Field

[0001] This application relates to a washing station such as for washing interiors of groups of beer, wine, cider or other bottles or vessels, for applying an inert gas to the interiors of such bottles/vessels and methods therefor.

Background

[0002] Home beer, wine and cider making is a popular pastime. New and used bottles require cleaning prior to bottling. Similar requirements exist for jars and other vessels for home preparations. It is desired to have a manner of washing the interiors of groups of bottles at one time with a washing fluid.

Summary

[0003] A vessel washing station and method disclose a station for applying a washing fluid or gas to inverted vessels such as bottles or jars. The station has a body defining a fluid chamber therein. The body may define a containment chamber around the fluid chamber. The body provides a plurality of nozzles projecting from an outer surface where each of the nozzles is in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. The nozzles are distributed about the outer surface to receive up to a like plurality of inverted vessels for washing. The body further defines: at least one washing fluid inlet in communication with the fluid chamber to receive washing fluid to distribute to the inverted vessels via the nozzles; and at least one gas inlet in communication with the fluid chamber to receive a gas, preferably inert, more preferably CO2, to distribute to the inverted vessels via the nozzles.

[0004] There is provided in a first aspect a washing station comprising: a body defining a fluid chamber therein, the body having a plurality of nozzles projecting from an outer surface of the body, each of the nozzles in fluid communication with the fluid chamber, the plurality of nozzles distributed about the outer surface to receive up to a like plurality of inverted vessels for washing. The body further defines: at least one washing fluid inlet in communication with the fluid chamber to receive washing fluid to distribute to the inverted vessels via the nozzles; and at least one gas inlet in communication with the fluid chamber to receive an inert gas to distribute to the inverted vessels via the nozzles. The body may define a containment chamber containing the fluid chamber therein, where outer peripheral edges of the body define the containment chamber. [0005] There is provided in a second aspect a washing station comprising: a body defining a containment chamber about a periphery of the body and a fluid chamber contained within the containment chamber, the body having a plurality of nozzles projecting from an outer surface of the body, each of the nozzles in fluid communication with the fluid chamber, the plurality of nozzles distributed about the outer surface to receive up to a like plurality of inverted vessels for washing. The body further defines at least one washing fluid inlet in communication with the fluid chamber to receive washing fluid to distribute to the inverted vessels via the nozzles.

[0006] The following features may apply to either of the washing stations of the first and second aspects.

[0007] The washing station may comprise a pump coupling about the washing fluid inlet to couple the station to a pump.

[0008] The washing station may comprise a gas coupling to couple the station to a gas canister.

[0009] The washing station may comprise a plurality of legs. The body may define a plurality of collars to receive the legs. The legs may be dimensioned to space the body above a surface of a washing fluid container when the washing station is stationed therein, the washing fluid container configured to contain both of the washing fluid and a submersible pump configured to pump the washing fluid through the washing station.

[0010] The body may comprise a top body portion and a bottom body portion. The top body portion and bottom body portion may be fastened with fasteners, the top body portion and bottom body portion defining cooperating fastener apertures therethrough. For each fastener aperture, a leading edge of a surface of one of the top body portion and bottom body portion about a respective aperture may be received in a leading edge of a surface of the other one of the top body portion and bottom body portion about a respective aperture to sealingly form the aperture. The fastener apertures may be distributed outside the fluid chamber. The body may configured about exterior ends of the fastener apertures to receive fasteners for flush mounting.

[0011] The fluid chamber may be defined by fluid chamber walls, the fluid chamber walls comprising a top body wall portion and a bottom body wall portion. The bottom body wall portion may define one of a groove and channel to receive the top body wall portion or vice versa. The washing station may comprise a gasket in the one of the groove and channel. [0012] The washing station may comprise a second fluid chamber where a first group of the plurality nozzles are in communication with the fluid chamber and a second group of the plurality of nozzles are in communication with the second fluid chamber, the body defining a second gas inlet and a second washing fluid inlet each in communication with the second fluid chamber to distribute the gas and the washing fluid to the second group of the plurality of nozzles.

[0013] The washing station may be configured with 24 nozzles in an array to receive 24 vessels.

[0014] The nozzles may comprise ribs projecting from a top surface of the body to support the nozzles upright.

[0015] The nozzles may be distributed in an array of rows and columns with sufficient spacing to receive the vessels.

[0016] The washing station may have a top surface that is substantially planer to receive the vessels in a drying tray.

[0017] The body may be formed of plastic material by moulding.

[0018] The vessels may be long neck bottles for beer, wine or cider.

[0019] The washing station may be coupled to one or both of a pump and a gas canister.

[0020] There is provided a method of washing vessels using a washing station of any one of first aspect and second aspect and the features thereof described. The method comprises: placing a group of inverted vessels, one vessel from the group per nozzle, on the washing station; and, with a pump coupled to the pump inlet and the pump in communication with a washing fluid, operating the pump for a sufficient time to wash the vessels.

[0021] The method may comprise, with a gas canister coupled to the gas inlet, operating the gas canister to apply gas from the canister to the plurality of vessels. The method may comprise closing the gas inlet so the gas inlet is closed when the pump is operated.

[0022] The method may comprise washing successive batches of vessels with the gas inlet closed then opening the gas inlet and applying gas to each of the batches of vessels. [0023] The vessels may be stacked in an inverted orientation in a drying rack and the drying rack is placed on the station to position the vessels over the nozzles.

[0024] The method may comprise allowing the inverted vessels to drip dry.

[0025] These and other aspects and features will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] Fig. 1 is a top right perspective view of a first washing station with submersible pump and CO2 couplings.

[0027] Fig. 2 is a bottom right perspective view thereof.

[0028] Fig. 3 is a front top perspective view of a bottom body of the station of Fig. 1.

[0029] Fig. 4 is a bottom front exploded perspective view of a top body and bottom body of the station of Fig. 1.

[0030] Fig. 5 is an enlarged portion of a cross section of washing station along line 5-5 of Fig. 1 showing cooperating peripheral edges of a top body and bottom body of the station.

[0031] Fig. 6 is an enlarged portion of an exploded front left top perspective view of the station of Fig. 1 ;

[0032] Fig. 7 is an enlarged portion of an exploded front left bottom perspective view of the station of Fig. 1 , without legs.

[0033] Fig. 8 is an enlarged portion of a cross section of washing station along line 8-8 of Fig. 1 showing cooperating portions of a fastener aperture channel of the top body and bottom body of the station

[0034] Fig. 9 is a top view of the station of Fig. 1.

[0035] Fig. 10 is a partial enlarged front right cross sectional perspective view along line 10-10 of the washing station of Fig. 1 ;

[0036] Fig. 1 1 is a top right perspective view of a second washing station with submersible pump and CO2 couplings. [0037] Fig. 12 is a top right perspective view of a bottom body of the second washing station of Fig. 1 1.

Detailed Description

[0038] Fig. 1 is a top right perspective view of a washing station 100. Fig. 2 is a bottom right perspective view thereof showing submersible pump couplings 102a and 102b to attach to respective pumps or a single pump and CO2 couplings 104a and 104b to attach a CO2 canister. Submersible pump(s) and a CO2 canister are not shown. Couplings 102a, 102b may couple to a split hose to attach to a single submersible pump if the pump is sufficiently powerful. Each pump is removable and may be supplied separately. CO2 couplings 104a and 104b may couple to a split hose, usually with a multioutput valve to attach to a single CO2 canister (not shown). Each coupling 102 may be threaded (e.g. ½" NPT thread type) to mate with a pump outlet. Other coupling types may be used. Each coupling 104 may be ribbed to releasably fasten to a flexible hose (e.g. ¼" tube, also not shown). Though not shown, either coupling type may be capped with a removable cap when the other couplings or coupling type is in use.

[0039] Figures 1-9 show a 24 bottle configuration, however other sizes may be contemplated such as at 12 bottle configuration as shown in Figs. 10 and 11.

[0040] Washing station 100 is characterised by two primary body parts - a top body 106 and a bottom body 108 which are sealingly engaged as described further. Top body 106 and bottom body 108 may be formed of a plastic material such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) or other plastics such as by moulding. Walls are sufficiently thick for structural integrity to support washing pressures and vessel weight or vessel and rack weight. Wall thickness of each of the top and bottom are preferably about 2-4 mm (-1/8"- 1/4").

[0041] Fig. 3 is a front top perspective view of bottom body 108 and Fig. 4 is a bottom front exploded perspective view of top body 106 and bottom body 108. Bottom body 108 has a plurality of spaced leg collars (e.g. four, each 110) spaced about an exterior surface 1 12 of bottom body 108 near corners thereof. The leg collars 1 10 receive legs 114 to support the station 100 over a surface (not shown). Legs 114 may be sized to rest on a supporting surface of a washing fluid container, such as a sink bottom or portable basin bottom (neither shown) of a sink or portable basin for holding a washing fluid (e.g. water). The submersible pump(s) may be located below (and depend from bottom body 108 at pump couplings 102a, 102b) to sit in the fluid. Legs 1 14 may be sufficiently dimensioned (e.g. sufficiently long) so that the pump does not rest on the supporting surface and thus does not support station 100 when in use.

[0042] Each coupling 102a, 102b surrounds a fluid inlet 116. Washing fluid flows through a respective inlet 116 and into each of two fluid chambers 118 (see too Fig. 9) formed between the two bodies 106 and 108 by top and bottom chambers walls 120 and 122 before exiting nozzles (each 124) projecting from a top surface 126 of top body 106. Each nozzle 124 has a nozzle aperture (e.g. 128). In the present embodiment, each nozzle has support fins 130 spaced about the periphery of the nozzle 125 for structural integrity and to support an empty overturned bottle for washing (not shown). Walls 120 and 122 cooperate to seal the chambers 118. Wall 120 defines a central channel or groove 121 therein to receive a leading edge or lip 123 of wall 122. A gasket (e.g. 4 mm O-ring type, not shown), may line the central channel or groove 121 to assist with sealing when the top and bottom bodies are fastened as described below. It is understood that the channel may be made in wall 122 to receive an edge of wall 120.

[0043] Bottom body 108 has an inner surface 132 and a raised peripheral edge 134 about a periphery to mate with a cooperating peripheral edge 136 of top body 106 as shown in Fig. 5 ( a cross section about a portion of the edges 134 and 136) to form a containment chamber 138 between top body 106 and bottom body 108. Fluid chambers 1 18 are contained within an outer containment chamber 138. A peripheral body gasket (e.g. nylon, rubber, etc., not shown) may be present between the edges 134 and 138 to seal the top body and bottom body. As seen in Fig. 5 and Fig. 9, peripheral edge 134 of bottom body 108 may be shaped (configured) to define a receiving groove 140 to receive peripheral tongue 142 of edge 136 of top body 106.

[0044] As seen in Figs. 6 and 7, bottom body 108 and top body 106 have a plurality of respective mating fastener apertures 144 and 146 therethrough each body to receive fasteners (not shown) such as a lug/bolt and nut combination. Apertures 144 and 146 are spread about the periphery of the bodies 106 and 108, inwardly of the raised edges 134, 136, and about a central region 148 (e.g. between fluid chambers 118). In the present embodiment, each of the fastener apertures is outside of a fluid chamber 118, whose walls 120, 122 curve about containment chamber 138 to extend to include nozzle inlets 150 for each nozzle 124. The relatively even distribution of the fastening apertures maintains the top and bottom bodies from bending excessively under load of the washing fluid pressure. In this manner the top surface from which the nozzles project remains substantially planer. The top surface may receive bottles in a drying rack and maintain a level surface during use as described below.

[0045] Each fluid chamber 1 18 serves a total of 12 nozzles in the present embodiment. The separate fluid chambers 118 provide sufficient flow/pressure to the nozzles circulating the fluid from the pump(s) and generally avoiding distant corners of the bodies 106 and 108 and also avoiding fastener apertures 144, 146.

[0046] As shown in detail in Fig. 8, to assist with a sealing of containment chamber 138 and fluid chambers 1 18 (i.e. when the fasteners are mounted and secured), each fastener aperture 144, 146 is defined by a respective cooperating top fastener body 152 and bottom fastener body 154 extending from the respective inner surfaces 155 and 132 of the top body 106 and bottom body 108. As the bodies 106 and 108 are plastic and flexible, the top fastener body 152 and bottom fastener body 154 mate when the fastener is in place and driven in. The lug/bolt may be driven by a screw driver for easy installation and removal. Respective leading edges 156, 158 of the top fastener body 152 and bottom fastener body 154 are shaped so that the leading edge 158 receives leading edge 156 to provide a sealed aperture channel 144, 146. These roles for the edges could be reversed. Top may receive bottom or vice versa. Same for the peripheral edges 134, 136. The top fastener body 152 and bottom fastener body 154 are sized to ensure that the respective inner surfaces 155 and 132 remain spaced when the fastener is tightened. The height of each body 152, 154 is approx. the height of the respective peripheral edges 134, 136 of the respective top body 106 and bottom body 108.

[0047] Note that the exterior ends 160, 162 of the fastener channels 144, 146 (in exterior surfaces of the bodies 106, 108) are shaped to receive a fastener head and a nut for flush mounting with exterior (top and bottom) surfaces of the station. For example the exterior end 162 may have a hexagonal shape for a nut to assist with easy installation or removal.

[0048] Figs. 1 1 and 12 relate to a 12 washing station 200 were Fig. 12 shows a bottom body 208. Components of station 200 are the same as station 100 with the exception that only one pump coupling is provided for a pump and one gas coupling for a CO2 canister is provided. Further some (i.e. two) of the fastener apertures (e.g. 244, 246) in the present embodiment are located to pass through fluid chamber 218. Because the pressure (head) from the pump is greater about inlet 216 than it is around the periphery of the station, having fastener apertures near the middle of the station may assist to reduce or eliminate excessive ballooning

(expansion) of the flexible station 200. In this manner the top surface from which the nozzles project remains substantially planer. [0049] Examples of submersible pumps for use with the washing stations 100 and 200 are: Total Pond™ 800 GPH Pond Pump or American Pond™ APJR2000 Submersible Fountain Pump. Two such pumps may be used with station 100.

[0050] In the present 24 bottle embodiment, the height of a leg 114 is approximately 3.75" to 4.25" and may vary for example with a size of a submersible pump. Each leg 114 may be of plastic and formed separately from body 108. Legs can separate from the bottom body 108 e.g. using a slip fit, into collar 1 10. In the 12 bottle embodiment, leg height may be similar.

[0051] The height of a nozzle is sized to fit into a bottle. As inverted bottles may be supported in a drying tray such as the FastRack™ available from Axle Plastic Inc., nozzle height may be 3.5" in a 12 bottle embodiment and 3" in a 132 bottle embodiment. Nozzles heights of 3"-5" are contemplated.

[0052] In use, a pump is coupled to a pump coupling. If open, the CO2 coupling(s) is preferably capped. To avoid washing fluid being blown up a CO2 hose, it is preferable that the CO2 hose is not coupled to the C02 Coupling(s) when the pump is operated.

[0053] The station with pump is placed in a sink or basin with the legs on a surface thereof so that the pump is submersed sufficiently in a washing fluid in the sink/basin. Bottles are placed over the nozzles, preferably all of the nozzles to avoid spray from the nozzles. A cloth may be placed over nozzles without bottles. The pump is operated to clean the bottles. The pump may be operated for as long as desired to sufficiently clean out the bottles. This may vary with what is in the dirty bottles and pump pressure etc. For sanitizing it can be turned on long enough to fully coat the insides of the bottles. The pump is turned off and the bottles allowed to drip dry. Bottles may be removed from the station 100, 200.

[0054] If used with a drying rack, such as FastRack™, dirty bottles are inverted and loaded into the rack and the rack is placed on the station. The rack may be placed on and removed from the station to move all the bottles at one time. The bottles may dry while in the rack.

[0055] Following washing, CO2 hose from a CO2 canister may be coupled to the CO2 coupling(s) and the CO2 canister opened to apply CO2 to inverted bottles placed on top of the nozzles of the station. A rack may be used. The pump coupling is preferably closed (e.g. capped) if no pump is attached during this gas application step of the process. Depending on various factors, including some or all of: the pressure in the CO2 canister, the volume of the fluid chamber (or chambers), nozzle size, bottle size, how much the user wants to purge the bottles, etc., the gas is applied for about 10-50 seconds. The bottles are removed from the stations (e.g. by removing the rack). Gas may be applied after washing. It may be desired to wash a few groups of bottles at a time and then apply gas to the few groups of bottles in a batch mode to avoid changing the CO2 between each successive washing.

[0056] Alternatively or in addition (but not shown) the stations 100 and 200 or hoses may be configured with values to close off the CO2 hoses from receiving washing fluid.

[0057] Though described primarily with respect to bottles, such as beer wine and cider bottles with long necks, other vessels such as jars may be washed and/or gassed as described. Adjustments to nozzle length may be made for smaller jars. In one example, washing stations are made with shorter nozzles. In one example, stations are made with removable nozzles and different sized nozzles may be supplied for attachment to a station. In one example a vessel support rack may support the jars and raise them relative to the outer surface of the washing station such that if the station has long nozzles they extend appropriately into the vessels. Caps for nozzles may be provided to close respective nozzles. Nozzle tips may be threaded to receive caps. For example, caps may be used on a 24 bottle station to seal off 6 nozzles to wash 18 bottles, etc.

[0058] Though various examples or embodiments are described herein, unless it is physically impossible, any of the various examples or embodiments may have the features of the other examples or embodiments.