DE112015002174T5 - Method for coating an inner wall of a container - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of coating at least a portion of an inner wall of a container to facilitate the removal of a liquid and / or viscous product later introduced into the container, the method comprising a step of nebulizing a non-stick coating material (11) to form a surface film in the container (11). 10). The step of misting the coating material (11) comprises distributing the coating material (11) via a nozzle (20) remaining outside the container (10).

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for coating an interior wall of a container to facilitate the removal of a liquid and / or viscous product contained therein. Known are devices that coat the inner walls of a container to facilitate the removal of a product. An example of such devices is in the patent EP1992420 described which shows a nozzle placed in the container, which distributes a non-stick material.

State of the art

Also known is a device of the patent US6247603 described type in which the coating is sprayed radially on the inner wall of a container.

Disclosure of the invention

In this context, the present invention has the technical object of accelerating the coating process for containers. Another object of the present invention is to optimize the components of a coating apparatus.

The stated technical object and the stated objects are essentially achieved by a method and a device comprising the technical features according to one or more of the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following approximate and therefore non-limiting description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a method and apparatus as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It shows:

1 a schematic view of a device according to the invention;

2 a schematic view of a portion of the device according to the invention;

3 and 4 in each case a plan view and a front view of a component of the device according to the invention;

5a - 5f Steps of the coating method according to the invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

In the attached figures, the reference numeral designates 1 a device for applying a coating material (which fulfills a non-sticking function) to an inner surface of a container which is intended to be subsequently filled with a liquid and / or viscous product (expediently, viscous product is to be understood as meaning a product which has a higher viscosity has as distilled water at room temperature). In this way, the removal of the liquid and / or viscous product is facilitated (which would otherwise be partially wasted, as a non-negligible amount could still adhere to the inner surface of the container). Such a liquid and / or viscous product may be of various types, either a food product or otherwise. For example, it could be mayonnaise, jam, but also a detergent, soap, etc.

The device 1 includes funds 2 for atomizing the coating material. Such a coating material could be of various types, for example, it may be non-toxic, even food or edible (for example, oil). In an alternative exemplary embodiment, it could be color. The fogging agents 2 include means located outside the container to direct the atomized coating material into the container. Such means 2 typically include a nozzle 20 (which is suitably intended to spray the coating). Such a nozzle 20 is static. It therefore always maintains the same position to an area for accommodating a container to be treated (both during the distribution of the surface coating material and during the replacement of an already treated container by a container which still needs to be treated). Such an area for housing a container is a predetermined area; in fact, over such a range are funds 40 arranged for holding a container (for example, a plate and / or a gripper). Typically, it is under the nozzle 20 , The nozzle 20 can, though they are during the operation of the device 1 is static, can be adjusted in different positions before the distribution of the surface coating starts (so that it can be adapted for operation with containers of different sizes).

The device 1 includes a machining head 200 which in turn is the fogging agent 2 includes. A preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the machining head 200 is described below. Based on such preferred embodiment (see 3 and 4 ), includes the machining head 200 a first inlet 201 which allows the supply of a gas (for example air) to atomize the coating material. Conveniently, this gas is filtered in advance. The machining head 200 also includes a second inlet 202 which allows the supply of the coating material. The machining head 200 also includes a channel 203 for supplying a control fluid, which is the opening of a valve 204 allowed to mix from the second inlet 202 flowing coating material and from the first inlet 201 allow flowing gas. The machining head 200 also includes the nozzle 20 that is the exit of the first inlet 201 flowing gas that potentially (if the valve 204 it allows) from the second inlet 202 pouring coating material is added.

Conveniently, the device comprises 1 medium 4 for detecting the positioning of a container at the nozzle 20 , The detection means 4 could comprise detection means such as optical detection means, preferably a photocell. The detection means 4 control the valve 204 mixing the second inlet 202 flowing coating material and from the first inlet 201 flowing gas allows.

At this point, the detection of a container by the detection means 4 the opening of the valve 204 to allow the mixing of the coating material and the gas; alternatively, the valve remains 204 closed. Accordingly, the amount of coating material that flows out of the container (waste material that is the device 1 contaminated and frequent cleaning operations required), eliminated or minimized in any case.

The head 200 expediently comprises means 3 to suck off the excess, from the nozzle 20 distributed coating material. The suction means 3 are attached to a mouth of the container.

Advantageously, they comprise a suction cup 30 , The sucker 30 is with the nozzle 20 connected. Conveniently, this is at a higher level than a mouth of the container 10 ,

For example, a horizontal plane passing through a lower end of the cup and a horizontal plane passing through an upper end of the container are at a mutual distance between 1 and 5 mm. The suction means 3 also include a pipe 31 for dispensing the excess coating material. This pipe 31 extends away from the suction cup 30 ,

The device 1 can also use funds 5 for removing the excess coating material from the suction means 3 is intercepted. These removal agents 5 For example, a cyclone separator (potentially having means for collecting the excess coating material) could be included.

• – eine Quelle 80 für Druckgas (beispielsweise Luft oder ein anderes Gas, zum Beispiel ein Inertgas, vorzugsweise Stickstoff oder Argon);
• – einen Speicher 800 Beschichtungsmaterial;
• – einen ersten und einen zweiten Tank 81, 82. Der oben beschriebene zweite Einlass 202 wird abwechselnd über den ersten und den zweiten Tank 81, 82 zugeführt. Zweckmäßigerweise sind der erste und der zweite Tank 81, 82 mit dem Speicher 800 Beschichtungsmaterial verbunden.

Conveniently, the device comprises 1 a machine 8th for feeding the coating material (see 2 ). Such a device 8th includes:

• - a source 80 for compressed gas (for example air or another gas, for example an inert gas, preferably nitrogen or argon);
• - a memory 800 Coating material;
• - a first and a second tank 81 . 82 , The second inlet described above 202 is alternately over the first and the second tank 81 . 82 fed. Conveniently, the first and the second tank 81 . 82 with the memory 800 Coating material connected.

Conveniently, in a first operating mode, that in the first tank 81 distributed coating material and distributed from the memory 800 flowing coating material is added to the second tank 82 introduced. In a second operating mode, the nozzle distributes 20 the coating material in the second tank 82 and that from the store 800 flowing coating material 800 will be introduced in the first tank. This ensures continuous operation.

The compressed gas source 80 is in communication with both the first and second tanks 81 . 82 and with the first inlet described above 201 , In particular, the compressed gas source 80 Means for pushing in the first and / or second tank 81 . 82 placed coating material to the nozzle 20 In addition, the compressed gas source allows 80 that the first inlet 201 (or more generally, the nozzle 20 ), the nebulization of the coating material.

Advantageously, the device comprises 1 as shown in 1 a rotary carousel 9 in which the nozzle 20 is placed. Advantageously, the carousel includes 9 a variety of stations, each with a corresponding nozzle 20 equipped to disperse the coating material. In this way, different containers can be handled in parallel at maximum speed. Appropriately, feeds the feeder described above 8th all carousel stations 9 ,

The present invention also relates to a method for coating an inner wall of a container to facilitate the extraction of a later introduced into the container liquid and / or viscous product. Preferably, the method is implemented by a device 1 implemented having one or more of the features described above. In an exemplary embodiment, the container is made of glass. As stated above, in an exemplary embodiment, the liquid and / or viscous product may be a food product such as mayonnaise or jam, but may also be a non-food product such as a detergent.

The method includes the step of nebulising a non-stick coating material 11 for producing a surface film in the container. By non-stick coating material is meant in this text a material which exerts an anti-adhesive effect on the product introduced into the container and minimizes its adhesion to the walls of the container. As mentioned above, the coating material suitably comprises a cooking oil, but could also be a color.

The surface film may be liquid or solid (in the latter case, its heating must be provided).

The step of misting the coating material 11 involves distributing the coating material 11 in the container 10 via a nozzle, which is outside the container 10 remains. In particular, the step of misting the coating material 11 spraying the nebulised coating material 11 , As a result, the treatment speed can be increased. In fact, it comes in connection with the movement of the nozzle 20 from an external configuration to the container 10 in an internal configuration to the container 10 to no standstill. In addition, the components of the device 1 optimized, which reduces production and maintenance costs.

In the preferred embodiment, the attached film refers to the entire inner surface of the container 10 , It therefore relates to a bottom surface and a side wall of the container.

During the nebulizing step of the coating material 11 the container remains 10 also with the nozzle 20 connected. In particular, the container needs 10 not being rotated about its axis (typically an axis of cylindrical symmetry or an axis extending between an aperture and a bottom of the container perpendicular to an imaginary mounting plane of the container). Normally, such an axis extends vertically, as in FIG 1 you can see.

The method could also include a step of heating the container prior to the step of nebulising the non-stick coating agent 11 include.

The method advantageously comprises a step of collecting the excess coating material. The collecting step includes a step of sucking the excess in the container 10 nebulised coating material. As a result, the contamination of the outside of the container or in any case the areas of the device 1 be avoided near the treatment area. This also makes it possible to recover the coating material in order to reuse it and in any case protect the environment.

Preferably, the suction step takes place accompanying the nebulizing step. The suction step takes place via a suction inlet 3 held at a mouth of the container 10 is appropriate. The step of misting the coating material 11 takes place only after a step to position the container 10 at the nozzle 20 (especially below the nozzle 20 ) instead of.

At this point, the method includes a step of detecting the correct positioning of the container 10 at the nozzle 20 to the nebulization of the coating material 11 to activate. Conveniently, the step of detecting the correct positioning of the container is performed by optical detection means, for example a photocell.

The step of misting the coating material 11 comprises the step of introducing the nebulizing coating material into a gaseous jet. This mixture thus obtained is passed through the nozzle 20 distributed.

The above mixture is from the nozzle 20 mainly to the bottom of the container 10 steered, the soil being the mixture to the walls of the container 10 further directs. The floor behaves like a distractor.

The gaseous jet is continuously distributed, no matter if the container 10 at the nozzle 20 is positioned or not and independently of the step of introducing the coating material into the gaseous jet.

Also, the step of aspirating the excess nebulized coating material in the container 10 continuous, no matter if the container 10 is positioned at the nozzle or not.

Advantageously, the coating method further comprises a step of heating the container after the step of misting the non-stick coating material 11 (and before a step to fill the container). In this way, the better adhesion of the coating to the container 10 allows or the coating is made more compact (if the coating material has to harden).

In the example in 1 In the preferred embodiment shown, the step of atomizing takes place in a rotary carousel 9 instead of. Nevertheless, in an alternative embodiment, nebulization could also take place in a linear structure or else in a static station, ie without advancing movement.

• – 5a zeigt den Behälter 10 vor der Behandlung;
• – 5b zeigt den Austritt des gasförmigen Strahls aus der Düse 20, wobei der gasförmige Strahl kontinuierlich verteilt wird, egal, ob der Behälter unter der Düse 20 positioniert ist oder nicht;
• – 5c zeigt den Austritt des gasförmigen Strahls aus der Düse und dessen Einführung in den Behälter (der in der Zwischenzeit unter der Düse 20 positioniert wurde);
• – 5d zeigt den Austritt des vernebelten Beschichtungsmaterials und dessen Einführung in den Behälter (die Einführung des Beschichtungsmaterials in den gasförmigen Strahl wird durch die optischen Mittel aktiviert, die die Positionierung des Behälters 10 unter der Düse 20 erfassen; die Pfeile und die Strichlinie, die im Behälter zu sehen sind, stellen das vernebelte, in den Behälter 10 eingeführte Beschichtungsmaterial dar);
• – 5e zeigt den Behälter nach Ende des Beschichtungsschritts mit dem gasförmigen Strahl, der weiter austritt;
• – 5f zeigt den behandelten Behälter 10, der bereit für das Füllen ist.

With explicit reference to the 5a - 5f the main steps of the coating process are summarized below:

• - 5a shows the container 10 before the treatment;
• - 5b shows the exit of the gaseous jet from the nozzle 20 , wherein the gaseous jet is continuously distributed, regardless of whether the container under the nozzle 20 is positioned or not;
• - 5c shows the exit of the gaseous jet from the nozzle and its introduction into the container (which in the meantime under the nozzle 20 was positioned);
• - 5d shows the exit of the nebulized coating material and its introduction into the container (the introduction of the coating material into the gaseous jet is activated by the optical means which controls the positioning of the container 10 under the nozzle 20 to capture; the arrows and the dashed line, which can be seen in the container, place the aerosolized, in the container 10 introduced coating material);
• - 5e shows the container after the end of the coating step with the gaseous jet, which continues to emerge;
• - 5f shows the treated container 10 who is ready for filling.

The invention thus conceived makes it possible to achieve several advantages.

First and foremost, it enables the acceleration of the production process. In fact, the nozzle needs 20 to spray the coating no longer be inserted into the container or pulled out of this. In addition, due to the lack of means that are suitable for controlling insertion and withdrawal, the components of the device 1 optimized, which optimizes production and maintenance costs.

The invention thus conceived can be embodied in numerous embodiments and variants, all of which fall within the scope of the invention. All details can also be replaced by technically equivalent elements. In practice, all materials used as well as the sizes may be of any type according to the requirements.

Claims (10)

A method of coating at least a portion of an interior wall of a container to facilitate the removal of a liquid and / or viscous product subsequently introduced into the container, the method comprising a step of nebulising a release coating material ( 11 ) to form a surface film in the container ( 10 ), characterized in that the step of misting the coating material ( 11 ) distributing the coating material ( 11 ) in the container ( 10 ) via a nozzle ( 20 ) outside the container ( 10 ) remains. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the film over the entire inner surface of the container ( 10 ). Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the container ( 10 ) during the step of misting the coating material ( 11 ) also firmly with the nozzle ( 20 ) remains connected. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a step of collecting the excess coating material, wherein the collecting step comprises a step of sucking the excess misted up, in the container ( 10 ) existing coating material. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the step of sucking takes place simultaneously with the misting step and via a suction inlet ( 3 ) takes place at an orifice of the container ( 10 ) is attached. A method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the step of sucking off the excess atomized coating material in the container ( 10 ) takes place continuously, regardless of whether the container ( 10 ) at the nozzle ( 20 ) is positioned or not. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step for misting the coating material ( 11 ) only after a step for positioning the container ( 10 ) at the nozzle ( 20 ), the method comprising a step of detecting the correct positioning of the container ( 10 ) at the nozzle ( 20 ) the atomization of the coating material ( 11 ) to activate. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step for misting the coating material ( 11 ) comprises a step for introducing the coating material to be atomized into a gaseous jet emerging from the nozzle ( 20 ) is discharged, the gaseous jet is continuously distributed, regardless of whether the container ( 10 ) at the nozzle ( 20 ) or not and independently of the step of introducing the coating material into the gaseous jet. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the atomization step in a rotary carousel ( 9 ) takes place. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nozzle ( 20 ) maintains the same position to an area for housing a container to be treated, both during the distribution of the surface coating material and during the replacement of an already treated container by a container which still needs to be treated.

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