Patent Grant
7708838
The present invention relates to the dispensing of a microbiologically sensitive fluid, in particular low acid food fluid, in a hygienic manner so as to avoid micro-organism growth in the line that dispenses the fluid as well as in any mechanical components of a dispensing unit that come into contact with the fluid. More particularly, the invention can be used for delivering with a high degree of food safety shelf stable milk-based concentrates from a dispensing unit to reconstitute a whitened beverage.
In the foodservice area, post-mix beverage dispensers are known which mix a concentrate or syrup with several measures of water and then dispense the mixture on demand to reconstitute a hot or cold beverage such as juice, carbonated sodas, coffee or tea. Coffee, tea or soda concentrates are relatively easy and safe to store in bags at ambient temperature as they usually contain a high amount of solids and/or sugar, a low pH and a low water activity, and these make them relatively stable over time. These concentrates can hardly become contaminated and the risk of food poisoning is very low.
More serious sanitary problems may occur with more microbiologically sensitive products, such as low acid fluids that can enter into the composition of an on-demand prepared beverage or food. For instance, milk is naturally a low acid fluid comprising a relatively balanced proportion of proteins, lipids and glucids with a pH of about 6.7. This formulation provides a favorable ground for critical bacterial growth. Milk can be rapidly spoiled when it becomes in contact with contaminated moisture, dust, fluid, etc., and thus proper handling and dispensing of such a product is tricky.
Therefore, in order to ensure a longer shelf life and prevent hygienic hazards, it is common to equip the dispensing system with a dry zone wherein the milk is provided under the form of powder, because that form is less sensitive to microbial growth. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,211,342 relates to a dispenser able to deliver hot and cold drinks that is relatively complex and uneasy to manage since both syrup and powder must be handled in order to reconstitute beverages.
Another solution for increasing the shelf life of a low acid fluid and reducing hazards due to bacterial growth in automated dispensers consists in maintaining refrigeration in the dispensing unit with a temperature range which is less favorable to rapid microbial growth, i.e., at or under 6-8° C. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,519 relates to a post-mix beverage dispenser for tea, coffee and the like in which refrigeration is maintained by a cooling unit. However, cooling does not eliminate the daily cleaning and sanitization requirements for the dispenser. Furthermore, refrigeration only slows down the growth process but does not reduce all bacterial and hygienic problems. It also adds to the overall and maintenance costs of the machine and is energy consuming.
Therefore, there is a need for handling microbiologically sensitive fluids, such as milk-based components, that are used to form the composition of beverages or food preparations, more preferably without refrigeration, in a more effective and convenient way while reducing the risk of bacterial contamination and growth while constantly maintaining a high degree of food safety.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,952 relates to an aseptic product dispensing system which comprises a sanitary connection assembly interposed in fluid communication with a substantially aseptic product source and a substantially conventional product dispenser. The sanitary connection assembly is provided with an automated cleaning system whereby combination of pressurized gas, flushing fluid and/or sanitizing solution may be injected into, and thereafter evacuated from, the sanitary connection assembly. Product loading is carried out by automated engagement of a hose connector to a cavernous body that results in puncturing of a perforable cover that closes the hose connector. The connector is protected by a check valve for preventing backflow into the product after the membrane is broken. The connection of the bag to the sanitary connection is relatively complex and expensive, but without providing the desired improvements in cleaning efficiency and safety. More particularly, the hose connector is likely to cause important bacterial contamination and growth problems, in particular in the zone between the check valve and the pinched point located further upstream the hose portion. It is known that check valves are never perfectly air tight because of the possible rotation of the ball. If this critical portion becomes contaminated, the micro-organisms can rapidly grow and spoil the entry of the sanitary connection without any possibility to cure this hygienic issue except for replacement of the valve. Furthermore, the sanitary connection system is relatively complex by itself as it also requires two cavities selectively controlled by a valve to enable the flushing of inside entry of the connector independently from the dispensing line.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved sanitary system that is not subject to these problems and disadvantages and can handle a microbiologically sensitive fluid, such as a shelf stable low acid concentrate, in a more reliable, effective, convenient, simpler and less costly way.
The present invention now resolves the problems of the prior art by providing a sanitary manifold system for hygienically supplying microbiologically sensitive fluid from a container to a dispensing unit. The container is of the type adapted to be connected to the system by a terminal connecting portion of the container.
The sanitary manifold system more specifically comprises a discharge line for delivering the microbiologically sensitive liquid to the dispensing unit, a cleaning fluid line assembly for supplying a cleaning or rinsing fluid to clean or rinse the discharge line, an interface port for establishing connection from the terminal connecting portion of the container to the discharge line, wherein the cleaning or rinsing fluid line assembly comprises a projection member, wherein the projection member is arranged to deliver cleaning or rinsing fluid within the terminal connecting portion of the container.
As a result of this configuration of the manifold system, it is possible to clean or rinse in the most critical part of the container, more particularly, within the terminal connecting portion of the container, so that microbial growth can successfully be prevented in this area. Indeed, although it is relatively easy to retain the source of sensitive fluid relatively free from contamination, it is more difficult with parts of the container that interfaces with the dispensing unit.
As other benefits of the invention, the container, the connection between the container and the manifold system can be simplified and significant savings can be made on the packaging cost.
In a preferred embodiment, the projection member is reciprocally mounted in the housing to move from a retracted position whereby the projection member is inset relative to the interface port to an inserted cleaning position whereby the projection member protrudes past the interface port within the terminal connecting portion. A cleaning liquid or rinsing fluid (hereinafter referred to by the general term “cleaning fluid”) can flow within the terminal connecting portion periodically to allow a satisfactory level of hygiene to be maintained during operation. In particular, the terminal connecting portion can be cleaned thoroughly by the flow of a cleaning fluid such as hot water, a detergent and/or caustic solution.
In the retracted position, the interface port is left open for allowing the flow of the beverage or food components to evacuate out of the container through a portion of hose and the terminal connecting portion, then, through the discharge line. In the inserted position of the projection, the internal part of the terminal connecting portion including a certain portion of hose can thus be cleaned or rinsed in a very effective way. This moving arrangement also participates to the simplification of the container's packaging since the terminal connecting portion of the container can be made simpler as there is no requirement for specific built-in valve means to prevent backflow.
According to another aspect, the projection member has a terminal spear adapted to puncture a closing membrane of the terminal connecting portion of the container. Hence, the system enables to establish fluid connection with a sterile or aseptic container for the first use in a very reliable way and by a means well adapted for this purpose. Therefore, when a new container assembly is connected to the manifold system for the first time, the terminal connecting portion and its membrane can be cleaned before puncturing of the membrane to remove and clean the outside, non-sterile, part interfacing with the manifold system.
The cleaning fluid line assembly may preferably form a tubular hollow conduit that extends from a fluid inlet, to a fluid port of the projection member to supply cleaning or rinsing fluid within the terminal connecting portion. The fluid port, as well as the conduit, may thus be oriented in the same direction as the direction of the projection within the fitment, in order to provide sufficient velocity to the flow of cleaning fluid within the terminal connecting portion, for example to clean the inside of the fitment and a certain portion of the hose and also eventually remove solid deposits or residue such as milk solids that could have settled on internal surfaces, junction lines, crevasses, etc.
In order to promote return of the cleaning or rinsing fluid on the internal peripheral surface of the terminal connecting portion of the container, the discharge line extends from the interface port to a discharge outlet, at least partially, by a chamber located about the peripheral surface of the projection member. Hence, after the cleaning fluid has flowed due to a sufficient flow velocity, within the terminal connecting portion of the container up to a pinched point of the hose, the internal surfaces of the terminal connecting portion of the container can be properly wiped by the annular return flow created to properly evacuate the contaminants and/or solid residues in direction of the discharge line.
In a preferred aspect of the invention, an external valve of the device is provided to engage the hose of the container, in a region proximate the interface port, to maintain the upstream portion of the hose and package sterile and isolate them from the terminal connecting portion, such as the fitment and its short connected portion of hose, so as to allow cleaning or rinsing of this downstream portion up to the closing point of the valve. Therefore, it is possible to very efficiently flush the fitment and portion of tube up to the closing point and thus eliminate the possibility for micro-organisms to freely grow in this area. This arrangement also enables to maintain aseptic or sterile conditions in the container and upstream the valve after the container's fitment has securely been connected at the interface port without the requirement for complex connections and valve means usually provided to prevent backflow of fluid or contaminants within the container.
The valve is preferably a pinched valve acting externally on the portion of hose. Since, there is no direct contact between the valve and the microbiologically sensitive fluid, the risks of contamination and growth are prevented and the risks of food residue accumulating in this area are reduced.
In a further aspect of the invention, a coupling means is provided to securely connect the terminal connecting portion of the container assembly to the interface port of the manifold system. For instance, the coupling means preferably comprises a spring loaded holder that complementarily fits receiving means of the fitment of the container, a seal between the interface port and fitment outlet and pressure means urging the receiving means of the fitment against the seal.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, the invention concerns a combination of a sanitary manifold system and a container adapted to be connected to the manifold system by a terminal fitment for hygienically supplying microbiologically sensitive fluid from the container to a dispensing unit. The container more particularly comprises an aseptic source of microbiologically sensitive product, a terminal fitment and a portion of hose connecting the source to the terminal fitment. The sanitary manifold system comprises a housing, a discharge line for delivering the microbiologically sensitive liquid to the dispensing unit, a cleaning fluid line assembly for supplying a cleaning or rinsing fluid to clean or rinse the discharge line, an interface port for establishing connection from the terminal fitment of the container to the discharge line, wherein the cleaning or rinsing fluid line assembly comprises a projection member, wherein the projection member is arranged to protrude past the interface port into the fitment so as to deliver cleaning or rinsing fluid within the terminal fitment. The aseptic source of microbiologically sensitive product is preferably milk-based concentrate, preferably kept in sterile and closed conditions, before the first opening of the container.
More preferably, the flow of the microbiologically sensitive fluid is controlled by a pinch valve closing the portion of hose at a pinch point and wherein the projection member delivers cleaning or rinsing fluid within the fitment and hose up to the pinch point.
Even more preferably, the terminal fitment is free of any internal valve but merely closed by a puncturable membrane and wherein the sanitary manifold assembly has puncturing means to puncture the membrane and thus open the container.
In a preferred aspect, the sanitary manifold assembly has coupling means and the fitment has receiving means to securely engage and lock the fitment at the interface port.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a method for hygienically supplying microbiologically sensitive fluid from a container, wherein the container is adapted to be connected to cleaning means by a terminal connecting portion, wherein a microbiologically sensitive liquid is dispensed from the container through a tube of the container to a discharge line of the cleaning means, a cleaning fluid line is supplied to clean or rinse the discharge line, wherein during cleaning or rinsing, the cleaning or rinsing fluid is discharged within the terminal connecting portion up to a closing point of the container thus, demarcating downstream the closing point, a part that is maintained clean and, upstream the closing point, a part of the container that is constantly maintained sterile. A generic version of this method includes fluidly blocking the fluid delivery tube at a closing point; and connecting a discharge line of a cleaning fluid line to the terminal connecting portion to supply cleaning fluid to clean or rinse the terminal connecting portion and a portion of the discharge line up to the closing point, while maintaining that portion of the fluid delivery tube and container in a sterile state.
The invention also relates to a container adapted for hygienically supplying microbiologically sensitive fluid from the container to a dispensing unit and adapted to be removably connected to a sanitary manifold system as aforementioned in the broadest terms comprising:
The invention further relates to a device for hygienically supplying microbiologically sensitive fluid from a removable container comprising a terminal connecting portion to a dispensing unit, wherein the device comprises coupling means adapted to connect the terminal connecting portion and cleaning means for delivering a cleaning or rinsing fluid within the terminal connecting portion.
The cleaning means may preferably comprise a projection member arranged to protrude within the terminal connecting portion. The projection member may reciprocate by means of an actuating means such as a solenoid or an equivalent. The projection member may preferably serve to open the container to deliver the fluid in the dispensing line. The opening of the container may be made by puncturing a closing membrane of the container. The cleaning means preferably comprises at least one cleaning line adapted to deliver within the terminal connecting portion, a cleaning fluid selected among the group consisting of hot water, a chemical sanitizing agent and steam.
In a further preferred embodiment, a heat sealing means is arranged to engage and permanently seal a portion of the container.
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear in the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, this embodiment being given by way of non-limiting examples with reference to the annexed drawings, in which:
The present description is presented to enable any person of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment will readily be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the disclosure set forth may be applicable to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit of the invention and the claims appended hereto.
With reference first of all to
The concentrates are generally stored in bag-in-box type packages or similar disposable flexible packages. The microbiologically sensitive component that is a milk concentrate or milk based concentrate in the present context (hereinafter referred to by the general term “milk concentrate”) is aseptically stored in a package 20 whereas less sensitive concentrates such as coffee and cocoa concentrates are respectively in packages 200, 201. The concentrates are transported in portions of hose, respectively, 21, 210, 211 connected to the packages by using pumps, such as peristaltic pumps, respectively, 50, 500, 501 that engage the portions of hose. In particular for the sensitive component package 20, the portion of hose 21 terminates by a fitment 22 hermetically closed by a tamper evident membrane (see
Before the first opening of the package 20 by breakage of the membrane, as it will explained in more detail later in the description, the content of the package is maintained in sterile conditions. Sterile conditions can be obtained by known means, preferably by sterilization of the container assembly 2 including the package 20, the portion of tube 21 and its fitment 22 and subsequent aseptic filling of the package with the microbiologically sensitive product. Preferably, sterilization is carried out by irradiation process but other means such as heat sterilization can be envisaged. It is preferred to build in a portion of hose 21 or attach such a portion to the pouch with its fitment prior to sterilization to ensure the complete assembly is sterile in one single part.
The dispensing device 1 of the invention is shown to generally include a sanitary manifold system 3 inserted in fluid communication with the aseptic source of microbiologically sensitive fluid 2 and a downward dispensing line 40 that can lead to a mixing or impeller device 90, to a delivery conduit 91 and nozzle 92. The mixing device also collects metered amounts of concentrates as delivered and dosed from the package 200, 201 through dispensing lines 400, 401 to reconstitute the beverage. The number of concentrates, pumps, dispensing lines leading to the mixing device is not limited and depends upon the desired complexity and type of dispensing devices.
The sanitary manifold system 3 is adapted for being selectively traversed and flushed by cleaning or rinsing fluids such as hot water, steam and chemical sanitizing agents coming from cleaning or rinsing lines 403, 404. The selection and opening of the cleaning or rinsing line can be made by means of valves 405, 406 controlled by a conventional controller (not shown). Typically, for milk-based concentrates, the sanitizing agents will be chosen from among the group including caustic soda, low foaming dishwater solutions, or chlorinated or phenolated solutions. The cleaning fluid also encompasses descaling agents such as acid solutions.
As shown in
The spear 43 has a sharp end capable of cutting a membrane of the fitment upon actuation of the projection member forward in a reciprocating manner. Since the parts 34, 36, 3738, 43 are fixedly attached together, the whole line assembly 33 can reciprocate along the bore 44 of the housing. As illustrated in
More specifically, a portion of the projection member 38 is closely guided in axial movement along the portion of bore 44 of an internal body 45 of the housing. The internal body 45 is attached by means of a connection means such as screws to a front body part 46. The front body 46 comprises a chamber 47 of larger diameter than the external diameter of the projection member 38 so as to demarcate an annular room that extends inwardly from the interface port 32 to a discharge conduit 48 positioned at right angle with respect to the chamber 47. The chamber 47 and discharge conduit 48 form together a discharge line 60 that terminates by a discharge outlet 61. A sealing gasket 49 is provided between the internal body 45 and the projection member 38 to make the discharge line 60 inwardly watertight.
In the rear end of the housing is provided an actuator 62, preferably an electromagnetic solenoid actuator coaxially mounted on a rear hollow body part 63 of the housing. The actuator 62 is mounted in engagement with the cleaning fluid line assembly, more particularly to the second connector 36. The actuator can be of a push-and-pull solenoid type. Thus, in response to a control signal originating from a control circuit (not shown), the actuator pushes on the fluid line assembly 33, in the direction of arrow A as shown, which has the effect to move the projection member 38 and its spear 43 forward in an inserted position in which the tip of the spear extends beyond the interface port 32. When the actuator 62 is de-energized, the projection member stops in the inserted position. When the actuator is energized again, it tends to push the line assembly 33 back in a retracted position, i.e., in the direction of arrow B, in which the spear 43 is located in a position inset relative to the interface port 32. It can noted that the actuator could also be of a push type only and combined with a return spring inserted between body part 45 and the connector 3 that pushes the projection member back in retracted position upon de-energization of the solenoid (not shown).
As shown in
As illustrated in
It is clear the connection between the fitment and the manifold system could be carried out by other equivalent mechanical means such as by a cam type mechanism or a lever type mechanism to provide the same result without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is also clear that the receiving means of the fitment could also be formed from a protruding part as opposed to an annular groove and the holder formed from a recess instead of an annular lip wherein the protruding part of the fitment would complementary fit the recess of the holder.
Referring to
When the pump is acting, the pressure exerted by the flow of the concentrate in the upstream part 211 of the hose is sufficient to overcome the threshold tension value of the spring and therefore to force the valve to open. By virtue of the flow force created and direction of the flow, microbial substances can not attain the upstream portion of hose which remains sterile.
In a cleaning situation where the cleaning fluid is pushed under pressure from the manifold system within the fitment and the downstream portion 210 of the hose, the threshold tension of the pinch valve can be raised to a higher value by an actuator 73 that exerts an additional pressure adding to the spring tension on the pinch member. Therefore, the threshold tension of the valve is increased sufficiently above the cleaning fluid pressure to ensure that no cleaning fluid can enter the sterile portion of the container.
Therefore, in all conditions, the portion 211 of hose past the pinched point can remain safely sterile while the portion 212 of hose prior the pinched point, which is no more sterile after breaking of the membrane, can be periodically cleaned and rinsed. As a result, the delivery conditions of the microbiologically sensitive fluid, e.g., milk concentrate, are safely controlled and refrigeration in the dispensing unit is not necessary.
Referring again to
The preliminary cleaning mode can be briefly explained now in combination to
After this preliminary cleaning mode has been performed, the actuator 62 is energized and tends to move the fluid line assembly 33 forward and, consequently, to push the projection member in the direction of the interface port until the spear 43 of the projection member punctures the membrane 212. Then, the actuator re-energized to pull back the projection member to its original position of
Referring now to
Therefore, in a cleaning mode, the actuator 62 of the sanitary manifold system is energized by electrical impulse causing the projection member 38 with its spear 43 to move toward the fitment 22. The spear is positioned so as to protrude within the fitment as shown in more detail in
After a predetermined cleaning time, the cleaning flow to the manifold system is stopped, the actuator is energizes pulling the projection member with the spear away from the terminal fitment area until the projection member becomes in a fully retracted position as shown in
It goes without saying that this cleaning protocol is equally valid for rinsing the device with a rinsing fluid such as hot or cold water.
It is to be noted that the manifold system preferably comprises a single discharge outlet 48 that is arranged to be connected to a dispensing line 40 of the dispensing device 1 as aforementioned. As a result, cleaning or rinsing of the container's interface and dispensing line and components in contact with the milk concentrate can be carried out in the same cleaning or rinsing phase, thus, leading to a simplification of the controls, routings and the general conception of the system.
The device of the invention may further includes heat sealing means arranged to permanently close the hose by heat sealing after the product has been dispensed out of the container. The heat sealing means prevents from refilling the container with product and from re-using the container under conditions that are no longer aseptic and would pose hygienic issue during dispensing. Sealing means may be installed at any suitable part along the hose 21 of the container. For instance, the sealing means may comprise a heater formed by the pinch valve 70 or the block 74 or both. Once the container is empty, the heater is activated to seal the tube at a sealed point, e.g., the pinch point 72, or another preferred area of the hose.
The preparation of a beverage from concentrates may involve the use of various dispensing mechanical components such as a heater for providing hot water on demand, at least one mixer or whipper to mix one or more concentrates with hot or cold water and eventually whip the mixture to create some foam in the beverage, at least one dispensing nozzle to deliver the beverage at a point of dispense in a cup or similar. Preferably, the present invention may be combined to a self-cleaning dispense nozzle that is the subject of co-pending US patent application entitled “Fluid dispensing device with self cleaning nozzle and method of use” filed Apr. 26, 2002; which is incorporated herein by reference.
Further details regarding a preferred container and its fitment can be found in co-pending U.S. patent application filed on even date herewith and entitled “HOSE FITMENT FOR DISPOSABLE FOOD CONTAINER” to P. W. Carhuff; the content of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.
It will be understood that other modifications and/or adaptations may be made to the manifold system, which has just been described without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the annexed claims.
Although the sanitary manifold system and cleaning and rinsing method using the sanitary manifold system have been described in the context of a beverage dispenser, the invention is not limited to this sole application but could apply to other dispensing applications such as for ensuring hygienic dispensing conditions for soft ice cream, chilled milk-based products, culinary products such as sauces and the like. Also, other engageable or collapsible members can be used to squeeze the tube to form the pinch point, with the specific configuration of such members being chosen by those of ordinary skill in the art.
This application is a division of application Ser. No. 10/187,939 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,121,287 filed Jun. 28, 2002, the entire content of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference thereto.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4211342 | Jamgochian et al. | Jul 1980 | A |
| 4676279 | von Lersner | Jun 1987 | A |
| 4941593 | Hicks et al. | Jul 1990 | A |
| 4979527 | Mueller et al. | Dec 1990 | A |
| 5601127 | Hanson | Feb 1997 | A |
| 5797519 | Schroeder et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
| 6240942 | Ball | Jun 2001 | B1 |
| 6240952 | Schroeder | Jun 2001 | B1 |
| 6669051 | Phallen et al. | Dec 2003 | B1 |
| 6889603 | Carhuff et al. | May 2005 | B2 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| WO 0149154 | Jul 2001 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20060254621 A1 | Nov 2006 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10187939 | Jun 2002 | US |
| Child | 11488754 | US |
