Automated method and device for cleaning of blended ice machine

摘要

The disclosure shows a device and method for automating the cleaning/sanitizing of the water and ice making system on a blended ice machine. The method eliminates the need to disassemble the unit in order to gain system access points to introduce cleaning and or sanitizing solutions. The method also automates the sequence of events required to insure cleaning is done according to a proven method.

主权项

1. A blended beverage ice machine comprising:
a refrigerant circuit; a water circuit in fluid communication with said refrigerant circuit; a water supply in fluid communication with said water circuit via a water inlet, wherein said water circuit is selectively connected to said water supply via a first valve; a cleaning device that comprises a pump, wherein said cleaning device and said pump are in fluid communication with said water circuit via said water inlet, and wherein said cleaning device is selectively connected to said water circuit via a second valve; and a processor, a memory, and a program stored on said memory, wherein said processor activates a cleaning operation through a user-interface and executes said program, wherein, during said cleaning operation, said program operates said first valve to disconnect said water circuit from said water supply, operates said second valve to connect said water circuit to said pump, operates said pump to provide a cleansing liquid through said water circuit to clean and purge said water circuit and said refrigerant circuit while said water circuit is disconnected from said water supply, and then ends said cleaning operation by reconnecting said water circuit to said water supply, and wherein said program prompts said user to perform one or more steps of said cleaning operation.