EP0571332B1 - Automatic cleaning device for container, tubs, casks or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

This automatic cleaning device comprises a hermetically sealed cabin (11) in which are mounted an automatic cleaning machine (10) and a tray (13) for collecting the cleaning products. The machine (10), mounted on the ceiling (17) of the cabin, is a hanging robot driving two washing devices, an exterior washing device (18) comprising an exterior washing head (25) with at least one rotary brush (26) for cleaning the top and external lateral sides of a container (16), and an interior washing device (19) comprising an interior washing head (50) with at least two rotary brushes (51 and 52) for cleaning all the internal surfaces of this container. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic cleaning device for containers, tanks, barrels or the like. Document GB-A-1 237 431 describes an apparatus for cleaning drums in open tanks which rotate in a horizontal position using non-rotary brushes.

In most companies, the means used to clean empty containers for reuse, that is to say rinsing and then brushing, are manual and the results obtained are not satisfactory.

The problem becomes crucial when it comes to cleaning tanks that have contained dangerous substances such as chemicals or pharmaceuticals or when the walls of the tanks are covered with hard to clean residues such as paints or varnishes which must be dissolved. with suitable solvents.

The present invention proposes to solve these problems by producing an automatic cleaning device, suitable for all shapes and all dimensions of containers and capable of working under optimal conditions of safety and efficiency.

This object is achieved by the aforementioned device which is, according to the invention, characterized in that it comprises a hermetically closed cabin inside which are mounted an automatic cleaning machine and a tank for recovering cleaning products, this machine comprising an external washing device comprising an external washing head provided with at least one rotary brush and arranged to clean the top and the external lateral faces of a container and an internal washing device comprising an internal washing head provided at least two rotating brushes and arranged to clean all the interior surfaces of this container.

Advantageously, the external washing device comprises a horizontally movable carriage and means for moving the external washing head vertically in two opposite directions.

This mobile carriage may include rollers arranged to bear on the flat faces of square section guides.

Preferably, this mobile carriage is associated with a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder to ensure its movement and said means for vertically moving the external washing head also comprise a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder.

Similarly, the internal washing device comprises means for moving the internal washing head in a substantially vertical direction, and means for moving this washing head in horizontal planes.

In a preferred embodiment, the automatic cleaning machine comprises means for driving the two washing devices simultaneously in rotation about a vertical axis and said means for driving the two washing devices simultaneously in rotation can comprise a pneumatic rotary actuator or hydraulic.

The means for moving the interior washing head may include a first pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder arranged to move the head down or up, a second pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder arranged to pivot said first cylinder about a horizontal axis, and a third pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder to rotate the axis of the rotary brushes.

Preferably, the external washing head is equipped with means arranged to regulate the pressure exerted by the rotary brush on the external walls of the container and the internal washing head is equipped with means arranged to regulate the pressure exerted by the rotary brushes on the interior walls of the container.

• la figure 1 est une vue d'ensemble du dispositif selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 représente une vue de détail du dispositif de lavage extérieur,
• la figure 2a représente une variante de réalisation du dispositif de lavage extérieur,
• les figures 3 à 6 représentent des vues de détail illustrant le fonctionnement du dispositif de lavage intérieur, et
• la figure 7 représente une vue schématique illustrant les mouvements possibles des dispositifs de lavage de la machine de nettoyage.

The present invention will be better understood with reference to the description of an embodiment and to the accompanying drawing in which:

• FIG. 1 is an overall view of the device according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 represents a detailed view of the external washing device,
• FIG. 2a represents an alternative embodiment of the external washing device,
• FIGS. 3 to 6 represent detailed views illustrating the operation of the interior washing device, and
• FIG. 7 represents a schematic view illustrating the possible movements of the washing devices of the cleaning machine.

With reference to the figures, in particular to Figures 1 and 2, the cleaning machine 10 is mounted inside an autonomous and watertight cabin 11 advantageously comprising two doors 12 with portholes to allow access for maintenance and setting in place of containers 16 or similar, such as tanks, barrels, etc., to be cleaned, as well as a tank 13 for recovering and recycling liquids and in particular the solvents used during this cleaning.

The cabin is further equipped with a suction channel 14 which is connected to an external suction device (not shown). The tank 13 for recovering and recycling liquids, provided at the bottom of the cabin is surmounted by a platform 15 arranged to support the containers 16.

The cleaning machine 10 is in fact a pendulum type robot which is fixed to the ceiling 17 of the cabin and which drives two washing devices, namely an external washing device 18 and an internal washing device 19, respectively designed to ensure exterior and interior cleaning of containers. The control of this robot is ensured by pneumatic members contained in a control cabinet 20 mounted on one of the side faces of the cabin.

The external washing device 18 is shown in more detail in FIG. 2. It comprises a carriage 21 which can slide horizontally on two parallel guides 22 and which carries a plate 23 serving as a support for a preferably pneumatic jack 24 arranged to move a washing head 25 provided with a rotating brush 26, up or down, along the outer walls of a container 16. The plate 23 is suspended from a horizontal axis 27 by means of arms 28 in two crosspieces 29 of the carriage 21. The washing head 25 consists of a platform 30 carrying the axis of rotation and the means for driving in rotation 31 of the rotary washing brush 26. At this platform 30 are fixed the lower ends of three guide rods 32, arranged in a triangle, as well as the free end of the rod 33 of the jack 24. In this way, the jack 24 carried by the carriage 21 ensures the vertical displacement of the washing head e t in particular the rotary washing brush 26. During the upward and downward movements of the washing head 25, the guide rods 32 slide freely through sleeves or bearings 34 carried by the carriage 21. A supply duct process liquid 35 is mounted on the wash head to pour cleaning products onto the brush during the cleaning process.

The cleaning process is carried out as follows, with regard to the cleaning of the external walls, which can also be done either during, or before or after the internal cleaning. In some cases this choice is made by the manufacturer who designs the machine accordingly. In other cases, this choice is made by the user who selects an operating mode on the basis of a program designed by the manufacturer.

• la rotation de la machine 10
• le va-et-vient du chariot 21
• la rotation de la brosse 26.

In a first operating phase, the washing head is lowered until the rotary brush is in contact with the top of a container 16 to be cleaned. A signal transmitted by a timing device (not shown) actuates a clamp 36 which closes on one of the guide rods 32. This clamp is carried by a fixed pin 37 secured to the plate 23 of the carriage 21, and parallel to the guide rods 32. When this clamp is closed, the jack 24 is actuated to raise the washing head by a predetermined height, the brush however remaining in contact with the top of the container. At this time the rotary brush is actuated and the conduit for supplying the treatment liquid 35 is placed in communication with a reservoir containing this liquid, by means of a controlled valve (not shown). The cleaning machine, actuated by a drive mechanism 9 mounted on the top of the cabin, then begins a slow rotation around its vertical axis. Simultaneously, the carriage 21 is pushed back towards the free end of the parallel guides 22 by a horizontal jack 38 whose rod is linked to this carriage and mounted parallel to the guides 22, and disposed between the latter. This jack pushes the carriage to the end of its travel, which triggers a movement reversal signal thanks to a limit switch 39 which is preferably of the magnetic type, but which can also be based on any device. what other principle (mechanical, inductive, optical type, etc.). A second sensor 40 detects the position of the carriage when it is brought back to the center, and controls the reversal of its movement. Therefore, the carriage 21 is arranged to move alternately from the center outwards along the parallel guides 22 and vice versa, which makes it possible to clean the top of the container. Three movements combine:

• machine rotation 10
• the back and forth of the carriage 21
• the rotation of the brush 26.

In a second operating phase, intended to clean the external lateral walls of the container, the carriage 21 is pushed back to the outside, that is to say towards the free end of the parallel guides 22. The clamp 36 releases the head 25 and the cylinder 24 lowers this head. The clamp 36 release order is given by the sensor 39. The jack 24 reaches the end of the stroke and activates a sensor 41 which provides a control signal initiating the slow rotation of the machine, the rotation of the brush and the supply of washing liquid.

Simultaneously, the carriage is brought back towards the center until the brush 26 comes into contact with a lateral face of the container. This contact has the effect of pivoting the plate 23 about the horizontal axis 27. This pivoting brings two adjustable stops 42 in contact with two detectors 43 which control the stopping of the tensile force exerted by the jack 38 tending to bring the carriage 21 towards the center. Springs 44 rebalance the system by putting the cylinder 24 and guide rods 32 assembly in a substantially vertical position. A second series of two adjustable stops 45 cooperating with two detectors 46, arranged on the other side of the carriage, have the same functions as those of adjustable stops 42 and corresponding detectors 43 but act only when the jack 38 is opened when this the latter pushes the carriage outside and the brush encounters an obstacle. This mechanism makes it possible to adjust the pressure exerted by the rotary brush 26 on the side walls of the container during the cleaning of its walls.

The washing head 25 performs a vertical movement of movement alternately up and down. The machine is equipped with at least one sensor 47, and preferably with several of these sensors, each of which corresponds to a determined height of the container or of the tank to be cleaned. As soon as this sensor is activated during the upward displacement phase of the washing head 25, the jack reverses the movement of this carriage which descends to a position detected by the sensor 41 detecting the end of travel of this jack. This sensor reverses the movement.

• la rotation de la machine 10
• le déplacement alternativement ascendant et descendant de la tête de lavage 25
• le déplacement latéral du chariot sollicité vers l'intérieur
• la rotation de la brosse 26.

In this second phase four movements are combined:

• machine rotation 10
• the alternately up and down movement of the washing head 25
• lateral movement of the carriage inward
• the rotation of the brush 26.

When a complete cleaning cycle is completed, the movements stop as soon as the moving parts are brought back into a determined position which preferably corresponds to an initial position for the start of a new cycle.

FIG. 2A illustrates another embodiment of the external washing device, which differs somewhat, in its construction, from that shown in FIG. 2. In this variant, the carriage 21a is of the type with rollers 21b which roll on the faces planes of two parallel guides 22a with square section. This carriage carries as before the jack 24 arranged to move the washing brush 26. To the platform 30 are fixed the lower ends of two square section guides 32a. Furthermore, the platform 30 carries rollers, bearings or rollers 34a which bear on the square section guides 32a to ensure the displacement in free rolling height of the washing brush.

Also in this embodiment, the clamp 36 is carried by the fixed axis 37 directly linked to the carriage 21a.

In addition, the compensating system with the plate 23 and the springs 44 is replaced by a cam device 23a mounted on a horizontal support axis 27a secured to a through axis 27b and comprising springs 44a. Two jacks 27c and 27d, arranged on either side of the through axis 27b, tend to rebalance the system when they are activated by the commands transmitted by the detectors 43 and 46.

Figures 3 to 6 illustrate details of the interior washing device 19. As shown in particular in Figure 3, this device comprises an interior washing head 50 provided with two rotary brushes 51 and 52 mounted on a common axis 53 which can pivot to allow this head to be in different positions suitable for cleaning the bottom, the side walls and the inside of the cover of a container, this cover being of course equipped with an opening for the passage of said head.

The washing head 50 comprises, as shown in particular in FIGS. 4 and 5, a cradle 54 essentially comprising two compression springs 55 adjusted for mounting by nuts 56 and locknuts 57. A connecting bar 58 connects the two springs together. The adjustment of the springs allows the positioning of two cams 59 on slides 60. This head is essentially carried by the rod 61 of a jack 62 and guided by two tubes 63 engaged in sleeves 64 which could be replaced by suitable bearings.

The interior washing device 19 operates in the following manner. The washing head 50 is brought towards the bottom of the container by means of the jack 62 until it touches this bottom. At this moment, a signal given by detectors 65 actuates the rotary drive device 9 of the machine. This device is advantageously a rotary actuator. Simultaneously, a pneumatic motor 66 drives the two rotary brushes 51 and 52 via drive pinions 67, and a valve for distributing the cleaning liquid or solvent opens and allows the pouring of this substance onto the brushes by through a conduit 68 with two orifices.

In a first phase of this interior cleaning process, the washing head moves away from the center by the action of a horizontal cylinder 69 which is fixed to a stirrup 81 linked to a suspension column 70 of the machine 10 and associated with two ball joints 72 screwed to the ends of pusher 75 (see FIG. 6). Alternatively, one could use only one ball joint. This jack acts on a pivoting lever 71 in the form of a fork on which the jack 62 is fixed.

In fact, the rod of the jack 69 carries a cam 73 which rests on a spring 74 arranged to move a pusher 75 whose free end is articulated on the lever 71. One could also provide two jacks arranged to bring the pusher 73 in its initial position after moving. When the washing head 50 encounters resistance during this lateral movement, the cam 73 compresses the spring 74, which allows this cam to be positioned opposite a detector 76 fixed to the pusher 74. The signal supplied by this detector means that the washing head has encountered the inside wall of the container to be cleaned. It orders the inversion of the movement controlled by the jack 69 and brings the washing head 50 back towards the center of the container. When this center is reached, a sensor 77, preferably of the magnetic type, transmits an opening signal to the jack 69 which thus pushes the head against the wall. This side wall detection device is shown in detail in FIG. 6.

These movements make it possible to ensure the washing of the bottom of the container, the washing head 50 being continuously pressed against this bottom by the jack 62. At each signal provided by the detectors 65, the vertical jack 62 releases its force and the cam 59 is brought back between the detectors 65 and detectors 79 by means of positioning jacks 80 fixed on the slides 60, against the stirrup 81. In this way the pressure of the brushes is adjusted against the bottom of the container to be cleaned.

In a second phase of this process, the rotation of the machine and that of the brushes of the interior washing head are reversed. The horizontal cylinder moves this head against the inner side wall of the container and simultaneously, the vertical cylinder rises this head until it comes into contact with the cover. Then the movement is reversed, so that the interior walls are brushed from bottom to top and from top to bottom all around the container. To this end, the horizontal cylinder 69 continuously pushes the washing head against the side wall of the container. At each signal given by the detector 76, the actuator releases its effort, which makes it possible to adjust the bearing force of the brushes on the walls.

When the vertical cylinder 62 raises the washing head until the brush 52 touches the face of the upper bottom of the container, the cam 59 moves on the detector 79 which provides a control signal to reverse the action of this cylinder . Thereby the head descends until the brush 51 touches the bottom of the container. At this moment the cam 59 actuates the detector 65 which causes the washing head to rise.

To these movements is added an angular displacement of the brushes relative to the guide tubes 63. This displacement is ensured by a jack 82 whose rod is held on an attachment plate 83 of the washing head 50 and whose body is coupled to this washing head. When the washing head rises along the wall of the container, the jack 82 moves the brushes by a given angle and when it comes down again, the brushes return to their initial position, which ensures good brushing of the angles of the container.

In a third phase of this interior washing process, the rotation of the machine 10 is reversed as well as that of the brushes. The vertical cylinder keeps these brushes in abutment against the inside of the cover. The horizontal cylinder generates alternating movements of the washing head outwards and towards the center. The axis of the brushes is constantly tilted.

At each signal transmitted by the detectors 79, the vertical jack releases its effort and at the same time the cams 59 are brought back between the respective detectors by the action of two positioning jacks 8 fixed on the stirrups 81, against the slides 60. By this means the pressure of the brush is adjusted against the inner face of the container lid.

At the end of a cycle, the various elements making up the internal washing device 19 return to their initial position.

To select the height of the tanks to be cleaned without an upper bottom, there are provided one or more magnetic height selection sensors 84 mounted on the vertical cylinder 62. A magnetic starting safety sensor 85 is also mounted on this member. In addition, the cabin is equipped with a number of safety devices such as door detectors which prevent the machine from starting until one of the cabin doors is locked. Finally, the control unit is provided with means making it possible to select shapes or dimensions of containers, in particular the height, or the existence or the absence of a cover. The sensors 84 are only used when the container does not have a lid. In this case, they replace the sensor 79.

Figure 7 schematically illustrates the kinematics of the machine. The external washing head 18 can move horizontally and vertically in the directions defined by the double arrows A and B and the rotary brush can rotate in both directions as shown by the double arrow C.

The internal washing head 19 can move up and down and vice versa in the directions indicated by the double arrow D. It can also pivot around an axis T as shown by the double arrow E.

This effect is obtained by the jack 69 (see Figure 3), the rod of which can move in the directions indicated by the double arrow F. The brushes can rotate in both directions as shown by the double arrow G. They can also pivot by in such a way that their common axis inclines relative to the vertical, as shown by the double arrow H.

Finally the whole machine can turn in both directions, as shown by the double arrow I.

The volume which can be scanned by the two washing heads is shown in broken lines. The containers which can be washed can have any shape which fits into this substantially cylindrical volume.

Generally, in this embodiment all the cylindrical guides with circular section could be replaced by rods with square section associated with rollers bearing on the faces of these rods.

Claims (10)

1. An automatic cleaning device for containers, tubs, casks or the like,
   characterised in that it comprises a hermetically sealed cabin (11) inside which an automatic cleaning machine (10) and a vat (13) for recuperating the cleaning products are mounted, this machine comprising an outer cleaning device (18) comprising an outer cleaning head (25) equipped with at least one rotary brush (26) and designed to clean the bottom and the outer lateral faces of a container (16) and an inner washing device (19) comprising an inner washing head (50) equipped with at least two rotary brushes (51 and 52) and designed to clean all the inner surfaces of this container.
2. A device according to Claim 1,
   characterised in that the outer washing device (18) comprises a horizontally movable slide (21) and means (38) for displacing the outer washing head (25) vertically in two opposite directions.
3. A device according to Claim 2,
   characterised in that the movable slide (21) comprises small wheels (21b, 34a) designed to rest on the plane guide faces with a square section.
4. A device according to Claim 2,
   characterised in that the movable slide (21) is associated with a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder (38) in order to ensure its displacement,
   and in that the said means for displacing vertically the outer washing head (25) also comprise a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder.
5. A device according to Claim 1,
   characterised in that the inner washing device (19) comprises means for displacing the inner washing head (50) in a substantially vertical direction, and means for displacing this washing head in horizontal planes.
6. A device according to Claim 1,
   characterised in that the automatic washing machine (10) comprises means for rotationally driving the two washing devices (18, 19) simultaneously around a vertical axis.
7. A device according to Claim 6,
   characterised in that the said means for rotationally driving the two washing devices simultaneously comprise a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder.
8. A device according to Claim 5,
   characterised in that the means for displacing the inner washing head comprise a first pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder (62) designed to displace the head downwardly or upwardly, a second pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder (69) designed to make the said first cylinder pivot around a horizontal axis, and a third pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder (82) to make the axis of the rotary brushes (51 and 52) pivot.
9. A device according to Claim 2,
   characterised in that the outer washing head (25) is equipped with means designed to control the pressure exerted by the rotary brush (26) on the outer walls of the container.
10. A device according to Claim 5,
    characterised in that the inner washing head (50) is equipped with means designed to control the pressure exerted by the rotary brushes (51, 52) on the inner walls of the container.

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