WO1994024643A1

WO1994024643A1 - Anti-furring and anti-bacterial device for vending machines

Info

Publication number: WO1994024643A1
Application number: PCT/FR1994/000413
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philippe Vouillaume
Original assignee: Vouillaume Distribution S.A.
Priority date: 1993-04-15
Filing date: 1994-04-13
Publication date: 1994-10-27
Also published as: FR2703988B1; FR2703988A1

Abstract

A device for preventing furring and bacterial contamination in beverage vending machines. The device consists of a time- and number-programmable controller (1) suitable for any beverage and any dispenser, a pump (7) for circulating the active agent, a supply of active agent (2), an array of valves (3) for distributing the agent, and Y-shaped fittings (9) for feeding the agent through various pipes (4) from a water heater (5) over or under the electric valves (6). The device is further provided with a safety system so that in no circumstances will a consumer ever ingest any active agent with their beverage.

Description

LIMESTONE SEQUESTRATION AND PREVENTION DEVICE

BACTERIAL IN AUTOMATIC DISTRIBUTION.

The present invention relates to a limescale sequestration and bacterial prevention device for automatic distribution of beverages.

A distributor is made up for the interested party by a water heater (5) (or boiler) .On this water heater are fixed one or more solenoid valves (6). These solenoid valves (6) will deliver the quantity of hot water 10 demanded by each product. The water will flow through pipes (8) to the mixing bowls. However, limestone tends to settle inside these pipes, hindering the passage of water, it is quite obvious that this deposit strongly promotes the development of bacteria upstream of the mixer bowls.

The system used therefore has three goals:

1) Sequestration of limestone to avoid disruption of operation.

2) Prevention of bacteria area. 2 3) bactericidal and degreasing action. Due to its upstream functioning, the active product will act on its passage until evacuation.

The device according to the invention comprises:

1 automatic device allowing the control of the device (1) 2'5 i ramp of mini-valves allowing the regulation of the flow (3) of the active product by pipe (4) l poπç> e (7) l active product tank (2)

1 Y system (8) allowing the active product 30 to be sent into the pipes concerned (4 and 8).

The automaton will activate the device X number of times per 24 hours according to the programming.

Programming parameter of 1 * PLC or output diagram, (FIG.1): -z _^ -r. Line 1: lighting of lights or luminous log during the cycle, to inform the customer of the starting of the system.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) Line 2: inhibition of the selection keyboard and / or of the coin mechanism during the cycle, so that any consumption in progress can come to an end before the departure of the active compound. Line 3: pause time of 30 seconds to allow any consumption in progress to expire without being soiled.

Line 4: Starting the pump (7) for a period of 15 seconds to dispense the active product (2).

Line 5: 5-minute break to let the product act (2).

Line 6-7-8-9-10-11: activation of the solenoid valves (6) for rinsing with hot water by impulse on the rinsing control button. These solenoid valves do not work together, but one after the other the other, in cascade so as not to send too much water at the same time and that the water heater is not overloaded. A second cascade rinse will follow. The time required for a rinse is approximately 10 seconds.

Line 12: end of the cycle, the indicators go off, the keypad is returned to function. All pause or operating times are programmable to adapt to different products or different types of devices. The diagram we use corresponds to the product MAJOR C 80 from CEETAL laboratories.

The number of solenoid valves can be reduced or increased depending on the type of valve.

SAFETY: in the event of a water or electricity cut, the cycle will resume at the point where it stopped.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26]

Claims

1) Lime sequestration and anti-deposition device and bacterial prevention for a dispenser of the instant hot drink type, originally equipped with a water heater (δ) and solenoid valves (6). These solenoid valves (6) deliver the quantity of hot water required by each product. The water circulates through pipes (4) and (8). Including an automat (1) allowing to carry out a washing and rinsing cycle-characterized in that the automat sends an active product in the pipes (4) and (8) by a ramp of mini valves (3) to the using a pump (7) and hot water to rinse in the pipes (8).

2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it is controlled by an automaton all of whose functions are programmable in duration and in number. So as to be suitable for all types of automatic dispensers and all types of active products or compounds.

3) Device according to claim 1 or 2 characterized with regard to the sending of the active product by a pump and a pause time.

4) device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 characterized in that it comprises a ramp of mini valves allowing precise adjustments by pipes.

5) Device according to claim 1, 2,3 or 4 characterized in that it comprises Y connectors (9) allowing to be connected to the venting outlet of the solenoid valves, or, but less effectively directly on the pipes (4).

6) Device according to claim 1, 2,3,4 or 5 characterized in that it comprises a cascade rinse renewed twice.

7) Device according to claim 1, 2,3,4,5 or 6 characterized in that it comprises a security system for inhibiting the selection keyboard et.ou the coin during the cycle.

8) Device according to claim 1 to 8 characterized in that it comprises a security in the event of a water and electricity cut, the cycle resuming at the place of its interruption.

9) Device according to claim 3,4,5,6,7,8, characterized in that this device can also be actuated directly by the internal programming of an automatic beverage dispenser in electronic version.