Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting – deodorizing – preser – Process disinfecting – preserving – deodorizing – or sterilizing – Using disinfecting or sterilizing substance
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-12
2003-07-22
McKane, Elizabeth (Department: 1744)
Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting, deodorizing, preser
Process disinfecting, preserving, deodorizing, or sterilizing
Using disinfecting or sterilizing substance
C422S292000, C062S303000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06596233
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to vacuum ice conveyance systems. More particularly, the invention relates to an automated sanitizing system whereby a vacuum pneumatic ice conveyance system may be efficiently and effectively sanitized on a periodic basis.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As shown in the exemplary embodiment of
FIG. 1
, vacuum ice conveyance systems
30
have been developed for the automated conveyance of ice cubes, wedges, chunks, pieces and the like
31
from an ice source
50
to one or more ice receptors
40
. As described in PCT International publication No. WO 00/08396 published Feb. 17, 2000, which by this reference is incorporated herein as though now set forth in its entirety, such vacuum ice conveyance systems
30
generally comprise a vacuum source
35
for entraining ice cubes
31
through an ice conduit
32
.
As shown in
FIG. 1
, a vacuum pump
36
, or substantially equivalent source of negative pressure, draws a flow of air through an air inlet
33
at the ice source
50
, into the ice conduit
32
and through a vacuum line
37
interposed in fluid communication between the fluid conduit
32
and the vacuum pump
36
. The excess air drawn through the system
30
may then be exhausted through a provided vent
38
. The produced air flow
46
causes the ice cubes
31
to be drawn from the ice source
50
and into the ice conduit
32
, thereby establishing an ice flow
45
through the ice conduit
32
. As shown in the figure, the vacuum line
37
is arranged with the ice conduit
32
just upstream from the ice receptors
40
such that the momentum of the ice flow
45
causes the ice cubes
31
to flow past the vacuum line
37
and into a provided conduit extension
39
connecting the ice conduit
32
to the desired ice receptor
40
.
As described in PCT International publication No. WO 00/08396, exemplary ice receptors
40
may comprise an ice dispenser
41
, an ice and beverage dispenser, an ice accumulator
42
, an air lock device
43
with air inlet
44
for further automated conveyance of the ice cubes
31
or any substantial equivalent thereof. As also described in the PCT International publication, a microbial filter
34
may be provided at the air inlet
33
to the ice source
50
and/or the air inlet
44
to an implemented air lock device
43
for minimizing the introduction of airborne microbial contaminants.
Unfortunately, the implementation of such filters
34
is generally insufficient for maintaining the internal cleanliness of the vacuum ice conveyance system
30
. As a result, it is necessary to chemically sanitize the vacuum ice conveyance system
30
on a periodic basis. In the past, this has required the manual introduction of cleansing solutions to the vacuum ice conveyance system
30
, which has required significant labor investment and down time for the system
30
. It is therefore an overriding object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method by which such a vacuum ice conveyance system
30
may be efficiently and effectively sanitized without unnecessary disruption of the system's operation and/or additional labor investment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the foregoing objects, the present invention—an automated sanitizing system for a vacuum ice conveyance system—generally comprises a source of sanitizing solution, a source of solid media, a chamber for association of the sanitizing solution with the solid media and an outlet from the chamber for introduction of the association of solution and media into a vacuum ice conveyance system. Preferably the solid media comprises ice produced by an ice maker and deposited into an ice hopper, which serves as both the chamber for association of the solution with the ice and as the point of introduction to the vacuum ice conveyance system of the association. The sanitizing solution is preferably produced at the ice hopper by mixing a concentrated sanitizing agent with water, whereafter the solution is sprayed over a harvest of ice as the ice is dropped into the hopper for conveyance through the vacuum ice conveyance system. The system is also adapted to associate clean water with the ice for rinsing from the conveyance system of the sanitizing agent.
Finally, many other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts, especially in light of the foregoing discussions and the following drawings, exemplary detailed description and appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4135947 (1979-01-01), Rink
patent: 4389794 (1983-06-01), Bitterly
patent: 5077007 (1991-12-01), Pearson
patent: 5458851 (1995-10-01), Schroeder et al.
patent: 5580521 (1996-12-01), Gagne
patent: 5581982 (1996-12-01), Schroeder et al.
patent: 6056885 (2000-05-01), Wasinger
patent: 6209339 (2001-04-01), Schroeder et al.
Berge J. Eric
Glatt Raymond A.
Goff David W.
Lancer Partnership Ltd.
Makay Christopher L.
McKane Elizabeth
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