Computer controlled portable gravity flow conduit cleaner

• US 5,762,096 A
• Filed: 02/12/1997
• Issued: 06/09/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: PNM Incorporated (Union Pacific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: PNM Incorporated (Union Pacific Corporation)
• Inventors: Mirabile, Paul J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walton, George L.
• Application Number:
  US08/799,773
• Time in Patent Office: 482 Days
• Field of Search: 134/166 R, 134/169 R, 134/168 C, 134/169 A, 134/169 C, 134/57 R, 134/58 R, 134/95.1, 134/98.1, 134/99.1, 134/99.2, 134/100.1, 137/240, 137/597, 137/624.11, 137/624.12, 137/624.13, 141/89, 141/98, 141/92
• US Class Current: 137/240
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/0325 Control mechanisms therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/07 Cleaning beverage-dispensing apparatus B67D1/0834, B67D1/0837 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/4259 With separate material addition
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86405 Repeating cycle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87249 Multiple inlet with multiple outlet

Abstract

A portable cleaning and flushing device for beverage conduits such as draft beer distribution coils includes a manifold, couplings and a number of valves which are controllable so as to sequence the supply of detergent from a reservoir, mixing with water from an external water source and flushing and rinsing of the distribution conduits. The device is wheeled about like a handcart and is coupleable to one or more beverage distribution lines by lead lines in place of normally attached kegs. The device is coupled to a water supply and to an electric power outlet. Detergent and pressurized water are mixed and flushed through the beverage conduit to an open spigot at the dispensing end. A preferably programmable computerized controller sequences the operation of valves for detergent addition to a manifold, venting of the manifold, water supply for obtaining a mixing solution, application of the mixing solution to the conduit, rinsing and finally draining. The controller accepts user input for triggering operation and preferably also for defining customized parameters for particular beverage delivery systems and user choices.

Claims

1. A portable cleaning apparatus for beverage delivery systems of the type having at least one conduit for carrying a beverage in a delivery direction from a pressurized beverage source to an output, the apparatus comprising:

a manifold in which liquid detergent and pressurized water are combined to form a sanitizing solution, said sanitizing solution being discharged into said at least one conduit for carrying a beverage;

a water feed line for providing pressurized water to said manifold, said water feed line having a first controllably operable valve disposed therein;

a liquid detergent feed line for transferring liquid detergent from a reservoir to said manifold, said liquid detergent feed line having a second controllably operable valve disposed therein;

at least one flush line for receiving said sanitizing solution and delivering said solution to said at least one conduit, said flush line having a third controllably closable valve disposed therein;

at least one air vent for bleeding off air within said manifold, the air vent having a fourth controllably closable valve disposed therein, said fourth valve being open when liquid detergent is charged into said manifold thus allowing for accurate flow of the liquid detergent into said manifold;

a controller operatively connected to the first, second, third and fourth valves for selective operation to open and close said feed and flush lines, the controller executing a procedure which opens the first, second, third and fourth valves in a selective sequencing manner in order to communicate said sanitizing solution and flush said conduit for carrying a beverage; and

,

a mobile cart carrying the manifold, the controller and the first through fourth valves, whereby the apparatus is removably connected to the beverage delivery system in place of the beverage source when flushing of the beverage delivery system is required.

2. The portable cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mobile cart comprises wheels, and a handle allowing the cart to be moved manually for temporary connection to the beverage delivery system.

3. The portable cleaning apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a drain for emptying said manifold after said conduit has been cleaned, said drain having a fifth controllably closable valve disposed therein, the operation of said fifth controllably closable valve being sequentially controlled by said controller.

4. The portable cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein said controller comprises a computer with a memory at least partly including a read only memory in which said procedure for sequentially opening said first, second, third and fourth valves is stored.

5. The portable cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein said controller comprises a computer with a memory at least partly including a random access memory in which said procedure for sequentially opening said first, second, third and fourth valves is stored, at least partly by operation of the computer.

6. The portable cleaning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one lead beverage tube having its distal end connected to said conduit and its proximal end connected to said pressurized beverage source, the apparatus further comprising means for attaching the proximal end of said lead beverage tube to the flush line, said means being located on the outside of said cart.

7. The portable apparatus of claim 6, wherein said means for attaching the proximal end of the lead beverage tube to said flush line comprises a standardized keg fitting adapted to receive the lead beverage tube.

8. The portable apparatus of claim 1, wherein said water feed line is supplied pressurized water from a flow regulator which is located within said cart and connected to an external water source.

9. A portable cleaning apparatus for beverage delivery systems of the type having at least one conduit for carrying a beverage in a delivery direction from a pressurized beverage source to an output, the apparatus comprising:

a mobile cart carried on at least two wheels;

a manifold in said cart for receiving and mixing liquid detergent and pressurized water;

a water feed line connecting the manifold to a water regulator which receives and regulates water from a source external to said cart;

a first valve along the water feed line, operable to open and close flow of pressurized water to the manifold;

a detergent feed line connecting the manifold to a detergent reservoir in the cart;

a second valve along the detergent feed line, operable to permit a flow of detergent to the manifold but preventing backflow from the manifold to the reservoir;

at least one flush line connecting the manifold to said at least one conduit;

a third valve along said at least one flush line, for opening and closing flow of a solution of detergent and water from the manifold to the conduit;

a fourth valve disposed between the manifold and a vent, said fourth valve being opened when liquid detergent is to be charged into said manifold thus allowing for accurate flow of the liquid detergent into said manifold; and

a controller operatively connected to selectively operate the first, second, third and fourth valves, said controller executing a procedure which opens and closes said valves in a sequence of operations in order to mix the pressurized water and detergent, allow the solution of pressurized water and detergent to flow into said conduit for carrying a beverage and thereafter rinse the conduit for a predetermined time.

10. The portable cleaning apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a drain connected to said manifold, said drain having a fifth valve operable by the controller as a drain valve permitting the manifold to drain after the predetermined time.

11. The portable cleaning apparatus of claim 9, wherein said controller comprises a computer having a memory at least partly including programmable read only memory storing said procedure.

12. The portable cleaning apparatus of claim 9, wherein said controller is a computer having a memory at least partly including a random access memory, the controller accepting data from user inputs for varying and storing parameters defining the procedure.

13. The portable cleaning apparatus of claim 9, further comprising at least one lead beverage tube having its distal end connected to said conduit and its proximal end connected to said pressurized beverage source, the apparatus further comprising means for attaching the proximal end of said lead beverage tube to the flush line in lieu of the beverage source.

14. The portable apparatus of claim 13, wherein said means for attaching the proximal end of the lead beverage tube to said flush line comprises a standardized keg fitting adapted to receive the lead beverage tube.

15. The portable apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a water regulator along said water feed line for regulating at least one of a pressure and flow rate of water.