Patent Application
20170129760
The present invention relates to beverage dispensers, and in particular to the cleaning of beverage dispensers. Specifically, a method and apparatus are disclosed for cleaning a dispenser which dispenses beverages.
Restaurants, bars, and other types of food establishments use a dispenser in order to dispense beverages.
Dispenser 100 is coupled to a plurality of different beverages (or beverage ingredients) via inlet hose 102. Within inlet hose 102, a plurality of tubes (not shown) receive beverages (or beverage ingredients) from different sources. For example, one of the tubes within inlet hose 102 may be connected to a water source so that water can be dispensed from dispenser 100. Another tube within inlet hose 102 may be connected to a source of carbonated water. Other tubes within inlet hose 102 may be connected to containers storing concentrated beverage ingredients (e.g. concentrated soda flavorings). Dispenser 100 may mix one of the beverage ingredients with carbonated water to produce various types of flavored sodas (for example).
Pushbuttons 108 thus each correspond to various beverages such as water, carbonated water, or various flavored sodas. If pushbutton 108 corresponding to water or carbonated water is depressed, then water or carbonated water is dispensed through nozzle 106. If pushbutton 108 corresponding to a flavored soda is depressed, then concentrated soda flavoring and carbonated water are mixed within dispenser 100 and dispensed through nozzle 106. An exemplary dispenser is disclosed in Schroeder, U.S. Pat. No. 7,658,006, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
At least some of the concentrated soda flavorings received by dispenser 100 include corn syrup as a sweetener. Thus, as various flavored sodas are dispensed from nozzle 106, a residue which includes corn syrup remains on various surfaces of nozzle 106. Over time, the residue builds and nozzle 106 becomes unsanitary.
A method and apparatus cleans a plurality of beverage dispensers which sit in respective holsters. Cleaning solution conduits are oriented to spray cleaning solution towards respective tops of holsters. At least one fluid valve and/or pump alternatively permits and blocks a cleaning solution to flow to the cleaning solution conduits, respectively. A power supply provides flow signals to the at least one fluid valve and/or pump, respectively, wherein the valve(s) and/or pump transitions between permitting and not permitting flow of cleaning solution responsive to transitioning of the flow signals, respectively. A transmitter signals the power supply to transition the flow signals to cause the fluid valve(s) and/or pump to permit the cleaning solution to flow to the cleaning solution conduits
Over time, as dispenser 100 is used, residue builds on surfaces of nozzle 106, and that residue may have adverse consequences. Bacteria and/or mold may grow on the residue. The residue may attract insects such as fruit flies. When beverages are contaminated with bacteria, mold or insects, the beverages can cause sickness and disease. Furthermore, the taste of the beverage being dispensed through the residue may be adversely affected. The residue can block beverages flowing through nozzle 106, thus reducing the flow rate of beverages being dispensed. This may increase the amount of time needed to dispense beverages. Residue creating a blockage within dispenser 100 can alter the ratio of carbonated water and concentrated soda flavoring which are mixed together, thus causing a flavored soda to be dispensed which has either not enough flavoring or too much flavoring; the result is the dispensing of a beverage which does not have its expected taste. A buildup of debris over time can also shorten equipment life.
The residue which collects on surfaces of nozzle 106 can thus have numerous consequences, including:
It is thus desirable for nozzle 106 to be clean and for any residue which appears on nozzle 106 to be removed.
In a bar setting, and as shown in
As shown in
With reference to
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a mechanism (not shown) may be used to assist keeping nozzle 106 within holster 200. For example, dispenser 100 and holster 200 may each include respective magnets which attract each other and therefore keep dispenser 100 in holster 100. Holster 100 may alternatively include a tab which extends along the side and top of dispenser 100 and which helps to keep nozzle 106 within holster 200.
While the mechanism described above may be used to assist keeping nozzle 106 within holster 200, there may be disadvantages of such a mechanism as well. For example, dispenser 100 may be inserted into holster 200 and withdrawn from holster 200 multiple times over a short period of time. If a bar tender is serving a large number of customers, the bar tender may need to insert dispenser 100 into holster 200 very quickly. Alternatively, the bar tender may need to withdraw dispenser 100 from holster 200 very quickly. In such a situation, it may be desirable to not have any mechanical mechanisms which assists in keeping dispenser 100 in holster 200. Thus, for example, it may be desirable for the shape of nozzle 106 to simply guide dispenser 100 into holster 200. Once nozzle 106 has been guided into holster 200, it may be desirable for only the weight of dispenser 100 to keep dispenser 100 (or a portion thereof such as nozzle 106) mated to holster 200. By using only the weight of dispenser 100 to keep dispenser 100 mated to holster 200, dispenser 100 can be withdrawn from holster 200 very quickly.
Holster 200 includes outlet 204. Outlet 204 permits any liquids within compartment 201 to drain out. A tube may be connected to outlet 204 and the tube may lead to a drain, such as a public drain provided by a municipality. It is thus desirable that any liquids within compartment 201 be discarded. It is considered more desirable to discard liquids that are within compartment 201 then to reuse those liquids. In other words, any liquids removed from compartment 201 are desirably not reintroduced back into compartment 201 at a later time. Therefore, any liquids removed from compartment 201 are disposed of, for example via a public drain.
Outlet 204 is desirably situated so that it receives liquids from the lowest point within compartment 201. In this manner, compartment 201 is fully drained.
Inlet 206 is also included. Inlet 206 receives liquid under pressure, thus causing the liquid to be directed upward within compartment 201. The liquid which is received by inlet 206 is for cleaning nozzle 106 and will be more fully described below.
Inlet 206 is desirably configured so that liquid flowing through inlet 206 flows through the center of compartment 201. Thus, inlet 206 is positioned at the center of the bottom of compartment 201. Fluid flowing under pressure through inlet 206 flows along dotted line C shown in
Within compartment 201, and attached to the exit of inlet 206, a spray nozzle 214 may be situated. This optional spray nozzle may direct fluid flowing through inlet 206 into any desired pattern in order to clean nozzle 106. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a spray nozzle with a spray pattern of 25 degrees may be used.
In many restaurants, there is more than one dispenser 100. Many restaurants have multiple dispensers 100 in order to accommodate the number of customers who wish to be served beverages.
Cleaning apparatus 300 shown in
Controller 335 instructs valves 310a,b to open and close via power supply 320. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, power supply 320 is a PS-6012 manufactured by Altech Corp. and is installed and operated in accordance with the Altech Corp. PS-60 data sheet which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Controller 335 signals power supply 320 via controller outputs 331a,b. Power supply 320 subsequently provides 12 volt signals to valves 310a, b responsive to being signaled by outputs 331a,b respectively. Thus, a positive signal on controller output 331a causes power supply 320 to transmit a 12 volt signal on power supply output 321a. Furthermore, a positive signal on controller output 331b causes power supply 320 to transmit a 12 volt signal on power supply output 321b. When the positive signal is removed from controller output 331a, output 321a ceases to provide a 12 volt signal. When the positive signal is removed from controller output 331b, output 321b ceases to provide a 12 volt signal.
Valves 310a, b are valves which regulate flow of liquid. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, valves 310a, b are 12 VDC solenoid valves (i.e. valves with 12 volt relays) plastic ‘A″ manufactured by Zilong. When valves 310a,b receive 12 volt signals on their respective control inputs, the valves open and fluid provided at the valves’ input is allowed to flow out the valves' output. When the 12 volt signals are removed from each valves' control inputs, the valves close and fluid is not permitted to flow out of each valves' output. A desirable flow rate for the output of each valve is, for example, 1 gallon per minute.
Thus, power supply outputs 321a,b are connected between power supply 320 and valves 310a, b. When power supply 320 places a 12 volt signal on power supply output 321a, valve 310a opens. When power supply 320 places a 12 volt signal on power supply output 321b, valve 310b opens. When the respective 12 volt signals are removed from each respective power supply output, the respective valve closes.
Valves 310a,b receive fluid via valve inlets 311a,b respectively. Valve inlets may be pipes or tubes (e.g. flexible tubes) having, for example, a diameter of ⅜″. Valve inlets 311a,b receive fluid via pressurized fluid source 315. Pressurized fluid source 315 includes branch 316 which directs fluid under pressure to valve inlets 311a,b. Thus, when valve 310a opens, fluid from valve inlet 311a is permitted to flow through valve outlet 312a. Furthermore, when valve 310b opens, fluid from valve inlet 311b is permitted to flow through valve outlet 312b. Valve outlet 312a is connected to inlet 206a and valve outlet 312b is connected to inlet 206b. Thus, when valves 310a,b open, fluid is directed to holsters 200 in order to clean nozzles 106.
Pressurized fluid source 315 delivers pressurized fluid from a pressurized fluid source. The pressurized fluid source can be, for example, pressurized water from a municipal water source. Alternatively, the pressurized fluid source can be otherwise. For example,
The fluid used to clean nozzle 106 may be for example a fluid which is safe for human consumption. Thus, a food grade solution is desirable as the fluid to be stored in tank 410. Exemplary food grade solutions include chlorine bleach (diluted 1 teaspoon to 1 quart of water, hydrogen peroxide (3%), and white distilled vinegar (5%). Other liquids may be used as the fluid within tank 410. Exemplary fluids which may be used within tank 410 include, for example: a) citric acid (with an exemplary concentration of between 2.5% and 35%) b) lactic acid (with an exemplary concentration of between 2.5% and 60%); and c) peracetic acid (with an exemplary concentration of between 1% and 22%). Other food sanitizing surface agents may also be used, including Steramine. Water may also constitute a “fluid.” Furthermore, fluid source 315 may optionally include a y-junction 420 and valves 416, 418 which allows the fluid flowing into pressurized fluid source 315 to alternate between the fluid stored in tank 410 and water obtained from a commercial water supply 430. Controller 335 can thus allow solution from tank 410 to clean nozzle(s) 106 for a first amount of time (by actuating valve 416), and to then allow water from a commercial water source to clean nozzle 106 for a second amount of time (by actuating valve 418).
In a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, tank 410 is eliminated and all cleaning is done simply using fluid from water source 430. Water source 430, may be, for example, a municipal water source. If the municipal water source is supplying water with sufficient pressure, then the pressure provided by the municipal water source may be sufficient to clean nozzle 106.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an additional pump 435 is used with the water from water source 430 in order to increase the pressure of water being received from water source 430. Pump 435 may be used, for example, on demand. Thus, for example, a water pressure of 40 PSI from water source 430 may be desirable to clean nozzle 106. Pump 435 may be omitted if the water pressure from water source 430 is approximately 40 PSI or higher, Pump 435 may be included if the water pressure from water source 430 is below 40 PSI. If pump 435 is operated on an on demand basis, the pump 435 is activated if water pressure from water source 430 is below 40 PSI and pump 435 is deactivated (allowing water to pass through without boosting water pressure) if water pressure from water source 430 is 40 PSI or greater. A water pressure of 40 PSI is merely exemplary, and it is understood that a water pressure at which operation of pump 435 is desirable may be higher or lower depending upon individual circumstances.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, pump 435 may be used in combination with a fluid pressure detection switch. Thus, for example, if water pressure from the water source drops below a predetermined limit (e.g. 24 PSI) then the fluid pressure switch detects the lower pressure and activates the pump automatically. Thus, fluid is sprayed towards nozzle 106 without a pump assist if fluid pressure from the fluid source is above 24 PSI (for example) and fluid is sprayed towards nozzle 106 with a pump assist if fluid pressure from the fluid source is below 24 PSI (for example).
Each of the above alternative embodiments enables pressurized fluid from a single source to arrive at pressurized fluid source 315, to flow through branch 316, and to then be sprayed onto multiple nozzles 106 via valve outlets 312a,b.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is desirable to allow fluid to be sprayed out of valve outlets 312a,b at predetermined times. Thus, when a predetermined time is reached (e.g. 4 AM, 8 AM etc.) valves 310a,b are opened and pressurized fluid flows out of valve outlets 312a,b and towards nozzle 106. The predetermined time may be chosen based upon times that beverages are typically not being served from dispenser 100 (such as a when a bar or restaurant is closed). At such times, nozzles 106 are resting in holsters 200 as they are not being used.
As previously explained, it may be desirable for dispenser 100 to be lifted out of holster 200 as quickly as possible. Furthermore, it may be desirable for dispenser 100 to be inserted into holster 200 (and thus “mated” to holster 200) as quickly as possible. This potential need to quickly mate dispenser 100 to holster 200 and to quickly remove dispenser 100 to holster 200 may add to the desirability of opening valves 310a,b based on time, and to not rely on a sensor. Thus, in this exemplary embodiment, there is no sensor that is needed to determine whether dispenser 100 is mated to holster 200 so that cleaning of nozzle 106 may be initiated. A sensor may have the disadvantage of not accurately detecting whether dispenser 100 is mated to holster 200. If a sensor does not detect that dispenser 100 is mated to holster 200 (even though in fact it is mated), then nozzle 106 will not be cleaned. In the exemplary embodiment, the possibility of a sensor not correctly determining that dispenser 100 is mated to holster 200 is a non-issue because no sensor is used for such detection. Nozzle 106 is simply cleaned with pressurized fluid from valve outlets 312a,b at a time when dispenser 100 is typically not being used.
Furthermore, the combination of a lack of a sensor to determine whether dispenser 100 is mated to holster 200 and permitting fluid to reach and clean nozzle 106 based on time of day may have desirability. A sensor may not reliably indicate whether nozzle 106 is in proper position to be cleaned within holster 200. Alternatively, the distance between where a sensor might be placed relative to holster 200 and the electronics to detect actuation of the sensor may be too far for signals from the sensor to be processed accurately. By permitting fluid to reach nozzle 106 based on time of day, the fluid can be sprayed towards nozzle 106 at a time when nozzle 106 is normally not being used (e.g. 4 AM). Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, nozzle 106 is reliably cleaned without relying on the complexity of a sensor and without spraying cleaning fluid towards nozzle 106 at times when dispenser 100 is being used (e.g. dinner hour on a Saturday night).
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in order to ensure that sufficient pressure is delivered to each nozzle 102, valves 310a, b can be opened sequentially instead of at the same time. Thus, valve 310a can be opened, kept open, and closed before valve 310b is opened, kept open and closed.
While the above exemplary embodiment illustrates controller 335, it is understood that controller 335 can be replaced with other methods and apparatus for controlling cleaning apparatus 300. For example, controller 335 can be located at a remote site and can communicate with transmitter 330 via a Wi-Fi connection. Thus, a Wi-Fi receiver can receive signals over a wireless connection and can then signal power supply 320 to open and close valves in order to perform nozzle cleaning. It is understood that other forms of communication (wired and wireless) may also be used.
In actual practice, it is desirable for power supply 320 and controller 335 (or a Wi-Fi receiver if power supply 320 is controlled remotely) to be mounted in a box, such as a box with a screw on panel, in order to protect power supply 320 and controller 335 from tampering. Valves 310a and 310b can be mounted, for example, next to such a box and near tank 410 and/or a commercial water supply. The box and valves 310a,b can be located away from the bar area in order to avoid unnecessary crowding of the bar area. Valve outlets 312a,b can be routed through walls and/or floors to be connected to inlet 206. In this manner, power supply 320 and controller 335 can be placed in a desirable location in order to clean a plurality of dispensers 100 located in respectively different physical locations.
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the fluid that is flowing through valve outlets 312a,b can be heated. In this manner, effectiveness of the fluid in disinfecting nozzle 106 can be enhanced. A fluid heating mechanism (for example an instant hot water dispenser manufactured by InSinkErator) can be used to heat fluid before it reaches nozzle 106. Exemplary locations to place an instant hot water dispenser include along valve outlets 312a,b, valve inlets 311a,b, or anywhere before or after valve 416 and/or valve 418.
The above description and illustrations show fluid flowing into two valve outlets 312a,b via branch 316. It is understood, that the description of two valve outlets is merely exemplary, and the actual number of valve outlets may be two or greater. In this manner, two or more nozzles 106 of respective dispensers 100 can be included in accordance with the exemplary embodiments set forth above.
The above description describes opening valves and/or engaging a pump for a certain amount of time in order to clean nozzles 106. One or ordinary skill in the art will recognize that there are methods for determining how much cleaning fluid is sprayed on each nozzle 106. For example, instead of measuring the amount of time fluid is being sprayed onto nozzles 106, one can spray cleaning fluid onto nozzles 106 based on the amount of cleaning fluid being sprayed. Thus, for example, a dosing pump can be used to deliver a certain amount of cleaning fluid to nozzles 106. Permitting and then stopping cleaning fluid from spraying onto nozzles 106 can thus be a function of the amount of cleaning fluid sprayed, the amount of time during which cleaning fluid is sprayed, or both.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an additional tube is directed towards the drain at which holster 200 drains. This additional tube can direct a sanitizing solution towards the drain to prevent fruit flies from accumulating near the drain. The sanitizing solution can be permitted to flow into the drain by use of the controller described above, and this sanitizing solution can be permitted to flow into the drain at a predetermined time of day.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an electronic memory stores a record of when cleaning fluid is permitted to flow towards nozzle 106 (and optionally for how long). In this manner, a record is maintained to ensure compliance with a regular cleaning schedule.
The method and apparatus described above provides numerous advantages over the prior art:
While the present invention has been described herein with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art with an access to the teachings herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the invention would be useful.
The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments of the present invention as contemplated by the inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit the present invention and the appended claims in any way.
The present invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance.
The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
