JP7655507B2 - Cleaning device, method for using the cleaning device, and cleaning method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cleaner, a method for using the cleaner, and a cleaning method.

Cleaners capable of cleaning dispense heads are known.

As a related technique, Patent Document 1 discloses a cleaning system for beer server heads. The cleaning system described in Patent Document 1 includes a pressure-in flow path for pressurizing the cleaning liquid into a cleaning container to which the head is attached, a number of injection flow paths that are narrower than the pressure-in flow path and for injecting the cleaning liquid upward toward the head connection surface, a recovery flow path that guides the cleaning liquid downward to recover the cleaning liquid after it has been sprayed toward the head connection surface, and a discharge flow path that directs the cleaning liquid recovered by the recovery flow path upward and discharges it out of the cleaning container through the protruding opening of the head.

Patent No. 4477912

The object of the present invention is to provide a cleaner capable of cleaning the lower end of a dispense head body with a simple configuration, a method of using the cleaner, and a cleaning method.

The means for solving the problems will be explained below using the numbers and symbols used in the description of the embodiment of the invention. These numbers and symbols are added in parentheses for reference purposes to show an example of the correspondence between the description of the claims and the description of the embodiment of the invention. Therefore, the description in parentheses should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the claims.

In some embodiments, the cleaner is a cleaner (2) capable of cleaning a dispense head (10) having a gas flow path (G), a beverage flow path (D), a dispense head body (11), and a plunger member (14) movable relative to the dispense head body (11). The cleaner (2) includes a container body (3) defining a main storage section (31) that stores a portion of a cleaning liquid (W), a support section (41) that supports the dispense head body (11), a cleaning liquid extraction pipe (51) that includes a first flow path (51f) that communicates with the beverage flow path (D) and extends toward the bottom (3b) of the container body (3), and a mixed fluid generating section (60) that generates a mixed fluid of a pressurized gas and the cleaning liquid (W). The mixed fluid generating section (60) has a sub-container section (61) that contains a portion of the cleaning liquid (W), a gas inlet (OP1) that introduces the pressurized gas into the sub-container section (61), and a mixed fluid outlet (OP2) that discharges the mixed fluid generated in the sub-container section (61) toward the lower end section (110) of the dispense head main body section (11).

In the above-mentioned cleaning device, the mixed fluid outlet (OP2) may also serve as the gas inlet (OP1).

The above-mentioned cleaner may further include a communication hole (61h) that allows the cleaning liquid (W) to move between the sub-storage section (61) and the main storage section (31). Also, when the liquid level (H2) of the cleaning liquid (Wa) in the main storage section (31) is higher than a preset height (H1) and the liquid level (H2) of the cleaning liquid (Wa) in the main storage section (31) is higher than the liquid level (H3) of the cleaning liquid (Wb) in the sub-storage section (61), the cleaning liquid (W) may be configured to move from the main storage section (31) to the sub-storage section (61) through the communication hole (61h).

In the above-mentioned cleaning device, the sub-storage section (61) may have a first wall (61a), a second wall (61c) arranged outside the first wall (61a), a bottom wall (61b) connecting the first wall (61a) and the second wall (61c), and the mixed fluid discharge port (OP2) arranged opposite the space (SP) in which the lower end (110) of the dispense head main body section (11) will be arranged.

In the above-mentioned cleaning device, the first wall (61a) may be formed by a part of the cleaning liquid outlet pipe (51).

During cleaning of the dispense head using the above-mentioned cleaner, the cleaning liquid (Wb) in the sub-container (61) may be discharged from the sub-container (Wb) and then discharged to the outside of the container body (3) via the main container (31) and the cleaning liquid outlet pipe (51).

In some embodiments, the method of using the cleaner uses the above-mentioned cleaner (2). In the method of using the cleaner, before the dispense head body portion (11) is supported by the support portion (41), a portion of the cleaning liquid (W) is stored in the main storage portion (31) and a portion of the cleaning liquid (W) is stored in the sub storage portion (61).

In some embodiments, the cleaning method is a cleaning method for cleaning a dispense head (10) using a cleaner (2). The dispense head (10) includes a gas flow path (G), a beverage flow path (D), a dispense head body (11), and a plunger member (14) that is movable relative to the dispense head body (11). The cleaner (2) includes a container body (3) that defines a main storage section (31) that stores a portion of the cleaning liquid (W), a support section (41) that supports the dispense head body (11), a cleaning liquid extraction pipe (51) that includes a first flow path (51f) that communicates with the beverage flow path (D) and extends toward the bottom (3b) of the container body (3), and a mixed fluid generating section (60) that has a secondary storage section (61) that stores a portion of the cleaning liquid (W) and generates a mixed fluid of a pressurized gas and the cleaning liquid (W). The cleaning method includes a storage step of storing the cleaning liquid (W) in both the main storage section (31) and the sub storage section (61), an attachment step of attaching the dispense head main body section (11) to the support section (41) after the storage step is performed, a mixed fluid generation step of generating the mixed fluid of the pressurized gas and the cleaning liquid (W) using the momentum of the pressurized gas supplied from the gas flow path (G) to the sub storage section (61), a first cleaning step of cleaning the lower end section (110) of the dispense head main body section (11) with the mixed fluid discharged from the mixed fluid generation section (60), and a second cleaning step of cleaning the inside of the plunger member (14) with the cleaning liquid (W) supplied from the main storage section (31) to the plunger member (14) via the first flow path (51f) of the cleaning liquid extraction pipe (51).

The present invention provides a cleaner capable of cleaning the lower end of a dispense head body with a simple configuration, a method for using the cleaner, and a cleaning method.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a beverage supply system. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a dispense head to be cleaned. FIG. 3 is a schematic two-sided view showing the cleaning device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the attachment is attached to the container body. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which a dispense head is attached to the cleaner in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which a dispense head is attached to the cleaner in the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic two-sided view showing a cleaning device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing how the cleaning liquid is stored in the main container and the sub container. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a cleaning method according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing how the cleaning device and the beverage server are connected via a dispense head and a beverage supply pipe. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the experimental conditions and results of Experiment 1. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the experimental conditions and results of Experiment 2.

The following describes the cleaner 2, the method of using the cleaner 2, and the cleaning method in the embodiment with reference to the attached drawings. Note that in the following description, the same reference numerals are used for components and parts having the same functions, and repeated descriptions of components and parts with the same reference numerals are omitted.

(Direction definition)
In this specification, the direction from the bottom 3b of the container body 3 of the cleaner 2 toward the support portion 41 of the cleaner 2 (in other words, the support portion 41 that supports the dispense head main body portion 11) is defined as the "upward direction," and the direction opposite to the upward direction is defined as the "downward direction."

(Beverage supply system 1)
An example of a beverage supply system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the beverage supply system 1.

The beverage supply system 1 comprises a beverage storage container 210, a dispense head 10, a gas source 220, a beverage supply pipe 230, and a beverage server 240.

The beverage storage container 210 stores a beverage such as beer. Gas is supplied to the beverage storage container 210 from a gas source 220 such as a gas cylinder through the dispense head 10. The gas supplied to the beverage storage container 210 pressurizes the beverage in the beverage storage container 210, and the beverage pressed by the gas is taken out of the beverage storage container 210 through the dispense head 10. The beverage taken out of the beverage storage container 210 through the dispense head 10 is supplied to the beverage server 240 through the beverage supply pipe 230 and poured from the pouring cock 241. When cleaning the beverage flow path of the beverage supply system 1 after using the beverage server 240, the dispense head 10 is removed from the beverage storage container 210 and attached to the cleaner 2. In this way, the inside of the dispense head 10, the inside of the beverage supply pipe 230, and the beverage flow path 240f in the beverage server 240 can be cleaned using the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaner 2 through the dispense head 10.

(Dispense head 10)
An example of a dispense head 10 to be cleaned will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a dispense head 10 to be cleaned. Fig. 2(a) shows a state in which the plunger member 14 is in an upper position, and Fig. 2(b) shows a state in which the plunger member 14 is in a lower position.

The dispense head 10 is attached to a beverage storage container 210 that stores a beverage such as beer, and is used to dispense the beverage from the beverage storage container 210.

The dispense head 10 has a gas flow path G, a beverage flow path D, a dispense head main body 11, and a plunger member 14.

Gas is supplied to the gas flow path G from a gas source 220. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the gas flow path G has a first gas flow path G1 arranged in the dispense head main body 11 and a second gas flow path G2 arranged between the dispense head main body 11 and the plunger member 14. As illustrated in FIG. 2(a), when the plunger member 14 is in the upper position, the second gas flow path G2 is blocked from the first gas flow path G1, and when the plunger member 14 is in the lower position, the second gas flow path G2 is connected to the first gas flow path G1.

The beverage flow path D is defined by the plunger member 14 and is used to extract the beverage from the beverage storage container 210. When the dispense head 10 is attached to the cleaner 2, the beverage flow path D is used to extract cleaning fluid from the cleaner 2.

The dispense head body 11 has a lower end 110, an upper end 113, and an engagement portion 115.

The lower end 110 has a first seal member 111 and a holding portion 112 that holds the first seal member 111. The first seal member 111 has a ring shape when viewed from the bottom. The holding portion 112 also has an annular groove 112d that receives a part of the first seal member 111, and a protrusion 112s that is disposed below the annular groove 112d and protrudes outward. The protrusion 112s is typically made of a metal material.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the dispense head 10 has an operating handle 17 that moves the plunger member 14 relative to the dispense head body 11. The operating handle 17 is attached, for example, to the upper end 113 of the dispense head body 11 so as to be swingable about the swing axis AX.

The engaging portion 115 (hereinafter referred to as the "second engaging portion 115") is a portion that engages with the beverage storage container 210 or the cleaner 2. The dispense head 10 is attached to the beverage storage container 210 by engaging the second engaging portion 115 with the nozzle portion of the beverage storage container 210. The dispense head 10 is attached to the cleaner 2 by engaging the second engaging portion 115 with the first engaging portion 415 of the cleaner 2 (see FIG. 3, if necessary).

The plunger member 14 is a member that is movable relative to the dispense head main body 11. The plunger member 14 is movable relative to the dispense head main body 11 between an upper position (see FIG. 2(a)) and a lower position (see FIG. 2(b)). More specifically, when the operating handle 17 is operated downward, the position of the plunger member 14 is changed from the upper position to the lower position. Also, when the operating handle 17 is operated upward, the position of the plunger member 14 is changed from the lower position to the upper position.

A second seal member 141 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the lower end portion 140 of the plunger member 14.

First Embodiment
The cleaner 2A in the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6. Fig. 3 is a schematic two-sided view showing the cleaner 2A in the first embodiment. The upper side of Fig. 3 shows a schematic plan view, and the lower side of Fig. 3 shows a schematic vertical cross-sectional view. Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the attachment AM being attached to the container body 3. Fig. 4(a) shows the state before the attachment AM is attached to the container body 3, and Fig. 4(b) shows the state after the attachment AM is attached to the container body 3. Figs. 5 and 6 are schematic cross-sectional views showing the state in which the dispense head 10 is attached to the cleaner 2A in the first embodiment. Fig. 5 shows the state before the pressurized gas is supplied to the mixed fluid generating unit 60, and Fig. 6 shows the state in which the pressurized gas is supplied to the mixed fluid generating unit 60.

The cleaner 2A is a device capable of cleaning the dispense head 10. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the dispense head 10 cleaned by the cleaner 2A has a gas flow path G, a beverage flow path D, a dispense head main body 11, and a plunger member 14 that is movable relative to the dispense head main body 11. It is preferable that the cleaner 2A is capable of cleaning the beverage flow path 240f (see FIG. 1) in the beverage server 240, and the inside of the beverage supply pipe 230 that fluidly connects the dispense head 10 and the beverage server 240.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the cleaner 2A includes a container body 3, a support part 41, a cleaning liquid extraction pipe 51, and a mixed fluid generating part 60.

The container body 3 defines a main storage section 31 that stores a portion (Wa) of the cleaning liquid W. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the container body 3 has a mouth section 3c, a body section 3a, and a bottom section 3b. The container body 3 is made of a metal such as stainless steel. In this specification, the cleaning liquid W may be water or a liquid other than water.

The support portion 41 supports the dispense head main body portion 11. More specifically, the dispense head main body portion 11 is attached to the support portion 41, whereby the support portion 41 supports the dispense head main body portion 11.

The cleaning liquid outlet pipe 51 has a first flow path 51f that communicates with the beverage flow path D of the dispense head 10. The cleaning liquid outlet pipe 51 extends toward the bottom 3b of the container body 3.

The mixed fluid generating unit 60 generates a mixed fluid of pressurized gas (more specifically, pressurized gas supplied from the gas flow path G of the dispense head 10) and cleaning liquid W.

The mixed fluid generating unit 60 has a sub-container 61, a gas inlet OP1, and a mixed fluid outlet OP2. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the mixed fluid outlet OP2 also serves as the gas inlet OP1. In other words, the mixed fluid outlet OP2 and the gas inlet OP1 are configured by the same opening OP. Alternatively, the mixed fluid outlet OP2 may be separated from the gas inlet OP1 (in other words, the mixed fluid outlet OP2 may be an opening separate from the gas inlet OP1).

The sub-container 61 contains a portion (Wb) of the cleaning liquid W. The cleaning liquid W contained in the sub-container 61 is used to clean the lower end 110 of the dispense head main body 11.

The gas inlet OP1 introduces pressurized gas (more specifically, pressurized gas supplied from the gas flow path G of the dispense head 10) into the sub-container 61 (see dashed arrow A in FIG. 6). By introducing the pressurized gas into the sub-container 61, a mixed fluid C of the cleaning liquid W and the pressurized gas is generated in the sub-container 61. In FIG. 6, the mixed fluid C is virtually indicated by a hollow circle.

The mixed fluid outlet OP2 releases the mixed fluid C produced in the sub-container 61 toward the lower end 110 of the dispense head main body 11 (see dashed arrow B in FIG. 6).

In the example shown in FIG. 1, when the dispense head 10 is removed from the beverage storage container 210, beverages such as beer adhere to the lower end 110 of the dispense head main body 11. In response to this fact, the cleaner 2A in the first embodiment can release a mixed fluid C toward the lower end 110 of the dispense head main body 11. Therefore, the beverage that adheres to the lower end 110 of the dispense head main body 11 can be washed off. In addition, the cleaner 2A in the first embodiment has a mixed fluid generating unit 60 that generates a mixed fluid C of pressurized gas and cleaning liquid W, and the mixed fluid generated by the mixed fluid generating unit 60 can be released toward the lower end 110 of the dispense head main body 11. Therefore, the lower end 110 of the dispense head main body 11 can be washed with a simple configuration. In addition, by using the mixed fluid C to wash the lower end 110 of the dispense head main body 11, washing can be performed efficiently using a relatively small amount of cleaning liquid. Furthermore, by cleaning the lower end 110 of the dispense head body 11 with a small amount of cleaning liquid, the lubricant applied between the dispense head body 11 and the plunger member 14 is prevented from being unintentionally removed by the cleaning liquid.

In the method of using the cleaner 2A in the first embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, before the dispense head main body 11 is supported by the support 41 of the cleaner 2A, a portion (Wa) of the cleaning liquid W is stored in the main storage section 31, and a portion (Wb) of the cleaning liquid W is stored in the sub storage section 61. This allows the cleaning liquid W to be easily stored in both the main storage section 31 and the sub storage section 61 with a simple configuration.

(Optional additional configuration)
Next, optional additional configurations that can be adopted in the first embodiment (or the second embodiment described later) will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Communication hole 61h)
4B, the cleaner 2A has a communication hole 61h that allows the cleaning liquid W to move between the sub-container 61 and the main container 31. When the cleaner 2A has the communication hole 61h, the cleaning liquid W can be stored in the sub-container 61 more easily.

More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 4(b), it is assumed that the liquid level H2 of the cleaning liquid Wa in the main storage section 31 is higher than the preset height H1 (for example, the height of the communication hole 61h), and the liquid level H2 of the cleaning liquid Wa in the main storage section 31 is higher than the liquid level H3 of the cleaning liquid Wb in the sub-storage section 61. In this case, in the example illustrated in FIG. 4(b), the cleaning liquid W moves from the main storage section 31 to the sub-storage section 61 through the communication hole 61h (see the dashed arrow E). Therefore, the task of storing the cleaning liquid W in the sub-storage section 61 can be performed more easily. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4(a), by simply storing the cleaning liquid W in the container body 3 and then attaching the attachment AM to the container body 3, a part of the cleaning liquid W in the container body 3 moves through the communication hole 61h to the sub-storage section 61 arranged on the attachment AM, and the cleaning liquid Wb can be stored in the sub-storage section 61.

In the example shown in FIG. 4(b), the cleaner 2A has multiple communication holes 61h (e.g., two, three, or four or more communication holes 61h) that allow the cleaning liquid to move between the sub-storage section 61 and the main storage section 31. When the cleaner 2A has multiple communication holes 61h, the movement of the cleaning liquid W from the main storage section 31 to the sub-storage section 61 is accelerated, and the cleaning liquid Wb can be stored in the sub-storage section 61 more quickly. In the example shown in FIG. 4(b), the communication holes 61h are formed in the bottom wall 61b of the sub-storage section 61.

(Attachment AM)
4(a), the cleaner 2A has a container body 3 and an attachment AM attached to the container body 3. The attachment AM may be formed of a single part, or may be formed by an assembly of a plurality of parts.

The attachment AM has a support part 41 that supports the dispense head main body part 11, a cleaning liquid extraction tube 51, a mixed fluid generating part 60 that has a sub-container part 61, and an attachment part 71 that is attached to the container body 3 (more specifically, the mouth part 3c of the container body 3).

In the example shown in FIG. 4(b), a seal member 75 is disposed between the mounting portion 71 of the attachment AM and the mouth portion 3c of the container body 3.

In the example shown in FIG. 4(b), the main storage section 31 is defined by the outer surface of the attachment AM (more specifically, the outer surface of the mixed fluid generating section 60 and the outer surface of the cleaning liquid extraction tube 51) and the inner surface of the container body 3.

(Support portion 41)
The support portion 41 is a portion that supports the dispense head main body 11. The support portion 41 is made of, for example, resin. In the example described in Fig. 5, the support portion 41 has a first engagement portion 415 that can be engaged with the second engagement portion 115 of the dispense head main body 11. In the example described in Fig. 5, the first engagement portion 415 is an engagement protrusion that can be engaged with the second engagement portion 115.

In the example shown in Figures 5 and 6, when the dispense head body 11 is attached to the support 41, the lower end 110 of the dispense head body 11 is positioned directly above the mixed fluid outlet OP2 of the sub-container 61. In this case, the mixed fluid discharged upward from the mixed fluid outlet OP2 can be used to efficiently clean the lower end 110 of the dispense head body 11.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, when the dispense head main body 11 is attached to the support 41, the outer peripheral surface of the first seal member 111 disposed on the dispense head main body 11 is in annular contact with the inner peripheral surface 41n of the support 41. In this way, the cleaning liquid W or the pressurized gas is prevented from leaking from the gap between the first seal member 111 and the support 41.

(Cleaning liquid extraction pipe 51)
In the example shown in Fig. 4(a), the cleaning liquid outlet pipe 51 has a first pipe 51-1 and a second pipe 51-2 attached to the first pipe 51-1. In the example shown in Fig. 4(a), the cleaning liquid outlet pipe 51 is configured by an assembly of the first pipe 51-1 and the second pipe 51-2. Alternatively, the cleaning liquid outlet pipe 51 may be configured by one pipe, or may be configured by an assembly of three or more pipes. The cleaning liquid outlet pipe 51 is made of, for example, resin.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the upper end 51u of the cleaning liquid extraction tube 51 (more specifically, the upper end 51u of the first tube 51-1) functions as a contact portion that comes into contact with the second seal member 141 of the plunger member 14. The annular contact between the upper end 51u of the cleaning liquid extraction tube 51 and the second seal member 141 prevents the cleaning liquid W or pressurized gas from leaking from the gap between the cleaning liquid extraction tube 51 and the second seal member 141.

(Sub-storage section 61)
In the example shown in Fig. 4(b), the sub-container 61 includes (1) a first wall 61a, (2) a second wall 61c disposed outside the first wall 61a, (3) a bottom wall 61b connecting the first wall 61a and the second wall 61c, and (4) a mixed fluid discharge port OP2 disposed opposite the space SP in which the lower end 110 of the dispense head main body 11 will be disposed. In this case, the sub-container 61 can be made to have a simple structure, and can be disposed in the vicinity of the space SP in which the lower end 110 of the dispense head main body 11 will be disposed. The sub-container 61 is made of, for example, resin.

In the example shown in FIG. 4(b), the first wall 61a functions as the inner wall of the sub-storage section 61. In the example shown in FIG. 4(b), the first wall 61a is formed by a part of the cleaning liquid outlet pipe 51. In this case, the structure of the attachment AM equipped with the sub-storage section 61 and the cleaning liquid outlet pipe 51 can be simplified.

In the example shown in FIG. 4(b), the second wall 61c functions as the outer wall of the sub-storage section 61. More specifically, the first wall 61a and the second wall 61c arranged on the outside of the first wall 61a form a double cylinder.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the second wall 61c is disposed on the inside of the inner edge of the support portion 41 in a plan view. Alternatively, the second wall 61c may be disposed on the outside of the inner edge of the support portion 41 in a plan view.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the sub-container 61 has a ring shape in a plan view. Also, the mixed fluid outlet OP2 of the sub-container 61 has a ring shape in a plan view. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the mixed fluid outlet OP2 is visible when the cleaner 2A is viewed from above.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the first flow path 51f defined by the cleaning liquid outlet pipe 51 is disposed inside the sub-storage section 61 in a plan view. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the first flow path 51f can be seen when viewing the cleaner 2A from above.

(Mounting portion 71)
3, the mounting portion 71 has a second screw portion 71s (more specifically, a female screw portion) that screws into a first screw portion 32s (more specifically, a male screw portion) formed on the mouth portion 3c of the container body 3. The mounting portion 71 is made of, for example, resin.

(Connecting portion 81)
In the example shown in Fig. 3, the cleaner 2A (more specifically, the attachment AM) has a connecting portion 81 that connects the support portion 41 and the sub-container portion 61. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the connecting portion 81 connects the support portion 41 and the second wall 61c of the sub-container portion 61.

The connecting portion 81 may have an upper surface 81u that contacts the lower surface of the first seal member 111 arranged on the dispense head main body 11. In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 6, when the dispense head main body 11 is attached to the support portion 41, the upper surface 81u of the connecting portion 81 may be configured to contact the lower surface 111b of the first seal member 111 arranged on the dispense head main body 11. In this case, the support portion 41 and the connecting portion 81 stably position the dispense head main body 11. The connecting portion 81 is made of, for example, resin.

(Gas communication hole 81h)
In the example shown in FIG. 6, the cleaner 2A (more specifically, the attachment AM) has a gas communication hole 81h. The gas communication hole 81h allows the pressurized gas in the sub-container 61 to move to the main container 31. The gas communication hole 81h may allow a part of the cleaning liquid W that cleans the lower end 110 of the dispense head main body 11 to move to the main container 31. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the cleaning liquid Wb in the sub-container 61 eventually moves to the main container 31, and is then discharged to the outside of the container body 3 via the cleaning liquid extraction pipe 51. In other words, during cleaning, the cleaning liquid Wb in the sub-container 61 is discharged from the sub-container 61, and then discharged to the outside of the container body 3 via the main container 31 and the first flow path 51f in the cleaning liquid extraction pipe 51.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the cleaner 2A (more specifically, the attachment AM) has four gas communication holes 81h. Alternatively, the cleaner 2A (more specifically, the attachment AM) may have one, two, three, or five or more gas communication holes 81h. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the gas communication holes 81h are formed in the connecting portion 81.

(Safety valve 91)
3, the cleaner 2A (more specifically, the attachment AM) has a safety valve 91 that prevents the pressure in the container body 3 from reaching a predetermined pressure or higher. The safety valve 91 is automatically opened when the pressure in the container body 3 reaches or exceeds the predetermined pressure.

The cleaner 2A (more specifically, the attachment AM) may have an operating part 93 for manually reducing the pressure inside the container body 3. After the dispense head 10 is cleaned using the cleaner 2A, the operating part 93 is pressed. By pressing the operating part 93, the pressure inside the container body 3 is reduced. The dispense head 10 can then be safely removed from the cleaner 2A.

Second Embodiment
A cleaner 2B in the second embodiment and a method of using the cleaner 2B will be described with reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. Fig. 7 is a schematic two-sided view showing the cleaner 2B in the second embodiment. The upper side of Fig. 7 shows a schematic plan view, and the lower side of Fig. 7 shows a schematic vertical cross-sectional view. Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing how the cleaning liquid W is stored in the main container 31 and the sub container 61.

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the secondary storage section 61 (more specifically, the bottom wall 61b) does not have a communication hole 61h. In other respects, the second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and repetitive descriptions of matters already described in the first embodiment will be omitted. Therefore, it goes without saying that matters already described in the first embodiment can be adopted in the second embodiment even if they are not explicitly described in the second embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, in the second embodiment, there is no communication hole 61h that allows the cleaning liquid W to move between the sub-storage section 61 and the main storage section 31. Therefore, when the cleaner 2B is in the upright position, the cleaning liquid W cannot move from the main storage section 31 to the sub-storage section 61.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, cleaning liquid W can be poured into the sub-container 61 through an opening OP (more specifically, the mixed fluid outlet OP2) above the sub-container 61, thereby storing the cleaning liquid W in the sub-container 61. In the example shown in FIG. 8, cleaning liquid W is poured into each of the main container 31 and the sub-container 61 from a water faucet, and cleaning liquid W is stored in each of the main container 31 and the sub-container 61.

In the method of using the cleaner 2B in the second embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 8, before the dispense head main body 11 is supported by the support portion 41 of the cleaner 2B, a portion (Wa) of the cleaning liquid W is stored in the main storage portion 31, and a portion (Wb) of the cleaning liquid W is stored in the sub storage portion 61. This allows the cleaning liquid W to be easily stored in both the main storage portion 31 and the sub storage portion 61 with a simple configuration.

(Cleaning method)
A cleaning method according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 10. Fig. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of the cleaning method according to an embodiment. Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a cleaning device 2 and a beverage server 240 are connected via a dispense head 10 and a beverage supply pipe 230.

The cleaner 2 used in the cleaning method in the embodiment may be the cleaner 2A in the first embodiment, the cleaner 2B in the second embodiment, or another cleaner.

The dispense head 10 to be cleaned in the cleaning method of the embodiment includes (1) a gas flow path G, (2) a beverage flow path D, (3) a dispense head main body 11, and (4) a plunger member 14 that is movable relative to the dispense head main body 11. The dispense head 10 has already been described with reference to FIG. 2 and the like, so a repeated description of the dispense head 10 will be omitted.

The cleaning device 2 used in the cleaning method in the embodiment includes (1) a container body 3 that defines a main storage section 31 that stores a portion (Wa) of the cleaning liquid W, (2) a support section 41 that supports the dispense head main body section 11, (3) a cleaning liquid extraction pipe 51 that has a first flow path 51f that communicates with the beverage flow path D and extends toward the bottom 3b of the container body 3, and (4) a mixed fluid generating section 60 that has a secondary storage section 61 that stores a portion (Wb) of the cleaning liquid W and generates a mixed fluid of the pressurized gas and the cleaning liquid W. The container body 3, the support section 41, the cleaning liquid extraction pipe 51, and the mixed fluid generating section 60 have already been described in the first and second embodiments, so repeated descriptions of these configurations will be omitted.

In the first step ST1, cleaning liquid W is stored in both the main storage section 31 and the sub-storage section 61. The first step ST1 is a storage process.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the first step ST1 (storage process) includes pouring the cleaning liquid W into the internal space of the container body 3 (see FIG. 4(a)), and moving the cleaning liquid W from the main storage section 31 to the sub-storage section 61 via the communication hole 61h (see the dashed arrow E in FIG. 4(b)).

In the example shown in FIG. 4(a), a mark M (e.g., a ring-shaped step) indicating the target amount of cleaning liquid W to be injected is formed on the inner surface 3n of the container body 3. In this case, the user need only inject cleaning liquid W into the internal space of the container body 3 up to a height equal to or greater than the mark M.

The movement of the cleaning liquid W from the main storage section 31 to the sub-storage section 61 is automatically performed, for example, by attaching an attachment AM having a sub-storage section 61 with a communication hole 61h to the container body 3. More specifically, when the mounting section 71 of the attachment AM is attached to the mouth section 3c of the container body 3, the height H1 of the communication hole 61h becomes lower than the liquid level H2 of the cleaning liquid W in the main storage section 31 in the container body 3. As a result, the cleaning liquid W moves from the main storage section 31 to the sub-storage section 61 through the communication hole 61h. The movement ends when the liquid level H2 of the cleaning liquid Wa in the main storage section 31 and the liquid level H3 of the cleaning liquid Wb in the sub-storage section 61 substantially coincide with each other.

Alternatively, in FIG. 3, the first step ST1 (storage step) may include attaching an attachment AM having a sub-storage section 61 to the container body 3, and then pouring the cleaning liquid W into the main storage section 31 (or into both the main storage section 31 and the sub-storage section 61). When the cleaning liquid W is poured into the main storage section 31 (or into both the main storage section 31 and the sub-storage section 61), the cleaning liquid W moves through the communication hole 61h so that the liquid level H2 of the cleaning liquid Wa in the main storage section 31 and the liquid level H3 of the cleaning liquid Wb in the sub-storage section 61 are substantially equal.

8, when a cleaner 2B that does not have a communication hole 61h is used, the first step ST1 (storage process) includes attaching an attachment AM having a sub-container 61 to the container body 3, and then pouring cleaning liquid W into both the main container 31 and the sub-container 61. Alternatively, the first step ST1 (storage process) may include pouring cleaning liquid W into the internal space of the container body 3, then attaching the attachment AM to the container body 3, and then pouring cleaning liquid W into the sub-container 61.

In the second step ST2, the dispense head main body 11 is attached to the support 41 of the cleaner 2. The second step ST2 is an attachment process. The attachment process is performed after the first step ST1 (storage process). FIG. 5 shows the state after the attachment process is performed. In the example shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, after the attachment process is performed, the plunger member 14 is moved downward relative to the dispense head main body 11. As the plunger member 14 moves downward, the second seal member 141 arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the lower end of the plunger member 14 comes into annular contact with the cleaning liquid extraction tube 51 (more specifically, the first wall 61a). In this way, a sealed state between the second seal member 141 and the cleaning liquid extraction tube 51 (more specifically, the first wall 61a) is ensured.

In the third step ST3, a mixed fluid of the pressurized gas and the cleaning liquid W is generated. The third step ST3 is a mixed fluid generation process. In the mixed fluid generation process, a mixed fluid C of the pressurized gas and the cleaning liquid W is generated using the momentum of the pressurized gas supplied to the sub-container 61 from the gas flow path G of the dispense head 10 (see FIG. 6).

More specifically, in the mixed fluid generation process, first, pressurized gas (in other words, gas with a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure) is supplied from the gas source 220 to the dispense head 10. The pressure of the pressurized gas supplied to the dispense head 10 is, for example, 0.1 MPa (megapascals) or more, or 0.2 MPa or more. The pressurized gas may be carbon dioxide gas or air.

Secondly, pressurized gas is introduced from the gas flow path G of the dispense head 10 into the sub-container 61 (see dashed arrow A in FIG. 6). A portion (Wb) of the cleaning liquid W is stored in the sub-container 61. Therefore, when the pressurized gas is introduced into the sub-container 61, the momentum of the pressurized gas stirs the cleaning liquid Wb in the sub-container 61. As a result, a mixed fluid C of the pressurized gas and the cleaning liquid Wb is generated in the sub-container 61.

In the fourth step ST4, the lower end 110 of the dispense head main body 11 is cleaned. The fourth step ST4 is a first cleaning step. In the first cleaning step, the lower end 110 of the dispense head main body 11 is cleaned by the mixed fluid C discharged from the mixed fluid generating section 60 (more specifically, the sub-storage section 61).

More specifically, in the first cleaning step, first, the mixed fluid C generated in the mixed fluid generating unit 60 (more specifically, the sub-container 61) is discharged from the sub-container 61 to the outside of the sub-container 61 via the mixed fluid discharge port OP2 (see dashed arrow B in FIG. 6). This discharge is performed, for example, by the pressurized gas introduced into the sub-container 61 pushing out the cleaning liquid Wb together with the pressurized gas.

Secondly, the mixed fluid C discharged outside the sub-container 61 collides with the lower end 110 of the dispense head main body 11. In this way, the lower end 110 of the dispense head main body 11 is cleaned by the mixed fluid C.

A portion of the mixed fluid C that collides with the lower end 110 of the dispense head main body 11 may move to the main storage section 31 via the gas communication hole 81h. Also, a portion of the mixed fluid C that collides with the lower end 110 of the dispense head main body 11 may return to the sub-storage section 61.

In the fifth step ST5, the inside of the plunger member 14 of the dispense head 10 is cleaned. The fifth step ST5 is a second cleaning step. In the second cleaning step, the inside of the plunger member 14 is cleaned by the cleaning liquid supplied from the main storage section 31 to the plunger member 14 via the first flow path 51f in the cleaning liquid extraction pipe 51.

More specifically, in the second cleaning step, first, pressurized gas (in other words, gas at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure) is supplied from the gas source 220 to the dispense head 10.

Secondly, pressurized gas is introduced from the gas flow path G of the dispense head 10 through the gas communication hole 81h into the main storage section 31. A portion (Wa) of the cleaning liquid W is stored in the main storage section 31. Therefore, when the pressurized gas is introduced into the main storage section 31, the pressure of the pressurized gas pushes the cleaning liquid Wa toward the first flow path 51f of the cleaning liquid extraction tube 51.

Thirdly, the cleaning liquid pushed into the first flow path 51f of the cleaning liquid extraction tube 51 moves upward and passes through the inside of the plunger member 14 (see dashed arrow F in FIG. 6). In this way, the inside of the plunger member 14 is cleaned by the cleaning liquid.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, part of the second cleaning process (fifth step ST5) is performed simultaneously with the first cleaning process (fourth step ST4) or immediately after the first cleaning process. Part of the second cleaning process (fifth step ST5) may be performed after the first cleaning process (fourth step ST4) is completed. In other words, part of the second cleaning process (fifth step ST5) may be performed after the cleaning liquid Wb in the auxiliary storage section 61 is substantially empty.

In the example shown in FIG. 10, the plunger member 14 of the dispense head 10 is fluidly connected to the beverage server 240 via the beverage supply pipe 230. In this case, in the sixth step ST6, the inside of the beverage supply pipe 230 and the beverage flow path 240f in the beverage server 240 are cleaned. The sixth step ST6 is the third cleaning process.

More specifically, in the third cleaning step, first, the cleaning liquid moves from the inside of the plunger member 14 to the inside of the beverage supply pipe 230. In this way, the inside of the beverage supply pipe 230 is cleaned. Second, the cleaning liquid moves from the inside of the beverage supply pipe 230 to the beverage flow path 240f in the beverage server 240. In this way, the beverage flow path 240f of the beverage server 240 is cleaned. Third, the cleaning liquid is discharged from the beverage flow path 240f of the beverage server 240 to the outside of the beverage server 240 via the dispensing cock portion 241.

In the cleaning method of the embodiment, the lower end 110 of the dispense head main body 11 can be cleaned with a simple configuration. More specifically, the lower end 110 of the dispense head main body 11 can be cleaned with a simple procedure using a cleaner 2 with a simple structure.

(Experiment 1)
The cleaner 2A in the first embodiment was used to clean the lower end 110 of the dispense head main body 11. Fig. 11(a) shows the experimental conditions of Experiment 1, and Fig. 11(b) shows the experimental results of Experiment 1 (a view of the lower end 110 of the dispense head main body 11 as viewed from below).

In experiment 1, a cleaner 2A was used in which water was previously stored as a cleaning liquid in the sub-container 61 up to a height of 30 mm from the bottom wall 61b (10 mm from the top surface of the container body 3). The gas pressure of the pressurized gas supplied to the dispense head 10 was set to 0.15 MPa. Furthermore, in experiment 1, a dispense head 10 was used in which food coloring (see the hatched areas in the left-hand drawing of FIG. 11(b)) was applied to eight locations on the metal portion 110m of the lower end portion 110 of the dispense head body 11.

After the experiment (in other words, after cleaning), when the lower end 110 of the dispense head main body 11 removed from the cleaner 2A was observed, water droplets (see the part indicated by the open circle in the right diagram of FIG. 11(b)) were found to be attached to the metal part 110m of the lower end 110 in multiple places. The water droplets were mostly colorless and transparent. From the above, it was confirmed that when the cleaner 2A in the first embodiment is used to clean the dispense head 10, the beverage (simulated with food coloring in the experiment) attached to the lower end 110 of the dispense head main body 11 is effectively washed away. Note that FIG. 11 shows the results of only one experiment, but when the same experiment was performed multiple times, experimental results almost similar to those shown in FIG. 11 were obtained.

(Experiment 2)
The cleaner 2B in the second embodiment was used to clean the lower end 110 of the dispense head main body 11. Fig. 12(a) shows the experimental conditions of Experiment 2, and Fig. 12(b) shows the experimental results of Experiment 2 (a view of the lower end 110 of the dispense head main body 11 as viewed from below).

In experiment 2, a cleaner 2B was used in which water was stored in advance as a cleaning liquid in the secondary storage section 61. The gas pressure of the pressurized gas supplied to the dispense head 10 was set to 0.3 MPa. Furthermore, in experiment 2, a dispense head 10 was used in which food coloring (see the hatched areas in the left-hand drawing of FIG. 12(b)) was applied to eight locations on the metal portion 110m of the lower end portion 110 of the dispense head main body 11.

After the experiment (in other words, after cleaning), when the lower end 110 of the dispense head main body 11 removed from the cleaner 2B was observed, water droplets (see the part indicated by the white circle in the right diagram of FIG. 12(b)) were found to be attached to the metal part 110m of the lower end 110 in multiple places. The water droplets were mostly colorless and transparent. From the above, it was confirmed that when the cleaner 2B of the second embodiment is used to clean the dispense head 10, the beverage (simulated with food coloring in the experiment) attached to the lower end 110 of the dispense head main body 11 is effectively washed away. Note that FIG. 12 shows the results of only one experiment, but when the same experiment was performed multiple times, experimental results almost similar to those shown in FIG. 12 were obtained.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments or modifications, and it is clear that each embodiment or modification may be modified or changed as appropriate within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. Furthermore, the various techniques used in each embodiment or modification may be applied to other embodiments or other modifications as long as no technical contradiction arises. Furthermore, any additional configurations in each embodiment or modification may be omitted as appropriate.

1: Beverage supply system 2, 2A, 2B: Cleaning device 3: Container body 3a: Body portion 3b: Bottom portion 3c: Mouth portion 3n: Inner surface 10: Dispense head 11: Dispense head main body portion 14: Plunger member 17: Operation handle 31: Main storage portion 32s: First screw portion 41: Support portion 41n: Inner peripheral surface 51: Cleaning liquid extraction pipe 51-1: First pipe 51-2: Second pipe 51f: First flow path 51u: Upper end portion 60: Mixed fluid generating portion 61: Sub storage portion 61a: First wall 61b: Bottom wall 61c: Second wall 61h: Communication hole 71: Mounting portion 71s: Second screw portion 75: Seal member 81: Connection portion 81h: Gas communication hole 81u: Upper surface 91: Safety valve 93 : Operation unit 110 : Lower end 110m : Metal portion 111 : First seal member 111b : Lower surface 112 : Holding portion 112d : Annular groove 112s : Projection 113 : Upper end 115 : Second engagement portion 140 : Lower end 141 : Second seal member 210 : Beverage storage container 220 : Gas source 230 : Beverage supply pipe 240 : Beverage server 240f : Beverage flow path 241 : Dispensing cock portion 415 : First engagement portion AM : Attachment D : Beverage flow path G : Gas flow path G1 : First gas flow path G2 : Second gas flow path M : Mark OP : Opening OP1 : Gas inlet OP2 : Mixed fluid outlet SP : Space W, Wa, Wb : Cleaning liquid

Claims (8)

A cleaner capable of cleaning a dispense head having a gas flow path, a beverage flow path, a dispense head body, and a plunger member movable relative to the dispense head body, comprising:
a container body defining a main receiving portion for receiving a portion of the cleaning solution;
A support portion that supports the dispense head main body portion;
a cleaning liquid outlet pipe including a first flow path communicating with the beverage flow path and extending toward a bottom of the container body;
a mixed fluid generating unit that generates a mixed fluid of a pressurized gas and the cleaning liquid,
The mixed fluid generating unit includes:
a sub-container for containing a portion of the cleaning liquid;
a gas inlet for introducing the pressurized gas into the sub-container;
a mixed fluid discharge port that discharges the mixed fluid produced in the sub-container toward a lower end of the dispense head main body. The cleaning device according to claim 1 , wherein the mixed fluid discharge port also serves as the gas inlet port. a communication hole that allows the cleaning liquid to move between the sub-storage section and the main storage section;
3. The cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cleaning liquid is configured to move from the main storage section to the sub-storage section through the communication hole when the liquid level of the cleaning liquid in the main storage section is higher than a preset level and when the liquid level of the cleaning liquid in the main storage section is higher than the liquid level of the cleaning liquid in the sub-storage section. The sub-storage section includes:
The first wall,
A second wall disposed outside the first wall;
a bottom wall connecting the first wall and the second wall;
The cleaner according to claim 1 , further comprising: the mixed fluid discharge port disposed opposite a space in which the lower end of the dispense head main body is to be disposed. The cleaner according to claim 4 , wherein the first wall is formed by a part of the cleaning liquid outlet pipe. 6. The cleaner according to claim 1, wherein during cleaning, the cleaning liquid in the sub-container is released from the sub-container and then discharged to the outside of the container body via the main container and the cleaning liquid outlet pipe. A method of using a cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising the steps of:
A method of using a cleaner, comprising: storing a part of the cleaning liquid in the main storage portion and storing a part of the cleaning liquid in the sub storage portion before the dispense head body portion is supported by the support portion. A cleaning method for cleaning a dispense head using a cleaner, comprising:
The dispense head comprises:
A gas flow path;
A beverage flow path;
A dispense head body;
a plunger member movable relative to the dispense head body,
The cleaning device includes:
a container body defining a main receiving portion for receiving a portion of the cleaning solution;
A support portion that supports the dispense head main body portion;
a cleaning liquid outlet pipe including a first flow path communicating with the beverage flow path and extending toward a bottom of the container body;
a mixed fluid generating section having a sub-storage section for accommodating a part of the cleaning liquid and generating a mixed fluid of a pressurized gas and the cleaning liquid,
The cleaning method includes:
a storing step of storing the cleaning liquid in both the main storage section and the sub storage section;
a mounting step of mounting the dispense head body to the support after the storage step is performed;
a mixed fluid generating step of generating the mixed fluid of the pressurized gas and the cleaning liquid by using the momentum of the pressurized gas supplied from the gas flow passage to the sub-container;
a first cleaning step of cleaning a lower end portion of the dispense head main body portion with the mixed fluid discharged from the mixed fluid generating portion;
a second cleaning step of cleaning the inside of the plunger member with the cleaning liquid supplied from the main storage portion through the first flow path of the cleaning liquid outlet pipe to the plunger member.

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