Patent Application
20230303379
The present disclosure relates generally to beverage devices, systems, and methods, and, more particularly, to sanitization systems and methods for use in beverage devices.
Pathogens can be transmitted via direct airborne transmission between users or via indirect contact transmission from different users occupying the same space at different times. For example, lingering pathogens may remain on contact surfaces of an aircraft cabin to be spread to passengers and/or crew members on a subsequent flight. The safety of passengers and crew members may be improved by performing disinfecting treatments to surfaces, such as seats, ceiling/wall panels, handles, and lavatory surfaces, beverage devices, etc., to mitigate the presence of pathogens on such surfaces. However, conventional disinfection procedures between flights may take time and may thus adversely affect the operating efficiency of the aircraft (increased interval time between flights), and the effectiveness and quality of such conventional treatments are often difficult to verify/track.
For aerospace beverage makers, the water is heated more than 170 degrees Fahrenheit (or 77 degrees Celsius) for over 30 seconds thus providing thermal disinfection for all surfaces in contact. However, current aerospace beverage service equipment does not have any integrated devices for the explicit purpose of disinfecting the product or beverage from bacteria and viruses. The devices are used in every flight by the flight attendants and each touch interaction potentially introduces bacteria and viruses. In addition, airborne contaminants can also be introduced onto the devices, potentially passing the contaminant to the passengers.
A beverage dispensing device is disclosed herein. The beverage dispensing device can comprise a housing configured to house a fluid; a feed spout coupled to the housing; and an ultraviolet light emitter coupled to the feed spout, the ultraviolet light emitter oriented in a downward direction during operation, the ultraviolet light emitter configured to emit ultraviolet radiation having an average wavelength between 100 nm and 400 nm.
In various embodiments, the beverage dispensing device further comprises an ultraviolet light sensor and a sensor housing, the ultraviolet light sensor and the ultraviolet light emitter disposed in the sensor housing. In various embodiments, the beverage dispensing device further comprises a controller in electronic communication with the ultraviolet light sensor and the ultraviolet light emitter. In various embodiments, the controller is configured to determine a fluid level during dispensing of the fluid and configured to determine an amount of ultraviolet radiation emitted from the ultraviolet light emitter during a sanitization cycle. In various embodiments, the controller is configured to receive an input signal, and in response to the input signal, initiate a sanitization process.
In various embodiments, the beverage dispensing device further comprises a second ultraviolet light emitter disposed in a recess of the housing, the second ultraviolet light emitter configured to at least partially sanitize an external surface of a container and/or a recess defined by the housing.
In various embodiments, the average wavelength is between 200 nm and 400 nm, between 200 nm and 280 nm.
A coffee or beverage maker is disclosed herein. The coffee or beverage maker can comprise: a housing defining a recess, the recess configured to receive a server in the recess; and a sanitization device disposed in the recess, the sanitization device comprising an ultraviolet light emitter and an ultraviolet light sensor, the ultraviolet light emitter oriented towards a base of the housing, the sanitization device configured to detect a fluid level in the server during dispensing of a fluid and configured to at least partially sanitize one of the server and the fluid during dispensing of the fluid and/or the recess in response to the server not being present.
In various embodiments, the coffee or beverage maker further comprises a controller in electronic communication with the ultraviolet light emitter and the ultraviolet light sensor, the controller configured to: receive an input signal; couple a power supply to the ultraviolet light emitter in response to receiving the input signal; receive sensor data from the ultraviolet light sensor; and decouple the power supply from the ultraviolet light emitter in response to determining an ultraviolet radiation level exceeded an ultraviolet radiation threshold.
In various embodiments, the coffee or beverage maker further comprises a second ultraviolet radiation emitter disposed in the housing and oriented towards surfaces within the recess. In various embodiments, the coffee or beverage maker further comprises a controller in electronic communication with the second ultraviolet radiation emitter, the controller configured to: receive an input signal; couple a power supply to the second ultraviolet radiation emitter in response to receiving the input signal; and decouple the power supply from the second ultraviolet radiation emitter in response to exceeding a time threshold.
In various embodiments, the ultraviolet light emitter is configured to emit ultraviolet radiation having an average wavelength between 100 nm and 400 nm. The average wavelength can be between 200 nm and 400 nm or between 200 nm and 280 nm.
A retrofit process for a beverage dispensing device is disclosed herein. The retrofit process can comprise: decoupling a level sensor from a location of a housing of the beverage dispensing device, the level sensor configured to detect a level of a fluid in a container during a dispensing process of the beverage dispensing device; and coupling a sanitization device in the location of the housing, the sanitization device comprising an ultraviolet light emitter and an ultraviolet light sensor, the sanitization device configured to detect the level of the fluid in the container during the dispensing process of the beverage dispensing device and sanitize one of the beverage dispensing device and the container.
In various embodiments, the ultraviolet light emitter is configured to emit ultraviolet radiation having an average wavelength between 100 nm and 400 nm or between 200 nm and 400 nm.
In various embodiments, the level sensor is configured to emit infrared radiation having an average wavelength between 780 nm and 1 mm.
In various embodiments, the level sensor comprises a first housing having a first shape and the sanitization device comprises a second housing having a second shape, and wherein, the second shape is substantially similar to the first shape.
The forgoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated herein otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation of the disclosed embodiments will become more apparent in light of the following description and accompanying drawings.
The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. A more complete understanding of the present disclosure, however, may best be obtained by referring to the following detailed description and claims in connection with the following drawings. While the drawings illustrate various embodiments employing the principles described herein, the drawings do not limit the scope of the claims.
The following detailed description of various embodiments herein refers to the accompanying drawings, which show various embodiments by way of illustration. While these various embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation. Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step may include a singular embodiment or step. Also, any reference to attached, fixed, connected, or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full or any other possible attachment option. Additionally, any reference to without contact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contact or minimal contact. It should also be understood that unless specifically stated otherwise, references to “a,” “an” or “the” may include one or more than one and that reference to an item in the singular may also include the item in the plural. Further, all ranges may include upper and lower values and all ranges and ratio limits disclosed herein may be combined.
Disclosed herein is sanitization system including an integrated light emitting source (e.g., ultraviolet light) having a wavelength range configured to safely disinfect a beverage device and/or a beverage container in a location where the beverage(s) are dispensed. As described further herein, the sanitization system can be located in a cavity or faucet area where a service cup or server is located (i.e., any beverage service devices, such as soda dispensers, water dispensers, coffee and/or tea makers, etc.). For a beverage maker, a sanitization system may be retrofitted into an existing beverage maker by replacing a liquid level detector (e.g., an infrared LEDs/photo-receivers) with a sanitization device (e.g., a combined sanitization and level detection system). The liquid level detector may comprise a disc that is disposed vertically above the coffee server. A retrofit process comprises removing the liquid level detector from the beverage maker and installing the sanitization device. In various embodiments, the sanitization device comprises an ultraviolet light emitter (e.g., emitting radiation with an average wavelength between 100 nanometers (nm) and 400 nm, or between 200 nm and 330 nm, or between 200 nm and 280 nm) and an ultraviolet light sensor.
With reference to
Referring now to
In various embodiments, the sanitization device 120 is disposed within the recess 111 proximal (i.e., adjacent to, or abutting), the top portion 116 of the beverage maker 100. The sanitization device 120 comprises an ultraviolet light emitter 122, and an ultraviolet light sensor 124. In various embodiments, the ultraviolet light emitter 122 is configured to emit radiation with an average wavelength between 100 nm and 400 nm, or between 200 nm and 330 nm, or between 200 nm and 280 nm (referred to herein as “ultraviolet radiation”). In various embodiments, the ultraviolet light emitter 122 is configured to emit radiation with an average wavelength between 100 nm and 280 nm (e.g., UV-C light). In this regard, the ultraviolet light emitter 122 can be configured to emit light for sanitizing surrounding components and surfaces that are contacted by the emitted radiation. In various embodiments, the ultraviolet light sensor 124 is configured to measure a photon flux density and/or an energy flux density of ultraviolet radiation.
Although illustrated as including a single ultraviolet light emitter 122, the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. For example, the sanitization device 120 may comprise any number of the ultraviolet light emitter 122 and be within the scope of this disclosure.
In various embodiments, the sanitization device 120 is configured to sanitize a server (e.g., server 140 from
In various embodiments, in response to having a plurality of light emitters (e.g., the ultraviolet light emitter 122), only a single light emitter in the plurality of light emitters may be oriented to reflect light back to the ultraviolet light sensor 124. In this regard, a single pair of an ultraviolet light emitter 122 and an ultraviolet light sensor 124 can work together to provide fluid level detection and sanitization, and the additional ultraviolet light emitters 122 may provide additional sanitization (e.g., of the recess 111 of the housing 110, outer surfaces of the server 140, or the like). The present disclosure is not limited in this regard.
In various embodiments, the ultraviolet light emitter 122 and ultraviolet light sensor 124 are disposed within a housing 126 of the sanitization device 120. The housing 126 may be configured to be installed in a beverage maker 100 as illustrated in
In various embodiments, the ultraviolet light emitter 122 and the ultraviolet light sensor 124 are in electronic (e.g., electrical, or wireless) communication with a controller 102. In various embodiments, the controller 102 can be integrated into a microcontroller. In various embodiments, controller 102 can be configured as a central network element or hub to access various systems and components of the sanitization system 101 and/or the beverage maker 100. For example, controller 102 can be a main controller of the beverage maker 100 or controller 102 can be a local controller configured to interface with a main controller of a beverage maker 100. The present disclosure is not limited in this regard.
Controller 102 can comprise a network, computer-based system, and/or software components configured to provide an access point to various systems and components of sanitization system 101. In various embodiments, controller 102 comprises a processor. In various embodiments, controller 102 is implemented in a single processor. In various embodiments, controller 102 is implemented as and may include one or more processors and/or one or more tangible, non-transitory memories and be capable of implementing logic. Each processor can be a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. Controller 102 can comprise a processor configured to implement various logical operations in response to execution of instructions, for example, instructions stored on a non-transitory, tangible, computer-readable medium configured to communicate with controller 102.
System program instructions and/or controller instructions may be loaded onto a non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by a controller, cause the controller to perform various operations. The term “non-transitory” is to be understood to remove only propagating transitory signals per se from the claim scope and does not relinquish rights to all standard computer-readable media that are not only propagating transitory signals per se. Stated another way, the meaning of the term “non-transitory computer-readable medium” and “non-transitory computer-readable storage medium” should be construed to exclude only those types of transitory computer-readable media which were found in In Re Nuijten to fall outside the scope of patentable subject matter under 35 U.S.C. § 101.
In various embodiments, the controller 102 is configured to receive an input signal 103. For example, the input signal 103 can be from a sensor (e.g., a motion sensor, a weight sensor, or the like) indicating that a server 140 from
In response to receiving the input signal 103, the controller 102 can electrically couple a power supply (e.g., via a switch, or the like), to the ultraviolet light emitter 122. In this regard, ultraviolet radiation can be emitted from the ultraviolet light emitter 122 for an entire duration of a brewing process, for a brewing process and after the brewing process for a predetermined period of time (e.g., to clean the recess 111 of the housing 110), or the like. The present disclosure is not limited in this regard.
In various embodiments, while sanitizing in accordance with the above, the ultraviolet light sensor 124 is receiving measurements of photon flux density and/or an energy flux density of ultraviolet radiation and relaying the sensor data to the controller 102. In various embodiments, based on the sensor data, the controller 102 may be configured to determine a level of fluid in the coffee server 140 from
In various embodiments, in response to the controller determining a threshold fluid level in the server 140 has been met or exceeded, the controller 102 can send an output signal 105 to terminate a coffee brewing process. In this regard, based on the sensor data from the ultraviolet light sensor 124, the controller 102 can determine a fluid level in the server 140 from
In various embodiments, the controller 102 may further be configured to monitor an amount of ultraviolet radiation released at one time. For example, excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation may have negative health effects when exposed to human skin. In this regard, the controller 102 can be further configured to decouple the power supply 150 from the ultraviolet light emitter 122 in response to determining an amount of ultraviolet radiation has exceeded a threshold amount of radiation. In various embodiments, an amount of radiation may be measured in photon flux density and/or an energy flux density of ultraviolet radiation. The present disclosure is not limited in this regard.
In various embodiments, the sanitization system 101 can further comprise an ultraviolet light emitter 122 separate from the ultraviolet light emitter 122 of the sanitization device 120. In this regard, the ultraviolet light emitter 132 can be configured to sanitize the sidewalls 113, 114, 115 and the base 112 within the recess 111 periodically, after a brewing process, or the like. In various embodiments, the ultraviolet light emitter 132 can also be configured to sanitize an outer surface of the server 140 from
In various embodiments, as described further herein, the sanitization system 101 can comprise the sanitization device 120 and/or the ultraviolet light sensor 132. In this regard, a sanitization system 101 including only the sanitization device 120, including only the ultraviolet light sensor 132, or including both the sanitization device 120 and the ultraviolet light sensor 132 are all within the scope of this disclosure.
For example, in response to the controller 102 receiving an input signal 103 (e.g., from a button 106, from a main controller of the beverage maker 100, from a motion sensor or a weight sensor, etc.), the controller 102 can couple the power supply 150 to the ultraviolet light emitter 132. In various embodiments, the controller 102 can be configured to emit a predetermined amount of ultraviolet light from the light source 132 (e.g., for a predetermined amount of time or the like). In this regard, the controller 102 can control how much ultraviolet radiation is emitted from the ultraviolet light emitter 132 during sanitization of the recess 111.
Although described herein with respect to a beverage maker 100, the sanitization system 101 is not limited in this regard. For example, a sanitization system 101 can be used in other beverage devices for use in an aircraft 50 from
In various embodiments, the sanitization system 101 comprises the ultraviolet light emitter 132 and/or the sanitization device 120 coupled to the feed spout 220. In various embodiments ultraviolet radiation emitted from the ultraviolet light emitter 132 and/or the sanitization device 120 is oriented/directed in a downward direction (i.e., towards a container 230 being filled, or in a direction of gravity). In this regard, the ultraviolet light emitter 132 and/or the sanitization device 120 can be configured to sanitize the container 230 being filled, a fluid being dispensed into the container 230, and/or a surface 240 after dispensing.
In various embodiments, the sanitization system 101 can be configured to sanitize as outlined previously herein during dispensing of a fluid, periodically, and/or after dispensing of a fluid. The present disclosure is not limited in this regard.
In various embodiments, the feed spout 220 comprises a handle 222 and a fluid outlet 224. In various embodiments, the handle 222 can mechanically open a valve to fluidly couple a fluid disposed in the housing 210 to the fluid outlet 224. In this regard, various mechanisms may be used as an input signal to the sanitization system 101 for sanitizing during dispensing. For example, pulling the handle 222 can close an electrical switch, coupling the power supply 150 to one of the ultraviolet light emitter 132 and/or the sanitization device 120, in accordance with various embodiments. In various embodiments, a flow sensor may be disposed in the feed spout 220 configured to detect mass flow rate of fluid therein. The controller 102 can use the flow sensor data to determine whether a fluid is being dispensed. In various embodiments, the handle 222 can be in mechanical communication with a piezoelectric sensor that sends the input signal 103 in response to the valve closing. In this regard, the sanitization process may commence after dispensing of the fluid disposed in the housing 210. Thus, one skilled in the art may recognize various initiation methods for sanitizing surrounding surfaces and/or containers (e.g., container 230 or server 140) during a beverage dispensing process and be within the scope of this disclosure.
Referring now to
In various embodiments, the retrofit process 500 further comprises coupling a sanitization device 120 to the beverage dispensing device (step 504). In various embodiments, the sanitization device 120 is configured to detect a level of fluid in a container during dispensing of the fluid by the beverage dispensing device 55 and configured to sanitize the container during dispensing, the beverage dispensing device 55, or the like. In this regard, the sanitization device 120 comprises dual functionality as described previously herein. In various embodiments, the sanitization device comprises a second shape that is substantially similar to the first shape of the level sensor 300. “Substantially similar” as referred to herein includes remaining with a profile of 0.4 inches (1 cm) of a profile of the first shape, or within 0.2 inches (0.5 cm) or the like. In this regard, the sanitization device 120 can be installed in the same location as the level sensor 300 upgrading capability of the beverage maker with sanitization capabilities in an easy and efficient manner.
Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described herein with regard to specific embodiments. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B, or C” is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to mean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that any combination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C. Different cross-hatching is used throughout the figures to denote different parts but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials.
Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided herein. In the detailed description herein, references to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “various embodiments,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. After reading the description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure in alternative embodiments.
Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.” As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
Finally, it should be understood that any of the above described concepts can be used alone or in combination with any or all of the other above described concepts. Although various embodiments have been disclosed and described, one of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the principles described or illustrated herein to any precise form. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.
