Computer controlled portable gravity flow conduit cleaner
US5762096A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 12, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jun 9, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 12, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/87249
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.