초록 ▼

The present invention relates to the dispensing of a microbiologically sensitive fluid, in particular low acid food fluid, in a hygienic manner so as to avoid micro-organism growth in the line dispensing the fluid as well as in any mechanical components of a dispensing unit that may enter into conta

The present invention relates to the dispensing of a microbiologically sensitive fluid, in particular low acid food fluid, in a hygienic manner so as to avoid micro-organism growth in the line dispensing the fluid as well as in any mechanical components of a dispensing unit that may enter into contact with the fluid. The invention relates to a device for hygienically supplying microbiologically sensitive fluid from a removable container that has a terminal connecting portion to a dispensing unit. The device includes a coupling mechanism adapted to connect the terminal connecting portion and a component for delivering a cleaning or rinsing fluid within the terminal connecting portion.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A sanitary manifold system for hygienically supplying a microbiologically sensitive fluid from a container to a dispensing unit, wherein the container is adapted to be connected to the system by a terminal connecting portion, comprising: a housing, a discharge line for delive

What is claimed is: 1. A sanitary manifold system for hygienically supplying a microbiologically sensitive fluid from a container to a dispensing unit, wherein the container is adapted to be connected to the system by a terminal connecting portion, comprising: a housing, a discharge line for delivering the microbiologically sensitive liquid to the dispensing unit, an interface port for establishing a fluid passage from the terminal connecting portion of the container to the discharge line, and a cleaning fluid line assembly for supplying a cleaning or rinsing fluid to clean or rinse the discharge line, and which assembly includes a projection member that delivers cleaning or rinsing fluid within the terminal connecting portion; wherein the projection member is reciprocally mounted in the housing to move from a retracted position whereby the projection member is positioned relative to the interface port to enable liquid delivery of the microbiologically sensitive liquid from the container to the discharge line, to an inserted cleaning position whereby the projection member protrudes past the interface port and into the terminal connecting portion of the container to deliver cleaning or rinsing fluid therein so that the microbiologically sensitive fluid can be removed from the manifold system as the cleaning or rinsing fluid passes from the terminal connection portion, through the interface port and through the discharge line to the dispensing unit. 2. The sanitary manifold system according to claim 1, wherein the projection member has a terminal spear adapted to puncture a closing membrane of the terminal connecting portion. 3. The sanitary manifold system according to claim 2, wherein the projection member comprises a plurality of cutting spines on the external surface of the spear. 4. The sanitary manifold system according to claim 1, wherein the projection member includes a fluid inlet, a fluid port and a tubular hollow conduit that extends therebetween to supply cleaning or rinsing fluid within the terminal connecting portion. 5. The sanitary manifold system according to claim 1, wherein the discharge line extends from the interface port to a discharge outlet, at least partially, by a chamber located about the projection member to promote return of the cleaning or rinsing fluid through the terminal connecting portion of the container. 6. The sanitary manifold system according to claim 1, which further comprises coupling means to watertightly secure a fitment of the terminal connecting portion of the container at the interface port. 7. The sanitary manifold system according to claim 6, wherein the coupling means comprises a spring loaded holder that has a complementary fit to receiving means of the fitment, a seal between the interface port and fitment outlet, and a pressure means urging the receiving means of the fitment against the seal. 8. The sanitary manifold system according to claim 1, wherein the projection member is actuated by an actuator adapted to move the projection member between the retracted and inserted cleaning/rinsing positions. 9. The sanitary manifold system according to claim 1, wherein the container comprises a package and hose and wherein an external valve is provided proximate the interface port to maintain the hose and package sterile and isolated from the terminal connecting portion to allow cleaning or rinsing of the hose from the interface port up to the closing point of the valve. 10. The sanitary manifold system according to claim 9, wherein the valve is a spring loaded pinch valve that that closes a portion of hose at a pinch point to demarcate a sterile part of the container at the pinch point. 11. The sanitary manifold system according to claim 10, which further comprises an actuator coupled to the spring loaded pinch valve to raise the threshold tension value acting on the hose that exceeds the pressure caused by flow of cleaning fluid discharged within the terminal connecting portion up to the pinch point. 12. A combination of the sanitary manifold system of claim 1 and a container adapted to be connected to the system by a terminal connecting portion that includes a fitment for hygienically supplying microbiologically sensitive fluid from the container to a dispensing unit, wherein the container comprises: an aseptic source of microbiologically sensitive product, the terminal connecting portion and fitment, and a portion of hose connecting the source to the terminal connecting portion and fitment. 13. The combination according to claim 12, wherein the flow of the microbiologically sensitive fluid is controlled by a pinch valve that closes a portion of hose at a pinch point and wherein the projection member delivers cleaning or rinsing fluid inside the fitment and hose up to the pinch point. 14. The combination according to claim 12, wherein the terminal connecting portion and fitment are free of an internal valve and are closed by a puncturable membrane, and wherein the sanitary manifold assembly includes puncturing means to puncture the membrane and open the fitment. 15. The combination according to claim 12, wherein the sanitary manifold assembly includes coupling means and the fitment includes receiving means to engage the coupling and securely engage and lock the fitment at the interface port. 16. The combination according to claim 12, wherein the container comprises a package that includes a shelf stable milk-based concentrate. 17. The sanitary manifold system of claim 1 further comprising a container adapted for hygienically supplying microbiologically sensitive fluid and removably connected to the sanitary manifold system, the container comprising: an aseptic source of microbiologically sensitive product, a fitment associated with the connecting terminal portion, a portion of hose connecting the source to the terminal portion and fitment, and a closing means that maintains the source aseptic before the first opening of the container. 18. The container according to claim 17, wherein the source of microbiologically sensitive product is a shelf stable concentrate of milk. 19. A device for hygienically supplying microbiologically sensitive fluid from a removable container comprising a hose, a package and a terminal connecting portion to a dispensing unit, wherein the container includes an external valve to act externally on a portion of the hose to maintain the hose and container sterile and isolated from the terminal projecting portion, and the device comprises: coupling means adapted to connect to the terminal connecting portion; an interface port for establishing a fluid passage from the terminal connecting portion of the container to the discharge line; and cleaning means for delivering a cleaning or rinsing fluid within the terminal connecting portion; wherein the cleaning means comprises a projection member reciprocally mounted for movement from a retracted position whereby the projection member is positioned relative to the interface port to enable liquid delivery of the microbiologically sensitive liquid from the container to the dispensing unit, to an inserted cleaning position whereby the projection member protrudes past the interface port and into the terminal connecting portion of the container to deliver cleaning or rinsing fluid therein so that the microbiologically sensitive fluid can be removed from the device as the cleaning or rinsing fluid passes from the terminal connection portion, through the interface port and to the dispensing unit. 20. The device according to claim 19, wherein the cleaning means comprises cleaning lines adapted to deliver a cleaning fluid selected among the group consisting of hot water, a chemical sanitizing agent and steam. 21. The device according to claim 19, wherein it further comprises heat sealing means arranged to engage and permanently seal a portion of the container.