EP0614708A1 - Bottle rinsing device for rotating cleaning machines - Google Patents

Abstract

This device comprises a longitudinal support (3) whose front end has a fixing mechanism (1), injection valve (V) and rinsing mechanism (2). The fixing mechanism (1) is giratory and comprises a body (5) and clamps (7) that operate in such a way that the fixing diameter is equal to the rinsing diameter; this body (5) may be provided with a duct (51) that collects the residual rinsing liquid (53) and is combined with a fixed suction duct (52). Through the valve (V) passes a hose (25) that is compressed by closure seats (35, 36) whose action lets the rinsing air or liquid through. The rinsing mechanism (2) includes a tank (48) and a hollow needle which is introduced into the bottle (10). Application to industry bottling processes. <IMAGE>

Description

Technical field of the invention

The object of the present invention is a device for rinsing bottles, intended for rotary machines, which is particularly applicable to industrial processes for bottling for rinsing new bottles.

History of the invention

We know that industrial bottling plants include a series of machines which are arranged in a continuous process to carry out all the operations of bottling liquids. Among these machines are rotary machines which are intended for rinsing new bottles, that is to say, bottles leaving the factory and which are subjected to their first filling. These rotary rinsing machines are basically structured on a circular carousel tangentially associated with a device for feeding new bottles and with a device for extracting rinsed bottles. On said carousel are installed radially a set of rinsing devices which perform individually and successively, during the time it takes the carousel to perform a turn, the operations which can be summarized as follows. First, the rinsing device takes the bottle supplied by the supply device. It overturns the bottle in the opposite position to that which it occupied on the supply device. Then he injects a liquid or air inside the bottle to rinse or blow it. Finally, it turns the rinsed bottle in the opposite direction and leads it to the rinsed bottle extraction device. It is in this last operation, if it turns out to be necessary, that the rinsing device eliminates the possible drop coming from the residual liquid which could wet the outside of the bottle.

Known embodiments of rinsing devices integrated in rinsers such as those described operate, in whole or in part, in the manner which is described below.

Regarding the bottle rotation operation before injecting liquid or air inside it, the theoretical diameter reached by the longitudinal axis of the bottle in its inverted position, or diameter rinsing, is less than the theoretical diameter occupied by this axis when it was entered by the rinsing device. This reduction in the theoretical fixing diameter greatly reduces the number of rinsing devices which, with equal dimensions, can be coupled to the rinser carousel, since it goes without saying that the distance between the rinsing devices is precisely determined by the dimensions, diameter or width, of the bottles and, therefore, that the reduction in the fixing diameter inevitably implies a reduction in the number of rinsing devices coupled to the carousel. All this means that, at maximum external dimensions and at equal speed of rotation, and in the case of rinsers in which the rinsing devices keep the fixing diameter as rinsing diameter, rinsers equipped with rinsing devices in which the diameter of flushing is less than the fixing diameter have a lower production volume. Consequently, compensating for this reduction in production by increasing the speed of rotation of the machine produces other disadvantages, the solution of which entails high economic cost.

As for the operation of injecting liquid or air inside the bottle in which the cannula of the rinsing device must be aligned on the longitudinal axis of the bottle, this installation of the cannula can be obtained from two ways. Either the cannula remains static, which limits or even prevents its penetration inside the bottle and in certain cases, can give rise to an insufficient rinsing, or the cannula is subjected to displacements which aim at its introduction into the bottle. In the latter case, that is to say, when the cannula is moved, the known embodiments of rinsing devices include mechanisms which either print the cannula a single vertical cyclic movement in both directions, or print that a displacement, also cyclic, consisting of a horizontal displacement or of approximation to the longitudinal axis of the bottle, in a double vertical displacement and in a horizontal displacement back to the original position of the cannula, which position is parallel to the quoted longitudinal axis of the bottle. These mechanisms for moving the cannula generally have a high economic cost, and the mechanisms which place the cannula in a rest position parallel to that of the bottle have the additional disadvantage of limiting the diameter or the surface of the bottle to be rinsed. to avoid collision or shock between the body of the bottle and this cannula.

The valves which control the injection of liquid or air inside the bottle are generally of the type of conical seat provided with a recovery spring; these valves include a series of closing and sealing seals and, due to their nature and for hygienic reasons, must be subjected to a constant internal cleaning which increases the cost of maintenance of the rinsing device and, by Therefore, the rinser.

The known embodiments of rinsing devices, the operation and the components of which have been described, generally have all or part of the following drawbacks: the reduction in the theoretical fixing diameter; complex mechanisms for positioning the cannula inside the bottle; the use of costly injection valves.

Explanation of the invention

We will describe a bottle rinsing device for rotary machines having a new structure in order to provide a new embodiment of rinsing device which would generally resolve all the drawbacks mentioned of the known embodiments of these devices intended for new bottle rinsers.

The rinsing device which is the subject of the invention comprises a longitudinal support, one end of which - the interior - can be coupled to the carousel of the rinser and, the other end of which - the exterior - is equipped with a fixing mechanism, an injection valve controlling the injection of liquid or rinsing air inside the bottle and a rinsing mechanism. The fixing mechanism comprises clamps provided with non-slip elements profiled according to the shape of the neck of the bottle to be grasped; this mechanism is associated with a concentric guide relative to the carousel which determines the rotational movements of the seized bottle. The rinsing mechanism includes a cannula fitted with a tank for collecting the rinsing liquid. The synchronization of the operation of the fixing mechanism, of the injection valve and of the rinsing mechanism is effected by means of rollers which are mounted in these mechanisms and in this valve and are moved by buffers installed for this purpose, when they reach certain predetermined positions which are defined in a particular way for each rinser.

The rinsing device which is the subject of this invention is characterized in that the fixing mechanism comprises the following elements: a main elbow-shaped body which is joined, by its outer side and by its upper end, to the longitudinal support of the device so that it can rotate at least 180 ° relative to this support; in the inner side of the main body and outside of the latter, two superposed and parallel guide rollers between them between which the concentric guide slides very precisely with respect to the carousel, which guide rollers are arranged so that the extensions of their respective longitudinal axes are equidistant from the axis of rotation of the main body; in the lower end of the main body, clamps installed orthogonally, the hinge axis of which is installed outside the inner side of the main body; one of the arms of these clamps is fixed to the main body and the other, which is mobile, has its origin in the axis of articulation and is extended by a longitudinal extension whose free end is provided with a roller opening of the clamps which retains an orthogonal plane with respect to this extension; the two arms of the pliers are interlaced in their middle zone using a fixing spring which works permanently by traction, so that, when the bottle to be rinsed is gripped, the extension of the longitudinal axis of the bottle coincides, orthogonally, with the axis of rotation of the main body.

The fixing mechanism, the characteristics of which have been described, operates as follows. When the rinsing device, which is the object of this invention, reaches a position close to the fixing position, the opening roller, installed in the extension of the movable arm of the clamps of the fixing mechanism, is moved by a first buffer provided for this purpose; this movement then causes the clamps to open, forcing the opposition of the fixing spring. It is under these conditions that the neck of the bottle is introduced inside the clamps by the supply device mentioned above. Then, as the stopper ceases to act on the opening roller, the fixing spring proceeds, by elastic reaction, to close the clamps, which involves gripping the bottle. It is at this stage in the circular path of the device developed by the invention that the concentric guide relative to the carousel describes a helical rotation at the same time as it moves coaxially and occupies an external and equidistant position relative to the axis of rotation of the fixing mechanism. This rotation and this displacement of the concentric guide in turn produce, in the fixing mechanism, a rotation of 180 ° around its axis of rotation, so that the bottle, gripped by the clamps of the mechanism, now occupies the reverse position the one she had when she was grabbed by these pliers. It is in this inverted, vertical position that the liquid or rinsing air is injected inside the bottle. Then, the concentric guide describes a new helical rotation at the same time as it moves coaxially and occupies an internal position similar to the position prior to that of the gripping of the bottle. The rotation and displacement of the concentric guide in turn produces, in the fixing mechanism, a further rotation of 180 ° in the opposite direction, so that the bottle gripped by the clamps of the mechanism is placed in the starting position or fixation. When the bottle is returned to this position, the action of a second stopper provided for this purpose opens the clamps, which allows recovery of the bottle by the extraction device for rinsed bottles.

It emerges from all of the above that the inversion of the position of the bottle due to the rotation of the fixing mechanism around the axis of rotation of the main body does not modify the value of the theoretical fixing diameter. Consequently, unlike certain known embodiments of rinsing devices, the theoretical rinsing diameter and that of fixing are identical since, as we have said, the axis of rotation of the main body coincides orthogonally with the extension of the longitudinal axis of the bottle.

Another characteristic of the rinsing device which is the subject of the invention is the fact that the injection valve which controls the injection of the liquid or the air inside the bottle comprises: an elongated main body and hollow disposed orthogonally to the support of the device with which it is integral; this main body is provided, in its upper end, with a closing flap provided with a centered orifice passing, in its lower end, with an orifice passing coaxially with the orifice of the closing valve and, arranged transversely and diametrically, two through holes; an intermediate body, elongated, hollow and open on the side of its lower end, which can slide with precision through the main body; this intermediate body has, in its upper end, a centered orifice passing, and transversely and diametrically opposite, the respective pass-through orifices whose dimensions coincide with those of the transverse orifices of the main body opposite which they are located; an upper or blocking axis which can slide longitudinally through the through holes of the upper ends of the main and intermediate body; this axis is provided in its upper end, which emerges relative to the valve of the main body, with an orthogonal locking collar, and in its lower end, located inside the intermediate body, with a closing seat; a blocking spring installed inside the intermediate body and arranged coaxially with respect to the blocking axis, which operates permanently under compression and which supports one of its ends on the own intermediate body and the other end on the locking pin closing seat; a lower or opening axis which is integral with the intermediate body and which passes through the orifice passing from the lower end of the main body and comes out over a relatively short length; this opening axis has, in its upper or internal end, a closing seat whose dimensions are established as a function of the closing seat of the locking axis, and in its lower, or external end, an orthogonal collar d 'opening; an opening spring located inside the intermediate body coaxially with respect to the opening axis; this spring works permanently under compression and presses one of its ends on the closing seat of the opening axis and the other end on the lower edge of the main body; actuating means which act on the opening collar of the outer end of the opening axis; locking means which act on the locking collar of the outer end of the locking pin; finally, a flexible conduit which crosses the transverse orifices of the main and intermediate body and is located between the closing seats of the opening and locking axes; this conduit is joined by one of its ends to the liquid or air injection cannula, and by the other end to the liquid or rinsing air supply manifold in the rinser carousel. The flexible duct section between this manifold and this valve is provided with a protective sheath.

The fact that the rinsing liquid circulates only through the flexible conduit which connects the cannula to the collector of the carousel by the injection valve means that, unlike the known embodiments of rinsing devices which use injection valves seat comprising a seal, the injection valve of the device as provided in the invention should not be subjected to regular cleaning operations, which considerably reduces maintenance costs.

An additional characteristic of the rinsing device which is the subject of the invention lies in the fact that the means for actuating the injection valve of the rinsing mechanism comprises an opening lever, which is of the first kind. The fulcrum of this lever is in an extension located in the lower end of the main body of the valve, its force arm is equipped with an opening roller in its free end and its resistance arm, which forms a certain angle with the force arm, is constantly supported on the opening collar of the injection valve.

The rinsing device which is the subject of the invention also has the characteristic that the means for blocking the injection valve comprise a blocking lever, which is of the first kind, the fulcrum of which is located on the longitudinal support between the fixing mechanism and the injection valve, the force arm of which can be moved under the action of the movable arm of the clamps of the fixing mechanism, and the resistance arm, which forms an angle with the arm by force, can be included between the locking collar and the shut-off valve of the injection valve; the locking lever is equipped with a recovery spring which, in the absence of force, that is to say, when this mobile arm does not exert any action on the force arm, places the arm force in a position close to the position of the clamps during rotation of the rinse bottle, and the resistance arm between the locking collar and the shut-off valve of the injection valve.

As for the operation of the injection valve, two cases may arise when the rinsing device which is the subject of this invention reaches a position close to the rinsing position. A first case where the fixing mechanism transports the bottle to be rinsed in the corresponding inverted position and, a second case where, for whatever reason, this fixing device does not transport this bottle. In the first case, that is to say, when the fixing mechanism transports the bottle to be rinsed, the injection valve allows the passage of the liquid or the rinsing air through it and the injection corresponding to the inside of the bottle by means of the cannula of the rinsing mechanism. In the second case, when the fixing mechanism does not transport the bottle to be rinsed, the action of the blocking means does not allow the passage of the liquid or the rinsing air through the valve and consequently prevents its spillage.

Given these premises, the injection valve, the characteristics of which have been described above, operates in the following manner.

When the rinsing device which is the subject of the invention occupies a position close to the rinsing position and the fixing mechanism transports the bottle to be rinsed, the resistance arm of the locking lever is located between the locking collar and the closure valve of the injection valve, which prevents the displacement of the valve locking pin or, in other words, the displacement of its corresponding closing seat. Under these conditions, the locking seats of the locking and opening axes exert pressure, by elastic reaction of the opening and locking springs, on the flexible conduit which, by elastic deformation, prevents the passage of the liquid or the rinsing air through it. When the bottle transported by the fixing mechanism is in the inverted or rinsing position, a stopper provided for this purpose moves the opening roller of the force arm of the opening lever; this displacement causes the resistant arm, which rests continuously on the opening collar, to move the intermediate body of the valve and subject the opening and blocking springs to greater compression, thereby ensuring separation valve closing seats and passage therethrough, by elastic reaction of the flexible conduit, the liquid or flushing air. When the rinsing of the bottle is finished, the stopper mentioned ceases to act on the force arm of the opening lever, and the opening and blocking springs, by elastic reaction, actuate the opening axis and, consequently, the intermediate body with which it is integral, so that its closing seat exerts pressure on the flexible duct and again prevents the passage of the liquid or the rinsing air.

On the other hand, when the rinsing device occupies a position close to the rinsing position and the fixing mechanism does not transport the bottle to be rinsed, the resistance arm of the locking lever is not located between the locking collar and the shut-off valve of the injection valve, due to the action of the movable arm of the clamps of the fixing mechanism. Under these conditions, the closing seats of the opening and blocking pins exert pressure, by elastic reaction of the blocking spring, on the flexible conduit and prevents the passage of the liquid or the rinsing air. When the flushing device reaches the flushing position, the stopper mentioned moves the opening roller of the force arm of the opening lever and, as described above, moves the intermediate body of the valve by subjecting the opening spring for greater compression. At this time also occurs the displacement of the locking pin, which has the consequence that the closing seats of the opening and locking pins continue to exert pressure on the flexible conduit and prevent the passage of liquid or rinsing air. When the stopper mentioned ceases to act on the force arm of the opening lever, the opening spring actuates the intermediate body and the locking pin until they return to their position initial in which the closing seats exert pressure on the flexible duct and prevent the passage of the liquid or the rinsing air. Finally, the resistance arm of the locking lever returns to its position between the locking collar and the valve closing valve, under the impulse of the recovery spring, when the fixing mechanism leaves the rinsing position.

Another characteristic of the rinsing device in the version of the invention is the fact that the rinsing mechanism comprises a positioning lever, which is of the first kind, in which the fulcrum is located in the longitudinal support of the device between its inner end and the injection valve, the force arm is equipped in its free end with a positioning roller and the resistance arm, which forms a certain angle with the force arm, is coupled integrally to the cannula and recovery tank; the positioning lever is equipped with a recovery spring which, in the absence of force, places this cannula and this recovery tank in the rinsing position, in which the cannula can be introduced inside the bottle to rinse which is transported by the fixing mechanism.

The positioning lever, which includes the cannula and the recovery tank, works as follows. When the rinsing device which is the subject of this invention reaches a position prior to that of rinsing, in which the rinse bottle which is transported by the fixing mechanism has not been placed in the inverted or rinsing position, a first stopper provided for this purpose moves the positioning roller so that the cannula and the recovery tray are moved from their initial position and describe a trajectory which locates them below the mentioned rinsing position, position in which they are held by this first stop. When the bottle reaches the inverted or rinsing position, the first stop stops acting on the positioning roller and the elastic reaction of the recovery spring activates the cannula and the recovery tank which describe a trajectory in opposite directions so that the cannula returns to its original position and is located inside the bottle and, therefore, is able to inject the liquid or the rinsing air. When the injection of the rinsing liquid or air inside the bottle is finished, a second stopper provided for this purpose moves the positioning roller so that the cannula and the recovery tray start to move again and to describe a trajectory which locates them below the rinsing position, or, in other words, the cannula is extracted from the interior of the bottle. Finally, when the rinsed bottle leaves its inverted position, the second stop stops acting and the elastic reaction of the recovery spring actuates the cannula and the recovery tank to place them again in their starting position.

The rinsing device which is the subject of the present invention also has the characteristic that the main body of the fixing mechanism comprises a recovery duct whose outer end is located at a relatively short distance from the edge of the bottle gripped by the mechanism and the inner end protrudes from the inner side of the main body; this recovery duct is combined with a suction duct which proceeds, during the overturning of the bottle in its inverted position or rinsing by the fixing mechanism, by suction, by means of the recovery duct, of the residual rinsing liquid from from the inside of the bottle which is overturned on the rim; this suction duct, which is constantly connected to a vacuum pump, occupies a fixed position relative to the rinsing device. It is estimated that the residual rinse aid comprises the volume of rinse aid which is not collected by the recovery tank when the bottle is in the inverted position, and which, in general, consists of a drop which would wet the outside. of the bottle if it was not disposed of, with the disadvantages that this implies.

Brief description of the drawings

The pages of drawings in this report represent the bottle rinsing device for rotary machines which is the subject of the invention. In these drawings:

Figures 1, 2 and 3 are side views, partly in section, of the device according to the version of the invention which show the corresponding phases of the bottle rinsing process.

Figure 4 is a top view of the rinsing device in which the fixing mechanism carries a bottle.

Figures 5 and 6 are views, respectively side and top, of the device according to the version of the invention, which show the operation of the injection valve when the fixing mechanism does not transport the bottle to be rinsed.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 are side views which partly show another embodiment of the device according to the version of the invention, in different phases of the bottle rinsing process.

Detailed description of the exemplary embodiment

The description of the rinsing device intended for rotary machines which are the subject of the invention, which is presented below, relates to two different types of embodiment. The first type is shown in Figures 1 to 6 and the second type in Figures 7 to 9. In order to clarify as much as possible the description, all the elements of the two embodiments of the device which are common have the same references. It is for this same reason that the entire rinser, the device for supplying new bottles and the device for extracting rinsed bottles have not been shown in the figures on the pages of drawings. As we explained above, the rinsing device as provided for by the invention is coupled radially to the rinser carousel and rinses a bottle during the period of rotation of the carousel by describing a circular trajectory . It is on this trajectory that a series of stops are judiciously installed which act on the mechanisms and on an injection valve of the rinsing device provided for in the invention by synchronizing their functions.

Figures 1 to 6 show the rinsing device which is the subject of the invention. In the first embodiment which is described, this device comprises the following elements: the fixing mechanism 1; the injection valve V and the rinsing mechanism 2, which are all installed in the outer end of the longitudinal support 3, while the other end of the support 3, the inner end 4, is coupled to the rinser carousel ; this coupling has not been shown in the figures on the pages of drawings for the reasons explained above and includes means suitable for each specific application case.

The fixing mechanism 1 comprises the main body 5, the two guide rollers 6, the clamps 7 and the opening roller 8 of the clamps 7.

The main body 5 has an elbow shape and its outer side 9 is united to the support 3 so that, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, it can be rotated at an angle of 180 ° around the axis defined by this union. This 180 ° rotation is the angle necessary to move the bottle 10 from the position shown in Figure 1, which is the position in which the bottle 10 is gripped by the fixing mechanism 1, to the inverted position or rinse shown in Figure 3.

The inner side 11 of the main body 5 houses the two guide rollers 6, arranged orthogonally to this inner side 11, whose extensions of the respective longitudinal axes are equidistant from the axis of rotation of the main body 5. It is between these two guide rollers 6 that the guide 12 slides with precision, which occupies a concentric position relative to the carousel. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the guide 12 has a quadrangular cross section, unlike other known embodiments of rinsing devices in which this guide has a circular section, which has the effect that the largest contact area between the guide 12 and the two guide rollers 6 produces a slower wear of the latter which, in this way, retain their properties for a longer period of time.

Figures 1 to 3 show that the guide 12 is installed so that, when the bottle 10 is in the vertical position, the extension of its main transverse axis is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the bottle 10 and to the axis of rotation of the main body 5, and that the main longitudinal axis of the guide 12 is equidistant from this axis of rotation of the main body 5. The distance d indicated in Figure 1, between the main longitudinal axis of the guide 12 and the axis of rotation of the main body 5 will preferably be 50 mm.

Figures 1 to 4 show that the clamps 7 are located in the lower end of the main body 5 and that they include the fixed arm 13, the movable arm 14 and the fixing spring 15. The fixed arm 13 is joined to the body main 5, the movable arm 14 has the extension 16, which extends longitudinally from the hinge pin of the clamps 7, in the free end of which is the opening roller 8, which is arranged orthogonally.

The operation of the fixing mechanism 1 is now detailed. When the device, as provided in the invention, reaches a position close to the pick-up position of the bottle 10, a first stop, which has not been shown in the figures on the pages of drawings, acts on the opening roller 8 and, after having overcome the opposition offered by the fixing spring 15, opens the clamps 7 which are ready to receive the bottle 10 supplied by the supply device. After receiving the bottle 10, this stop stops acting on the opening roller 8 and the clamps 7, by elastic reaction of the fixing spring 15, grip the bottle 10 by the neck as shown in Figure 1. A this stage, the guide 12 describes in its concentric trajectory a first helical rotation of 180 ° at the same time as it moves outwards until it reaches a position equidistant from the axis of rotation of the main body 5, position which is indicated in Figure 1 using broken lines. The rotation of the guide 12 produces, by the action of the guide rollers 6, the rotation of 180 ° of the fixing mechanism 1 around the axis of rotation of the main body 5 as indicated by the Figures 2 and 3. In this way, the bottle 10 is placed in the inverted or rinsing position as shown in Figure 3. Figures 1 to 3 show that the theoretical fixing and rinsing diameters are equal, which is explained by the fact that the extension of the longitudinal axis of the bottle 10 coincides orthogonally with the axis of rotation of the main body 5. When the injection of liquid or air inside the bottle 10 is finished, the guide 12 describes a new helical rotation of 180 ° in opposite direction to the anterior while it moves from the inside to reach the equidistant position of the axis of rotation of the main body 5. The rotation of guide 12 and the action of the two guide rollers 6 again produce the rotation of the fixing mechanism 1 at an angle of 180 ° around the axis of rotation of the main body 5, so that the bottle 10 occupies the position in which, under the action of a second goal oir (not indicated in the figures on the pages of drawings) on the opening roller 8 which causes the opening of the clamps 7, it is picked up by the device for extracting rinsed bottles.

The sheath 17, which is shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5 is coupled to the injection valve V. Its objective is to protect this valve V against the entry of liquids and / or solids which could disturb its operation.

Figures 1, 3 and 5 show that the valve V comprises the main body 18, the closing valve 19, the intermediate body 20, the locking pin 21, the locking spring 22, the opening pin 23, the opening spring 24 and the flexible conduit 25.

The main body 18 has an elongated and hollow shape. The closing valve 19, which includes in the center the through hole 26, is coupled to it in its upper end. From the transverse point of view, the main body 18 has the orifices 27 and 28 which are traversed by the flexible conduit 25. The orifice 27, which is located opposite the inner end 4 of the support 3, is provided with a staggered interior intended to receive precisely the protective sheath 29 of the flexible conduit 25. Finally, the lower end of the main body 18 includes the through hole 30, through which the opening axis 23 can slide with precision.

The intermediate body 20 also has a hollow elongated shape and can slide precisely through the main body 18. The intermediate body 20 is provided, at its upper end, with the orifice 31 passing through which can slide precisely the blocking axis 21 and, on a transverse plane, through orifices 32 and 33 which are located opposite respectively orifices 27 and 28 of the main body 18. These orifices 32 and 33 are also crossed by the flexible conduit 25.

The locking pin 21 has in its outer end the locking collar 34 and in its inner end, the closing seat 35. The opening pin 23, which is integral with the intermediate body 20, has in its inner end the closing seat 36 and in its outer end the seat 37 represented by broken lines in Figures 1, 2 and 3.

The blocking spring 22 operates continuously under compression and is coaxial with the blocking axis 21. This spring 22 bears one of its ends against the intermediate body 20 and the other end against the closing seat 35 of the axis of blocking 21. The opening spring 24, which also operates permanently under compression, is coaxial with the opening axis 23 and presses one of its ends against the main body 18 and the other end against the closing seat 36 of the opening axis 23.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show that the actuation of the valve V takes place using the opening lever PA installed in the extension 38 of the main body 18. This lever PA comprises the force arm 39, in the free end of which is the opening roller 40, and the resistance arm 41 (indicated with the aid of broken lines in Figures 1, 2 and 3) which rests permanently on the seat 37 of the opening axis 23.

Figures 1 to 4 show that the valve blocking means V comprise the blocking lever PB installed on the support 3 between the fixing mechanism 1 and the valve V ; this PB lever consists of the force arm 42 and the resistance arm 43 indicated in detail in Figure 4. Furthermore, the locking lever PB includes a recovery spring (which is not indicated in the figures on the pages of drawings) which, in the absence of force, places the free end of the resistance arm 43 between the locking collar 34 and the closing valve 19 of the valve V as indicated in FIG. 4.

Figures 1 to 4 show the operation of valve V when the fastening mechanism 1 carries a bottle 10 to be rinsed, while Figures 5 and 6 show the operation of valve V when, for whatever reason, the mechanism 1 does not carry the bottle 10.

In the first case, that is to say that of FIGS. 1 to 4, the resistance arm 43 of the locking lever PB is located between the locking collar 34 and the closing valve 19, which prevents the locking pin 21 to move towards the inside of the valve V. Under these conditions, the elastic reaction of the spring 22 of the locking pin 21 causes the closing seats 35, 36 to exert pressure on the flexible conduit 25 which, by elastic deformation, prevents the passage of the liquid or the rinsing air through the valve V. Figure 3 shows that when the bottle 10 reaches the rinsing position, the stopper 44 moves the opening roller 40 so that the resistant arm 41 moves down the opening axis 23 and the intermediate body 20 decreasing the length of the locking springs 21 and opening 24 and subjecting them to greater compression. At the same time, this movement of the opening axis 23 and the intermediate body 20 separates the two closing seats 35 and 36 so that they cease to exert pressure on the flexible conduit 25, by elastic reaction of this conduit 25, and that they allow the free circulation of the liquid or the rinsing air through the valve V. When the injection of liquid or air is complete and the stopper 44 ceases to act on the roller 40, the elastic reaction of the blocking springs 21 and of opening 24 move the intermediate body 20 and the axis of opening 23 in the opposite direction, that is to say towards the starting position indicated in Figure 1 in which the closing seats 35 and 36 exert pressure on the flexible conduit 25 and prevent the passage of liquid or rinsing air.

In the second case, which is indicated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the situation in the rinsing position occupied by the movable arm 14 of the clamps 7 of the fixing mechanism 1, shown in detail in FIG. 6, displaces the resistant arm 43 from the locking lever PB from its location between the locking collar 34 and the closing valve 19 so that, as shown in FIG. 5, the locking pin 21 can be moved towards the inside of the valve V. In these conditions, when the stopper 44 moves the roller 40 and the resistant arm 41 of the lever PA moves down the opening axis 23 and the intermediate body 20, the elastic reaction of the locking spring 22 which pushes down the axis blocking 21 is not changed. Consequently, the closing seats 34 and 35 continue to exert pressure on the flexible conduit 25 and prevent the passage of the liquid or of the rinsing air through the latter and prevent uncontrolled injection therein. When the stopper 44 ceases to act on the roller 40, the elastic reaction of the opening spring 24 moves the locking pin 21, the intermediate body 20 and the opening pin 23 to the starting position shown in the Figure 1, position in which the valve V prevents the passage of the liquid or the rinsing air. In addition, when the fixing mechanism 1 leaves the rinsing position shown in FIG. 5, the movable arm 14 of the clamps 7 ceases to act on the force arm 42 of the locking lever PB , which has the consequence that, by elastic reaction of the recuperator of this lever PB , the resistant arm 43 of this lever returns to its position between the locking collar 34 and the closing valve 19 of the valve V.

Figure 2 shows that the rinsing mechanism 2 comprises the positioning lever PP placed on the support 3 between its inner end 4 and the injection valve V ; this lever PP comprises the force arm 45, the free end of which is provided with a positioning roller 46, and the resistance arm 47 which, as shown in FIG. 3 in section, comprises the recovery tank 48 and the cannula 49 which is connected, by its lower end, to flexible conduit 25 at the outlet of valve V. The flushing mechanism 2 also includes a recovery spring, which has not been shown in the figures on the drawing pages. In the absence of force exerted on the lever PP , this spring positions the resistance arm 47, and consequently, the recovery tank 48 and the cannula 49, in the rinsing position shown in FIG. 1.

The operation of the flushing mechanism 2 is described below. Figure 1 shows the position occupied by this mechanism 2 when the fixing mechanism 1 has gripped the bottle 10 supplied by the bottle feeding device. When the mechanism 1 occupies a position prior to that of the rinsing, as indicated in FIG. 2, the stop 50 moves the roller 46 of the force arm 45 of the positioning lever PP so that the recovery tank 48 and the cannula 49 describe an arc which moves them down. When the bottle 10 reaches the rinsing position shown in FIG. 3, the stopper 50 ceases to act on the roller 46 so that, by elastic reaction of the recovery spring of the lever PP , it returns to the starting position in which the cannula 49 is introduced inside the bottle 10. When the injection of liquid or rinsing air is finished, as we have described above, a second stopper (not shown in the figures on the pages of drawings) acts on the roller 46 and moves the recovery tank 48 and the cannula 49. After having described an arc of a circle, the cannula 49 is extracted from the interior of the bottle 10. When the bottle 10 leaves the position of rinsing, this second stop stops acting on the roller 46 and, consequently, the action of the recovery spring positions the positioning lever PP as shown in Figure 1.

As we have already explained, Figures 7 to 9 show a second embodiment of the rinsing device, subject of the invention, which includes all of the elements described for the first example of realization. In this case, that is to say, in the second embodiment, the main body 5 of the fixing mechanism 1 comprises the recovery duct 51 which is connected to the suction duct 52 shown in Figure 9, which has a fixed position in the rinsing device. The outer end of the recovery conduit 51 is at a relatively short distance from the edge of the bottle 10, while the inner end of this conduit 51 protrudes from the inner side 11 of the main body 5. This arrangement of the recovery conduit 51 ensures that, during the entire rinsing process, the outer end of the recovery duct 51 remains in the same position relative to the edge of the bottle 10, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9.

The purpose of the recovery 51 and suction 52 conduits is to prevent the residual rinsing liquid 53, shown in FIG. 9, from spilling onto the external surface of the bottle 10 during its rotation from the inverted position or from rinse shown in Figure 8.

Figure 9 shows the operation of these conduits 51 and 52. When the injection of rinsing liquid inside the bottle 10 carried out by means of the valve V is complete, most of the rinsing liquid is collected by the recovery tank 48 which channels it to a collector provided for this purpose (which has not been shown in the figures on the pages of drawings for the reasons already indicated). Now, we know that a small volume of rinse aid, the residual rinse aid 53, remains inside the bottle 10 so that, during its rotation from the rinse position, under the effect of the gravitation and centrifugation action, this residual liquid 53 is spilled over the area of the edge of the bottle 10 which is located opposite the outer end of the recovery duct 51. Located in a studied position, the suction duct 52, which is constantly connected to a vacuum pump (which has not been shown in the figures of the pages of drawings), proceeds to the suction of this residual liquid 53 by means of the recovery conduit 51 during the passage of the inner end of this conduit 51 in front of its suction mouth and transports it to the liquid collector of rinse so that it is evacuated.

Claims (8)

1.- Device for rinsing bottles for rotary machines, which comprises a longitudinal support (3), one of the ends of which, the interior (4), can be coupled to the rinser carousel and, the other end of which external, is equipped with a fixing mechanism (1), an injection valve ( V ) controlling the injection of liquid or rinsing air inside the bottle (10) and a rinsing mechanism (2). The fixing mechanism (1) comprises clamps (7) provided with non-slip elements profiled according to the shape of the neck of the bottle (10) to be grasped; this mechanism (1) is associated with a guide (12) concentric with respect to the carousel which determines the rotational movements of the bottle (10) entered. The rinsing mechanism (2) comprises a cannula (49) equipped with a tank (48) for recovering the rinsing liquid. The synchronization of the operation of the fixing mechanism (1), of the injection valve ( V ) and of the rinsing mechanism (2) is carried out using rollers which, arranged in these mechanisms (1, 2) and in this valve ( V ), are moved by buffers installed for this purpose, when they reach certain predetermined positions which are defined in a particular way for each rinser; it is characterized in that the fixing mechanism (1) comprises the following elements: a main body (5) in the form of an elbow which is joined, by its outer side (9) and by its upper end, to the support (3) longitudinal of the device so that it can rotate at least 180 ° around this support (3); in the inner side (11) of the main body (5) and outside of the latter, two guide rollers (6) superposed and parallel to each other between which the guide (12) slides with precision concentric with the carousel, which guide rollers (6) are arranged so that the extensions of their respective longitudinal axes are equidistant from the axis of rotation of the main body (5); in the lower end of the main body (5), clamps (7) arranged orthogonally, the hinge axis of which is installed outside the inner side (11) of the main body (5); one of the arms (13) of these clamps (7) is fixed to the main body (5) and the other (14), which is mobile, has its origin in the axis of articulation and is extended by an extension (16 ) longitudinal, the free end of which is provided with a roller (8) for opening the clamps (7) which retains the orthogonality with respect to this extension (16); the two arms (14, 16) of the grippers (7) are interleaved in their middle zone by means of a fixing spring (15) which works permanently by traction, so that when the bottle (10) to be rinsed is entered, the extension of the longitudinal axis of the bottle (10) coincides orthogonally with the axis of rotation of the main body (5). 2.- rinsing device according to claim 1), characterized in that the injection valve ( V ) which controls the injection of liquid or air inside the bottle (10) comprises: a main body (18) elongated and hollow disposed orthogonally to the support (3) of the device with which it is integral; this main body (18) is provided, at its upper end, with a closing valve (19) provided with a centered orifice (26) passing, in its lower end, with a passing orifice (30) which is coaxial relative to the orifice (26) of the closure valve (19) and, arranged transversely and diametrically, two pass-through orifices (27, 28); an intermediate body (20), elongated, hollow and open on the side of its end lower, which can be slid precisely through the main body (18); this intermediate body (20) has, at its upper end, a central opening (31) passing, and transversely and diametrically opposite, the respective openings (32, 33) whose dimensions correspond to the transverse orifices (27, 28) of the main body (18) in front of which they are; an upper or locking pin (21) which can be slid longitudinally through the openings (26, 31) passing from the upper ends of the main (18) and intermediate (20) body; this axis (21) is provided in its upper end, which emerges relative to the valve (19) of the main body (18), with a collar (34) for locking, and in its lower intermediate end, which is located at the 'interior of the intermediate body (20), a closing seat (35); a blocking spring (22) installed inside the intermediate body (20) and arranged coaxially with respect to the blocking axis (21), operating permanently under compression and pressing, at one of its ends, on the proper intermediate body (20), and the other end, on the seat (35) for closing the locking pin (21); a lower or opening axis (23) which is integral with the intermediate body (20) and which passes through the orifice (30) passing from the lower end of the main body (18) and which emerges over a relatively short length; this opening axis (23) has, at its upper or inner end, a closing seat (36) whose dimensions are established as a function of the seat (35) closing the locking axis (21), and in its lower or outer end, an opening collar (37); an opening spring (24) disposed inside the intermediate body (20) coaxially with respect to the opening axis (23); this spring (24) operates continuously under compression and presses one of its ends on the seat (36) for closing the opening pin (23) and the other end on the lower edge of the main body (18); actuating means which act on the collar (37) for opening the outer end of the opening pin (23); blocking means which act on the collar (34) for blocking the outer end of the blocking pin (21); finally, a flexible duct (25) which, through the transverse orifices (27-32, 33-28) of the main (18) and intermediate (20) body, is disposed between the seats (35, 36) for closing the axes opening (23) and blocking (21); this conduit (25) is joined by one of its ends to the cannula (49) for injecting liquid or air, and by its other end, to the liquid or rinsing air supply manifold in the carousel of the rinser. The flexible duct section (25) between this manifold and this valve ( V ) is provided with a protective sheath (29). 3.- rinsing device according to claims 1) and 2), characterized in that the actuating means of the injection valve ( V ) comprise an opening lever ( PA ), which is of the first kind , in which the fulcrum is located in an extension (38) disposed in the lower end of the main body (18) of the valve ( V ), the force arm (39) is equipped with a roller (40 ) opening in its free end, and the resistance arm (41), which forms an angle with the force arm (39), is constantly supported on the opening collar (37) of the relief valve. injection ( V ). 4.- rinsing device according to claims 1) to 3), characterized in that the means for blocking the injection valve ( V ) comprise a blocking lever ( PB ), which is of the first kind, of which the fulcrum is located on the longitudinal support (3) between the fixing mechanism (1) and the injection valve ( V ), the arm (42) of which can be moved under the action of the arm ( 14) movable clamps (7) of the fixing mechanism (1), and the resistance arm (43), which forms an angle with the force arm (42), can be included between the locking collar (34) and the valve (19) for closing the injection valve ( V ); the locking lever ( PB ) is equipped with a recovery spring which, in the absence of force, that is to say, when this movable arm (14) does not exert any action on the arm ( 42) by force, puts the free end of the latter in a position close to the position of the clamps (7) for fixing during the rotation of the bottle (10) to be rinsed, and the arm (43) of resistance between the collar (34) blocking and the valve (19) for closing the valve ( V ). 5.- rinsing device according to claims 1) to 4), characterized in that the rinsing mechanism (2) comprises a positioning lever ( PP ), which is of the first kind **, in which the point d support is located in the longitudinal support (3) of the device between its internal end (4) and the injection valve ( V ), the force arm (45) is equipped in its free end with a roller (46) positioning and the resistance arm (47), which forms an angle with the force arm (45), is coupled integrally to the recovery tank (48) and the cannula (49); the positioning lever ( PP ) is equipped with a recovery spring which, in the absence of force, places this recovery tank (48) and this cannula (49) in the rinsing position in which the cannula (49) can be introduced inside the rinse bottle (10) which is transported by the fixing mechanism (1). 6. Rinsing device according to claims 1) to 5), characterized in that, the bottle (10) being in the vertical position, the extension of the main transverse axis of the guide (12) is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the bottle (10) and the axis of rotation of the main body (5), and the main longitudinal axis of the guide (12) is equidistant from the axis of rotation of the main body (5). 7.- rinsing device according to claim 6), characterized in that the distance ( d ) between the main longitudinal axis of the guide (12) and the axis of rotation of the main body (5) is 50 mm. 8.- rinsing device according to claims 1) to 6), characterized in that the main body (5) of the fixing mechanism (1) comprises a duct (51) for recovery whose outer end is located at a relatively short distance from the edge of the bottle (10) gripped by this mechanism (1) and the inner end protrudes from the inner side (11) of the main body (5); this recovery duct (51) is combined with a suction duct (52) which proceeds, during the overturning of the bottle (10) in its inverted position or of rinsing by the fixing mechanism (1), with suction, by means of the recovery duct (51), residual rinse liquid (53) coming from inside the bottle which is spilled on the edge; this suction duct (52), which is constantly connected to a vacuum pump, occupies a fixed position relative to the rinsing device.

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