DE102018202306A1 - Box washing machine for crates and method for cleaning crates - Google Patents

Abstract

Described is a box washing machine for crates and a method for cleaning crates or the like transport containers. Accordingly, a means of transport for the bottle crates is present and arranged above and / or below the transport means and in particular substantially transversely thereto aligned spray nozzles for at least the outside spraying the crates. With the help of an effective for the spray nozzles tilting device for the crates, the front and rear walls of the crates are up / down to the spray nozzles inclined. As a result, the transport distance between successive crates can be minimized while effectively cleaning the front and rear walls and thus also the space required for the box washing machine.

Description

Bottle crates and similar shipping containers of substantially parallelepipedal shape are known to be cleaned in tunnel-type box washing machines for reuse. The crates are usually transported in orthogonal orientation on a linear conveyor and sprayed on all sides with water, alkali, air or similar detergents. Here, the, relative to the transport direction, lateral surfaces of the crates are easily accessible, as well as their upper and lower sides. On the other hand, the front and rear sides pointing in / counter to the transport direction are problematic because relatively large distances between the bottle crates are necessary for their cleaning. This causes an undesirably large space requirement and long treatment periods.

As a makeshift have the DE 10 2004 029 177 A1 and DE 10 2004 059 310 A1 a diagonal orientation of the bottle crates on a linear conveyor proposed, for example by input side rotation of the bottle crates about a vertical axis. As a result, the bottle crates can be fully sprayed by lateral nozzles aligned transversely to the direction of transport. On the transport then, for example, carriers for the crates are available, which align them in diagonal position and / or further transport. Also described was a sloping inlet for the diagonal transfer of the crates to the linear conveyor of the box washing machine.

Despite good cleaning effect in diagonal transport prepares especially the division of the crates in the inlet of such box washing machines often problems. Also, this technical principle is not suitable for all common box formats.

Alternatively, from the DE 34 39 538 A1 a principle known in the intermediate turning stations provide for at least a horizontal 90 ° rotation of the bottle crates. However, this creates additional space and considerable cost.

There is therefore a need for a box washing machine for crates or similar transport containers, which allows the required cleaning of the crates with a small footprint and / or cost and / or for as many box formats.

The object is achieved with a box washing machine according to claim 1. Accordingly, the box washing machine comprises a transport means for the bottle crates, arranged above and / or below the transport and the transport means oriented spray nozzles for at least outside spraying the bottle crates, and a relative to the spray nozzles and / or the transport effective tilting device for the crates for tilting the Front and rear walls of the bottle crates up / down to the spray nozzles.

As a result, the front walls and rear walls of the bottle crates from the spray nozzles from above and / or below can be sufficiently charged with a cleaning agent. A contrast more complex horizontal turning the bottle crates is then unnecessary. Consequently, the transport distance to orthogonal orientation of the bottle crates can be reduced. In particular, the clearance between adjacent front walls and rear walls can then be smaller than the height of the crates.

The crates, for example, can be raised at the front while resting stably at the rear on the means of transport, and vice versa. Thus, crates with small and / or constant clearance distances can be inclined and cleaned on all sides. The extent of the inclination can be comparatively easily and flexibly adjusted by means of the front or rear hub relative to the transport.

The front walls and rear walls of the bottle crates are defined in terms of the invention with respect to the transport direction. Preferably, the side walls of the bottle crates are aligned substantially parallel to the transport direction.

The side walls are easily accessible for laterally above the transport means arranged spray nozzles and are therefore not further discussed in the following. For example, side spray nozzles can be easily located at suitable height levels for spraying the tilted bottle crates.

Under a tilting to the transport and / or to the spray nozzles out is to be understood in particular that the crates are raised only on the front or rear side. As a result, the respective opposite end always remains in frictional and / or positive contact with the means of transport.

The associated spray nozzles can be rigidly attached. But they can also be movably mounted to align the spray nozzles to match the respective crates and / or track the passing front walls and / or rear walls.

The spray nozzles spray the bottle crates at least from the outside. As a rule, however, their inner walls are also to be cleaned. In particular, below the transport means, the spray nozzles are preferably also designed for the internal cleaning of the bottle crates. The detergent can then easily run out of the bottle crates.

At least some of the spray nozzles are preferably arranged for simultaneously spraying the front walls and rear walls above and below the transport means.

Aligned substantially to the transport means are spray nozzles, for example, are oriented vertically downwards or upwards or are tilted by not more than 45 ° to the transport direction or against the transport direction. The orientation of the spray nozzles is preferably determined by their main beam direction.

Instead of crates, it can also be boxes for cans, bags, canisters, bags, boxes or the like. Likewise, closed transport boxes and / or logistics containers could be cleaned with the box washing machine. This flexibility results from the comparatively simple handling of substantially parallelepipedic containers when tilting up / down in contrast to horizontal rotation in a diagonal transport position.

Preferably, the tilting device for tilting the bottle crates is formed around transverse to the transport horizontal axis of rotation. This allows a comparatively simple mechanism and a comparatively simple adaptation of the tilting device to different box formats.

Preferably, the tilting device comprises at least one lifting cam which is designed to be stationary along the transport means and controls running along it for front or rear lifting of the bottle crates with respect to the transport means. Such lifting curves are relatively inexpensive, stable and durable. In addition, they could be exchanged for different box formats. Thus, an economical and flexible production operation is given.

Preferably, the controls comprise camshafts that cooperate with the lift cam. Control rollers allow low-wear and low-noise lifting movements of the front areas and / or rear areas of the bottle crates for tilting their front and rear walls.

Preferably, the lifting curves are arranged laterally outside and / or above the transport means in their entire effective ranges. This facilitates the anchoring of the front or rear side raised bottle crates on the transport.

The box washing machine preferably comprises transport racks for accommodating the bottle crates, in particular in the form of mobile carriages or carts, the control rollers being mounted on a front region and / or rear region of the transport crate. The control rollers may then operate within the box washing machine as part of the tilting device, outside the box washing machine as conventional transport rollers.

With the transport racks, the tilt angle of the bottle crates could be adjusted comparatively easily with an unchanged lift curve, for example for different box formats. For this purpose, only the distance of the control rollers would be changed by the associated anchorage to the transport. For example, for individual box types and / or box formats in this regard specially adapted transport racks are conceivable, which can still be handled uniformly on the means of transport. Thus, different box formats could optionally also be cleaned in unsorted order.

Preferably, the transport racks are designed for the positive and / or non-positive anchoring on the transport means, in particular in their respective control rollers opposite the front or rear area. This allows tilting of the front walls and rear walls with unchanged relative transport position of the crates, so without unwanted slipping of the crates on the means of transport.

For this purpose, the transport racks could be designed, for example, as carts whose wheels act as control rollers in the box washing machine. At the other end of the trolley then suitable supports would be provided with which can leave the transport racks stable both on the means of transport and on floors.

Preferably, the transport racks comprise lockable support rollers for anchoring to the means of transport, as well as control rollers with a larger gauge, on the other hand. The control rollers then run laterally outside the anchorage on the lifting curves, while the inner support rollers allow, for example by means of parking brake and / or castor lock a stable anchorage and constant transport position of the crates to each other. The means of transport could for anchoring but also depressions and / or surveys for blocking the support rollers.

Preferably, the transport is designed as a horizontal linear conveyor. This is a comparatively robust and flexibly usable embodiment of the means of transport. Preferably, the transport means comprises mutually parallel conveyor belts with an intermediate spray gap for spraying the bottle crates. The lifting curves are then preferably arranged laterally outside of the conveyor belts. The crates and / or transport racks can be anchored sufficiently stable on the conveyor belts at the rear or front, while they are sufficiently accessible for cleaning between the conveyor belts. Accordingly, the sloping front walls and / or rear walls of the bottle crates can be cleaned from below.

The object is also achieved with a method for cleaning bottle crates or similar containers according to claim 9. The bottle crates are transported in particular continuously by spray areas of spray nozzles, the spray nozzles spraying at least outer sides of the bottle crates from above and / or below, ie essentially transversely to the transport direction. The crates are tilted relative to the spray nozzles and / or to the transport direction and thereby obliquely front and rear side up and / or down to the spray nozzles. This can achieve the advantages described with respect to the box washing machine.

The front walls and rear walls of the bottle crates are preferably sprayed simultaneously. In addition, the side walls, the bottom of the bottle crates are sprayed in a principally known manner, in particular on their insides.

Preferably, the crates are tilted about transverse to their direction of transport extending horizontal axes of rotation and thereby inclined to the spray nozzles.

Preferably, the bottle crates are inclined relative to the transport by at least 15 ° and in particular by at most 60 °. This allows good access to the angled front walls and rear walls as well as a stable transport position of the crates on the means of transport without slipping or uncontrolled overturning of the crates.

Preferably, the crates are tilted during continuous transport and sprayed from above and / or from below. The crates are then irradiated selectively in particular in the inclined position both front side and rear side. In contrast, arranged above and / or under the transport spray nozzles can be turned off in conventional parallel alignment of the bottle crates to the transport to save detergent and / or selectively used for spraying insides and / or outsides of the bottoms of the bottle crates.

Preferably, the clear transport distance between adjacent crates is smaller than their height. As a result, the space required and the treatment time can be minimized. Nevertheless, the tilting allows a sufficient cleaning effect.

Preferably, the crates are anchored on the front or rear side on a linear conveyor in the transport direction and lifted respectively opposite the rear or front side, in particular by means of a stationary lifting curve. Anchoring takes place directly or by means of a transport frame. This enables a reliable, inexpensive and flexible cleaning operation.

Preferably, the crates are first connected to carrying racks supporting, in particular placed on the transport racks, and then raised by attached to the transport racks controls by means of stationary lift curves on the rear or front side and thereby inclined. This facilitates adaptation to different box formats.

The box washing machine is then designed to carry out preferred combinations of said method steps.

• 1 einen schematischen Längsschnitt durch eine Kastenwaschmaschine;
• 2 eine schematische Draufsicht auf ein Transportgestell mit einem Flaschenkasten;
• 3 eine alternative Ausführungsform der Kippvorrichtung.

Preferred embodiments are shown in the drawing. Show it:

• 1 a schematic longitudinal section through a box washing machine;
• 2 a schematic plan view of a caddy with a bottle crate;
• 3 an alternative embodiment of the tilting device.

As the 1 includes the box washing machine 1 for empty bottle crates 2 a means of transport 3 for the crates 2 as well as above and below the means of transport 3 arranged and the means of transport 3 facing spray nozzles 4 for a cleaning agent. Part of the box washing machine 1 is also a tilting device 5 for the crates 2 for tilting their front walls 2a and back walls 2 B up / down to the spray nozzles 4 out. front walls 2a and back walls 2 B are by definition those box walls which are in the transport direction 3a of means of transport 3 arranged on the front and rear sides.

Accordingly, the bottle cases include 2 furthermore sidewalls 2c , a floor 2d and an opening 2e for insertion and removal of bottles, bags or similar containers (not shown). Through the openings 2e working in the box washing machine 1 pointing down, the crates can 2 from the spray nozzles 4 also be sprayed from the inside. Furthermore, the cleaning agent through the openings 2e run down. In principle, however, completely closed boxes or similar containers could be cleaned in the manner described.

The tilting device 5 preferably comprises on both sides of the means of transport 3 arranged lifting curves 6 and with the bottle crates 2 carrying connected controls 7 that are at the lift curves 6 walk along and the bottle crates 2 in the example shown, raise the front.

Particularly advantageous is the embodiment shown, in which the controls 7 in the form of tax rolls 8a in transport racks 8th for the crates 2 are integrated. The transport racks 8th preferably also comprise support rollers 8b for fixed anchoring on the means of transport 3 with respect to the transport direction 3a , The support rollers 8b are, for example, lockable rollers, possibly also lockable castors, so that the relative positions of the transport racks 8th and the bottle crates resting on it 2 to each other on the means of transport 3 also preserved in the described tilting.

At the means of transport 3 could, especially in relation to the transport direction 3a regular intervals, depressions and / or elevations (not shown) for position-preserving blocking of the support rollers 8b be educated. Also could the cradles 8th be designed as a cart with support legs instead of the support rollers 8b ,

To anchor the bottle crates 2 on the transport racks 8th can this schematically indicated mechanical stops 8c include the tilted bottle crates 2 against slipping or slipping off the transport racks 8th to back up.

As the 2 in a schematic plan view, have the tax rolls 8a the transport racks 8th preferably a larger track than the support rollers 8b , This allows a configuration in which the control roles 8a outside of the means of transport 3 arranged lifting curves 6 roll while the other hand, arranged with a lower track width support rollers 8b on the means of transport 3 rest, so they are not on the lift curve 6 running and anchoring on the means of transport 3 while tilting is maintained.

By tilting the bottle crates 2 with regard to the means of transport 3 is an all-round cleaning of the crates 2 and minimizing the clearance between adjacent crates 2 possible. For example, the clear transport distance 10 between the bottle crates entering in conventional orthogonal orientation 2 smaller than their height (preferably from the means of transport 3 measured).

The means of transport 3 is preferably a substantially horizontally extending linear conveyor 9 with mutually parallel conveyor belts 9a and an intermediate spray gap 9b for spraying the bottle crates 2 from below. The gauge of the support rollers 8b is then attached to the bearing surface of the conveyor belts 9a customized.

In the 2 is schematically a transverse to the transport direction 3a and preferably horizontally extending tilt axis 5a the tilting device 5 shown. This falls in the embodiment shown with the axis of the support rollers 8b together. The bottle crates 2 are preferably around a (in the 3 indicated) tilt angle 11 of at least 15 ° and preferably at most 60 ° about their tilt axes 5a turned and the front walls 2a as well as back walls 2 B tilted accordingly. The tilting axes 5a By definition, they move together with the crates 2 through the box washing machine 1 ,

How to particular on the basis of 2 and 3 detects, the tilt angle can be 11 through the maximum stroke 12 the lift curve 6 and the length of the rocker arm 13 between anchoring on the means of transport 3 and the associated tax rolls 8a to adjust. In the carriage designed as a transport frame 8th corresponds to the rocker arm 13 the center distance between the control rollers 8a and the support rollers 8b and could be done by offsetting the tax rolls 8a easily in an exemplary indicated rocker arm 13 ' change the tilt angle 11 adapt. For example, correspondingly different transport racks could 8th for certain box formats and / or the tax rolls 8a to be adjusted accordingly.

For the sake of simplicity, in the 2 only a single side spray nozzle 14 with their spray area 14b indicated, but preferably more on both sides along the transport 3 are arranged to the bottle crates 2 to spray laterally in a known manner.

As the 1 and 3 Furthermore, let the bottle crates 2 and with it their front walls 2a and their back walls 2 B preferably tilted so that the substantially downwards / upwards transversely to the transport direction 3a aligned spray nozzles 4 both the floors 2d and openings 2e apply the detergent as well as the front walls 2a and back walls 2 B , Here are the front walls and back walls 2a . 2 B at least to spray from the outside, preferably through the openings 2e also from the inside.

The spray nozzles 4 are therefore with their main beam direction 4a transverse to the transport direction 3a arranged, ie perpendicular or in this obliquely downwards or upwards. An inclination of the main beam direction 4a allows frontal spraying of the front walls 2a and back walls 2 B , This is in the 3 by way of example with reference to the spray areas 4b tilted spray nozzles 4 indicated schematically.

The 3 also shows an alternative tilting device 15 with each other in pairs on such different height levels associated Hubkurven 16 and controls 17 that the controls 17 on unassigned lift curves 16 ineffective run over.

The controls 17 can then act as top tax rolls 180 (here for example for the front areas) of transport racks 18 and as lower tax rolls 18u (here by way of example for the rear areas) of the transport racks 18 for separate stroke ranges 19 . 20 be educated. That is, the top tax rolls 18o only run on an upper lift curve 160 , and the lower tax rolls 18u only run on a lower lower lift curve 16u ,

As the 3 schematically indicates, it does not matter in principle whether the crates 2 be raised front or rear side, if necessary, both in a row. For a rear-side lifting are the crates 2 only according to the front on the means of transport 3 and / or the transport racks 8th . 18 to anchor.

The 3 also indicates schematically that the transport racks 18 in any way with the crates 2 could be connected. For example, the cradles could 18 in recesses in the bottle crates 2 engage, clamped at a suitable location on the crates or the like. In principle, the controls could 17 also an integral part of the bottle crates 2 be, for example in the form of control cams on the lifting curves 16 glide along.

Also, the crates can 2 , as shown, directly on the means of transport 3 be turned off and be anchored on this frictionally and / or positive locking during tilting, preferably on tilt axes 15a ,

The tilting device 15 In principle, it would also be with the transport racks designed as carriages or carts 8th conceivable. The lift curves and associated control rollers would then not have to be laterally outside of the means of transport 3 are arranged, but only above the transport 3 at a suitable height level. Also, control rollers can in principle arbitrarily on the mobile transport racks 8th be stored as long as the desired cleaning of the crates 2 in the box washing machine 1 is achieved.

In any case, the lift curves allow 6 . 16 an off-center lifting of the bottle crates 2 while these with respect to the transport direction 3a Position preserving on the means of transport 3 stand. Here are the crates 2 in principle, both directly on the means of transport and by means of the transport racks 8th or 18 on the means of transport 3 anchored and then respectively opposite to the lift curve 6 . 16 raised at the front or rear. caddies 8th . 18 have the advantage that they are suitable for different box formats and thus facilitate format changes and / or are suitable for a sequence of different box formats.

The box washing machine 1 is formed tunnel-shaped in a known manner and can conventional inlet areas and outlet areas for the crates 2 include. Since a horizontal rotation of the bottle crates in a diagonal transport position is not required, the inlet areas and outlet areas can be made compact and with relatively simple technical means.

With the box washing machine 1 For example, you can work as follows.

The empty bottle crates 2 or comparable in particular open containers for beverage bottles, bags, cans, beverage cartons or the like are preferably on transport racks 8th set and so the means of transport 3 fed continuously. On the means of transport 3 the bottle crates are running 2 preferably with identical clearance distances 10 from each other through the box washing machine 1 ,

The bottle crates 2 are doing through the spray areas 4b . 14b the spray nozzles 4 . 14 transported so that the upper / lower spray nozzles 4 at least the outside of the bottle crates 2 essentially transversely to the transport direction 3a spray from above / below. The thus sprayed outer sides comprise at least the front walls 2a , the back walls 2 B and the floors 2d the bottle crates 2 , The bottle crates 2 are preferably upside down by the box washing machine 1 transported.

The bottle crates 2 be in the box washing machine 1 relative to the upper / lower spray nozzles 4 and / or the means of transport 3 tilted while tilted front and rear up and down (or vice versa) to the spray nozzles. The tilt angle 11 for the inclination is preferably between 15 and 60 °.

Here are the crates 2 preferably transversely to the transport direction 3a extending horizontal tilt axes 5a tilted. This allows a simple and reliable anchoring on the means of transport 3 and an eccentric lifting of the crates 2 , from which finally the inclination of the crates 2 to the spray nozzles 4 results. The relative transport positions of the bottle crates 2 to each other by anchoring on the means of transport 3 during spraying from the spray nozzles 4 kept constant.

The transport of the crates 3 is preferably continuous during spraying. In addition, the bottle crates 2 in a known manner from the lateral spray nozzles 14 sprayed.

The on the means of transport 3 and / or transport racks 8th standing bottle crates 2 are with front or rear side controls arranged 7 . 17 connected and are caused by the running of the controls 7 . 17 at the lift curves 6 . 16 raised off-center and tilted.

The spray nozzles 4 put on the bottle crates 2 with a cleaning agent which is, for example, an aqueous cleaning solution, in particular a lye or the like. But there may also be different spray nozzles 4 be present for different detergents, which can be activated together or separately depending on the impurities to be removed.

Under an orientation transverse to the transport direction 3a is essentially a vertical orientation of the main beam direction 4a to understand, where appropriate, an inclination of the main radiation direction 4a relative to the vertical by at most 45 ° may be advantageous to the front walls 2a and back walls 2 B to clean as effectively as possible.

The described box washing machine 1 and the described method for cleaning crates 2 allows a comparatively small clearance distance of the crates 2 in the box washing machine 1 with nevertheless good accessibility of neighboring front walls 2a and back walls 2 B successive bottle crates 2 for above and below the means of transport 3 arranged spray nozzles 4 ,

The optional use of transport racks 8th allows easy handling of the crates 2 in the inlet area and outlet area of the box washing machine 1 as well as a simple adaptation to different box formats and different tilt angles 11 with regard to the spray nozzles 4 and / or the means of transport 3 ,

For example, the tilt angle can be 11 enlarge by changing the maximum stroke 12 the lift curve 6 the rocker arm 13 , so for example the center distance between the tax rolls 8a and the support rollers 8b , is shortened and vice versa. Likewise, the lift curve could be 6 in principle as an interchangeable component of the box washing machine 1 for format adaptation to different crates 2 and / or transport racks 8th To run.

Thus, the box washing machine can be 1 in a relatively simple way to adapt to different products by only the lift curve 6 and / or the controls 7 with their positioning on the crates 2 be installed product specific. Likewise, the transport racks settled 8th Replace format specific to the box washing machine 1 for different products.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102004029177 A1 [0002]
• DE 102004059310 A1 [0002]
• DE 3439538 A1 [0004]

Claims (14)

Crate washing machine (1) for crates (2), with a transport means (3) for the crates, with arranged above and / or below the transport and the transport means oriented spray nozzles (4) for at least the outside spraying the crates, and with a relative to the tipping device (5, 15) for the bottle crates effective for spraying nozzles and / or transport means for tilting the front and rear walls (2a, 2b) of the crates upwards / downwards towards the spraying nozzles. Box washing machine after Claim 1 , wherein the tilting device (5, 15) for tilting the bottle crates (2) around transverse to the transport means (3) extending horizontal axes of rotation (5a, 15a) is formed. Box washing machine after Claim 1 or 2 in which the tilting device (5, 15) along the transport means (3) comprises stationary lifting cams (6, 16) and control elements (7, 17), in particular control rollers (8a, 18o, 14), which are connected thereto and carry the bottle crates (2). 18u), for lifting the front or rear side of the bottle crates with respect to the means of transport. Box washing machine after Claim 3 , wherein the lifting curves (6, 16) are arranged laterally outside and / or above the transport means (3) in their entire effective ranges. Box washing machine after Claim 3 or 4 , Further with transport racks (8, 18), in particular in the form of wheeled carts or carts, for receiving the bottle crates, wherein the control rollers (8a, 18o, 18u) are mounted on the front and / or rear side of the transport racks (8, 18). Box washing machine after Claim 5 , wherein the transport racks (8) are formed on the rear side or front side for the positive and / or non-positive anchoring to the transport means (3). Box washing machine after Claim 5 or 6 , wherein the transport racks (8) blockable support rollers (8b) for anchoring to the transport means (3) and control rollers (8a) with a larger gauge. Crate washing machine according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport means (3) comprises conveyor belts (9a) running parallel to one another with an injection gap (9b) between them for spraying the crates (2) from below. Method for cleaning bottle crates (2) or the like, in which they are transported through spray areas (4b) by spray nozzles (4) and the spray nozzles spray at least outside of the bottle crates from above and / or below, the crates relative to the spray nozzles and / or or tilted to the transport direction (3a) and thereby obliquely front and rear side up and / or down to the spray nozzles. Method according to Claim 9 wherein the crates (2) are tilted about horizontal axes of rotation (5a, 15a) extending transversely to their direction of transport. Method according to one of Claim 9 or 10 , wherein the bottle crates (2) with respect to the transport means (3) by a tilt angle (11) of at least 15 ° and in particular by at most 60 ° are inclined. Method according to one of Claims 9 to 11 , wherein a defined at orthogonal orientation clear transport distance (10) between adjacent crates (2) is smaller than the height thereof. Method according to one of Claims 9 to 12 , The bottle crates anchored on the front or rear side on a linear conveyor in the transport direction and each opposite back or raised front. Method according to one of Claims 9 to 13 , wherein the crates (2) are first connected to carrying racks (8, 18) supporting and then lifted by means attached to the transport racks controls (7, 17) by means of lifting curves (6, 16) rear or front side and thereby inclined.

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