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(11) | EP 2 192 077 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | A method of cleaning and flushing a beverage dispensing system |
| (57) The present invention relates to a method of cleaning and flushing a beverage dispensing
system comprising a sealable pressure chamber containing a beverage, a sealable multi-chambered
cartridge located outside the pressure chamber comprising a first cartridge containing
a cleaning fluid and a second cartridge containing a flushing fluid, a fluid pressure
source connected to the pressure chamber and to the multi-chambered cartridge, a tapping
device for dispensing the beverage, the cleaning fluid and the flushing fluid, a tapping
line for delivering the beverage, the cleaning fluid and the flushing fluid to the
tapping device, and a discharge valve connected to the multi-chambered cartridge,
the pressure chamber and the tapping line. The method further comprises positioning
the discharge valve in the rinsing position and dispensing the cleaning fluid from
the tapping device.
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[0001] Beverage dispensing systems are typically used in beverage dispensing establishments for efficiently dispensing large quantities of beverage. Typically, beverage dispensing systems are used to dispense carbonated alcoholic beverages such as draught beer and cider. However, also non-alcoholic beverages such as soft drinks and non-carbonated beverages such as wine and fruit juice may be dispensed using a beverage dispensing system. Beverage dispensing systems are mostly for professional users such as in establishments like bars, restaurants and hotels, however, increasingly also for private users such as in private homes.
[0002] Professional beverage dispensing systems typically dispense beverage provided in large beverage kegs. Such beverage kegs may hold 20-50 litres of beverage for a professional beverage dispensing system for allowing typically 50-100 beverage dispensing operations before needing to exchange the beverage keg. Typically, beverage kegs are made of solid materials such as steel and re-filled a number of times. In between each filling the beverage kegs are carefully cleaned. Insufficient cleaning may lead to unhygienic beverage kegs, which may in turn lead to health problems for the beverage consumer. Alternatively, beverage kegs are made collapsible for single use only due to the above hygiene concern. An example of such a beverage dispensing system using collapsible beverage kegs is the DraughtMaster™ system provided by the applicant company. Such beverage dispensing systems using collapsible beverage kegs typically have the beverage keg installed in a pressure chamber.
[0003] When dispensing beverage from the beverage dispensing system, a pressure fluid is allowed to enter the beverage keg in case of using a metal keg, or the pressure chamber in case of using a collapsible keg. When using a metal keg, the keg itself may be considered to be the pressure chamber. During the dispensing of beverage from the pressure chamber, the pressure fluid acts on the beverage and forces the beverage out of the pressure chamber. If a collapsible beverage keg is used, the beverage keg collapses while dispensing the beverage, and the volume of the beverage keg is reduced corresponding to the amount of dispensed beverage. The collapsible beverage kegs are preferably made of flexible and disposable material such as plastic.
[0004] While performing a dispensing operation, the force of the pressure causes the beverage to flow out of the beverage container and into a tapping line. The tapping line leads to a tapping device typically having a tapping valve and a tapping handle for allowing an operator to control the tapping valve and thereby the beverage dispensing operation. The operator, such as a bartender or barmaid, uses the tapping device to control the rate of beverage dispensing. After each beverage dispensing operation, residual beverage will inevitably be left in the tapping line and in the tapping device. After a certain amount of time a layer of residual beverage may be formed inside the tapping line and tapping device. Such layers of residual beverage may solidify and eventually clog the tapping line and/or the tapping device, which will impair the beverage dispensing operation. However, well before clogging the tapping line and/or tapping device, the residual beverage will pose a hygienic problem. The tapping line and the tapping device constitute areas where bacterial growth may be accelerated due to the presence of beverage, the large surface area in comparison to the beverage volume, the lack of sufficient cooling and the close proximity to the outside. Bacterial growth due to lack of hygiene in the tapping line and the tapping device may constitute a quality problem for the beverage consumer. Additionally, crust formation of solidified beverage within the tapping line may occur. Therefore there is a need for technologies for cleaning the tapping line and the tapping device after a certain period of time or alternatively after a certain number of beverage dispensing operations.
[0005] For private users the above problem may be solved by using a disposable tapping line and tapping device intended for single use only. For a professional user a single use tapping line and tapping device would mean that the operator would have to reinstall the tapping line and tapping device regularly. Frequent installation would require considerably more time compared to having the tapping line and tapping device permanently installed in the establishment. Some establishments may have the pressure chamber in a different location, such as in the basement below the actual tapping location, which would require an even larger effort for changing the tapping line. In such establishments the tapping device itself will typically be made of non-disposable materials for the reason of good appearance.
[0006] In the pending and not yet published European patent application having the application number 07388059.3 and filed on the 20 August 2007, a beverage distribution system having a separate rinsing line has been described. By using a specially designed discharge valve, alternatively rinsing fluid or beverage may enter the tapping line. Rinsing fluid is provided from a separate pressurized reservoir. The discharge valve includes safety features for avoiding mixing rinsing fluid and beverage.
[0007] In WO 2007/076584A2 an automatic home multi beer dispensing apparatus is described. The above publication briefly describes that a cleaning cartridge may be used for cleaning the beverage dispensing apparatus. However, the publication does not describe any further details how the cleaning is performed.
[0008] In the pending and not yet published European patent application having the application number 08388029.4 and filed on the 11 September 2008, a cleaning and flushing cartridge for internal use is described. The cleaning and flushing cartridge is installed in the pressure chamber similar to a beverage keg and dispensed similar to a beverage.
[0009] It may however be advantageous to provide an external system for cleaning and flushing, which may be operated while a beverage keg or alternatively beverage is still accommodated inside the pressure chamber.
[0010] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide technologies for cleaning and flushing a beverage dispensing system using an external cleaning and flushing unit. Further objects of the present invention include providing technologies for cleaning and flushing a beverage dispensing system by using an external cleaning and flushing cartridge.
[0011] When using a cleaning fluid to rinse the tapping line and the tapping device, it is important to ensure that the cleaning fluid is properly removed from the beverage distribution system before beginning beverage dispensing operations. It is therefore a further object of the present invention to provide technologies for removing cleaning fluid from a beverage dispensing system. To ensure all cleaning fluid has been removed, experience has shown that a certain minimum amount of flushing fluid must be allowed to pass though the beverage dispensing system.
[0012] The above need and the above objects together with numerous other needs and objects, which will be evident from the below detailed description, are according to a first aspect of the present invention obtained by a method of cleaning and flushing a beverage dispensing system comprising providing:
a sealable pressure chamber containing a beverage,
a sealable multi-chambered cartridge located outside the pressure chamber comprising a first cartridge containing a cleaning fluid and a second cartridge containing a flushing fluid,
a fluid pressure source connected to the pressure chamber and to the multi-chambered cartridge for pressurizing the pressure chamber and the multi-chambered cartridge by the use of a pressure fluid,
a tapping device for dispensing the beverage, the cleaning fluid and the flushing fluid,
a tapping line for delivering the beverage, the cleaning fluid and the flushing fluid to the tapping device,
a discharge valve connected to the multi-chambered cartridge, the pressure chamber and the tapping line, the discharge valve having a beverage dispensing position, a rinsing position and a closed position, the beverage dispensing position allowing the beverage to be dispensed from the tapping device when the pressure chamber is pressurized while preventing the cleaning and flushing fluids from being dispensed from the tapping device, the rinsing position allowing the cleaning and flushing fluids to be dispensed from the tapping device when the multi-chambered cartridge is pressurized while preventing the beverage from being dispensed from the tapping device, and the closed position preventing any of the beverage, cleaning fluid or flushing fluid from being dispensed from the tapping device,
the method further comprising positioning the discharge valve in the rinsing position and dispensing the cleaning fluid from the tapping device, and causing the cleaning fluid to flow from the first cartridge past the discharge valve through the tapping line and being dispensed from the tapping device, and sequentially dispensing the flushing fluid from the tapping device, and causing the flushing fluid to flow from the second cartridge past the discharge valve through the tapping line and being dispensed from the tapping device.
[0013] The beverage dispensing system may preferably constitute a professional system, which is preferably fixated in an establishment such as a bar or a restaurant or the like. The method according to the first aspect of the present invention is preferably employed in connection with the exchange of the beverage keg, i.e. after removing an empty beverage keg and before installing a new beverage keg. The method according to the first aspect of the present invention may alternatively be employed in-between changing the beverage keg, e.g. if a long period of time has passed since the last cleaning, since it does not require the pressure chamber to be opened for performing a cleaning and flushing operation. The sealable pressure chamber may itself constitute a beverage keg, or alternatively a collapsible keg is installed in the pressure chamber.
[0014] The sealable multi-chamber cartridge is located outside the pressure chamber for allowing rinsing of the tapping line or tapping device while beverage remains still in the pressure chamber. The sealable multi-chamber cartridge is preferably reusable and refillable by the user and it may preferably be made of metal or rigid plastic. The first and second cartridges, containing the cleaning and flushing fluid, respectively, may typically be made significantly smaller than the beverage keg, since the typically needed volume of cleaning and flushing fluid is less than the volume that the typical beverage keg may hold. The first cartridge containing the cleaning fluid is preferably marked to distinguish it from the second cartridge containing the flushing fluid. Such markings may include a yellow and black ribbon, which constitutes a warning indicator.
[0015] Both the first and second cartridges should each have an outlet connector, which should be put in fluid communication with the first connector of the pressure chamber such that the outlet connector is sealed to the first connector. The outlet connector of the cartridge and the first connector of the pressure chamber are preferably placed at the bottom end of the cartridge and pressure chamber, respectively. The pressure fluid may preferably be allowed to interact with the cleaning and flushing fluid at a fluid to fluid surface located at an opposite top end of the cartridge ensuring the cleaning and flushing cartridges to be empty before pressure fluid enters the tapping line.
[0016] The first and second cartridge of the multi-chambered cartridge should be configured to allow the first cartridge to be emptied before allowing the second cartridge to be emptied. This may be achieved by providing a controlling valve for switching between the first and second cartridges. The controlling valve may comprise a 3-way valve being operated either manually or automatically.
[0017] The cleaning fluid should be chosen among fluids being efficient for removing solid or liquid residual beverage in the tapping line or in the tapping device. Preferably the cleaning fluid has no toxic or low toxic properties to avoid any health risks. Additionally, the cleaning fluid preferably has no or low corrosive properties to avoid any damage or excessive wear on the beverage dispensing system. The cleaning fluid is preferably dyed to distinguish it from the flushing fluid. The cleaning fluid may also be dyed in a color to distinguish it from the dispensed beverage, e.g. when dispensing beer, which has a yellowish color, the dye may preferably be any of the colors red, green or blue such that it may be visually observed when the cleaning fluid is dispensed. Suitable cleaning fluids may include alcohol, soap, alkali or sour chemicals or the like. Alternatively, the cleaning fluid may comprise a gas, such as steam.
[0018] To ensure no cleaning fluid remains inside the beverage dispensing system, the tapping line and the tap valve must be flushed by introducing a flushing fluid before beverage dispensing operations may begin. The flushing fluid should be cheap, non-toxic, and neutral in taste. Preferably pure water is used as flushing fluid. The flushing fluid is introduced from the second cartridge into the tapping line after the first cartridge has been emptied.
[0019] The flushing fluid is propelled via the tapping line and the dispensing device to the outside. The flushing fluid is preferably transparent for an operator to be able to visually detect any traces of cleaning fluid remaining inside the beverage dispensing system. By the end of the flushing, only flushing fluid should appear at the dispensing device. The amount of flushing fluid in the flushing fluid container should be chosen such that it ensures that no cleaning fluid remains in the tapping line. If cleaning fluid still appears at the end of the flushing, the flushing must be resumed until the cleaning fluid is completely removed from the beverage dispensing system. The cleaning fluid may otherwise influence the taste of the beverage and possibly be unhealthy to the beverage consumer. When the flushing is concluded, the cleaning and flushing system may be removed.
[0020] The fluid pressure source may constitute a compressor or the like for supplying pressure fluid, in particular air, to the pressure chamber when using a collapsible keg containing a pre-carbonised beverage. When using a conventional non-collapsible container or keg, the fluid pressure source may preferably constitute a bottle of pressurized carbon dioxide and the pressure fluid may constitute CO2 for pressurizing the beverage. When the multi-chambered cartridge is sealed and pressure fluid is introduced, the cleaning and flushing fluid may be forced out of the multi-chambered cartridge. The pressure fluid may preferably be any gas such as e.g. pressurized air. The pressure source may be e.g. a compressor. If using a membrane between the cleaning and flushing system and the pressure fluid, a liquid pressure fluid such as water may be used as an alternative to a gaseous pressure fluid. The membrane prevents the cleaning fluid from mixing with the pressure fluid. The membrane may e.g. constitute a collapsible cartridge or a liner. The pressure fluid may preferably act directly on the cleaning fluid such that when the discharge valve is opened the cleaning fluid is propelled via the tapping line and the tapping device to the outside.
[0021] The tapping device may constitute a valve and a handle for selectively dispensing beverage into a glass or the like. The tapping device is additionally used for dispensing the cleaning fluid and the flushing fluid when rinsing the beverage dispensing system. The cleaning fluid cleans and rinses the tapping line and the discharge valve while passing through the beverage dispensing system. After leaving the dispensing device, the cleaning fluid may flow into a drain system, which is typically provided below the dispensing device for collecting beverage which has been excessively dispensed. If a highly toxic cleaning fluid is used, it may be required to collect it separately for proper disposal.
[0022] The tapping line may constitute a pipe of plastic or metal which is fixated to the establishment. The tapping line connects the discharge valve with the tapping device for transporting the beverage cleaning fluid and flushing fluid from the discharge valve to the tapping device.
[0023] The discharge valve is preferably located in close connection with the pressure chamber or is alternatively part of the pressure chamber. The discharge valve constitutes a three-port valve connected to the tapping line, the pressure chamber and the multi-chamber cartridge. The discharge valve may assume three different positions.
[0024] The first position constitutes a beverage dispensing position in which the pressure chamber is connected to the tapping line and the multi-chamber cartridge is disconnected from the tapping line. The beverage dispensing position allows beverage located in the pressure chamber to be transported to the tapping device and be selectively dispensed by operating the handle of the tapping device. In the beverage dispensing position cleaning and flushing fluids are not allowed to enter the tapping line or tapping device.
[0025] The second position of the discharge valve constitutes a rinsing position where the multi-chamber cartridge is connected to the tapping line and the pressure chamber is disconnected from the tapping line. In the rinsing position cleaning fluid and flushing fluid is transported through the tapping line and may be dispensed by operating the tapping device. In the rinsing position beverage is not allowed to enter the tapping line or tapping device. The discharge valve should further be designed to prevent cleaning and flushing fluids to mix with the beverage. Thus, when in the rinsing position, the pressure chamber should be sealed from the tapping line and the multi-chamber cartridge. Consequently, when in the beverage dispensing position, the multi-chamber cartridge should be sealed from the pressure chamber and the tapping line.
[0026] The third position constitutes a closed position in which beverage, cleaning and flushing fluids are prevented to enter the tapping line.
[0027] The multi-chamber cartridge should be designed to first dispense the cleaning fluid and subsequently, when all the cleaning fluid has been dispensed, to dispense the flushing fluid. The cleaning fluid and the flushing should therefore be stored in two separate cartridges within the multi-chamber cartridge. The multi-chamber cartridge may e.g. include a valve, which automatically switches from dispensing cleaning fluid to dispensing flushing fluid when the cleaning fluid has been dispensed. It is further contemplated that the multi-chamber cartridge should be oriented in a specific position for accommodating and dispensing the cleaning and flushing fluids.
[0028] In the method according to the second aspect of the present invention it is important that the first and second cartridges are not mixed up. If the first and second cartridges were mixed up, i.e. if cleaning fluid was introduced into the beverage dispensing system after the flushing, cleaning fluid would still be present in the beverage dispensing system when the beverage dispensing operations are initiated. This constitutes a problem since cleaning fluid may contaminate the beverage and cause the beverage to have an undesirable taste. In some cases the cleaning fluid may also be hazardous to the health of the beverage consumer.
[0029] In a further embodiment according to the first aspect of the present invention, the multi-chambered cartridge defines a fluid inlet for connecting the fluid pressure source to the second cartridge for enabling the pressure fluid to flow from the fluid pressure source to the second cartridge, and further providing:
a cartridge connection connecting the first and second cartridges and enabling the cleaning fluid and the pressure fluid to flow from the second cartridge to the first cartridge, and
a fluid outlet for providing fluid communication between the first cartridge and the discharge valve.
[0030] By providing fluid communication between the first and second cartridge the flushing may start automatically when the cleaning is finished. The pressure fluid may enter the second cartridge through the fluid inlet and thus act on the flushing fluid, which in turn acts on the cleaning fluid propelling the cleaning fluid via the fluid outlet into the tapping line and through the tapping device. When the cleaning fluid has been dispensed, the flushing fluid, which has then advanced into the first cartridge, will be allowed to flow into the fluid outlet and further through the tapping line to the tapping device.
[0031] The above configuration eliminates the need of any valve. In some variants the mixing of cleaning fluid and flushing fluid may be avoided by using fluids of substantially different density or otherwise fluids, which do not generally mix well.
[0032] In a further embodiment according to the first aspect of the present invention, the multi-chambered cartridge defines an emptying position for dispensing the cleaning and flushing fluids, in which emptying position the first cartridge defines a first upper and a first lower end, and the second cartridge defines a second upper and a second lower end, the fluid inlet being located at the second upper end of the second cartridge, the cartridge connection providing fluid communication between the second lower end of the second cartridge, the first upper end of the first cartridge, and the fluid outlet being connected to the first lower end of the first cartridge.
[0033] The emptying position is understood to mean the position when the multi-chambered cartridge is installed and ready for use. The first and second cartridge is oriented such that the pressure fluid acts on the upper end surface of the flushing fluid in the second cartridge and allows the flushing fluid to exit at the lower end of the second cartridge. The flushing fluid is lead to the upper end of the first cartridge for acting onto the upper end surface of the cleaning fluid. Thereby the cleaning fluid is propelled towards the discharge valve and the tapping line via the outlet, which is positioned at the bottom end of the first cartridge.
[0034] In a further embodiment according to the first aspect of the present invention, the fluid pressure source generates pressurized gas when pressurizing the multi-chambered cartridge, the first cartridge of the multi-chambered cartridge further comprising a float valve located at the first lower end of the first cartridge and preventing the pressurized gas from entering the tapping line after emptying the cleaning and flushing fluids from the multi-chambered cartridge.
[0035] Typically, when the cleaning and flushing fluid has left the first and second cartridge, pressure fluid will enter the tapping line. The pressure fluid, being typically high-pressurized gas, will flow out of the tapping device with a high velocity, which may cause damage and possibly personal injury. Providing a float valve comprising a valve body having a density lower than the cleaning and flushing fluids, but higher than the pressure fluid, will prevent the pressure fluid from entering the tapping line after the cleaning and flushing fluids have left the first and second cartridges.
[0036] In a further embodiment according to the first aspect of the present invention, the first cartridge defines a first volume and a first direction, along which the cross-section of the first volume is substantially constant, the multi-chambered cartridge further comprising a first piston sealing against the multi-chambered cartridge and dividing the cleaning fluid from the pressure fluid, the first piston allowing the pressure fluid in the multi-chambered cartridge to act on the cleaning fluid in the first cartridge, and by further providing a connector connected to the first cartridge for providing fluid communication with the discharge valve, a flushing fluid valve connected to the first and second cartridges and having a cleaning position and a flushing position, the flushing fluid valve being in its cleaning position when dispensing the cleaning fluid and the first piston moves along the first direction, and the first piston changing the flushing fluid valve at the completion of the emptying of the cleaning fluid from its cleaning to its flushing position for allowing the flushing fluid to be dispensed through the flushing fluid valve and the connector.
[0037] The flushing fluid valve will prevent any mixing of the cleaning fluid in the first cartridge and the flushing fluid in the second cartridge. When pressurizing the pressure chamber, the pressure fluid may apply a force on both the flushing fluid directly and the cleaning fluid via the piston. The piston is typically located opposite the flushing fluid valve and connector such that when the discharge valve is opened, the piston propagates towards the flushing fluid valve and the connector and allows the cleaning fluid to leave through the connector and towards the tapping line. The flushing fluid is prevented to leave through the flushing fluid valve and connector until the piston acts to open the flushing fluid valve when the first cartridge has been emptied. When the piston has acted to open the flushing fluid valve, the flushing fluid may flow out from the flushing fluid valve via the connector towards the tapping line and tapping device. After the flushing fluid has left the multi-chambered cartridge, the multi-chambered cartridge may be depressurized and removed and the piston and flushing fluid valve may be restored to their initial positions.
[0038] In a further embodiment according to the first aspect of the present invention, the second cartridge defines a second volume and a second direction, along which the cross-section of the second volume is substantially constant, the multi-chambered cartridge further comprising a second piston sealing against the second cartridge and dividing the flushing fluid from the multi-chambered cartridge, the second piston allowing the pressure fluid in the multi-chambered cartridge to act on the flushing fluid, and the second piston moving along the first direction when dispensing the flushing fluid.
[0039] To prevent any pressure fluid to leave through the flushing fluid valve, and further through the connector, the tapping line and the dispensing device, the second cartridge may be provided with a second piston. The pressure fluid will act on the second piston in the second cartridge, which will act on the flushing fluid. The second piston is preferably located opposite the flushing fluid valve and the connector as well. When the first piston has reached the flushing fluid valve and the flushing fluid is allowed to leave through the flushing fluid valve and connector, the second piston will propagate towards the flushing fluid valve. When the second piston reaches the flushing fluid valve, the flushing fluid has left through the first connector and the second piston will stop and prevent any pressure fluid from leaving through the second connector. The present embodiment is preferably used in connection with a liquid pressure fluid to prevent mixing of pressure fluid and flushing fluid/cleaning fluid.
[0040] In a further embodiment according to the first aspect of the present invention, the first cartridge is collapsible and further comprises a piercing element for creating an opening in the first cartridge at the completion of the emptying of the cleaning fluid, thereby enabling the subsequent dispensing of the flushing fluid through the fluid outlet.
[0041] The first cartridge may constitute a pre-filled flexible container filled with cleaning fluid, which is installed at the fluid outlet of the multi-chambered cartridge. The space between the first cartridge and the outer wall of the multi-chambered cartridge then defines the second cartridge. After installation of the first cartridge, the second cartridge may be filled with flushing fluid and the cleaning and flushing process may be started by allowing the cleaning fluid to flow through the fluid outlet towards the dispensing device. When the cleaning fluid cartridge has been emptied, it will be pierced or ruptured by the piercing element and the flushing fluid will be allowed to enter the fluid outlet.
[0042] In a further embodiment according to the first aspect of the present invention, the multi-chambered cartridge defines an emptying position for dispensing the cleaning and flushing fluids, and prior to the dispensing of the cleaning fluid the volume of the cleaning fluid defines a first centre of gravity, the volume of the flushing fluid defines a second centre of gravity, and when the multi-chambered cartridge is in the emptying position, the first centre of gravity is located below the second centre of gravity.
[0043] To ensure that all cleaning fluid has left the first cartridge before piercing the first cartridge, the centre of gravity of the first cartridge is preferably located below the centre of gravity of the second cartridge.
[0044] In a further embodiment according to the first aspect of the present invention, the cleaning fluid is provided in the form of a solid cleaning tablet, which is dissolved in flushing fluid either prior to or during dispensing of the cleaning fluid.
[0045] Generating the cleaning fluid on site by using a cleaning table7t and flushing fluid eliminates the need of transporting cleaning fluid to the establishment. The cleaning tablet may either be dissolved prior to starting the cleaning operation, or it may be dissolved in flushing fluid as the cleaning process is ongoing. If the cleaning tablet is dissolved as the cleaning process is ongoing it must be ensured that enough flushing fluid is left when the cleaning tablet has been completely dissolved to completely flush the tapping line such that no residual cleaning fluid or cleaning tablet leftovers remain in the tapping line.
[0046] The above need and the above objects together with numerous other needs and objects, which will be evident from the below detailed description, are according to a second aspect of the present invention obtained by a cleaning and flushing system for a beverage dispensing system comprising:
a sealable pressure chamber containing a beverage,
a sealable multi-chambered cartridge located outside the pressure chamber comprising a first cartridge containing a first and a second cartridge containing a flushing fluid,
a fluid pressure source connected to the pressure chamber and to the multi-chambered cartridge for pressurizing the pressure chamber and the multi-chambered cartridge by the use of a pressure fluid,
a tapping device for dispensing the beverage, the cleaning fluid and the flushing fluid,
a tapping line for delivering the beverage, the cleaning fluid and the flushing fluid to the tapping device,
a discharge valve connected to the multi-chambered cartridge, the pressure chamber and the tapping line, the discharge valve having a beverage dispensing position, a rinsing position and a closed position, the beverage dispensing position allowing the beverage to be dispensed from the tapping device when the pressure chamber is pressurized while preventing the cleaning and flushing fluids from being dispensed from the tapping device, the rinsing position allowing the cleaning and flushing fluids to be dispensed from the tapping device when the multi-chambered cartridge is pressurized while preventing the beverage from being dispensed from the tapping device, and the closed position preventing any of the beverage, cleaning fluid or flushing fluid from being dispensed from the tapping device.
[0047] It is evident from the description above that the cleaning and flushing system according to the second aspect of the present invention is preferably used together with the methods according to the first aspect of the present invention.
[0048] The above need and the above objects together with numerous other needs and objects, which will be evident from the below detailed description, are according to a third aspect of the present invention obtained by a method of filling a cleaning and flushing system for a beverage dispensing system comprising providing:
a sealable pressure chamber containing a beverage,
a sealable multi-chambered cartridge located outside the pressure chamber comprising a first cartridge containing a first and a second cartridge containing a flushing fluid,
a fluid pressure source connected to the pressure chamber and to the multi-chambered cartridge for pressurizing the pressure chamber and the multi-chambered cartridge by the use of a pressure fluid,
a tapping device for dispensing the beverage, the cleaning fluid and the flushing fluid,
a tapping line for delivering the beverage, the cleaning fluid and the flushing fluid to the tapping device,
a discharge valve connected to the multi-chambered cartridge, the pressure chamber and the tapping line, the discharge valve having a beverage dispensing position, a rinsing position and a closed position, the beverage dispensing position allowing the beverage to be dispensed from the tapping device when the pressure chamber is pressurized while preventing the cleaning and flushing fluids from being dispensed from the tapping device, the rinsing position allowing the cleaning and flushing fluids to be dispensed from the tapping device when the multi-chambered cartridge is pressurized while preventing the beverage from being dispensed from the tapping device, and the closed position preventing any of the beverage, cleaning fluid or flushing fluid from being dispensed from the tapping device,
the method further comprising positioning the multi-chambered cartridge in a substantially upright position and positioning the discharge valve in the closed position, filling a specific amount of the cleaning fluid into the first cartridge and filling a specific amount of the flushing fluid into the second cartridge, or alternatively filling a specific amount of the flushing fluid into the second cartridge and the first cartridge and sequentially dissolving a cleaning tablet in the flushing fluid contained in the first cartridge.
[0049] By filling the cleaning and flushing system according to method according to the third aspect of the present invention it can be ensured that a sufficient amount of cleaning fluid and flushing fluid is used. Depending on the size of the beverage dispensing system and in particular the length of the tapping line, differently sized cleaning and flushing cartridges may be used. By providing a cleaning fluid cartridge having a size according to the specific beverage dispensing system, the amount of cleaning fluid is specified for achieving a good cleaning result. Consequently, the amount of flushing fluid is specified as well to allow all cleaning fluid to be flushed out of the beverage dispensing system. Thus, the filling procedure makes the cleaning and flushing procedure safe for avoiding both residual beverage and residual cleaning fluid within the beverage dispensing system when the cleaning and flushing procedure is finished. The method according to the third aspect of the present invention is preferably used together with the methods and systems according to the first and second aspect of the present invention.
[0050] The present invention is now to be described in greater detail with reference to the drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a series of figures showing an external cleaning and flushing cartridge,
Fig. 2 is a series of figures showing a collapsible cleaning cartridge,
Fig. 3 is a series of figures showing a pre-filled cleaning cartridge,
Fig. 4 is a series of figures showing a dissolving cleaning tablet,
Fig. 5 is a series of figures showing a piston-controlled external cleaning and flushing cartridge,
Fig. 6 is a top and close-up view of an external cleaning and flushing cartridge,
Fig. 7 is an external cleaning and flushing cartridge installed on a pressure chamber,
Fig. 8 is a set of interconnected pressure chambers for a centralized external cleaning and flushing unit,
Fig. 9 is a base part for a pressure chamber,
Fig. 10 is a centralized rinsing system in rinsing mode,
Fig. 11 is a centralized rinsing system in beverage dispensing mode,
Fig. 12 is a centralized rinsing system in closed-off mode,
Fig. 13 is a local rinsing system in rinsing mode,
Fig. 14 is a local rinsing system in beverage dispensing mode,
Fig. 15 is a local rinsing system in closed-off mode,
Fig. 16 is a discharge valve in beverage dispensing mode,
Fig. 17 is a discharge valve in rinsing mode, and
Fig. 18 is an alternative embodiment of the centralized rinsing system.
[0051] A detailed description of the figures of some presently preferred embodiments of the present invention follows below.
[0052] Fig. 1A shows a most preferred embodiment of an external cleaning and flushing unit 20. The cleaning and flushing unit 20 comprises an outer chamber constituting a flushing fluid cartridge 36 having a volume of about four litres and an inner chamber constituting a cleaning fluid cartridge 46 having a volume of about one litre. The volumes of one and four litres respectively are typical values suitable for most beverage dispensing systems. The flushing fluid cartridge 36 is in fluid communication with the cleaning fluid cartridge 46 via a cartridge interconnection 40, which interconnects the lower part of the flushing fluid cartridge 36 and the upper part of the cleaning fluid cartridge 46. Flushing fluid may flow into the cartridge interconnection 40 at a flushing fluid outlet 38 located at the bottom of the flushing fluid cartridge 36 and flow via the cartridge interconnection 40 into the cleaning fluid cartridge 46 and enter the cleaning fluid cartridge 46 via a flushing fluid inlet 42 located at the top of the cleaning fluid cartridge 46. A check valve 43 is provided at the flushing fluid inlet 42 to avoid cleaning fluid flowing into the flushing fluid cartridge 36.
[0053] A rinsing fluid outlet 24 is provided at the bottom of the cleaning fluid cartridge 46. Rinsing fluid is in the present context understood to comprise any of the cleaning fluids and flushing fluids. A rinsing line 25 connects the rinsing fluid outlet 24 to a rinsing connector 27 located at the side of the cleaning and flushing unit 20. A float valve 50 in provided inside the cleaning fluid cartridge 46 for avoiding pressure fluid in the cleaning fluid cartridge 46 to escape into the rinsing fluid outlet 24. The float valve 50 will permit liquids, i.e. flushing and cleaning fluid, to flow out through the rinsing fluid outlet 24 and prevent gas, i.e. pressure fluid from flowing out through the rinsing fluid outlet 24. A set of flanges constituting a float valve support 52 will ensure that the float valve 50 is positioned in a secure closed state in the cleaning fluid cartridge 46 when no cleaning fluid is present in the cleaning fluid cartridge 46. A pressure fluid pipe 29 provides pressure fluid from the side of the cleaning and flushing unit to the upper interior part of the flushing fluid cartridge 36 to avoid any flushing fluid entering the pressure fluid pipe 29 when the flushing fluid cartridge 36 is filled.
[0054] The cleaning and flushing unit 20 may be prepared by filling flushing fluid, i.e. water, into the cleaning fluid cartridge 46 and the flushing fluid cartridge 36. The flushing fluid cartridge 36 is subsequently sealed from the cleaning fluid cartridge 46 by a flushing fluid cap 56. The flushing fluid cap 56 seals the flushing fluid cartridge but allows access to the cleaning fluid cartridge through an opening 54. When the flushing fluid cartridge 36 has been properly separated from the cleaning fluid cartridge 46, a cleaning tablet 59 is dissolved in the cleaning fluid cartridge 46, transforming the flushing fluid accommodated in the cleaning fluid cartridge 46 to cleaning fluid. Alternatively, the cleaning constituent may be provided as a powder, liquid or paste, or a combination thereof, preferably in a specific metered amount or unit dose. Afterwards, the cleaning fluid cartridge 46 is sealed by a cleaning fluid cap 58.
[0055] Fig. 1B shows the cleaning and flushing unit 20 of Fig. 1A when it has been installed in a beverage dispensing system (not shown). By providing pressure fluid, e.g. pressurized air, into the flushing fluid cartridge 36 via the pressure fluid pipe 29, the pressure fluid causes the flushing fluid in the flushing fluid cartridge 36 to enter the cleaning fluid cartridge 46 via the cartridge interconnection 40. The flushing fluid leaves the flushing fluid cartridge 36 through the flushing fluid outlet 38 and enters the cleaning fluid cartridge 46 through the flushing fluid inlet 42, thereby causing the cleaning fluid in the cleaning fluid cartridge 46 to be expelled through the rinsing fluid outlet 24 and further via the rinsing line 25 and the rinsing connector 27. The fluid flow directions are indicated in the figure by arrows. The rinsing connector 27 should be connected to the tapping line and the beverage tap of the beverage dispensing system, which it is desired to clean (not shown). The beverage tap (not shown) is located on the opposite end of the tapping line and typically located on a bar counter. The cleaning fluid is distinguished from the flushing fluid in the figure by small bubbles.
[0056] Fig. 1C shows the cleaning and flushing unit 20 of Fig. 1A when the flushing fluid cartridge 36 is empty and the cleaning fluid cartridge 46 is filled with flushing fluid. The pressure fluid is causing flushing fluid to be expelled through the rinsing fluid outlet 24. When the cleaning fluid cartridge 46 is empty the floating valve 50 has reached the bottom of the cleaning fluid cartridge 46 and prevents any pressure fluid from being expelled though the rinsing fluid outlet 24.
[0057] Fig. 2A shows another embodiment of an external cleaning and flushing unit 20'. The external cleaning and flushing unit 20' comprises a flushing fluid cartridge 36 constituting most of the interior of the cleaning and flushing unit 20'. A cleaning fluid cartridge 46' is provided in the form of a flexible container pre-filled with cleaning fluid. The cleaning fluid cartridge 46' comprises a piercing element and connector 60 constituting a sharp knife of needle or a similar rupturing element. The connector 60 is connected to the rinsing fluid outlet 24, providing fluid communication between the cleaning fluid cartridge 46' and the rinsing line 25. After the cleaning fluid cartridge 46' has been installed, the flushing fluid cartridge 36 is filled with flushing fluid and the cap 58 is attached, sealing off the flushing fluid cartridge 36.
[0058] Fig. 2B shows the cleaning and flushing unit 20' of Fig. 2A when it has been installed in a beverage dispensing system (not shown). The pressure fluid entering the flushing fluid cartridge 36 via the pressure fluid pipe 29 causes the flushing fluid to subject the cleaning fluid cartridge 46' to a pressure force. The cleaning fluid is thereby expelled through the connector 60 towards the rinsing line 25 while the cleaning fluid cartridge 46' collapses. The cleaning fluid cartridge 46' will collapse onto the connector 60 and the cleaning fluid cartridge 46' will be pierced or ruptured by the connector 60.
[0059] Fig. 2C shows the cleaning and flushing unit 20 of Fig. 1A when the flushing fluid cartridge 36 is empty and ruptured or alternatively pierced, allowing the flushing fluid to be expelled through the rinsing fluid outlet 24.
[0060] Fig. 3A shows another embodiment of an external cleaning and flushing unit 20". The cleaning and flushing unit 20" comprises a flushing fluid cartridge 36 constituting most of the interior of the cleaning and flushing unit 20". A cleaning fluid cartridge 46"' is provided at the bottom of the flushing fluid cartridge 36. The cleaning fluid cartridge 46"' is pre-filled with cleaning fluid and connected to the rinsing fluid outlet 24. The flushing fluid inlet 42' of the cleaning fluid cartridge 46"' is located opposite the rinsing fluid outlet 24. The flushing fluid cartridge 36 is provided with a float valve 50.
[0061] Fig. 3B shows the cleaning and flushing unit 20" of Fig. 2A when it has been installed in a beverage dispensing system (not shown). The pressure fluid entering the flushing fluid cartridge 36 via the pressure fluid pipe 29 causes the flushing fluid to enter the cleaning fluid cartridge 46"' through the flushing fluid inlet 42'. The cleaning fluid is thereby expelled through the rinsing fluid outlet 24 towards the rinsing line 25.
[0062] Fig. 3C shows the cleaning and flushing unit 20" of Fig. 3A when the cleaning fluid cartridge 46"' is filled with flushing fluid. The pressure fluid is causing flushing fluid to be expelled through the rinsing fluid outlet 24. When the flushing fluid cartridge 36 is empty, the floating valve 50 has reached the bottom of the flushing fluid cartridge 46"' and prevents any pressure fluid from being expelled though the rinsing fluid outlet 24.
[0063] Fig. 4A-C shows a further embodiment of an external cleaning and flushing unit 20"' very similar to Fig. 3A-C, with the exception that the cleaning fluid cartridge 46"' comprises a cleaning tablet 59, which dissolves and creates cleaning fluid as the flushing fluid flows into the cleaning fluid cartridge 46"' as described above in connection with Fig. 3B. When about 1 litre of flushing fluid has passed through the cleaning fluid cartridge 46"', the cleaning tablet 59 is completely dissolved and the remaining flushing fluid continues to flow out through the rinsing fluid outlet 24.
[0064] Fig. 5A shows a further embodiment of an external cleaning and flushing unit 20"". The cleaning and flushing unit 20"" comprises an outer flushing fluid cartridge 36' and an inner cleaning fluid cartridge 46"" similar to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.
[0065] In addition to a pressure fluid pipe 29, which supplies pressure fluid to the top of the flushing fluid cartridge 36', an auxiliary pressure fluid pipe 29' is provided to supply pressure fluid to the top of the cleaning fluid cartridge 46"" at the pressure fluid inlets 44', 44". Both the cleaning fluid cartridge 46"" and the flushing fluid cartridge 36' is filled with flushing fluid, and a cleaning tablet 59 is dissolved in the cleaning fluid cartridge to create cleaning fluid.
[0066] Fig. 5B shows the flushing fluid cartridge 36' and the cleaning fluid cartridge 46"" being divided into a respective upper space and lower space by an inner piston 53 and an outer piston 55, respectively. The respective flushing and cleaning fluids are accommodated in the respective lower spaces below the respective inner and outer piston 53, 55. Pressure fluid is allowed to enter the upper space of the cleaning fluid cartridge 46"" and act on the inner piston 53 which in turn acts to press out the cleaning fluid through the rinsing fluid outlet 24'. The lower spaces of the flushing fluid cartridge 36' and the cleaning fluid cartridge 46"" are interconnected by a flushing fluid inlet 42'. A flushing fluid valve 57 is located at the bottom and inside of the cleaning fluid cartridge 46"" and prevents flushing fluid from entering the cleaning fluid cartridge 46"" from the flushing fluid cartridge 36'. The flushing fluid valve 57 defines a plurality of holes which are sealed to the wall between the flushing and cleaning fluid cartridges 36', 46"". As the inner piston 53 is pressed by the pressure fluid towards the rinsing fluid outlet 24', the inner piston 53 will act on the flushing fluid valve 57 and push the flushing fluid valve 57 into a valve recess 51. When the flushing fluid valve 57 has contacted the bottom of the valve recess 51, the inner piston 53 will have reached its final position and the holes located in the flushing fluid valve 57 will be in registration with the flushing fluid inlet 42'. Fluid communication is established between the flushing fluid cartridge 36' and the cleaning fluid cartridge 46"" via the flushing fluid valve 57 and the flushing fluid inlet 42'.
[0067] Fig. 5C shows the flushing fluid being pressed out of the rinsing fluid outlet 24' by the outer piston 55 while pressure fluid is allowed to enter the upper space of the flushing fluid cartridge 36' through the pressure fluid inlet 44'. The flow direction of the flushing fluid is indicated in the figure by arrows. When the outer piston 55 has reached its final position, the outer piston 55 will prevent pressure fluid from entering the rinsing fluid outlet 24', thereby eliminating the need for a ball valve for this purpose. The present embodiment has the advantage of physically separating the pressure fluid from the flushing and cleaning fluids and it may therefore preferably be used in connection with a liquid pressure fluid. Such liquid pressure fluids may comprise water.
[0068] Fig. 6A shows a top view of the embodiment of an external cleaning and flushing unit 20 as shown in Fig. 1. Cleaning and flushing fluid is expelled from the cleaning and flushing unit 20 through the rinsing connector 27. The rinsing connector 27 may be connected to a pressure chamber or beverage dispensing system (not shown).
[0069] Two pressure fluid connectors 28 are located on each side of the rinsing connector 27 for providing pressure fluid to the cleaning and flushing unit 20 through the pressure fluid pipe 29 (not shown in the present view). The pressure fluid connectors 28 are interconnected as a part of a safety system, which will be further explained in connection with Figs. 13-15.
[0070] Fig. 6B shows a close up view of the embodiment of an external cleaning and flushing unit 20 as shown in Fig. 1. When the cleaning and flushing unit is empty, the float valve 50 seals the rinsing fluid outlet 24 and prevents any pressure fluid from leaving the cleaning and flushing unit 20 through the rinsing connector 27. In the present view, the pressure fluid connectors 28 are not visible.
[0071] Fig. 7 shows a cleaning and flushing unit 20 being installed outside a pressure chamber 10. The pressure chamber 10 may preferably accommodate a collapsible beverage container. The pressure chamber is accommodated in a housing 114. The beverage container (not shown) may be accessed by swinging or pivoting the pressure chamber from its current vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation and subsequently removing the upper part constituting a lid 14 of the pressure chamber 10 by using the grips 12. The cleaning and flushing unit 20 is preferably made of rigid plastics or alternatively metal. The cleaning and flushing unit 20 may preferably be at least partially transparent to allow an external observer to determine the level of cleaning and flushing fluid accommodated inside the cleaning and flushing unit 20. In order to distinguish between the cleaning and flushing fluids the cleaning fluid may be dyed a specific colour, such as green, red or blue. The cleaning and flushing unit 20 preferably has a cylindrical shape.
[0072] Fig. 8 shows a plurality of pressure chambers 10, 10', 10". The pressure chambers 10, 10', 10" are connected individually to a centralized cleaning and flushing unit by a set of rinsing fluid supplies 128 and commonly to a fourth pressure tube 142. A control valve 124 controls pressure fluid flow from the fourth pressure tube 142 to a discharge valve (not shown here but to be described below in Figs. 9-18 and designated reference numeral 72) constituting a keg coupler of the pressure chamber 10. The control valve 124 will be further described in connection with Figs. 10-12. The cleaning and flushing fluid is provided from a centralized cleaning and flushing unit (not shown here but to be described below in Figs. 10-12 and designated reference numeral 118) connected to the far end of the set of rinsing fluid supplies 128. The centralized cleaning and flushing unit (not shown here but to be described below) may comprise a cleaning and flushing unit 20 as described above in connection with any of the figures 1-6, however it may be significantly larger, depending on the number of pressure chambers 10 and/or tapping lines/beverage taps it is intended to serve.
[0073] Fig. 9 shows a set of beverage dispensing base parts 66 for use with any of the above embodiments of the pressure chamber (not shown here but described in Figs. 7-8 and to be described below in Figs. 10-15 and designated reference numeral 10). A tapping line 68 is provided at the rear of the base part 66. A beverage container (not shown) may be installed on top of the base part 66 and connected to a beverage outlet 70. The tapping line 68 delivers beverage as well as cleaning and flushing fluid to the beverage tap (not shown). The base part 66 includes a discharge valve 72 for selectively allowing either beverage from the beverage outlet 70 or cleaning/flushing fluid from the first rinsing fluid supply 128 to be dispensed via the tapping line 68. The pressure chamber is pressurized via a pressure fluid pipeline 74 and a pressure fluid inlet 76. It is contemplated that the above embodiment of a base part 66 may also be used with the local cleaning and flushing units as described above in connection with Fig. 7.
[0074] Figs. 10 -15 show two specific embodiments of a centralized and local rinsing system 110, 116, respectively, having a safety system for controlling the rinsing and beverage dispensing. The safety system prevents rinsing from commencing if the pressure chamber 10 is not pressurized or if the discharge valve 72 is not in the rinsing position. Figs. 10-12 show a centralized rinsing system for a plurality of pressure chambers, whereas Figs. 13-15 show a local rinsing system for one pressure chamber only. The centralized and local rinsing system 110, 116 each comprises two identical pressure chambers 10, 10'.
[0075] Fig. 10 shows a centralized rinsing system 110 in rinsing mode. The centralized rinsing system comprises an air compressor 112, a first pressure chamber 10, a second pressure chamber 10', and a centralized cleaning and flushing unit 118. The air compressor 112 is by a first pressure tube 136 connected to the first pressure chamber 10 via a primary safety valve 120 and a secondary safety valve 122. When a beverage keg is installed in the pressure chamber 10, the primary safety valve 120 allows compressed air to flow from the air compressor 112 towards the secondary safety valve 122. The secondary safety valve 122 allows compressed air to pressurize the pressure chamber 10 when the pressure chamber assumes the vertical orientation shown in Fig. 7, which indicates that the first pressure chamber 10 is ready for beverage dispensing. The secondary safety valve 122 prevents compressed air from pressurizing the first pressure chamber 10 when the pressure chamber 10 has assumed the horizontal orientation. Any of the pressure chambers 10, 10' may be swung into their horizontal orientation when a new beverage keg is to be installed, e.g. when the original beverage keg is empty. In the horizontal orientation, compressed air is allowed to leave the pressure chamber 10, thereby allowing the lid of the pressure chamber 10 to be safely removed and the beverage keg to be changed. When the first pressure chamber 10 is pressurized, the pressure will also act on a control valve 124 via a second pressure tube 138. The control valve 124 will be further described below. The first and second pressure chambers 10, 10' are accommodated in a first and second housing 114, 114', respectively.
[0076] The air compressor 112 is further by a third pressure tube 140 connected to the centralized cleaning and flushing unit 118. The cleaning and flushing unit 118 is further by a fourth pressure tube 142 connected to the control valve 124 so that a pressure will act on the control valve 124 when the rinsing unit 118 is pressurized. When the control valve 124 is subjected to pressure from both the cleaning and flushing unit 118 and the first pressure chamber 10, it will allow pressure fluid to act on a discharge valve 72 and cause it to assume the rinsing and flushing position. The discharge valve 72 is of the same type as the discharge valve 72 described above in connection with Fig. 9. The same type of discharge valve is further described in Figs. 16-17 under the same reference. When the discharge valve 72 has assumed the rinsing position, cleaning and flushing fluids are allowed to enter the discharge valve 72 via a first rinsing fluid supply 128 and leave the discharge valve 72 via a tapping line 68. At the same time, beverage is prevented from entering the discharge valve 72 so that any contact between rinsing fluid and beverage is avoided.
[0077] The second pressure chamber 10' is by a second rinsing fluid supply 130 connected to the cleaning and flushing unit 118, separately in relation to the first pressure chamber 10. For safety reasons, both of the discharge valves 72, 72' of the pressure chambers 10, 10' will assume the rinsing position if they are pressurized. This is to avoid beverage dispensing and rinsing from different taps at the same time, which would be a safety hazard since cleaning fluid may accidentally be confused with beverage. A switch may be provided on the cleaning and flushing unit 118 for selectively providing cleaning and flushing fluids to one of the first or second pressure chambers 10, 10'. In an alternative embodiment, both tapping lines 68 of the pressure chambers 10, 10' may be provided with cleaning and flushing fluids simultaneously.
[0078] Fig. 11 shows the centralized rinsing system 110 in the beverage dispensing mode. In the beverage dispensing mode, the air compressor 112 may deliver pressurized air to the cleaning and flushing unit 118. However, the pressurized air is prevented from acting on the control valve 124 via the fourth pressure tube 142 as the fourth pressure tube 142 is vented to the atmosphere in the beverage dispensing mode through a venting valve not shown in the drawings. When the control valve 124 is not subjected to pressure from both the first pressure chamber 10 and the cleaning and flushing unit 118, the control valve 124 will prevent air pressure from acting on the discharge valve 72. This causes the discharge valve 72 to assume the beverage dispensing position. When the discharge valve 72 has assumed the beverage dispensing position, beverage is allowed to flow from the first pressure chamber 10 towards the tapping line 68. At the same time, rinsing fluid is prevented from entering the discharge valve 72.
[0079] Fig. 12 shows the centralized rinsing system 110 in a closed mode. The closed mode implies that either the primary safety valve 120 and/or the secondary safety valve 122 is closed, i.e. that either the pressure chamber 10 is swung into the horizontal position or a beverage keg is not present inside the first pressure chamber 10. Pressurized air is prevented from pressurising the first pressure chamber 10 and consequently, the control valve 124 will not supply any pressure fluid to the discharge valve 72. In the closed mode both beverage and rinsing fluid is prevented from entering the discharge valve and flow out towards the tapping line 68.
[0080] Fig. 13 shows a local rinsing system 116 in the rinsing mode. Similar to the central rinsing system 110 described above, the local rinsing system 116 comprises a compressor 112, a first pressure chamber 10 and a second pressure chamber 10'. The cleaning and flushing unit 118 described above in connection with Figs. 10-12 has been replaced by a first rinsing cartridge 132 mounted in connection with the first pressure chamber 10 and a second rinsing cartridge 132' mounted in connection with the second pressure chamber 10'. The first and second rinsing cartridges 132 and 132', respectively, may be of the type described above in connection with Figs. 1-7. The first pressure chamber 10 is connected to the first rinsing cartridge 132 via the second pressure tube 138 so that when the first pressure chamber 10 is pressurized, the first rinsing cartridge 132 is pressurized as well. The first rinsing cartridge 132 is further connected to the discharge valve 72 so that when the first rinsing cartridge is pressurized, the pressure acts on the discharge valve 72 via the fourth pressure tube 142 so that the discharge valve 72 assumes the rinsing position. In the rinsing position, rinsing fluid is allowed to flow from the first rinsing cartridge 132 through the discharge valve 72 towards the tapping line 68'.
[0081] Fig. 14 shows a local rinsing system 116 in a beverage dispensing mode. To assume the beverage dispensing mode, the first rinsing cartridge 132 is simply removed from the first pressure chamber 10. When the first rinsing cartridge 132 is removed, a check valve (not shown) prevents pressurized air from leaving the first pressure chamber 10 via the second pressure tube 138. Consequently, no pressurized air will act on the discharge valve 72, which causes the discharge valve 72 to assume the beverage dispensing position. The beverage dispensing position allows the beverage to flow through the discharge valve 72' towards the tapping line 68'.
[0082] Fig. 15 shows a local rinsing system 116 in a closed mode. The closed mode for the local rinsing system 116 corresponds to the closed mode of the centralized rinsing system 110 and will therefore not be further discussed.
[0083] Fig.16 is a schematic cut-through, close-up view of a discharge valve 72, as illustrated in the above drawings.
[0084] The discharge valve 72 comprises a rod 174, which is located inside the coupling housing 192 and which is adapted to act on a ball-seal 176. The ball-seal 176 is in the present embodiment not a part of the coupling housing 192, but part of the beverage container 168. The ball-seal 176 is received in the base part 186. The discharge valve 72 is operable between three possible positions, which constitute a first position, and opposite second position and an intermediate position. As will be described in greater detail below, the intermediate position constitutes the beverage dispensing position whereas the first and second positions constitute the rinsing position and the closed position, respectively.
[0085] The ball-seal 176 is located in the base part 186 in a defined space between an inlet constriction 178 and an outlet constriction 180. The inlet constriction 178 and the outlet constriction 180 both include an opening or aperture for allowing beverage to flow from the beverage container 168 via the inlet and outlet constrictions 178, 180 and further through the coupling housing 192 towards a beverage outlet 182. Both the inlet constriction 178 and the outlet constriction 180 constitute valve seats, which the ball-seal 176 may seal against. The ball-seal 176 will either establish a seal against the inlet constriction 178 or the outlet constriction 180, or remain in the intermediate position, shown in Fig. 16, which constitutes the beverage dispensing position. The coupling housing 192 accommodates the rod 174 and fits to the base part 186. The coupling housing 192 is fixated to the floor such that when the pressure chamber 10 and the beverage container 168 are swung or pivoted into the horizontal orientation, the coupling housing 192 including the rod 174 remains with the bottom wall, and the discharge valve 72 including the ball-seal 176 remains with the beverage container 168. The rod 174 and the coupling housing 192 may thus be made of rigid and non-disposable materials such as metal.
[0086] When the pressure chamber is in the vertical orientation a fitting 198 seals between the base part 186 and the coupling housing 192. The fitting 198 is shifted downwards to allow the pressure chamber 10 to swing into the horizontal orientation.
[0087] When the rod 174 is in the beverage dispensing position, i.e. in the active or intermediate position as shown in Fig. 16, beverage may flow from the beverage container 168 past the ball-seal 176 and through the beverage outlet 182. The beverage outlet 182 is in fluid communication with the tapping line.
[0088] Initially, when a new sealed beverage container 168 is installed, the base part 186 is sealed off by a laminate sealing at the outlet constriction 180. The laminate sealing is broken by the rod 174 when installing the beverage container 168. This allows beverage to be dispensed from the beverage container 168.
[0089] When the coupling housing 192, and thereby also the rod 174, is separated from the beverage container 168, the beverage, indicated by a shading in the figure, will exert a force on the ball-seal 176 pushing the ball-seal 176 against the outlet constriction 180 defining the closed position, i.e. the second passive position, thereby sealing off the beverage container 168.
[0090] In Fig. 16 the ball-seal 176 is positioned between the inlet constriction 178 and the outlet constriction 180, allowing beverage to flow from the beverage container 168 past the ball-seal 176 and further through the beverage outlet 182 to the tapping line.
[0091] The beverage container 168 is fitted with the base part 186, wherein the top part of the discharge valve 72 is received. The ball-seal 176, the inlet constriction 178 and the outlet constriction 180 are components of the base part 186.
[0092] From the beverage dispensing position shown in Fig. 16, the rod 174 may be shifted towards the beverage container 168 or towards the beverage outlet 182 and tapping line 68. A spring 184 presses the rod 174 in the direction away from the beverage container 168 into the closed position. The discharge valve 72 is preferably used together with the safety system described in Figs. 10-15. The pressure chamber may be pressurized only when beverage dispensing is allowed, i.e. when a beverage keg 168 has been installed and the pressure chamber has been swung into vertical orientation. Consequently, the pressure inside the pressure chamber may be used for applying an intermediate force onto the spring 184, holding the rod 174 in the beverage dispensing position shown in Fig. 16. By adding the force applied from the safety system, the rod 174 moves towards the beverage container 168 into the rinsing position further described in Fig. 17.
[0093] Fig. 17 is a schematic cut-through, close-up view of the same assembly shown in Fig. 16, with the discharge valve 72 slightly rotated around the vertical axis for disclosing a rinsing fluid inlet 190 and a rinsing fluid supply 128, which is not shown in Fig. 16, and the rod 174 in the rinsing position instead of the beverage dispensing position shown in Fig. 16. It is shown that the rinsing fluid inlet 190 is located at the coupling housing 192. The rinsing fluid inlet 190 is used for performing rinsing of the discharge valve 72 and the tapping line. A rinsing fluid may be introduced via the rinsing fluid inlet 190 and rinses the space within the discharge valve 72.
[0094] When the rod 174 is in the rinsing position, the ball-seal 176 is pushed into contact with the inlet constriction 178 so that a sealing effect is created securing that rinsing fluid does not enter the inside of the beverage container 168, which would contaminate the beverage stored in the beverage container 168.
[0095] When the rod 174 is in the rinsing position, i.e. in the first position as shown in Fig. 17, the ball-seal 176 and the inlet constriction 178 establish a seal preventing rinsing fluid from entering the beverage container 168, however, allowing the rinsing fluid to flush and rinse the discharge valve 72 and the tapping line. By opening the beverage tap when the rod 174 is in the rinsing position, rinsing fluid will flow out of the beverage tap and flush and rinse the discharge valve 72 as well as the tapping line and beverage tap (not shown).
[0096] The coupling housing 192 interconnects the outlet constriction 180 of the discharge valve 72 and the beverage outlet 182. The rinsing fluid inlet 190 is attached to the coupling housing 192 as well, but in a position below a rinsing valve seat 196. When the rod 174 is in the rinsing position, a corresponding rinsing valve element 194 allows fluid communication between the rinsing fluid inlet 190 and the coupling housing 192. When the rod is moved away from the rinsing position to the dispensing position or the closed position, the rinsing valve element 194 contacts the rinsing valve seat 196 and prevents fluid communication between the coupling housing 192 and the rinsing fluid inlet 190. This is to prevent beverage and rinsing fluid from mixing when the rod 174 is in the dispensing position.
[0097] After the cleaning fluid, flushing fluid, i.e. tap water, is introduced through the rinsing fluid inlet 190 to flush the discharge valve 72 and the tapping line so that residual cleaning fluid is not dispensed with the beverage in the first beverage dispensing operation after rinsing.
[0098] Fig. 18 shows an alternative embodiment of the centralized rinsing system 110'. By providing a separate cleaning and flushing unit 118, pressure fluid may be selectively provided to one of the control valves 124, 124'. In the presently shown embodiment, pressure fluid is supplied only to the control valve 124' belonging to the second pressure chamber 10'. A switch may be used for this purpose. Since both pressure chambers 10, 10' are pressurized, the discharge valve 72 belonging to the first pressure chamber 10 will assume the beverage dispensing position, and the discharge valve 72' of the second pressure chamber 10' will assume the rinsing mode. Thus, cleaning and flushing fluid may be supplied to the discharge valves 72, 72' of both pressure chambers 10, 10'. However, since only the discharge valve 72' of the second pressure chamber 10' is in the rinsing position, it will allow cleaning and flushing fluid to propagate through the second rinsing fluid supply 130 and tapping line 68' of the second pressure chamber 10', and rinsing and flushing fluid will be prevented from entering the tapping line 68 belonging to the first pressure chamber 10. It should be noted that beverage and cleaning fluid may be dispensed simultaneously in the present embodiment and thus the present embodiment does not fulfil the highest level of safety since beverage and rinsing fluid may be accidentally mixed up by a careless operator. The present embodiment does, however, bring slightly more flexibility to the rinsing operation and at the same time provides some basic safety requirements such as preventing the rinsing operation when the pressure chamber is opened and not pressurized.
List of features with reference to the figures:
[0099]
| 10. Pressure chamber | 72. Discharge valve |
| 12. Grip | 74. Pressure fluid pipeline |
| 14. Lid | 76. Pressure fluid inlet |
| 20. External cleaning and flushing unit | 110. Centralized rinsing system |
| 24. Rinsing fluid outlet | 112. Air compressor |
| 25. Rinsing line | 114. Housing |
| 27. Rinsing connector | 116. Local rinsing system |
| 28. Pressure fluid connector | 118. Centralized cleaning / flushing unit |
| 29. Pressure fluid pipe | 120. Primary safety valve |
| 36. Flushing fluid cartridge | 122. Secondary safety valve |
| 38. Flushing fluid outlet | 124. Control valve |
| 40. Cartridge interconnection | 128. First rinsing fluid supply |
| 42. Flushing fluid inlet | 130. Second rinsing fluid supply |
| 43. Check valve | 132. Rinsing cartridge |
| 44. Pressure fluid inlet | 136. First pressure tube |
| 46. Cleaning fluid cartridge | 138. Second pressure tube |
| 50. Float valve | 140. Third pressure tube |
| 51. Valve recess | 142. Fourth pressure tube |
| 52. Float valve support | 168. Beverage container |
| 53. Inner piston | 174. Rod |
| 54. Opening | 176. Ball-seal |
| 55. Outer piston | 178. Inlet constriction |
| 56. Flushing fluid cap | 180. Outlet constriction |
| 57. Flushing fluid valve | 182. Beverage outlet |
| 58. Cleaning fluid cap | 184. Spring |
| 59. Cleaning tablet | 186. Base part |
| 60. Connector (piercing element) | 190. Rinsing fluid inlet |
| 65. Valve | 192. Coupling housing |
| 66. Base part | 194. Rinsing valve element |
| 68. Tapping line | 196. Rinsing valve seat |
| 70. Beverage outlet | 198. Fitting |
1. A method of cleaning and flushing a beverage dispensing system, comprising providing:
a sealable pressure chamber containing a beverage,
a sealable multi-chambered cartridge located outside said pressure chamber comprising a first cartridge containing a cleaning fluid and a second cartridge containing a flushing fluid,
a fluid pressure source connected to said pressure chamber and to said multi-chambered cartridge for pressurizing said pressure chamber and said multi-chambered cartridge by the use of a pressure fluid,
a tapping device for dispensing said beverage, said cleaning fluid and said flushing fluid,
a tapping line for delivering said beverage, said cleaning fluid and said flushing fluid to said tapping device,
a discharge valve connected to said multi-chambered cartridge, said pressure chamber and said tapping line, said discharge valve having a beverage dispensing position, a rinsing position and a closed position, said beverage dispensing position allowing said beverage to be dispensed from said tapping device when said pressure chamber is pressurized while preventing said cleaning and flushing fluids from being dispensed from said tapping device, said rinsing position allowing said cleaning and flushing fluids to be dispensed from said tapping device when said multi-chambered cartridge is pressurized while preventing said beverage from being dispensed from said tapping device, and said closed position preventing any of said beverage, cleaning fluid or flushing fluid from being dispensed from said tapping device,
the method further comprising positioning said discharge valve in said rinsing position and dispensing said cleaning fluid from said tapping device, and causing said cleaning fluid to flow from said first cartridge past said discharge valve through said tapping line and being dispensed from said tapping device, and sequentially dispensing said flushing fluid from said tapping device, and causing said flushing fluid to flow from said second cartridge past said discharge valve through said tapping line and being dispensed from said tapping device.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said multi-chambered cartridge defines a
fluid inlet for connecting said fluid pressure source to said second cartridge for
enabling said pressure fluid to flow from said fluid pressure source to said second
cartridge, and further providing:
a cartridge connection connecting said first and second cartridges and enabling said cleaning fluid and said pressure fluid to flow from said second cartridge to said first cartridge, and
a fluid outlet for providing fluid communication between said first cartridge and said discharge valve.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said multi-chambered cartridge defines an
emptying position for dispensing said cleaning and flushing fluids, in which emptying
position said first cartridge defines a first upper and a first lower end, and said
second cartridge defines a second upper and a second lower end, said fluid inlet being
located at said second upper end of said second cartridge, said cartridge connection
providing fluid communication between said second lower end of said second cartridge
and said first upper end of said first cartridge, and said fluid outlet being connected
to said first lower end of said first cartridge.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein said fluid pressure source generates pressurized
gas when pressurizing said multi-chambered cartridge, said first cartridge of said
multi-chambered cartridge further comprising a float valve located at said first lower
end of said first cartridge and preventing said pressurized gas from entering said
tapping line after emptying said cleaning and flushing fluids from said multi-chambered
cartridge.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first cartridge defines a first volume
and a first direction, along which the cross-section of said first volume is substantially
constant, said multi-chambered cartridge further comprising a first piston sealing
against said multi-chambered cartridge and dividing said cleaning fluid from said
pressure fluid, said first piston allowing said pressure fluid in said multi-chambered
cartridge to act on said cleaning fluid in said first cartridge, and further providing
a connector connected to said first cartridge for providing fluid communication with
said discharge valve, a flushing fluid valve connected to said first and second cartridges
and having a cleaning position and a flushing position, said flushing fluid valve
being in its cleaning position when dispensing said cleaning fluid and said first
piston moves along said first direction, and said first piston changing said flushing
fluid valve at the completion of the emptying of said cleaning fluid from its cleaning
to its flushing position for allowing said flushing fluid to be dispensed through
said flushing fluid valve and said connector.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said second cartridge defines a second volume
and a second direction, along which the cross-section of said second volume is substantially
constant, said multi-chambered cartridge further comprising a second piston sealing
against said second cartridge and dividing said flushing fluid from said multi-chambered
cartridge, said second piston allowing said pressure fluid in said multi-chambered
cartridge to act on said flushing fluid, and said second piston moving along said
first direction when dispensing said flushing fluid.
7. The method according to claim 5, wherein said multi-chambered cartridge further comprises
a fluid inlet coupled to said second cartridge, enabling a fluid to flow from said
multi-chambered cartridge to said first cartridge and allowing a pressure fluid in
said multi-chambered cartridge to act on said flushing fluid.
8. The method according to claim 2, wherein said first cartridge is collapsible and further
comprises a piercing element for creating an opening in said first cartridge at the
completion of the emptying of said cleaning fluid, thereby enabling the subsequent
dispensing of said flushing fluid through said fluid outlet.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said multi-chambered cartridge defines an
emptying position for dispensing said cleaning and flushing fluids, and prior to the
dispensing of said cleaning fluid the volume of said cleaning fluid defines a first
centre of gravity, the volume of said flushing fluid defines a second centre of gravity,
and when said multi-chambered cartridge is in said emptying position, said first centre
of gravity is located below said second centre of gravity.
10. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said cleaning fluid is
provided in the form of a solid cleaning tablet which is dissolved in flushing fluid
either prior to or during dispensing of said cleaning fluid.
11. A cleaning and flushing system for a beverage dispensing system comprising:
a sealable pressure chamber containing a beverage,
a sealable multi-chambered cartridge located outside said pressure chamber comprising a first cartridge containing a first and a second cartridge containing a flushing fluid,
a fluid pressure source connected to said pressure chamber and to said multi-chambered cartridge for pressurizing said pressure chamber and said multi-chambered cartridge by the use of a pressure fluid,
a tapping device for dispensing said beverage, said cleaning fluid and said flushing fluid,
a tapping line for delivering said beverage, said cleaning fluid and said flushing fluid to said tapping device,
a discharge valve connected to said multi-chambered cartridge, said pressure chamber and said tapping line, said discharge valve having a beverage dispensing position, a rinsing position and a closed position, said beverage dispensing position allowing said beverage to be dispensed from said tapping device when said pressure chamber is pressurized while preventing said cleaning and flushing fluids from being dispensed from said tapping device, said rinsing position allowing said cleaning and flushing fluids to be dispensed from said tapping device when said multi-chambered cartridge is pressurized while preventing said beverage from being dispensed from said tapping device, and said closed position preventing any of said beverage, cleaning fluid or flushing fluid from being dispensed from said tapping device.
12. A method of filling a cleaning and flushing system for a beverage dispensing system,
comprising providing:
a sealable pressure chamber containing a beverage,
a sealable multi-chambered cartridge located outside said pressure chamber comprising a first cartridge containing a first and a second cartridge containing a flushing fluid,
a fluid pressure source connected to said pressure chamber and to said multi-chambered cartridge for pressurizing said pressure chamber and said multi-chambered cartridge by the use of a pressure fluid,
a tapping device for dispensing said beverage, said cleaning fluid and said flushing fluid,
a tapping line for delivering said beverage, said cleaning fluid and said flushing fluid to said tapping device,
a discharge valve connected to said multi-chambered cartridge, said pressure chamber and said tapping line, said discharge valve having a beverage dispensing position, a rinsing position and a closed position, said beverage dispensing position allowing said beverage to be dispensed from said tapping device when said pressure chamber is pressurized while preventing said cleaning and flushing fluids from being dispensed from said tapping device, said rinsing position allowing said cleaning and flushing fluids to be dispensed from said tapping device when said multi-chambered cartridge is pressurized while preventing said beverage from being dispensed from said tapping device, and said closed position preventing any of said beverage, cleaning fluid or flushing fluid from being dispensed from said tapping device,
the method further comprising positioning said multi-chambered cartridge in a substantially upright position and positioning said discharge valve in said closed position, filling a specific amount of said cleaning fluid into said first cartridge and filling a specific amount of said flushing fluid into said second cartridge, or alternatively filling a specific amount of said flushing fluid into said second cartridge and said first cartridge and sequentially dissolving a cleaning tablet in said flushing fluid contained in said first cartridge.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description