EP1082267B1 - Drink-dispensing system with a sterilisation device - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the invention, systems for dispensing drinks such as mineral water (1) are equipped with a sterilisation device such as a heating device, a blow-out device, a radiation device, a drying device, a liquid- or gas-washing device or a combination of two or more of these. For example, each time the tap is used, the outlet pipe (6) can be washed afterwards with a gas, especially carbon dioxide, for a set period of time and then preferably dried. Drying the outlet pipe or parts of the distribution system prevents the dispensing system from becoming contaminated.

Description

The invention relates to a dispensing system for drinking liquids with a Sterilization device and a method for its operation.

Tap water turns into tap water with the help of bottled water dispensing systems refined, generally by cooling and adding carbon dioxide gas. Bottled water dispensing systems have recently been increasingly used in hospitals used to supply patients with hygienically perfect water. The use of bottled water dispensing systems in the hospital area is for example in "hospital review; issue 8, August 1996, 65th year, p. 573 ff; Title: Reduces costs and protects the environment: water from the tap " described.

In bottled water dispensing systems, it comes through when water is withdrawn Patient contamination of the water from the dispenser. When touching System parts in the tap area, especially after the tap process has ended, germs can get into the system (e.g. via dispensing pipe or outlet pipe) and multiply there (back contamination).

DE 35 12 880 C1 describes a device for the metered delivery of Cold drinks and hot drinks are described. The device has one Hot water boiler with a thermal disinfection device.

In US 5 002 204 a system with a valve for admixing syrup is disclosed Water or water with carbon dioxide described, the water is obtained from tap water. Electrodes for electrolytic are in the valve Generation of chlorine is provided from chloride ions contained in the water. The chlorine gas generated is used to sterilize the water.

The object of the invention is to create a beverage dispensing system, at the back contamination of the drinking liquid, e.g. B. by touching parts the system, and nucleation in the dispensing system is minimized.

The task was solved by a dispensing system (beverage dispensing system) for Drinking liquids with the features specified in claim 1.

Dispensing systems (beverage dispensing systems) are preferably bottled water dispensing systems. The liquid piping system of the Beverage dispensing system, especially the outlet, is usually off Metal (e.g. stainless steel, copper, brass, aluminum or aluminum alloys), Glass or plastic. The plastic is preferably more temperature-resistant Plastic, especially high temperature resistant plastic, used. As The outlet pipe or outlet pipe generally becomes the beverage line pipe (Drinking liquid line) from or behind the nozzle to the end of the line for understood the removal of drinks, especially the end of the Beverage line.

Disinfection facilities are facilities on the dispensing system that are a Reduce or inhibit the growth of germs in the dispensing system. Disinfection generally means that the growth of Microorganisms in the dispensing system, not just in the liquid, in particular by killing microorganisms or worsening the Living conditions for microorganisms. Preferably prevent or reduce the disinfection facilities a recontamination of the Dispensing system through microorganisms, that is, penetration of Microorganisms in the dispensing system via the liquid outlet (e.g. dispensing pipe or outlet pipe). The sterilization devices are preferably in the Outlet area of the dispensing system, i.e. between the dispensing valve (nozzle) and tapping point (point of liquid outlet; nozzle end or Outlet pipe end), arranged.

The sterilization device preferably contains a heating device, Blow-out device, radiation device, drying device, liquid or Gas flushing device. Combinations of two or advantageously form several of the facilities mentioned the disinfection facility. For example, a heater and a blow-out device Heating device, radiation device and a blow-out device or Radiation device and a blow-out device or a heating device and a drying device or a heating device and a liquid rinsing device or a gas purging device and a radiation device or a drying device and a radiation device or a Liquid and gas purging device or a heating device, gas purging device, Blow-out device, drying device and liquid rinsing device or a heating device, gas purging device, Blow-out device, drying device, radiation device and Combined liquid rinsing device.

The sterilization device is advantageously controlled by means of a control unit. The control unit takes over the control of the sequence of work or Functional steps of the disinfection device and when using a combination of two or more disinfection facilities advantageous Functional steps of the individual facilities and the interaction of the Institutions. The control is advantageously carried out via a control program which the Prescribes program sequences. The disinfection device or contained Disinfection facilities generally only work for limited time intervals at certain times. For example, the disinfection device or Sub-installations at regular intervals of several hours (e.g. every 6 Hours) or after a certain number of operations of the Withdrawal valve (e.g. after ten operations) or at certain daily or Night times operated for a time interval.

A heater is a device for heating a part of the Drinking liquid piping system of the dispensing system, preferably for Heating a drained part of the drinking water piping system. at heating usually takes place in the range of 50 to 300 ° C, preferably in the range from 70 to 200 ° C. and particularly preferably in the range from 90 to 150 ° C generated on the pipe section. For disinfection, a Temperature range from 70 to 90 ° C and for sterilization Temperature range from 140 to 150 ° C preferred.

A blow-out device is a device for blowing out drinking liquid from all or part of the drinking water piping system Drinking liquid piping system of the dispensing system by means of a gas, e.g. B. Air. The blow-out device is preferably used to empty the pipeline after the extraction valve (nozzle valve) to the end of the pipeline (outlet opening). The blow-out device turns drinking liquid from the piping system away. The blow-out device is usually gas with a temperature in the Range from minus 20 to 300 ° C, e.g. B. Gas from room temperature (e.g. 15 to 30 ° C, especially 20 to 25 ° C), preheated gas (e.g. 30 to 60 ° C) or hot Gas (z. B. 60 to 300 ° C, especially 70 to 150 ° C) operated. The gas will preferably at high speed through the relevant pipe part directed. The gas flow rate is e.g. B. more than 1 liter per Minute, preferably at least 10 liters per minute. One will be advantageous Blow-out process with a change of intervals with different Gas flow rate performed, e.g. B. a time interval with lower Gas flow rate (e.g. 0.1 to 0.5 liters per minute over a Time interval of 1 to 5 minutes), followed by a time interval with high Gas flow rate (e.g. 10 liters per minute over a time interval of 1 to 5 minutes, preferably 10 to 60 seconds). The gas is at a pressure generally in a range from a slight excess pressure (e.g. 1.1 bar) to to a pressure around 50 bar, preferably a pressure in the range from 1.1 to 10 bar, fed into the pipeline of the dispensing system.

A gas purging device is a device for the passage of a gas through all or part of the drinking water piping system Drinking liquid piping system of the dispensing system. To be favoured germicidal or disinfectant gases such as carbon dioxide, air containing ozone or Oxygen, pure oxygen or gases containing phosphine or hotter Water vapor used. The gases are called cold, normal (room temperature) or heated gases are used. The gas purging device becomes advantageous automated, e.g. B. operated with a sequence program. When purging with gas low gas flow velocities are preferably used (e.g. 0.1 to 1 liter per minute). When using disinfectant or germicidal gases are longer residence times in the pipeline or in one Pipe section advantageous (e.g. 5 to 60 minutes). The temperature range of the gas used is usually the same as for the blow-out device described. It is advantageous to flush with hot gas.

A drying device is a device for drying an emptied one Part of the drinking liquid piping system of the dispensing system. A Drying device works, for example, by passing hot Gas through the pipe part or heating a pipe part, in particular of the outlet pipe, with gas flushing.

A liquid rinsing device is a device for passing one through Liquid (internal flushing) through the entire drinking liquid piping system or part of the drinking water piping system of the dispensing system and / or for rinsing the outside (outer surface) of the outlet pipe (Outer rinse). The liquid usually does not correspond to the drinking liquid (Exception: e.g. water). The liquid is usually at a temperature in the range from 0 to 100 ° C., preferably 10 to 95 ° C., in particular 70 to 95 ° C, and at a pressure generally in the range from 1 to 100 bar, preferably 2 to 10 bar. The liquid is, for example Rinsing liquid or a cleaning liquid. It will also be germicidal or disinfectant liquids used, e.g. B. containing carbon dioxide or ozone Liquids. The liquid rinsing device is advantageously automated, e.g. B. program controlled, operated. A rinsing process with liquid usually lasts 5 seconds to 60 minutes, preferably 10 seconds to 10 minutes, especially 10 seconds to 5 minutes. For example, it is rinsed with cold water or hot water for indoor and outdoor rinsing.

A radiation device is a device for irradiating a part of the Drinking liquid piping system (interior or exterior of the Pipeline) of the dispensing system. The irradiation takes place, for example, with UV radiation, Beta rays, gamma rays, radioactive radiation or Particle beams. Irradiation is preferably carried out with UV radiation. For example, part of the piping system with a quartz tube or Quartz window equipped so that the radiation from a UV lamp Pipe section can penetrate. The UV radiation by means of a Fiber optics (e.g. quartz glass fibers) passed into a pipe section, the Equipment of the pipeline with quartz tube is no longer required. The Irradiation in the pipe sections is preferably carried out on liquid-emptied Pipe sections (e.g. emptied outlet pipe), especially on liquid-drained and dried pipe sections. It will be advantageous Outlet pipe irradiated inside and / or outside (preferably with UV radiation).

As a UV lamp z. B. UV lamps are usually used for Disinfection, disinfection or sterilization (e.g. Mercury vapor lamps, gas discharge lamps). The radiation device is in generally not in continuous operation, but takes place at predetermined times for a limited period of time (e.g. 1 to 10 minutes). The Operation, in particular program operation, of the radiation device is carried out by a control unit, preferably a central control unit.

The heater will now be explained.

Contains a heating device at the outlet nozzle of a beverage dispensing system preferably a heating element based on an electrical Resistance wire heating or induction based. The heating element becomes special preferably by winding a resistance heating wire around the tube of the Outlet socket formed (e.g. as a heating coil).

The heating device on the outlet nozzle or outlet pipe is preferably used for Heating the emptied outlet pipe. The heated pipe parts consist of a according to temperature-resistant material such as metal, ceramic, glass or special, suitable plastic depending on the intended working temperature Heating device.

The heating device preferably contains an encapsulated heating element. For example, the heating wire is made of a heat-resistant material such as one heat-resistant, especially high-temperature-resistant plastic (e.g. Fluoropolymer such as PTFE), ceramic, glass fiber, mineral fiber or a metal part surround. The heat-resistant material serves e.g. B. for protection during operation and for temperature insulation to the outside. The complete one is particularly advantageous Tap, with heating element and outlet, with a closed conversion Mistake.

The heating device generally contains a control device for the temperature and a switching unit that controls the duration of the heating process. In the simplest case, the switching unit is a time switch control.

The outlet of a beverage dispenser z. B. at certain or selected times to a temperature z. B. in the area from 50 to 300 ° C, preferably in the range 70 to 200 ° C and particularly preferably in the range from 90 to 150 ° C, heated. Heating the exhaust port is preferably used for drying. By drying the outlet port counteracted growth of germs in the outlet pipe. The heating the outlet nozzle can advantageously also be carried out so that the Temperature is chosen so that sterilization takes place. The heater can z. B. be operated so that heating intervals for drying and heating intervals for Sterilize in different sequences, e.g. B. alternately or Dry intervals during the day and one or more sterilization intervals in the Night.

Another object of the invention is a method for operating Beverage dispensing system, characterized in that temporarily the outlet line or the outlet connection of the dispensing system with the help of a heating device is dried. The drying process is advantageously supported in that a gas through the tubular parts to be dried (the drinking liquid line) is passed, with which drinking liquid from the drinking liquid line or parts of the Drinking liquid line is expelled or blown out.

Gas purging devices and blow-out devices are explained below.

Gases are gases, gas mixtures or gaseous substances or mixtures of substances Roger that. Gases or gas mixtures are, for example, air, inert gases or Reactive gases (e.g. sterilization gases or germicidal gases). Inert gases are noble gases such as helium, neon, argon, krypton and xenon or inert gases such as nitrogen. Carbon dioxide can be viewed as an inert gas become. Reactive gases, in particular sterilization gases, are for example Oxygen or gases containing ozone. Gaseous substances or mixtures of substances for example water vapor or gas mixtures containing water vapor. Water vapor can be used, for example, with the help of commercially available Steam generators are manufactured. The water vapor preferably has a temperature of at least 120 ° C.

The gas can be a gas mixture containing air, inert gases or reactive gases. Carbon dioxide or gas mixtures containing carbon dioxide are preferred as the gas used. The use of carbon dioxide as a gas is advantageous because Carbon dioxide usually in dispensing systems for carbonating the drinking liquid is present and also has germicidal properties. Usually carbon dioxide is provided in pressurized gas containers.

Drinking liquids are drinks such as water (e.g. table water), lemonade, beer, Juice or beverages containing juice.

The gas is generally used for blowing out at temperatures in the range of minus 20 ° C to plus 300 ° C, for example as a cooled gas (minus 20 to 15 ° C), at room temperature (above 15 to around 30 ° C, usually 20 to 25 ° C), as a heated gas (above 30 to around 70 ° C) or as a heated gas (above 70 ° C to around 150 ° C). The temperature of the gas does not have to be used for all purging or Blowouts are the same. For example, blow-out intervals with gas from room temperature after each tap and blow or Gas purging intervals with hot gas at certain times (e.g. once a day) respectively.

The blowing out of drinking liquid from the outlet pipe or line parts the dispensing system is preferably carried out after removal of Drinking liquid from the beverage dispensing system, especially directly afterwards after the drinking liquid has been removed (after the end of the Zapf process).

The blow-out device serves to empty (remove) the drinking liquid Lines or line parts for the management of the drinking liquid. line parts are, for example, line parts that dispense drinking liquid (dispensing pipe, outlet pipe or outlet connection) or line parts in the end area of the drinking liquid line a dispensing system. The blow-out device can also be advantageous for emptying the entire drinking liquid line can be used in a dispensing system. After emptying, hot gas is advantageously used, e.g. B. hot air or hot carbon dioxide gas.

Preferably the gas is passed through the gas at high speed Drinking liquid line or part of the drinking liquid line during the Blowout process directed.

The blow-out device (as well as the gas purging device) usually contains one Gas source (e.g. compressed gas container with compressed gas and / or a Steam generator), a connection of the gas source with the Drinking liquid line, a shut-off device for the gas supply (e.g. On / off valve or controllable valve) and preferably a control unit for the Gas supply in the drinking liquid line, which is preferably a valve for the Regulates gas supply. The gas can be in various places Drinking liquid line are supplied, for. B. at the beginning of the line or in Course of the drinking liquid line, especially on or behind the tap (Nozzle) into the outlet pipe (outlet nozzle or outlet pipe).

As a rule, the line parts of the drinking liquid line are from the The gas supply point is blown out to the end of the line (outlet). The blowout can also be used for emptying certain system components (individual Parts or combinations) serve, e.g. B. the carbonator, the filter or others Share at a beverage dispensing system. So emptying does not have to be in everyone Fall through the outlet pipe.

Different gases can be used for blowing out (and purging with gas) be advantageous simultaneously or in succession. For example, in a first Step water vapor and in a second step a gas such as carbon dioxide be used. With steam treatment, emptying and Sterilization takes place with the carbon dioxide treatment drying is achieved. The reverse process, 1. carbon dioxide treatment / 2. Steam treatment makes sense. Blow out with two or more Gases can also occur in sequences, i.e. a certain number of Blow out with a gas followed by a certain number of Blow out with another gas. For example, a sequence with Carbon dioxide blowing operations of a sequence of one or more Steam rinses are followed.

In the following, the beverage dispensing system according to the invention is exemplified a bottled water dispensing system explained as the preferred type of system. The Designs can be transferred to other types of beverage dispensing systems.

The gas, preferably carbon dioxide, is introduced at Bottled water dispensing systems e.g. B. on the carbonator, on the filter or on Outlet.

Blowing water out of the outlet pipe or others Parts of the line carrying drinking liquid after the water has been drawn off prevents germs from growing in the outlet pipe or in the pipe system and one Contamination of the bottled water dispenser and the bottled water supply in the Dispensing system takes place via the outlet pipe.

The outlet pipe or the outlet connection with the Blow-out process dried and simultaneously or subsequently using the Heater heated. Blow-out and heating can also be decoupled. For example, blowing operations with heating and blowing operations what can be done without heating in certain time sequences is preferably effected by a controller or a control program.

The blow-out process (or other sterilization processes) is usually triggered mechanically, electrically, electrically / electronically or program-controlled. Preferably the blowing process is triggered with the (closing) Coupling actuation of the tap. The is particularly preferred Blow-out process controlled by a solenoid valve that is used to supply gas to the Exhaust pipe is opened and closed. The solenoid valve for the gas supply is preferably time or sensor controlled. For example, the solenoid valve controlled by an electronic time control. A sensor control is for example, built up via a conductivity sensor. The solenoid valve can For example, be opened via a contact on the tap when reaching the The solenoid valve then empties or dries the outlet pipe closed (blow out directly after each spigot).

The exhaust pipe can also be blown out instead of directly after each plug certain times occur (time-controlled blow-out), e.g. B. 5, 10, 15 or 30 minutes after tapping (after standing). The time-controlled Blow-out can also be advantageous with the blow-out triggered by the peg be combined. For example, the outlet pipe may become one every day be blown out at a specific point in time and also directly after tapping. The heating intervals take place, for example, in the rhythm of hours (e.g. in Intervals of 3, 4, 5, 6, 12 or 24 hours).

When using carbon dioxide as a gas for blowing out and drying the Exhaust pipe usually suffices a time interval of the gas supply of less than one minute, for example a time interval in the range of 1 to 30 seconds, preferably 3 to 20 seconds and particularly preferably 5 to 10 seconds.

The gas is generally at a pressure of 1 bar to 10 bar, preferably 1 bar to 3 bar and particularly preferably 1.2 bar to 2 bar, the outlet pipe.

The tap (extraction valve) becomes mechanical, electrical and / or electronic actuated. Preferably the tap is electrical / electronic, e.g. B. by Pressed key.

The outlet pipe is generally made of metal such as stainless steel, copper, copper-containing alloys, copper-coated metals, silver, silver-containing Alloys or silver-coated metals or contains or consists of glass or quartz. The outlet pipe usually has an inner diameter in the Range from 1 mm to 10 mm, preferably 2 mm to 5 mm. The outlet pipe has generally a length (section from the extraction valve to the outlet pipe end) in the Range from 1 cm to 25 cm. Usually the length is 5 to 10 cm.

In the following, the dispensing system is shown using the example of a bottled water dispensing system explained using the drawing.

Fig. 1 shows a diagram of a bottled water system with gas supply for the Blowing out (or purging with gas) of the outlet pipe or other line parts for Water management.

In the scheme shown in Fig. 1 in the bottled water dispenser (1) Tap water (2) through a filter (12) and the so-called carbonator (11) the three-way tap (5) led to the outlet pipe (6) which the bottled water (13) is filled. To blow out the outlet pipe (6) Carbon dioxide is used as the gas (purge gas) coming from the gas source (7), one Pressurized gas bottle with cylinder valve (8) and pressure reducer (9), via the gas line (10) is removed. The gas here is the carbonator (11) and the outlet pipe (6) fed. The tap (5) is preferably a three-way valve, via the z. B. The gas enters the outlet pipe (6) via a solenoid valve control.

The gas flushing of the outlet pipe (6) for blowing out water takes place, for. B. directly after each tap or after a certain idle time (e.g. 5 minutes after every cone or at a specific time of day). The gas supply for gas purging is preferably carried out via the three-way valve (5). Alternatively, the gas supply via the three-way valve (3) or (4) (these alternative routes are through dashed gas paths shown).

The water pipes, in particular the outlet pipe (6), preferably have small ones Line cross sections (e.g. 1 mm to 5 mm) to high gas flow speeds to allow when flushing with gas and the amount of to keep discarded water low.

The three-way valve (3, 4 or 5) is mechanically electrical, electronic or combined (e.g. mechanical / electrical or mechanically / electronically) switched (opened) and the person concerned Water pipe section for a period of z. B. flushed with gas for 5 seconds (time-controlled control). The gas is preferably supplied via a controlled solenoid valve.

An additional heating device and / or radiation device preferably arranged in the area of the outlet pipe 6.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Bottled water dispensing system

2

Tap water supply

3

first three-way valve

4

second three-way valve

5

third three-way valve (tap)

6

outlet pipe

7

Gas source (here: compressed gas bottle with carbon dioxide)

8th

Compressed gas cylinder valve

9

pressure reducer

10

gas pipe

11

carbonator

12

Filters (e.g. particle filters, sterile filters)

13

bottled water

Claims (10)

1. Drink-dispensing system (1) with a sterilization device which comprises a heating device and drying device, a heating device and blowing device, a heating device and gas flushing device, a heating device for heating an emptied part of the drinks pipeline system or a heating device with an induction heater.
2. Drink-dispensing system (1) with a sterilization device, characterized in that the sterilization device contains a heating device for heating an emptied part of the drinks pipeline system, a blowing device, a radiation device, a drying device, a liquid or gas flushing device or combinations of two or more of the aforementioned devices.
3. Drink-dispensing system (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sterilization device is arranged on the gas line (10) or on the outlet pipe (6).
4. Drink-dispensing system (1) according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the sterilization device contains a heating device with a resistance wire heater or induction heater.
5. Drink-dispensing system (1) according to one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the sterilization device contains an irradiation device with a UV radiation source for irradiating the inner and/or outer surface of the gas line (10) or the outlet pipe (6).
6. Drink-dispensing system (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the UV radiation from the irradiation device is led through a quartz pipe or quartz window as a constituent part of the gas line (10) or of the outlet pipe (6), or to the irradiation location by means of fibre optics.
7. Drink-dispensing system (1) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the liquid flushing device is combined with a gas flushing device or blowing device.
8. Drink-dispensing system (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the sterlization device is time-controlled, sensor-controlled and or programmed-controlled by means of a control unit.
9. Method of operating drink-dispensing systems (1), characterized in that from time to time the outlet line or the outlet connecting piece (6) of the drink-dispensing system (1) is dried with the aid of a heating device.
10. Method according to Claim 9, characterized in that a gas with which a drink is driven out or blown out is led through the parts (6) to be dried.

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