ES2531015B1 - BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM AND INTEGRATED CLEANING PROCESS - Google Patents

Abstract

Beverage dispensing system and integrated cleaning process in which the system consists of a set consisting of a supply team and a cleaning device, both automated and programmable. In which the supply equipment is composed of a condensing unit, an ice bank vat, a central refrigerant unit, a barrel or barrels of product, a bottle of CO {sub, 2} and all connected by a series of tubes , solenoid valves, sensors, connectors, pressure switches or similar, established and located as appropriate; and the integrated cleaning device consists of certain solenoid valves, a suction line of a disinfectant component, non-return valves, a metering pump and a recirculation pump. So by means of this cleaning device that acts under the order of a program, it performs a cleaning and disinfection process by a line called auxiliary and some product lines, a certain number of times and following defined stages.

Description

"BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM AND INTEGRATED CLEANING PROCESS"

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention is intended to supply different types of beverages at very low temperatures by means of a defined system, which also incorporates a cleaning device that, through the achievement of certain stages, creates a periodic and automatic disinfection process of all equipment lines.

The invention is integrated by a supply equipment and a cleaning device both automated and programmable. In which the supply equipment is composed of a condensing unit, an ice bank vat, a central refrigerant unit, a barrel or barrels of product, a C02 bottle and all connected by means of a series of tubes, solenoid valves, sensors, connectors, pressure switches or similar, established and located as appropriate; and the integrated cleaning device consists of certain solenoid valves, a suction line of a disinfectant component, non-return valves, a metering pump and a recirculation pump.

So by means of this cleaning device that acts under the order of a program, it performs a cleaning and disinfection process by a line called auxiliary and some product lines, a certain number of times and following defined stages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are currently multiple registrations of beverage dispensers such as the ES2037383 T3 patent called "Drink dispensing system", a PCTINL2008 / 050223 patent called "Drink dispensing apparatus and method for coldly dispensing a beverage", a Patent ES2317870 T3 "Drink dispenser" and a patent ES2273938 T3 also called "Drink dispenser". All of them have in common that it is an apparatus for the automatic extraction of liquids, particularly carbonated beverages that are composed of a tap to dispense the fluid, some exchangers, but in no case the aforementioned records have, an isolated drawer for exchangers with their connections under a compact counter with columns, or an automatic cleaning system or device that is activated every time the system is restarted and at scheduled times.

Among the records found, the patent ES2313239 T3 "Beverage dispensing system" stands out, this system consists of two chillers and a glycol mixture control for constant variations. The beverage dispensing system object of the invention, on the other hand, does not need to carry out any control over its glycol percentage maintenance, because once the installation has been carried out and the parameters are controlled, they have no variation.

Another difference that exists between the registration of Patent ES23 13239 T3 and the dispensing system of the invention is that the registration of Patent ES23l3239 T3 by having two condensing units and two ice banks, in addition to the fact that the consumption is high because of having these four elements, the space necessary for the installation location must be of considerable dimensions.

On the contrary, the dispensing system of the invention has an easily adaptable structure since with a condensing unit, an ice bank and a refrigeration plant the optimum cooling of the product is achieved, so that its location can be established close to the columns , in addition to assuming considerable energy savings by having less consumption because there is less infrastructure.

Thus, both in the registration of the patent ES2313239 T3, as in other compact equipment existing in the market carry the condensing unit in the lower part and the cooling tank on top without precise insulation and without a closure, therefore the heat tends to climb to the ice cube that is open. This brings the

5 consequences that a large amount of cooling is lost, and that the device is running longer than necessary with the consequent energy consumption. In these cases the temperature obtained to cool a product is O ° c. and to ensure that the product is pleasant on the palate, the glasses must be frosted and the aforementioned product must be reduced, reducing its quality.

It is also to take into account that having a temperature above O ° c. Germs and bacteria proliferate freely and as a result the product tastes bad. These devices are made of stainless steel and iron and being in constant contact with moisture and water usually produce electric shocks with

15 its corresponding risk to people.

The freezing point of 25% propylene glycol is -9.72C. and the usual machines that are on the market according to the powers they have, their evaporation point is at -10 ° C. This means that if the temperature of the machine moves between _3 ° C and _4 ° C the machine does not make ice and it is impossible to have a remnant of this style. A 25% glycol mixture machine lowers the yield a lot and would not cool in the plate exchangers unless they had unthinkable volumes. Likewise, the electricity consumption would be exaggerated and possibly never stop the condensing unit and end

25 burning.

With the beverage dispensing system object of the invention, the system is programmed to proceed to make the least starts of the condensing unit that is when the equipment consumes the most, and when starting 30 is prolonged to a small excess of cold to support the loss that could have and thus perform fewer starts with controlled temperature. In a

establishment that is open 10 hours a day with a single product the consumption of a current market equipment working at DOC 24 hours has the same consumption as the dispensing system of the invention at -S, soC for 50 hours. This indicates colder and less consumption for any equipment in the current market.

5 On the other hand, to date the cleaning and disinfection of a beverage dispensing system has been carried out by a technician, who has to connect a cleaning equipment to the system. These cleanings are done annually and this implies an important proliferation of germs and bacteria, likewise the product has bad

10 taste and bitter for this proliferation. With the beverage dispensing system and integrated cleaning procedure the problems presented to date are overcome, since through a recirculation with a special product mixed with water that is performed every day at a certain time and for all faucets, the losses Refrigerators are minimal, it is not necessary to have the

15 apparatus in operation 365 days 24 hours, in addition that the quality of the product increases considerably by being free of germs and bacteria, which were created when the system was cleaned once a year. As a consequence the present invention goes a step further, improving the existing and manufactured beverage dispensing systems to date, since the dispenser of

20 beverages object of the invention do not need to be in operation during non-working hours because they do not need to be working along the lines, since these are empty, disinfected and pressurized with C02, which means considerable energy savings.

25 DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is integrated by a supply team and a cleaning device both automated. In which the supply equipment is composed of an established condensing unit, a defined ice bank vat, a specific refrigerant central unit 30, a pre-established barrel or barrels containing product or beverage, a C02 bottle and all connected by means of a Serie

of tubes, solenoid valves, sensors, connectors, pressure switches or similar, established and located as appropriate; and the cleaning device is composed of certain solenoid valves, a suction line of a disinfectant component, anti-return valves, a metering pump and a recirculation pump.

The condensing unit is the equipment that is responsible for producing cold using as a medium a refrigerant gas and an engine of different powers according to needs. This unit is protected with a cover and some reji llas in its perimeter, in order to avoid possible accidents with the fan and the presence of bugs.

In front of the evaporator of the condensing unit there is a filter, with the purpose of retaining all the dirt that the fan aspirates, not saturating the evaporator, not losing cooling power, avoiding overheating of the engine, and also reducing energy consumption.

To measure if the equipment is in optimal working conditions and evaporator cooling, an anemometer is installed, which for any change in the passage of refrigerant air gives an alarm signal to clean the filter and consequently, the unit gets better performance condenser at lower electric cost.

Two pressure hoses or insulated pipes leave the condensing unit, which are connected to an ice bank, from which in one direction the refrigerant gas goes from the condensing unit to the ice bank. while the other line performs the opposite effect, that is, it introduces the refrigerant gas back to the condensing unit.

In the event that the beverage dispensing system has a double ice bank, electrovalves and a bypass are installed on the corresponding refrigerant gas lines, in order to send the refrigerant gas to one Or to both coils of the corresponding ice bank vats.

The ice bank vat is composed of two buckets of polyester and stratified glass fiber and gelcoat painted; these are tucked into each other separated by a 3mm front. thick throughout its perimeter. Inside the hollow space of the inner cuvette there is a coil, a thermo probe and an agitator motor with a marine propeller on its stem, which agitates a water / glycol cooling fluid and helps its cooling. This tank also incorporates a coolant recirculation pump and a tight-fitting lid that pressurizes and seals the entire assembly, avoiding temperature losses and the proliferation of algae and other living things that grow in the water due to their tightness.

The refrigerant fluid that contains the ice bank vat may be constituted by the 10% glycol water / glycol mixture with which a temperature of _3.3 ° C is obtained; or if the beverage has a higher graduation and withstands more cold, the water / glycol mixture is 12% glycol, achieving a temperature of -5.5 ° C. So the range of temperatures that the refrigerant fluid can work in the beverage dispensing system is between [-3.3 ° C and -5.5 ° C], in a percentage of glycol that ranges between [10% and 12%] in the mixture, and with an ice bank around the perimeter of 50% of the volume of the tank for a cold remnant, of possible cold consumption blows due to higher product consumption.

Two lines or insulated pipes that connect to a central unit leave the ice bank vat, from which in one line the coolant flows from the ice bank vat to the central unit and the other line is for the route on the contrary, that is, the coolant goes from the central unit to the ice bank vat.

The central unit is where the product or beverage is refrigerated and is located under a bar or similar bar. It consists of a box that contains inside plate exchangers, PPR tubes, solenoid valves, pressure switches, temperature sensors, and connectors. This box is closed, sealed and isolated, and on it there is a tray for the possible dripping of faucets, some columns containing the aforementioned taps, and a wet cup. As previously mentioned, this box is located under the bar and is fixed to it by certain means, such that a small structure or support, constituted by easily removable plates.

The box is made of polyester and stratified fiberglass and painted with gelcoat, in addition to having a thermal insulator around its perimeter of 2mm. of expanded polyurethane. Thus, both this material and the thermal insulator provide the housing that makes up the housing of the central unit, medium fire resistance, low thermal conductivity and no electrical, that is, factors for considerable energy savings.

It has been previously mentioned that there are two lines that leave the ice cube and connect to the central unit. One of these lines is where the refrigerant flows out of the ice cube at an estimated fixed temperature between [_3 ° C and 5.5 ° C] and is introduced into a PPR tube inside the central unit housing called general line of entry; and the other line, called the general outlet line, is where the refrigerant fluid flows from the central unit box, through a PPR tube, to the ice bank tank.

In the general inlet line of the central unit box, there are different connectors that pass the refrigerant fluid to different exchangers. Each of these exchangers is intended to cool different types of drinks with different graduation. So, the exchangers whose function is to cool drinks with high graduation, do not contain solenoid valves at the inlet of the cooling fluid. On the contrary, the exchangers whose function is to cool drinks with no or low graduation that are susceptible to freezing, have an electrovalve at the entrance.

Each of the exchangers also has an output, that is, they have a

outlet connection of the refrigerant fluid to the general outlet line of the box that

redirects the refrigerant fluid to the ice bank tank, mentioned above.

In this output connection and depending on the graduation of the drink

There are two options, that is, the exchangers whose function is to cool

drinks with high graduation do not contain non-return valve; and on the contrary

exchangers whose function is to cool drinks with no or low

graduation that are susceptible to freezing, they have a valve at the exit

non-return and also a temperature sensor. This way if the entrance of the

coolant excessively lowers the temperature of the beverage it contains

one of these exchangers, the temperature sensor is activated detecting that

the drink is near the freezing point, and activates the solenoid valve that

located in the input connection to the previously mentioned exchanger, cutting the

passage of more cooling fluid.

For this reason, drinks that have a high graduation do not have solenoid valves at the entrance of the refrigerant because they do not need to cut the passage of the same, since the temperature of the cooling liquid is optimal for cooling and this is not less than its freezing point, (only depends on the constant temperature of the water / glycol mixture that can range between [-3'C and -5.5'C]).

On the other hand, at the outlet of the product line of an exchanger (whose function is to cool drinks with no or low graduation), there is a pressure switch that activates when the column tap is opened, so that the solenoid valve ( previously mentioned) located at the entrance of the refrigerant fluid in the exchanger, it opens allowing the refrigerant fluid to enter.

The columns that contain the taps that are fixed above the central unit box, previously mentioned, also contain coolant.

In the general inlet line through which the coolant is introduced into the central unit, in addition to the exchangers being connected, a tube is connected to each of the columns.

This tube through which the coolant enters the column is called the column's cooling line, it is not connected to anything, that is, it has a free end. For this reason when the coolant enters the column, this column is almost completely internally flooded by the coolant.

When the beverage that is contained in a product line within the column, is of low graduation and is in danger of freezing inside it (because the environment of the tube that contains it is flooded with coolant), a temperature sensor that integrated into the column, it sends a signal to a solenoid valve that is in the general inlet line of the central unit box, previously mentioned, cutting the inlet passage of the cooling fluid to the tap column and to the entire line until the barrel.

The coolant that floods the tap column is evacuated by gravity through an insulated tube that is contained in the column, this tube being at its other end connected inside the central unit box to a tube or conduit called a python. In this way, each of the columns contained in the dispensing system acts in the same way.

The so-called python ducts are the ducts that connect the central unit with the barrels of the different products or drinks, and each of them consists of three lines that are contained in an insulated hose. One of the

lines contain the product or drink, otTa is a refrigeration line and another is an auxiliary line, all of which is flooded with coolant.

So, the coolant that comes from the evacuation by

5 Gravity of the tube contained in the column being this tube connected at its other end (inside the central unit box) to the python duct, all previously mentioned, implies that the water / glycol refrigerant fluid is introduced into the python duct a through a line called refrigeration of the python, which reaches the entrance of the barrel, not entering in any case within this

10 because at the end of the python conduit there is a rubber stopper that prevents the loss of refrigerant. Thus, when the coolant reaches the aforementioned end, since the python's cooling line is slightly shorter than the length of the python duct, the coolant rises through said python duct flooding the three referred lines returning to the central system

15 again. At the junction of the python conduit with the central unit housing, an insulating tube that redirects the refrigerant fluid to a connection located in the general outlet line containing the central unit, so that said water / glycol refrigerant fluid returns to the ice bank vat.

20 In the connection of the python with the barrel that contains the product or beverage, a head with hydraulic equipment has been installed, so that it is automatically disconnected when it detects that the cleaning process begins at its different stages and when it detects the depletion of the barrel. In addition, that the head is hydraulic provides comfort to a user without having to perform

25 no effort to connect or disconnect said barrel.

On the other hand, in order for the beverage to flow through the hydraulic connection, a series of components that allow the entry of CO2 from a bottle to the barrel is necessary.

30 At the exit of the C02 bottle there is a pressure regulator and an electrovalve, which allows the passage or closing of the gas according to the process. From the solenoid valve comes a line that is distributed in a bypass that on one side a line goes to the barrel and on the other side there is an auxiliary line with an electrovalve and a non-return valve, where the injection of C02 into the cleaning system begins which will be exposed later. In the direction of the barrel we have another solenoid valve which acts to output the C02 that enters the barrel and through which the product comes out

or drink it.

In this way, the hydraulic previously mentioned, connects and disconnects the barrel according to the process that is being carried out, that is, when the beverage leaves the barrel through the product line that contains the python conduit, a sensor located in the line detects the depletion of the product by closing a solenoid valve at the entrance of the aforementioned barrel, disconnecting the hydraulic so that the product line is not discharged avoiding a pressure stroke.

However, when the exit of the product that contains the barrel leaves it with nonnality, it ascends through the product line located inside the python conduit and reaches the central unit. In the central unit the product line joins with a ntbo that enters the exchanger, as a consequence the product or beverage cools to its optimum temperature, subsequently ascending to the product line that contains the tap in the column, so that after go through a "Y" connection the drink comes out of the tap.

The beverage dispensing system with an automated and programmable cleaning device, cleanses and disinfects by means of the recirculation of a special product that is mixed with water in certain proportions This recirculation is carried out daily at a certain time, by means of a program to each and every one of the taps that make up the system. During this period the equipment is completely stopped with the consequent energy saving, and the barrel's hydraulic head is disconnected.

The cleaning device uses all the product lines, that is, the product lines that the faucet column has, the product lines that contain the central unit housing and the python conduit to the vicinity of the barrel; and also consists of certain solenoid valves; a suction line of a disinfectant component; non-return valves; a dosing pump and a recirculation pump.

The suction line is the line through which the disinfection product reaches the dosing pump. There is a non-return valve in it so that the product or disinfectant component does not return to its container or tank. This dosing pump acts under the order of a program that sends a signal to dose the amount of disinfectant product appropriate for each case.

At the same time, the program also sends an order to an electrovalve to enter water from the general network for another 1 line, in certain proportions, this line also has an anti-return valve. This order will be different for the different stages of the cleaning process, that is, for the rinse stage and the disinfection stage.

Another detail of the cleaning device is a recirculation pump, which means that the mixture of water with the disinfectant product travels the lines repeatedly a certain number of times.

To begin with the cleaning process, first of all the lines must be empty of product or drink that is achieved with the emptying stage by returning the product to the barrel; then a rinse of the lines is performed to clean the walls of the ducts of the greatest amount of remains that have been left, this stage is called rinsing; then the disinfection stage is continued, which is where a recirculation of the disinfectant product occurs, purifying the lines; then the rinse stage is carried out again, to eliminate possible remains of disinfectant product; and lastly, the C02 injection stage is carried out, which consists of filling all the lines of said gas to prevent the proliferation of genes and bacteria.

The product or beverage emptying stage of the lines consists of opening the different solenoid valves that make up the product lines or dispensing lines, and introducing C02 through auxiliary lines so that this gas pushes the product or beverage towards the barrel.

Thus, the C02 that has the barrel leaves through the auxiliary lines and goes towards the tap column in the opposite direction to the exit of the drink, recirculating all the product or drink in the opposite direction to the one of its exit doing the backward movement until the barrel from which it came.

Once the empty lines of drink remain, the rinse stage begins. This stage consists of introducing water from the general network by means of a signal that receives the solenoid valve located at the outlet of the network, and successively the rest of the solenoid valves that make up the auxiliary lines are opened in an orderly manner, until reaching a connection in " And "that it has (in the auxiliary line) a non-return valve before reaching the tap, so that the water flows down the product line through the exchanger until it reaches the barrel head, which is disconnected by safety. Like the solenoid valve at its inlet that is closed, and the only outlet for the water outlet is an electrovalve that is located at the entrance to the drain of the general network.

Then the disinfection stage begins. The disinfectant product absorbed by the suction line passes through the metering pump, this is responsible for distributing or regulating the amount of disinfectant product to each of the product lines of each of the barrels.

Simultaneously, water from the general network is introduced in the quantities that have previously been established to carry out the mixing. Then and in the opposite direction to the direction of dispensing of the drink, when the mixture of the disinfectant product reaches the "Y" connection of the tap column, it follows the route of the product line to the central unit box passing through the exchangers, and continue until reaching the head of the barrel, which is disconnected for safety as well as the solenoid valve at its entrance that is closed. At this point the solenoid valve that outputs the disinfection product to the general network is closed, on the contrary the solenoid valve that connects to the auxiliary line is open in order to produce a recirculation of the disinfectant product through the dispensing lines. the times defined in the program of the system control processor.

Once the recirculation pump has finished by indication of the programmed process, the drain solenoid valve that connects to the general network is opened, thus emptying all the lines that make up the product lines.

Once the empty lines of disinfectant product remain, the automatic rinsing process starts again, which eliminates possible traces of disinfectant product

Finally, the C02 injection stage is carried out, which, as noted above, consists of filling all the lines of said gas so as not to allow the proliferation of germs and bacteria.

At this stage, the C02 solenoid valve is opened so that when both the solenoid valve that connects to the barrel and the drain solenoid valve are closed, the gas passes through the auxiliary line (which has all its solenoid valves open), so that both Auxiliary lines, such as product lines, are filled with CO2 so that each and every one of them is filled with this gas, preventing the proliferation of genes and bacteria within the entire beverage supply system, since once finished This pressurizing stage automatically closes all the solenoid valves that make up the system.

A broader idea of the features of the invention etc. in which the same references have been respected as in the main patent to define the parts of these that are common in this case, giving complementary references to continue with the same identifying tone.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a representation of the whole beverage dispensing system.

Figure 2 is a flat representation of the condensing unit of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a flat representation of the ice bank vat of Figure

one. Figure 4 is a flat representation of the central unit of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a flat representation of the column and tap of Figure 1. Figure 6 is a representation of the connection through the barrel head of

the figure l.

Figure 7 is a perspective representation of the system as a whole

beverage dispenser fixed on the bar of a bar or similar.

Figure 8 is a diagram of the emptying stage in the cleaning process

integrated beverage dispensing system.

ES253 l015AI

Figure 9 is a diagram of the rinse stage in the integrated beverage dispensing system.

the cleaning process

5

Figure 1 is an outline of the disinfection stage in the integrated cleaning process of the beverage dispensing system.

Figure 1 1 is a diagram of the pressurization stage with C02 in the integrated cleaning process of the beverage dispensing system.

the

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

15 20

The invention is integrated by a supply team and a cleaning device both automated. In which the supply equipment is composed of a set consisting of a condensing unit (1), an ice bank vat (2), a central refrigerant unit (3), a column / ace (4) with grif% s (5), a barrel or barrels (6) containing product or beverage, a bottle of C02 (7) and all connected by a series of tubes, solenoid valves, sensors, connectors, pressure switches or similar, established and located as appropriate ; and the cleaning device consists of certain cleaning solenoid valves (93), a suction line (91) of a disinfectant component, anirrerorno valves (92 and 95), a metering pump (9) and a recirculation pump (94).

25 30

The condensing unit (1) (Fig. 2), is the equipment that is responsible for producing cold using as a medium a cooling gas and an engine of different powers according to needs. This unit is protected with a cover and grilles (12) on its perimeter, which prevents possible accidents with the fan (13). In front of this fan (13) there is a filter (14) that retains all dirt not saturating the evaporator and not losing cooling power, prevents overheating of the engine, and also reduces energy consumption; on the other hand there are also

installed an anemometer (15) which gives an alanna signal to clean the filter

(14) when it detects any change in the passage of cooling air.

Two pressure hoses (16 and 161) or tubes leave the condensing unit (1)

5

insulated that are connected to an ice bank vat (2), of which in a

line (16) the direction of the refrigerant gas goes from the condensing unit (1) to

the ice bank vat (2); while the other line (1 6 1) performs the effect

contrary,

is tell, introduce he gas refrigerant again to the unity

condenser (1).

the

In the event that the beverage dispensing system has a double tank bank

ice (2), the corresponding lines (1 6 and 161) of the refrigerant gas are installed

solenoid valves and a bypass (18) at the outlet of a compressor (1 7).

15 The ice bank vat (2) (Fig. 3), consists of two buckets (21 and 22) of polyester and stratified glass fiber and gelcoat painted; these are tucked into each other separated by a 3mm insulator. thick throughout its perimeter. Inside the hollow space of the inner cuvette (22) there is a coil (23), a thermal probe (28) and an agitator motor (24) with a marine propeller (25)

20 on its stem, which agitates a water / glycol refrigerant fluid and helps its cooling. This tank (2) also incorporates a recirculation pump (29) of refrigerant and a lid of hennético closing (26) that pressurizes and stagnates the whole set, avoiding losses of temperature and the proliferation of algae and other living beings that grow in the Water for its tightness.

The refrigerant fluid that contains the ice bank tank (2) may be constituted by the 10% glycol water / glycol mixture with which a temperature of -3.3 ° C is obtained; or if the drink has a higher graduation and withstands more cold, the water / glycol mixture is 12% glycol, achieving a temperature

30 5.5 ° C. So the range of temperatures that the refrigerant fluid can work in the beverage dispensing system is between [-3.3 () C and _5.5 ° q, in a percentage of glycol that ranges between [10% and 12 %] in the mixture, and with an ice bank (2) around the perimeter of 50% of the volume of the tank for a remnant of cold, of possible blows of cold consumption due to higher product consumption.

Two lines (27 and 271) or insulated pipes that connect to a central unit (3) leave the ice bank tank (2), of which in a line (27) the coolant leaves the bank tank of ice (2) to the central unit (3) and the other line (27 1) is for the opposite route, that is, the coolant goes from the central unit (3) to the ice bank vat (2) .

The central unit (3) (FigA) is where the product or beverage is refrigerated and is located under a bar counter (10) or similar (Fig. 7). It consists of a box

(325) which contains inside plate exchangers (321 and 322), PPR tubes, solenoid valves, pressure switches, temperature sensors, and connectors. This box (325) is closed, insulated and sealed; and on it there is fixed a tray (101) for the possible dripping of taps, some columns (4) that contain the referred taps (5), and a wet cup. As previously mentioned, this box (325) is located under the bar (10) and is fixed to it by certain means, such that a small structure or support (102), consisting of easily removable plates (103) (Fig. 7).

The box (325) is made of polyester and stratified fiberglass and painted with ge \ coat, in addition to having a thermal insulator throughout its perimeter of 201m. of expanded polyurethane. Thus, both this material and the thermal insulator provide the housing (1) that makes up the housing of the central unit (3), medium fire resistance, low thermal conductivity and no electrical, that is, factors for considerable energy savings .

It has been previously mentioned that there are two lines (27 and 271) that leave the ice cube (2) and connect to the central unit (3). One of these lines (27) is where the cooling fluid leaves the ice cube (2) at an estimated fixed temperature between [_3 ° C and -5.5 ° C] and is introduced into a PPR tube inside the central unit box (3) called the general input line (33); and the other line called the general outlet line (33 1), which is where the refrigerant flows from the central unit box (3), by means of a PPR tube, to the ice bank tank ( 2).

In the general inlet line (33) of the central unit housing (3), there are different connectors (34) that pass the cooling fluid to different exchangers (321 and 322). Each of these exchangers is intended to cool different types of drinks with different graduation. So, the exchangers

(321) whose function is to cool drinks with high graduation, do not contain solenoid valves at the inlet of the cooling fluid. On the contrary, the exchangers (322) whose function is to cool drinks with no or low graduation that are susceptible to freezing, have a solenoid valve (341) at the entrance.

Each of the exchangers (321 and 322) also has an outlet, that is, they have an outlet connection (35) of the refrigerant fluid to the general outlet line (331) of the housing (3) that redirects the refrigerant fluid to the ice bank vat (2), previously cited.

In this outlet connection (35) and depending on the graduation of the beverage there are two options, that is, the exchangers (321) whose function is to cool drinks with high graduation do not contain a non-return valve; and on the contrary, the exchangers (322) whose function is to cool drinks with no low O graduation that are susceptible to freezing, have an anti-return valve (35 1) in the outlet connection (35) and also a temperature sensor (352 ). In this way, if the coolant inlet excessively lowers the temperature of the beverage containing one of these exchangers (322), the temperature sensor (352) is activated detecting that the beverage is near the freezing point, and activates the solenoid valve (341) that was located in the inlet connection (34) to the exchanger (322), cutting off the passage of more cooling fluid.

For this reason, the exchangers (321) of the drinks that have a high graduation do not have solenoid valves (341) in the inlet connection (34) of the refrigerant because they do not need to cut the passage of the same, since the temperature of the coolant is the optimum for cooling and this is not less than its freezing point, (it only depends on the constant temperature of the water / glycol mixture that can range between [_3 ° C and -5.5 ° CJ).

On the other hand, at the output of the product line of each exchanger (322) whose function is to cool drinks with no or low graduation, there is a pressure switch that activates when the tap (5) of the column is opened (4) , so that the solenoid valve (341) located in the inlet connection (34) of the refrigerant fluid in the exchanger (322), opens allowing the refrigerant fluid to enter.

The colunms (4) (Fig. 5) containing the taps (5) that are fixed above the housing (325) of the central unit (3), previously mentioned, also contain coolant.

In the general inlet line (33) through which the coolant is introduced into the central unit (3), in addition to the interchanges (321 and 322) being connected, a tube is connected to it at a connection point (36 ) (Fig. 4) that reaches each of the columns (4).

This tube through which the coolant enters the column (4) (Fig. 5) is called the refrigeration line (41) of the column (4), it is not connected to anything, that is, it has a free end. For this reason, when the coolant enters the column (4), this column (4) is almost completely interconnected by the coolant.

When the beverage that is contained in a product line (42) within the column (4), is of low graduation and is in danger of freezing inside it (because the environment of the tube that contains it is flooded with coolant) , a temperature sensor (43) that is integrated into the column (4), sends a signal to a solenoid valve (37) (Fig. 4) that is in the general input line (33) of the box (3) of the central unit (3), previously mentioned, by cutting the passage of cooling fluid inlet to the column (4) of the tap (5) and to the entire line to the barrel (6).

The coolant that floods the column (4) of the tap (5), is evacuated by gravity through an insulated tube (4 11) that is contained in the column (4), this tube (41 1) being at its other end connected inside the box (325) of the central unit (3) to a tube or conduit called python (8). In this way, each of the columns (4) contained in the dispensing system acts in the same way.

The so-called python ducts (8) are the ducts that connect the central unit (3) with the barrels (6) of the different products or beverages, and each one is made up of three lines that are contained in an insulated hose. One of the lines contains the product O drink, another is a refrigeration line and another is an auxiliary line, all of which is flooded with coolant.

So, the coolant that comes from the gravity evacuation of the bulb (411) contained in the column (4) being this bulb connected by its other end and inside the housing (325) of the central unit (3), to the python duct (8), all previously mentioned; it implies that the water / glycol refrigerant fluid is introduced into the python duct (8) through a so-called python cooling line (8), which reaches the barrel inlet (6), not

entering this barrel (6) under no circumstances because at the end of the python (8) there is a rubber stopper that prevents the loss of refrigerant. Thus, when the coolant reaches the aforementioned end, since the cooling line of the python (8) is slightly shorter than the length of the python (8), the coolant rises through the aforementioned python (8) flooding the three lines referred to retaking the central system (3) again. At the junction of the python conduit (8) with the housing (325) of the central unit (3) an insulating tube that redirects the cooling fluid to a connection (38) (Fig. 4) located in the general outlet line ( 33 1) which contains the central unit (3), so that said water / glycol refrigerant fluid returns to the ice bank vat (2).

When connecting the python (8) with the barrel (6) that contains the product or beverage (Fig. 6), a head with hydraulic equipment (61) has been installed that automatically disconnects the barrel (6) when it detects that the cleaning process begins in its different stages, and when it detects the depletion of the barrel

(6).

On the other hand, in order for the beverage to flow through the hydraulic connection (61), a series of components that penetrate the entrance of C02 from a bottle (7) to the barrel (6) is necessary.

At the exit of the C02 bottle (7) there is a pressure regulator and an electrovalve (71), which allows the passage or closing of the gas according to the process. From the solenoid valve (71) comes a line that is distributed in a bypass that on one side a line goes to the barrel (6) and on the other side there is an auxiliary line with an electrovalve (73) and a non-return valve (74) , where the injection of C02 into the cleaning system that will be exposed later begins. In the direction of the barrel we have another solenoid valve (72) that acts to output the C02 that enters the barrel (6) and through which the product or drink comes out of it.

In this way the hydraulic head (61) previously mentioned, connects and disconnects the barrel (6) according to the process that is being carried out, that is, when the beverage leaves the barrel (6) through the product line that contains the Python conduit (8), a sensor (81) located in the line detects the depletion of the product by closing a solenoid valve (82) at the barrel inlet (6), disconnecting the hydraulic head (61) so that no the product line is discharged avoiding a pressure stroke.

However, when the output of the product containing the barrel (6) leaves it normally, it rises along the product line located inside the python (8) and reaches the central unit (3). In the central unit (3) the product line joins with a tube that enters the exchanger (321, 322), as a consequence the product or beverage is cooled to its optimum temperature, subsequently ascending to the product line (42) that they contain the tap (5) in the column (4), so that after going through a "Y" connection (5 1), the drink comes out of the said crane (5) (Fig. 5).

The beverage dispensing system with automated and programmable cleaning device, cleans and disinfects by means of the recirculation of a special product that mixes with water in certain proportions. This recirculation is performed daily at a specific time, through a program to each and every one of the taps (5) that make up the system. During this period the equipment is completely stopped with the consequent energy saving, and the hydraulic head (6 1) of the barrel (6) is disconnected.

The cleaning device uses all the product lines (Fig. 8 to Fig. 11), that is, the product lines (42) that the tap column (4) has (5), the product lines (39) containing the housing (325) of the central unit (3) and the python duct (8) to the vicinity of the barrel (6); and also consists of certain cleaning solenoid valves (93); a suction line (91) of a disinfectant component; check valves (92 and 98); a metering pump (9) and a recirculation pump (94).

The suction line (91), is the line through which the disinfection product reaches the dosing pump (9) and in it there is a check valve (92). This dosing pump (9) acts under the order of a program that sends a signal to dose the amount of disinfectant product (B) appropriate for each case.

Simultaneously, the program also sends an order to an electrovalve (95) located in a line through which water (A) enters the general network in certain proportions, this line also has a non-return valve (98). This order will be different for the different stages of the cleaning process, that is, for the rinse stage (Fig. 1 O) and the disinfection stage (Fig. II).

Another detail of the cleaning system is a recirculation pump (94), which allows the mixture of water (A) with the disinfectant product (S) to travel the lines repeatedly a certain number of times.

To start with the cleaning process, first of all the lines must be empty of product or drink that is achieved with the emptying stage by returning the product to 1 barrel (Fig. 8); then a rinse of the lines is performed to clean the walls of the ducts of the greatest amount of remains that have been left, this stage is called rinsing (Fig. 9); then the disinfection step is continued (Fig. IO), which is where the disinfectant product is recirculated by purifying the lines; then the rinse stage is carried out again (Fig. 9), to eliminate possible remains of disinfectant product; and lastly the C02 injection stage is performed

or pressurizes cio n (Fig.ll), which consists of filling all the lines of said gas to prevent the proliferation of germs and bacteria.

The emptying stage (Fig. 8) of the product or beverage of the lines consists of opening the different solenoid valves from the auxiliary lines (L!) To the product lines (L2) or dispensing lines, and entering C02 through them with the In order for this gas to push the product or beverage into the barrel (6).

Thus, the C02 that has the barrel (6) exits the auxiliary lines (Ll) and goes to the column (4) recirculating the entire product or drink in the opposite direction to its exit through the product line (L2) doing it back to the barrel (6) from which it came.

Once the product lines (L2) are empty of drink, the rinsing stage begins (Fig. 9).

This stage consists of introducing water AC) from the general network by means of a signal that receives the solenoid valve (95) located at the outlet of the network, and successively the rest of the cleaning solenoid valves (93) that make up the auxiliary line (L 1), until reaching a "Y" connection (5 1) which in turn has (on the auxiliary line (L 1)) a non-return valve (511) before reaching the tap (5). In this way the water (A) goes down the product line (L2) through the exchanger (321, 322) until it reaches the hydraulic head (61) of the barrel (6), which is disconnected for safety as well that the solenoid valve (82) at its inlet that is closed, and the only outlet there is for water drainage (A) is a drain solenoid valve (96) that is located at the inlet to the drain (D) of the general network .

Then the disinfection stage begins (Fig. I). The disinfectant product (B) absorbed by the suction line (91) passes through the dosing bottle (9), this is responsible for distributing or regulating the amount of disinfectant product to each of the cleaning solenoid valves (93) that They are directed to product lines of each of the barrels.

Simultaneously, water (A) from the general network is also introduced in the quantities that have previously been established to carry out the mixture. Then and in the opposite direction to the direction of dispensing of the drink, when the mixture of the disinfectant product reaches the "Y" connection (5 1) of the 5 column of the tap follows the route through the product line (L2) passing through the exchangers (321, 322), and continue until reaching the hydraulic head (61) of the barrel (6), which is disconnected for safety as well as the solenoid valve

(82) at its entrance that is closed.

10 At this point the drain solenoid valve (96) that outputs the disinfection product to the general drain network (D) is closed, on the contrary the recirculation solenoid valve (97) that connects to the auxiliary line (L1) is open so that a recirculation of the disinfectant product is generated by the product lines (L2) as many times as defined in the program of the

15 system control processor.

Once the recirculation pump (94) has tended to indicate the

programmed process, the drain solenoid valve (96) that connects to the network

general drainage (O), opens therefore proceeding to the emptying of all

20 lines that make up the system lines.

Once the empty lines of disinfectant product remain, it starts

the automatic rinse process again (Fig. 9), which eliminates possible remains

of disinfectant product.

Finally, the C02 O pressurization injection stage is performed (Fig. 1), which, as indicated above, consists of filling all the lines of the system with said gas so as not to penetrate the proliferation of germs and bacteria.

30 At this stage, the solenoid valve (71) located at the exit of the C0 2 bottle (7) is opened so that both the solenoid valve (72) that is located on the line connecting the bypass with the barrel (C) are closed 6), like the drain solenoid valve (96), the gas passes through the auxiliary line (L!) So that both the auxiliary line (L l) and the product line (L2) are filled with C02 so that each and every one of the lines is filled with this gas, to subsequently automatically close all the solenoid valves that make up the system.

Claims (8)

1.-INTEGRATED BEVERAGE DISPENSER AND INTEGRATED PROCESS SYSTEM in which the system consists of a supply team and S a cleaning device, in which the supply equipment in turn is composed of an assembly formed by a condensing unit (1), an ice bank tank (2), a central unit (3) refrigerant, a column / as (4) with grif% s (5), a barrel or barrels (6) containing product or drink, a bottle of C02 (7) and all connected by a series of tubes, solenoid valves, 10 sensors, connectors, pressure switches or similar that is CHARACTERIZED because: in the supply equipment: • the condensing unit (1) has a filter (14) in front of the fan (13) that retains all dirt not saturating the evaporator and not losing power 15, and also has an anemometer (15) installed which gives an alarm signal to clean the filter (14) when it detects any change in the passage of cooling air; • the ice bank tank (2) is made up of two buckets (21 and 22) of polyester and stratified glass fiber and gelcoat paint that are inserted 20 one inside the other separated by an insulator in all its perimeter, and also incorporates a hermetically sealed cover (26) that pressurizes and seals the entire assembly; • the central unit (3) consists of a box (325) that is closed, insulated and sealed, made of polyester and stratified fiberglass and 2S painted with gelcoat with a thermal insulator throughout its perimeter of expanded polyurethane, inside this box (325) has some exchangers (32 1 and 322), a general inlet line (33) through which the cooling fluid that comes from the Cuba ice bank (2), a general starting line (33 1) where the refrigerant fluid flows to the ice bank tank (2), 30 solenoid valves, pressure switches, temperature sensors, and connectors;

•

the columns (4) containing the taps (5) are fixed above the box

(325) of the central unit (3) and consists of a cooling line (41) that have a free end so that the coolant flows through it and floods the entire column (4), a temperature sensor ( 43) that sends a signal to a solenoid valve (37) that is in the general inlet line (33) of the central unit (3) that cuts the coolant inlet passage to the column (4), this coolant that flood the column (4) it is evacuated by gravity by means of an insulated tube (411) which, at its other end, is connected, inside the box (325) of the central unit (3), to a tube or conduit called python (8);

•

the barrel or barrels (6) that contain product or drink, have a head installed with a hydraulic equipment (61) that automatically disconnects the barrel by means of a sensor (8 1) located in a product line that detects the exhaustion of the product by which closes a solenoid valve (82) at the inlet of the barrel (6), disconnecting the hydraulic head (61) so that the product line (L2) that goes from the barrel (6) to the tap is not discharged ( 5) of the column (4), avoiding a pressure stroke;

•

and the C02 bottle (7) has a solenoid valve (71) located at its outlet where a line is distributed that is distributed in a bypass, so that from this bypass to the barrel (6) there is a line that has a solenoid valve ( 72), while on the other side of the bypass an auxiliary line (L 1) starts with an electrovalve (73) and an anti-return valve (74), where the injection of C02 into the system begins;

-

and in which the cleaning device is comprised of certain cleaning solenoid valves (93), a suction line (91) where a disinfection product reaches a metering pump (9) through an anti-return valve (92), This dosing pump (9) acts under the order of a program that sends a signal to dose the amount of disinfectant product (B) appropriate in each case, where simultaneously the program also sends an order to a solenoid valve (95) located in a line where water enters (A) in certain proportions of the general network, and that in addition

it has a non-return valve (98); and that through a pump

recirculation (94) allows the mixing of water (A) with the product

disinfectant (8), runs through all the lines of the dispensing system a number

determined times according to the process of the invention.

s

2.-DRINK SYSTEM DI DRINKS AND CLEANING PROCESS

INTEGRATED in which the supply equipment and the cleaning device,

according to claim 1 it is CHARACTERIZED because it is automated and is

programmable.

10

3.-DRINK DRIVER SYSTEM AND CLEANING PROCESS

INTEGRATED in which in the supply team when you have a tank of

double hello bank (2), according to claim I is CHARACTERIZED because it is

install a few lines (16 Y ¡6l) of refrigerant gas from the condensing unit (1),

I S

an ace solenoid valve and a bypass (18) at the outlet of a compressor (17).

4.-BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM AND CLEANING PROCESS

INTEG RADO in which the tank of the hi elo bank (2), according to claim I is

CHARACTERIZE because the temperature range that the fluid works

twenty

refrigerant in the supply equipment is between [_3,3 ° C and -5,5 ° C], in a

percentage of gli cabbage that ranges between [1 0% and 12%] in the mixture, with a bank

of gall or (2) in the entire perimeter of 50% of the volume of the tank for a

cold remnant.

2S

S. DRINK DRIVER SYSTEM AND CLEANING PROCESS

INTEGRATED in which the insulator that separates the two cuvettes (2 1 and 22) that

they integrate the ice bank tank (2), according to claim 1 it is CHARACTERIZED

Because it is 3mm. of thickness.

30

6.-SYSTEM OF DRINK SPENSER AND PROCESS OF U MPIEZA

INTEGRATED because the expanded poly urethane thermal insulator of the box

(325) that composes the central unit CHARACTERIZA because it is 2mm.

(3), according claim be

S

7.-BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM AND INTEGRATED CLEANING PROCESS in which the central unit (3), according to claim I is CHARACTERIZED because it is located under the bar (10).

10

8.-INTEGRATED BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM AND CLEANING PROCESS in which the central unit (3) according to claims I and 7 is CHARACTERIZED because it is fixed by a small structure or support (102), constituted by easy-to-use plates (103) disassembly

15 20

9.-INTEGRATED LI MPI EZA BEB IDENSER AND PROCESS DI SYSTEM, in which the exchangers (322) of the central unit box (3), according to claim I are CHARACTERIZED because they have a non-return valve (351) and a temperature sensor (352) located in an outlet connection (35), so that when the temperature sensor (352) detects an excessive temperature drop of the beverage containing the exchanger (322), it sends a signal to a solenoid valve (341) located in an inlet connection (34) that cuts off the passage of refrigerant fluid from the general inlet line (33).

2S 30

10.-LI MPI EZA INTEGRATED DRINK AND PROCESS SPENSING SYSTEM in which the cleaning process is CHARACTERIZED because it is carried out by means of an emptying stage, in which all the lines are emptied of product or drink returning the product to the barrel ; then a stage of rinsing of the lines is carried out to clean the walls of the ducts of the greater amount of remains that has been left; then it continues with a disinfection stage, which performs a recirculation of disinfectant product purifying the lines; then another rinse stage is carried out, which eliminates the remains of disinfectant product; and lastly we proceed to a stage of

C02 injection or pressurization, which fills or saturates all lines with the said gas preventing the proliferation of germs and bacteria.

11.-BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM AND CLEANING PROCESS

S

INTEGRATED in which the emptying stage according to claim 10, is

CHARACTERJZA because it automatically opens the different solenoid valves from

the auxiliary line (L 1), which starts from the bypass connection of the C02 bottle

until the «Y" (SI) connection of column (4), to continue opening the

solenoid valves of the product line (L2), that is, the solenoid valves that go

10

from the "Y" connection of the column (4) to the barrel (6); and enter the C02

from the barrel (6) to the cylindrical auxiliary line (LI), through the cylindrical bypass

previously recirculating the entire product or drink in the opposite direction to its

output through the product line (L2), pushing said product back to the

barrel (6) from which it came.

fifteen

12.-BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM AND CLEANING PROCESS

INTEGRATED in which the rinsing stage according to claim 10, is

CHARACTERJZA because water (A) is introduced from the general network through a

signal received by the solenoid valve (95) located at the outlet of the network, and

twenty

successively the rest of solenoid valves are opened in orderly

cleaning (93) penetrating the auxiliary line (L I), in addition to a valve

non-return (S 11) located on one of the branches of a "Y" connection (S 1) of

so that the water (A) goes down the product line (L2), that is, through another of the

connection branches in "Y" (S I) through the exchanger (321, 322)

25

until reaching the hydraulic head (61) of the barrel (6), which is disconnected by

safety as well as the solenoid valve (82) at its inlet which is closed, and the

The only way out for the water evacuation (A) is a solenoid valve

drain (96) which is located at the entrance to the drain (O) of the general network.

13.-INTEGRATED BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM AND INTEGRATED PROCESS in which the disinfection stage according to claim 10, is

CHARACTERJZA because the disinfectant product (B) absorbed by the line of

suction (91) goes through the dosing pump (9), which is responsible for

distribute OR regulate the amount of disinfectant product to each of the

cleaning solenoid valves (93), simultaneously water is also introduced (A)

S

from the general network in the amounts that have previously been established

to make the mixture; when the mixing has been carried out after the output of

cleaning solenoid valves (93), go to the non-return valve (5 11) located in a

branch of the "Y" (SI) connection of the column (4) that allows the passage of the

mixing continuing the route through the product line (L2) through another

10

branch of the aforementioned "Y" connection (5 1) through the exchangers (321,

322), until reaching the hydraulic head (6 1) of the barrel (6), which is

disconnected for safety as well as the solenoid valve (82) located at its inlet

which is closed, at this point the drain solenoid valve (96) that gives

it goes out to the general drainage network (O) closed and on the contrary the solenoid valve

fifteen

of recirculation (97) that connects to the auxiliary line (L I) is open, so

that a recirculation of the disinfectant product is generated again from the

auxiliary line (L I) to product lines (L2) through all the

previously mentioned solenoid valves, all the times defined in the

system control processor program, which once the

twenty

solenoid valve to (96) drain that connects to the general drain network (O) is

opens proceeding therefore to the emptying of all the lines that make up the lines

of the beverage dispensing system.

14.-BEVERAGE DISPENSER SYSTEM AND UMPIEZA PROCESS

25

INTEGRATED in which the C02 injection or pressurization stage according to

claim 10 is CHARACTERIZED because the solenoid valve is opened (71)

located at the exit of the C02 bottle (7) so that both are closed

the solenoid valve a (72) that connects with the barrel (6) as the solenoid valve

drain (96), the gas that leaves the C02 bottle (7) passes through the bypass, located

30

at its starting line, towards the auxiliary line (L 1) so that both the line

auxiliary (L 1) that goes to the "Y" connection (S 1) as the product line

(L2) that part of the "Y" connection (51) to the barrel (6) is filled with C02 of such that each and every one of the lines is filled with this gas to automatically close each and every one of the solenoid valves that make up the beverage dispensing system.