WO2016084108A1

WO2016084108A1 - Apparatus for sanitation and refrigeration of containers, in particular for glasses

Info

Publication number: WO2016084108A1
Application number: PCT/IT2014/000318
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marco LODOLO
Original assignee: THRILL INTERNATIONAL S.r.l. UNIPERSONALE
Priority date: 2014-11-28
Filing date: 2014-11-28
Publication date: 2016-06-02

Abstract

Apparatus for the sanitation and refrigeration of containers (4) comprising a tank (8) of compressed gas containing CO2, a dispensing valve (12) suitable to selectively allow and inhibit the output of the compressed gas from the tank. (8), a dispensing device (16) fitted with a nozzle (20) for the dispensing of compressed gas in a main axial direction (X-X), a supply duct (24) which connects the dispensing valve (12) to said nozzle (20). Advantageously, the supply duct (24) conveys the compressed gas directly to the nozzle (20) without interruption, and the nozzle (20) is thermally insulated by a frame (28) of the dispensing device (16).

Description

"APPARATUS FOR SANITATION AND REFRIGERATION OF CONTAINERS, IN PARTICULAR FOR GLASSES"

DESCRIPTION

FIELD OF APPLICATION

[0001] he present invention relates to an apparatus for the sanitation and refrigeration of containers, in particular for glasses.

STATE OF THE ART

[0002] As is known, devices exist which use CO₂ compressed in cylinders for the purpose, to obtain the refrigerating and sanitizing of containers, in particular of glasses.

[0003] Such devices comprise nozzles which dispense the compressed CO₂ in the vicinity of the containers to be sanitized and cooled: the compressed gas, by expanding, generates a significant drop in temperature which reduces the microbial population present inside the glasses and containers in general; consequently, a rapid refrigeration of the glasses/containers thus treated is also achieved.

[0004] The devices of the prior art have several drawbacks .

[0005] In particular, in the case of continuous use, such as professional and/or use in particularly humid environments, the known devices are subject to freezing phenomena of the condensate which forms and stagnates near the dispenser portion: such formation of condensate blocks the use of the device.

[0006] Solutions suitable to eliminate such drawbacks are unknown in the art. In fact the known solutions require a shutdown of the machine and, if possible, the mechanical removal of the parts of frozen condensate blocking dispensing (if accessible) . Otherwise, the known solutions cannot be used until the ice formed melts with the heat.

[0007] It is clear that such possibility is not acceptable especially if the apparatus is used in professional environments, such as in cafes where hundreds of glasses per hour need to be sanitised and/or refrigerated.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The purpose of the present invention is to make an apparatus which overcome the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the prior art.

[0009] Such drawbacks are resolved by an apparatus according to claim 1.

[0010] Other embodiments of the apparatus according to the invention are described in the subsequent claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly comprehensible from the description given below of a preferred and non- limiting example of embodiment, wherein:

[0012] figure la shows a perspective view, partially in cross-section, of a sanitation and refrigeration apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] figure lb shows a cross-section view along the line B-B of figure la;

[0014] figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of a dispenser device of the apparatus in figure 1;

[0015] figure 3 shows a view of the dispenser device in figure 2, in an assembled configuration, from the side of the arrow III in figure 2;

[0016] figure 4 shows a cross-section view of the dispenser device in figure 2, along the cross-section plane IV-IV in figure 3;

[0017] figure 5 shows a perspective view of the detail V in figure 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] With reference to the aforementioned figures, reference numeral 4 globally denotes an apparatus for sanitizing and refrigerating containers 6.

[0019] The present invention applies in particular to the sanitation and refrigeration of glasses 6 although, for the purposes of the present invention, the type and the material of the containers to be sanitized/refrigerated is irrelevant and should not be considered in a limiting manner. For example, the present invention has a particularly advantageous application in the sanitization of decanters which, due to their shape, are difficult to clean/sanitize internally.

[0020] The apparatus 4 comprises a compressed gas tank 8, preferably containing C0₂. In particular, the use of liquid food C0₂ (E290) is preferred.

[0021] The use of C0₂ is preferred but it is also possible to provide for different types of gas. The compressed gas tank 8 is for example fitted with a dip tube 9.

[0022] The apparatus 4 further comprises a dispensing valve 12 suitable to selectively allow or inhibit the output of the compressed gas from the tank 8.

[0023] The dispensing valve 12 is for example a solenoid valve operatively connected to activation means thereof, described further below, to allow or inhibit the dispensing of the gas. The type of valve is not relevant to the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] The apparatus 4 further comprises a dispensing device 16 fitted with a nozzle 20 for the dispensing of compressed gas in a main axial direction X-X. Main axial direction is taken to mean the direction of expansion of the gas in output from the nozzle 20: it is clear that once expanded the gas will assume a spherical spatial configuration going to impact against the container to be sanitized/refrigerated.

[0025] The dispensing device 16 is connected to the dispensing valve 12 by means of a supply duct 24 which connects the dispensing valve 12 to said nozzle 20.

[0026] The supply duct 24 first of all realises a fluidic connection between the dispensing valve 12 and the nozzle 20 by means of a hollow supply channel 25; the supply duct 24 may also comprise power cables 26 for the dispensing valve 12; for example, both the supply channel 25 and the power cables may be enclosed within a protective containment sheath 27.

[0027 ] Preferably, the dispensing valve 12 is placed immediately downstream of the compressed gas tank 8: this way it avoids having the supply duct 24 under pressure even when the apparatus 4 is not dispensing compressed gas. This way the system is safer since, in the event of possible rupture of the supply duct 24, there is no dangerous loss of gas at high pressure.

[0028] Advantageously, the supply duct 24 conveys the compressed gas directly to the nozzle 20 without interruption; in other words there are no additional valves or shut-off means of the gas which can flow freely and expand from the dispensing valve 12, along the supply duct 24, enter the supply duct 24 and exit. In other words, the supply duct 24 brings the liquid CO₂ as far as the dispensing/sublimation nozzle directly, without interruption. It is possible to provide for a simple connector fitting 27 between the nozzle 20 and one end of the supply duct 24.

[0029] Advantageously, the nozzle 20 is thermally insulated from a frame 28 of the dispensing device 16; according to a possible embodiment the nozzle 20 may in turn be made of a thermally insulating material.

[0030] The frame 28 may be of any size and material; preferably it is covered by an outer casing 30 of metal.

[0031] Preferably, the nozzle 20 is rectilinear and is placed along a vertical axis Y-Y, parallel to the main axial direction X-X.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the nozzle 20 is mounted inside the dispensing device 16 through the interposition of at least one support 32 in thermally insulating material so as to provide a thermal break between the nozzle 20 and the frame 28 of the dispensing device 16. Thanks to this thermal break the nozzle 20 does not constitute areas of formation of condensate due to the humidity of the air which, solidifying, could block the dispensing of the gas.

[0033] Preferably, the support 32 is shaped so as to form an interspace 33 between the nozzle 20 and the frame 28. For example, said interspace 33 is a cylindrical shape having a circular crown cross-section in relation to a cross-section plane perpendicular to the main axial direction X-X.

[0034] For example, said support 32 comprises at least one bushing 34. It is possible to provide for a plurality of bushings 34 depending on the length of the nozzle 20 to be supported.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the bushing 34 is arranged coaxially to the nozzle 20 and attached to a portion of the frame 28 of the dispensing device 16.

[0036] Preferably, the bushing 34 is fitted with clearance around the nozzle 20 so as to allow a relative axial sliding between the nozzle 20 and the bushing 34, parallel to the main axial direction X-X.

[0037] The nozzle 20 is fitted coaxially to a support plate 36, defining an abutment for the glass or container to be subjected to sanitization and refrigeration.

[0038] Preferably, the nozzle 20 is integral with the support plate 36 so as to translate with it if a user places and pushes a container against said support plate .

[0039] According to one embodiment, the nozzle 20 is provided with anti-rotation means 37, such as a pin which fits into a groove 39 defined for example by special protuberances 41; this way the nozzle can translate axially, parallel to the main axial direction X-X, without rotating in said direction.

[0040] In particular, the support plate 36 is axially movable in the direction towards the nozzle 20, and the dispensing valve 12 is operatively connected to the support plate 36 so as to enable the dispensing of the compressed gas when the support plate 36 is moved axially by a predetermined value from a rest position.

[0041] For example it is possible to provide for elastic means 38 elastically influencing the support plate 36 in the rest position; this way the user can place the container on the support plate 36 and exert a thrust such as to overcome the resistance of the elastic means 38 and axially translate the support plate 36 to obtain the actuation of the dispensing valve 12.

[0042] According to one embodiment, a collar 42 is interposed between the support plate 36 and the nozzle 20, fitted coaxially around the nozzle 20 so as to thermally insulate the nozzle 20 from the support plate and thus the dispensing point of the gas. According to one embodiment, the collar 42 comprises a top wall 43 directly facing the support plate 36. Such top wall 43 thermally insulates the nozzle 20 given that it prevents the cold gas dispensed from impacting against the nozzle 20 after touching the container 6 and flowing back towards the nozzle 20 before channelling itself in output from the dispensing device 16. For example, the collar 42 is made of PE or other suitable material to realise the break and thermal insulation of the nozzle 20.

[0043] Such dispensing can for example take place via a switch 40 or other similar means of activation which is intercepted by the support plate 36 and/or the nozzle 20 in the movement induced by the user, so as to enable the opening of the dispensing valve 12.

[0044] Preferably, the support plate 36 is perforated to allow the backflow of the gas dispensed by the nozzle 20; in other words the dispensed gas impacts against the inner wall of the glass or container resting upside down on the support plate 36 and flows out through holes 44 of the latter.

[0045] he dispensing of the compressed gas is carried out away from said support plate 36; in other words the gas is sprayed away from the support plate 36 and towards the container to be sanitized and/or refrigerated.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the nozzle 20 comprises a perforated cover 48 which allows the dispensing of the compressed gas coming out of a supply hole 52 of said nozzle; this perforated cover preferably also realises an axial attachment of the support plate 36 to said nozzle.

[0047] The operation of a sanitation and refrigeration apparatus according to the present invention will now be described.

[0048] In particular, after having connected the pressure tank 8, the dispensing valve 12, the supply duct 24 and the dispensing device, the apparatus 4 is ready to be used.

[0049] Preferably, the user grasps a glass, turns it upside down and rests it with the edge of the glass against the support plate 36; the user then pushes the glass against the support plate 36 so as to cause a shift/lowering thereof, after overcoming the resistance offered by the elastic means 38. This way the switch 40 is intercepted, for example by the nozzle 20 which translates integrally with the support plate 36. This way it enables the dispensing valve 12 which permits the exit and expansion of the compressed gas from the tank 8. [0050] This way the gas runs through the entire supply duct 24, the nozzle 20 and comes out of this so as to impact against the inner wall of the glass which is sanitized and/or refrigerated. The gas can also flow back towards the support plate 36, guided by the inner wall of the glass and further expand coming out through the holes 44 made on the dispensing plate 36. Consequently, before leaving the glass, the cold gas expanding laps, sanitizes and refrigerates the entire inner wall of the glass. Furthermore, as seen, the gas is channelled into the interspace delimited between the perimetral wall 64 of the seat 60 and the outer side wall 63 of the glass so as to also sanitize the latter.

[0051] In fact in the controlled passage from the liquid state to the gaseous state the gas generates a drop in temperature such as to greatly reduce the microbial population present inside the glasses and containers in general; consequently there is also a very rapid cooling of the glasses and containers thus treated; in fact, the gas is delivered at a temperature between -50° and - 65°C.

[0052] The nozzle 24 is thermally insulated from the frame 28 thus avoiding the risk of formation and solidification of condensate inside the nozzle 20 which would jeopardise its operation preventing the dispensing of further gas, especially in conditions of high environmental humidity and repeated and continuous use of the apparatus 4.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the support plate 36 is positioned in a recessed position in relation to a front wall 56 of the dispensing device, in a special seat 60. This way, during dispensing, the gas comes out of the nozzle 20, laps the inner side wall 61 of the container or glass 6, flows back towards the support plate 36, passes through the holes 44 and rises again to lap the outer side wall 63 of the glass 6 thanks to the fact that it is guided by the interspace 65 delimited between a perimetral wall 64 of said seat 60 and the outer side wall of the container. This way it is able to also sanitize/refrigerate the outer side wall of the container.

[0054] The dispensing device 16 may be provided with an internal battery 68, preferably rechargeable, and/or a mains power supply unit 72.

[0055] he dispensing device 16 is preferably provided with a control unit for the management/control of the operation of the dispensing valve 12; it is possible, as required, to programme the timing of dispensing and provide for example sanitizing/refrigeration programmes of the container 6. [0056] As may be appreciated from the description, the apparatus according to the present invention makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks mentioned of the devices of the prior art.

[0057] In particular, the apparatus is not subject to the formation/solidification of condensate which could block and/or prevent the operation thereof even if only temporarily.

[0058] In fact, the dispensing element is thermally insulated from the outer casing of the apparatus and therefore not conducive to the formation and freezing of condensate .

[0059] Furthermore, the nozzle is thermally insulated from the frame of the dispensing device. Possibly, as seen, the nozzle is in turn made of a thermally insulating material. Thanks to this expedient, again the dispensing element is not conducive to the formation of condensate .

[0060] Furthermore, the device of the present invention also avoids the risk of the formation of condensate thanks to its architecture. In fact, the gun solutions of the prior art, in addition to not providing for the insulation of the dispensing nozzle, do not have a predetermined orientation axis; they are often placed on the counter of a bar in a horizontal position: thereby facilitating the stagnation and freezing of condensate, with relative blocking of functioning.

[0061] Moreover, solutions are also known of with a vertical axis, which dispense the jet downwards: in such solutions the supply pipe of the compressed gas bends into a ' U' since it comes from a tank positioned below the dispensing point. The pipe therefore comes up from the bottom and turns down again so as to terminate at the dispensing point: the horizontal portion constitutes a point of accumulation/stagnation of condensate with the risk of blockages/ malfunction of the dispenser.

[0062] This problem is solved by the architecture of the solution which the present patent application refers to, since, in the vicinity of the dispensing point, there are no horizontal sections of the dispensing pipe which could constitute areas of stagnation of the condensate.

[0063] Furthermore, the type of thermally insulated nozzle of the present invention also permits the arrangement of the dispensing valve 12 immediately downstream of the tank so as to increase the safety of the apparatus. In fact, the nozzle does not allow the formation of condensate nor its solidification due to the passage of cold gas in expansion; it is therefore possible to position the dispensing valve immediately downstream of the tank since there is no risk of formation of condensate inside the supply duct. Indeed, if condensate were deposited along the supply duct this would be solidified at the subsequent expansion of C0₂. This is why the known solutions provide for the positioning of the dispensing valve immediately upstream of the nozzle so as to prevent the condensate from stagnating along the tube; this way, however, the known solutions are not very safe because they require that the supply pipe be always kept under pressure. Instead, the solution of the present invention, thanks to the fact that it avoids the formation of condensate on the nozzle and its backflow along the pipe, makes it possible to position the dispensing valve precisely immediately downstream of the tank, increasing the safety of the entire apparatus.

[0064] The solution is also practical, inexpensive to implement; of the portable type and can be easily recharged by simply replacing the compressed gas cylinder.

[0065] Thanks to the fact that the glass/container is positioned upside down, there is not even the risk that condensate could form and stagnate on the bottom of the glass/container, even if left on the machine for some time and not immediately removed to be used again, after its sanitizing and/or refrigeration. [0066] A person skilled in the art may make numerous modifications and variations to the apparatus for the sanitation and/or refrigeration of containers described above so as to satisfy contingent and specific requirements while remaining within the sphere of protection of the invention as defined by the following claims .

Claims

1. Apparatus for the sanitation and refrigeration of containers (4) comprising

- a tank (8) of compressed gas containing C0₂,

- a dispensing valve (12) suitable to selectively allow and inhibit the output of the compressed gas from the tank (8),

- a dispensing device (16) fitted with a nozzle (20) for the dispensing of compressed gas in a main axial direction (X-X) ,

- a supply duct (24) which connects the dispensing valve (12) to said nozzle (20),

characterised in that

the supply duct (24) conveys the compressed gas directly to the nozzle (20) without interruption,

- the nozzle (20) is thermally insulated from a frame (28) of the dispensing device (16) .

2. Apparatus for the sanitation and refrigeration of containers (4) according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle (20) is made of thermally insulating material.

3. Apparatus for the sanitation and refrigeration of containers (4) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the nozzle (20) is rectilinear and is placed along a vertical axis (Y-Y) , parallel to the main axial direction (X-X) .

4. Apparatus for the sanitation and refrigeration of containers (4) according to claim 1,2 or 3 wherein the nozzle (20) is mounted inside the dispensing device (16) through the interposition of at least one support (32) in thermally insulating material so as to provide a thermal break between the nozzle (20) and a frame (28) of the dispensing device (16) .

5. Apparatus for the sanitation and refrigeration of containers (4) according to claim 4, wherein the support (32) is shaped so as to form an interspace (33) between the nozzle (20) and the frame (28) .

6. Apparatus for the sanitation and refrigeration of containers (4) according to claim 5, wherein said interspace (33) is a cylindrical shape having a circular crown cross-section in relation to a cross-section plane perpendicular to the main axial direction (X-X) .

7. Apparatus for the sanitation and refrigeration of containers (4) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said support (32) comprises at least one bushing (34) .

8. Apparatus for the sanitation and refrigeration of containers (4) according to claim 7, wherein the bushing (34) is arranged coaxially to the nozzle (20) and attached to a portion of the frame (28) of the dispensing device (16) .

9. Apparatus for the sanitation and refrigeration of containers (4) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said bushing (34) is fitted with clearance around the nozzle (20) so as to allow a relative axial sliding between the nozzle (20) and the bushing (34), parallel to the main axial direction (X-X) .

10. Apparatus for the sanitation and refrigeration of containers (4) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the nozzle (20) is fitted coaxially to a support plate (36) , defining an abutment for the glass or container (6) to be subjected to sanitization and refrigeration and wherein the nozzle (20) is integral with the support plate (36) so as to translate with it if a user places and pushes a container (6) against said support plate (36) .

11. Apparatus for the sanitation and refrigeration of containers (4) according to claim 10, wherein the support plate (36) is perforated to allow the backflow of the dispensed gas from the nozzle (20) .

12. Apparatus for the sanitation and refrigeration of containers (4) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the dispensing of the compressed gas is performed away from said support plate (36) .

13. Apparatus for the sanitation and refrigeration of containers (4) according to any of the claims from 10 to 12, wherein the support plate (36) is axially movable in the direction towards the nozzle (20) , and wherein the dispensing valve (12) is operatively connected to the support plate (36) so as to enable the dispensing of the compressed gas when the support plate (36) is moved axially by a predetermined value from a rest position.

14. Apparatus for the sanitation and refrigeration of containers (4) according to any of the claims from 10 to

13, wherein the nozzle (20) comprises a perforated cover (48) which allows the dispensing of the compressed gas and which realises an axial attachment of the support plate (36) relative to said nozzle (20) .

15. Apparatus for the sanitation and refrigeration of containers (4) according to any of the claims from 10 to

14, wherein the nozzle (20) is provided with anti- rotation means (37), such as a pin which fits into a groove (39) defined by special protuberances (41) so that the nozzle can translate axially, parallel to the main axial direction (X-X) , without rotating in said direction.

16. Apparatus for the sanitation and refrigeration of containers (4) according to any of the claims from 10 to

15, wherein the support plate (36) is positioned in a recessed position in relation to a front wall (56) of the dispensing device (16), in a special seat (60).

17. Apparatus for the sanitation and refrigeration of containers (4) according to any of the claims from 10 to 16, wherein a collar (42) is interposed between the support plate (36) and the nozzle (20), fitted coaxially around the nozzle (20) so as to thermally insulate the nozzle (20) from the support plate (36) and thus the dispensing point of the gas.

18. Apparatus for the sanitation and refrigeration of containers (4) according to claim 17, wherein the collar (42) comprises a top wall (43) directly facing the support plate (36) .

19. Apparatus for the sanitation and refrigeration of containers (4) according to any of the claims from 17 to 18, wherein the collar (42) is made of PE or other suitable material to realise the break and thermal insulation of the nozzle (20) .

20. Apparatus for the sanitation and refrigeration of containers (4) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the dispensing valve (12) is arranged immediately downstream of the compressed gas tank (8) .