KR20230145610A - Beverage dispensing device with cleaning valve - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the invention a cleaning valve for cleaning a beverage dispensing device is provided. The cleaning valve includes a valve body (6) having a valve opening (6B), a valve lever (6A) coupled to the valve body and configured to move the valve body between a product dispensing position and a sterilization position, the valve lever a product port (3A) configured to alternatively discharge beverage product and sterilant based on the location of the product, and a sterilant port (3B) configured to receive the sterilant from a sterilant reservoir. The valve opening can be configured to create a first fluid communication path when the valve lever is in the product dispensing position allowing discharge of the beverage product from the product port, wherein the valve lever is in the product port. and be configured to create a second fluid communication path when in the sterilizing position allowing discharge of the sterilizing agent.

Description

Beverage dispensing device with cleaning valve

Cross-reference to related applications

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 17/685,686, filed on March 3, 2022, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/156,323, filed on March 3, 2021, and these patent documents It is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present invention relates generally to devices for dispensing beverages, and in particular to beverage dispensing devices that allow easier cleaning of the beverage path.

Many beverage dispensing devices are bag-in-box (BIB) systems that create a beverage by mixing a product, usually in the form of syrup, with a base liquid, such as water. Typically the product syrup is presented in bags, typically made of flexible plastic or other materials, and the bags are housed within boxes, which may be made of cardboard or other materials. These devices typically use a pump to draw syrup out of the BIB and mix the syrup with liquid and/or gas to form a beverage that is dispensed through an outlet port.

A BIB typically includes a coupling and a product line, by which the BIB can be coupled to the pump, and through the product line the product syrup is transferred to a mixer, where the product syrup is supplied to the base. mixes with liquid. The path of the product syrup from the BIB to the outlet port needs to be frequently sanitized to prevent bacterial growth. To sterilize the product path, the BIB is separated from the sterilization path and a sterilization facility is connected to the sterilization path. The disinfectant is then circulated through the product path and discarded through the outlet port. However, separating BIBs and connecting sterilization facilities is inconvenient, especially in the case of dispensing devices that may have several BIBs and associated product paths that need to be sterilized. Disconnecting and reconnecting the BIB can be a pain and time consuming. Additionally, the sterilization facility is usually separate from the beverage dispensing device and, in addition to the beverage dispensing components, requires components such as sterilant containers, adapter hoses, and various couplings to couple the sterilization facility to the product path. Accordingly, there is a need to overcome the above-mentioned and other challenges in distributing various products.

According to one aspect of one or more exemplary embodiments, there is provided a cleaning valve, comprising: a valve body having a valve opening, a valve lever coupled to the valve body and configured to move the valve body between a product dispensing position and a sterilizing position; A cleaning valve is provided that can include a product port configured to alternatively discharge beverage product and sterilant based on the position of the valve lever, and a sterilant port configured to receive the sterilant from a sterilant reservoir. The valve opening may be configured to create a first fluid communication path when the valve lever is in the product dispensing position allowing discharge of the beverage product from the product port, the valve opening comprising: may be configured to create a second fluid communication path when in the sterilizing position allowing discharge of the sterilant from the product port. When the valve lever is in the product dispensing position, the valve body may prevent the sterilant from being discharged from the product port. When the valve lever is in the sterilizing position, the valve body may prevent the beverage product from being discharged from the product port. The valve body may be configured to rotate between the product dispensing position and the sterilizing position. The product dispensing position may be positioned approximately 90 degrees rotated with respect to the sterilizing position.

According to one aspect of one or more exemplary embodiments, there is provided a beverage dispensing device comprising: a shuttle configured to receive a beverage-in-box (BIB) container containing a beverage product, a sterilant reservoir configured to contain a sterilant, coupled to the shuttle; A beverage dispensing device may be provided, wherein the beverage dispensing device may include a cleaning valve in fluid communication with the BIB container and the sterilizing agent reservoir, the cleaning valve having a valve lever configured to switch between a product dispensing position and a sterilizing position. there is. The beverage dispensing device may also include an actuator configured to cause a beverage product to be dispensed when the valve lever is in the product dispensing position and to cause a sterilizing agent to be dispensed when the valve lever is in the sterilizing position. You can. The beverage dispensing device may also include an external housing and an internal compartment within the external housing. The shuttle may be configured to be positioned at least partially in a first position within the interior compartment when the valve lever is in the product dispensing position. The valve lever may be configured to engage a rim portion of the internal compartment when the valve lever is in the sterilization position and to maintain the shuttle in a second position when the valve lever is in the sterilization position. . The beverage dispensing device may also include a lid. The shuttle and at least one of the BIB containers may be configured to prevent the lid from being fully closed when the valve lever is in the sterilizing position. The shuttle may be hingedly coupled to the outer housing and configured to rotate between the first and second positions.

1A shows a top view of a cleaning valve of a beverage dispensing device in a product dispensing position according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the exemplary flush valve of FIG. 1A.
2A shows a top view of a cleaning valve of a beverage dispensing device in a sterilizing position according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of the exemplary flush valve of FIG. 2A.
3 shows a bottom view of a cleaning valve of a beverage dispensing device in a product dispensing position according to an example embodiment.
4 shows a perspective view of a cleaning valve of a beverage dispensing device in a product dispensing position according to an example embodiment.
Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a cleaning valve of a beverage dispensing device in a sterilizing position according to an exemplary embodiment.
Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a beverage dispensing device according to an example embodiment.
7 shows a top view of a beverage dispensing device according to an example embodiment.
8 shows another perspective view of a beverage dispensing device according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Reference will now be made in detail to the following exemplary embodiments, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals designate like elements throughout. The exemplary embodiments are not limited to the exemplary embodiments presented herein and may be implemented in various forms. For clarity, explanations of well-known parts are omitted.

1A and 3 show top and bottom views, respectively, of a cleaning valve of a beverage dispensing device according to an example embodiment. 1A and 3, the cleaning valve of the exemplary embodiment includes a valve base 5, a valve body 6 disposed within the valve base 5, and a valve lever extending outside of the valve base 5. (6A), an axle (7) that can rotate around the valve body (6), and two bolts (9) and two nuts (8) configured to be coupled to the two bolts (9), respectively. It includes a valve cover (4) coupled to the valve base (5) through. The cleaning valve may also include a product port 3A having a first end disposed within the valve base 5 and a second end extending outside the valve base 5 . Product port 3A may be configured to allow beverage product, such as concentrated syrup, to flow therethrough. For example, product port 3A may be in fluid communication with a pump that transfers the beverage product so that the beverage product can be mixed with a base liquid, such as water. The flush valve of the exemplary embodiment may also include a sterilant port 3B having a first end located within the valve base 5 and a second end extending outside of the valve base 5 . The sterilant port 3B may be in fluid communication with the sterilant reservoir and may be configured to allow sterilant, such as a liquid sterilant, to flow therethrough.

The flush valve of the exemplary embodiment may include a beverage coupler 10 configured to receive a beverage product. For example, beverage coupler 10 may be BIB equipment configured to receive beverage syrup from a BIB. Beverage coupler 10 may be positioned near the bottom of beverage coupler 10 and may allow beverage product to flow out of beverage coupler 10, as described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 1B. It may include a beverage opening (10A).

FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of the exemplary flush valve of FIG. 1. As shown in Figure 1B, beverage opening 10A is in fluid communication with channel 13, which allows beverage product to flow into lower compartment 12, where beverage product is pumped (not shown). It is discharged from the lower compartment through the product port 3A through the vacuum force provided by . When the valve lever 6A is in the product dispensing position (as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 3 and 4), the valve opening 6B in the valve body 6 is connected to the beverage opening 10A and the beverage opening 10A. is in fluid communication with the lower compartment 12 and passes through a first fluid communication path comprising the beverage opening 10A, the channel 13, the valve opening 6B, the lower compartment 12 and the product port 3A. This allows the beverage product to flow. A pump (not shown) can withdraw the beverage product out of the lower compartment 12 and through the product port 3A, after which the beverage product can be mixed with a base liquid such as water or coffee, etc. and open the outlet port. It can be distributed through

When the valve lever 6A is rotated as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 5, the valve opening 6B is substantially aligned with the sterilant opening 11 disposed at the first end of the sterilant port 3B. Preferably, it moves about 90 degrees to form a fluid communication path with the sterilizing agent opening 11. By rotating the valve opening 6B (by rotating the valve lever 6A) to the sterilization position shown in Figure 5, the valve body 6 allows the beverage product to pass through the beverage opening 10A and the channel 13. Prevents passage into the lower compartment (12). Rather, as shown in FIG. 2B, valve opening 6B creates a second fluid communication path with sterilant port 3B and lower compartment 12 to allow sterilant to flow from sterilant port 3B to lower compartment 12. Allow entry. Thereafter, the sterilizing agent is further pumped out from the lower compartment 12 through the product port 3A to sterilize the valve opening 6B, the lower compartment 12 and the product port 3A.

4 and 5 show a perspective view of a cleaning valve according to an exemplary embodiment with valve lever 6A in the product dispensing position and the sterilizing position, respectively. As shown in Figure 4, the valve lever 6A is rotated to the right so as to substantially contact the side surfaces of the valve cover 4 and the valve base 5. In this position, the valve opening 6B is in fluid communication with the beverage opening 10A, such that beverage product flows from the BIB coupled to the beverage coupler 10 to the beverage opening 10A, as shown in Figure 1B. It can be transferred to the lower compartment 12 through (13) and valve opening (6B). A pump (not shown) provides vacuum force to withdraw the beverage product from the lower compartment 12 through the product port 3A, after which the beverage product is finally mixed with the base liquid and discharged through the outlet port. In the product dispensing position, the valve body 6 blocks the fluid communication path from the sterilant port 3B to the lower compartment 12, thereby preventing sterilant from entering the product path.

As shown in Figure 5, the valve lever 6A is rotated to the left so that it extends substantially perpendicular to the valve cover 4 and the valve base 5. When the valve lever 6A is in this position, the valve opening 6B provides a fluid communication path from the sterilant port 3B to the lower compartment 12 as shown in FIG. 2B. In this position, sterilant can be provided from the sterilant reservoir through the sterilant port 3B and additionally through the valve opening 6B into the lower compartment 12 and pumped from this lower compartment through the product port 3A. do. After the sterilant exits the product port 3A, the sterilant continues along the product path through the portion where the beverage product mixes with the base liquid and is dispensed through the outlet port. Thus, the sterilant can traverse and sterilize the entire product path with which the beverage product comes into contact during dispensing. When the valve lever 6A is in the sterilizing position, the valve body 6 blocks fluid communication between the beverage opening 10A (and channel 13) and the lower compartment 12, thereby allowing beverage product to enter the product path. prevent it from happening.

FIG. 6 illustrates a beverage dispensing device 600 according to an example embodiment that may include a flush valve according to the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-5 . 6 , an exemplary beverage dispensing device 600 includes an outer housing 605, a lid 610 that can be hingedly coupled to the outer housing 605, and a lid 610 that is releasably coupled to the outer housing 605. a drip tray 615, a plurality of outlet ports 625 coupled to the front surface of the external housing 605, and a front surface of the external housing 605 between the drip tray 615 and the plurality of outlet ports 625. It may include a backsplash 620 coupled to one side. Beverage dispensing device 600 may also include a plurality of actuators ( 655). The beverage dispensing device 600 may include an internal compartment 635 configured to have one or more shuttles 640 each configured to receive a BIB containing a beverage product. A purge valve, such as the exemplary purge valve shown in FIG. 1A , may be coupled to the bottom of each of one or more shuttles 640 such that the beverage coupler 10 of each purge valve can be coupled to the discharge fitting of the BIB. Internal compartment 635 may also include a sterilant reservoir 650 configured to contain a sterilant, such as a liquid sterilant, which may be provided through one or more tubes to the sterilant port 3B of one or more flush valves.

In operation, one or more shuttles 650 are fitted within the internal compartment 635 so that the lid 610 can be closed when the valve lever 6A is in the product dispense position (see FIG. 4). For example, as shown in FIG. 8 , the beverage dispensing device moves a plurality of shuttles 640, each containing a BIB, into a first position within the interior compartment 635 to allow the lid 610 to be closed. It includes a plurality of shuttles, each of which is arranged. Although shuttle 640 is described as being disposed “within” internal compartment 635, those skilled in the art will understand that shuttle 640 may not be completely surrounded by internal compartment 635 as shown in FIG. 8 . will be. When one or more actuators 655 are engaged, such as by being pulled toward a user toward beverage dispensing device 600 , the beverage product is moved from BIB 645 to beverage coupler 10 , beverage opening 10A and The pump is actuated to provide a vacuum force pulling the valve opening 10B into the lower compartment 12. Additionally, the vacuum force discharges the beverage product through the product port 3A, where the beverage product is mixed with the base liquid and discharged through the outlet port 625 corresponding to the engaged actuator 655.

Drip tray 615 may include a perforated top that allows excess beverage to enter a drain that may be located in the bottom of drip tray 615 . The drip tray 615 may be removably coupled to a drain line (not shown), which may be contained within the outer housing 605 and which may drain excess beverage into a sink or other drain line or receptacle. The backsplash 625 may be magnetically coupled to the front face of the outer housing 605 and extends from the outer housing 605 to direct any liquid that contacts the backsplash 625 to the drip tray 615. It may include a bottom lip portion extending toward the side. The interior compartment 635 may also include a drain that may be located on the bottom of the interior compartment 635. The drain of the inner compartment may also be coupled to a drain line contained within the outer housing 605, thereby allowing the inner compartment 635 and the components contained therein to be more easily cleaned.

7 shows a top view of an internal compartment 635 of a beverage dispensing device according to an example embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7 , valve lever 6A is in the sterilizing position (see also FIG. 5 ) and extends substantially perpendicular to BIB 645 and the flush valve beneath BIB 645 . Shuttle 640 is positioned in the inner compartment 635 so that the front end of the BIB 645 can rotate to allow the shuttle 640 to be lifted, partially out of the inner compartment 635. It can be connected in a hinged manner at the back. When the valve lever 6A is in the sterilizing position, the valve lever 6A contacts the rim portion 660 of the inner compartment 635, which prevents the shuttle 640 from lowering into the dispensing position within the inner compartment 635. . Thus, according to an exemplary embodiment, valve lever 6A prevents shuttle 640 from lowering into interior compartment 635, thereby preventing lid 610 from closing. Accordingly, a user attempting to dispense a beverage will ensure that valve lever 6A is not in the product dispensing position when lid 610 is open and shuttle 640 is positioned partially outside of interior compartment 635. You will be more likely to notice that it is not.

2A, 2B, 6 and 7, when valve lever 6A is in the sterilization position and shuttle 640 is partially lifted out of the interior compartment, valve opening 6B is connected to the sterilization port. A fluid communication path is created between (3B) and the lower compartment (12). When actuator 655 is engaged (e.g., by a user pulling actuator 655 away from outer housing 605), sterilant is directed from sterilant reservoir 650 through valve opening 6B and into the lower portion. into compartment 12, out through product port 3B, through a mixing location where the beverage product is typically mixed with a base liquid (not shown), and out through outlet port 625. A pump is engaged to provide the drawing vacuum force. By including a sterilant reservoir 650 within the beverage dispensing device 600 and having a cleaning valve switchable between allowing the flow of beverage product and allowing the flow of sterilant, the sterilization facility can be connected whenever it is necessary to sterilize the beverage dispensing device. The product path can be sterilized without separation.

Although the inventive concept of the present disclosure has been described and illustrated with respect to example embodiments of the disclosure, the inventive concept is not limited to the example embodiments disclosed herein, and modifications without departing from the scope of the inventive concept are not intended to be limited to the example embodiments disclosed herein. This can be carried out here.

Claims (10)

As a cleaning valve:
a valve body having a valve opening;
a valve lever coupled to the valve body and configured to move the valve body between a product dispensing position and a sterilizing position;
a product port configured to alternatively discharge beverage product and disinfectant based on the position of the valve lever; and
A sterilant port configured to receive the sterilant from a sterilant reservoir.
wherein when the valve lever is in the product dispensing position allowing discharge of the beverage product from the product port, the valve opening is configured to create a first fluid communication path;
and wherein when the valve lever is in the sterilizing position allowing discharge of the sterilizing agent from the product port, the valve opening is configured to create a second fluid communication path. The cleaning valve of claim 1, wherein when the valve lever is in the product dispensing position, the valve body prevents the disinfectant from exiting the product port. The cleaning valve of claim 1, wherein when the valve lever is in the sterilizing position, the valve body prevents the beverage product from exiting the product port. The cleaning valve of claim 1, wherein the valve body is configured to rotate between the product dispensing position and the sterilizing position. The cleaning valve of claim 4, wherein the product dispensing position is positioned approximately 90 degrees rotated relative to the sterilizing position. As a beverage dispensing device:
A shuttle configured to receive a beverage-in-box (BIB) container containing a beverage product;
a disinfectant reservoir configured to contain a disinfectant;
a purge valve coupled to the shuttle and in fluid communication with the BIB container and the sterilant reservoir, the purge valve having a valve lever configured to switch between a product dispensing position and a sterilizing position; and
An actuator configured to cause beverage product to be discharged when the valve lever is in the product dispensing position, and to cause sterilizing agent to be discharged when the valve lever is in the sterilizing position.
A beverage dispensing device comprising a. 7. The device of claim 6, further comprising: an external housing; and
additionally comprising an internal compartment within the external housing;
and wherein the shuttle is configured to be positioned at least partially in a first position within the interior compartment when the valve lever is in the product dispensing position. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the valve lever engages a rim portion of the internal compartment when the valve lever is in the sterilizing position and maintains the shuttle in the second position when the valve lever is in the sterilizing position. A beverage dispensing device configured to: 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising a lid;
and wherein at least one of the shuttle and the BIB container is configured to prevent the lid from fully closing when the valve lever is in the sterile position. 9. The beverage dispensing device of claim 8, wherein the shuttle is hingedly coupled to the outer housing and configured to rotate between the first and second positions.