WO2016051204A2

WO2016051204A2 - Beverage line cleaning system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2016051204A2
Application number: PCT/GB2015/052895
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard George MITCHINSON
Original assignee: Phoenix Abc Ltd
Priority date: 2014-10-04
Filing date: 2015-10-02
Publication date: 2016-04-07
Also published as: WO2016051204A3; GB201417598D0

Abstract

A multi-stage method for cleaning beverage lines, particularly beers, is disclosed. The steps include purging the beer line by passing a volume of water through the line. After this a volume of liquid detergent is pumped into the beer line and it is allowed to remain there for a predetermined period of time. The beer line is then emptied and purged by passing a volume of compressed air through the beverage line. Finally a further volume of water is passed through the beverage line to rinse any remaining detergent.

Description

Beverage Line Cleaning System and Method

The present invention relates to an improved beverage line cleaning system and method, and in particular a beer line cleaning system and method.

Beer lines are fluid ducts that transport beer, real ale or lager from a beer reservoir such as a cask or a keg, to a dispenser such as a beer engine or a tap.

Such beer lines are required to be regularly cleaned in order to flush contaminants and micro-organisms or to flush a beer line prior to dispensing a different type of beverage from the beer engine or tap.

In order to flush a beer line, one method involves disconnecting the beer engine or tap from the beer reservoir and instead connecting it to a source of water, before manually pulling a volume of water through the beer line using the beer engine or tap to flush the beer line. When the beer line has been flushed, the beer reservoir is then reconnected to the beer engine or tap.

Whilst being a commonly used method for flushing contaminants and micro- organisms from a beer line, the method described above has a number of disadvantages, not least the fact that it is time consuming and sometimes ineffective. Moreover, this method requires the use of a large volume of water in order to effectively flush the beer line. The aim of the present invention is to overcome, or at least alleviate, at least the above mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a cleaning system for a beverage line, the cleaning system comprising:- (i) a controller;

(ii) at least one gas inlet for receiving gas;

(iii) at least one water inlet for receiving water;

(iv) at least one detergent inlet for receiving detergent;

(v) a means for providing electrical power to the controller; and (vi)at least one outlet connected to a first end of at least one duct, wherein said controller is adapted to selectively pass said gas, liquid said detergent and said water, to at least one beverage dispenser through at least one said outlet via at least one said duct.

This provides the advantage that the beverage line, which is for example, a beer line, is effectively cleaned by using less water overall, on account of the cleaning system facilitating the gas purging of the beverage line. This is of particular advantage when the cleaning system is disposed in an area where water is scarce, for example, in an area of desert.

Preferably, said cleaning system further comprises at least one duct leading from at least one said outlet. Preferably, said cleaning system further comprises at least one interface, for connecting the cleaning system to at least one said beverage dispenser.

Preferably, said cleaning system comprises: - a first duct for transferring one of said gas or said liquid, said first duct connected at a first end to a first said at least one outlet; and a second duct for transferring the other of said gas or said liquid, said second duct connected at a first end to a second said at least one outlet, wherein second ends of said first and second ducts are in fluid communication with at least one said interface. This provides the advantage that the gas, the water and the liquid detergent do not all have to travel, in turn, through a single duct leading from the controller for example, during the cleaning process. Instead, there is one duct dedicated to the transfer of gas, and another duct dedicated to the transfer of liquid (that is, water or liquid detergent). Preferably, an outlet of at least one said interface is in fluid communication with at least one supply duct, at least one said supply duct being in fluid communication with at least one said beverage dispenser. Preferably, at least one said supply duct is in fluid communication with an inlet of a hollow chamber, said hollow chamber further comprising a first chamber outlet, said first chamber outlet being in fluid communication with a first end of a further supply duct, a second end of said further supply duct being in fluid communication with at least one said beverage dispenser, wherein said hollow chamber further comprises a second chamber outlet in fluid communication with a gas release valve disposed adjacent the upper portion of said hollow chamber in use, said gas release valve facilitating the passage of gas from the interior of said hollow chamber to the exterior of said hollow chamber.

In having the gas release valve, this provides the advantage that the build up of gas in the cleaning system can be automatically removed by the controller, which can otherwise result in parts of the beverage line not being properly cleaned. Preferably, said second end of said first duct is additionally in fluid communication with an inlet of a second interface, and said second end of said second duct is additionally in fluid communication with said inlet of said second interface, an outlet of said second interface being in fluid communication with at least one further beverage dispenser.

This provides the advantage that more than one beverage line can be cleaned by the cleaning system. In particular, the cleaning system can simultaneously clean more than one beverage line if required, simply by connecting further beverage lines to further interfaces of the cleaning system.

Preferably, at least one said beverage dispenser is a first beer engine. Preferably, at least one said further beverage dispenser is a second beer engine. Preferably, at least one said beverage dispenser comprises a first tap.

Preferably, at least one said further beverage dispenser comprises a second tap. Preferably, said cleaning system further comprises a plurality of valves for controlling the flow of said gas, said liquid detergent and said water through said cleaning system. This provides the advantage that the flow of liquid and gas through the cleaning system can be easily and conveniently controlled by the controller, to ensure effective cleaning of the beverage line.

Preferably, said controller comprises a processor suitable for controlling the operation of the cleaning system.

This provides the advantage that the transfer of the liquid and gas through the cleaning system can be conveniently controlled to facilitate the efficient cleaning of the beverage line.

Preferably, said controller comprises a switch adapted to permit a user to control the passage of said gas, said liquid detergent and said water through said cleaning system.

Preferably, said controller comprises a timing means for controlling the timing of the passage of said gas, said liquid detergent and said water through said cleaning system.

This provides the advantage that, for example, the liquid detergent can be allowed to soak the beverage line for a predetermined period of time, before being emptied from the beverage line, to provide an improved cleaning function.

Preferably, said cleaning system further comprises a pump for moving said liquid around said cleaning system.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for cleaning a beverage line comprising, in order, the steps of: -

(i) Purging a beverage line of beverage by passing a volume of water through the beverage line; (ii) Passing a volume of liquid detergent into the beverage line and allowing the volume of liquid detergent to remain in the beverage line for a predetermined period of time;

(iii) Emptying the beverage line of the volume of liquid detergent;

(iv)Purging the beverage line of the volume of liquid detergent by passing a volume of gas through the beverage line; and

(v) Passing a further volume of water through the beverage line.

This provides the advantage that the beverage line, which is for example, a beer line, is effectively cleaned by using less water overall, on account of the provision of the gas purging step. This is of particular advantage when the process is carried out in areas where water is scarce, for example, in areas of desert.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for dispensing a beverage, said system comprising a duct through which fluid is able to pass, said duct comprising a first end selectively connectable to a reservoir for storing a beverage, and a second end selectively connectable to a first beverage dispenser, said system further comprising a hollow chamber in fluid communication with said duct, said hollow chamber comprising an outlet in fluid communication with a gas release valve disposed adjacent the upper portion of said hollow chamber in use, said gas release valve allowing for the passage of gas from the interior of the hollow chamber to the exterior of the chamber.

In having the gas release valve, this provides the advantage that the build up of gas in the system can be removed, which can otherwise result in parts of the beverage line not being properly cleaned during a cleaning process.

Preferably, said gas release valve is in fluid communication with a first end of a gas release duct.

Preferably, said gas release valve is a non-return valve.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a beverage line cleaning system.

Referring to Figure 1, a beverage line cleaning system is represented generally by reference numeral 1.

The beverage line cleaning system 1 comprises a controller 3, having a water inlet 5, a detergent inlet 7 for a liquid detergent, a gas inlet 9, and a power supply means 11 for providing electrical power to the controller 3.

The controller 3 further comprises a first outlet in the form of a gas outlet 13 for passing gas (such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen or compressed air) from the controller 3 into a first end 15a of a first duct in the form of a gas duct 15. The controller 3 further comprises a second outlet in the form of a liquid outlet 31 for passing liquid, i.e. water or liquid detergent (depending upon the stage of the cleaning process), from the controller 3 into a first end 33a of a second duct in the form of a liquid duct 33. The second end 15b of the gas duct 15 and the second end 33b of the liquid duct 33 are both in fluid communication with an inlet (not shown) of a first interface 19. In this way, both liquid from the liquid outlet 31 and gas from the gas outlet 13 can pass into the first interface 19 via the inlet of the interface 19, and can then pass out of outlet 17 of the first interface 19, depending upon the stage of the cleaning process.

As can be clearly seen from Figure 1, the second end 15b of the gas duct 15 and the second end 33b of the liquid duct 33 are both additionally in fluid communication with an inlet (not shown) of a second interface 35. In this way, both liquid from the liquid outlet 31 and gas from the gas outlet 13 can also pass into the second interface 35 via the inlet of the second interface 35, and can then pass out of outlet 37 of the second interface 35, depending upon the cleaning process. This facilitates the simultaneous cleaning of more than one beverage line as will be described in further detail below. Features of the beverage line cleaning system 1 which relate to the automatic bleeding of the system 1, that is, the release of gas build up in the beverage line, to ensure efficient cleaning of the beverage line when required, will now be described. The outlet 17 of the first interface 19 is connected to a first end 21a of a first supply duct 21, and the second end 21b of the first supply duct 21 is in fluid communication with an inlet 23 of a first hollow chamber in the form of a first Froth on Beer (FOB) chamber 25. The first FOB chamber 25 further comprises a first chamber outlet 27, which is in fluid communication with a first end 29a of a second supply duct 29. The second end 29b of the second supply duct 29 is in fluid communication with a first beverage dispenser such as a first beer engine or a first tap (not shown), located on a bar for example.

Moreover, the outlet 37 of the second interface 35 is connected to a first end of a further first supply duct (not shown), and the second end of the further first supply duct is in fluid communication with an inlet 40 of a second FOB chamber 39. The second FOB chamber 39 further comprises a first chamber outlet 41, which is in fluid communication with a first end 43 a of a further second supply duct 43. The second end 43b of the further second supply duct 43 is in fluid communication with a further beverage dispenser such as a further beer engine or a further tap (not shown), located on a bar for example.

An upper end of the first FOB chamber 25 is in fluid communication with a gas release valve 47, which is a non-return valve, allowing for the passage of gas build-up from the interior of the first FOB chamber 25 to the exterior of the first FOB chamber 25. The gas release valve 47 is in fluid communication with a first end 51a of a gas release duct 51. The second end 51b of the gas release duct 51 is in fluid communication with the interior of the controller 3, in order to facilitate the passage of the gas from the interior of the first FOB chamber 25, and also in order to prevent spillage of any liquid which is displaced from the interior of the FOB chamber 25 during the bleeding process. The displacement of liquid, and in particular liquid detergent, from the upper end of the first FOB chamber 25 via the gas release valve 47 in this way, facilitates the cleaning of the gas release valve 47. Moreover, in between the first end 51a of the gas release duct 51 and the second end 51b of the gas release duct 51 is disposed a diverter valve 53, which is controlled by the controller 3 to facilitate the bleeding function from the first FOB chamber 25, allowing for it to be switched on and off when required. Turning now to the second FOB chamber 39, its upper end is in fluid communication with a gas release valve 55, which is a non-return valve, allowing for the passage of gas build-up from the interior of the second FOB chamber 39 to the exterior of the second FOB chamber 39. Similarly to the operation of the first FOB chamber 25, the gas release valve 55 is in fluid communication with a first end 57a of a further gas release duct 57. The second end 57b of the further gas release duct 57 is in fluid communication with a T-shaped connector 59, which enables gas passing from the interior of the second FOB chamber 39 to the exterior of the second FOB chamber 39 and into the further gas release duct 57 to join the gas release duct 51 leading from the first FOB chamber 25 to the controller 3. Moreover, in between the first end 57a of the further gas release duct 57 and the second end 57b of the further gas release duct 57 is disposed a further diverter valve 61, which is controlled by the controller 3, to facilitate the bleeding function from the second FOB chamber 39, allowing for it to be switched on and off when required. As can be clearly seen from Figure 1, the controller 3 further comprises a switch in the form of an on / off button 45, which permits a user to initiate several predetermined flushing and / or cleaning cycles, as will be described below.

The Cleaning Process

The first step in the process of cleaning the beverage line is the depression, by the user, of the on / off button 45, which initiates, via the controller 3, the automated cleaning process. Upon depression of the on / off button 45, the first purging step is initiated, whereby water from inside the controller 3 passes out of the liquid outlet 31 into the liquid duct 33, and then into the first interface 19. The water then leaves the first interface 19 via the outlet 17 of the first interface 19, into the first supply duct 21, and then into the first FOB chamber 25 via the inlet 23 of the FOB chamber. After passing through the first FOB chamber 25, the water leaves the first FOB chamber 25 via the first chamber outlet 27, and then passes through the second supply duct 29 and out of the first dispenser, which can be located on a bar for example.

After the first purging step described above is complete, the next step is to clean the beverage line using liquid detergent, for example, cleaning solution. In order to facilitate this, liquid detergent leaves the controller 3 via the liquid outlet 31, following the same fluid path as the water as described in the first purging step above. However, instead of passing straight out of the first dispenser, the liquid detergent remains in the system 1 for a predetermined period of time, this soaking step being facilitated by a timing means (not shown) associated with the controller 3. After the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the beverage line is then emptied of liquid detergent via the first dispenser.

After the cleaning step using liquid detergent as described above is complete, the next step is to gas purge the beverage line, whereby a volume of gas from inside the controller 3 passes out of the gas outlet 13 and into the gas duct 15, and then into the first interface 19. The gas then follows the same fluid path as the water and the liquid detergent in the previous two steps as described above, leaving the first interface 19 and passing out of the outlet 17 of the first interface 19, into the first supply duct 21, and then into the first FOB chamber 25 via the inlet 23. After passing through the first FOB chamber 25, the gas leaves the first FOB chamber 25 via the first chamber outlet 27, and then passes through the second supply duct 29 and out of the first dispenser. It is to be appreciated that the passage of gas from the controller 3 as part of the gas purging step described above effectively drives the liquid detergent out of the cleaning system 1.

The next and final step is a repetition of the first purging step as described above, whereby a further volume of water is passed through the cleaning system 1.

It is to be appreciated that the autobleed function whereby any gas that builds up in the cleaning system 1 automatically passes out through the gas release valve 47 ensures that, when liquid (either water or liquid detergent) is passing through the cleaning system 1, there are no pockets of air (for example at the upper part of the first FOB chamber 25) which could result in an uncleaned upper portion of the first FOB chamber 25 of the cleaning system 1 for example, which could otherwise result in the residue that is formed making its way into the beverage line. The autobleed function obviates the requirement for a user to periodically manually bleed the system 1, which can often be overlooked.

It is also to be appreciated that the presence of the second interface 35 allows for further beverage lines to be cleaned simultaneously; that is, the further first supply duct and the further second supply duct 43 in addition to the first supply duct 21 and the second supply duct 29. In this case, water, gas and liquid detergent leaving the controller 3 additionally passes into the second interface 35 and then out through the outlet 37 to the second dispenser. It is also to be appreciated that the cleaning system 1 could incorporate any reasonable number of interfaces and their associated FOB chambers and dispensers.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiment has been described by way of example only, and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example in either of the stages where water is used to remove the existing liquid (either beverage or detergent) from the lines, a combination of water and air can be used. This is preferably where the water is introduced as a spray which is blown down the lines using the compressed air. This can be as a single continuous stream of water spray and compressed air or as intermittent sprays of water with a continuous stream of compressed air moving the pulses of water along the lines.

Claims

A cleaning system for a beverage line, the cleaning system comprising:-

(i) a controller;

(ii) at least one gas inlet for receiving gas;

(iii) at least one water inlet for receiving water;

(iv) at least one detergent inlet for receiving detergent;

(v) a means for providing electrical power to the controller; and

(vi) at least one outlet connected to a first end of at least one duct, wherein said controller is adapted to selectively pass said gas, liquid said detergent and said water, to at least one beverage dispenser through at least one said outlet via at least one said duct.

A cleaning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cleaning system further comprises at least one duct leading from at least one said outlet.

A cleaning system as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein said cleaning system further comprises at least one interface, for connecting the cleaning system to at least one said beverage dispenser.

A cleaning system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said cleaning system comprises: - a first duct for transferring one of said gas or said liquid, said first duct connected at a first end to a first said at least one outlet; and a second duct for transferring the other of said gas or said liquid, said second duct connected at a first end to a second said at least one outlet, wherein second ends of said first and second ducts are in fluid communication with at least one said interface.

A cleaning system as claimed in any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein an outlet of at least one said interface is in fluid communication with at least one supply duct, at least one said supply duct being in fluid communication with at least one said beverage dispenser.

A cleaning system as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least one said supply duct is in fluid communication with an inlet of a hollow chamber, said hollow chamber further comprising a first chamber outlet, said first chamber outlet being in fluid communication with a first end of a further supply duct, a second end of said further supply duct being in fluid communication with at least one said beverage dispenser, wherein said hollow chamber further comprises a second chamber outlet in fluid communication with a gas release valve disposed adjacent the upper portion of said hollow chamber in use, said gas release valve facilitating the passage of gas from the interior of said hollow chamber to the exterior of said hollow chamber.

7. A cleaning system as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein said second end of said first duct is additionally in fluid communication with an inlet of a second interface, and said second end of said second duct is additionally in fluid communication with said inlet of said second interface, an outlet of said second interface being in fluid communication with at least one further beverage dispenser.

8. A cleaning system as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein at least one said beverage dispenser is a first beer engine.

9. A cleaning system as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein at least one said further beverage dispenser is a second beer engine.

10. A cleaning system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one said beverage dispenser comprises a first tap.

11. A cleaning system as claimed in claim 10, wherein at least one said further beverage dispenser comprises a second tap.

12. A cleaning system as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein said cleaning system further comprises a plurality of valves for controlling the flow of said gas, said liquid detergent and said water through said cleaning system.

13. A cleaning system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said controller comprises a processor suitable for controlling the operation of the cleaning system.

14. A cleaning system as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein said controller comprises a switch adapted to permit a user to control the passage of said gas, said liquid detergent and said water through said cleaning system.

15. A cleaning system as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein said controller comprises a timing means for controlling the timing of the passage of said gas, said liquid detergent and said water through said cleaning system.

16. A cleaning system as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein said cleaning system further comprises a pump for moving said liquid around said cleaning system.

17. A method for cleaning a beverage line comprising, in order, the steps of: -

(i) Purging a beverage line of beverage by passing a volume of water through the beverage line;

(ii) Passing a volume of liquid detergent into the beverage line and

allowing the volume of liquid detergent to remain in the beverage line for a predetermined period of time;

(iii) Emptying the beverage line of the volume of liquid detergent;

(iv) Purging the beverage line of the volume of liquid detergent by passing a volume of gas through the beverage line; and

(v) Passing a further volume of water through the beverage line.

18. A system for dispensing a beverage, said system comprising a duct through which fluid is able to pass, said duct comprising a first end selectively connectable to a reservoir for storing a beverage, and a second end selectively connectable to a first beverage dispenser, said system further comprising a hollow chamber in fluid communication with said duct, said hollow chamber comprising an outlet in fluid communication with a gas release valve disposed adjacent the upper portion of said hollow chamber in use, said gas release valve allowing for the passage of gas from the interior of the hollow chamber to the exterior of the chamber.

19. A system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said gas release valve is in fluid communication with a first end of a gas release duct.

20. A system as claimed in any one of claims 18 or 19, wherein said gas release valve is a non-return valve.

21. A cleaning system for a beverage line substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

22. A method for cleaning a beverage line substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

23. A system for dispensing a beverage substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.