Automatic stationary cleaning unit, system, method and use thereof comprising such a stationary cleaning unit

Abstract

An automatic stationary cleaning unit (4; 41) is configured to clean at least one beverage dispensing line (DL) between a take-off station and a dispensing station of a beverage dispensing system. The automatic stationary cleaning unit (4; 41) is a keg coupler, a cleaning coupler, and / or a coupling unit consisting of the keg coupler and the cleaning coupler, and is provided with a coupling unit (3) attached or attachable to any one of a keg (1) containing a beverage (15), a compressible beverage container, or both the keg (1) and the compressible beverage container. The keg coupler, the cleaning coupler, and / or the coupling unit (3) consisting of the keg coupler and the cleaning coupler has at least one coupler inlet (24a; 24b) and at least one coupler outlet (28). The automatic stationary cleaning unit (4; 41) includes a control valve (20) having an outlet port (23) arranged to provide fluid communication with at least one coupler inlet (24a; 24b), a first inlet port (19) arranged to provide fluid communication with a source of ozone water (18), and optionally a second inlet port (22) arranged to provide fluid communication with a source of pressurized gas (21).

Description

Summary of the Invention

[0001] The present invention is a type of automatic stationary cleaning unit configured to clean at least one beverage dispensing line between a take-off station and a dispensing station of a beverage dispensing system, the automatic stationary cleaning unit being a keg coupler, a cleaning coupler, and / or a coupling unit consisting of the keg coupler and the cleaning coupler, and being attached or attachable to any one of a keg containing a beverage, a compressible beverage container, or both a keg and a compressible beverage container, and the keg coupler, the cleaning coupler, and / or the coupling unit consisting of the keg coupler and the cleaning coupler having at least one coupler inlet and at least one coupler outlet, and relates to an automatic stationary cleaning unit.

[0002] In some embodiments, the present invention is a type of automatic stationary cleaning unit comprising a keg coupler attached to a keg containing a beverage and configured to clean at least a beverage dispensing line connected to the keg coupler, the keg coupler having at least one coupler inlet and at least one coupler outlet, and relates to an automatic stationary cleaning unit.

[0003] In particular, the present invention relates to an automatic stationary cleaning unit for cleaning a dispensing line of a draft beer system comprising a plurality of take-off receptacles in the form of beer kegs and a dispensing station comprising a plurality of faucets arranged in a dispensing tower.

[0004] Bacteria can sometimes spoil unpasteurized keg beer or other types of beverages. Therefore, in order to maintain a good draft beer system, it is important to regularly clean its components. Conventionally, this has meant disassembling and reassembling the keg coupler and cleaning system on the keg several times at regular intervals, during which dispensing stops. However, the intervals at which the containers for the beverage and the associated dispensing lines must be cleaned can be influenced by many different factors.

[0005] Commercially available cleaning agents are caustic chemicals that remove organic substances from the inside of draft beer dispensing lines, hardware, and fittings. Removal of this buildup prevents the growth of beer-spoiling bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, and Pectinatus. Common caustic chemicals are sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or a combination of both. Some caustic line cleaning solutions add EDTA or another chelating agent to help remove calcium oxalate (beer stone) from the draft beer dispensing line. Acidic chemicals can also remove inorganic substances such as calcium oxalate and calcium carbonate (limescale) from the inside of draft beer dispensing lines, hardware, and fittings. Acid-based dispensing line cleaners suitable for draft beer dispensing line cleaning contain a solution of phosphoric acid, but do not contain hydrochloric acid, which corrodes stainless steel, and nitric acid, which is not compatible with nylon products. Both caustic and acidic chemicals are used warm at temperatures of about 26 °C and 38 °C and must remain in contact with the draft line, and thus at least the dispensing line and keg coupler, for at least 15 minutes while the chemical solution is being recirculated therebetween and for 20 minutes in the case of static or pressure pot cleaning.

[0006] Draft beer dispensing line cleaning should only be performed by trained personnel. Personal protective equipment, including rubber gloves and eye protection, must be worn at all times when handling such caustic cleaning chemicals. Material safety data sheets must be followed when mixing chemicals to avoid rapid temperature increases and thereby avoid violent and dangerous spattering or ejection of the mixed chemicals.

[0007] Other dispensing line cleaning devices that may be mentioned for cleaning draft beer dispensing lines are electrical or acoustic cleaning devices, but these are not suitable substitutes for chemical line cleaning. Some acoustic cleaning devices may inhibit the growth of bacteria and yeast, but they produce little or no cleaning effect on draft beer tapping hardware and fittings.

[0008] All of the above commercially available systems, methods, and cleaners have many drawbacks.

[0009] Therefore, providing an automatic stationary cleaning unit is a main aspect of the present invention.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an alternative system and method for cleaning and / or disinfecting one or more dispensing lines between a take-off station and a dispensing station.

[0011] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a system and method for cleaning and / or disinfecting one or more dispensing lines between a take-off station and a dispensing station that is environmentally friendly.

[0012] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a system and method for cleaning and / or disinfecting one or more dispensing lines between a take-off station and a dispensing station with minimal human interaction.

[0013] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a system and method for cleaning and / or disinfecting one or more dispensing lines between a take-off station and a dispensing station that reduces staff work.

[0014] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a system and method for cleaning and / or disinfecting one or more dispensing lines between a take-off station and a dispensing station, the system and method reducing the likelihood of human error that can cause unsafe cleaning.

[0015] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a system and method for cleaning and / or disinfecting one or more dispensing lines between a take-off station and a dispensing station, the system and method eliminating or at least substantially reducing human chemical exposure.

[0016] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a system and method for cleaning and / or disinfecting one or more dispensing lines between a take-off station and a dispensing station, the system and method minimizing the time the dispensing line is off.

[0017] A system and method for cleaning and / or disinfecting one or more dispensing lines between a take-off station and a dispensing station, the system and method not including the use of conventional harsh chemicals such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or a combination of both, conventional acidic chemicals such as phosphoric acid, and chelating agents, etc., is another aspect of the present invention.

[0018] A system and method for cleaning and / or disinfecting one or more dispensing lines, wherein the cleaning agent is produced on demand substantially concurrently with its consumption, is another aspect of the present invention.

[0019] A unit and method for cleaning and / or disinfecting one or more dispensing lines between a take-off station and a dispensing station, the unit and method being reliable and repeatable, is another aspect of the present invention.

[0020] A unit and method for cleaning and / or disinfecting one or more draft beer dispensing lines without the need to remove components of the dispensing line of a beverage dispensing system before starting the method, and the use of an automatic stationary cleaning unit, or a system comprising several automatic stationary cleaning units, or a system comprising one automatic stationary cleaning unit for several beverage containers, is another aspect of the present invention.

[0021] A unit and method for cleaning and / or disinfecting production lines for food dispensing lines, drugs, pharmaceuticals, and similar / other dispensable products susceptible to contamination and bacterial growth is another aspect of the present invention.

[0022] Within the context of the present invention, the term "keg" means a container or barrel made of stainless steel, aluminum, plastic or a combination of those materials. Depending on the embodiment of the present invention, the term "keg" hereby means both rigid containers that contain a beverage per se, such as older conventional beer kegs, or compressible beverage containers that function as a pressure chamber, such as the outer containers of, for example, Carlsberg's Bag-in-Keg™ technology and DraughtMaster™ technology, and contain the dispensed beverage.

[0023] Within the context of the present invention, the term "compressible beverage container" means a bag or pouch that is suitable for holding a beverage and is capable of being compressed in response to an external force applied to the wall of the "compressible beverage container" in order to discharge the beverage through an associated dispensing line.

[0024] Within the context of the present invention, the term "keg coupler" or "coupling unit" means a "connector valve" or "combination of connector valves" for connecting a dispensing line to a beverage container, optionally via a keg valve or fitting on said beverage container, for controlling the introduction of gas into the keg and the resulting release of a beverage, such as beer, through the dispensing line to the user. Thus, in one embodiment, the "keg coupler" is a valve means inserted between the dispensing line and the beverage container and configured to allow the beverage to be pushed out of a conventional keg by the introduction of gas into the keg. In another embodiment, the "keg coupler" is inserted between the dispensing line and the beverage container and is configured to allow the beverage to be pushed out of a compressible beverage container within the keg by the accumulated gas pressure in the gap between the compressible beverage container and the keg in which the compressible beverage container is installed therein, whereby the introduction of gas into the keg or into the gap between the compressible beverage container and the keg in which the compressible beverage container is installed therein, and during the dispensing of the beverage, from within the keg or from within the compressible beverage container and into the dispensing line, for controlling the release of a beverage, such as beer, is a valve means.

[0025] Within the context of the present invention, the term "cleaning coupler" means an intermediate "connector valve" that can be combined with or combined to facilitate connection to an automatic stationary cleaning unit and that is compatible with a "keg coupler", "keg valve" and / or "fitting". One cleaning coupler may be universal for all keg couplers and fittings, or the cleaning coupler may be customized to fit the structural design of a particular keg coupler and / or fitting.

[0026] The term "coupling unit" or "coupling unit consisting of a keg coupler and a sanitizing coupler" means that the keg coupler and the sanitizing coupler are one integrated coupling unit having the combined functions of both the keg coupler and the sanitizing coupler, and are configured to be connected or connectable to both a beverage dispensing system and an automatic stationary sanitizing system.

[0027] The keg coupler, the sanitizing coupler, or the coupling unit is connected via a compressed gas conduit to a source of compressed gas, such as CO2, whereby the compressed gas or compressed air enters the keg or gap, respectively, and pushes the beverage out, for example, displacing beer from a beer keg or from a compressible beverage container. The keg coupler, the sanitizing coupler, or the coupling unit attaches to a keg valve or fitting, respectively, located at the top of the keg or on the compressible beverage container, thereby enabling pressurized gas or air to flow through a gas conduit from, for example, a CO2 or nitrogen tank or from air compressor means into the interior of the keg. The keg coupler, the sanitizing coupler, or the coupling unit may fit sealingly as a key within the keg valve or other type of fitting, such that when the pressurized gas or pressurized air is pushed into the keg or gap, respectively, the gas or air displaces the beverage and causes the beverage to flow out through a dispensing line to a tapping faucet.

[0028] It is emphasized that the present invention is not limited to being used for disinfecting a draft beer dispensing line. The present invention is applicable to disinfecting any type of dispensing system, including but not limited to systems for dispensing other draft beverages such as draft wine, soft drinks, and draft water, as well as tapping systems for dairy products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and almost any type of fluid, liquid, viscous or creamy product in an industrial environment.

[0029] Within the context of the present invention, the term "Clean-In-Place (CIP)" means an automatic or semi-automatic cleaning of at least one component, particularly the inner surface of such components, including but not limited to a part of a keg coupler, one or more of pipes and hoses, dispensing lines such as these, vessels, equipment, filters, and other related fittings such as a keg valve with a dispensing line required to obtain an operable beverage dispensing system, without involving a major disassembly of such components and a substantial removal from their locations of use.

[0030] The above and other aspects are achieved by the present invention in that the automatic in-place cleaning unit comprises - an outlet port arranged in fluid communication with at least one coupler inlet, - a first inlet port arranged in fluid communication with a source of ozonated water and a control valve therebetween.

[0031] The cleaning coupler can be removably or permanently fixed to either the keg coupler or the dispensing line, or can be an integral part of the keg coupler.

[0032] The control valve can be part of either the keg coupler, the cleaning coupler, and / or a coupling unit consisting of the above keg coupler and the above cleaning coupler, or can be separate from the said keg coupler, cleaning coupler, and / or coupling unit. Thus, within the scope of the present invention, the control valve can be external to the said keg coupler, cleaning coupler, and / or coupling unit for easy maintenance.

[0033] In an embodiment of the automatic in-place cleaning unit according to the present invention, the control valve can be a three-way valve further comprising a second inlet port arranged to provide fluid communication with a source of pressurized gas to either provide pressurized gas for displacing the beverage from a keg containing the beverage or compressed air or compressed gas for compressing a compressible beverage-containing container within the keg.

[0034] In another embodiment of the automatic stationary cleaning unit according to the present invention, the control valve can be a two-way valve, and the first inlet port alternately provides fluid communication with a source of ozone water and fluid communication with a source of pressurized gas, and in this way, provides pressurized gas to displace beverage from a keg containing beverage, or provides pressurized gas or air to compress a compressible beverage-containing container within the keg.

[0035] The control valve should control whether ozone water and pressurized air are allowed to migrate through the control valve, out of the outlet port, and into the keg coupler, cleaning coupler, or coupling unit via the coupler inlet. Ozone water and / or pressurized gas or pressurized air can be supplied to the keg coupler, cleaning coupler, or coupling unit simultaneously or alternately while the coupler outlet is open and the passage to the keg or the compressible beverage container is closed. The ozone water then cleans, optionally disinfects, and optionally, to a greater or lesser extent, the flow path through the dispensing line attached to the coupler outlet without the need for the keg coupler and / or a separate cleaning device to be assembled and / or disassembled as in the case of a conventional keg cleaning system and without using harsh chemicals. Pressurized gas injection, such as air, nitrogen, or CO2, or pressurized air can be performed before and / or after flushing with ozone water to push out deposits so that they do not adhere to the surface and to displace such deposits, whereby the ozone water can ultimately complete the cleaning / disinfection. The cleaning / disinfection can have a final pressurized gas or pressurized air flushing step. The pressurized gas or pressurized air used to clean the dispensing line can simply be the same gas source as that used to displace beverage from within the keg or from within the compressible beverage container.

[0036] In a highly advantageous embodiment, the source of the ozone water can be an electrolytic ozone generator configured to produce ozone water from a water source. The water source can be directly available to the electrolytic ozone generator, for example, by connecting the electrolytic ozone generator to a tap water source such that tap water is delivered directly and continuously to the reaction chamber of the electrolytic ozone generator. Alternatively, the source of water for producing ozone water can be a batch of water, such as a batch of demineralized or sterile water, contained in a water tank in liquid communication with the reaction chamber of the electrolytic ozone generator.

[0037] Thereby, the electrolytic ozone generator is conveniently configured to automatically produce ozone water promptly on demand.

[0038] The electrolytic ozone generator directly produces a highly efficient cleaning and / or disinfectant ozone, which can be kept in a closed system at a minimum, always during and between operations. Some disassembly may sometimes be required only for maintenance of the automatic stationary cleaning unit.

[0039] A further significant advantage obtained by producing ozone using an electrolytic ozone generator is that it is possible to rapidly achieve a much higher concentration of dissolved ozone in water than when ozone gas is bubbled into the water.

[0040] In the latter case of mixing ozone gas from a pressure cylinder with water, the available concentration of dissolved gas ozone for a proper startup of such a purification system is at least 15 min, but generally it takes much longer until the ozone gas is uniformly mixed into the batch of water, at which stage the ozone concentration in the batch of ozone water created by bubbling through and mixing can potentially reach a maximum concentration of 2 ppm, but that concentration is considered insufficient to clean and / or disinfect a single beverage dispensing line in a reasonable time of up to 30 minutes. Moreover, when the ozone gas cylinder is empty, the production of ozone water stops. The ozone gas cylinder has to be replaced before the purification system can be made operational again, and that replacement is a heavy and time-consuming task that increases the risk of direct contact with ozone gas. The equipment required to dissolve ozone gas in water is not required within the scope of the present invention, handling and storing ozone gas cylinders is not required, and no precautions such as those required when storing compressed health-hazardous gases such as ozone gas are required.

[0041] By using an electrolytic ozone generator, ozone water can be provided quickly on demand because the required dissolved ozone concentration in the ozone water produced by electrolysis reaches instantaneously, within seconds, whereby it is substantially in real time and substantially concurrently and synchronously with the consumption of the ozone water during cleaning / disinfection.

[0042] Furthermore, the concentration of ozone in the ozone water produced by an electrolytic ozone generator can reach levels much higher than 2 ppm, such as from 2 to 15 ppm, within seconds.

[0043] A control valve, e.g., a three-way valve, in some embodiments, is configured to directly couple to a beverage-containing keg, couple to a beverage-containing keg via a keg coupler, directly couple to a fitting on a compressible beverage container, and / or couple to a fitting on a compressible beverage container via an intermediate coupler, optionally a sanitizing coupler, to establish fluid communication between the keg and / or compressible beverage container and a dispensing line in a dispensing mode. Advantageously, in alternative embodiments, the control valve may be in fluid communication with a keg coupler, a sanitizing coupler, and / or a coupling unit comprising the keg coupler, the sanitizing coupler via a separate outer conduit.

[0044] The control valve may be implemented within, integral with, or separate from components such as a sanitizing coupler or a keg coupler. The fitting may be a keg valve and a flange associated with the keg valve.

[0045] In embodiments of the present invention, the control valve is further configured to close the dispensing mode, thereby closing fluid communication between the keg and / or compressible beverage container and an associated dispensing line, and to establish a sanitizing mode involving fluid communication between at least one of the keg coupler, the fitting, and / or the associated dispensing line and one or both of a source of ozone water and a source of pressurized gas, either simultaneously or alternately.

[0046] A keg coupler, a cleaning coupler, or a single coupling unit comprising the above keg coupler and the above cleaning coupler can be configured using a body that houses an outlet member. The outlet member is in a beverage dispensing mode where access to the beverage in the keg or the compressible beverage container is open and the beverage in the keg or the compressible beverage container can be dispensed through the coupler outlet, and an upper position in a cleaning mode where access to the beverage in the keg or the compressible beverage container is closed and ozone water can flow from a source of ozone water, for example, an electrolytic ozone generator capable of producing ozone water on demand, and / or pressurized gas can access the dispensing line through any of the keg coupler, the cleaning coupler, or the coupling unit comprising the above keg coupler and the above cleaning coupler, whereby the ozone water and / or the pressurized gas can be dispensed through the coupler outlet, is advantageously arranged to reciprocate as a piston inside the body between them.

[0047] In the lower position, both the second inlet port and the outlet port of the control valve are open for supplying pressurized gas or pressurized air to the keg to displace the beverage from inside the keg or the compressible beverage container, from inside the coupler outlet, and into the dispensing line, for example, when the tap is opened.

[0048] The outlet member may have a central conduit arranged to dispense beverage from a keg or compressible beverage container, and a transverse cleaning conduit alignable in response to reciprocating movement of the outlet member relative to the body for transitioning into and out of fluid communication with either a source of ozonated water via a first inlet port or a source of pressurized gas via a second inlet port. When the cross-flow conduit is moved out of alignment, no substance can migrate through the cross-flow conduit and accidental access to the ozonated water in the dispensing mode cannot occur. Instead, the beverage in the keg or compressible beverage container can flow out of a coupler outlet located above the outlet member. The control valve, if the control valve is a separate component from the coupler described above, is upstream of the coupler inlet as viewed in the flow direction of the ozonated water and the pressurized gas, whereby the ozonated water can be disposed upstream of reaching the keg coupler, the cleaning coupler, and / or a coupling unit consisting of the keg coupler and the cleaning coupler. Alternatively, the control valve can be integrated into the keg coupler, the cleaning coupler, or a coupling unit consisting of the keg coupler and the cleaning coupler and disposed upstream of the cross-flow conduit.

[0049] Advantageously, the automatic stationary cleaning unit may comprise means for reciprocating the outlet member along its longitudinal axis between a lower position and an upper position. The means for reciprocating the outlet member includes an actuator and optionally spring means that are compressed at the lower position of the outlet member in the dispensing mode and apply a spring force to the seat of the keg valve or fitting at the upper position in the cleaning mode, or can be the actuator and optionally spring means.

[0050] Within the scope of the present invention, an "actuator" is often a device that achieves physical movement by converting electrical, pneumatic, or hydraulic energy into mechanical force. Thereby, the "actuator" is a component that enables movement of the outlet member.

[0051] In one embodiment, the actuator can be a motorized, electrically powered linear actuator that provides movement of the upper and lower outlet members with respect to a keg or compressible beverage container. The length of movement can vary depending on at least the distance of movement required to gain access to the interior of the keg or compressible beverage container to dispense the beverage, to open the keg valve or fitting, and to stop dispensing the beverage and close the keg valve or fitting to enter the cleaning mode.

[0052] In another embodiment, the actuator can be a pneumatic actuator, such as a Compact cylinder, double-acting ADN-S, Islevdalvej 180, DK-2610 Rodovre commercially available from Festo A / S, or any corresponding technology capable of moving the outlet member up and down.

[0053] The outlet member of the keg coupler, cleaning coupler, or coupling unit comprising the above keg coupler and the above cleaning coupler of the present invention is moved by an actuator and thus is not manually moved up and down like the outlet member of a prior art keg coupler. Accordingly, the keg coupler, cleaning coupler, or coupling unit comprising the above keg coupler and the above cleaning coupler of the present invention does not require a lever for this purpose. As a result, the external design of the keg coupler, cleaning coupler, or coupling unit comprising the above keg coupler and the above cleaning coupler of the present invention is not very bulky and does not rely on manual interaction for coupling to a keg or to a keg holding a compressible beverage container and for removing the keg and the compressible beverage container.

[0054] The automatic stationary cleaning unit of the present invention may advantageously comprise electronic control means configured to operate at least a control valve, and optionally an actuator, to open and close the ports of the control valve depending on whether the dispensing line and / or the coupler are cleaned using ozone water, optionally with pressurized air or a pressurized gas, or whether the beverage is dispensed when displaced from a keg or a compressible beverage container by a suitable injection of pressurized air, optionally a pressurized gas. The electronic control means may control one or more of the opening and closing of the ports of the control valve, the movement of the outlet member, and the opening and closing of the coupler inlet and coupler outlet. The electronic control means may comprise a PLC, a PCB and / or any advanced electronic computer system that enables a user to input to the automatic stationary cleaning unit to shift between a dispensing mode and a cleaning mode from a remote location.

[0055] A graphical user interface on a PC screen or tablet may be provided for the user's interaction with the electronic control means for each automatic stationary cleaning unit, or for the user's interaction via a central control unit for controlling the electronic control means associated with or assigned to each keg and / or compressible beverage container of several individual automatic stationary cleaning units, and / or for monitoring the state of the automatic stationary cleaning unit and the keg and / or compressible beverage container.

[0056] Alternatively, one common control unit may control the functions of several automatic stationary cleaning units that do not have individual electronic control means, in which case each control valve may be connected to the dispensing line via a manifold.

[0057] The outlet member may advantageously have a lower end configured to fit sealingly within the seat of a keg valve or fitting in dispensing mode, and the spring means is compressed by an actuator and held in a compressed state. The lower end of the outlet member may optionally engage a keg coupler attachment device provided on or fitted to the keg and / or compressible beverage container to establish fluid communication with the beverage inside the keg or compressible beverage container for dispensing the beverage.

[0058] The present invention further relates to a method of cleaning a beverage dispensing line (DL), the method comprising an ozone water flushing step.

[0059] Preferably, the ozone water is produced by an electrolytic ozone generator from a water source, and optionally the water source is a batch of water such as tap water or a batch of demineralized or sterile water.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the ozone water can be produced on demand.

[0061] Preferably, at least after an initial ozone water startup production, the ozone water can be produced concurrently and simultaneously with the consumption of the produced ozone water, whereby it can be produced on demand, thereby enabling consistent and reliable cleaning and / or disinfection to be completed rapidly, thereby minimizing the downtime of the beverage dispensing line.

[0062] The preferred concentration of dissolved ozone in the ozone water produced by electrolysis is a substantially constant concentration, such as a concentration between 2 and 15 ppm, thereby ensuring rapid and reliable cleaning and / or disinfection of at least the dispensing line of the beverage dispensing flow path.

[0063] The method of the present invention may use the stationary cleaning unit discussed and described above.

[0064] The keg coupler, cleaning coupler, and / or the coupling unit comprising the keg coupler and the cleaning coupler of the present invention can maintain a stationary state on a keg and / or a compressible beverage container regardless of whether the keg coupler, cleaning coupler, and / or the coupling unit comprising the keg coupler and the cleaning coupler is in a dispensing mode or a cleaning mode. The keg coupler, cleaning coupler, and / or the coupling unit comprising the keg coupler and the cleaning coupler do not need the keg and / or the compressible beverage container to be removed for cleaning as in the case of a conventional unit or system for cleaning a beverage dispensing line. A further advantage is that the cleaning can be carried out at any convenient time.

[0065] Even if ozone water accidentally, optionally, and inadvertently gets mixed into the beverage, the concentration is very small, which does not adversely affect the taste and the potential ability of the beer to foam, and which also does not create health problems. Ozone in water degrades rapidly and is not harmful to humans at such significant dilution.

[0066] In one embodiment of the stationary cleaning unit, due to the tight connection between the sheet and the lower end of the outlet member in the dispensing mode, ozone water residues from the cleaning mode are not mixed with the beverage. The tight fit of the outlet member in the sheet effectively prevents such contamination. To further prevent leakage of any fluid, such as ozone water, into the beverage inside the keg or inside the compressible beverage container in the dispensing mode, it may be preferred to provide a suitable sealing gasket around the sheet and the outlet member.

[0067] The body of the keg coupler, the cleaning coupler, and / or the coupling unit consisting of the above keg coupler and the above cleaning coupler may have a coupling flange configured to couple to any of a keg valve, a neck flange portion of the keg, and / or a spear coupling flange. Since the keg valve, the neck flange portion of the keg, and / or the spear coupling flange can result in many different designs, a keg coupler, a cleaning coupler, and / or a coupling unit consisting of the above keg coupler and the above cleaning coupler having a mating design of the coupling flange can be provided within the scope of the present invention. Thereby, each coupling flange of the couplers of the present invention can be configured in the same manner as any conventional keg coupler known to those skilled in the art to fit systems known to those skilled in the art, such as the D system (Sankey keg coupler for the United States), the U system, the S system (European Sankey coupler), the A system (German Slider coupler designed for use with German beer), the G system (used for UK brand beer), the M system (a slide above the top of the keg, mainly for German beer), and a fairly new system for keg tapping that uses a KeyKeg (The KeyKeg or K system), which uses an external force of pressurized air or pressurized gas against the plastic bag wall of a disposable plastic keg to displace the beer in the plastic bag.

[0068] The automatic stationary cleaning unit of the present invention may include an adapter for interfacing between a keg coupling flange and any of a keg valve, a neck flange portion of the keg, and / or a spear coupling flange, thereby making a coupling unit consisting of one keg coupler, a cleaning coupler, and / or the above keg coupler and the above cleaning coupler versatile for many different types of keg valve systems, fittings, and spear coupling flanges.

[0069] The present invention also relates to a stationary cleaning system comprising at least two stationary cleaning units of the type described above. The stationary cleaning system may further comprise an ozone water manifold for circulating ozone water through one or more of the at least two stationary cleaning units in a cleaning mode, and a pressurized gas or pressurized air manifold for circulating pressurized gas or pressurized air through one or more of the at least two stationary cleaning units in a dispensing mode. The ozone water manifold and the pressurized gas or pressurized air manifold may be utilized as the same by implementing various valves.

[0070] In certain embodiments, the individual electronic control means of the automatic stationary cleaning unit are located outside of a keg coupler, a cleaning coupler, and / or a coupling unit comprising the keg coupler and the cleaning coupler, and may be placed or arranged in any other suitable location or position, such as a manifold.

[0071] All of the individual electronic control means, associated control valves, and other required valves of a system of several automatic stationary cleaning units may be placed in any other relevant location associated with such a system. All of the individual electronic control means and associated control valves of a system of several automatic stationary cleaning units may be positioned, for example, with respect to the manifold described above.

[0072] The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, in which the present invention is illustrated as a schematic diagram.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0073]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0074] In the figure, keg 1 is illustrated as a KeyKeg (Bag-in-Keg (trademark) technology), and its dimensions may be disproportionate with respect to the coupling unit 3 in order to better illustrate the main components of the automatic stationary cleaning unit 4 of the present invention and the interaction between the components of the automatic stationary cleaning unit of the present invention. Keg 1 is both wider and taller than shown in the figure, and it is emphasized that it can be another type of keg, for example, a conventional beer keg in which a spear and CO2 are injected into the beer to displace the beer from the keg.

[0075] The control valve is shown and described as a three-way valve by way of example, but embodiments implementing a two-way valve, a combination of several valves, or other means that can be used to open and close between the purification mode and the dispensing mode in a similar manner are foreseen within the scope of the present invention.

[0076] KeyKeg 1 has a fitting 2 for attachment of the coupling unit 3 with a keg coupler having an integrated functionality of a cleaning coupler. For general purposes, the fitting is called a keg valve 2. Keg couplers and coupling units for any design of the fitting are foreseen within the scope of the present invention.

[0077] The keg valve 2 has a neck flange portion 2a and a keg valve portion 2b. The neck flange portion 2a is fastened to the keg 1 at its keg opening 5, and the neck flange portion 2a accommodates so as to surround the keg valve portion 2b. The keg valve portion 2b has a central bore 6 in which spring means 7 is disposed inside. The spring means 7 includes a compression spring 8 having an upper head 9. The central bore 6 has an upper bore opening 10 configured as a seat 11 for the lower end portion 12 of the outlet member 13 of the coupling unit 3. The upper bore opening 10 is defined by a lip member 2c. The outlet member 13 is hereinafter referred to as a probe 13 and is in sealed fluid communication with a dispensing line (not shown). The probe 13 has a central conduit 14 arranged to dispense the beverage 15 from a beverage-containing plastic bag 16 positioned inside the keg 1. The functionality of the cleaning coupler of the coupling unit 3 is obtained by a probe further having a transverse cleaning conduit 17 that can be aligned relative to the body 25 of the coupling unit 3 and to the keg valve 2 in response to the reciprocating movement of the probe 13 as indicated by the double arrows A so as to shift into and out of fluid communication with either a source of ozone water 18 via the first inlet port 19 of the three-way valve 20 or a source of pressurized gas 21 via the second inlet port 22 of the three-way valve 20 in this embodiment.

[0078] The three-way valve 20 further has an outlet port 23 arranged to provide fluid communication with either the first coupler inlet branch 24a or the second coupler inlet branch 24b via a conduit C. In this case, the branches 24a, 24b and the conduit C are shown integrated into the body 25 of the coupling unit 3. Also, the three-way valve 20 is shown integrated into the body 25 of the coupling unit 3, but the three-way valve 20 may be a separate unit that is fluidly connected and coupled to the branches 24a, 24b, the conduit C and / or is external to the cleaning coupler in many configurations.

[0079] The body 25 has a coupling flange 26 configured to be sealingly coupled to the keg valve 2. The body 25 has a main bore 27 that is at least substantially aligned with the central bore 6 of the keg valve 2 and that reciprocally houses the probe 13. The coupler outlet 28 is provided at the free end 29 of the probe 13.

[0080] An actuator 30, such as an electric motor or other linear actuator, drives the required movement of the probe 13 up and down within the main bore 27 to open and close the sheet 11 with respect to the keg valve portion 2b and to open and close for fluid communication between the transverse cleaning conduit 17 and the second coupler inlet branch 24b of the conduit C. The movement of the probe 13 induced by the actuator 30 and the operation of the three-way valve 20 are controlled by electronic control means 31 connected to the power supply 32 by electric wires W1, W2, W3.

[0081] In the dispensing mode seen in FIG. 1, the probe 13 is held by the actuator 30 in the lower position, the transverse cleaning conduit 17 is in an offset position with respect to the second coupler inlet branch 24b of the conduit C, and its second coupler inlet branch 24b is thereby blocked by the body of the probe 13, whereby the ozone water OW cannot migrate into the transverse cleaning conduit 17 and further into the central conduit 14.

[0082] In the dispensing mode as seen in FIG. 1, the second inlet port 22 and the outlet port 23 of the three-way valve 20 are both open and in fluid communication with the first coupler inlet branch 24a so that a pressurized gas, such as CO2 or N2, or pressurized air, or a mixture thereof, can be injected via conduit C into the space 33 between the outer wall 34 of the keg 1 and a compressible beverage container, namely, a beverage bag 16, such as a compressible plastic bag 16 containing beer, which is specially configured for the keg 1 and is fastened at its bag opening to the keg valve portion 2b. The pressurized gas or pressurized air compresses the plastic bag 16 and thereby displaces the beverage upward from within the coupler outlet 28 and into a dispensing line (not shown) through the central conduit 14 and through the circumferentially spaced opening 35 between the neck flange portion 2a and the keg valve portion 2b into the space 33 as indicated by arrow D. The first inlet port 19 of the three-way valve 20 is closed so that ozonated water does not contaminate the beverage.

[0083] In FIG. 1, the beverage is indicated by the bubble graphic, and the pressurized gas and the ozonated water are indicated by different shadings. Since the components are shown only in terms of the purely functional principle, the hatching of the components is not appropriate. Moreover, the position of the three-way valve 20 shown in the figure with respect to the body 25 should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention, nor should any dimensions be so construed.

[0084] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the automatic stationary cleaning unit 4 in the cleaning mode as seen in FIG. 1. In the cleaning mode, the first inlet port 19 and the outlet port 23 of the three-way valve 20 are open, and the second inlet port 22 is closed.

[0085] Actuator 30 positions the probe 13 at its upper position. The spring means 7 applies a spring force to the seat 11 of the keg valve 2, whereby the upper head 9 abuts against the seat 11 to sealingly close the upper bore opening 10. At this position of the upper head 9, ozonated water does not enter the beverage 15. The ozonated water migrates from the outlet port 23 into a conduit C having a second coupler inlet branch 24b aligned with the transverse purification conduit 17, whereby the ozonated water rises relative to the central conduit 14, into said transverse purification conduit 17, and further into the central conduit 14, and into the first coupler inlet branch 24a, and into the main bore 27 between the lower end 12 of the probe 13 and the upper head 9. From the central conduit 14, the ozonated water flows into a dispensing line (not shown), out through a tapping faucet (not shown), and into a drain (not shown) where the ozone degrades harmlessly to humans. All surfaces contacted by the ozonated water are thus cleaned and disinfected. The electronic control means may allow a residence time for the ozonated water to react to disinfect said surfaces before the faucet at the end of the dispensing line is opened. During cleaning, the faucet may be connected to a drain pipe, for example, via an elastic push-on fitting or a snap connection.

[0086] In the cleaning mode as seen in FIG. 2, the coupling unit 3 and the dispensing line (not shown) can be blown to remove deposits and / or ozonated water by opening the second inlet port 22 and closing the first inlet port 19. For example, an opening 35 provided by a circumferential space or gap between the neck flange portion 2a and the keg valve portion 2b is tightly sealed in the cleaning mode in that the spring means pushes the neck flange portion 2a against the keg valve portion 2b.

[0087] In an alternative embodiment, the opening 35 may also be provided in the lower part of the probe 13, which lower part can be rotated with respect to the upper part in order to open and close the opening 35, while still maintaining control of the potential alignment and offset of the transverse cleaning conduit 17 and of the conduits C and the first and second coupler inlet branches 24a and 24b.

[0088] The electronic control means can perform one or more cleaning cycles in the form of repeated alternating flushing and / or a sequence of residence times of selected durations using ozone water and / or pressurized gas.

[0089] In the keg replacement mode seen in Figure 3, all ports 19, 22, 23 of the three-way valve 20 and the coupler outlet 28 are closed and the probe 13 is in its upper position. The plastic bag 16 is compressed and the beverage is almost empty. The space 33 has had the gas or air removed. A new keg 1 or a new full plastic bag 16 provided inside the reusable keg 1 is required. To do so, the coupling unit 3 of the present invention is simply removed from the keg valve 2 and placed on a new full keg 1 or a new full plastic bag 16 is placed inside the reusable keg 1 acting as a pressure chamber. Disassembly can be done by sliding, pulling or screwing the coupling unit 3 away from the keg valve 2.

[0090] Due to the presence of the three-way valve 20, the coupling unit 3 does not require additional valve means at the coupler inlets 24a, 24b.

[0091] Figure 4 shows n KeyKegs 1a, 1b, 1c, ..., 1n of the kind shown in FIGS. 1 - 3, all in the dispensing mode as seen in FIG. 1. Each keg 1a, 1b, 1c, ..., 1n is connected in parallel to the ozone water manifold 36 and the gas manifold 37, and the gas manifold 37 has n gas manifold outlets 1a', 1b', 1c', ..., 1n'. In the dispensing mode of FIG. 4, pressurized gas or pressurized air to the gas manifold 37 is provided by the compressor 38 for discharging beverages through the respective dispensing lines DLa, DLb, DLc, ..., DLn at the take - off station and from within the respective tapping faucets 39a, 39b, 39c, ..., 39n, and is supplied via the respective gas conduits Ga, Gb, Gc, ..., Gn to the second inlet port 22 (see FIG. 1) of the respective three - way valve 20.

[0092] The ozone water manifold 36 has n ozone water manifold outlets 1a'', 1b'', 1c'', ..., 1n''. In the purification mode as seen in FIG. 5, the ozone water manifold 36 receives ozone water OW from a source of ozone water 40, such as an electrolytic ozone generator that produces ozone water on demand, and circulates the ozone water OW via the ozone water conduits Owa, Owb, Owc, ..., Own to the respective three - way valves 20a, 20b, 20c, ..., 20n of the associated corresponding coupling units 3a, 3b, 3c, ..., 3n of the n KeyKegs 1a, 1b, 1c, ..., 1n under the general control of an electronic control unit E that communicates at least with the respective electronic control means. As illustrated and described with respect to FIG. 2, the first inlet port 19, the outlet port 23, and the coupler outlet 28 are open, but the coupler inlet is closed.

[0093] The electronic control unit E is configured to operate one or more of the electronic control means 31 of each keg 1a, 1b, 1c, ..., 1n, and thereby each actuator, etc., of the coupling units 3a, 3b, 3c, ..., 3n of the kegs 1a, 1b, 1c, ..., 1n that are in either the dispensing mode or the cleaning mode as seen in FIG. 5, and further configured to operate the movement of the probe, the ports of the three-way valve, and the opening and closing of the coupler inlet and coupler outlet, as well as the production and supply of ozone water and the control of the ozone water manifold and the gas manifold. When the kegs are arranged in parallel and connected to the ozone water manifold, the electronic control unit E can then place one or more kegs in the dispensing mode, and the remaining kegs are in the cleaning mode, during operation, or out of operation. One dispensing line may be cleaned alone, or several dispensing lines may be cleaned simultaneously.

[0094] The electronic control unit E is electrically coupled by an electric wire to any component of the automatic stationary cleaning unit 4 of the present invention, but Bluetooth operation may be employed where appropriate.

[0095] For ease of overlooking, FIGS. 4 and 5 are shown without indication of beverage, ozone water, and pressurized gas.

[0096] FIG. 6 shows a single modified stationary cleaning unit 41 in the cleaning mode. The modified stationary cleaning unit 41 substantially corresponds to the above-described stationary cleaning unit 4, and the same reference numerals are used for similar parts.

[0097] The modified stationary cleaning unit 41 differs from the above-described stationary cleaning unit 4 in that it does not have a transverse cleaning conduit 17 where the outlet member 13 needs to be aligned with the second coupler inlet branch 24b of the control valve during the reciprocating movement of the outlet member 13 with respect to the main body 25 for flushing with ozone water.

[0098] In the purification mode as seen in FIG. 6, the actuator 30 positions the probe 13 at its upper position, whereby the neck flange portion 2a and the keg valve portion 2b are brought into sealing contact so as to prevent the ozone water from entering into the opening 35 between the neck flange portion 2a and the keg valve portion 2b and further into the space 33 between the outer wall 34 of the keg 1 and the beverage bag 16. At the same time, the spring means 7 applies a spring force to the upper head 9 such that the upper bore opening 10 is sealed against the compressible beverage container 16 and the upper head 9 abuts against the lip member 2a. At this position of the upper head 9, the ozone water does not enter the beverage 15.

[0099] The ozone water follows a path where the ozone water moves from the outlet port 23 into the conduit C and further into and through the gap 11a between the sheet 11 and the upper head 9 and up into the central conduit 14, and from the central conduit 14, the ozone water flows into the dispensing line to clean and / or disinfect the dispensing line (not shown) as described above.

[0100] In the dispensing mode as seen in FIG. 7 of the modified stationary cleaning unit 41, the actuator 30 positions the probe 13 at its lower position and places a sheet against the upper head 9, whereby the neck flange portion 2a and the keg valve portion 2b are brought about such that there is no sealing contact by the actuator 30, similar to the dispensing mode as seen in FIG. 1. The sheet 11 closes against the upper head 9, whereby pressurized gas or pressurized air can be injected through the conduit C. The lip member 2c and the upper head 9 are sealed against each other so that the pressurized gas does not enter the central conduit 14 in the dispensing mode. The pressurized gas or pressurized air accesses the space 33 between the outer wall 34 of the keg 1 and the beverage bag 16 through the conduit C and through the opening 35 between the neck flange portion 2a and the keg valve portion 2b to compress the beverage bag 16.

[0101] As in the case of the first embodiment of the stationary cleaning unit 4, in the case of the modified stationary cleaning unit 41, the three-way valve 19 also controls the various modes and the movement of the probe 13.

[0102] It is emphasized that the modified stationary cleaning unit 41 can be continuously installed in the same manner as the stationary cleaning unit 4, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0103] All components that can come into contact with the ozone water are made of ozone-resistant materials. The concentration of ozone in the ozone water can vary depending on the need for cleaning and the frequency of cleaning. However, the inventor of the present invention has confirmed that the optimal concentration of dissolved ozone in the ozone water for disinfecting the draft beer dispensing line is between 2 and 15 ppm. Preferably, the concentration of the dissolved ozone is at least 3 ppm, preferably at least 5 ppm, or at least 8 ppm, or at least 10 ppm. 6 ppm may be preferred for most types of beer dispensing lines, but fruity or very sweet, heterogeneous or cloudy beer types may require higher concentrations to clean and disinfect the dispensing line.

[0104] By using the stationary cleaning unit, and / or the stationary cleaning system and / or method, one dispensing line can be completely cleaned and / or disinfected in about 10 minutes, contrary to when using a conventional cleaning system that takes up to 1 hour. According to the present invention, two or more dispensing lines can be cleaned simultaneously or at different times.

[0105] In one or more embodiments of a stationary cleaning unit or a stationary cleaning system, a first additional valve (not shown), such as a shut-off valve, may be inserted into the supply line for the ozone water between the source of the ozone water and the control valve to further ensure that the supply and the stop of the supply of the ozone water can be further controlled. The first additional valve may be coupled in electronic communication with an electrolytic ozone generator to automatically start or stop ozone water production, for example, in response to a signal from an electronic control means or an electronic control unit to open or close the first additional valve. The first additional valve may act as a safety precautionary means that is closed in conjunction with a change in the keg.

[0106] Similarly, a second additional valve (not shown), such as a further shut-off valve, may be conveniently inserted into conduit C to further ensure that the supply or the stop of the supply of the ozone water can be still further controlled, and that the supply and the stop of the supply of pressurized gas or pressurized air can be controlled. Also, the second additional valve may be coupled in electronic communication with the electrolytic ozone generator and the source of the pressurized gas or pressurized air to start and stop ozone water production and / or the injection of the pressurized gas or pressurized air, in response to opening and closing the second additional valve. The second additional valve may act as a safety precautionary means that is closed in conjunction with a change in the keg.

Claims

1. An automated stationary cleaning unit (4; 41) configured for cleaning and disinfecting at least one beverage dispensing line (DL) between a take-off station and a dispensing station of a beverage dispensing system, wherein the automated stationary cleaning unit (4; 41) comprises a coupling unit (3) consisting of a keg coupler and a cleaning coupler, the coupling unit (3) being attached to or attachable to a keg (1), the keg (1) comprising a compressible beverage container that acts as a pressure chamber and contains the beverage to be dispensed, and the coupling unit (3) having at least one coupler inlet (24a; 24b) and at least one coupler outlet (28), - In the beverage dispensing mode, the at least one coupler inlet (24a; 24b) and the at least one coupler outlet (28) are not in fluid communication. - In the cleaning mode, the at least one coupler inlet (24a; 24b) and the at least one coupler outlet (28) are in fluid communication. The aforementioned automatic stationary cleaning unit (4; 41) - An outlet port (23) arranged in fluid communication with at least one coupler inlet (24a; 24b), - The first inlet port (19) is arranged in fluid communication with the ozone water supply source (18) and A control valve (20) including the following is included: The ozonated water supply source is an electrolytic ozone generator configured to generate ozonated water from a water supply source, and the concentration of dissolved ozone in the generated ozonated water for disinfecting at least one beverage dispensing line is between 2 and 15 ppm, characterized in that it is an automatic stationary cleaning unit (4; 41).

2. The automatic stationary cleaning unit (4; 41) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control valve (20) is a three-way valve further comprising a second inlet port (22) arranged to provide fluid communication with a pressurized gas supply source (21).

3. The automatic stationary cleaning unit (4; 41) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control valve (20) is a two-way valve and the first inlet port (19) is arranged to alternately provide fluid communication with an ozone water supply source (18) and fluid communication with a pressurized gas supply source (21).

4. The automatic stationary cleaning unit (4; 41) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control valve (20) is part of the coupling unit (3) consisting of the keg coupler and the cleaning coupler, or is separate from the coupling unit (3).

5. The automatic stationary cleaning unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the water supply source is a batch of water, such as tap water or a batch of demineralized or sterile water (4; 41).

6. The automatic stationary cleaning unit according to claim 5, characterized in that the electrolytic ozone generator is configured to automatically produce ozonated water on demand (4; 41).

7. The automatic stationary cleaning unit (4; 41) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control valve (20) is configured to be directly coupled to the keg (1) via the keg coupler, directly coupled to the fitting (2) on the compressible beverage container (16), and / or coupled to the fitting (2) on the compressible beverage container (16) via an intermediate coupler, optionally the cleaning coupler, or the coupling unit (3), in order to establish fluid communication between the compressible beverage container (16) and the dispensing line (DL) in dispensing mode.

8. The coupling unit (3) has a main body (25) that houses the outlet member (13), and the outlet member (13) is Access to the beverage (15) in the compressible beverage container is open, and the beverage (15) in the compressible beverage container can be dispensed from a lower position via the coupler outlet (28), Access to the beverage (15) in the compressible beverage container is closed, and ozonated water and / or pressurized gas can access the beverage dispensing line via the coupling unit (3), thereby between the upper position where the ozonated water and / or pressurized gas are dispensed via the coupler outlet (28) and the upper position where the ozonated water and / or pressurized gas are dispensed via the coupler outlet (28). The automatic stationary cleaning unit (4; 41) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is arranged to reciprocate as a piston inside the main body (25).

9. The automatic stationary cleaning unit according to claim 8, characterized in that the outlet member (13) has a central conduit (14) arranged to dispense the beverage (15) from the keg (1) or the compressible beverage container (4; 41).

10. The automatic stationary cleaning unit (4; 41) according to claim 9, characterized in that the central conduit (14) is arranged in fluid communication with the ozone water supply source.

11. The automatic stationary cleaning unit (4; 41) according to claim 9, characterized in that the central conduit (14) is arranged in fluid communication with a supply source of pressurized gas or air.

12. The automatic stationary cleaning unit according to claim 8 (4; 41), characterized in that the outlet member (13) has a transverse cleaning conduit (17) that can be aligned in accordance with the reciprocating motion of the outlet member (13) relative to the main body (25) for transitioning to and disengaging from fluid communication with either the ozone water supply source (18) via the first inlet port (19) or the pressurized gas supply source (21) via the second inlet port (22).

13. The automatic stationary cleaning unit (4; 41) according to claim 8, characterized in that the automatic stationary cleaning unit (4; 41) comprises means (30) for causing the outlet member (13) to reciprocate along its longitudinal axis.

14. The automatic stationary cleaning unit according to claim 13, characterized in that the means for causing the outlet member (13) to reciprocate includes an actuator (30) for causing the outlet member (13) to reciprocate along its longitudinal axis (4; 41).

15. The automatic stationary cleaning unit according to claim 13 (4; 41), further comprising an electronic control means (31) configured to control one or more of the following: opening and closing of the port of the control valve, moving the outlet member, the means for causing the outlet member (13) to reciprocate, and opening and closing of the coupler inlet (24a, 24b) and the coupler outlet (28).

16. The automatic stationary cleaning unit (4; 41) according to claim 15, wherein the electronic control means (31) comprises a PLC, PCB and / or computer system configured to enable a user to make inputs to the automatic stationary cleaning unit for shifting between a dispensing mode and a cleaning mode from a distance without removing any components of the beverage dispensing system.

17. The automatic stationary cleaning unit according to claim 1 (4; 41), further comprising a graphical user interface configured for user interaction with a central control unit for controlling at least one automatic stationary cleaning unit.

18. The automatic stationary cleaning unit according to claim 17 (4; 41), characterized in that the central control unit controls the respective electronic control means of several individual automatic stationary cleaning units, which are associated with or assigned to each of their beverage containers, and / or monitors the state of the automatic stationary cleaning units and the compressible beverage containers.

19. The automatic stationary cleaning unit according to claim 8, characterized in that the outlet member (13) has a lower end (12) configured to be sealed into a fitting sheet (11) of a compressible beverage container inside the keg (4; 41).

20. The automatic stationary cleaning unit according to claim 19, characterized in that the lower end (12) of the outlet member (13) is configured to compress and release the spring means (7) in response to the outlet member (13) reciprocating along the longitudinal axis of the outlet member (13).

21. Use of an automatic stationary cleaning unit (4; 41) according to any one of claims 1 to 20 for cleaning and disinfecting at least one beer dispensing line of a beer dispensing system.

22. A method for cleaning and disinfecting a beverage dispensing line (DL), comprising an ozonated water flushing step, wherein the ozonated water is produced from a water source by an electrolytic ozone generator, and the concentration of dissolved ozone in the produced ozonated water for cleaning and disinfecting the beverage dispensing line is between 2 and 15 ppm.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that the water supply source is a batch of water, such as tap water or a batch of demineralized or sterile water.

24. The method according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the ozonated water is generated on demand, preferably generated at least after the initial ozonated water startup generation to achieve a startup concentration of ozone in the generated ozonated water, and optionally, the ozonated water is generated in parallel with and simultaneously with the consumption of the generated ozonated water.

25. The method according to claim 23, characterized by using an automatic stationary cleaning unit (4; 41) according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

26. A stationary cleaning system comprising at least two stationary cleaning units (4; 41) according to any one of claims 1 to 20, characterized by comprising an ozone water manifold (36) and optionally a pressurized gas or air manifold (37).

27. The stationary cleaning system according to claim 26, characterized in that each electronic control means associated with each of the at least two stationary cleaning systems (4; 41) can be optionally operated via a graphical user interface configured for user interaction with the control software, via a central control unit equipped with control software.

28. The stationary cleaning system according to claim 26, characterized in that the control software includes monitoring software for monitoring the status of at least two automatic stationary cleaning units, the status of beverage containers, and the status of the method according to claim 22.

29. Use of the stationary cleaning system according to claim 26 in a draft beer dispensing system.

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