초록 ▼

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 an

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.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [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 ar

[ I claim:] [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.