EP0576398B1 - Method, device and machine for the cleaning of containers which are open at one side - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning method, in the case of which the containers (50) to be cleaned, which are all oriented in the same way, are moved in a row in a uniform manner along jet nozzles, one jet nozzle (15, 31 56), which guides a jet of the cleaning agent, being aligned in each case in a phased fashion, to the opening of a container. In contrast to a solution with a fixed jet nozzle, in this method, the jet nozzle (56) is forcibly made to follow, e.g. by a carrier (57), the opening of the container along a certain section of the path through which the latter moves. The associated advantage resides in extension of the active phase of the jet nozzle (56) and therefore in a high utilisation ratio of the cleaning agent. The jet nozzle (56) can be arranged on a spring-loaded pivot lever (55). A row of such jet nozzles, which move independently of one another, is provided for mechanical cleaning. A drag chain conveyor can be used to convey the containers, as this method is not very demanding regarding regularity of the distances of the conveyed containers from one another. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to one-sided cleaning open containers, especially for machine cleaning of bottles by spraying and / or blowing out with a Jet of a liquid or gaseous cleaning agent.

Bottle spraying machines, so-called rinsers, are in different Executions known. They generally have one continuously running conveyor, which is from a feeder the bottles arriving in the upright position (opening at the top) takes over in a row, for example by pivoting 180 ° with the opening downwards, then through an ejection station and a draining station transported and finally again before handing over to a removal device swings into the upright position. Depending on Art different types of conveyors applicable.

The bottles are made according to one of the known ejection processes guided over fixed jet nozzles with a fixed location, which arranged in a row along the path of movement of the bottles are. Usually these jet nozzles are used during the passage the bottles are kept in continuous operation, i.e. from the Jet nozzles continuously flow cleaning fluid. The openings of the bottles moved past the blasting nozzles only during a relatively short phase of the funding movement aligned with a jet nozzle. On the one hand, therefore Duration of action of the liquid jet of each individual jet nozzle relatively short and the efficiency of this ejection process reduced accordingly. During the time, on the other hand passes until the opening of the subsequent bottle in reaches the area of action of the same jet nozzle, the flows Cleaning liquid unused past the bottles so that thus only a fraction of the amount of liquid supplied to the jet nozzles can serve its purpose. Under these operating conditions the liquid consumption is relatively large, and for adequate cleaning of the bottles may be necessary to provide a variety of jet nozzles. An arrangement with fixed, uninterrupted jet nozzles can both in terms of fluid consumption as well as in terms of Number of jet nozzles required with a fairly high outlay be connected. Corresponding conditions exist when blowing out the bottles with a gaseous detergent. Furthermore an ejection process of this type cannot be used anywhere, where it matters that the bottles during the cleaning process stay dry outside.

A solution with fixed jet nozzles is also known, in which the supply of the cleaning liquid through valves is controlled so that the jet nozzles only during a certain time interval are effective, within which a bottle with its opening aligned with a jet nozzle is. The jet nozzles are blocked between these active phases. In order to the consumption of cleaning fluid can be reduced or increase the degree of utilization of the same. On the other hand, he is with the effort associated with valve control is relatively large, and the valves have a very limited because of their high switching frequency Lifespan and form an additional source of breakdowns. In addition, under the given circumstances achievable hourly output in relation to the bottle throughput relatively small.

For the transport of the bottles in a rinser of the aforementioned Type, i.e. with fixed jet nozzles without valve control, can a conveyor e.g. in the manner of a drag chain conveyor be provided since there is no need to bottle the Area of the ejection station in a defined mutual To promote distance. The funding institution is only required to that every bottle is the same at every point on the conveyor, has predetermined spatial orientation. On the one hand, it's over Conveyor reasons appropriate if all bottles the conveyor leave with a uniform spatial orientation, to facilitate further transport. On the other hand, should the bottles in the area of the ejection station face the desired location for an optimal cleaning effect to achieve. A drag chain conveyor can meet these conditions fulfill. In addition, the bottle spacing is easier Way by regulating the conveying speed in relation the speed at which the bottles are conveyed to the drag chain conveyor supplied, change and the respective requirements to adjust.

It is different with a rinser with jet nozzles, which along a certain movement section in synchronism with the Conveyor for the bottles to be moved to achieve that the jet nozzles currently in use are always on the bottle openings are aligned. Cleaning devices Various types of machines are known, namely those with a fixed location of the movable jet nozzles (e.g. DE-OS 26 07 077 and US-PS 1 669 492) as well with moving location of the same (e.g. DE-OS 33 01 525). At these known versions refer to the synchronous operation Blasting nozzles on the conveyor for the bottles. That is why Conveying devices with defined receiving places for the bottles required so that the bottles in a regular Distance in the effective range of the same distance Jet nozzles.

In the cleaning machine according to DE-OS 33 01 525, the ejection station has a plurality of jet nozzles, which are circular on a turntable below a semicircular path section the conveyor are arranged, the turntable is coupled to the conveyor and synchronized with it circulates. Provided that this is ensured by a suitable control is that everyone is outside the semicircular path section, i.e. jet nozzles not currently in use blocked until they enter the ejection station are evident in such a cleaning device a higher degree of utilization in terms of consumption of cleaning fluid than with an arrangement with fixed Jet nozzles. An arrangement is also proposed in the same place, where the jet nozzles additionally by one to the plane of the turntable rotate the vertical axis and with respect to the bottle axes stand crooked so that the liquid jet in each case not centrally in the bottle room, but against the inner side wall the bottle, and in this way the bottle splashes out with a circular motion of the liquid jet becomes.

A fundamental disadvantage of an ejection process with a rigid row of synchronously moving jet nozzles, however, consists in that the bottles unite when transported through the ejection station must have a regular distance, which is with the mutual Distance of the jet nozzles corresponds. As already mentioned, a funding facility with defined reception places for the bottles ahead, for example a chain conveyor, which Holders for the bottles to be cleaned at regular intervals having. These brackets are e.g. from a plate-shaped Pedestal and an annular support member, each Stand the bottle upright on a stand when you take it over comes and later, upside down, through the ring-shaped Support member is held.

For the proper operation of such a conveyor however, another requirement is that suitable Feeding and removal devices are available. To include a single-stroke device on the input side of the conveyor, which is the means to convert the bottles into the Containers of the conveyor contains, and on the output side a clocking device with means for removing the bottles from the brackets. Such loading and unloading facilities contain expensive, depending on the bottle format coordinated format parts, which are subject to high wear and are therefore prone to failure and usually require Personnel to monitor and convert to other bottle sizes. The total effort for the construction and operation of the Conveyor and its loading and unloading facilities is accordingly high. An optimal cleaning effect under The best possible use of the cleaning agent is in this Case only with complex machine technology and with numerous To achieve format parts.

Furthermore, the known solution leads to an unfavorable use of space, by the at a deflection point of the conveyor located ejection station only over a semicircle Path of movement of the containers extends. The straightforward parts the conveyor track cannot be included in the ejection station. As a result, the ejection station is spatially at one Limited fraction of the total machine volume. An essential one Part of the machine volume is accounted for by the rather extensive one alone Conveyor claims apart from that for the drying station provided part of the same.

Even with jet nozzles rotating in synchronism with bottle conveying is not necessarily guaranteed that the bottles in the spray area are always optimally aligned with the jet nozzles.

Difficulties in this regard can be inevitable due to Deviations in the dimensions of the bottles occur. A defined position of the bottles within the holders the conveyor is not without these circumstances given further and can only be reached if on the brackets additional means for mass compensation are provided. Otherwise, deviations from a defined position can occur despite synchronous operation cause the spray jet not to be central is directed towards the bottle opening and possibly from Opening edge is at least partially deflected.

The invention aims to avoid the cleaning process to improve the disadvantages described so that a cleaning device or - working according to this method on the one hand, the machine is easier and less expensive to set up can be the use of simpler funding for the Containers enabled and less complex and prone to failure Loading and unloading equipment required than the known one Cleaning system with circulating synchronously to the bottle transport Jet nozzles, i.e. in particular no format parts required, on the other hand a high efficiency and one compared to optimized consumption of detergent a cleaning system with fixed jet nozzles.

The invention relates to a device for cleaning from one side open containers, according to the preamble of the claim 1. According to the invention, this device consists in that the jet nozzle is on a substantially along the trajectory of the container-guided path with respect to the movement the containers are arranged to be relatively movable and that of operable means are provided the containers, which the Jet nozzle inevitably on the opening of a container align.

Due to the mobility of the jet nozzle and through that of the Containers caused tracking of the jet nozzle is the Phase of action compared to that of a fixed jet nozzle extends and thereby the efficiency of the ejection increased and the consumption of cleaning agents decreased.

The movable jet nozzle can be either a fixed or a have a mobile location. In the latter case it moves the location of the jet nozzle preferably on one to a section the path of movement of the containers running parallel Web with a speed adapted to the conveying speed of the containers Speed.

The means to be actuated by the containers preferably exist in that the movable jet nozzle is a driver has, which is movable between a rest position and an end position is and in this range of motion in the trajectory the container protrudes. The arrangement is expediently included so that the trajectory of the driver and those of the containers diverge, leaving the driver after a tracking phase, the movement path of the containers automatically leaves. For this purpose, the driver's web e.g. run along an arc, which is the path the containers touch or cut. The train of the driver can also be parallel to a straight or curved The path of movement of the containers runs if there are funds are provided to the driver at the end of the tracking phase an additional movement leading from the path of the containers To give.

In the case of a jet nozzle with a movable location in the previous described type, the driver can both before and also run after.

A preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized in that the jet nozzle is free End of a one-armed lever is arranged, which under spring force remains in a rest position and each part a moving container moves against the spring force is, the jet nozzle as long as in the opening of the Container-facing position remains as the lever itself is in the area of influence of the container. A practical one Solution of this embodiment is e.g. in that the lever through a rigid, articulated tube for the feed of the cleaning agent to the jet nozzle is formed and that on Lever engages a spring that engages the lever against the rest position the same defining stop.

According to one variant, the lever is provided with an elastically flexible, tube firmly anchored on one side for the supply of the cleaning agent formed to the jet nozzle, or by a strut, which consists of a hose for the supply of the detergent to the jet nozzle and a spring, the spring in the relaxed State determines the rest position of the lever. solutions this type can be implemented with relatively little effort and also have the advantage of a flexible connection for the supply of the detergent to the location of the Blasting nozzle is not required if the blasting nozzle has a fixed location Has.

During the tracking movement of the opening of the container The cleaning agent jet guides the aligned jet nozzle a pivoting movement, which is so with respect to the container can run that the beam at the beginning of the active phase a wall part of the container and at the end of the active phase on the opposite wall part of the container meets. For this purpose, the arrangement can be made that the longitudinal axis of the jet nozzle in the rest position of the driver in one direction and in the end position of the driver in the other direction against the longitudinal axis of the opening of the pointed container around the nozzle Inlet or outlet angle is inclined. Preferably, the Inlet and outlet angles are at least approximately the same large. In this way, one can be done without additional funds Achieve the effect of the detergent jet, which one comes close to a rotating jet nozzle according to DE-OS 33 01 525.

The invention further relates to a machine for cleaning containers that are open on one side, especially bottles, by spraying and / or blowing out with a jet of a liquid or gaseous cleaning agent, with a conveyor the containers in a row by the effective area a cleaning unit transported and where the cleaning unit along a section of the movement path the containers have a number of jet nozzles, thereby characterized that the individual jet nozzles are independent are movable from each other and that of the transported Actuated containers are provided, which the jet nozzles inevitably in phases on the openings of the Align containers.

The cleaning unit of this machine is preferably with a Number of devices according to the invention described above equipped.

The advantage of a machine according to the invention, which with a Series of jet nozzles is equipped with a fixed location especially in that the arrangement of the jet nozzles is not tied to a certain rhythm of movement of the containers and therefore a simpler conveyor is used can come as with the known machines, which are synchronous jet nozzles moved with the conveying device of the containers exhibit. In addition, there are no special, extensive format parts Loading and unloading facilities. Especially the conveyor can be a drag chain conveyor, at which the transported containers are only conditionally regular Have a distance from each other, the degree of any deviations of a medium distance, especially due to the Choice of suitable grippers on the drag chain conveyor can be influenced is. In addition, in the machine according to the invention Cleaning unit not subject to space restrictions, like that set up for synchronous operation of the jet nozzles Cleaning device of the known machine. Much more can the cleaning unit in the machine according to the invention practically over the entire length of the conveyor track extend to one that does not apply to the draining section Section of the same. The row of jet nozzles can go along both curved and rectilinear sections of the Conveyor track run.

The goal aimed at with such a cleaning machine generally consists, on the one hand, of high conveying speed closely sequential containers one as possible to achieve a high flow rate of the containers to be cleaned and on the other hand the space occupied by the cleaning unit to keep as low as possible. The flow rate is essential determined by the work cycle of each individual jet nozzle, how is apparent from the description of the device according to the invention. The size of the cleaning unit can be independent of this reduce it to a minimum along the conveyor track, that the jet nozzles immediately at regular intervals are arranged in a row, with the work areas adjacent jet nozzles, if necessary, only by one small safety distance are separated from each other. Thereby each container arrives directly from the working area of a jet nozzle in the working area of the next jet nozzle, so that the container is almost continuously from a jet of detergent is applied. Under these circumstances the mutual distance between the jet nozzles can even be smaller be than the mean distance of the transported containers, which is the cheapest for the operation of each individual jet nozzle is. The length of the cleaning unit and therefore that the entire machine can be further reduced as a result.

According to another embodiment of the machine according to the invention the locations of the jet nozzles are on one movable carrier, the speed of the conveying speed the containers are customizable, with the jet nozzles and the containers that are aligned with them have the same distance. This can lead to a solution which that according to DE-OS 33 01 525 is similar, but with the advantage that the additional mobility of the Jet nozzles then also on the openings of the containers be aligned precisely when the position of the containers on the Conveyor deviates from the target position, if this deviation remains within certain limits.

In this case, too, the movable jet nozzles work independently the rhythm of movement of the containers, i.e. it is not required a container and a jet nozzle with her Meet in a defined position to each other. Relevant positional deviations are caused by the mobility the jet nozzle balanced. It may be be expedient, the sequence of jet nozzles compared to the sequence to operate containers with a slight phase shift, in such a way that when a container meets with a jet nozzle lags the latter a bit so also a container lagging behind the synchronous operation the means for aligning the jet nozzle are properly recorded and not lag behind them.

In view of these operating conditions, the following results the possibility with such a cleaning machine to use a conveyor in which the containers a limited regular spacing along their trajectory have, e.g. a drag chain conveyor. In this case it is advantageous to choose a mutual distance between the jet nozzle locations, which is the mean of the variable distances of the Containers is at least approximately the same.

Finally, the invention relates to a method for cleaning of unilaterally open containers, especially bottles, under Use of said device, by spraying and / or blowing out with a jet of a liquid or gaseous cleaning agent, the containers with a uniform spatial orientation in one Move the row evenly and one each the detergent leading jet nozzle in phases on the opening of a container is aligned, and the invention is that along a certain movement section of the container the jet nozzle inevitably tracks the opening of the same becomes.

In this way, real synchronous operation of the Jet nozzle achieved in relation to the opening of the containers, in contrast to the known solutions in which synchronous running on the funding or on the brackets of the containers and not on the openings of the containers relates itself.

The advantage associated with the invention is a movable one Jet nozzle with a fixed location in a time extension the action phase of the jet nozzle and thus in one higher degree of utilization of the cleaning agent. Practically leaves compared to a rigid jet nozzle, an increase in the degree of utilization reach up to five times. Because of the precise Alignment of the jet nozzle to the opening of the container is also to achieve a higher efficiency in the cleaning effect.

The method according to the invention also brings advantages Jet nozzles, which are synchronized with the container to be cleaned circulate. The additional tracking movement serves in this case to compensate for any deviations in terms of location of the containers in relation to the respective location of the Jet nozzle. This means that for proper operation an appropriately trained ejection station absolutely precise mutual phase position of the same speed moving containers and jet nozzles not necessarily is required and consequently also simpler conveying facilities can be used, which this requirement only partially meet with regard to the phase position.

The jet nozzle is expediently connected to the Tracking phase returned to a standby position which initiates the tracking phase for a subsequent container becomes. This measure can be applied to both fixed and if the jet nozzle is in a movable location.

The movable jet nozzle can also be used when the location is fixed work in continuous operation, i.e. an interruption in the detergent supply between two tracking phases can be omitted, provided the time interval between successive Tracking phases of this jet nozzle are kept as small as possible and the return of the jet nozzle at a speed takes place, which is higher, in particular several times higher is than the tracking speed. This allows the unavoidable consumption of unused cleaning agent keep within narrow limits; anyway is on this Achieved a higher degree of utilization than in the case an arrangement with a fixed jet nozzle. Also not applicable Control means, i.e. Valves to be replaced and replaced frequently Switch off the jet nozzle.

According to a development of the method according to the invention the jet nozzle is swiveled during the tracking movement, so that the jet of cleaning agent emerging from the jet nozzle at the beginning of the active phase on a side wall part of the container, then the bottom of the Container and at the end of the active phase on the opposite wall part of the container meets. Thereby the cleaning effect of the jet is increased because the Wall of the container through the diagonally incident and from Floor to wall the same reflected beam more effectively is applied.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung verschiedener Bewegungsphasen (1) bis (7) einer an einem starren Schwenkhebel angebrachten Strahldüse;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung verschiedener Bewegungsphasen 1 bis 7 einer an einem biegsamen Hebel angebrachten Strahldüse;

Fig. 3

schematische Darstellungen A bis C zur Erläuterung der Beziehung zwischen dem Abstand der geförderten Flaschen und dem Arbeitsweg der Strahldüse;

Fig. 4

eine Frontansicht einer praktischen Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung, teilweise im Schnitt;

Fig. 5

eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung nach Fig. 5, teilweise im Schnitt;

Fig. 6

eine Ansicht des Mitnehmers der Vorrichtung nach den Fig. 5 und 6 von oben;

Fig. 7 und 8

eine schematische Seitenansicht und eine Draufsicht einer Maschine zum Reinigen von Glasflaschen, mit Vorrichtungen nach den Fig. 4 bis 6;

Fig. 9

eine schematische Darstellung zur Erläuterung der Beziehung zwischen dem Abstand der geförderten Flaschen und dem gegenseitigen Abstand jeweils benachbarter Strahldüsen einer Vielzahl von in einer Reihe regelmässig angeordneter Strahldüsen;

Fig. 10

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Maschine zum Reinigen von Glasflaschen, ähnlich derjenigen nach Fig. 7, aber mit zwei Reinigungsaggregaten, bei welchen jeweils mehrere Strahldüsen auf einem beweglichen Träger angeordnet sind;

Fig. 11

eine vergrösserte Ansicht eines der in Fig. 10 dargestellten Reinigungsaggregate; und

Fig. 12

einen Querschnitt nach der Linie XII-XII in Fig. 11.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing, which relate to the cleaning of bottles by spraying them with a cleaning liquid. In the drawing:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of different phases of movement (1) to (7) of a jet nozzle attached to a rigid swivel lever;

Fig. 2

is a schematic representation of various movement phases 1 to 7 of a jet nozzle attached to a flexible lever;

Fig. 3

schematic representations A to C to explain the relationship between the distance of the bottles conveyed and the work path of the jet nozzle;

Fig. 4

a front view of a practical embodiment of the device according to the invention, partly in section;

Fig. 5

a side view of the device of Figure 5, partly in section.

Fig. 6

a view of the driver of the device of Figures 5 and 6 from above.

7 and 8

is a schematic side view and a plan view of a machine for cleaning glass bottles, with devices according to Figures 4 to 6.

Fig. 9

a schematic representation to explain the relationship between the distance between the bottles being conveyed and the mutual distance between respectively adjacent jet nozzles of a plurality of jet nozzles arranged in a row in a row;

Fig. 10

is a schematic side view of a machine for cleaning glass bottles, similar to that of Figure 7, but with two cleaning units, in each of which a plurality of jet nozzles are arranged on a movable support.

Fig. 11

an enlarged view of one of the cleaning units shown in Fig. 10; and

Fig. 12

a cross section along the line XII-XII in Fig. 11th

1 shows a uniformly moving bottle 10 with bottom-facing opening in conjunction with a movable Device 11 for spraying the bottle 10 in different phases of movement (1) to (7). The direction of travel of the bottle 10 is indicated by the arrow 12. The device 11 has one at the pivot point 13 pivotally mounted lever 14, which is designed as a tube for the supply of the cleaning liquid, the pipe end at the free end of the lever 14 a jet nozzle 15 forms, from which the cleaning liquid in a jet Flows out in the direction of arrow 16. In addition, at the free end of the Lever 14 a driver 17 is provided, with which the opening the bottle 10 limiting bottle head 18 cooperates. At the Lever 14 engages a spring 19 which the lever 14 in its Starting position at a stop 20 holds.

In the movement phase (1), the bottle 10 approaches the device 11. The lever 14 is at the stop 20, and the direction 16 of the spray jet still passes the bottle 10. In the movement phase (2), the jet nozzle 15 comes before the opening of the Bottle 10 to lie. The bottle head 18 grips the bottle 10 the driver 17 of the device 11 and then pivots the lever 14 continuously counter clockwise against the force of the spring 19 around pivot point 13 until the movement phase is reached (5). From the movement phase (2) to the movement phase (5) is on in this way the jet nozzle 15 at the free end of the lever 14 Opened the opening of the bottle 10. Meanwhile, the bottle 10 sprayed out by the spray jet, with the jet direction 16 changes continuously. At the transition from the movement phase (5) for the movement phase (6), the bottle head 18 slides over the driver 17 away, so that the jet nozzle 15 remains the same Position of the lever 14 moved away from the opening of the bottle 10. As soon as the bottle head 18 leaves the driver 17, the lever 14 snaps under the action of the tensioned spring 19 back to the stop 20, like the movement phase (7) shows. The device 11 is thus again in the initial state and is ready to be operated again by the next one bottle 21 to come.

The cleaning liquid can either over the device 11 the joint at the pivot point 13 or by means of a movable connecting line, which is connected laterally to the tube forming the lever 14 is fed.

A simpler solution in this respect results with one Device 30, in which according to the schematic representation in Fig. 2 the lever carrying the jet nozzle 31 and the driver 32 is formed by a kind of shock absorber, which consists of a Hose 33 for the supply of the cleaning liquid to the jet nozzle 31 and a coil spring 34 surrounding the hose 33, the coil spring 34 in the relaxed state, the starting position the device 30 determines. The hose 33 and the Coil spring 34 are stationary at their lower end Connection member 35 firmly anchored to a fixed connecting line for supplying the cleaning liquid to the device 30 can be connected. Instead of the coil spring 34 could also a leaf spring connected to the hose 33 may be provided.

2 shows the same movement phases (1) to (7) as Fig. 1. As can be seen from this, results in relation to the device 11 of FIG. 1 practically no difference in terms of Mode of action. On the other hand, the sequence of movements is different from that of Embodiment according to FIG. 1. For example, in same conveying speed of the bottles 10 shorter intervals between the illustrated phases of movement (2) and (5), because the deflection of the hose 33 relative to the rigid tube causes additional pivoting of the driver 32. The duration of action the spray jet is accordingly shorter. Furthermore, at the choice of the chronological order of the bottles to pull the device 30 in the absence of a stop ((20 in Fig. 1) swings out when returning to the starting position, provided that no measures are taken to dampen vibrations.

To with a device 11 or 30 of the schematic in Figs. 1 and 2 to achieve the best possible operating conditions, a mutual adjustment of the time is recommended Sequence with which the containers on the jet nozzle be moved past, and the work cycle of the device. This affects the conveying speed on the one hand and the mutual Distance of the containers and on the other hand the range of movement and the return speed of the movable jet nozzle. The relevant relationships are shown in FIG. 3 using the example of a device 11 according to FIG. 1, and that shows 3 each two bottles 40 and 41, which according to the variants A, B and C with different spacing a, b and c respectively the device 11 are passed.

In general, an operating mode according to variant A should be aimed at, in which the bottle 41 the driver 17 of the jet nozzle in the Time recorded when the driver 17 after a previous one Follow-up phase, i.e. after leaving the previous one Bottle 40 (solid line), its return phase has just ended, i.e. has reached its rest position (position shown in dashed lines). For this purpose, the bottles 40, 41 have a certain following distance a, which is given is through the path s between the rest position and the end position of the Driver 17, which way the bottle 40 and the jet nozzle together with the conveying speed, increased by one Additional distance z, which moved with the conveying speed Bottle 41 covered in a period which the driver 17, in turn, needed to run at the return speed to return from its end position to the rest position. From this relationship it also results that the maximum allowable conveying speed of the bottles essentially solely from the attainable Return speed of the jet nozzle depends.

According to variant B, bottles 40, 41 follow one another more closely (Subsequent distance b <a), the bottle 41 detects the driver 17 the jet nozzle and thus initiates a tracking phase before the Driver 17 in the following a previous tracking phase Return phase has reached its rest position. In the illustrated Example is the driver 17 halfway s / 2 of the return phase intercepted. The consequence of this is a corresponding shortening the phase of action of the jet nozzle in each of its successive Calls. However, bottles 40, 41 are located according to the variant C further apart than in the ideal case (subsequent distance c> a), then between the individual tracking phases of the jet nozzle a longer pause, during which the bottle 41 the dead path e covered up to the driver 17 in the rest position. During this break, cleaning liquid is used uselessly.

After all, the conditions described allow that the Follow the distance between the containers within certain limits optimal dimension a may fluctuate without the achieved Advantages compared to the solution with fixed jet nozzles are significant would be diminished. Under certain circumstances, when choosing the The following distance a also the ratio of the belly diameter to the head diameter of the bottles, especially if the Direct distance d between adjacent bottles should not be less than a minimum dimension should. The same applies to containers of others Art.

A practical embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown in Figs. 4 to 6. In the upper part of the 4 shows the head 51 with the opening 52 of a bottle 50, which is moved uniformly in the direction of arrow 53 and it runs through positions I to V.

The device, generally designated 54, comprises a pivotable device Tube 55, at the free end of which a jet nozzle 56 is seated. in the In the area of the jet nozzle 56, a driver 57 is mounted on the pipe 55, which a mounting leg 58 and one of these after Has angled driving leg 59 above. On the driving leg 59 adjoin two side wings 60, which around for example, 45 ° are angled toward the jet nozzle 56. There is one on each of the sides of the side wings 60 facing one another Pad 61 for damping the when the driver 57 meets with the bottle head 51 occurring shock (Fig. 6).

The tube 55 is seated at its other end in a holder 62 and is by a knee 63 screwed into the holder 62 therein fixed. On the pipe elbow 63 is with a nut 64 Hose 65 connected through which the cleaning liquid the device 54 is supplied. There is a on the holder 62 Mounting bracket 66, which is reinforced with a web 67. A cranked leaf spring 68 is at one end on the mounting bracket 66 of holder 62 riveted and with her other End attached to a hub 69 with a screw 70.

The hub 69 is at a fixed location of the device 54 determining axis 71 rotatably mounted, which is part of a Bearing head 72 forms and consists of one piece with this. Of the Bearing head 72 is with three screws 73 on a mounting rail 74 attached with an angular cross section. Two spacers 75 hold the hub 69 with axial play between the mounting rail 74 and an end plate 76, the latter with a Nut 77 at the end of the threaded end 78 Axis 71 is secured. For the pivot bearing of the device 54 on axis 71 is lubrication with one supplied from the outside Lubricant provided. For this purpose is in the center of the bearing head 72 a lubricant line 79 connected via which the lubricant is periodically supplied, for example. The lubricant line 79 opens into an axial channel 80, from which a radial bore 81 to the cylindrical bearing surface 82 leads.

The pivotable device 54 is by a tension spring 83, which on the one hand on the web 67 of the holder 62 and on the other hand on one the mounting rail 74 fixed attachment 84 is anchored in kept in a rest position. This rest position is confirmed by a stop 85 determined against which the device 54 by the tension spring 83rd is pulled. This stop is on one with the mounting rail 74 welded support plate 86 mounted and consists of a cylindrical Holder 87 with external thread, which with two nuts 88 fixed to the support plate 86 in an axially selectable position and a padded bump stop 89.

4 shows the device 54 in three pivot positions: In the rest position "a" (solid lines), in a middle position "b" and in the end position "c" (dash-dotted lines). Here is the Arranged such that the longitudinal axis 90 of the jet nozzle 56 or the tube 55 in the rest position of the driver 57 after the one direction and in the end position of the driver 57 in the other Direction against the longitudinal axis 91 of the opening 52 of the jet nozzle 56 led bottle 50 around a pointed inlet or Outlet angle is inclined. The entry angle and the exit angle are preferably approximately the same size and are in the present case Example 15 ° each.

7 and 8 schematically show a machine 100 for cleaning of bottles 101 by spraying them with a cleaning liquid. The machine shown contains a cleaning unit 102 with a plurality of devices 103 with independent jet nozzles movable from one another as described in FIGS. 4 to 6 Art. These devices 103 have a fixed location and are on a mounting rail at regular intervals 104 attached (Fig. 7). The supply of the cleaning liquid too the devices 103 take place via a connection line 105 and a common distribution line 106. The machine 100 includes one known conveyor in the form of a drag chain conveyor 107, which the bottles 101 in a row through the effective area of the cleaning unit 102 transported.

The drag chain conveyor 107 has two revolving conveyor chains 108, which is parallel along the conveyor track at a distance move in the same direction from each other in the direction of arrow 109. The The conveyor track of the drag chain conveyor 107 runs in the form of a vertical loop from inlet end 110 in an arc section 111 upward, then along a straight section 112 in a direction opposite to the direction of entry and finally in an arc section 113 down to the outlet end 114 (Fig. 7). The drive and guide means for the chains 108 are not shown; the running direction of the chains 108 is marked in Fig. 8 by small arrows. On the conveyor chains 108 drivers 115 arranged in rows are fastened. Between The two conveyor chains 108 contain the bottles 101 receiving conveyor channel, which through the two rows of each mutually facing driver 115 is limited laterally. At the inlet end 110 and the outlet end 114 of the drag chain conveyor 107 other funding agencies join e.g. Belt conveyors 116 and 117 for feeding and removing the bottles 101 in the direction indicated by arrows 118 and 119.

The arc sections 111 and 113 of the conveyor track of the drag chain conveyor 107 are laterally offset from one another according to FIG. 8, so that the linear path section 112 thereof runs obliquely. This allows the belt conveyors 116 and 117 to be rectilinear Web on the inlet end 110 or on the outlet end 114 Align the drag chain conveyor 107. For the delivery of the Bottles 101 from the belt conveyor 116 to the drag chain conveyor 107 and of this on the belt conveyor 117 are not special Funds required, i.e. that no need for format parts of any Type exists.

The bottles 101 to be cleaned arrive on the belt conveyor 116 upright in close order to the inlet end 110 of the Drag chain conveyor 107 and are taken over by this. The The conveying speed of the drag chain conveyor 107 is somewhat higher than that of the belt conveyor 116, so that of the drag chain conveyor 107 detected bottles 101 a certain distance from each other. In the upper, straight line section 112 the bottles 101 with the bottle head down along the Cleaning unit 102 moves, with each bottle in succession all devices 103 operated so that the respective Jet nozzles inevitably track the bottles while doing so are aligned in phases to the bottle openings to the Spray jet onto the bottle interior during these tracking phases to take effect.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 7, the cleaning unit extends 102 over part of the length of the straight line section 112 of the drag chain conveyor 107. The draining of the sprayed bottles are also carried out on a track section of the drag chain conveyor along which the bottles are upside down be promoted. For this purpose, either the cleaning unit 102 subsequent part of the track section 112 used or the conveyor track of the drag chain conveyor can have a second loop, parallel to that behind Fig. 7. Under certain circumstances, the cleaning unit 102 can also be shorter and / or into the arc section 111 to be longitudinal of straight line section 112 still enough space for one Keep draining and drying station free. Generally can lengthways the entire conveyor track of the drag chain conveyor Spray out and / or blow out, as well as for draining and drying of the bottles can be provided, especially for draining a path section is to be chosen on which the bottles are conveyed upside down will.

9 schematically shows a section of the cleaning unit 102 with those regularly arranged in a row according to FIG. 7 Devices 103 and those in a row on the devices 103 bottles 101 moved past. The bottles 101 have one mean mutual distance m, and the locations 120 of the devices 103 have a mutual distance n, which is even is only so large that the moving parts are closer together Devices 103 can not hinder each other. Critical in this relationship are the circled movement phases, i.e. at the Transfer of a bottle 101 from one device 103 to the next. As can be seen from FIG. 9, under suitable circumstances the distance n of the devices 103 may even be smaller than that Bottle distance m.

The machine 130 shown schematically in FIG. 10 for cleaning of bottles is related to the conveyor for the bottles constructed the same as that of FIGS. 7 and 8. Same Parts are given the same reference numerals in FIG. 10 as in FIG Fig. 7.

In contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 7, the machine has 130 two cleaning units 131 and 132 under same design, with each cleaning unit a plurality of devices 133 with movable jet nozzles, which basically according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 are trained. However, these devices 133 have this Case not a fixed location, but are on a rotating one Carrier 134.

Further details of the cleaning unit 131 go from the 11 and from the enlarged again 12 shows a cross-sectional view. That the base each device 133 forming connector 135 is with a Holder 136 connected, which on two self-contained Slide rails 137 are longitudinally movable and partially arranged around them is. The holder 136 is with a link of a drive chain 138 connected, which led over two deflection wheels 139 and 140 is. The drive chain 138 following the course of the same Slide rails 137 and the holder 136 together form the circumferential Carrier 134. An in sits on the shaft 141 of the deflection wheel 139 Fig. 8 sprocket 142, not shown, which has a drive chain 143 with a drive pinion 144 of a drive motor 145 connected is.

The cleaning unit 131 is below the straight section 112 of the drag chain conveyor 107 arranged so that the path of movement 146 provided on the devices 133 Driver 147 along the straight upper path section 148 in the trajectory of the bottle head 149 that with the drag chain conveyor 107 conveyed, inverted bottles 101 protrudes. The mutual Distance of devices 133 corresponds to the middle Distance of the bottles 101 transported, and the speed of the rotating carrier 134 of devices 133 is e.g. like that the conveying speed of the drag chain conveyor 107 is adjusted, that the jet nozzle 150 on each bottle 101 Device 133 comes into effect.

In a device with a swiveling jet nozzle, which according to the previously illustrated embodiments a fixed location has, the driver always inevitably comes to the leading one Side of the bottle head to the stop. In contrast, can The arrangement is optional for swivel nozzles with a movable location be taken so that the driver is either at the leading or on the trailing side of the bottle head for Stop comes. Preferably, the speed of the revolving Carrier 134 slightly smaller in the first case and in the second Case chosen slightly larger than that of the drag chain conveyor 107 to ensure, on the one hand, that everyone is active Jet nozzles inevitably the bottles located in their area be tracked. On the other hand, this way achieve the jet nozzles, in a manner similar to that of a fixed location of the same, pivoted during their phase of action will. In the present example, the cleaning unit is 131 equipped with trailing drivers 147.

The jet nozzles 150 are supplied with cleaning agent by a distributor wheel 155 with a ring-shaped arrangement on the circumference thereof Connections 156 for flexible lines 157, which to lead the connection organs 135 of the individual jet nozzles 150. Of the Wheel body 158 of distributor wheel 155 is rotatable on an axis 159 stored, which in turn on a fixed mounting rail 160 is attached. The wheel body 158 has radial channels 161, that start from the bearing bore 162 and to the individual peripheral Lead connections 156. Axis 159 has an axial one Cavity 163, to which a fixed supply line 164 is connected is. Furthermore, the axis 159 has one with the cavity 163 connected ring segment-shaped circumferential groove 165, which the inner mouths of a certain number of radial channels 161 spreads. This will cause the supply of detergent to the each in the follow-up phase, in Fig. 11 with a Arrow 166 marked jet nozzles 150 limited. To drive the Distribution wheel 155, the wheel body 158 is fixed with a gear 167 connected via a drive chain 168 from another drive wheel 169 of the drive motor 145 is driven.

A prerequisite for the correct operation of the described Cleaning aggregate is an exact match of the turnaround times of the rotating carrier 134 and the distributor wheel 155. This is based on a suitable choice of gear ratios the drives for the rotating carrier 134 and for the distributor wheel 155 reachable. By complying with the aforementioned condition it is ensured that the average distance between the connections 156 on the distributor wheel 155 from the connection members 135 of the devices 133 remains constant and between a certain largest and a certain smallest distance varies.

Guide means are expedient for the flexible lines 157 provided which prevent these lines from getting tangled. These guide means can e.g. consist in that according to 11 and 12 between those on the rotating carrier 134 Devices 133 and the distributor wheel 155 two parallel Bars 170 are arranged which extend in the longitudinal direction of the Extend cleaning unit 131, and that on the wheel body 158 with Spokes 171 a ring 172 is attached. Here is the diameter of ring 172 is several times larger than the mutual distance of the two rods 170. This will make the flexible lines 157 as soon as they approach the distributor wheel 155, each from a rod 170 deflected inwards and outwards from ring 172, so that they cannot interfere with each other. To the Instead of the rods 170, straight-line sections can also run all the way round Straps or the like. This allows the Operation occurring friction between the flexible lines 157 and significantly reduce management resources.

Along the circular arc-shaped path sections of the rotating carrier 134 the drivers 147 have one on their movement path 146 much higher speed than on the straight line sections 148 of them. It may therefore be appropriate under certain circumstances be the meeting of a driver 147 with the person concerned Bottle head 149 to delay until the consecutive have almost the same speed for moving parts, so that the driver gently touches the bottle head. For one Temporary restraint of the driver is different Solutions possible. Means are particularly suitable which the driver 147 at least in the entry area on a circular path reduced radius force, which is due to the flexibility of the devices 133 is made possible. For this purpose, in the entry area a guide bar can be provided, which the driver 147 radially until reaching the straight path section 148 distracts inside. Another option is to use the Driver 147 to be provided with length-stable pull cords, which on the circumferential carrier 134 at a certain distance from the base point of the devices 133 are anchored. On the circular arc Track section these pull cords reduce the otherwise existing Distance between the respective driver and that assigned to it Anchoring point on the circumferential beam 134 by the Driver 147 along the curved path sections, again under Deflection of the device 133 to be pulled radially inwards.

The cleaning unit 131 is upside down compared to a number Bottles 101 arranged as for wet bottle cleaning is common. On the other hand, there is the other cleaning unit 132 above a row of upright bottles 101. This arrangement can be used for dry cleaning, in particular for Blow-out of the bottles can be selected, e.g. for sterilizing the bottles by blowing out with steam or ozone. Furthermore, this Arrangement serve in the bottles just before filling them, create a carbon dioxide atmosphere.

In the embodiment of the machine shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 130, the cleaning units 131 and 312 are arranged so that the nozzle chains each revolve in a vertical plane. Of course, the arrangement can also be such that instead, the nozzle chains revolve in a horizontal plane. Means can also be present which make it possible to use the cleaning units through vertical and, if necessary, horizontal Adjust displacement to the different bottle sizes.

In order to operate the cleaning units at the conveying speed and adjust the mutual distance between the bottles to be cleaned, can each cleaning unit with a tracking control be equipped with control means, which sensors for detection of the relevant sizes and incremental encoders, and using a stepper motor as the drive motor of the Cleaning unit.

Claims (24)

1. An apparatus for cleaning containers that are open at one side and that are continuously moving in a row with uniform spatial orientation, with a jet nozzle guiding the cleaning agent and, with respect to the movement of the containers, movable relative to the containers along a path running essentially along the path of movement of the containers, and with means that intermittently align the jet nozzle with the opening of a container, characterized in that means (17; 32; 57) are provided that can be actuated by the containers and positively align the jet nozzle with the opening of a particular container.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the jet nozzle (15; 31; 56) has a stationary position.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the jet nozzle (15; 31; 56) has a movable position, running on a path extending parallel to the path of motion of the containers (10; 50; 101) and with a speed that can be adapted to the conveying speed of the containers.
4. Apparatus according to one of the claim1 1 to 3, characterized in that the movable jet nozzle (15; 31; 56) is provided with a catch member (17; 32; 57) movable between a rest position and a final position and protruding into the path of motion of the containers (10; 50; 101) within that range of movement.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the path of motion of the catch member (17; 32; 57) and the path of motion of the containers (10; 50; 101) diverge.
6. Apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the jet nozzle (15; 31; 56) is mounted at the free end of a swiveling single arm lever, which remains in a rest position under the influence of a spring force and which can be entrained in each case, contrary to the spring force, by a portion (18; 51) of a moved container (10; 50), the jet nozzle remaining in a position aligned with the opening of the container as long as the lever is in the sphere of influence of the container.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the lever is constituted by a rigid tube that is pivotally mounted and serving for supplying cleaning agent to the jet nozzle (15; 56), and in that a spring (19; 83) engages the lever to force the lever against the stop member determining the rest position.
8. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the lever is constituted by a resiliently flexible tube for the supply of cleaning agent to the jet nozzle, rigidly anchored at one end.
9. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the lever is constituted by a strut assembly comprising a hose (33) for the supply of the cleaning agent to the jet nozzle (31) and a spring (34), whereby the spring, being in its no-load condition, determines the rest position of the lever.
10. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the hose (33) is surrounded at least along a portion of its length, by a coil spring (34).
11. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the hose is connected to a leaf spring.
12. Apparatus according to one of the claims 4 to 11, characterized in that the longitudinal axis (90) of the jet nozzle (56) is inclined in the rest position of the catch member (57) in the one direction and in the end position of the catch member in the other direction by an acute inlet and outlet angle, respectively, with regard to the central axis (91) of the opening (52) of the container (59) brought up to the jet nozzle (56).
13. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the inlet and outlet angles are essentially equal.
14. A machine for cleaning containers that are open at one side, particularly bottles (101), by spraying out and/or blowing out with a jet of a fluid and/or gaseous cleaning agent, whereby a conveyor apparatus conveys the containers in a row through the sphere of activity of a cleaning assembly (102) and whereby the cleaning assembly comprises a plurality of jet nozzles (56) arranged in a row and extending along a portion (112) of the path of motion of the container (101), as well as means that intermittently positively align the jet nozzles to the opening of the container, characterized in that the individual jet nozzles (56) are mounted to be movable independently from each other, and in that means (57) are provided that can be actuated by the conveyed containers and intermittently positively align the jet nozzles with the openings of the containers (101).
15. A machine according to claim 14, characterized in that the cleaning assembly (102) comprises devices (102) according to one of the claims 1 to 13.
16. A machine according to one of the claims 14 and 15, characterized in that the jet nozzles have stationary positions (120) which are located in regular mutual distances (n).
17. A machine according to one of the claims 14 and 15, characterized in that the positions of the jet nozzles are located on a movable support member whose speed can be adapted to the conveying speed of the containers.
18. A machine according to claim 17, in which the containers to be cleaned have a conditional regular mutual distance along their path of motion, characterized in that the mutual distance of the positions of the jet nozzles essentially corresponds to the mean value of the varying mutual distance of the containers.
19. A machine according to one of the claims 17 and 18, characterized in that the row of containers and the row of jet nozzles are out of phase such that the means for aligning the jet nozzles are engaged even if the containers have a lagging motion.
20. A machine according to one of the claims 14 to 19, characterized in that the conveying means is a drag chain conveyor (107).
21. A method for cleaning containers that are open at one side, particularly bottles, by means of an apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 13, by spraying out and/or blowing out with a jet of a fluid and/or gaseous cleaning agent, whereby the containers continuously move in a row through in uniform spatial orientation, and whereby a jet nozzle guiding the cleaning agent is intermittently aligned with the opening of a container, characterized in that the jet nozzle (15; 31; 56) is entrained along a certain path of motion of the container (10; 50; 101) by each container to positively track the opening thereof, independently of the mutual distance of the consecutive containers.
22. Method according to claim 21, characterized in that, following the tracking phase, the jet nozzle (15; 31; 56) is led back to a stand-by position from which the tracking phase for a consecutive container (10; 50; 101) is initiated.
23. Method according to claim 22, characterized in that the leading-back of the jet nozzle (15; 31; 56) is performed with a velocity that is higher, particularly many times higher than the tracking velocity.
24. Method according to one of the claims 21 to 23, characterized in that the jet nozzle (15; 31; 56) is swiveled during the tracking motion, such that the cleaning jet escaping from the jet nozzle (15; 31; 56) hits a portion of the wall of the container (10; 50; 101) during an initial phase of operation, thereafter sweeps over the bottom of the container and finally hits the opposite wall portion at the end of the operation.

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