Cleaning agent container

• US 10,327,581 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2016
• Issued: 06/25/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Franke Kaffeemaschinen AG (Michael Pieper, MBA)
• Original Assignee: Franke Kaffeemaschinen AG (Michael Pieper, MBA)
• Inventors: Vetterli, Heinz, Turi, Mariano
• Primary Examiner(s): Buechner, Patrick M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Melaragno, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US15/741,605
• Publication Number:
  US 20180184839A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,092 Days
• Field of Search: 222 81, 2224651
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/60 Cleaning devices
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 2203/027 Pump details
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/08 the liquid having chemical or dissolving effect substances used, see the relevant classes
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/032 by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing B08B9/04 takes precedence ; by fluid jets mounted on cleaning devices B08B9/0433

Abstract

In order to provide simple and safe handling of cleaning agents in a drink dispensing device with an integrated cleaning system, a cleaning agent container is disclosed which is designed as a container (1) that is closed on all sides and comprises a connection terminal (4) arranged laterally on the container. This connection terminal (4) includes a first piercing region (7a) that is provided with a pierceable closure (13, 8a) and fluidically communicates with the base region of the container (1).

Claims

1. A cleaning agent container for an integrated cleaning system of a device for dispensing liquid food items, comprising a container (1), closed at all sides, with a connection terminal (4) arranged laterally on the container, with the connection terminal (4) comprising a first piercing region (7a) provided with a pierceable closure (13, 8a), fluidically communicating with a base region of the container (1), the connection terminal (4) is arranged in an upper region of the cleaning agent container (1) and the first piercing region (7a) ends in a discharge line (5) leading to the base region of the cleaning agent container (1).

2. The cleaning agent container according to claim 1, wherein the discharge line (5) is connected in one piece with the cleaning agent container (1).

3. The cleaning agent container according to claim 1, wherein the connection terminal (4) comprises a second piercing region (7b), provided with a second pierceable closure (13, 8b), which ends in an upper region of the cleaning agent container (1).

4. The cleaning agent container according to claim 1, wherein the container is box-shaped and includes two long side walls and two narrow side walls, with the connection terminal (4) being arranged on one of the narrow side walls.

5. The cleaning agent container according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning agent container (1) is formed as an insertion cartridge.

6. The cleaning agent container according to claim 3, wherein the pierceable closure of at least one of the first piercing region or the second piercing region (7a, 7b) comprises an elastic closure plug (8).

7. The cleaning agent container according to claim 3, wherein the pierceable closure of at least one of the first piercing region or second piercing region (7a, 7b) is formed by a closure film (13) connected at edges thereof to the cleaning agent container (1).

8. The cleaning agent container according to claim 1, wherein at or behind the pierceable closure (13, 8a, 8b) at least one closure lip (14a, 14b) is arranged, which after a hollow mandrel (9) has pierced the piercing region (7a, 7b) is adapted to be held by said mandrel and after the removal of the mandrel (9) is adapted to close a piercing channel formed thereby.

9. The cleaning agent container according to claim 1, wherein a rear section of the cleaning agent container (1), distanced from the connection terminal (4), is embodied as a handle with a recessed grip (1′

).

10. The cleaning agent container according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning agent container is a disposable container.

11. The cleaning agent container according to claim 1, further a cleaning agent located in the container.

12. A device for dispensing liquid food items, comprising an integrated cleaning system and a receiving area (2) that receives the cleaning agent container (1) according to claim 1, a hollow mandrel (9) arranged in the receiving area (2) at a side (2′

) facing away from an insertion opening at a height equivalent to the first piercing region (7a) for piercing the closure (8a) of the cleaning agent container (1), with the hollow mandrel (9) being connected to a cleaning agent—

supply line integrated in the cleaning system.

13. The device according to claim 12, further comprising at the side of the receiving area (2) facing away from the insertion opening, a second hollow mandrel (10) arranged at an appropriate height to a second piercing region (7a) of the cleaning agent container (1) that pierces the second piercing region, via which air is adapted to flow into the cleaning agent container (1).