METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CLEANING BEVERAGE LINES OF A DISPENSING SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for cleaning beverage lines of a dispensing system according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a device for carrying out the method according to the preamble of claim 9.

[0002] A method and device of the type mentioned above are known from DE 84 10 075 U1. The device comprises a container for a cleaning fluid and a pump that draws the cleaning fluid from the container and conveys it through at least one beverage line connected to the container to form a closed circuit. The device is provided with a water connection nozzle, a wastewater connection nozzle, and a T-piece arranged in the wastewater line with a connecting line leading to the container, each of which contains a solenoid valve.

[0003] To achieve a mechanical cleaning effect without the use of rubber sponges, a gas connection piece is provided in the pump's pressure line. By supplying gas, particularly air, via the connection piece located in the pump's pressure line, the constant flow of cleaning fluid is interrupted, resulting in separate volumes of fluid separated by gas bubbles in the pressure line. These fluid volumes, pushed through the beverage lines at a distance from one another, are intended to exert a mechanical cleaning effect through the successive impact effects, which intensifies the chemical action of the cleaning fluid and increases the overall cleaning performance.

[0004] In particular, it is proposed that the gas connection piece be connected to a nozzle system arranged in the pressure line. This nozzle system is intended to create a negative pressure in the pressure line, through which the gas, in particular air, is automatically drawn in.

[0005] The known device requires a closed circuit, which entails increased cabling costs. It also requires an electric pump motor and an electric control system, which increases maintenance costs.

[0006] Based on this, the present invention is based on the object of developing a method and a device of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that effective cleaning of the beverage lines is possible with a simple design.

[0007] The object is achieved according to the invention, inter alia, by a method having the features of claim 1 in that the air or the gas is introduced into the cleaning liquid in a permanently pulsating manner by means of an oscillating injector, without interrupting the flow of the cleaning liquid through the air or the gas.

[0008] Preferably, the cleaning fluid is swirled by the constantly pulsating air or gas. A further effect is that the constantly pulsating air or gas imposes a constantly fluctuating flow velocity on the cleaning fluid. In other words, a pulsating swirl of the cleaning fluid is achieved.

[0009] According to the invention, air or a gas, in particular CO2, is supplied to the cleaning fluid by means of an oscillating injector, such as an oscillating valve or a diaphragm air pump, in such a way that the cleaning fluid is swirled. Furthermore, the introduction of the air or gas via the diaphragm air pump or the oscillating valve also changes the flow rate of the cleaning agent in the beverage line. This oscillating swirling creates a particularly effective cleaning effect.

[0010] In other words, the oscillation according to the invention mixes the cleaning fluid with air or gas, whereby the flow of the cleaning agent is not interrupted by the air or gas. Rather, the introduction of the air or gas swirls the fluid in the beverage line, changing the flow velocity without creating gaps of air bubbles in the flow. According to the invention, the cleaning fluid is enriched with gas bubbles, so that a mixture of cleaning fluid and gas bubbles swirls through the beverage line, thereby achieving the cleaning effect.

[0011] A particularly preferred method is characterized in that the gas is introduced into the cleaning liquid by means of an oscillating valve.

[0012] Alternatively, it is possible to introduce the air into the cleaning fluid in a permanently pulsating manner using a diaphragm air pump.

[0013] According to the invention, the oscillating valve or diaphragm air pump is set into oscillation by flowing gas, thereby introducing the gas or air into the cleaning fluid in pulses. Active devices such as electrically driven pumps are not required.

[0014] It is intended that the cleaning fluid and the permanently pulsating gas are each fed to an inlet of a valve, with the swirling and pulsating cleaning fluid flowing out of an outlet of the valve.

[0015] Furthermore, the cleaning fluid is produced using a mechanical dosing pump, in which a cleaning agent concentrate is sucked into a water stream. This dosing pump, operated purely mechanically, requires no electrical power.

[0016] Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for cleaning at least one beverage line, a dispensing system with a cleaning liquid, comprising at least one adapter for connecting the at least one beverage line to be cleaned, a reservoir for the cleaning liquid, which can be connected via a line to the adapter for flushing the beverage line with the cleaning liquid, wherein a connection for gas or air is arranged in the course of the line between the reservoir and the adapter, wherein the gas, in particular CO2, or the air can be introduced into the cleaning liquid via the connection.

[0017] According to the invention, the connection is connected to an oscillating injector by means of which the gas or air can be introduced into the cleaning liquid in a permanently pulsating manner without interrupting the flow of the cleaning liquid through the air or gas.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the oscillating injector is an oscillating valve which is controlled by an oscillator valve.

[0019] Particularly preferred is an embodiment wherein the connection to which the oscillating valve is connected is a first inlet of a valve, wherein a second inlet of the valve is connected to the reservoir and wherein an outlet of the valve is connected to the at least one adapter.

[0020] Consequently, the gas and the cleaning fluid are swirled together in the oscillating valve.

[0021] Alternatively, the oscillating injector can also be designed as a diaphragm air pump, which can be driven by a gas flow. The diaphragm air pump has an inlet for the gas flow and an inlet or intake port for ambient air. An outlet of the diaphragm air pump is connected via a line to the connection, where the air is continuously pulsating and swirling with the cleaning fluid.

[0022] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the reservoir is a metering pump, in particular a reciprocating piston pump, which operates purely mechanically.

[0023] The oscillating valve or diaphragm air pump can be connected to the gas or compressed air reservoir via a shut-off valve and, if necessary, a pressure reducing valve.

[0024] Further details, advantages and features of the invention emerge not only from the claims and the features derived therefrom - individually and / or in combination - but also from the following description of preferred embodiments.

[0025] They show: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a device for cleaning beverage lines of a dispensing system and Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a device for cleaning beverage lines of a dispensing system.

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a device 10 for cleaning a beverage line 12 including tap 14 of a dispensing system 16. For connecting the beverage line 12, the device has one or more cleaning adapters 18, which are connected via a line 20 to an outlet 22 of a valve 24, such as a 3 / 2-way valve.

[0027] To create a water circuit, a first inlet 26 of the 3 / 2-way valve 24 is connected via a line 28 to an outlet 30 of a dosing pump 32. The dosing pump 32 is designed as a mechanical dosing pump, such as a reciprocating piston pump, which has a reservoir 34 for a cleaning agent concentrate or is coupled to such a reservoir. The dosing pump 32 is actuated by flowing water, whereby cleaning agent concentrate is sucked in and the water is enriched with an adjustable cleaning agent concentration as it flows through. An inlet 36 of the dosing pump 32 is connected via a line 38 to a first outlet 40 of a second valve 42, such as a 3 / 2-way valve. An inlet 44 of the second valve 42 can be connected to a water connection 48 via a pressure reducer 46.

[0028] A second output 50 of the second valve 42 is coupled to the line 20 via a line 52.

[0029] To form a gas circuit, a further inlet 54 of the first valve 24 is connected via a line 56, possibly with the interposition of a shut-off valve 58 and a pressure reducer 60, to a compressed air connection 62 which can be connected to a compressed air source, such as a compressor (not shown), or to a compressed air bottle (not shown).

[0030] Furthermore, a third valve 64 in the form of a 5 / 3-way valve 64 is provided, the inputs 66, 68 of which are connected to the compressed air connection 62 via the compressed air line 56.

[0031] The 5 / 3-way valve 64 comprises two valve units 64.1 and 64.2, which are connected as an oscillator valve. An output 70 of valve unit 64.2 is connected via a line 72 to a control input 74 of the 3 / 2-way valve 24. Another output 76 of valve unit 64.2 is connected via a line 78 to a second control input 80 of the 3 / 2-way valve.

[0032] An output 82 of valve 64.1 is connected via a line 84 to a control input 86 of valve unit 64.2. Furthermore, an output 88 of valve 64.1 is coupled via a line 90 to a control input 92 of valve 64.2. Finally, the output 70 of valve unit 64.2 is connected via a line 94 to a control input 96 of valve unit 64.1, thereby controlling the oscillation of the 5 / 3-way valve.

[0033] The function of the device 10 according to the invention is described below.

[0034] The beverage line 12 is disconnected from a beverage reservoir, such as a tank (not shown), and connected to the cleaning adapter 18.

[0035] Subsequently, the 3 / 2-way valve 42 is adjusted such that the water connection 48 is connected to the line 20 via the supply line 52. In this position, the beverage line 12 is rinsed with water, with water flowing via the line 52 and the cleaning adapter 18 into the beverage line 12 to be cleaned.

[0036] Then, the tap 14 connected to the beverage line 12 on the dispensing system 16 must be opened so that the beverages in the beverage line 12 can be rinsed with water.

[0037] The 3 / 2-way valve 42 is then adjusted so that the water connection 48 is connected to the dosing pump 32 via line 38. The water flowing through the dosing pump 32 is enriched with a set cleaning agent concentration from the reservoir 34. The resulting cleaning fluid is fed via line 28, the 3 / 2-way valve 24, line 20, and the cleaning adapter 18 into the beverage line 12 to be cleaned.

[0038] The tap 14 on the dispensing system 16 remains open until the cleaning fluid flows out. A color indicator in the cleaning agent concentrate will initially cause the cleaning fluid to appear a color, such as deep green, indicating that the level of contamination is low.

[0039] Once the beverage line 12 is filled with the cleaning fluid, a contact time of at least 30 minutes must be observed. After this contact time, the shut-off valve 58 for the compressed air or CO2 gas is opened, so that the compressed air or CO2 gas is applied to the inlets 66, 68 of the valve units 64.1, 64.2 of the oscillator valve 64.

[0040] The gas present at the inlet 68 of the valve unit 64.2 is fed via the outlet 70 and via line 72 to the control inlet 74 of the 3 / 2-way valve 24, so that the 3 / 2-way valve switches to a first state. At the same time, the gas reaches the control inlet 68 of the valve unit 64.2 via the inlet 66 of the valve unit 64.1 and the line 84, so that the valve unit is actuated. Via the outlet 70 and the lines 72 and 94, gas reaches the control inlet 96 of the valve unit 64.1, so that the valve unit is switched, whereby gas pressure is applied to the outlet 88 of the valve unit 64.1 and is fed via line 90 to the control inlet 92 of the valve unit 64.2. Consequently, the valve unit 64.2 is switched back to its basic position and the gas pressure in the 3 / 2-way valve is switched.

[0041] The air or gas flow is fed to the oscillating 3 / 2-way valve 24 via inlet 54, and the cleaning fluid is fed via inlet 26. The gas is continuously introduced into the cleaning fluid in a pulsating manner, without interrupting the flow of cleaning fluid. In other words, the cleaning fluid is swirled by the pulsating air or gas flow. Furthermore, pulses or shocks are continuously imposed on the cleaning fluid flow, causing continuous velocity changes.

[0042] The swirled cleaning fluid is directed at a constantly fluctuating flow rate via line 20 and cleaning adapter 18 into the beverage line 12 to be cleaned. The oscillating swirling according to the invention and the change in speed result in a particularly effective cleaning effect. This allows even stubborn deposits to be loosened and rinsed out. Due to the finest swirling, deposits trapped even in the smallest cracks and crevices can be loosened.

[0043] The beverage line 12 is flushed with the pulsating cleaning fluid until the cleaning fluid changes color, e.g., pink, due to the color indicator. The tap 14 is closed, allowing the cleaning fluid to take effect for approximately five minutes.

[0044] If the cleaning fluid no longer changes color, you can begin rinsing. However, if the color indicator turns green, repeat the process until the cleaning fluid remains the same color, e.g., pink.

[0045] For rinsing, the 3 / 2-way valve 42 must be set back to water flushing so that the beverage line 12 can be rinsed with water until an indicator stick ensures that the rinse water is free of cleaning agents.

[0046] After cleaning, the beverage line 12 is removed from the cleaning adapter 18 and both the connections of the beverage line 12 and the cleaning adapter 18 are disinfected by spray disinfection.

[0047] Finally, the beverage line 12 is connected to the connection of the beverage container and the tap 14 is opened until a pure beverage flows out of the tap 14 again.

[0048] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a device 98 for cleaning a beverage line 100 including tap 102 of a dispensing system 104. The device 98 comprises at least one cleaning adapter 106, to which the at least one beverage line 100 of the dispensing system 104 can be connected.

[0049] The at least one cleaning adapter 106 is connected via a line 108 to an output 109 of a connection 110. An inlet 111 of the connection 110 is connected to an output 112 of a diaphragm air pump 114. The diaphragm air pump 114 is operated with gas and has an inlet 116 for gas and an intake opening 117 for air intake.

[0050] Another inlet 118 of connection 110 is connected via a line 120 to a first outlet 122 of a valve 124, such as a 3 / 2-way valve, whose inlet 126 is connected via a line 128 to a water connection 130. A second outlet 132 of the 3 / 2-way valve 124 is connected via a line 134 to an inlet 136 of a metering pump 138, which is connected to an outlet 140 via a line 142 to an inlet 143 of connection 110. The metering pump 138 is designed as a mechanical metering pump with a reservoir 144 for a cleaning agent concentrate or is connected to such a reservoir.

[0051] The inlet 116 of the diaphragm air pump 114 is connected via a line 146 to an outlet 148 of a shut-off valve 150. An inlet 152 of the shut-off valve 150 is connected via a line 154 to the outlet 156 of a pressure reducing valve 158, whose inlet 160 is connected to a gas or compressed air connection 162. The gas or compressed air connection 162 is connectable to a gas or compressed air source (not shown).

[0052] The function of device 98 is described below.

[0053] The beverage line 100 to be cleaned is disconnected from a beverage container (not shown) and connected to the cleaning adapter 106. The 3 / 2-way valve 124 is then set to water flush, which means that the water connection 130 is connected to the inlet 118 of the connection 110 via the line 120.

[0054] Water flows through the outlet 109 of the connection 110 to the cleaning adapter 106 and thus into the beverage line 100 to be cleaned, so that it can be rinsed out when the tap 102 is open. When the tap 102 is open, the beverage in the line can be rinsed out with water.

[0055] The 3 / 2-way valve 124 is then switched so that the water connection 130 is connected via line 134 to the inlet 136 of the dosing pump 138. The water flowing through the dosing pump 138 is enriched with a set cleaning agent concentration in the dosing pump. The resulting cleaning fluid flows via line 142 to the inlet 143 of connection 110 and via the outlet 109 and line 108 to the cleaning adapter 106, finally flowing into the beverage line 100 to be cleaned.

[0056] The tap 102 on the dispensing system must now be opened until the cleaning fluid flows out. A color indicator in the cleaning concentrate initially indicates that the escaping cleaning fluid appears a deep green, which indicates, for example, that only a small amount of contamination is present.

[0057] Once the beverage line 100 to be cleaned is filled with cleaning fluid, a contact time of approximately 30 minutes must be observed. After the contact time, the compressed air supply can be opened via the shut-off valve 150. The compressed air is introduced, as it were, blown into the diaphragm air pump 114 via line 146 and connection 116, with the result that the diaphragm air pump 114 is started up. Since the cleaning fluid is present at the further inlet 143 of connection 110, it is swirled with air that is sucked in via the intake opening 117. Consequently, a cleaning fluid swirled with the sucked-in air and exhibiting a constantly fluctuating flow rate will emerge at the outlet 109 of connection 110. The introduction of the pulsating air via the diaphragm air pump 114 also creates a pulsating change in the flow rate in the system.This oscillating swirl creates a particularly effective cleaning effect.

[0058] With the tap 102 open, the beverage line 100 is flushed with pulsating cleaning fluid until the cleaning fluid's color indicator turns pink. The cleaning fluid must then be allowed to work for approximately five minutes. If the cleaning fluid does not change color, i.e., if the cleaning fluid remains pink, rinsing can begin. However, if the cleaning fluid turns green, the process must be repeated until the cleaning fluid remains pink.

[0059] For rinsing, the 3 / 2-way valve 124 is set back to water flush and the beverage line 84 to be cleaned is rinsed with water until it is ensured that it is free of cleaning agent using an indicator stick.

[0060] Subsequently, the beverage line 100 is separated from the cleaning adapter 106 and both the connections of the beverage line 100 and the cleaning adapter 106 are disinfected by means of spray disinfection.

[0061] Finally, the beverage line 100 is reconnected to the connection of the beverage container and the tap 102 is opened until pure beverage flows out of the tap 102 again.

Claims

1. A method for cleaning at least one beverage conduit (12, 100) of a dispenser (16, 104) by means of a cleaning fluid, wherein air and / or a gas, in particular CO2, is introduced into the flow of the cleaning fluid, and the cleaning fluid is then passed through the at least one beverage conduit (12, 100), characterized in that the air or the gas is introduced into the cleaning fluid in a permanently pulsating manner by means of an oscillating injector, without interruption of the flow of the cleaning fluid by the air or the gas.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the cleaning fluid is swirled around by the permanently pulsating air and / or the permanently pulsating gas.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a permanently fluctuating flow velocity is imposed on the cleaning fluid by the permanently pulsating air and / or by the permanently pulsating gas.

4. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas is introduced into the cleaning fluid in a permanently pulsating manner by means of an oscillating valve (24).

5. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air is introduced into the cleaning fluid in a permanently pulsating manner by means of a diaphragm air pump (114).

6. The method according to at least one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the oscillating valve (24) or the oscillating diaphragm air pump (114) is caused to vibrate by the flowing gas, whereby the air and / or the gas is introduced into the cleaning fluid in a pulsed manner.

7. The method according to at least one of claims 4 or 6, characterized in that the cleaning fluid and the gas each are supplied to an inlet (26, 54) of the oscillating valve (24), wherein the swirling and pulsating cleaning fluid flows out at an outlet (22) of the oscillating valve (24).

8. The method according to at least one of claims 4, 6 or 7, characterized in that the oscillating valve (24) is caused to oscillate by means of a valve arrangement (64.1, 64.2) connected as an oscillator valve, wherein the valve arrangement (64.1, 64.2) is operated with gas.

9. A device (10, 98) for cleaning at least one beverage conduit (12, 100) of a dispenser (16, 104) with a cleaning fluid, comprising at least one adapter (18, 106) for connection of the at least one beverage conduit (12, 100) to be cleaned, a reservoir (34, 144) for the cleaning fluid which is connectable to the adapter (18, 106) via a conduit (28, 122) for flushing of the beverage conduit (12, 100) with the cleaning fluid, wherein a connection (54, 110) for gas or air is arranged in the course of the conduit (28, 142) between the reservoir (34, 144) and the adapter (18, 106), wherein the gas, in particular CO2, or the air is introducible into the cleaning fluid via the connection (54, 110), characterized in that the connection (54, 110) is connected to an oscillating injector (24, 114) by means of which the gas or the air is introducible into the cleaning fluid in a permanently pulsating manner, without interruption of the flow of the cleaning fluid by the air or the gas.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the oscillating injector (24) is a valve which is controlled by means of an oscillator valve (64.1, 64.2).

11. The device according to claim 9, characterized in< / b> that the oscillating injector (114) is a diaphragm air pump driven by means of the gas flow.

12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the connection (110) is arranged between the outlet (112) of the diaphragm air pump (114) and the adapter (106) in the course of the conduit (108).

13. The device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection (54) is a first inlet of a valve (24), wherein a second inlet (26) of the valve is connected to a metering pump (32) of the reservoir (34) and wherein an outlet (22) of the valve (24) is connected to the at least one adapter (18).

14. The device according to claim 13, characterized in< / b> that the metering pump (32, 144) is a reciprocating pump.

15. The device according to at least one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the oscillating valve (24) or the oscillating diaphragm air pump (114) is connected to the gas reservoir or compressed air reservoir via a shut-off valve (58, 150) and where necessary via a pressure reducing valve (60, 160).