Clean-in-place automated food or beverage dispenser

An automated food product dispenser comprising:

• an interface connection configured to receive a supply of a milk based fluid from a milk based fluid reservoir;
• a mixing device configured to receive the milk based fluid and prepare a milk based product;
• a nozzle in fluid association with the mixing device to dispense the milk based product,
• a product flowpath configured to direct the milk based product to flow from the interface connection through the mixing device to the nozzle, and
• a clean-in-place flowpath assembly located in the dispenser and including a supply of cleaning or sanitizing fluid and a flowpath which is configured to deliver the cleaning or sanitizing fluid to or through the product flowpath,
• wherein the clean-in-place flowpath assembly further includes a buffer reservoir configured to receive a buffer volume of the cleaning or sanitizing fluid, and a line associated with the reservoir and configured to direct the fluid from the buffer reservoir through the product flowpath, wherein the fluid cleans the product flowpath through which it flows.

An automated food product dispenser comprising:

• an interface connection configured to receive a supply of a milk based fluid from a milk based fluid reservoir;
• a mixing device configured to receive the milk based fluid and prepare a milk based product;
• a nozzle in fluid association with the mixing device to dispense the milk based product,
• a product flowpath configured to direct the milk based product to flow from the interface connection through the mixing device to the nozzle,
• a clean-in-place flowpath assembly located in the dispenser and including a supply of cleaning or sanitizing fluid and a flowpath which is configured to deliver the cleaning or sanitizing fluid to or through the product flowpath, and
• a water supply for producing the cleaning or sanitizing fluid.

An automated food product dispenser comprising:

• an interface connection configured to receive a supply of a milk based fluid from a milk based fluid reservoir;
• a mixing device configured to receive the milk based fluid and prepare a milk based product;
• a nozzle in fluid association with the mixing device to dispense the milk based product,
• a product flowpath configured to direct the milk based product to flow from the interface connection through the mixing device to the nozzle, and
• a clean-in-place flowpath assembly located in the dispenser and including a supply of cleaning or sanitizing fluid and a flowpath which is configured to deliver the cleaning or sanitizing fluid to or through the product flowpath,
• further comprising a removable container that contains the source of chemical cleaning concentrate and is connected in the clean-in-place flowpath assembly to a shut-off valve that is controlled by the controller to deliver and, to optionally meter, an amount of cleaning concentrate to the product flowpath.

An automated food product dispenser comprising:

• an interface connection configured to receive a supply of a milk based fluid from a milk based fluid reservoir;
• a mixing device configured to receive the milk based fluid and prepare a milk based product;
• a nozzle in fluid association with the mixing device to dispense the milk based product,
• a product flowpath configured to direct the milk based product to flow from the interface connection through the mixing device to the nozzle, and
• a clean-in-place flowpath assembly located in the dispenser and including a supply of cleaning or sanitizing fluid and a flowpath which is configured to deliver the cleaning or sanitizing fluid to or through the product flowpath,
• wherein the interface connection is adapted to engage the milk based fluid reservoir wherein the milk based fluid reservoir includes a flexible hose portion and a fitment;
• the interface connection including a fluid chamber having a cleaning or sanitizing fluid inlet that allows the cleaning or sanitizing fluid to enter the fluid chamber, a product inlet for the milk based fluid to enter the fluid chamber and a product outlet for a milk based product to exit the fluid chamber to the product flowpath;
• and connection means at the product inlet configured for hygienically and removably connecting the fitment of the milk based fluid reservoir to the fluid chamber.

An automated food product dispenser comprising:

• an interface connection configured to receive a supply of a milk based fluid from a milk based fluid reservoir;
• a mixing device configured to receive the milk based fluid and prepare a milk based product;
• a nozzle in fluid association with the mixing device to dispense the milk based product,
• a product flowpath configured to direct the milk based product to flow from the interface connection through the mixing device to the nozzle, and
• a clean-in-place flowpath assembly located in the dispenser and including a supply of cleaning or sanitizing fluid and a flowpath which is configured to deliver the cleaning or sanitizing fluid to or through the product flowpath,
• wherein the mixing device includes a mixing bowl configured to collect the milk based fluid, water and other beverage forming components;
• and a mixer to mix the milk based fluid, water and other beverage forming components together to form the milk based product.

An automated food product dispenser comprising:

• an interface connection configured to receive a supply of a milk based fluid from a milk based fluid reservoir;
• a mixing device configured to receive the milk based fluid and prepare a milk based product;
• a nozzle in fluid association with the mixing device to dispense the milk based product,
• a product flowpath configured to direct the milk based product to flow from the interface connection through the mixing device to the nozzle, and
• a clean-in-place flowpath assembly located in the dispenser and including a supply of cleaning or sanitizing fluid and a flowpath which is configured to deliver the cleaning or sanitizing fluid to or through the product flowpath,
• wherein the nozzle is controlled by the controller to be positioned in either:
• a dispensing position wherein the milk based product is dispensed to a dispensing zone, or
• a cleaning position wherein the nozzle recirculates cleaning or sanitizing fluid or drains cleaning fluid from the mixing bowl.

An automated food product dispenser comprising:

• an interface connection configured to receive a supply of a milk based fluid from a milk based fluid reservoir;
• a mixing device configured to receive the milk based fluid and prepare a milk based product;
• a nozzle in fluid association with the mixing device to dispense the milk based product,
• a product flowpath configured to direct the milk based product to flow from the interface connection through the mixing device to the nozzle, and
• a clean-in-place flowpath assembly located in the dispenser and including a supply of cleaning or sanitizing fluid and a flowpath which is configured to deliver the cleaning or sanitizing fluid to or through the product flowpath,
• wherein the interface connection comprises a fluid chamber that includes a cleaning fluid inlet for allowing the cleaning fluid to enter the chamber, a product inlet for the milk based fluid to enter the chamber and a product outlet for the product to exit the chamber to the product flow path.