DE102022113979A1 - Device for drying containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (52) for drying containers (43), comprising at least one unit (1, 9, 17, 38, 46) which has one or more, for example rotating, air blades (6, 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, 29, 30, 31) in the interior (5, 13, 28) of the unit for blowing off liquid from all external surfaces of a container passed through the interior.

Description

The invention relates to a device for drying containers according to claim 1.

State of the art

EP 1 363 095 A1 discloses an apparatus for drying the external surfaces of bottles, comprising a conveyor for conveying the bottles along a drying device and for imparting a rotational movement to the bottles about their axis. The conveyor includes a pair of conveyor belts arranged adjacent and parallel to one another and on which the bottoms of the bottles rest, such that one half of the bottom is supported by one belt and the other half by the adjacent belt. One of the two belts moves in the conveying direction of the bottles and the other belt in the opposite direction.

Task

The object of the invention is to provide a device for drying containers that can be implemented in a space-saving and cost-effective manner as well as with high performance.

Solution

The task is solved by the device according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments are disclosed in the subclaims.

The device according to the invention for drying containers comprises at least one unit with one or more, for example rotating, air blades in the interior of the unit for blowing off liquid from all external surfaces of a container passed through the interior.

Since the containers are blown off inside the unit, the background noise can be reduced. The dusting and/or distribution of blown-off liquid to the environment can also be reduced.

Several consecutive units can be provided if the transport speed of the containers is high and reliable drying is still to be achieved.

The air blade or the air blades can be designed all around or have one or more interruptions, whereby the length of the individual interruptions can be less than 2%, 1% or 0.5% of a total length of an air blade without these interruptions. For example, no air can be released in the area of an interruption.

If there are several air blades, it can be provided that one or more of these air blades are designed to be circumferential and one or more of these air blades have one or more interruptions.

The device can further comprise a grid frame for guiding the container along a transport path, at least in the interior.

The lattice frame can comprise a first upper and a second upper longitudinal strut as well as a first lower and a second lower longitudinal strut, each of which extends, for example, in the y-direction. The upper longitudinal struts can be used to provide lateral support for containers, for example on their lateral surface, which can be transported through the interior. The lower longitudinal struts can be used to support containers on their bottom surface. These four longitudinal struts can be connected to one another by a first and a second cross strut, wherein the first and second cross struts can be arranged spaced apart from one another in the y direction.

The longitudinal struts and/or the cross struts can have a round or differently shaped cross section. For example, a cross section can be provided which creates the smallest possible contact surface on the lateral or bottom surface of the container. The smallest possible contact area can mean a contact area of less than 3%, 2% or 0.5%.

The first and second upper longitudinal struts may be a first distance apart and the first and second lower longitudinal struts may be a second distance apart. For example, the first distance can be greater than the second distance.

The transport route can have a slope with respect to the direction of gravity. The slope means that the containers do not have to be pushed through the interior of the unit and/or pushed forward by an additional air blade for transport.

The transport path can be aligned vertically with respect to the direction of gravity or have a slope. The containers can be pushed through the interior of the unit for transport and/or pushed forward by an additional air blade.

The device can comprise several, for example rotating, air blades.

The plurality of air blades, for example rotating ones, can be arranged one after the other along the transport path.

At least two of the several, for example circumferential, air blades can have different widths. With a larger width, a greater depth effect of drying can be achieved, which can be advantageous, for example, for drying the outer surface of a container.

At least two of the several, for example rotating, air blades can be arranged at different angles. The different angles can be measured with respect to the vertical or horizontal. An air blade can be oriented parallel or substantially parallel to the vertical. An air blade can run in a plane that is tilted to the horizontal or skewed to the horizontal. The air blades can be oriented at an angle of up to 45°, 30° or 15° from the vertical.

The unit can comprise at least one further, for example rotating, air blade for pushing the container forward along the transport path.

The unit may include at least one air inlet, for example more than two air outlets.

The unit can include at least one air inlet, for example an air inlet for each of the preferably rotating air blades.

The unit can include at least one drainage channel for liquid. The liquid from the at least one drain channel can be discharged into a collecting device, for example arranged below the unit or the device. The at least one drain channel can be arranged in a lower region of the unit.

A collecting device for collecting blown-off liquid can be provided below the device. For example, the collecting device can further comprise a drain, for example the drain can be connected to a return for recycling the blown-off liquid.

The unit can comprise several, for example two, individual parts, which can be designed to be movable into one another, for example for height adjustment. For example, sealing sections can be provided between the individual parts. For example, telescoping can be carried out using an electric motor included in the unit.

A height adjustment can be useful in order to be able to dry containers of different heights in the device.

In areas in which a height adjustment can take place, where, for example, there can be a partial overlap of the individual parts and, for example, a piecemeal overlap of the respective air blades, a contour of the respective air blades can be designed in such a way that a displacement parallel to the vertical can be possible. For example, the respective air blades can be aligned parallel to the vertical in the areas.

Alternatively, one of the individual parts (whereby the unit is suitable for containers of a first height) can be exchanged for another individual part (whereby the unit is suitable for containers of a second height). For example, an upper component can be replaced. It can be provided that the air blades can run continuously in a plane that can be tilted to the horizontal or skewed to the horizontal or that the air blades can be continuously aligned at an angle of up to 45 °, 30 ° or 15 ° inclined to the vertical can be or that the air blades can be aligned continuously parallel or continuously essentially parallel to the vertical.

The unit can be a 3D print, for example at least the inner surface can be chemically smoothed. Chemical smoothing can improve the drainage of blown-off liquid.

The grid frame can include or consist of stainless steel, coated stainless steel or plastic.

The unit can include profiles on both end faces to accommodate housing panels. The profile can be provided on part of one of the end faces of the unit. The part of the end face can include the end face without a lower part of the end face. One or more housing panels can be inserted into the profile. If two consecutive units are provided, the enclosure plate can be inserted into a profile of the first unit and into a profile of the second unit, so that there can be a connection between the two units and, for example, not a blown one Liquid can escape unintentionally (a liquid leak through one or more drain channels would be an intentional liquid leak) between the two units.

An enclosure panel may be or include a metal sheet, a plexiglass pane, a plastic panel or the like.

It can be provided that one or more cleaning nozzles are provided for the unit or units in the area of the housing plate or plates.

• 1 eine schräge Darstellung eines Halbschnitts einer erste Ausführungsform einer Einheit,
• 2 eine schräge Darstellung eines Halbschnitts einer zweiten Ausführungsform einer Einheit,
• 3 eine schräge Darstellung eines Halbschnitts einer Einheit mit Ablaufkanälen und mit einem ganzen Gittergestell,
• 4 einen schematischen Querschnitt durch die Einheit mit dem Gittergestell,
• 5 einen schematischen Querschnitt durch einen Teil der Einheit, umfassend mehrere Einzelteile,
• 6A eine schräge Darstellung eines Halbschnitts einer Einheit mit Profil,
• 6B einen schematischen Längsschnitt durch einen Teil der Einheit mit Profil und Umhausungsplatten und
• 7 eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung mit Gehäuse und Auffangvorrichtung.

The attached figures represent aspects and/or exemplary embodiments of the invention for better understanding and illustration. It shows:

• 1 an oblique representation of a half section of a first embodiment of a unit,
• 2 an oblique representation of a half section of a second embodiment of a unit,
• 3 an oblique representation of a half-section of a unit with drainage channels and with an entire grid frame,
• 4 a schematic cross section through the unit with the grid frame,
• 5 a schematic cross section through part of the unit, comprising several individual parts,
• 6A an oblique representation of a half-section of a unit with a profile,
• 6B a schematic longitudinal section through part of the unit with profile and housing panels and
• 7 a schematic representation of a device with a housing and a collecting device.

The 1 shows an oblique view of a half section of a first embodiment of a unit 1. The unit 1 comprises a body 2 with an inner surface 3 and an outer surface 4. An interior 5 of the unit 1 can be delimited by the inner surface 3. Containers whose surfaces are to be dried can be transported through this interior 5. The containers can be transported in a direction parallel to the y-axis. The unit 1 shown includes three air blades 6, 7, 8. The first air blade 6 has a first width b1, the second air blade 7 has a second width b2 and the third air blade 8 has a third width b3. In the illustration, by way of example, the first width b1 is smaller than the second width b2 and the second width b2 is smaller than the third width b3. Other widths can also be provided, for example two or three of the widths can be the same size. For example, b2 < b3 < b1 or b3 < b1 < b2 can also apply.

In the illustration, the air blades 6, 7, 8 run in a plane that is oriented perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the y-axis. While using the unit 1, the z-axis can be aligned parallel to the direction of gravity.

The air blades 6, 7, 8 can be designed all around or have one or more interruptions, whereby the length of the individual interruptions can be less than 2%, 1% or 0.5% of a total length of an air blade without these interruptions. For example, no air can be released in the area of an interruption.

The air blades 6, 7, 8 can run parallel to a longitudinal axis of a container that can be transported through the interior 5.

The 2 shows an oblique view of a half section of a second embodiment of a unit 9. The unit 9 comprises a body 10 with an inner surface 11 and an outer surface 12. An interior 135 of the unit 9 can be delimited by the inner surface 11. Containers whose surfaces are to be dried can be transported through this interior 13. The containers can be transported in a direction parallel to the y-axis. The unit 9 shown comprises three air blades 14, 15, 16. The first air blade 14 has a first width b4, the second air blade 15 has a second width b5 and the third air blade 16 has a third width b6. In the illustration, by way of example, the first width b4 is smaller than the second width b5 and the second width b5 is smaller than the third width b6. Other widths can also be provided, for example two or three of the widths can be the same size. For example, b5 < b6 < b4 or b6 < b4 < b5 can also apply.

In the illustration, the first air blade 14 has a first angle α1 to the xz plane and a fourth angle α4 to the yz plane. The second air blade 15 has a second angle α2 to the xz plane. The third air blade 16 has a third angle α3 to the xz plane. While using the unit 1, the z-axis can be aligned parallel to the direction of gravity.

The air blades 14, 15, 16 can run inclined to a longitudinal axis of a container that can be transported through the interior 13.

The air blades 14, 15, 16 can be designed all around or have one or more interruptions, whereby the length of the individual interruptions can be less than 2%, 1% or 0.5% of a total length of an air blade without these interruptions. For example, no air can be released in the area of an interruption.

The 3 shows an oblique view of a half section of a unit 17 with drain channels 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and with an entire grid frame 24. The unit 17 comprises a body 25 with an inner surface 26 and an outer surface 27. An interior 28 the unit 17 can be limited by the inner surface 26. Containers whose surfaces are to be dried can be transported through this interior 28. The containers can be transported in a direction parallel to the y-axis. The unit 17 shown comprises three air blades 29, 30, 31. In addition, six drain channels 18 - 23 are provided in the body 25, through which liquid that has been blown off from containers with the air blades 29, 30, 31 can flow away.

The lattice frame 24 includes a first upper longitudinal strut 32 and a second upper longitudinal strut 33 as well as a first lower longitudinal strut 34 and a second lower longitudinal strut 35, each of which extends in the y-direction. The upper longitudinal struts 32, 33 can serve to provide lateral support for containers, for example on their lateral surface, which can be transported through the interior 28. The lower longitudinal struts 34, 35 can be used to support containers on their bottom surface. These longitudinal struts 32, 33, 34, 35 are connected to one another by a first cross strut 36 and a second cross strut 37, the first cross strut 36 and the second cross strut 37 being arranged spaced apart from one another in the y direction.

The longitudinal struts 32 - 35 and/or the cross struts 36, 37 can have a round or differently shaped cross section. For example, a cross section can be provided which creates the smallest possible contact surface on the lateral or bottom surface of the container. The smallest possible contact area can mean a contact area of less than 3%, 2% or 0.5%.

The first and second upper longitudinal struts 32, 33 have a first distance d1 and the first and second lower longitudinal struts 34, 35 have a second distance d2 from one another. In the illustration, the first distance d1 is greater than the second distance d2.

The 4 shows a schematic cross section through the unit 17 with the grid frame 24. The body 25 is shown with the inner surface 26 and the outer surface 27. The interior 28 of the unit 17 can be delimited by the inner surface 26. The grid frame 24 with the first upper longitudinal strut 32, the second upper longitudinal strut 33, the first lower longitudinal strut 34 and the second lower longitudinal strut 35 is arranged in the interior 28.

The 5 shows a schematic cross section through part of a unit 38, which includes a first individual part 39 and a second individual part 40. The individual parts 38, 39 are designed to be displaceable relative to one another, so that a height adjustment 41 can take place. The unit 38 can be used for containers 43 with different heights h, which are to be transported through the interior 45 of the unit 38, for example onto the grid frame 24, so that air 44 can be blown off. The first item 39 and the second item 40 may include a sealing section 42. The sealing section 42 can be provided in a transition area between the first and second individual parts 39, 40. The sealing portion 42 can prevent liquid blown from a container 43 from entering.

The height adjustment 41 can be carried out by pushing the first and second individual parts 39, 40 into one another, for example using an electric motor included in the unit 38.

The 6A shows an oblique view of a half section of a unit 46 with a profile 47, the profile 47 being provided on part of the end face 51 of the unit 46. The part of the end face 51 includes the end face 51 without the lower part of the end face 51. In the profile 47 can, as in the 6B shown, one or more housing panels 50 are introduced. The illustration shows an example of a longitudinal section through an upper region of the unit 46, with the outer surface 49 and the inner surface 48 being marked. If two consecutive units are provided, the housing plate can be inserted into a profile of the first unit and into a profile of the second unit, so that a connection can exist between the two units and, for example, no liquid is blown off unintentionally (a liquid escape through one or more drain channels would be an intentional liquid leak) can escape between the two units.

The 7 shows a schematic representation of a device 52 for drying containers 43. The containers 43 are placed in the grid frame 24 transported. For the sake of clarity, the several consecutive units were not shown in the illustration. The several units are surrounded by a housing 53, which can be designed in several parts, for example. Below the housing there is a collecting device 54 into which liquid blown off from the containers 43 can reach, for example through the drain channels of the units.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was 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

• EP 1363095 A1 [0002]

Claims (16)

Device (52) for drying containers (43), comprising at least one unit (1, 9, 17, 38, 46) comprising: - one or more, for example rotating, air blades (6, 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, 29, 30, 31) in the interior (5, 13, 28) of the unit for blowing liquid from all external surfaces through the Interior of the container (43) passed through. The device according to Claim 1 , further comprising a grid frame (24) for guiding the container along a transport path at least in the interior. The device according to Claim 2 , whereby the transport route has a slope with respect to the direction of gravity. The device according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , wherein the device comprises several, for example rotating, air blades (6, 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, 29, 30, 31). The device according to Claim 4 , wherein the several, for example rotating, air blades (6, 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, 29, 30, 31) are arranged one after the other along the transport path. The device according to Claim 4 or 5 , wherein at least two of the several, for example circumferential, air blades (6, 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, 29, 30, 31) have different widths (b1, b2, b3, b4, b5, b6). The device according to one of the Claims 4 until 6 , wherein at least two of the several, for example rotating, air blades (14, 15, 16) are arranged at different angles (α1, α2, α3). The device according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 , wherein the unit comprises at least one further, for example rotating, air blade for pushing the container forward along the transport path. The device according to one of the Claims 1 until 8th , wherein the unit includes at least one air inlet, for example more than two air inlets. The device according to one of the Claims 1 until 9 , wherein the unit comprises at least one air inlet, for example one air inlet for each of the, for example, rotating air blades (6, 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, 29, 30, 31). The device according to one of the Claims 1 until 10 , wherein the unit comprises at least one drain channel (18, 19, 20) for liquid. The device according to Claim 11 , wherein a collecting device (54) for collecting blown-off liquid is provided below the device (52), wherein, for example, the collecting device (54) further comprises a drain, for example the drain being connected to a return for recycling the blown-off liquid. The device according to one of the Claims 1 until 12 , wherein the unit comprises a plurality of individual parts (39, 40) which are designed to be movable into one another, for example for height adjustment (41), with sealing sections (42) being provided between the individual parts (39, 40), for example using telescoping an electric motor included in the unit can be carried out. The device according to one of the Claims 1 until 13 , wherein the unit is a 3D print, for example at least the inner surface (3, 11, 26, 48) being chemically smoothed. The device according to one of the Claims 2 until 14 , wherein the grid frame (24) comprises stainless steel, coated stainless steel or plastic. The device snacks on one of the Claims 1 until 15 , whereby the unit includes profiles on both end faces to accommodate housing panels.

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