Method and apparatus for cleaning vessels

1. An apparatus for rinsing drink mixing vessels having an exterior surface and an opening to an interior surface, the apparatus comprising:

a stall having top, bottom and side walls defining an interior and a front access aperture in communication with the interior, the access aperture characterized by remaining open during use of the apparatus, and the top being configured as a drain rack;

a nozzle assembly disposed within the interior of the stall and coupled to a supply of rinsing media;

the nozzle assembly configured to direct a spray of rinsing media simultaneously at the interior surface and the exterior surface of the vessel to be rinsed when placed within the stall; and

a valve for activating the spray of rinsing media, the valve being self-metering to provide the spray for a predetermined rinsing cycle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , the stall comprising a sink.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle assembly is configured to direct a spray of rinsing media simultaneously at the interior and exterior surfaces of two vessels to be rinsed when placed within the stall.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , the rinsing media comprising water, cleaning agent, sanitizing agent and combinations thereof.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising a base for supporting the stall on a surface.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , the drain rack being in fluid communication with the interior.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , the nozzles assembly including a first jet and a second jet, the first jet and the second jet being fixed within the stall, the first jet being aligned with the opening to direct a spray of rinsing media at the interior surface and the second jet being aligned to direct a spray of rinsing media at the exterior surface.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising a platform disposed within the stall and upon which the vessel may be disposed.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the platform is configured to support the vessel to be rinsed in an inverted orientation, the nozzle assembly including a first jet aligned with the opening to direct a spray of rinsing media upward through the opening and onto the interior surface of the vessel and a second jet to direct a spray of rinsing media downward onto the exterior surface of the vessel.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , the rinsing media comprising water, the apparatus comprising a coupling to couple the device to a supply of water.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the coupling comprises a branch connection to allow a flow of rinsing media to the nozzles and a flow of rinsing media to a sink.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , the valve comprising a user actuated, self-metering valve that is operable without a source of electricity, and wherein the predetermined rinsing cycle is between 5 seconds and 15 seconds.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the valve is user configurable as to the time of the predetermined rinsing cycle and a quantity of flow of the rinsing media.

14. A kit comprising:

a nozzle assembly,

a splash-resistant stall having a top, a bottom, back and side walls and a front defined by an access aperture, the top being configured as a drain rack,

a rinsing media actuation and self-metering valve disposed on an exterior of the stall and in fluid communication with the nozzle assembly, the valve operable without a source of electricity;

a platform disposed within the stall for supporting at least one vessel to be rinsed;

the nozzle assembly having a first jet being configured to direct a flow of rinsing media directly onto an interior surface of the vessel through an opening in the vessel and a second jet being configured to simultaneously direct a flow of rinsing media at an exterior surface of the vessel;

a first fluid coupling to couple a source of rinsing media to the valve; and

a second fluid coupling to couple the stall to a drain for rinsing media disposal.

15. The kit of claim 14 , wherein the first fluid coupling comprises a “Y” coupling to provide a first flow of rinsing media to the valve and a second flow of rinsing media to an adjacent sink.

16. A beverage service station comprising:

a plurality of rack assemblies containing containers of drink preparation materials and drink preparation vessels;

a work surface;

a water supply;

a vessel rinsing apparatus disposed on or adjacent the work surface, the rinsing apparatus comprising:

an enclosure defining a splash-resistant stall having an access aperture remaining open during use of the vessel rinsing apparatus and a drain, and a top surface incorporating a drain rack;

a nozzle assembly disposed within the stall and coupled to the water supply;

the nozzle assembly configured to direct a spray of water simultaneously at an interior surface and an exterior surface of a drinks preparation vessel to be rinsed when placed within the stall; and

a non-electrical valve for activating and metering the spray of water.

17. The beverage service station of claim 16 comprising a sink disposed within or adjacent the work surface, the water source being coupled to both the vessel rinsing apparatus and the sink.

18. The beverage service station of claim 16 , a floor drain disposed adjacent the beverage service station, the drain being coupled to the floor drain.