WO2012153824A1 - Beer dispenser washing method and washing device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention makes it possible to easily carry out the task of washing a beer dispenser without being an expert, and without the need to perform washing preparation tasks, pressure adjustment tasks, or other tedious tasks. When a washing preparation switch (21B) is pressed down, a beer/wash-water switching valve (11) moves and water (W) is allowed to flow through a beer piping (5B). Next, when a washing start switch (21C) is pressed down, a water supply valve (13) opens and water flows through a wash-water piping (6) and is supplied to a wash tank (2). When a flow rate sensor (14) detects that a specified amount of water has collected in the wash tank (2), an irrigation/washing switching valve (12) moves and carbon dioxide gas (G) flows through a carbon dioxide gas piping (7) and is supplied to the wash tank (2). The water (W) and the carbon dioxide gas (G) flow out of the wash tank (2) due to the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas (G), and a gas-liquid multiphase flow is generated to wash a beer piping (109) within a beer dispenser (101).

Description

Beer dispenser cleaning method and cleaning apparatus

The present invention relates to a beer dispenser cleaning method and a cleaning apparatus for quickly and easily cleaning a beer pipe in a beer dispenser.

The beer dispenser has a beer pipe spirally or meandered in a cooling water tank, and has a beer discharge port with an open / close valve attached to one end of the beer pipe. Carbon dioxide gas is ejected from a carbon dioxide gas cylinder. The beer stored in the beer barrel is caused to flow out by the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas, cooled while being circulated through the beer pipe, discharged from the beer discharge port, and supplied to the mug or the like.
After using the beer dispenser, the beer remains in the beer pipe, and dust, foreign substances, etc. are also mixed in. If left unwashed, mold, bacteria, etc. are generated and it becomes unsanitary, Altered beer is mixed and the taste of beer deteriorates.
Therefore, after using the beer dispenser, that is, after business hours of beer halls, restaurants, etc., water or cleaning liquid is circulated in the beer piping, and the remaining beer, garbage, foreign matter, etc. are discharged from the beer outlet together with water or cleaning liquid. ing.
Recently, in order to wash the inside of the beer pipe more effectively and efficiently, the carbonator 11 is arranged in the beer dispenser 1, and the carbonated water in the carbonator 11 is caused to flow out by the pressure of carbon dioxide gas. There has been known a cleaning device that is distributed and discharges remaining beer from a beer outlet (see Patent Document 1).
Further, as an improvement of the above-described cleaning device, a mixer 2 having a water supply port 21 and a carbon dioxide gas supply port 22 is attached to the beer head 3, and water and carbon dioxide gas are separately fed from the supply ports 21 and 22, There is also known a cleaning device in which water and carbon dioxide gas are circulated in the beer pipe 6 and the remaining beer is discharged from the beer outlet (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2000-142893 A JP 2007-308172 A

However, in the cleaning apparatus described in Patent Document 1, since the carbonator 11 that generates carbonated water is disposed in the beer dispenser 1, it is necessary to partially modify the beer dispenser 1. Also, before the cleaning operation is performed, it is necessary to supply water and carbon dioxide gas to the carbonator 11 in advance to generate carbonated water, so that the cleaning preparation work is troublesome.
Further, in the cleaning apparatus described in Patent Document 2, water is supplied from the water pipe to the water supply port 21, carbon dioxide gas is separately supplied from the carbon dioxide pipe to the carbon dioxide supply port 22, and the mixture is mixed in the mixer 2. In order to distribute | circulate in the beer piping 6, the pressure of water and the pressure of a carbon dioxide gas had to be adjusted appropriately, and the balance had to be aimed at, and the pressure adjustment operation was troublesome.
Furthermore, in any of the cleaning devices, in order to perform the cleaning operation, it is necessary to perform operations such as a cleaning preparation operation, a pressure adjustment operation, and the like. There was a problem that the cleaning operation could not be performed. In other words, any employee such as a via-hole or a restaurant has not been automated until a cleaning operation can be easily performed without requiring skill.
The procedure for causing water to flow out from the washing tank, causing the water to flow through the beer pipe in the beer dispenser, and washing and discharging the remaining beer and the like is as follows.
1. Preparation for cleaning 1) Inject water into the cleaning tank.
2) Remove the beer head from the beer barrel.
3) Attach the beer head to the washing tank.
2. Start of washing 1) Place a drain bucket at the beer outlet.
2) Open the open / close valve.
3) After discharging water, carbon dioxide is circulated and drained.
3. End of cleaning 1) Close the open / close valve.
2) Move the drain bucket.
3) Remove the beer head from the washing tank.
4) Attach a beer head to the beer barrel.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the object thereof is not to modify the beer dispenser in particular, and it is necessary to perform troublesome work such as cleaning preparation work and pressure adjustment work. In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a beer dispenser cleaning method and a cleaning apparatus that can easily perform a cleaning operation of a beer dispenser even by a person who is not skilled by performing automation as much as possible.

In order to achieve the above object, the beer dispenser cleaning method of the present invention supplies water to a cleaning tank by circulating a cleaning water pipe, detects the amount of water supplied by a flow sensor, and then stops supplying water. Next, the carbon dioxide gas pipe is circulated to supply the carbon dioxide gas to the washing tank, and the water and carbon dioxide gas are caused to flow out of the washing tank by the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas, and the water and carbon dioxide gas are fed to the beer pipe in the beer dispenser. Is distributed, and the beer piping is washed.
The beer dispenser cleaning device of the present invention can suitably carry out the above beer dispenser cleaning method,
A cleaning tank for storing water;
A beer pipe for supplying beer from the beer barrel to the beer dispenser, a washing water pipe for supplying water to the washing tank, and a carbon dioxide pipe for feeding carbon dioxide to the beer barrel and the washing tank, A drive operation device provided with a water supply valve, a flow sensor and a switching valve in the middle of the washing water pipe, and a switching valve provided in the middle of the carbon dioxide gas pipe;
A flow rate sensor receiving unit that receives a detection signal from the flow rate sensor, and a control circuit device that includes a valve drive unit that transmits a drive signal to the water supply valve and the switching valve, and
The water supply valve is opened, the cleaning water pipe is circulated to supply water to the cleaning tank, the amount of water supplied is detected by the flow sensor, the switching valve is operated, and the carbon dioxide gas Supplying carbon dioxide gas to the washing tank by circulating a pipe, and causing water and carbon dioxide gas to flow out of the washing tank by the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas, causing the washing water pipe and the beer pipe to circulate in the beer dispenser Water and carbon dioxide gas are circulated through the beer pipes to wash the beer pipes in the beer dispenser.
The control circuit device has, on its operation panel, a business switch for normal use of the beer dispenser, a cleaning preparation switch for starting the cleaning preparation operation, a cleaning start switch for starting the cleaning operation, and normal use of the beer dispenser. An in-service indicator that indicates that cleaning is possible, a cleaning indicator that indicates that a cleaning preparation operation is being performed, and a irrigation indicator that indicates that water is being supplied to the cleaning tank And a cleaning indicator lamp for indicating that the cleaning operation is being performed, and a cleaning completion indicator lamp for indicating that the cleaning operation has been completed.
A communication control unit that transmits and receives data may be provided in the control circuit device, and a plurality of beer dispenser cleaning devices may be connected to a central management device that manages data collectively through a communication network.

According to the beer dispenser cleaning method of the present invention, it has been necessary to manually adjust the pressure of water and the pressure of carbon dioxide gas in the past. Pressure control can be performed automatically, and there is no individual difference in the cleaning operation. And the inside of a beer dispenser can be kept in a hygienic state by automatic control washing, and the original quality of beer can be maintained.
According to the beer dispenser cleaning device of the present invention, the beer dispenser cleaning method of the present invention is realized by a drive operation device configured with a highly reliable device and a control circuit device configured with a simple circuit, whereby the cleaning device The manufacturing cost and the operating cost can be reduced.
In addition, the cleaning operation of the beer dispenser can be simplified in a via hole, a restaurant, and the like, and the cleaning operation can be easily executed even if it is not an expert. Furthermore, since it can be widely applied to dispensers such as alcoholic beverages other than beer and fruit juice beverages, it is extremely versatile.
Furthermore, if data such as the cleaning status of each beer dispenser can be transmitted to the central management device via the communication network, it can be centrally managed by the central management device, and from the central management device to each beer dispenser instantly. It is possible to transmit a failure countermeasure instruction and the like, and it is possible to share the cleaning status through two-way communication, thereby speeding up the cleaning status management of each beer dispenser.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a beer dispenser cleaning device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a control circuit device constituting the beer dispenser cleaning device of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the flow mode of the gas-liquid mixed phase flow.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram when a plurality of beer dispenser cleaning devices are connected to a communication network and centrally managed in a data center.

　次に、複数のビールディスペンサー洗浄装置１を通信回線網５１を介して中央管理装置５２に接続する場合について、図４を参照して説明する。
　ビールディスペンサー洗浄装置１の制御回路装置４に内蔵する通信制御部３２をルーター５３を介して通信回線網５１に接続すれば、複数のビールディスペンサー洗浄装置１，１，１を通信回線網５１を介して中央管理装置５２に接続することができる。
　ここで、通信回線網５１は、企業内で構築したイントラネットでもよく、インターネットであってもよい。
　このようなシステムを構築すれば、各ビールディスペンサー洗浄装置１，１，１と中央管理装置５２との間で電子メール等によりデータを送受信することによって、各ビールディスペンサー洗浄装置１によるビールディスペンサー１０１の洗浄状況を中央管理装置５２において総括的に管理することができる。
　複数のビールディスペンサー洗浄装置１，１，１を通信回線網５１を介して中央管理装置５２に接続するようにすれば、以下のような作用・効果を奏する。
　１．各ビールディスペンサー洗浄装置１から設置場所、洗浄日時、システム故障状況等をデータとして通信回線網５１を介して中央管理装置５２に送信すれば、データを集中的に一元管理することができる。そして、接続したディスプレイ５４に表示し、プリンタ５５に印刷して確認することができる。
　２．中央管理装置５２から各ビールディスペンサー洗浄装置１，１，１に対して、故障時の処置、操作手順、定期洗浄の指示等を送信することによって、安定したビールの品質を保証することができる。 The beer dispenser cleaning device 1 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
As shown in FIG. 1, the beer dispenser cleaning device 1 includes a cleaning tank 2, a drive operation device 3, and a control circuit device 4.
The cleaning tank 2 is a tank for storing cleaning water, and tap water W is usually used as the cleaning water.
The drive operation device 3 includes a beer pipe 5, a washing water pipe 6, a carbon dioxide gas pipe 7, and a gas vent pipe 8.
The beer pipe 5 is a pipe for supplying the beer B from the beer barrel 102 to the beer dispenser 101, and is divided into the beer pipe 5 </ b> A and the beer pipe 5 </ b> B in the beer / wash water switching valve 11.
The washing water pipe 6 is a pipe for supplying the washing water W from the water pipe 103 to the washing tank 2 through the water tap 104. In the water injection / washing switching valve 12, the washing water pipe 6A, the washing water pipe 6B and the cleaning water pipe 6C.
Further, a water supply valve 13 and a flow sensor 14 are disposed in the middle of the cleaning water pipe 6A. The flow rate of the water flowing through the cleaning water pipe 6A is adjusted by the water supply valve 13 and the cleaning is performed by the flow sensor 14. The flow rate of the water flowing through the water pipe 6A is detected.
The carbon dioxide gas pipe 7 is a pipe for supplying the carbon dioxide gas G from the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 105 to the beer barrel 101 and the washing tank 2. In the washing / gas vent switching valve 15, the carbon dioxide gas pipe 7 A and the carbon dioxide gas pipe 7 B are provided. Further, the carbon dioxide gas pipe 7C is branched from the middle of the carbon dioxide gas pipe 7A.
The gas vent pipe 8 has one end connected to the cleaning / gas vent switching valve 15 and the other end as a gas vent 9.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the control circuit device 4 includes an operation switch 21, an indicator lamp 22, a buzzer 23, a central processing unit 24, a constant voltage power supply unit 25, a noise filter 26, a cleaning timer setting unit 27, and a valve drive. A unit 28, a flow sensor receiving unit 29, an indicator lamp driving unit 30, a buzzer driving unit 31, and a communication control unit 32.
The operation switch 21 is disposed on the operation panel of the control circuit device 4 and includes a business switch 21A, a cleaning preparation switch 21B, and a cleaning start switch 21C.
The indicator lamp 22 is disposed on the operation panel of the control circuit device 4, and is composed of a business indicator lamp 22A, a cleaning preparation indicator lamp 22B, a water injection indicator lamp 22C, a cleaning indicator lamp 22D, and a cleaning completion indicator lamp 22E. The
The buzzer 23 is built in the control circuit device 4 and rings when the cleaning operation is completed.
The central processing unit (CPU) 24 transmits a command to each part of the control circuit device 4 and stores a sequence program describing a cleaning operation procedure, and controls the entire cleaning device.
The constant voltage power supply unit 25 is a circuit that converts an AC or DC voltage supplied from the external power supply 33 into a DC voltage of a predetermined voltage that operates the control circuit device 4.
The noise filter 26 is a circuit that removes noise due to static electricity or the like from the signal output from the operation switch 21.
The cleaning timer setting unit 27 is a circuit that sets a time for discharging water from the cleaning tank 2.
The valve drive unit 28 is a circuit that drives and controls the beer / washing water switching valve 11, the water supply valve 13, the water injection / washing switching valve 12, and the washing / gas venting switching valve 15.
The flow sensor receiving unit 29 is a circuit that receives a detection signal of the flow sensor 14.
The indicator lamp driving unit 30 is a circuit that lights and blinks the indicator lamps 22A to 22E.
The buzzer driving unit 31 is a circuit that sounds the buzzer 23.
The communication control unit 32 is a circuit that connects the control circuit device 4 to the communication line network 51 and transmits and receives various data.
The configuration of the beer dispenser cleaning device 1 of the present invention is as described above. Next, a procedure for executing the beer dispenser cleaning method by the beer dispenser cleaning device 1 will be described.
1. Opening When the beer hall, restaurant, etc. are open and the beer dispenser 101 is used, the open indicator light 22A is lit.
2. Preparation for cleaning 1) When the business of the beer hall, restaurant, etc. is over and the beer dispenser 101 is to be cleaned, the cleaning preparation switch 21B is pressed. As a result, the operating indicator lamp 22A is turned off and the cleaning preparation indicator lamp 22B is turned on.
2) At the same time, the beer / wash water switching bubble 11 is operated to switch the wash water W to flow through the beer pipe 5B.
3. Start of water injection 1) Open the tap faucet 104, place the drainage bucket 108 at the beer discharge port 106, and open the open / close valve 107.
2) If the cleaning start switch 21C is pressed, the cleaning preparation indicator light 22B is turned off and the water injection indicator light 22C blinks.
3) At the same time, the water supply valve 13 is opened, and water W is supplied to the cleaning tank 2 and stored.
4). Pouring water The flow rate sensor 14 detects the flow rate of water flowing through the washing water pipe 6 </ b> A and measures the amount of water poured into the washing tank 2.
5. Completion of water injection 1) When the central processing unit (CPU) 24 determines that a predetermined amount of water has been stored in the cleaning tank 2 based on a detection signal from the flow sensor 14, the water supply valve 13 is closed and the cleaning water tank 2 is closed.
Stop pouring water.
2) At the same time, the water injection / washing switching valve 12 is operated to switch the washing water to flow through the washing water pipe 6C.
6). Start of cleaning 1) Next, the cleaning / gas vent switching valve 15 is operated to switch the carbon dioxide gas to flow through the carbon dioxide pipe 7B.
2) At the same time, the water injection indicator light 22C is turned off and the cleaning indicator light 22D blinks. Also, a cleaning timer is activated.
3) When the carbon dioxide G flows into the washing tank 2, the water stored in the washing tank 2 is pressurized and flows out to the washing water pipe 6B, and the carbon dioxide G itself also flows out to the washing water pipe 6B. Go.
4) The water W and the carbon dioxide gas G that have flowed into the washing water pipe 6B circulate through the washing water pipe 6C and the beer pipe 5B, circulate through the beer pipe 109 in the beer dispenser 101, and are discharged from the beer discharge port 106 to be discharged. It is discharged into the bucket 108.
At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, a gas-liquid mixed phase flow in which water W and carbon dioxide G are mixed and generated in the beer pipe 109 is generated, and a turbulent state is generated in the vicinity of the inner wall surface of the beer pipe 109. It has become.
Therefore, the bubble Gb of the carbon dioxide gas G collides with the inner wall surface and ruptures, or the water W in a turbulent state collides with the inner wall surface and rubs the inner wall surface. Adhering beer, trash and the like can be peeled off and removed extremely powerfully and efficiently, and can be discharged into the drain bucket 108.
As shown in FIG. 3, the flow mode of the gas-liquid mixed phase flow that flows in the pipe changes depending on the gas-liquid flow rate, the flow path diameter, the physical properties of the fluid, and the like. , (C) Floss flow, (D) annular flow, (E) spray flow, and the like.
7. End of cleaning 1) When the cleaning timer is stopped, the cleaning indicator lamp 22D is turned off and the cleaning completion indicator lamp 22E is lit.
2) At the same time, the cleaning / gas vent switching valve 15 is operated to switch the carbon dioxide gas pipe 7B and the gas vent pipe 8 so as to communicate with each other.
3) Air B and carbon dioxide G are discharged from the gas vent 9 through the carbon dioxide pipe 7B and the gas vent pipe 8 from the washing tank 2, and when a predetermined time elapses, the buzzer 23 sounds and is washed. Notify that the operation is complete.
8). Preparation for business 1) When the business switch 21A is pressed, the cleaning completion indicator light 22E is turned off and the business indicator light 22A is turned on.
2) At the same time, the water injection / washing switching valve 12 is operated to switch the cleaning water pipes 6A and 6B to communicate, and the beer / washing water switching bubble 11 is operated to connect the beer pipes 5A and 5B. Switch.
3) As a result, the beer dispenser 101 can be used, and beer halls, restaurants and the like can be operated.
There are 1.5 million beer dispensers 101 in Japan and about 50 million worldwide. And according to the beer dispenser washing | cleaning apparatus of this invention, there exist the following effects.
1. Since the beer dispenser 101 can be washed every day after the end of business, high quality draft beer that is always fresh and free from deterioration can be provided.
2. Anyone can operate easily and can perform water injection and washing in a fully automatic manner, so that no particularly skilled workers are required.
3. The beer dispenser cleaning device of the present invention is extremely useful because the annual maintenance cost can be greatly reduced.
Table 1 shows a comparison between the cleaning device of the present invention and the conventional cleaning device with respect to the device cost and the annual maintenance cost.

Next, a case where a plurality of beer dispenser cleaning devices 1 are connected to the central management device 52 via the communication network 51 will be described with reference to FIG.
If the communication control unit 32 built in the control circuit device 4 of the beer dispenser cleaning device 1 is connected to the communication line network 51 via the router 53, the plurality of beer dispenser cleaning devices 1, 1, 1 are connected via the communication line network 51. Can be connected to the central management device 52.
Here, the communication line network 51 may be an intranet built in a company or the Internet.
If such a system is constructed, the beer dispenser cleaning device 1 of the beer dispenser 101 can receive data by transmitting and receiving data between each beer dispenser cleaning device 1, 1, 1 and the central management device 52 by e-mail or the like. The cleaning state can be comprehensively managed by the central management device 52.
If the plurality of beer dispenser cleaning devices 1, 1, 1 are connected to the central management device 52 via the communication line network 51, the following operations and effects are achieved.
1. If each beer dispenser cleaning device 1 transmits the installation location, date and time of cleaning, system failure status, and the like as data to the central management device 52 via the communication network 51, the data can be centrally managed. It can be displayed on the connected display 54 and printed on the printer 55 for confirmation.
2. Stable beer quality can be assured by transmitting a treatment at the time of failure, an operation procedure, an instruction for regular cleaning, and the like from the central management device 52 to each of the beer dispenser cleaning devices 1, 1, 1.

The present invention can quickly and easily wash beer dispensers in beer halls, restaurants, and the like, and can be widely applied to alcoholic beverages other than beer, juice drinks, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Beer dispenser washing device 2 Washing tank 3 Drive operation device 4 Control circuit device 5 Beer piping 6 Washing water piping 11 Beer / washing water switching valve 12 Water injection / washing switching valve 13 Water supply valve 14 Flow rate sensor 15 Washing / degassing switching Valve 21 Operation switch 21A Sales switch 21B Cleaning preparation switch 21C Cleaning start switch 22 Indicator light 22A Operating indicator light 22B Cleaning preparation indicator light 22C Water injection indicator light 22D Cleaning indicator light 22E Cleaning completion indicator light 23 Buzzer 24 Central processing unit 27 Cleaning timer Setting unit 28 Valve driving unit 29 Flow sensor receiving unit 30 Indicator lamp driving unit 31 Buzzer driving unit 32 Communication control unit 51 Communication line network 52 Central management device 101 Beer dispenser 109 Beer piping B Beer W Water G Carbon dioxide gas

Claims (4)

Supply water to the cleaning tank by circulating the cleaning water piping, detect the amount of water supplied by the flow sensor, stop the water supply, and then distribute the carbon dioxide piping to the cleaning tank. A beer dispenser characterized by supplying gas and causing water and carbon dioxide gas to flow out from a washing tank by the pressure of carbon dioxide gas, causing water and carbon dioxide gas to flow through the beer pipe in the beer dispenser, and washing the beer pipe. Cleaning method. A cleaning tank for storing water;
A beer pipe for supplying beer from the beer barrel to the beer dispenser, a wash water pipe for supplying water to the washing tank, and a carbon dioxide pipe for feeding carbon dioxide to the beer barrel and the washing tank. A drive operating device provided with a water supply valve, a flow sensor and a switching valve in the middle of the water pipe, and a switching valve provided in the middle of the carbon dioxide gas pipe;
A flow rate sensor receiving unit that receives a detection signal from the flow rate sensor, and a control circuit device that includes a valve drive unit that transmits a drive signal to the water supply valve and the switching valve, and
The water supply valve is opened, the cleaning water pipe is circulated to supply water to the cleaning tank, the amount of water supplied is detected by the flow sensor, the switching valve is operated, and the carbon dioxide gas Supplying carbon dioxide gas to the washing tank by circulating a pipe, and causing water and carbon dioxide gas to flow out of the washing tank by the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas, causing the washing water pipe and the beer pipe to circulate in the beer dispenser A beer dispenser cleaning apparatus, wherein water and carbon dioxide gas are circulated through a beer pipe and the beer pipe in the beer dispenser is washed. The control circuit device has, on its operation panel, a business switch for normal use of the beer dispenser, a cleaning preparation switch for starting the cleaning preparation operation, a cleaning start switch for starting the cleaning operation, and normal use of the beer dispenser. An in-service indicator that indicates that cleaning is possible, a cleaning indicator that indicates that a cleaning preparation operation is being performed, and a irrigation indicator that indicates that water is being supplied to the cleaning tank 3. A beer dispenser cleaning apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a cleaning indicator lamp for indicating that the cleaning operation is being performed, and a cleaning completion indicator lamp for indicating that the cleaning operation has been completed. A communication control unit for transmitting and receiving data is disposed in the control circuit device, and a plurality of beer dispenser cleaning devices are connected to a central management device that collectively manages data via a communication network. The beer dispenser cleaning device according to 2 or 3.

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