EP4658606A1

EP4658606A1 - An automated sanitizing unit

Info

Publication number: EP4658606A1
Application number: EP23702566.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Paul Francis STACK; David Walsh
Original assignee: Marco Beverage Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Marco Beverage Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2023-01-30
Filing date: 2023-01-30
Publication date: 2025-12-10
Also published as: WO2024160340A1

Abstract

An automated sanitizing unit (10) attachable to a beverage dispenser (11) for cleaning and sanitizing a beverage conduit (12) of the beverage dispenser (11), which beverage dispenser (11) includes a beverage pump (not shown) for pumping a volume of liquid beverage concentrate therethrough from a supply of liquid beverage concentrate (13) to a dispense font (14) by way of the beverage conduit (12), which automated sanitizing unit (10) comprises a housing (15), a cleaner compartment (16) within the housing (15) for holding a supply of concentrated liquid cleaner, a tank (17) within the housing (15), a delivery pump (not shown) for transferring a volume of concentrated liquid cleaner, in use, from the cleaner compartment (16) to the tank (17), which tank (17) has a water inlet (18) and an outlet (19), through which outlet (19) any liquid cleaner and/or water in the tank (17), in use, is transferrable to the beverage conduit (12) and is pumped therethrough, and a control unit (20) which, in use, controls the operation of the automated sanitizing unit (10).

Description

An automated sanitizing unit

Technical Field

This invention relates to a sanitizing unit and, in particular, to an automated sanitizing unit for cleaning and sanitizing the beverage path of a beverage dispenser to which it is attachable.

Background Art

Beverage dispensers, in a commercial setting, require regular cleaning and sanitizing, typically on a daily basis. Some beverage dispensers use manual or semi-automated routines. However, where concentrated liquid cleaner is used it is preferable that the handling of liquid cleaner is kept to a minimum or avoided, for health and safety reasons. Furthermore, where cleaning routines include the step of diluting the concentrated liquid cleaner, it is important that the concentration of the diluted cleaner should be repeatable day-to-day.

For the above reasons automated sanitizing units are being used more frequently. Thus, for example, European Patent Publication No. 3 067 311 Al describes a washing unit for a beverage dispensing system, which washing unit has a first inlet which can be supplied with a first water-based fluid; a second inlet which can be supplied with a sanitizing fluid; and an outlet that can be selectively run through by the first fluid or by a mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid. The unit also includes valve means, which are selectively, alternatively available: in a first configuration, in which they connect in a fluid manner the first inlet with the outlet and isolate in a fluid manner the first inlet and the second inlet, so as to dispense the first fluid through the outlet; or in a second configuration, in which they connect in a fluid manner the first inlet with the second inlet and with the outlet, so as to dispense the mixture of the first and second fluid through the outlet. The valve means in the washing unit use multiple valves to achieve the required fluid flow from the outlet. The washing unit is designed for washing a dispensing system containing beverages of various types and, therefore, with different sugar content. The washing unit includes flow regulators to provide various mixtures of the first and second fluids to cater for the different sugar contents in the dispenser lines. Thus, quite a number of mechanical components are used in the construction of the washing unit, which has a bearing on the total cost of the unit.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the automated sanitising unit hereinbefore described.

Disclosure of Invention

Thus, the invention provides an automated sanitizing unit attachable to a beverage dispenser for cleaning and sanitizing a beverage conduit of the beverage dispenser, which beverage dispenser includes a beverage pump for pumping a volume of liquid beverage concentrate therethrough from a supply of liquid beverage concentrate to a dispense font by way of the beverage conduit, which automated sanitizing unit comprises a housing, a cleaner compartment within the housing for holding a supply of concentrated liquid cleaner, a tank within the housing, a delivery pump for transferring a volume of concentrated liquid cleaner, in use, from the cleaner compartment to the tank, which tank has a water inlet and an outlet, through which outlet any liquid cleaner and/or water in the tank, in use, is transferrable to the beverage conduit of the beverage dispenser and is pumped therethrough, and a control unit which, in use, controls the operation of the automated sanitizing unit.

An advantage of the automated sanitising unit in accordance with the invention is that the design thereof is straight-forward and only a small number of off-the-shelf components are required to implement it. The use of the tank in the unit is central to the simplicity of the invention, as all liquid used for cleaning and rinsing the beverage duct is collected in the tank prior to the transfer thereof to the beverage duct.

A further advantage is that the unit is enclosed and the cleaning cycle is initiated by the user through the control unit. The only time that the user has to handle the concentrated liquid cleaner is when the supply has to be replenished.

Preferably, the control unit, in use, controls the delivery of: a) a volume of concentrated liquid cleaner from the cleaner compartment to the tank; b) a first volume of water from the water inlet to the tank to dilute the volume of concentrated liquid cleaner contained therein; c) the diluted liquid cleaner from the tank through the beverage duct; d) a second volume of water from the water inlet to the tank; and e) the second volume of water from the tank through the beverage duct for rinsing out the beverage duct.

An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the diluted liquid cleaner is prepared in the tank and delivered therefrom to the beverage duct followed by the second volume of water for rinsing the beverage duct, which is collected in the tank and delivered therefrom to the beverage duct, all under the control of the control unit.

Further, preferably, a bottom liquid sensor, located in the tank, senses, in use, when the required volume of concentrated liquid cleaner has been transferred from the cleaner chamber to the tank and a top liquid sensor, located in tank, senses when the first volume of water has been added to the concentrated liquid cleaner in the tank and also senses when the second volume of water has been added to the tank.

An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the volumes of liquid to be added to the tank are measured indirectly by the bottom liquid sensor and the top liquid sensor. This obviates the requirement for liquid handling means, such as flow regulators, which would add to the complexity of the unit. Suitably, an outlet conduit connects the outlet of the tank to a first inlet of a two-way lever valve, located in the housing, and a section of the beverage conduit connects the supply of liquid beverage concentrate to the other inlet of the two-way lever valve, with the remaining section of the beverage conduit being connected to an outlet of the two-way lever valve.

An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the beverage dispenser can be operated as normal with the liquid beverage passing through the two-way valve to the beverage duct. When a cleaning cycle is initiated, usually once-daily, the two-way valve is automatically changed to allow the diluted cleaning liquid, followed by the rinse water, to flow through the beverage duct. Once the cleaning cycle has been completed the two-way valve reverts to the previous state and liquid beverage will flow therethrough to the beverage duct.

Preferably, the section of the beverage conduit is connected to the two-way lever valve by a quick-release coupling.

An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the section of the beverage duct can be uncoupled from the two-way valve for separate cleaning, if required. Alternatively, the section of the beverage duct can be replaced by a previously cleaned section of the beverage duct, during the cleaning cycle.

Suitably, in use, any liquid in the tank is pumped through the beverage conduit by the beverage pump of the beverage dispenser. An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that, by using the beverage pump of the beverage dispenser for pumping any liquid cleaner and/or water in the tank, in use, through the beverage duct, the unit does not require its own pump, which reduces the cost and complexity of the unit.

Preferably, a control unit of the beverage dispenser functions as the control unit for the sanitizing unit.

An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that by using the control unit in the beverage dispenser, the unit does not have to be provided with its own control unit, which further reduces the cost and complexity of the unit.

The invention will be further illustrated by the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Brief Description of Drawing

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an automated sanitising unit in accordance with the invention shown attached to an undercounter beverage dispenser; and

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the automated sanitizing unit of Fig 1.

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention Referring to Fig.l, there is illustrated generally at 10, an automated sanitizing unit in accordance with the invention. The automated sanitizing unit 10 is attachable to a beverage dispenser, shown generally at 11, and the automated sanitizing unit 10 is attachable to the beverage dispenser 11 for cleaning and sanitizing a beverage conduit 12 of the beverage dispenser 11, which beverage dispenser 11 includes a beverage pump (not shown) for pumping a volume of liquid beverage concentrate therethrough from a supply of liquid beverage concentrate 13 to an over-counter dispense font 14 by way of the beverage conduit 12. The automated sanitizing unit 10 comprises a housing 15, a cleaner compartment 16 within the housing 15 for holding a supply of concentrated liquid cleaner, a tank 17 within the housing 15, a delivery pump (not shown) for transferring a volume of concentrated liquid cleaner, in use, from the cleaner compartment 16 to the tank 17, which tank 17 has a water inlet 18 and an outlet 19, through which outlet 19 any liquid cleaner and/or water in the tank 17, in use, is transferrable to the beverage conduit 12 of the beverage dispenser 11 and is pumped therethrough by the beverage pump (not shown) of the beverage dispenser 11, and a control unit 20, which control unit 20 is part of the beverage dispenser 11 and which, in use, controls the operation of the automated sanitizing unit 10. Both the beverage dispenser 11 and the automated sanitizing unit 10 are located, in use, under a counter 21 with only the over-counter dispense font 14 of the beverage dispenser 11, being above the counter 21.

The beverage dispenser 11, as illustrated, is a Pour’D beverage dispenser, manufactured by Marco Beverage Systems Ltd., of Beverage House, 74 Heather Road, Sandyford Business Park, Dublin 18, Ireland. The beverage dispenser 11, as illustrated, is delivering an aliquot of concentrated liquid coffee 22 from the over-counter dispense font 14 into a beaker 23, which is in place on a drip tray 24, which is located in the counter top 21. The drip tray 24 is connected to a waste port 25 by a drain conduit 26. During the cleaning cycle, the diluted liquid cleaner or rinse water passes through the beverage conduit, exits the dispense font 14 and is collected in the drip tray 24 and from there exits through the waste port 25.

The concentrated liquid cleaner is Rinza® Liquid (Alkaline), manufactured by Urnex Brands LLC., of 700 Executive Boulevard, Elmsford, NY 10523, U.S.A. The concentrated liquid cleaner is suitable for cleaning coffee, cold milk and various syrups from the beverage duct of the beverage dispenser. The concentrated liquid cleaner is diluted at a ratio of 30ml of Rinza® Liquid (Alkaline) per 500 ml water.

Referring to Fig. 2 the components of the automated sanitizing unit 10 of Fig. 1 are shown in more detail. The cleaner compartment 16, within the housing 15, is an enclosed vessel 30, with a sealable opening (not shown) in a top section 31 through which concentrated liquid cleaner may be added to the cleaner compartment 16. An air vent 32 in rear wall 33 of the cleaner compartment 16 prevents a partial vacuum from being created as concentrated liquid cleaner is drawn off from the cleaner compartment 16, in use. A sensor 33 in the cleaner compartment 16 triggers a low level of cleaner, warning message. A cleaner conduit 34 connects the cleaner compartment 16 with the tank 17. An inlet 35 at one end 36 of the of the cleaner conduit 34 is located within the cleaner compartment 16 near the base 37 thereof, and the other end 38 of the cleaner conduit 34 is connected to the tank 17 at position 39 on the top section 40 thereof. A peristaltic pump 41 is located in the cleaner conduit 34, which peristaltic pump 41 pumps concentrated cleaner from the cleaner compartment 16 to the tank 17. Water inlet 18 is located at position 40 on the top section 41 of the tank, and the water inlet 18 is connected to a mains water supply 42 by a water conduit 43, with a water control valve 44 being located in the water conduit 43 at position 45. The tank 17 is a closed vessel 46 with an air vent 47 in the rear wall 49 of the tank 17, which air vent 47 prevents a partial vacuum from being created as liquid is drawn off from the tank 17, in use. A bottom sensor 52, located in the tank 17 senses when the required volume of concentrated liquid cleaner has been transferred from the cleaner chamber to the tank 17 and a top sensor 53, located in tank 17 indicates when the required volume of water has been added to the concentrated liquid cleaner in the tank 17.

The outlet 19 in base 54 of the tank 17, is connected by an outlet conduit 55 to a first inlet 56 of two-way lever valve 57, and a section of the beverage conduit connects the supply of liquid beverage concentrate (not shown) to the other inlet 59 of the two-way valve 57, with the rest of the beverage conduit being connected to an outlet 60 of the two-way valve 57.

Claims

Claims: -

1. An automated sanitizing unit attachable to a beverage dispenser for cleaning and sanitizing a beverage conduit of the beverage dispenser, which beverage dispenser includes a beverage pump for pumping a volume of liquid beverage concentrate therethrough from a supply of liquid beverage concentrate to a dispense font by way of the beverage conduit, which automated sanitizing unit comprises a housing, a cleaner compartment within the housing for holding a supply of concentrated liquid cleaner, a tank within the housing, a delivery pump for transferring a volume of concentrated liquid cleaner, in use, from the cleaner compartment to the tank, which tank has a water inlet and an outlet, through which outlet any liquid cleaner and/or water in the tank, in use, is transferrable to the beverage conduit of the beverage dispenser and is pumped therethrough, and a control unit which, in use, controls the operation of the automated sanitizing unit.

2. An automated sanitising unit according to Claim 1, wherein the control unit, in use, controls the delivery of: a) a volume of concentrated liquid cleaner from the cleaner compartment to the tank; b) a first volume of water from the water inlet to the tank to dilute the volume of concentrated liquid cleaner contained therein; c) the diluted liquid cleaner from the tank through the beverage duct; d) a second volume of water from the water inlet to the tank; and e) the second volume of water from the tank through the beverage duct for rinsing out the beverage duct.

3. An automated sanitizing unit according to Claim 2, wherein a bottom liquid sensor, located in the tank, senses, in use, when the required volume of concentrated liquid cleaner has been transferred from the cleaner chamber to the tank and a top liquid sensor, located in tank, senses when the first volume of water has been added to the concentrated liquid cleaner in the tank and also senses when the second volume of water has been added to the tank.

4. An automated sanitizing unit according to any preceding claim, wherein an outlet conduit connects the outlet of the tank to a first inlet of a two-way lever valve located in the housing, and a section of the beverage conduit connects the supply of liquid beverage concentrate to the other inlet of the two-way lever valve, with the remaining section of the beverage conduit being connected to an outlet of the two- way lever valve.

5. An automated sanitizing unit according to Claim 4, wherein the section of the beverage conduit is connected to the two- way lever valve by a quick-release coupling.

6. An automated sanitizing unit according to any preceding claim, wherein, in use, any liquid in the tank is pumped through the beverage conduit by the beverage pump of the beverage dispenser.

7. An automated sanitizing unit according to any preceding claim, wherein a control unit of the beverage dispenser functions as the control unit for the sanitizing unit.