safely remove the cover of the pressure chamber 10 and replace the keg with the drink. When the first pressure chamber 10 is under pressure, the pressure also acts on the control valve 124 through the second discharge pipe 138. The control valve 124 will be described in more detail below. The first and second pressure chambers 10, 10 ′ are placed in the first and second bodies 114, 114 ′, respectively.

The air compressor 112 is furthermore connected via a third discharge pipe 140 to a centralized cleaning and rinsing unit 118. The cleaning and rinsing unit 118 is then connected via a fourth discharge pipe 142 to a control valve 124 so that pressure acts on the control valve 124 when rinsing - 10 020823 The power unit 118 is under pressure. When the control valve 124 experiences pressure from both the cleaning and flushing units 118 and the side of the first pressure chamber 10, it allows compressed fluid to act on the exhaust valve 72 and force it to take a rinse and flush position. The exhaust valve 72 is of the same type as the exhaust valve 72 described above with respect to FIG. 9. An exhaust valve of the same type is described below with reference to FIG. 16-17, where it is indicated by the same position. When the outlet valve 72 has taken a rinse position, the cleaning and rinsing fluids are able to enter the outlet valve 72 through the first rinse fluid feeder 128 and exit the outlet valve 72 via the filling line 68. At this time, the beverage is not able to enter the outlet valve 72 so that any contact between the rinsing fluid and the beverage is prevented.

The second pressure chamber 10 ′ by means of the second rinse fluid feeder 130 is connected to the cleaning and flushing unit 118 independently of the first pressure chamber 10. For safety reasons, both outlet valves 72, 72 'of the pressure chambers 10, 10' occupy the rinsing position if they are under pressure. This is necessary in order to prevent the dispensing of the drink on one tap while rinsing on the other tap, which can be dangerous since the cleaning fluid can accidentally be confused with the drink. A switch may be provided on the cleaning and flushing unit 118 for selectively supplying cleaning and flushing fluids to one of the first and second pressure chambers 10, 10 ′. In an alternative embodiment, both pressure lines 68 of the pressure chambers 10, 10 ′ may be provided with cleaning and flushing fluids at the same time.

FIG. 11 shows a centralized rinse system 110 in a dispensing mode of a beverage. In the beverage dispensing mode, the air compressor 112 can deliver pressurized air to the cleaning and flushing unit 118. However, the pressurized air is not able to act on the control valve 124 through the fourth discharge pipe 142, since the fourth discharge pipe 142 in communication with the beverage distribution atmosphere through a bleed valve not shown in the drawings. When the control valve 124 does not experience simultaneous pressure from the side of the first pressure chamber 10 and from the side of the cleaning and flushing unit 118, the control valve 124 does not allow air pressure to act on the exhaust valve 72. This forces the exhaust valve 72 to take a beverage dispensing position. When the outlet valve 72 has taken up a beverage dispensing position, the beverage is able to flow from the first pressure chamber 10 to the tapping line 68. At this time, the rinsing fluid is not able to enter the outlet valve 72.

FIG. 12 shows a centralized rinse system 110 in a closed mode. Closed mode means that the first pressure relief valve 120 and / or the second pressure relief valve 122 are closed, i.e. either the pressure chamber 10 is tilted to a horizontal position, or the keg with the drink is not inside the first pressure chamber 10. The pressurized air is not able to create pressure in the pressure chamber 10 and, therefore, the control valve 124 does not supply compressed fluid to the exhaust valve 72. In closed mode, both the beverage and the rinsing fluid cannot enter the exhaust valve and flow out to the tapping line 68.

FIG. 13 shows a local rinse system 116 in the rinse mode. Like the centralized rinse system 110 described above, the local rinse system 116 comprises a compressor 112, a first pressure chamber 10 and a second pressure chamber 10 ′. The cleaning and rinsing unit 118 described above with reference to FIG. 10-12 is replaced by a first rinse cartridge 132 mounted in conjunction with a first pressure chamber 10 and a second rinse cartridge 132 mounted in conjunction with a second pressure chamber 10 '. The first and second rinse cartridges 132, 132 ', respectively, may be of the types described above with respect to FIG. 1-7. The first pressure chamber 10 is connected to the first rinse cartridge 132 by a second discharge tube 138 so that when the first pressure chamber 10 is pressurized, the first rinse cartridge 132 is also pressurized. The first rinse cartridge 132 is also connected to the exhaust valve 72 so that when the first rinse cartridge is pressurized, pressure acts on the exhaust valve 72 through the fourth discharge pipe 142 so that the exhaust valve 72 occupies the rinse position. At the rinse position, the rinse fluid has the ability to flow from the first rinse cartridge 132 through the outlet valve 72 to the filling line 68 '.

FIG. 14 shows a local rinse system 116 in a dispensing mode of a beverage. To transfer to the beverage dispensing mode, the first rinse cartridge 132 is simply separated from the first pressure chamber 10. When the first rinse cartridge 132 is separated, a non-return valve (not shown) prevents pressurized air from exiting the first pressure chamber 10 through the second discharge pipe 138. Therefore, pressurized air does not act on the exhaust valve 72, which forces the exhaust valve 72 to take beverage dispensing position. The beverage dispensing position allows the beverage to flow through the outlet valve 72 'to the tapping line 68'.

FIG. 15 shows the local rinse system 116 in a closed mode. Closed mode

- 11 020823 for the local rinse system 116 corresponds to the closed mode of the centralized rinse system 110 and therefore will not be described in detail.

FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view on a large scale of the exhaust valve 72 shown in the above-described drawings.

The outlet valve 72 comprises a stem 174, which is located inside the connecting body 192 and which is adapted to act on the ball locking element 176. The ball locking element 176 in the present embodiment is not part of the connecting body 192, but part of the beverage container 168. A ball locking member 176 is located at the base 186. The exhaust valve 72 may occupy three positions that represent the first position, the opposite second position, and the middle position. As will be described in more detail below, the middle position is the beverage dispensing position, while the first and second positions are the rinsing position and the closed position, respectively.

The ball locking member 176 is located at the base 186 in a defined space between the inlet structure 178 and the outlet structure 180. The inlet structure 178 and the outlet structure 180 both include an opening or passage to allow the beverage to flow from the beverage container 168 through the inlet and outlet structures 178, 180 and further through the connecting housing 192 to the outlet 182 for the drink. Both the input structure 178 and the output structure 180 are a valve seat to which the ball locking element 176 can fit snugly. The ball locking element 176 either forms a tight connection to the input structure 178, or forms a tight connection to the output structure 180, or remains in the middle position shown in FIG. 16, which is a beverage dispensing position. The connecting body 192 accommodates the stem 174 and is connected to the base 186. The connecting body 192 is attached to a surface such that when the pressure chamber 10 and the beverage container 168 are tilted or rotated in a horizontal orientation, the connecting body 192 including the stem 174 remains on of this surface, and the outlet valve 72 including the ball locking member 176 remains with the beverage container 168. The stem 174 and the connecting housing 192 may therefore be made of rigid and non-recyclable materials, such as metal.

When the pressure chamber is in a vertical orientation, the fitting 198 creates a tight connection between the base 186 and the connecting housing 192. The fitting 198 is biased downward to allow the pressure chamber 10 to tilt in a horizontal orientation.

When the stem 174 is in the beverage dispensing position, i.e. in the active or middle position, as shown in FIG. 16, the beverage may flow from the beverage container 168 through the ball locking member 176 and through the beverage outlet 182. The beverage outlet 182 is in fluid communication with a tapping line.

First, when a new hermetically sealed container 168 with a drink is installed, the base 186 is hermetically closed by means of a film partition at the outlet structure 180. The film partition is torn apart by the rod 174 when the container 168 with the drink is installed. This allows the beverage to be dispensed from the beverage container 168.

When the connecting body 192, and therefore the stem 174, is separated from the beverage container 168, the beverage shown by dimming in the drawing exerts a force on the ball locking element 176, pressing the ball locking element 176 against the outlet structure 180, determining the closed position, i.e. e. the second passive position, and thereby hermetically closing the container 168 with the drink.

In FIG. 16, a ball locking member 176 is located between the inlet structure 178 and the outlet structure 180, allowing the beverage to flow from the beverage container 168 through the ball locking element 176 and then through the beverage outlet 182 to the tapping line.

The beverage container 168 is provided with a base 186, in which the upper part of the outlet valve 72 is located. The ball locking element 176, the inlet structure 178 and the outlet structure 180 are components of the base 186.

From the beverage dispensing position shown in FIG. 16, the stem 174 may be biased toward the beverage container 168 or to the beverage outlet 182 and the tapping line 68. A spring 184 presses the rod 174 in the direction from the beverage container 168 to the closed position. The exhaust valve 72 is preferably used in conjunction with the safety system described in FIG. 10-15. The pressure chamber may be under pressure only when dispensing is permitted, i.e. when keg 168 with the drink was installed, and the pressure chamber was translated into a vertical orientation. Accordingly, the pressure inside the pressure chamber can be used to apply medium force to the spring 184 and hold the stem 174 in the beverage dispensing position shown in FIG. 16. When the force exerted by the safety system is added, the stem 174 moves to the beverage container 168 to the rinsing position, described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 17.

FIG. 17 is a schematic sectional view on a large scale of the same assembly as in FIG. 16, but with an outlet valve 72 slightly rotated about a vertical axis to open the rinse fluid inlet 190 and the rinse fluid feeder 128, which are not shown in

- 12,020,823 FIG. 16 and the stem 174 in the rinse position instead of the beverage dispensing position shown in FIG. 16. It is shown that the inlet 190 for rinsing fluid is located on the connecting housing 192. The inlet 190 for rinsing fluid is used to rinse the outlet valve 72 and the tapping line. Rinsing fluid may be introduced through the rinse fluid inlet 190 and rinsing the space inside the outlet valve 72.

When the stem 174 is in the rinsing position, the ball locking member 176 is brought into contact with the inlet structure 178 in such a way that a tight closure effect is created to ensure that the rinsing fluid does not enter the beverage container 168, which would contaminate the beverage stored in the container 168 with a drink.

When the stem 174 is in the rinse position, i.e. in the first position, as shown in FIG. 17, the ball locking member 176 and the inlet structure 178 form a sealed connection to prevent rinsing fluid from entering the beverage container 168, but allowing rinsing fluid to flush and rinse the outlet valve 72 and the tapping line. When the beverage valve is opened, when the stem 174 is in the rinse position, rinsing fluid flows out of the beverage valve and rinses and rinses the outlet valve 72, as well as a filling line and a beverage valve (not shown).

The connecting housing 192 connects the outlet structure 180 of the exhaust valve 72 and the outlet 182 for the beverage. The rinse fluid inlet 190 is also connected to the connection body 192, but at a position below the rinse valve seat 196. When the stem 174 is in the rinse position, the corresponding rinse valve element 194 allows fluid to flow between the rinse fluid inlet 190 and the connection body 192. When the rod is moved from the rinse position to the dispensing position or the closed position, the rinse valve element 194 is in contact with a rinsing valve seat 196 and prevents fluid from communicating between the connecting body 192 and the rinsing fluid inlet 190. This prevents the beverage and rinsing fluid from mixing when the stem 174 is in the dispensing position.

After the cleaning fluid, the flushing fluid, i.e. tap water is introduced through the rinse fluid inlet 190 to flush the outlet valve 72 and the tapping line so that the remaining cleaning fluid is not dispensed with the beverage in the first beverage dispensing operation after rinsing.

FIG. 18 shows an alternative embodiment of a centralized rinse system 110 ′. Using a separate cleaning and flushing unit 118, the compressed fluid can be selectively supplied to one of the control valves 124, 124 '. Currently, in the shown embodiment, the compressed fluid is supplied only to the control valve 124 'related to the second pressure chamber 10'. A switch may be used for this purpose. Since both pressure chambers 10, 10 ′ are under pressure, the outlet valve 72 associated with the first pressure chamber 10 occupies a beverage dispensing position, and the exhaust valve 72 ′ of the second pressure chamber 10 ′ is in the rinse mode. Thus, cleaning and flushing fluids can be supplied to the exhaust valves 72, 72 ′ of both pressure chambers 10, 10 ′. However, since only the outlet valve 72 ′ of the second pressure chamber 10 ′ is in the rinsing position, this allows the cleaning and rinsing fluids to pass through the second rinsing fluid feeder 130 and the tapping line 68 ′ of the second pressure chamber 10 ′, but the rinsing and rinsing fluids do not have the ability to enter the tapping line 68 related to the first pressure chamber 10. It should be noted that the beverage and the cleaning fluid can be distributed simultaneously in the present embodiment, and therefore the present embodiment does not provide the highest level of safety, since the beverage and the rinsing fluid can be accidentally confused by a careless operator. The present embodiment, however, gives a little more flexibility to the rinsing operation and, at the same time, fulfills some basic safety requirements, such as preventing the rinsing operation when the pressure chamber is open and not under pressure.

- 13,020,823

List of items

10. Pressure chamber

12, pen

14. Cover

20. External cleaning and flushing unit

24. Rinse fluid outlet

25. Rinsing line

27. Rinsing fitting

28. Compressed fluid coupler

29. Tube for compressed fluid

36. Cartridge for flushing fluid

38. Outlet for flushing fluid

40. Cartridge connection

42. Inlet for flushing fluid

43. Check valve

44. Compressed fluid inlet

46. Cartridge for cleaning fluid

50. Float valve

51. Valve groove

52. Float valve support

53. The internal piston

54. Hole

55. The external piston

56. Cover for flushing fluid

57. Flushing fluid valve

58. Cover for cleaning fluid

59. Cleansing tablet

60. Connection device (with piercing element)

65. Valve

66. Base

68. Draft line

70. Outlet for a drink

72. Exhaust valve

74. Pipeline for compressed fluid

76. Compressed fluid inlet 110. Centralized rinse system

112. Air compressor

114. Case

116. Local rinse system

118. Centralized cleaning / flushing unit 120. First safety valve 122. Second safety valve 124, Control valve

128. First rinse fluid feeder

130. Second rinse fluid feeder

132. Rinsing cartridge

136. The first discharge pipe

138. The second discharge pipe

140. Third discharge pipe 142. Fourth discharge pipe 168. Beverage container 174. Stem

176. Ball locking element 178. Inlet structure 180. Outlet structure 182. Outlet for beverage 184. Spring

186. Base

190. Rinse fluid inlet

192. Connection housing 194. Rinse valve element 196. Rinse valve seat 198. Fitting

Claims (14)

CLAIM 1. A method for determining the operating mode of a beverage dispensing system, the beverage dispensing system comprising a pressurized chamber capable of hermetically closing, translatable between a first, open, position and a second, closed, compressible keg placed inside an airtight closing of the pressure chamber, a tapping line, at least during use, attached to the specified compressible keg, a source of compressed fluid connected to the pressure chamber to create pressure in the chambers e pressure, a first sensor having a pressure input for receiving compressed fluid from the specified source of compressed fluid and an output for a control pressure that determines whether the pressure chamber configured to be sealed can be in said first, open, position or in said second, closed, position, and if made with the possibility of hermetic closure, the pressure chamber is in the specified second, closed, position, which gives the control - 14,020,823 pressure from said outlet for control pressure, and a second sensor having a pressure inlet for receiving compressed fluid from said source of compressed fluid and an outlet for control pressure that determines whether said compressible keg is in a sealed chamber pressure, and if said keg is located in a pressure chamber capable of hermetically closing, supplying a control pressure from said outlet for a control pressure, wherein this method The following steps are taken: they evaluate using the logical function AND the specified control pressures from the indicated outputs for the control pressure of the first and second sensors and determine the operating mode of the beverage dispensing system, and the specified operating mode does not occur if there is not one or only one of the first and second sensors supplies the control pressure from its outlet for the control pressure, and takes place only under the condition that both control pressures are supplied from the exits for the control pressure of said first and second sensors. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the specified operating mode is indicated using a warning signal, such as, for example, green light, green signal plate, etc. 3. A method according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that said first and second sensors are connected in series configuration or, alternatively, connected to a discharge valve acting as a logical element AND to generate an activating pressure, provided that the specified operating mode takes place. 4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that it further provides an exhaust valve between the specified keg with the drink and the specified bottling line, and the specified exhaust valve has a position for dispensing a drink and a closed position, while the specified operating mode corresponds to the state when the specified pressure chamber is under pressure and the specified activating pressure is used to translate the specified exhaust valve in the position of distribution of the drink. 5. The method according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that it further provides a rinse cartridge in fluid communication with the specified tapping line, and a third sensor having a pressure input for receiving compressed fluid from the specified rinse cartridge and an outlet for control pressure determining whether said rinsing cartridge is under pressure, and if said rinsing cartridge is under pressure, supplying a control pressure from said outlet for control pressure, this method includes the following steps: evaluate using the logical function AND the control pressures from the indicated outputs for the control pressure of the indicated first, second and third sensors and determine the rinsing mode of the indicated beverage distribution system exclusively provided that all three control pressures are supplied from the outputs for the control pressure of the specified first, second and third sensors. 6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that said rinsing mode is indicated by a warning signal, such as, for example, red light, red signal plate, etc. 7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the said first, second and third sensors are connected in series configuration or, alternatively, connected to a pressure valve acting as a logical element AND to generate a rinse-activating pressure, provided that it takes place specified rinse mode. 8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that it further provides an exhaust valve between the specified rinse cartridge and the specified tapping line, and the specified exhaust valve has a rinse position, while the specified rinse mode corresponds to the state when the specified rinse cartridge is under pressure and the specified activating rinse pressure is used to transfer the specified outlet valve to the rinse position. 9. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that said rinsing cartridge is mounted on said pressure chamber with a possibility of separation or, alternatively, said rinsing cartridge is a separate rinsing unit. 10. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 9, further comprising any of the characteristics of claim 3, characterized in that the pressure in said rinsing cartridge is created using said activating pressure or, in addition, pressure is generated in said rinsing cartridge using said source of compressed fluid or a specified pressure chamber. 11. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the rinsing cartridge is connected to a plurality of beverage dispensing systems. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said rinsing cartridge is provided with a switch for selectively supplying rinsing fluid from said rinsing cartridge to one dispensing line of a plurality of beverage dispensing systems. 13. The method according to PP.11, 12, characterized in that said rinse cartridge is equipped with a switch for selectively supplying pressure from the outlet for the control pressure of said third sensor to one of said beverage distribution systems, or, alternatively, supply pressure from the outlet for control pressure said third sensor to all said beverage dispensing systems. 14. A system for determining the operating mode of a beverage dispensing system, comprising a pressure chamber capable of being sealed tightly, transferred between a first, open, position and a second, closed, compressible keg placed inside a pressure chamber sealed to be closed, a tapping line, at least during use, a source of compressed fluid connected to said compressible keg connected to a pressure chamber to create pressure in the pressure chamber, a first sensor having a pressure inlet for receiving compressed fluid from the specified source of compressed fluid and an outlet for control pressure, determining whether the pressure chamber configured for hermetically closing is in said first, open, position or in said second, closed, position, and if made with the possibility of hermetic closure, the pressure chamber is in the specified second, closed position, which supplies the control pressure from the specified output for the control pressure, the second sensor having an I pressure for receiving compressed fluid from the specified source of compressed fluid and the output for the control pressure, determining whether the specified compressible keg is in a sealed chamber pressure, and if the specified keg is in a sealed chamber pressure control pressure from the specified output for the control pressure, and an evaluation unit for evaluation using a logical function AND the specified control pressures from the specified outputs for role pressure of the first and second sensors and determining the operating mode of the beverage distribution system, and the specified operating mode does not occur if none or only one of the first and second sensors supplies the control pressure from its outlet for the control pressure, and takes place only under the condition that both control pressures are supplied from the outputs for the control pressure of said first and second sensors.