Method for qualifying bottle rinser

• US 6,737,645 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2002
• Issued: 05/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tropicana Products Incorporated (PepsiCo Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Tropicana Products Incorporated (PepsiCo Incorporated)
• Inventors: Schuman, James D., Foster, Tammy, Jansen, Christine
• Primary Examiner(s): Hannaher, Constantine
• Assistant Examiner(s): MORAN, TIMOTHY J
• Application Number:
  US10/233,077
• Publication Number:
  US 20040040860A1
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 250/458.1, 250/459.1, 250/461.1, 250/302
• US Class Current: 250/302
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/18 Liquid substances or solutions comprising solids or dissolved gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/28 Devices for testing the effectiveness or completeness of sterilisation, e.g. indicators which change colour apparatus involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M1/34; methods involving enzymes or microorganisms C12Q1/00

Abstract

A method for determining whether effective coverage of the interior of a bottle with a sprayed sanitizer in a bottle fill-and-cap operation is attained by using a fluorescing solution, preferably comprising riboflavin and sucrose dissolved in water, that is sprayed on the interior of the bottle by the same spray system by which the sanitizer is sprayed. After application of the fluorescing solution, UV light is applied to the bottle interior to activate the fluorescing solution and thus make evident the spray pattern. Spray pattern adjustments can be made as needed, in order to be certain that the entirety of the inside surface of the bottle is coated. Once the spray pattern is thus set, the equipment is qualified to be used for production, with the sanitizer being sprayed according to the same spray pattern.

Claims

1. In a bottle fill-and-capping operation for translucent containers in which the interiors of the containers are sprayed with a sanitizing solution prior to filling, the sanitizing spray being applied through one or more nozzles, a method for evaluating the effectiveness of the coverage of sanitizing solution comprising:

A) preparing a fluorescing solution;

B) applying the fluorescing solution to the interior of one or more translucent containers through the one or more nozzles used to spray sanitizing solution;

C) allowing the fluorescing solution to dry;

D) illuminating the interiors of the containers with an UV light to activate the fluorescing solution;

E) viewing the activated fluorescing solution; and

F) evaluating the extent of spray coverage based upon the light cast by the activated fluorescing solution.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

G) adjusting the one or more nozzles used to spray the sanitizing solution; and

H) repeating steps B-F, and as necessary step G, until satisfactory coverage is attained.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the fluorescing solution comprises riboflavin, sucrose and water.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the fluorescing solution comprises approximately 0.2 g riboflavin and 100 g sucrose for each liter of water.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the drying is accomplished by circulation of ambient air into the interiors of the containers.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the UV light is provided by a long-wave UV lamp.

7. In a bottle fill-and-capping operation for translucent containers in which the interiors of the containers are contacted with a sanitizing solution prior to filling, a method for evaluating the effectiveness of the coverage of sanitizing solution comprising:

A) preparing a fluorescing solution;

B) applying the fluorescing solution to the interior of one or more translucent containers by directing the sanitizing solution onto the interior;

C) allowing the fluorescing solution to dry;

D) illuminating the interiors of the containers with an UV light to activate the fluorescing solution;

E) viewing the activated fluorescing solution; and

F) evaluating the extent of sanitizing solution coverage based upon the light cast by the activated fluorescing solution.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

G) adjusting the directing of the sanitizing solution; and

H) repeating steps B-F, and as necessary step G, until satisfactory coverage is attained.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the fluorescing solution comprises riboflavin, sucrose and water.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the fluorescing solution comprises approximately 0.2 g riboflavin and 100 g sucrose for each liter of water.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein the drying is accomplished by circulation of ambient air into the interiors of the containers.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein the UV light is provided by a long-wave UV lamp.