Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology – Process of utilizing an enzyme or micro-organism to destroy... – Cleaning using a micro-organism or enzyme
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-11
2001-12-18
Redding, David A. (Department: 1744)
Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology
Process of utilizing an enzyme or micro-organism to destroy...
Cleaning using a micro-organism or enzyme
C134S008000, C134S025400, C134S026000, C134S029000, C134S042000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06331432
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for use in cleaning and sanitizing the reservoirs of food dispensing systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Reservoirs in food dispensing systems, in particular beverage dispensers, require regular cleaning and sanitizing. Often, the reservoirs have translucid or transparent walls to enable the beverage or food to be displayed. These walls have a tendency to become opaque because of food debris and sediment being progressively deposited thereon and must be cleaned. These deposits can be difficult to remove with conventional detergents. The reservoir must also be microbiologically safe to prevent any risks of food contamination. Known methods to clean and sanitize beverage reservoirs rely mainly upon labor intensive activity by an individual. In most cases, the reservoir of a beverage-dispensing device must be taken apart and manually cleaned with a detergent and water. The reservoir is then rinsed with water and disinfected with an appropriate sanitizing solution before the unit is reassembled. Depending upon the amount of soil found on the surfaces of the reservoir, the time required to clean and sanitize a reservoir may take from 30 minutes to more than an hour. Also, the operator who performs the cleaning and sanitizing procedure must dedicate his/her time to this task and therefore becomes unavailable for other more valuable duties.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,688 relates to an alkaline cleaning system containing an alkaline detergent composition and an alkali stable continuous polymeric film that is soluble or dispersible in water that covers the alkaline detergent composition and prevents the operator from being exposed to the composition prior to use. The composition is in the form of a block or tablet that is dissolved in a single cleaning phase. The formulation, however, can only include active cleaning agents that are compatible when they are combined together in the block. This limits the use of combinations of very active cleaning and/or sanitizing substances.
There is a need for improved cleaning and sanitizing procedures for food and beverage reservoirs. To date, little has been done to simplify and/or reduce the amount of labor required to clean and sanitize these types of systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to a device and a process for cleansing and sanitizing a beverage or food reservoir. The device includes a first compartment that contains a cleaning component that includes at least one or more enzymes in an amount sufficient to cleanse the reservoir, a second compartment containing at least one antimicrobial substance in an amount sufficient to sanitize the reservoir. The second compartment is enclosed within a barrier that degrades when it contacts an aqueous medium to delay the release of the antimicrobial substance from the second compartment until after the cleaning component has cleansed the reservoir.
The degradable barrier may be soluble in the aqueous medium. The aqueous medium-soluble degradable barrier may include one or more layers with at least one layer being a sugar-based material. The degradable barrier may have a first outer layer made of the sugar-based material and a second inner support layer made of a second material, wherein the first material dissolves more slowly in the aqueous medium than the second material and the second inner support layer is more rigid than the first layer. The second inner layer may be effervescent. The barrier may include at least one layer capable of being degraded by one or more of the enzymes included in the first compartment after the one or more enzymes are released into the aqueous medium. The barrier comprises a protein capable of being degraded by a protease or a polysaccharide capable of being degraded by an amylase.
The first compartment may include at least one opening to dispense the cleaning component into the reservoir by gravity when the device is positioned in the reservoir so that the opening is directed downward. The device may further include a removable lid, attached to the opening, that prevents the cleaning component from exiting the opening until after the lid is removed. The device may include means for hanging the device on the edge of the reservoir so that the opening faces downward. In one embodiment the first compartment is defined by the walls of a housing and the walls of an inner tube that is attached to the housing, the second compartment is defined by the interior of the inner tube, and the barrier is exposed to and can contact the aqueous medium after the lid is removed.
The cleaning component may also include one or more detergents selected from the group consisting of alkali metal hydroxides, carbonates, silicates, phosphates, sulfites, and mixtures thereof. The one or more enzymes of the cleaning component may be an amylase, a protease, a lipases, or a mixture thereof. The antimicrobial agent may be chlorine or a quaternary ammonium compound.
The barrier may be adapted to release the antimicrobial composition into the reservoir after about 15 to 40 minutes following the release of the detergent, preferably about 25 to 35 minutes following the release of the detergent.
The invention is also directed to a method for cleaning and sanitizing a beverage or food reservoir. The method involves filling the reservoir with water; placing the device of the invention in the reservoir so that the cleaning component is released from the first compartment, the barrier is at least partially immersed in the water, and the antimicrobial substance is released from the second compartment after the barrier degrades to cleanse and sanitize the reservoir; and draining the water solution after the antimicrobial agent has sanitized the reservoir.
The device may be placed in the reservoir for about 30 to 60 minutes or preferably for about 25 to 45 minutes.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5205304 (1993-04-01), Cooper et al.
patent: 5316688 (1994-05-01), Gladfelter et al.
patent: 5932171 (1999-08-01), Malchesky
Bautista Derrick
Collins-Thompson David
Nestec S.A.
Redding David A.
Winston & Strawn
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