GB2348637A

GB2348637A - Sterilising dispensing nozzles

Info

Publication number: GB2348637A
Application number: GB9907617A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Nicholas Reid
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-04-06
Filing date: 1999-04-06
Publication date: 2000-10-11
Also published as: AU3975400A; GB9907617D0; WO2000059821A1

Abstract

A machine 10 having a nozzle 14 through which a flowable foodstuff is dispensed is provided with a sterilisation chamber 16 surrounding the nozzle 14. The sterilisation chamber 16 can be closed when the nozzle 16 is not in use and filled with a sterilisation fluid for sterilising the nozzle and can be opened when the nozzle is in use to allow the foodstuff to be dispensed without coming into contact with the walls of the sterilisation chamber. The sterilisation fluid may be ozone as shown, electrically generated and may be expelled via filter 28 and fan 30 or may be liquid pumped to and from a storage reservoir. Preferably the nozzle is closed by a pinch valve 12 and the chamber by a hinged door 20. The material can be milk or ice cream.

Description

2348637 Dispensing machine

Field of the inventio

The present invention relates to a machine in which a flowable foodstuff is dispensed through a nozzle.

Backctround Qf the inventio It has hitherto been difficult to dispense certain foodstuffs, such as milk and ice cream, through a nozzle in an unmanned dispensing machine because of the risk of contamination of the nozzle. Hence, for example, in drinks machines, milk is added to tea and coffee in powder form rather than in liquid form to avoid the risk of such contamination.

Object of the invention The present invention seeks to provide a dispensing machine having a nozzle through which a flowable foodstuff is dispensed but in which the risk of contamination is avoided.

Summ-arv of the inmentic, According to the present invention, there is provided a machine having a nozzle through which a flowable foodstuff is dispensed and a sterilisation chamber surrounding the nozzle, wherein the sterilisation chamber can be closed when the nozzle is not in use and filled with a sterilisation fluid for sterilising the nozzle and can be opened when the nozzle is in use to allow the foodstuff to be dispensed without coming into contact with the walls of the sterilisation chamber.

The preferred agent for sterilising the nozzle is ozone as this can readily be generated within the dispensing machine. It has also been found that ozone, even in low concentrations is very effective in keeping the nozzle 5 sterile.

The fluid filling the sterilisation chamber may be a liquid but it is simpler and preferred to use a gas. The use of either form of fluid ensures that all exposed parts of the nozzle come into contact with the sterilisation f luid.

Brief descriDtion of the drawinc[s is The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a foodstuff dispensing nozzle and a sterilisation chamber, with the nozzle and chamber open to allow the foodstuff to be dispensed, and Figure 2 is a similar schematic representation showing the nozzle and the sterilisation chamber in their closed position.

Detailed descriDtion of the Dreferred embodiments The drawings show a collapsible bag 10 containing a foodstuff such as milk and fitted near its mouth with a pinch valve 12. When the pinch valve 12 is open, as shown in Figure 1, milk flows out of the bag 10 and the latter collapses. If a more viscous foodstuff is to be dispensed, then the bag may be squeezed from outside to force the foodstuff out. Collapsible bags filled with various foodstuffs and pinch valves are known per se but they could not hitherto be used in an unsupervised dispensing machine because of the risk of contamination of the dispensing nozzle 14.

To maintain the nozzle 14 of the bag 10 sterile, the latter is surrounded by a sterilisation chamber 16 that has an airtight seal 18 surrounding the mouth of the bag 10. Two hinged doors 20 are provided at the bottom of the chamber 16 that are shown in their closed position in Figure 2 and in their open position in Figure 1.

The chamber 16 is connected to an electrical discharge ozone generator 22 through a supply duct 24 and has an exhaust duct 26 that leads to ambient atmosphere by way of a carbon filter 28 and a fan 30 that is operated constantly.

is During a dispensing operation, the doors 20 and the pinch valve 12 are both open, as shown in Figure 1 allowing milk to the dispensed. During this time, ozone generator 22 is switched off and the fan 30 draws air from within the dispensing machine through the sterilisation chamber 16 to purge the chamber 16 of any ozone. The purged ozone is converted back to oxygen by the carbon filter 28 before being discharged to the ambient atmosphere.

After the dispensing operation is completed, the doors are shut, as shown in Figure 2, and the pinch valve 12 is closed to shut off the flow of the milk. The ozone generator 22 is now switched on to supply ozone to the sterilisation chamber in a sufficient concentration (more that 2 part per million) to maintain the nozzle 14 sterile. As ozone naturally reverts to oxygen, the fan is left on during this time to maintain a constant fresh supply of ozone in the chamber 16.

Instead of the sterilisation chamber being filled with a gas, it may alternatively be filled with a liquid. In this case too, the sterilising agent may be ozone though other agents may alternatively be used. If liquid is used, then it may be contained in a reservoir and a pump may be provided to drain the chamber 16 and recycle the sterilisation liquid to the reservoir before a dispensing 5 operation is commenced.

Claims

1. A machine having a nozzle through which a flowable foodstuff is dispensed and a sterilisation chamber surrounding the nozzle, wherein the sterilisation chamber can be closed when the nozzle is not in use and filled with a sterilisation fluid for sterilising the nozzle and can be opened when the nozzle is in use to allow the foodstuff to be dispensed without coming into contact with the walls of the sterilisation chamber.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein ozone is used as the agent for sterilising the nozzle.

is

3. A machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sterilisation chamber is connected to an ozone generator producing ozone by means of an electrical discharge.

4. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fluid used to fill the sterilisation chamber is a gas.

5. A machine as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the fluid used to fill the sterilisation chamber is a liquid.

6. A machine as claimed in claim 5, comprising a reservoir for the sterilisation liquid and a pump for draining the sterilisation chamber and returning the sterilisation liquid to the reservoir before commencement of a dispensing operation.

7. A machine having a nozzle through which a flowable foodstuff is dispensed constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.