Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
  • C02F1/02—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by heating
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
  • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B67D3/00—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
  • B67D3/0022—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes provided with heating arrangements
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
  • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B67D3/00—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
  • B67D3/0029—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes provided with holders for bottles or similar containers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
  • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B67D2210/00—Indexing scheme relating to aspects and details of apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught or for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
  • B67D2210/00002—Purifying means
  • B67D2210/00013—Sterilising means
  • B67D2210/00026—Heaters
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
  • F25D2400/22—Cleaning means for refrigerating devices
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D31/00—Other cooling or freezing apparatus
  • F25D31/002—Liquid coolers, e.g. beverage cooler

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the technical sector of devices of the so-called “water fountain” type and more particularly their disinfection.
• water fountains are devices intended to distribute at will fresh and hot water, from a water canister which is replaced when it is exhausted, or when its expiration date intervenes. , or from the drinking water network.
• These fountains essentially comprise a water supply system, a water / heating and cooling distribution and cooling system, and various control elements.
• Bacterial contamination can occur at many stages of the preparation of the fountain, its loading with water and its use.
• the fountain generally comprises, at least for the fountains with carboy, a percussion system of the carboy or bottle, which can be accidentally contaminated with each handling.
• the lid of the cylinder can itself be contaminated during any manipulation, including during transport and storage, or during the installation of the cylinder.
• kits disposable water distribution “kits” or removable tubs which are replaced or disinfected approximately 4 times a year.
• Disinfection systems consist of machines supplying hot water, and which are periodically connected to the fountains, in order to disinfect the system for a sufficient time, by circulating hot water at 90-95 ° C. . These machines are very effective, but the disinfection efficiency is naturally dependent on the frequency with which one decides to use them.
• the invention relates to a device and method called "integral thermal disinfection” characterized in that the water contained in a “water fountain” (of any type, as indicated above) is permanently disinfected by heating, at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time, all with a predetermined frequency, all (or almost all, as will be seen below) of the pipes, tubs, taps, seals, fittings, and other elements of the circuit or the water supply, distribution and circulation network of said fountain, located between the percussion system of the cylinder (or the water supply from the network) and the distribution tap.
• a water fountain of any type, as indicated above
• all of the pipes, tanks, taps, seals and other elements we mean either all the pipes and other elements, or at least as large a part as possible of these pipes and other items, if possible almost all, in any event a fraction large enough to ensure the thermal disinfection function of the water of the invention.
• the treatment temperature and / or the frequency of treatment can also be varied.
• a water fountain is essentially composed of a water inlet zone (in the case of a cylinder fountain, this zone is mainly composed
• a receptacle of the carboy comprising a means of "percussion" of the carboy, that is to say of vertical positioning of the carboy and of perforation of its cover, and of the beginning of the tubing; in the case of a fountain - network, these are the means of connecting the fountain to the drinking water supply network and also the start of the tubing)
• the fountain has two circuits, one for delivering water at normal or temperate temperature, and the other for delivering water cooled or hot, with seals, fittings and other parts corresponding to the two circuits and to their order,
• some fountains also include localized heating means or means of connection with hot water disinfection machines.
• the invention therefore relates to a device and method for thermal disinfection of drinking water from a water fountain, integrated into said fountain, and characterized in that it is continuously disinfected, by actions carried out at preprogrammed time intervals, the water contained in the supply or distribution system or circuit of a "water fountain" (of any type, as indicated above) by heating, to a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time, all with a predetermined frequency, the entirety of said system or circuit and therefore of the water contained in all the pipes (and / or tanks, tanks, and other elements of the system or circuit in contact with water) of said fountain, located between the cylinder percussion system (or the mains water supply) and the distribution tap.
• a water fountain of any type, as indicated above
• the tubes, or the receptacle, possibly the incorporated container (s), or the “kits” described above, or even the distribution valve (s), include seals, fittings, roughness, end pieces, interstices and the like, which form as many potential nests where bacteria can cling to and then proliferate, and where it is difficult to dislodge or destroy them.
• biofilm which forms on the walls and is made up of colonies of non-pathogenic bacteria.
• This biofilm comes in the form of a transparent and sticky film which, on the one hand, is not pleasant and which, on the other hand, forms an ideal culture medium for pathogenic bacteria.
• Such a biofilm therefore represents a potential permanent danger, which promotes the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria as soon as these are present for a sufficiently long time.
• the invention solves all the problems which have just been described, including the prevention or destruction of the biofilm (or prevention of its formation), disinfection of all interstices, fittings, elbows, etc. and even cracks and microcracks which inevitably appear in the metal, even on a so-called “smooth” tubing: such microcracks constitute as many nests for bacteria impossible to disinfect effectively with known systems, and all the more pernicious as they are invisible to the attendant periodic cleaning.
• the invention relates in particular to a device and method for thermal disinfection of the water of a water fountain, integrated into said fountain, characterized in that one disinfects thermally, permanently, that is to say by specific thermal actions but at preprogrammed intervals, preferably regular, the water contained in a “water fountain” (of any type, as indicated above) by heating, to a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time, all with a predetermined frequency, and all (that is to say all of these parameters) being adapted to obtain the desired thermal disinfection effect, the metal and / or alloy constituting the set of pipes of said fountain, located between the percussion system of the cylinder (or the water supply from the network) and the distribution tap, and / or directly the water contained in all the pipes.
• a water fountain of any type, as indicated above
• the pipes are heated by insertion into the water supply (and distribution) pipes of said circuit, over the entire length thereof, or substantially their entire length. , of a tube called "current flow", that is to say of a metal tube heated by the Joule effect by the passage of an electric current capable of bringing the temperature of the water to the desired value under the desired operating conditions, and suitable for obtaining the desired thermal disinfection.
• current flow that is to say of a metal tube heated by the Joule effect by the passage of an electric current capable of bringing the temperature of the water to the desired value under the desired operating conditions, and suitable for obtaining the desired thermal disinfection.
• a non-limiting example of supplying such a current-passing tube, which is of known type, is of the order of 1000 A at a low voltage of approximately 3 V.
• a current flow tube for the pipes and another heating method, for example a sheath comprising an electrical resistance, for the other elements such as tanks, taps, valves and the like.
• the metal or alloy of the pipes is heated by adjoining the pipe, over its entire length, a heating resistor capable of indirectly bringing the temperature of the water to the desired value under the desired operating conditions and suitable for obtaining the desired thermal disinfection.
• the desired or adapted value is of the order of 90 - 95 ° C and that the desired or adapted conditions are those which correspond to a time and a frequency of treatment which are both sufficient to break down the proliferation of bacteria, destroy pathogenic bacteria and preferably prevent the formation of biofilm, while remaining economically satisfactory.
• the invention therefore provides self-disinfection by periodic integral heating of all the tubes (and / or tanks, etc.) at a disinfection temperature.
• This heating is made possible by the low thermal inertia of the materials used for the design of all the pipes and tubs, etc., provided of course that these elements are made of a thermally conductive material, such as quality stainless steel. well-known food and metals or similar alloys.
• the invention makes it possible for the first time to produce water whose sanitary quality is permanently identical to the quality of the water contained in the delivered bottle. Supposing that the water in the bottle is accidentally infected before delivery, the system according to the invention would be capable of destroying the pathogenic flora.
• the percussion or water inlet system as well as the tap or taps, are also disinfected by the method according to the invention.
• the treatment according to the invention will for example be carried out by a rise to 90 - 95 ° C for approximately 10 to 20 mins, preferably around 10 mins, every 24 hours, preferably every night.
• the invention therefore covers the following aspects:
• the water contained in said system or distribution circuit of said fountain is permanently disinfected by heating, to a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time, all with a predetermined frequency, suitable for operating said disinfection,
• - Device for thermal disinfection of drinking water from a water fountain integrated into said fountain comprising a water distribution system or circuit comprising a water supply point, a distribution system or circuit comprising pipes, tanks, taps, and the like, and a dispensing tap, characterized in that
• heating means at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time, all with a predetermined frequency, adapted to operate said disinfection, of the whole of said system or circuit and therefore of the water contained in the whole of said system or circuit in contact with water,
• water fountains characterized in that they implement a method according to the invention or include a device according to the invention.
• FIG. 1 represents a mode of implementation of the invention on a so-called “bottle” fountain
• FIG. 2 represents an embodiment of the invention on a fountain supplied by the network, called "direct expansion";
• FIG. 3 shows a possible embodiment of a combination of water tubing and adjoining heating tube
• FIG. 4 represents an embodiment of the invention on a so-called “fountain with ice bank”.
• FIG. 1 represents a water fountain 1 of the reservoir type, comprising a removable carboy 2, placed on the percussion device (and receptacle) 3; this cylinder supplies water to the reservoir 4 which opens onto a distribution tap 6.
• An evaporator 5 allows the possible cooling of the water before the tap 6.
• the invention consists in surrounding a part (sufficient to obtain the desired effect) of the lateral surface of the reservoir 4 by a heating device 7, in particular a heating plate which marries the lateral surface of the reservoir 4. At regular intervals, the plate 7 heats the water of the reservoir 4 to a temperature and for a time sufficient to that pathogenic bacteria are destroyed.
• the heating device 7 is extended to the level of the percussion device 3 in order to disinfect it at the same time as the water contained in the tank 4.
• the percussion device 3 it is also possible to provide for the percussion device 3 to have thermal extensions or connections, made of heat conducting material, which plunge into the water of the tank 4: thus, during the disinfection of the water of the tank 4, the device percussion will also be disinfected by the effect of thermal conduction from the body of water. It will simply provide a time for heating the water in the reservoir 4 sufficient for thermal conduction to be established and for the disinfection of the percussion device to be effective.
• FIG. 2 represents a water fountain supplied by the drinking water supply network, and called direct expansion.
• Drinking water arrives at E and circulates in tubes 13, generally wound in a coil.
• a refrigerant F arrives at 10 and circulates in a tube adjoining the tube 13, in order to produce fresh water.
• a heating device 14 for disinfection according to the invention is attached to the water tubing 13.
• this device 14 quite preferably, is attached to the water tubing over its entire length, and up to tap 6.
• the heating device 14 for disinfection can disinfect both ends only by thermal convection.
• FIG. 3 shows a non-limiting embodiment of a pair of water tubing 13 and heating device 14 for disinfection according to the invention.
• the sheath 15 has a shape such that it can accommodate the cooling tube 12 on the wall near the water tube 13.
• FIG. 4 represents the implementation of the invention in a water fountain of the “with ice bank” type.
• the water is refrigerated by a secondary cooling circuit 40, supplied by an evaporator 20 which forms a block of ice 30 around its exchanger tubes.
• the refrigerant is sent by a pump P to an enclosure 50 where there is a drinking water tube 13 attached to a disinfection device 14 according to the invention, for example a sheath device as shown in Figure 3.
• the drinking water arrives at E, either from the network or from a cylinder, and is supplied by a tap 6.
• the materials will be adapted, as will easily be understood by those skilled in the art, both to ensure good thermal conductivity and to resist the disinfection temperature.
• a warning light and possibly an audible alarm such as a buzzer or "buzzer” may, as a precaution, be activated when the disinfection device is working, in order to avoid any risk of burns. either by water or by a part of the fountain.
• Such an alarm system can, for example, be triggered by the programmed start-up of the disinfection device according to the invention, and disconnect when the temperature has returned to a harmless temperature. It can also be triggered and stopped by a thermostat.
• the system of the invention is preferably programmed by a memory and a clock, and any suitable electrical, mechanical means. As mentioned above, the device is programmed to operate at a time of non-use, especially at night.
• the invention also covers all the embodiments and all the applications which will be directly accessible to those skilled in the art on reading the present application, their own knowledge, and possibly simple routine tests.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
• Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
• Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Organic Chemistry (AREA)
• Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
• Heat Treatment Of Water, Waste Water Or Sewage (AREA)
• Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)
• Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=8867815

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (10)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (12)

Family Cites Families (11)

• 2001
  • 2001-09-27 FR FR0112624A patent/FR2830005B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2002
  • 2002-07-12 EP EP02799422A patent/EP1438263A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2002-07-12 US US10/490,925 patent/US20060049089A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2002-07-12 CN CN02822693.3A patent/CN1585726A/zh active Pending
  • 2002-07-12 BR BR0212945-0A patent/BR0212945A/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2002-07-12 MX MXPA04002897A patent/MXPA04002897A/es active IP Right Grant
  • 2002-07-12 JP JP2003530617A patent/JP2005503264A/ja active Pending
  • 2002-07-12 RU RU2004112756/15A patent/RU2346892C2/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2002-07-12 WO PCT/FR2002/002469 patent/WO2003027023A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2002-07-12 CA CA002500184A patent/CA2500184A1/fr not_active Abandoned

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events