Method and apparatus for a mold barrier

Abstract

A mold barrier eliminates the establishment and continued resurgence of microbial colonies on product dispenser components routinely exposed to fluids and food products. The mold barrier may be utilized in a product dispenser to prevent the establishment of mold colonies on the product dispenser. The mold barrier adheres to potentially exposed surfaces to create an impenetrable boundary layer, thereby preventing the errant product from permeating into porous materials not suitable for product contact. Upon contacting the mold barrier, the errant product moves downward. Residues left from the errant product may be removed when the product dispenser and mold barrier are sanitized during routine cleansing operations. Upon sanitization, the product dispenser may be restored to a sanitized condition.

1 . A mold barrier, comprising: 
 an impervious layer disposed about a product dispenser component including exposed porous surfaces, wherein fluids contact an outer surface of the impervious layer in lieu of the exposed porous surfaces, and further wherein, the outer surface of the impervious layer may be cleansed to restore the impervious layer and the product dispenser component to a sanitized condition.    
   
   
       2 . The mold barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the impervious layer is disposed onto the product dispenser component and adheres to the exposed porous surfaces of the component.  
   
   
       3 . The mold barrier according to  claim 2 , wherein the impervious layer is sprayed onto the exposed porous surfaces of the product dispenser component.  
   
   
       4 . The mold barrier according to  claim 2 , wherein the impervious layer is adjacent to the porous outer surfaces of the product dispenser component.  
   
   
       5 . The mold barrier according to  claim 4 , wherein the impervious layer is preformed.  
   
   
       6 . The mold barrier according to  claim 5 , wherein the impervious layer is a plastic.  
   
   
       7 . The mold barrier according to  claim 6 , wherein the plastic is acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.  
   
   
       8 . The mold barrier according to  claim 6 , wherein the plastic is polystyrene.  
   
   
       9 . A method of preventing mold on porous components of a product dispenser, comprising: 
 a. applying an impervious layer to potentially exposed porous surfaces on a product dispenser component, wherein exterior surfaces of the impervious layer contact fluids that normally enter the porous surfaces on the product dispenser components; and    b. sanitizing the exterior surfaces of the impervious layer to eradicate any microbial growth on the exterior surfaces of the impervious layer, thereby restoring the impervious layer and the product dispenser component to a sanitized condition.    
   
   
       10 . A product dispenser, comprising: 
 at least one dispensing circuit adaptable to a product supply and in communication with a product dispensing valve, wherein the at least one dispensing circuit delivers a product from the product supply to the product dispensing valve, and further wherein, the product exits the product dispensing valve; and    a mold barrier disposed on components of a product dispenser that may be potentially exposed to the dispensed product, whereby the dispensed product landing on the product dispenser components does not penetrate the mold barrier, thereby providing a cleanable surface on the potentially exposed components.    
   
   
       11 . The product dispenser according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least one diluent circuit adaptable to a diluent supply, and in communication with the product dispensing valve, wherein the at least one diluent circuit delivers a diluent from the diluent supply to the product dispensing valve for mixing with the product delivered to the product dispensing valve.    
   
   
       12 . The product dispenser according to  claim 10 , wherein the mold barrier is coupled to a tower head having permeable surfaces, thereby preventing the dispensed product and diluent from penetrating the permeable surfaces of the tower head.  
   
   
       13 . The product dispenser according to  claim 12 , wherein the mold barrier is a preformed sheet.  
   
   
       14 . The product dispenser according to  claim 13 , wherein the sheet is a plastic.  
   
   
       15 . The product dispenser according to  claim 14 , wherein the plastic is acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.  
   
   
       16 . The product dispenser according to  claim 14 , wherein the plastic is polystyrene.  
   
   
       17 . The product dispenser according to  claim 14 , wherein the sheet is foamed in place.  
   
   
       18 . The product dispenser according to  claim 12 , wherein the mold barrier is a spray on coating.  
   
   
       19 . The product dispenser according to  claim 18 , wherein the spray on coating comprises anti microbial materials.  
   
   
       20 . A tower head for a product dispenser, comprising: 
 an insulation disposed around product and diluent lines, the insulation including exposed surfaces; and    an impervious mold barrier disposed about potentially exposed exterior surfaces of the insulation, wherein product dispensed onto the mold barrier does not penetrate the mold barrier, and further wherein, the product dispensed onto the mold barrier may be removed utilizing a standard sanitizing routine, thereby restoring the tower head to a sanitized condition..    
   
   
       21 . A method of preventing mold in a product dispenser, comprising: 
 a. applying an impenetrable mold barrier to potentially exposed porous surfaces in a product dispenser; wherein exterior surfaces of the mold barrier may come into contact with a dispensed product and diluent; and    b. sanitizing the exterior surfaces of the mold barrier to eradicate any microbial growth on the exterior surfaces of the mold barrier.