EP0634230A1 - Machine pour le lavage des bouteilles à haute vitesse et dispositif de pulvérisation - Google Patents

Machine pour le lavage des bouteilles à haute vitesse et dispositif de pulvérisation Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0634230A1
EP0634230A1 EP94110834A EP94110834A EP0634230A1 EP 0634230 A1 EP0634230 A1 EP 0634230A1 EP 94110834 A EP94110834 A EP 94110834A EP 94110834 A EP94110834 A EP 94110834A EP 0634230 A1 EP0634230 A1 EP 0634230A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bottle
washing machine
high speed
fluid
bottles
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP94110834A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0634230B1 (fr
Inventor
Antonio Fernandez
Atila Soti
Steve Miller
Ken Kuta
Chris Heckler
Gary Wegner
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Pepsico Inc
Original Assignee
Pepsico Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US08/090,413 external-priority patent/US5419350A/en
Priority claimed from US08/090,411 external-priority patent/US5419348A/en
Priority claimed from US08/090,501 external-priority patent/US5467790A/en
Priority claimed from US08/090,503 external-priority patent/US5441063A/en
Application filed by Pepsico Inc filed Critical Pepsico Inc
Publication of EP0634230A1 publication Critical patent/EP0634230A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0634230B1 publication Critical patent/EP0634230B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/08—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks
    • B08B9/20—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans are brought
    • B08B9/28—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans are brought the apparatus cleaning by splash, spray, or jet application, with or without soaking
    • B08B9/30—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans are brought the apparatus cleaning by splash, spray, or jet application, with or without soaking and having conveyors
    • B08B9/32—Rotating conveyors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/08—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks
    • B08B9/20—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans are brought
    • B08B9/28—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans are brought the apparatus cleaning by splash, spray, or jet application, with or without soaking
    • B08B9/34—Arrangements of conduits or nozzles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/08—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks
    • B08B9/20—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans are brought
    • B08B9/42—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans are brought the apparatus being characterised by means for conveying or carrying containers therethrough
    • B08B9/426—Grippers for bottles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to automatic high-speed bottle washer and spraying systems. More particularly, the present invention is directed to an automatic high-speed bottle washing machine for washing and sanitizing plastic returnable bottles (PRB) and a spray nozzle and orifice assembly.
  • the novel spray nozzle assembly of the present invention is designed to discharge highly directional pressurized jets of cleaning fluid such that, when positioned in an inverted rotatable bottle, maximum cleansing of the bottle or container is accomplished.
  • PET polyethylene terephthalate
  • acrylonitrile acrylonitrile
  • polycarbonate polycarbonate
  • PET offers the best balance of properties and, cost and performance ratios.
  • pre-softening steps are time-consuming and reduce the throughput desirable in high-output automatic PRB washing machines.
  • the pre-softening treatment with high-temperature baths may cause premature shrinkage of the PRB, or induce stress crack failure in non-oriented portions of the bottle.
  • U.S. Patent 4,125,120 discloses an inline conveyor system for washing light weight plastic bottles with a plurality of insertable spray wands. A conveyor advances in a stepwise manner and an entire manifold of nozzles is elevated by a pair of hydraulic cylinders attached to lift bars.
  • Patent 4,080,974 discloses an inline conveyor having a plurality of bottle carriers which receive the bottles in an inverted position and which are equipped with a plurality of moving spray nozzles which accompany, but which are not inserted in the bottle, along a portion of its travel for spraying and rinsing.
  • U.S. Patent 3,226,757 and European Patents 0 265,343 and 2 607,127 disclose a bottle cleaning machine which uses a mechanism for inverting the bottles for placement into a plurality of bottle carriers and insertable wands for blowing or rinsing the bottles.
  • U.S. Patent 5,135,014 discloses a bottle washer with multiple size carriers having a sorting mechanism, a device for inverting the bottles, an inline carrier having a plurality of bottle carriers with a holddown means for adjusting the carrier to various sized bottles, and interior and exterior spray nozzles for cleaning the interior and exterior of the bottles. A spray nozzle is inserted inside the bottle, although it does not move with the bottle.
  • U.S. Patent 3,534,749 discloses a rotating turntable having a plurality of bottle holding stations which are positioned above the spray nozzles. As the containers are rotated inside the spray cabinet, they are subject to both interior and exterior sprays for cleaning.
  • U.S. Patent 4,461,054 discloses a device for rotating and cleaning containers with particulate matter by inserting a spray nozzle into bottles as they are rotated. During the cleaning operation the bottles are reciprocated downwardly into the containers for the cleaning step.
  • U.S. Patent 4,133,340 discloses a rotating turntable for rotating a workpiece which is cleaned on the inside with spray nozzle having a plurality of orifices of and on the outside by spray nozzles placed on wands. In both of these references there is no movement of the rotating bottle.
  • U.S. Patents 4,944,810 and 4,834,123 disclose vertical carousels having paddles which engage the lower portion of the bottle and urge it inwardly over a spray nozzle for cleaning.
  • U.S. Patent 3,302,655 discloses a similar concept without the nozzle penetration, but including exterior washing of the bottle with nozzles.
  • the nozzle head has an annular lateral aperture for discharging a 360° flat spray against the bottle sidewall and has a central discharge orifice at the head of the nozzle for discharging a cylindrical stream at the bottom portion of the bottle.
  • the spray nozzle includes three longitudinally positioned orifices.
  • U.S. Patent Nos. 1,652,599 and 5,092,356 A different concept for spraying the inside of bottles is described in U.S. Patent Nos. 1,652,599 and 5,092,356. These spray nozzle systems do not provide for the spray nozzle to be inserted within the confines of an invertedly positioned bottle, but instead use a fluid delivery pipe having a nozzle unit with a discharge bore that is oblique or perpendicular to the axis of the pipe.
  • U.S. Patent 5,092,356 the pipe and nozzle unit rotates, with spray jets issuing from the discharge bore form a surface of a shallow cone.
  • the spray jets impinge solely on the bottle sidewall and only reach the bottom of the bottle by deflection.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,828,178 discloses the use of Electron Discharge Machining for forming a spray disk, but not for forming an elongated bore of small diameter.
  • a nozzle spray system that provides for the rotation of an inverted bottle while being sprayed with fluid jets would be highly desirable for increasing the cleaning effectiveness in high speed bottle cleaning operations. Additionally, a spray nozzle system having elongated microbores with small discharge orifices that will discharge fluid streams in oriented and well defined paths would be extremely desirable.
  • a high-speed bottle washing machine it would be highly desirable for a high-speed bottle washing machine to provide for a spray nozzle that discharges fluid jets in a predetermined pattern such that when in combination with a rotating bottle, hard to reach soils accumulated at the bottom of a bottle can be effectively cleaned in shorter periods of time.
  • a high-speed bottle washing machine with moving bottle carriers and wash nozzles which are inserted as the bottle is rotated and moved and furthermore, one that performs the process of washing a PET bottle in a 20 second cycle with aggressive mechanical impingement of a caustic wash solution.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide for a high-speed bottle washing machine that utilizes in-line handling and positive control of the bottles in a rotary washer which will wash at higher speeds by the use of spray impingement in which specially designed spray nozzles are inserted into rotating bottles to clean in a fraction of the time required by prior art devices.
  • another object of the instant invention is to provide a high speed bottle washing machine that includes a bottle handling apparatus that can provide axial rotational motion to the bottle such that, when its interior is subject to a cleaning fluid spray from a specially configured spray nozzle, a more precise and effective chemical and mechanical cleaning of the interior of the bottle is accomplished.
  • Yet still another object of the instant invention is to provide a high-speed plastic returnable bottle washing machine which provides for improved plastic returnable bottle life by reducing scuffing, reducing stress cracking, reducing shrinkage, and reducing contact time with high temperature washing detergents.
  • the washing machine improves plastic returnable bottle operating efficiency by increasing the average number of returns for each bottle, and enabling operation with different size bottles.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a high-speed bottle washing machine that reduces costs associated with washing by improving line efficiency, reducing floor area, chemical costs, and utility costs.
  • the present invention provides for a high-speed bottle washing machine that comprises a plurality of moving bottle receiving stations for sequentially receiving and rotating inverted bottles received from a bottle infeed conveyor, a plurality of reciprocating spray nozzles, with at least one spray nozzle moving with each bottle receiving station, wherein each of the spray nozzles reciprocates from a first position below the inverted bottles, to a second position within the bottles, and a manifold assembly for sequentially supplying a caustic wash fluid under pressure to each of the plurality of spray nozzles to clean the bottles by impingement of the wash fluid in a predetermined pattern within the bottles as the bottles are rotated.
  • the washed bottles are finally discharged at a bottle outfeed conveyor.
  • Still another object of this invention is to provide for a bottle holding and rotating device that engages an invertedly positioned plastic returnable bottle in a manner so as to provide support at three points of contact, while simultaneously providing bottle rotation.
  • Yet still another object of this invention is to provide a high speed bottle washing machine that includes a specially designed spray nozzle assembly for cleaning the interior of each bottle and which discharges jets of fluids in a unique pattern, such that in combination with the rotation of the bottle, effective cleaning by a combination of chemical dissolution and mechanical impingement is accomplished.
  • another object of this invention is to provide a nozzle spray and orifice assembly that discharges jets of pressurized cleaning fluid within the rotatable invertedly positioned bottle, wherein the fluid jets cooperate with the rotation of the bottle to mechanically peel off layers of beverage product film and residue located at the bottom inner surface of the bottle.
  • Still yet another object of this invention to provide a high-speed bottle washing machine that provides a spray nozzle and orifice assembly having a plurality of elongated microbores with discharge orifices that are arranged in a predetermined staggered or spaced apart pattern.
  • an object of this invention is to provide a nozzle spray and orifice assembly that is provided with elongated microbores having an elongated length to diameter ratio to ensure that fluids under pressure exit each corresponding discharge orifice in a focused, well-defined path.
  • Yet still another object of this invention is to provide a nozzle spray and orifice assembly that is used in a high-speed bottle washing machine wherein the cleaning of the internal bottom surface of the bottle is accomplished in less than 20 seconds, and preferably within 16 seconds.
  • Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a high-speed bottle washing machine that includes a manifold and valve block assembly designed particularly for plastic returnable bottles.
  • the manifold and valve block assembly sequentially supplying under pressure a plurality of different cleansing and sanitizing solutions, and also air for residual fluid removal and drying, to the spray nozzle assembly positioned within the rotationally driven bottle being cleaned, and also optionally to spray nozzles positioned externally of the bottle.
  • the spray nozzle assembly is mounted on a lance having a piston which is driven by the different fluids between a fully retracted position within the valve block assembly and a fully extended position in which the spray nozzle is positioned within a bottle being cleaned.
  • Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a high-speed bottle washing machine having a manifold and valve assembly in which a plurality of valves are mounted in the valve block housing for supplying a plurality of spray fluids to a common manifold which provides a fluid passage to a central fluid flow passageway of the lance for the fluids to be sequentially sprayed through the nozzle.
  • a static air supply valve supplies static air under pressure to the top of the piston when the lance is in a fully extended position, to drive the lance downwardly to its retracted position.
  • a static dump valve is actuated simultaneously with the static air supply valve which allows, as the lance is driven downwardly by the static air under pressure, any fluid in the drive cylinder to be evacuated therefrom into a collection trough positioned therebeneath.
  • Still another object of the present invention to provide a mechanical and electronic control system for a high-speed bottle washing machine designed particularly for plastic returnable bottles.
  • the control system automatically regulates each process of the wash spraying system, namely, sequentially feeding bottles from an infeed conveyor means, inverting them by a worm/inverter means, receiving and simultaneously rotating each bottle in an inverted position through a plurality of washing, neutralizing and sanitizing treatment zones, and inverting each bottle to the original neck-up orientation by an egress worm/inverter means and finally conveying them as a cleaned and sanitized bottle to another area for product refilling.
  • the control system provides a plurality of treatment zones for the respective treatment by high-temperature caustic wash solutions, neutralizing solutions and sanitizing solutions, in addition to residual fluid removal and air drying fluids.
  • the control system also actuates spray nozzles initially positioned externally of the bottle which are then driven into each bottle being cleaned.
  • an electronic programmable logic controller maintains, manages, and controls all pumps, valves, solenoids, and drive motor speeds as required by the process, and also provides for monitoring and adjusting fluid levels, alkalinity/ acidity concentrations, and temperature of the recirculated wash solution.
  • a machine operator or attendant may view from a centrally located operator interface, all of the above present machine operating and process parameters. Any alarm conditions that may present themselves during the process are displayed and will prompt for human intervention, interaction, or acknowledgement. Such alarm conditions are: out of range; fluid flow, temperature, pressure, conductivity and/or pH, fluid levels, carousel and bottle RPM, and will include specialized checks for clogged spray nozzles, and out of position fluid lances.
  • the automatic Plastic Returnable Bottle (PRB) washing and sanitizing system utilizes relatively commonplace bottle handling equipment such as conveyors, worms, inverters, starwheels, etc. and two specialized rotating horizontal carousel type wheels which hold the bottles in place for respective washing and sanitizing.
  • relatively commonplace bottle handling equipment such as conveyors, worms, inverters, starwheels, etc. and two specialized rotating horizontal carousel type wheels which hold the bottles in place for respective washing and sanitizing.
  • the wash carousel 10 is provided with a recirculating loop to sustain and maintain temperature, detergent concentrations, liquid volumes, and filtering required to spray clean by impingement the external and internal surfaces of PR bottles.
  • the sanitize carousel 20 duplicates operationally the wash carousel with the notable exceptions of the spray solutions, the ambient solutions temperatures, special recovery techniques, and the application of a different detergent solution.
  • a circular ring type trough 36 immediately under the carousel as illustrated in Figure 1.
  • This trough is fitted around the entire circumference of the wash carousel with a perforated sheet metal that permits water to pass through but captures larger solids and debris.
  • the pitch of this sheet allows the debris to be continually flushed to a low point, easily accessible for manual removal.
  • the water and some smaller solids drain from the trough into a collection/return tank similarly equipped with a perforated metal strainer but with smaller openings to entrap still more solids and debris.
  • This return solution is now pumped back via a variable frequency drive pump to the wash surge and supply tank.
  • this tank has a perforated metal strainer that removes still smaller entrapped solids and debris and allows the solution to be returned back to the wash carousel via a supply pump and final filtering.
  • Final filtering is accomplished by twin filters connected in parallel, sequentially staged, and fitted with automatic valving for switching from/to dirty/clean filters.
  • All bottles are machine washed, inside and out simultaneously, using the same cycle times and solutions.
  • the bottles are also rotated between a plurality of stationary external spray nozzles as they are transported by the carousel.
  • the external spray header supplies fluid to a plurality of stationary mounted spray nozzles mounted around the bottles in the carousel which spray fluid onto the bottles' exterior surfaces as the bottles are transported thereby by the carousel.
  • the operation specifications of one designed embodiment of the washing machine are: Time - 20 seconds per carousel, a constant.
  • Both the caustic wash solution and the neutralizing solution are pumped through flow monitoring elements, which as will be explained below, are very sensitive flow (pressure) measuring device for measuring small differences in flow rates. Should a spray nozzle or lance be plugged, the signal rate will be lower and the suspect nozzle(s) is flagged and retained in PLC memory. That particular station or stations and more importantly, their corresponding bottles, are held in memory throughout the bottle flow sequence. Those bottles are then identifiable for subsequent inspection and rejection stations and may then be rejected as being of uncertain quality.
  • a recirculating wash circuit of the wash carousel stands alone in its operation, and is essentially a loop where solution strength, filtering, levels and temperature are monitored, adjusted and maintained to operating specifications.
  • the control strategy meets make-up conditions imposed by migration of solution by bottle carryover, evaporation and dilution.
  • flows and pressures are continuously monitored for overall performance data, and assist in detecting component discrepancies: wear, erosion, leakage, etc.
  • a separate diverter loop circuit maintains temperature and pressure while preventing over exposure of the spray contact time to the bottles should the carousel be in an idle or resting mode.
  • circular carousels are illustrated in the drawings as one means of providing an endless loop, it should be noted that other endless loop configurations, such as those used for inline rinsers could also be used.
  • the endless loop provides an extended duty wash cycle in a high speed conveyor, whereby bottles traveling at the preferred rate of 440 per minute or 24,000 bottles per hour, may be washed for an extended, i.e., 15 to 20 second wash cycle.
  • the extended duty cycle being therefor a function of the length of the perimeter of the endless loop and the speed at which the bottles are supplied via the conveyor.
  • the several devices are designed to handle the bottles with minimum mechanical contact, and are equipped with suction cups, vacuum nozzles, air jets, etc. to affect bottle conveying.
  • the neck ring gripper/rollers of bottle holder and rotating assembly 200 are powered by drive motors, one of which is illustrated as 193 in Figure 4 and belts 246 ( Figures 4 and 11) that impart a controlled spinning action to the bottle, as will be hereinafter discussed in greater detail.
  • the controlled spinning or rotation is very effective for both washing and sanitizing as it provides for maximum coverage of solutions at minimum volumes to both the internal and external surfaces of the bottle.
  • Figure 3 illustrates the following timed cycles or sequences by appropriate arcs around the first wash carousel and the second rinse carousel.
  • the internal spraying is by a specially designed spray nozzle assembly 300 mounted on a lance which is driven by a fluid driven piston.
  • the lance has an exact and precise travel distance within the confines of the bottle envelope and is lowered or recalled by air pressure just prior to the bottle leaving each carousel.
  • the bottle is then transferred by a transfer starwheel 18 shown in Figure 1 to a second sanitizer carousel 20 which is substantially identical in size and number of stations to the first carousel, and differs only slightly in structure from the wash carousel because of its different function.
  • the first 9.43° arc is allocated to bottle lead-in time, followed by a 198 degree arc allocated to the application of a sanitizing solution only to the interior of the bottle.
  • the first 9.43 degrees of the 198 degree arc is allocated for lance raise time. This is followed by a final or terminal rinse of treated water applied to both internal and external bottle surfaces for approximately 82.3 degrees, followed by a 9.43° lance lower arc.
  • a plurality of stationary exterior spray nozzles 31, as illustrated in Figure 4 are positioned about the path traversed by the bottles as they are carried by the carousel from the bottle infeed starwheel to the bottle outfeed starwheel.
  • the nozzles 31 are supplied with a wash solution at the wash cycle portion of the fixed perimeter of the wash carousel, and a neutralizing solution during the neutralizing portion of the fixed perimeter of the wash carousel.
  • a sanitizing solution is provided during the sanitizing portion of the fixed perimeter of the sanitize carousel and a water rinse during the final rinse portion of the rinse carousel.
  • an external stationary (does not rotate with the carousel) spray nozzle positioned above the bottoms of the inverted plastic returnable bottles to blow off any residual liquids in the concave bottoms of the inverted bottles to provide maximum recovery and minimum migration of cleaning and sanitizing fluids.
  • one such stationary nozzle is positioned above the inverted bottles at the end of the wash cycle, one such stationary nozzle is positioned above the inverted bottles at the end of the pH rinse cycle, one such stationary nozzle is positioned above the inverted bottles at the end of the sanitize cycle, and one such stationary nozzle is positioned above the inverted bottles at the end of the terminal rinse cycle.
  • bottles are then removed from the rinse carousel by an outfeed starwheel means 22 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and transferred to an outgoing feedscrew 24 which again inverts the bottle again to its original neck up position, from which it is conveyed at 26 as a cleaned and sanitized package to the product filler.
  • a programmable logic controller maintains, manages, and controls carousel, infeed/ outfeed conveyors, and bottle rotation drive motor speeds based on feedback from the downstream bottle filler. Additionally, the PLC monitors and controls pumps, valves, solenoids, motor starters, as required by the process and also provides for monitoring and adjustment of fluid levels, alkalinity/acidity concentrations, and temperature of the recirculated wash solution.
  • a machine operator may view, from a centrally located intelligent operator interface 9, all of the present machine operating parameters displayed on various alpha-numeric screens of the interface. Accordingly, any alarm conditions that may occur during the process and require some type of human interaction or intervention are displayed, and will prompt for an operator acknowledgement.
  • alarm conditions are out of range: flow, temperature, pressure, conductivity and/or pH, fluid level, and carousel rpm. Separate and specialized checks for clogged spray nozzles, lances out of position, fouled line strainers, etc may also be performed. Safety related items are shown as alarm conditions as well, for example, inspection doors 35 open, overtemp condition, exhaust fan not running, utilities pressures too low to start, lubrication required, etc.
  • the wash carousel 10 and the sanitize carousel 20 both include a central rotary commutator 28, with fluid supply lines 30 a,b each of which extends to a separate fluid supply annular manifold 32 extending around the inner circumference of the carousel annulus, one of which is also shown illustrated in Figure 4.
  • a second commutator 28a is provided for the wash carousel to transfer the hot caustic wash solution from the infeed pipe 27 to the rotating supply line 30c.
  • Expansion joint 77 is provided to accommodate movement of the annular manifold 32 with respect to the carousel platform 36 and will allow the annular manifold to expand when heated as the pressurized high temperature caustic wash solution flows through a fluid supply line through the annular manifold 32 to the plurality of spray nozzles.
  • a plurality of external spray nozzles 31 are mounted around the bottles to clean and sanitize the external surfaces thereof.
  • the external spray nozzles 31 are fixed and do not rotate with the carousel, and are mounted at selected positions around the rotating carousels where the external surfaces of the bottles are to be sprayed with a caustic wash or other treatment fluid.
  • the external spray nozzles are positioned along the travel arc of the wash cycle, along the travel arc of the pH rinse cycle, and can optionally be positioned along the travel arc of the sanitize cycle, and along the travel arc of the terminal rinse cycle.
  • the stationary external spray nozzles have a separate fluid supply lines (not through annular manifold 32) since they do not rotate with the carousel.
  • each inverted bottle has a separate bottle receiving station which includes a manifold and valve block assembly 40 associated therewith.
  • Each separate manifold and valve block assembly 40 has a central lance 42, which is longitudinally slidable between a first fully withdrawn position below the bottom, illustrated in Figure 5(d), and a second fully extended position within the bottle, illustrated in detail in Figure 6 and shown schematically by the position of a nozzle 44 at the upper end of the lance, shown within the bottle 15 in Figures 4-6.
  • the spray nozzle 44 is removably attached by threaded engagement to the top 46 of the lance 42 to allow cleaning or replacement of the spray nozzle.
  • different spray nozzles having different spray patterns may be provided for different plastic returnable bottles to match the different internal contours and sizes of the various plastic returnable bottles to be washed.
  • the lance 42 includes a central stem portion having a central fluid flow passageway 48 therein, and a lower drive piston 50 fitted with one O-ring seal 52 and a Teflon® guide ring 51.
  • the lance is initially driven to its fully extended position by supplying fluid (alkaline wash solution in the wash carousel and sanitizing solution in the sanitizing carousel) under pressure from one of several valves 54 associated with each valve block assembly.
  • the drive piston 50 travels within a stationary drive cylinder 56 within each valve block assembly by the fluid flowing through an appropriate actuated (open) valve 54 into a common annular flow passage or manifold 58 defined around the stationary drive cylinder 56 to ingress orifices 60 near the bottom of the drive cylinder 56 to an open volume beneath the piston defined by a lower resilient snubber 62.
  • the pressurized fluid drives the piston 50 from its lower position in which the bottom of the piston rests upon the top of the lower resilient snubber 62 as in Figure 5(d) to a fully extended top position in which the top of the piston is driven against the bottom of an upper resilient snubber 64 as shown in Figure 6.
  • the lance is driven, at an appropriate time, downwardly from its fully extended position to its fully retracted position by static air under pressure which passes through a top static air supply valve 54 through ingress flow orifices 66 near the top of the drive cylinder 56 to the top of the piston 50, in its upper extended position, which drives the piston and lance downwardly, within the drive cylinder 56 until the piston contacts the top of the lower resilient element 62, as illustrated in Figure 5(d).
  • the drive cylinder includes at its lower end an outer O-ring seal 68, immediately below the ingress fluid flow passages 60, and terminates at an externally threaded lower end 70.
  • the lower end is sealed by a bottom end cap 72 which is internally threaded to engage the externally threaded end 70 of the cylinder.
  • the bottom resilient snubber 62 is secured in place between the inside of the threaded cap and the end of the cylinder, and includes an outer annular O-ring seal 74, and extends upwardly therefrom inside the drive cylinder to the ingress fluid flow passages 60.
  • the upper end thereof is shaped to allow fluid flowing through the ingress fluid flow passages 60 to contact the bottom end of the piston at the lower end of the lance to drive the lance upwardly and the fluid then flows through the central passage 48 in the lance to the spray nozzle.
  • the annular fluid flow passage 58 in the manifold block is continued downwardly, as illustrated in Figure 6, from the manifold block to the lower cap by a cylindrical extension 76 having an O-ring seal 78 at its upper end to seal to the manifold block, and is sealed at its bottom by the O-ring seal 68 around the bottom of the cylinder 56.
  • the cylindrical extension is held firmly in place by engaging the top of the bottom cap 72.
  • the upper end of the driving cylinder includes a larger diameter section 82, and the upper end of the driving cylinder is held in place by an upper cap element 84 joined to the manifold block by bolts 85.
  • a top sealing plug 86 is secured in place in the larger diameter section 82 beneath the upper cap member 84 and carries two spaced inner O-ring seals 88 which seal against the outer cylindrical surface of the lance, and an outer O-ring seal 90 which seals against the inner surface of the driving cylinder 56.
  • the top resilient snubber 64 is held in place beneath the top sealing plug 86 and includes a resilient lower surface, against which the upper surface of the driving piston is driven when the lance is extended.
  • the common supply manifold 58 also communicates by a flow passage 96 with an external spray manifold 98 which supplies fluid to external spray nozzles 99 which are mounted on and rotate with the carousel and spray fluid onto the exterior surfaces of the bottle at the top and neck ring.
  • the external spray nozzles 99 may not be required, and in these embodiments the flow passages to these nozzles may be blocked, or alternatively the external spray nozzles and flow conduits thereto may be eliminated.
  • valves 54 of the valve block assembly are mounted in the manifold block adjacent to the drive cylinder, as shown specifically by Figures 5(a-e) and specified by Figures 7 and 8.
  • the annular manifold 32 defines a plurality of inner annular supply manifolds 321, 322 and 323 which are secured to the outer perimeter of each carousel. They supply a plurality of fluids under pressure to the inlet of their associated supply valve 54a-54d. As shown by Figure 5(a), each supply manifold 321-323 communicates by a fluid flow passageway 92 extending from the supply manifold to the intake of an associated valve.
  • Each valve 54 is actuated at appropriate times, as indicated by the timing charts illustrated by cam tracks 94 positioned around the outer periphery of each carousel.
  • Figure 4 illustrates the simultaneous actuation of a static air valve 541 and a static dump valve 545, (illustrated in Figure 5(e)), of a single bottle receiving station of the wash carousel 10.
  • the construction of the wash carousel and the construction of the sanitizing or rinse carousel are substantially the same.
  • the upper supply annulus 321 supplies static air under pressure, used to lower the lance near the end of a cycle of each carousel, to each static air supply valve 541 in the washer carousel 10 ( Figure 5(e)) and 54 a in the sanitizer carousel 20 ( Figure 5(b)).
  • the wash carousel includes a fifth valve element 542, shown in Figure 5(e), to supply purge air to the wash carousel during the air purge cycle to evacuate alkaline wash solution from the drive cylinder and its associated flow passages and also from the inside of the bottle.
  • valves of a PRB station in the washer carousel 10 is slightly different from that in the sanitizer carousel 20.
  • the second valve from the top 542 is the air purge supply valve, and the static air dump valve 545 is now the fifth valve from the top.
  • the lower annular supply manifold 323 supplies alkaline wash solution (NaOH) to valve 544 of the wash carousel during the major wash cycle, and in the sanitizer carousel supplies sanitizing solution (HNO3) during the major sanitizing cycle.
  • the middle supply annulus 322 supplies neutralizer rinse to valve 543 of the wash carousel during the PH rinse cycle, and in the rinse carousel supplies terminal rinse solution (soft water) during the terminal rinse cycle.
  • the bottle receiving stations on the sanitizer carousel have four valves 54 a - 54 d associated therewith, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5(b), with the top valve 54 a supplying static air, the next lower valve 54 b being a static air dump valve.
  • Valves 54 a and 54 b are actuated simultaneously during a lance lowering operation with valve 54 a supplying air through passages 66 ( Figure 6) to lower the lance and valve 54 b allowing air to be driven from the system when the lance is lowered.
  • the next lower valve 54 c supplies terminal rinse solution during the terminal rinse cycle, and the lowest valve 54 d supplies sanitizing solution during the sanitizing cycle.
  • each manifold valve and block assembly provides for the ready disassembly of each manifold valve and block assembly, to provide for inspection, cleaning and replacement of the several components thereof.
  • Each end cap 72 can be unscrewed to allow removal of the lower resilient snubber 62, and the cylindrical extension 76.
  • the bolts 85 can be removed, which allows removal of the cap 84, the upper seal plug 86, the upper snubber 64, and the lance 42.
  • Figure 7 illustrates a sectional view through an exemplary three-way static air actuating valve assembly 110 in a closed position (no static air flow) which shows the path of air being vented through the three-way valve.
  • the air vent path is provided to allow air to be vented from above the drive piston when the lance 42 is being driven from its retracted position to its extended position.
  • Figure 8 illustrates a sectional view through the valve 110 of Figure 7 in an open position which allows static air to flow through the valve, but closes off the vent path.
  • the valve 110 includes a first housing member 112 with external threads 114 which threadedly engage a threaded bore in the manifold housing.
  • a hex head 116 is provided to screw (and unscrew) the valve 110 relative to the manifold housing.
  • a plurality of vent ports 117 are provided in the first housing member 112 adjacent to the hex head 116 which extend between the interior and exterior of the first housing member.
  • a second housing member 118 includes a reduced diameter right end 120 which is inserted into a cylindrical bore in the left end of the first housing member 112.
  • An end cap 122 closes the left end of the valve assembly and includes outer threads 124 which engage corresponding threads in a bore at the left end of the second housing member 118.
  • the end cap includes a recess 125 at its left end to enable the end cap to be screwed into and out of the second housing member 118.
  • the valve assembly 110 is screwed (by threads 114 and hex head 116) into the manifold housing until the left end of the end cap 122 contacts the manifold housing, which holds all of the components securely in position.
  • the second housing member 118 includes an outer reduced diameter flow section 126 which communicates with ports 128 communicating with the interior of the second housing member 118, and also communicates with an air flow passage 130 in the manifold housing.
  • Two O-ring seals 131 extend around the circumference of the second housing member 118 to seal it relative to the manifold housing.
  • the valve includes a ball actuator 132 movably mounted within the right end of the first housing member 112 which is actuated (pushed in) by one of the cam rails 94 from the position illustrated in Figure 7 to the position illustrated in Figure 8. Upon actuation, the ball actuator 132 linearly displaces to the left a centrally mounted cylindrical actuator 134 movably mounted in a central bore in the second housing member 118.
  • An external flange 136 is provided near the left end of the cylindrical actuator 134, and an O-ring seal 138 is positioned around the cylindrical actuator 134 in an internal bore of the second housing member 118, providing a seal therebetween.
  • the cylindrical actuator 134 is hollow and includes ports 140 near its right end communicating with the interior of the first housing member.
  • a cylindrical spring 142 extends between the external flange 136 of the cylindrical actuator 134 and an annular lip 144 at the right end of the end cap 122, and biases the cylindrical actuator 134 and the ball actuator 132 to the right, until the ball actuator 132 seats against a reduced diameter lip 146 at the right end of the first housing member 112.
  • valve stem assembly 150 includes a main valve member 152, which in the closed position of the valve illustrated in Figure 7, is closed against a main valve seat 154 formed on the end cap 122.
  • a conical spring 156 extends between an inner annular lip 158 formed in the end cap 122 and the left side of the vent valve member 152, and biases the valve stem assembly 150 to the right, such that in the closed position of the valve illustrated in Figure 7, the vent valve member 152 is closed against the vent valve seat 154. In this position, the main valve member 148 is open relative to the main valve seat 147.
  • FIGs 7 and 8 illustrate the construction of a three-way valve which is used as the static air valve 54 a of the sanitize carousel 20 and the static air valve 541 of the wash carousel 10.
  • the other valve members 54 b through 54 d of the sanitize carousel 20 and 542 through 54, of the wash carousel 10 only require a two-way valve.
  • the construction of each of the two-way valves is substantially identical to that of the three-way valves, except that the two-way valves do not have ports 117 in the first housing member 112 and ports 140 in the cylindrical actuator 134.
  • the advantage of this arrangement is to allow all of the valves to have a substantially similar construction with many common parts.
  • fluid from the outlet port 130 communicates by flow passageways to the common annular manifold 58, Figure 6, then flows through the inlet ports 60 to the central passage 48 of the lance 42, to drive the lance upwardly to its extended position, or if the lance is already in its extended position, to simply spray through the nozzle 44.
  • a bottle holder and rotating assembly 200 that in the preferred embodiment may be fixedly or pivotly mounted to the top of support structure 213 which is part of a bottle receiving station for transporting the PR bottle for various types of processing in each carousel.
  • the workpiece is a plastic bottle or container 15 shown in Figure 9 in an inverted position with the open ended neck 216 facing downward.
  • the bottle holder 200 may be configured to accommodate containers in a variety of sizes and configurations.
  • the bottle holding apparatus 200 includes a fixed support bracket 218 held to the top of support structure 213 by fluid supply column 214, and a pivotable support arm 230 both extending traversely from the support structure 213.
  • Support bracket 218 is attached to support structure 213 by any suitable attachment device such as bolts 221 shown as phantom lines in Figure 9.
  • Rotatably mounted to support bracket 218 are a pair of rotatable engaging rollers 220a and 220b, both of which are shown in Figure 10.
  • each rotatable engaging roller 220a and 220b is a cylinder and is circumferentially configured at a first end 223a with an indent or groove 225a that is complementary to a surface of the bottle and particularly, its neck ring 222.
  • each rotatable engaging roller may be configured differently to enable engagement with a bottle or workpiece having a different surface configuration.
  • Rotatable engaging rollers 220a and 220b may also be spaced at different distances to accommodate workpieces or bottles 15 of various widths and sizes.
  • Drive belt 228 is a flexible rubber belt in the preferred embodiment and is conformed around each roller 220a,b to impart rotational motion to the same when driven by a drive means 245 shown in Figures 4 and 11 and explained in detail below.
  • Bottle holder and rotating apparatus 200 includes a pivotable support arm 230 having a rotatable engaging roller 220c mounted thereon.
  • Support arm 230 is located below support bracket 218 in the preferred embodiment and, as illustrated in Figure 9, is separated therefrom by a biasing mechanism such as spring 232.
  • Biasing mechanism 232 normally biases support arm 230 into an engaged position with the workpiece or bottle 15. PRB or bottle 15 is thus engaged at three points by rollers 220a,b and rotatable engaging roller 220c mounted on support arm 230.
  • the bottle engaging position is indicated by the broken lines of support arm 230' shown in Figure 10.
  • support arm 230 will be pivoted about shaft 237 in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 10.
  • the support bracket 218 and support arm 230 are angled apart to either permit positioning of the neck ring 222 of any bottle 15 between the grooves 225a,b,c of each rotatable engaging roller 220a,b,c prior to engagement thereof, or to permit the release of the bottle 15 from the bottle holder 200.
  • Rotatably mounted on support arm 230 is rotatable engagement roller 220c which is also configured at an end 223c with an indent or groove 225c that is complimentary to and for engaging neck ring 222 of bottle 15.
  • the grooves 225a,b,c of rotatable engagable rollers 220a,b,c are horizontally coplanar to mate with neck ring 222 and to hold bottle 15 in an upright position ( Figure 9).
  • the rollers having indents or grooves 225a,b,c may also be disposed in an angled plane relative to fixed support bracket 218. This configuration would permit holding and rotating of the bottle 15 in an inclined position.
  • rotatable roller 220c Configured at an edge of rotatable engaging roller 220c is groove 226c for engaging drive belt 228.
  • rotatable roller 220c is also provided with a belt sprocket 235 which is driven by an elongated timing belt 245 which is mounted on sprockets 245, 248 and driven by an external drive motor 193 (see Figure 4) via a shaft 245(a).
  • FIG 11 illustrates in detail the drive sprocket 245 and belt 246 which provides rotational motion to rotatable sprocket 235 and bottle engaging roller 220c.
  • the drive sprocket 245 imparts rotational motion to timing belt 246 shown configured around sprocket 248 and idler 249.
  • the drive belt 246 is located about the peripheral portion of each carousel, and is carried to the configuration of the carousel by the plurality of engaging sprockets 235 mounted on each of the bottle engaging stations.
  • Figure 12 shows a bottle 15 being transferred from infeed starwheel 16 to the openly biased bottle holder and rotating assembly 200.
  • the cam means 265 pivots the pivotal support arm 230 of the bottle holding and rotating assembly 200 to enable engagement of the bottle in the manner described above.
  • the timing belt 246 engages the sprocket 235 of each bottle engaging roller 220c.
  • the drive sprocket 245 is driven to provide rotation of the timing belt 246 and consequently, bottle engaging roller 220c.
  • the rotational motion of engaging roller 220c is simultaneously imparted to rotatable engaging rollers 220a and 220b due to flexible drive belt 228.
  • the external drive motor 193 will cause rotation of the bottle at a rate anywhere from 2 to 20 r.p.m., with 12 r.p.m. preferred.
  • an idler sprocket 249 is included midway between drive motor 245 and sprocket 248 to ensure that the portion of the timing belt 246 not engaged with sprocket 235 of rotatable engaging roller 220c does not interfere with the movement of the timing belt 246.
  • several drive means 245 are located about the periphery of each carousel so that bottle rotation may occur at a predetermined number of locations along its traversal about the carousel for as long a duration as required.
  • Figure 13b illustrates a bank of five rotation drive motors 193a - 193e, of preferably 0.5 HP each, which are parts of the drive means which drives the bottle spinning belts 246 for the wash carousel 10.
  • Another bank of five rotation drive motors of 0.5 HP each 194a - 194e drive the bottle spinning belts in the sanitize carousel 20.
  • support bracket 218 is provided with an impact absorbing mechanism 240 that comprises a movable bottle engaging roller 220b that is mounted on a reciprocating follower 247.
  • the follower 247 is biased outwardly by a spring 248 fixed at one end 239 to support bracket 218.
  • This absorbing mechanism will allow horizontal translation of rotatable engaging roller 220b and follower means 247 when a bottle is received within the rollers and the pivot arm 230 is released by cam 265, thereby enabling engagement of the bottle neck ring 222 within grooves 225a,b,c.
  • the spring 248 will be compressed and will provide a natural restoring force to return the follower means 247 and rotatable engaging roller 220b to its natural position shown in Figure 10.
  • Allowing translational movement of rotatable engaging roller 220b in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 10 will minimize the forces applied to the neck 216 and neck ring 222 of the bottle 15 either when the bottle or workpiece has a surface irregularity or protrusion, or when the rotatable rollers 220a,b,c engage the bottle 15 after the support arm 230 is released back to its normal position. In essence, the impact absorbing mechanism decrease the likelihood of stress crack failures in the bottle.
  • the workpiece and bottle holding and rotating apparatus 200 are configured to hold and rotate a returnable and refillable polyethylene terephthalate plastic bottle of any size and volume as shown in Figures 5(a) - 5(d).
  • a plurality of bottle holding and rotating apparatuses are disposed about the circumferential portion of each carousel 10 and 20 of the rotary washer spraying system shown generally in Figure 1, although they may also be disposed in an in-line washer spraying system.
  • Figure 12 also illustrates in greater detail infeed starwheel 16 and transfer starwheel 18 which are provided with a suction grip in each pocket 263.
  • a plurality of inverted bottles 15 are gripped by grip pockets 263 of starwheel 16 that are rotating in the direction shown by the arrows in Figure 12, and are each successively transferred to a respective bottle receiving station and rotating assembly 200 located at the periphery of carousel 10.
  • the high speed bottle washing machine can accomplish approximately 480 transfers per minute.
  • support arm 230 is biased outwardly by external cam 265 to open the drive rollers to enable engagement with an appropriately registered bottle 15 as described above.
  • the bottle 15 is rotatably engaged by the bottle holder 200 in the manner described above, the bottle may be subject to various types of processing for e.g., internal and external washing, drying, or the like.
  • the support arm 230 is biased by externally located cam means 265 at the appropriate moment open the rotatable bottle engager rollers and release bottle 15 into the grip pocket 263 of rotating transfer starwheel 18 to convey the bottle 15 or inspection or further processing.
  • bottle 15 is a returnable/refillable blow-molded plastic bottle made of homopolymer polyethylene terephthalate or copolymers thereof.
  • the bottle preferably may range in size from .5 liter to 2 liters as shown in Figures 5(a)-5(d), with 1.5 and 2.0 liter bottles depicted herein (see Figures 14a and 14b, respectively) for description purposes, but it is understood that any size of plastic or glass bottle may be cleaned.
  • Nozzle body 44 is preferably cylindrical shaped and is preferably formed of stainless steel because of its ability to withstand the detergents and chemicals present in the cleaning solution used in this environment.
  • jets of pressurized cleaning fluid 280a-d are discharged in focused and precise paths from the surface 283 of nozzle body 44 and directed at the internal surface of the base region 282 of the 1.5 liter bottle 15.
  • Figure 14a shows all discharged sprays exiting at only one side of nozzle body 44 but, as will be explained in detail below, the discharge orifices are arranged around the top of the nozzle and jets are also discharged from the other side of nozzle body 44 and directed at the other side of the base region 282.
  • the cleaning fluid is an alkaline solution such as NaOH, but any type of cleaning or sanitizing fluid may be used in the nozzle spray assembly 300 of the instant invention.
  • Figure 16 shows the top view of the surface 283 of nozzle body 44 of the instant invention.
  • a central orifice 314 a first pair of orifices 316a,b located along the broken line labelled 15a, a second pair of orifices 318a,b located along the broken line 15b, and a third pair of orifices 319a,b located along the broken line 15c.
  • the central orifice 314 is located equidistant between each pair of orifices 316a,b, 318a,b and 319a,b.
  • Each consecutive orifice e.g., 316b and 319a
  • 316b and 319a is radially spaced ⁇ /3 radians or 60° from the prior orifice as shown by the angle ⁇ in Figure 16.
  • the locations of each consecutive orifice is staggered and not concentric relative to the central orifice 314.
  • the surface 283 of nozzle body 44 is conical in shape; the central orifice 314 being located at the apex of the surface 283.
  • Figures 15a, b and c show detailed cut-away views of the nozzle body 44 taken along the corresponding lines 15a, b and c of Figure 16.
  • Figure 15a shows the nozzle body 44 having a wide centralized bore 325 that is screw threaded for attachment to various positioning devices such as the fluid driven lance 42 shown in Figure 14a.
  • Two elongated microbores extend from the centralized bore 325 to form the two orifices 316a, b taken along line 15a of Figure 16.
  • a third elongated microbore extends from centralized bore 325 to form the orifice 314 of nozzle body 44.
  • the elongated microbore 314 is common to all three views of nozzle body 44 respectively illustrated in Figures 15a, b and c, and is shown central and vertically axial therein.
  • each elongated bore and corresponding orifice has a diameter of .4mm to .8mm with 0.6mm being preferred. Because of the elongated nature of the microbores, they are machined by electron discharge machining.
  • the ratio of the length of each elongated microbore to the diameter of each microbore ranges from about 20;1 to 28:1.
  • the length of each microbore is about 16.0 mm and the diameter of each microbore is approximately 0.65 mm resulting in a length to diameter ratio of approximately 25:1.
  • Ratios of microbore length to microbore diameter in this range ensures that the fluid dynamics of the jet is well aligned in each microbore prior to discharge and that the fluid jets exiting each orifice exit in sharp, well-focused paths.
  • the cleaning fluid jets which exit each orifice will keep their shape throughout its trajectory and will impinge upon the inner bottle surfaces with essentially the same mean width and with little degradation in force from the time of discharge.
  • microbores have been sized to provide adequate fluid delivery and impact at a operating pressure of 20 to 80 p.s.i. in the nozzle supply line while other pressures and microdiameters could be used, the foregoing range is commonly available, with the most prevalent operating pressure being 40 p.s.i.
  • the elongated microbores forming orifices 316a and 316b are acutely angled relative to the microbore forming orifice 314.
  • the angel ⁇ 1 formed between elongated microbores 316a (316b) and central microbore 314 is approximately 7° ( ⁇ 10') as shown in Figure 15a.
  • elongated microbores 318a and 318b are similarly acutely angled relative to the central microbore 314 with the angle ⁇ 2 formed between the elongated microbores 318a(318b) and central microbore 314 is approximately 11° ( ⁇ 10).
  • the locations and inter-relationship of the locations of the orifices 314, 316a, b, 318a, b and 319a, b and the location of the nozzle body 44 within the bottle 15 are critical.
  • FIG. 14a shows generally the nozzle spray assembly 300 in position "A" directly below the open neck 33 of the inverted bottle 15 before the nozzle spray assembly is inserted.
  • FIG. 14a shows the lance 42 connected to a fluid supply line 17 for supplying the pressurized cleaning fluid at 40 p.s.i. and at a flow rate of 0.5 liters per minute to the nozzle body 44 for discharge therein.
  • the lance 42 is designed to travel a predetermined distance in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 14 to the position illustrated within the confines of bottle 15.
  • the bottle 15 is rotatably driven by the bottle holder and rotating assembly 200.
  • the bottle 15 is caused to rotate in a counterclockwise direction at a rate of anywhere from 5-20 r.p.m. but preferably 10 r.p.m.
  • Spray jets 280a-d of cleaning fluid are then discharged from the nozzle body 15 at each orifice at a pressure of 40 p.s.i.
  • the impinging spray jets 280a-d in combination with the rotation of the bottle 15, the amount of fluid flow through each nozzle, and the pressure, results in an effective cleaning of the inner bottom surface 282.
  • the fluid spray jet 280a discharged from the central orifice 314 of the nozzle body 44 is directed to impinge the central base region 332 of the bottle 15.
  • the fluid spray jet 280b is directed to impinge the upwardly sloping region 334 of the base 282 adjacent to the central region 332 and acts to peel any soils thereon outwardly towards the annular base groove 336.
  • the base region 334 of the bottle is the sloping portion of a conically recessed base or champagne type base.
  • the fluid spray jet 280c is directed to impinge the annular groove region 336 of the base 282.
  • annular groove region 336 corresponds to the annular seating ring where the recessed portion of the base meets the semi-spherical sidewall 338.
  • Fluid spray jet 280d is directed to impinge the interior sidewall 338 of the base and acts to peel any soils thereon from the outside in. It is understood that the opposite side of the base 282 is also subject to fluid spray jets that emanate from the other orifices 316a, 318a and 319a and that fluid is discharged simultaneously from each orifice of nozzle body 44.
  • the rotation of bottle 15, preferably in the counterclockwise direction shown in Figure 17, maximizes the mechanical cleansing of the inner surface 282 of the bottle because impinging pressurized spray jets 280a-d act to peel off layers of debris on the inner surface of the bottle as the bottle rotates.
  • the staggered impingement locations enables maximum cleansing while minimizing interference caused by the deflection of one spray jet of the bottle wall and into the path of another spray jet.
  • the fluid spray jet 280b impinging upon region 334 of the base peels off debris in the direction indicated by the arrow and is deflected toward the base region 336 which is itself subject to spray jet 280c discharged from orifice 318b.
  • the circumferentially spaced apart relation of the impinging jets 280b and 280c as determined by discharge orifices 316b and 318b of nozzle body 44 is such that the deflection of fluid spray jet 280b and any peeled off debris will not appreciably interfere with the flow of fluid spray jet 280c.
  • the spray jet 280d impinging upon the inner surface of the interior sidewall 338 peels off debris in the direction indicated by the arrow and is again deflected toward the base region 336.
  • the circumferentially spaced apart relation of the impinging jets 280d and 280c as determined by discharge orifices 316b and 319a of nozzle body 44 is such that the deflections of fluid spray 280d and peeled off debris will not interfere with the flow of fluid jet 280c.
  • the combined mechanical and chemical cleaning enables the cleansing of the bottle in 15 to 20 seconds, as opposed to approximately 12 minutes in a conventional soak tank using the same chemical cleaning agent.
  • the spray nozzle assembly 300 is adaptable for spraying the internal surface of various sized bottles.
  • a lance extender 41 may be connected between the spray nozzle 44 and the lance 42 as shown in Figure 14.
  • Lance extenders 41 of different lengths may be connected depending upon the size of the bottle to be washed. For instance, to clean a 2.0 liter bottle a shorter lance supporting the nozzle body 44 is used to ensure that the spray jets 280a-d are directed to the same internal bottom surfaces 332, 334, 336 and 338 as in the 1.5 liter bottle of Figure 14.
  • FIG. 13a - 13d The physical layout of the high-speed bottle washing machine is illustrated in Figures 13a - 13d which shows all the system piping and instrumentation.
  • the PRB is carried along the wash carousel 10 during the washing cycle.
  • Wash solution fluid is pumped by fixed frequency pump 342 from a wash surge/supply tank 341 through one of two parallel mounted filters 343a,b, through a flow monitoring element 346, shell and tube heat exchanger 348, temperature sensing element 345, overtemp switch 347, pressure element 349, and valves 339e, 339f, and 339g which provide for diversion of fluid flow when the wash carousel 10 is idling.
  • PLC Programmable Logic Controller
  • a common PLC symbol 300 has been used throughout Figures 13a-e to denote the connection from each device controlled by the PLC to the PLC. It is understood, however, that there is only a single PLC 300 for the control system.
  • the fluid is supplied to the external bottle spray header and external nozzles 31, and to the wash carousel rotary union 28a, wash solution supply annulus 321, and finally through a valve and manifold 40 to the lance and interior spray nozzles 44.
  • wash surge/supply tank 341 has a 400 gallon capacity, and contains a 3% NaOH alkaline solution.
  • Divobrite® a commercially available alkaline wash solution having 3% NaOH and other wetting and suspension compounds, is used. Divobrite®, is available commercially from Diversey Corporation, Wyandott, Michigan and has a pH of about 12.5.
  • the wash surge/supply tank 341 is provided with PLC connected pH/conductivity sensor 398 and fluid level sensor 337 for monitoring respectively, the pH and fluid level in the tank.
  • all pH and conductivity sensors described are commercially available.
  • all fluid level sensors are commercially available.
  • Temperature sensing element 345 is provided to ensure that the wash solution remains at a temperature of 140 degrees that will accomplish maximum cleansing without causing damage to the PR bottle or premature shrinkage thereof. It should be noted that in the present invention the PRB bottles receive a spray cleaning of 15 to 20 seconds with the 140° NaOH, where as conventional processes soak the PRB in hot NaOH for 4 to 12 minutes. This provides a significant reduction in the heat induced shrinkage of the PRB.
  • a pressure differential element 344 examines the pressure on the inlet side of the dual filter 343a,b and compares that with the pressure on the outlet side of that filter. If the difference is too great, the filter is assumed to be near saturation, and valves 339a and 339b are simultaneously operated to shut off the first parallel filter 343a and to open valves 339c and 339d and the second parallel filter 343b, thus supplying a fresh filter without having to shut down the bottle washing operation.
  • wash solution return tank 350 is provided with a fluid level sensor 371 and pH sensor 335a both of which are connected to the PLC for monitoring respectively the level of the recovered wash solution and its pH concentration. Fluid levels controls are provided for all solution carrying tanks to provide maximum efficiencies and economies against overusing the respective solutions.
  • the neutralizing rinse circuit for neutralizing the PR bottles after the wash treatment comprises a recirculated neutralizer surge/supply tank 351 for supplying a pH neutralizing solution to the wash carousel 10, a fluid pump 354 for pumping neutralizing solution from the rinse neutralizer surge/supply tank 351 to the wash carousel 10, through filter 355, flow element 357 for monitoring the fluid flow rate, and pressure element 358 for monitoring the pressure of the neutralizing solution supplied to the internal spray nozzles 44 and external spray nozzles 31.
  • recirculated neutralizer surge/supply tank 351 has a 200 gallon capacity and contains an acidic solution.
  • Sentol® a commercially available acidic solution having a pH of about 2.5
  • Sentol® is also available commercially from Diversey Corporation, Wyandott, Michigan and is supplied to the neutralizer surge/supply tank 351 via flow valve 339w.
  • the neutralizer tank 351 is provided with a pH sensor 361 and a fluid level sensor 362 for monitoring respectively, the pH concentration and the fluid level in the tank. As seen in Figure 13a, all of these system components are connected to the PLC in a conventional manner for monitoring the system processes.
  • the bottles are neutralized by an acidic solution.
  • the purpose of the neutralizing agent is to ameliorate the alkalinity of the bottle from the proceeding wash cycle because the efficacy of the sanitizer would be reduced if a bottle is transferred to the sanitizer carousel in a highly alkaline state. Hence, control of the pH concentration of the neutralizing solution is necessary.
  • Neutralizer collection tank 359 is provided with a fluid level sensor 372 and pH sensor 335b both connected to the PLC for monitoring respectively, the level of the recovered neutralize solution and its pH concentration.
  • the flow monitoring elements 346 and 357 in both the wash and neutralizing circuits are very sensitive flow measuring devices for measuring small differences in flow rates. In the preferred embodiment, all flow measuring devices are commercially available. Should a nozzle in the wash carousel be plugged, the signal rate will be lower and the suspect nozzle(s) will be flagged and the identity of the PRB station will be retained in PLC memory. That particular station or stations and more importantly, the location of the corresponding bottles, is retained in memory throughout the bottle flow sequence. Those bottles may then be rejected in subsequent bottle handling or inspection stations as being of uncertain quality.
  • the PRB is transferred to the sanitizing carousel 20 as previously described with respect to Figures 1 and 3.
  • Sanitizing of the interior of the PR bottles is desirable for disinfecting the bottle before conveying the PR bottle for refilling.
  • fresh sanitizing solution is pumped via pump 364 from a sanitizing solution supply tank 363 through a flow monitoring element 366, pressure measuring element 367 for monitoring the pressure of the sanitizing solution, and to the sanitize carousel rotary union, sanitizer supply annulus, and finally through a valve and manifold to the lance and interior spray nozzles.
  • Flow element 366 is a very sensitive flow measuring device that detects small differences in flow rates.
  • fresh sanitizer surge/supply tank 363 has a 200 gallon capacity and contains a sanitizing solution comprising Divosan® which is supplied to it via adjustable valve 339s.
  • Divosan® is a HNO3 a solution containing iodine and is commercially available through and manufactured by Diversey Corporation, Wyandott, Michigan.
  • the fresh sanitizer surge/supply tank 363 is provided with a PLC connected pH sensor 365 and a fluid level sensor 368 for respectively monitoring the pH concentration and the fluid level in the tank 363.
  • both the internal and external surfaces are subject to a terminal rinse of treated water to remove any residual sanitizer from the preceding sanitizing step.
  • treated water at a pressure of 40 psi is caused to flow through a series of valves 370 at the sanitize carousel 20, where the internal and external PRB surfaces are rinsed. All of the terminal rinse water (as well as spent sanitizer) in the sanitizer carousel collects in separate sanitize drain troughs 34 and gravity returns it to a drain tank. Drain troughs 34 are provided with pH sensor 335c for measuring the pH concentration of the spent sanitize solution.
  • control system PLC maintains, manages, and controls each individual process e.g., carousel rotational speed, infeed/outfeed conveyors, bottle rotation drive motor speeds etc. Additionally, the control system PLC monitors and controls pumps, valves, solenoids and the starter motors required by the process. The control system PLC also provides for monitoring and adjusting fluid levels, alkalinity/acidity concentrations, and temperature of the wash solution.
  • the high speed bottle washing machine will perform real time monitoring of the utility components include such as the air pressure system, the steam pressure system, and water pressure system. Particularly, a real time monitoring that the respective pressures are within their desired ranges will be performed.
  • pressure sensor element 383 connected to the control system PLC will monitor the plant air pressure that supplies the static air for retracting the fluid lance 42.
  • steam pressure sensor element 388 monitors the steam pressure supplied to the system.
  • water pressure sensor 373 connected to the control system PLC will monitor the pressure of the treated water supplied to the system. Whenever any of these respective utility pressures are out of range, a stop condition exists and an alarm signal will be generated and the diagnostics will stop. An operator at that point may take appropriate action to rectify any problems in the utility systems.
  • main vacuum pump 377 which creates the main vacuum for the suction grips of starwheels 16,18, and 22, is provided with a pressure sensor 374 to monitor the main vacuum manifold.
  • the flow sensor 375 will check that the vacuum pump seal water is supplied to the main vacuum pump 377. If these components are not operational as determined by the control system PLC, the diagnostics will stop and an appropriate message displayed for operator intervention.
  • a safety systems monitor check is also performed. This diagnostic will check that the wash doors, one of which is shown as 35 in Figure 4, sanitizer doors, and front deck doors are closed, secured, and in place. If these components are not present or secured, the diagnostics will stop and an appropriate message displayed for operator intervention.
  • all of the machine process variables e.g. motor speeds, temperature, pressures, etc. may be set by the operator or preprogrammed into the control system PLC.
  • the process variable setpoints are the range limits for the processes to be controlled and monitored by the PLC in the system and in the preferred embodiment, absolute setpoint limits for each process is programmed in the PLC so that an operator may not set ranges above or below the setpoint limits.
  • the speed process variables are the speeds of the various drive motors and variable frequency pumps.
  • motor speed sensor elements 195 and 197 are hardwired to the PLC (not shown) to monitor the current operating speeds or receive instructions from the operator to automatically change the speed of the respective motor banks of five rotation drive motors 193a - 193e which drive the bottle spinning belts for the wash carousel, and the bank of five rotation drive motors 194a - 194e which drive the bottle spinning belts in the sanitize carousel.
  • the speed of each individual drive motor may be controlled separately to vary the rotational speed of the bottle during different fluid treatments.
  • the speed setpoints for the 30 HP primary drive motor 199 may also be programmed in the control system PLC.
  • Motor speed sensor element 190 connected to the PLC monitors the rotational speed of each wash and sanitize carousel. In the preferred embodiment, each carousel rotates at a speed of 2-4 rpm.
  • Other speed process variables to be controlled and monitored by the PLC include the drive motor speeds 196, 198 for the infeed conveyor and outfeed conveyor.
  • these motors are 0.5 HP each and are provided respectively with motor speed control elements 191, and 192.
  • variable frequency pumps 352 and 360 of Figure 13a are also monitored by the PLC via respective connections to motor speed control sensors 378 and 379. It should be understood that if any of these drive motor or variable pump speeds fall above or below the programmed setpoints, the PLC will trigger an alarm and an appropriate message will be displayed.
  • FIG. 13a shows flow elements 346, 357 and 366 are connected to the control system PLC to monitor the flow of solutions supplied to the wash and sanitize carousels.
  • Flow element 366 monitors the flow of sanitizing solution to the sanitize carousel 20, and flow elements 346 and 357 respectively monitors the flow of wash solution and neutralizer to the wash carousel 10.
  • the preferred flow rates for the sanitizer solution ranges from 35.0 L/min. to 75.0 L/min.
  • the preferred flow rate for the wash solution ranges from 250 L/m to 750 L/m and the flow rate for neutralizer solution ranges from 25.0 L/min. to 40.0 L/min. If the flow rates of the respective solutions vary from the preset rates, an alarm condition will exist and a message will be displayed to the operator.
  • the setpoints for the level process variables may be programmed and these processes are continuously monitored.
  • fluid level sensor elements 337, 362 and 368 provided in the system are respectively connected to the PLC to monitor the levels of the solutions in the wash, neutralizer, and sanitize tanks.
  • Elements 371 and 372 monitor the solution levels with the recirculated wash solution return tank 350 and neutralizer collection return tank 359 respectively. When the solution levels in these tanks exceed or fall below acceptable limits, an alarm condition will exist and an appropriate message will be displayed for the operator.
  • the temperature process variable setpoints may also be programmed for automatic control of these process variables.
  • temperature element 345 is connected to the PLC and monitors the temperature of the wash solution supplied to wash carousel 10. If the temperature of the wash solution varies from the nominal 140°F, the amount of the steam supplied to the heat exchanger 348 will be adjusted accordingly by valve 339L.
  • Over temperature limit switch 347 is hardwired to the automatic safety shutoff valve 339k which will shut off the steam and provide an alarm signal when the temperature of the wash solution exceeds 145°F.
  • the pressure process variable setpoints may be adjusted next for continuous monitoring of these process variables. These setpoints regulate the pressure for each of the solutions supplied to the carousels as well as the steam pressure, air pressure and treated water pressure.
  • pressure transducer 349 is connected to the PLC and monitors the pressure of the wash solution supplied to the wash carousel.
  • pressure transducer 358 monitors the pressure of neutralizing solution supplied to the wash carousel, and pressure transducer 367 monitors the pressure of the sanitize solution supplied to the sanitize carousel 20.
  • all solutions are programmed to flow under a pressure of 40 psi.
  • pressure transducers 373, 383, and 388 that monitor respectively the system water and air pressures supplied at 40 psi, and steam pressures supplied at 65 psi. If the current values of any of the monitored pressures are out of range, an alarm condition will exist and an appropriate message displayed.
  • the analytical process variable setpoints may be adjusted next for continuous monitoring of these process variables.
  • the pH/conductivity sensors 398, 361, 365 are each connected to the PLC as shown in Figure 13a.
  • the pH of the wash solution ranges from 12.0 to 13.0 and its conductivity ranges from 0-5%.
  • the pH of the neutralizing solution ranges from 2.0 to 4.0. If the current measured pH value of any solution exceeds the programmed or nominal value the pH of that solution will accordingly be adjusted automatically.
  • the pH of the spent wash solution is monitored by pH sensor 335a and the pH of the spent neutralizer and sanitizer solutions are monitored by pH sensors 335b and 335c.
  • the wash circuit startup includes enabling filter 343a and 343b and adjusting solution flow valves 339a - 339i to enable flow of wash solution to the wash carousel 10, and enabling the flow of steam via pneumatically operated control valves 339k, 339L driven by current to pressure transducer 339t to the heat exchanger 348.
  • Flow valve 339m is also adjusted to provide a flow of the NaOH solution to the fill wash surge/supply tank 341 if the level of the tank is under 20% full.
  • Flow valve 339j is also adjusted to provide a flow of treated water to the fill wash surge/supply tank 341.
  • the valves 339n and 3390 are adjusted to provide neutralize solution to the external and internal spray nozzles in the wash carousel.
  • valves 339p - 339r enable the flow of sanitizing solution from the sanitizing solution supply tank 363 to the lances and spray nozzles of the sanitize carousel 20.
  • Flow valve 339s enables the flow of Divosan® to the sanitize supply tank.
  • the wash startup routine also includes enabling the vacuum and conveyor motors and pumps.
  • Main vacuum pump starter 378 shown in Figure 13d is actuated as are the starters 393, 395, and 398 for the respective fluid pumps 342, 354, and 364. Also enabled are the run infeed and run outfeed drive conveyors. While in the run mode, the real time maintenance of the solution tank fill level and pH concentrations are provided by the PLC.
  • the PLC of the high-speed bottle washing machine is programmed to perform a specialized check for determining when a spray nozzle is clogged or when a spray lance carrying the spray nozzle has not been inserted in the PRB.
  • the process implemented by the PLC tracks and retains in memory the number of any PRB station that contains a clogged spray nozzle, inoperable spray lance, or, has a bottle holder apparatus that doesn't rotate at the preferred rate of 10-12 r.p.m.
  • the bottles carried by these tracked stations will be deemed as being of uncertain quality and ultimately rejected by a suitable rejection device 21 located at the outfeed conveyor or at a bottle inspection station mounted downstream of the washer system.
  • a master strobe signal and an associated counter in the PLC are both reset before the first bottle is input to the wash carousel.
  • a count which corresponds to the PRB station number is maintained by the counter.
  • the bottle station receiving the first PR bottle is PR bottle station number one (1), and will be identified as such throughout the bottle's conveyance.
  • the first bottle is input to PRB station number one (1) is located at 301 as shown in Figure 1.
  • the counter increments by one for each bottle input until the first bottle input is discharged at the outfeed conveyor.
  • a position number is assigned for each position located about the periphery of the carousel.
  • the first bottle is located at position two (2).
  • the third PRB is input, the first bottle (PRB station one) is at carousel position three (3), the second bottle (PRB station two) is at carousel position two (2), etc.
  • Each PRB station number also has assigned attribute registers resident in PLC memory, that stores information or data corresponding to the station attributes.
  • bottle station attributes include data indicating whether the particular bottle is rotating, whether the wash and sanitize spray lances are inserted in the inverted bottles, and whether the wash and sanitize spray nozzles have been clogged. These attributes indicate that the PR bottle carried by the station is of uncertain quality and should be discarded at the output. In other embodiments, other types of attribute data may be assigned to the appropriate attribute registers.
  • the normal flow rate for ten (10) spray nozzles is 34.5 liters/min. in the preferred embodiment. This amount corresponds to a predetermined binary number implemented as counts of an A/D converter which may be part of or connected to the flow sensor. In the preferred embodiment, a flow rate of 34.5 liters/min. corresponds to 8300 counts of the A/D converter.
  • each flow monitoring element measures flow rates for ten (10) lances at a time. If the flow rate for the first ten bottles input and conveyed to PRB positions 1 - 10 is normal, i.e., 8300 counts of the A/D converter, and the flow rate measured when the 11th bottle input is 436 less than the previous count, then the spray nozzle at PRB station number 11 (at position 1) must be clogged because it was previously determined that bottle 1 through 10 had no clogged nozzles. Consequently, data indicating a clogged spray nozzle will be assigned to the attribute register corresponding to PRB station number 11. The eleventh (11 th ) bottle will subsequently be discharged at the output.
  • the master strobe is turned off and the next bottle is input to the next bottle station. Concurrently, the station number is incremented by 1 as is the pointer to the attribute registers in PLC memory.
  • the master strobe is then initiated again and a check is made to determine if the last station has received a bottle, i.e., the last station number had been reached. If the last station number has not been reached, then the process is repeated PRB station attribute checks are made at all positions about the carousel until a new bottle is input to the next station. If the last station number was reached, then the first bottle input (station one) is ready for discharge at the egress starwheel and outfeed conveyor 26.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)
  • Detergent Compositions (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
EP94110834A 1993-07-12 1994-07-12 Machine pour le lavage des bouteilles à haute vitesse et dispositif de pulvérisation Expired - Lifetime EP0634230B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US90411 1993-07-12
US08/090,413 US5419350A (en) 1993-07-12 1993-07-12 Workpiece holding and rotating device
US08/090,411 US5419348A (en) 1993-07-12 1993-07-12 Nozzle spray assembly
US90413 1993-07-12
US90501 1993-07-13
US08/090,501 US5467790A (en) 1993-07-13 1993-07-13 Manifold and valve block assembly
US08/090,503 US5441063A (en) 1993-07-13 1993-07-13 High speed bottle washing machine
US90503 1993-07-13

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0634230A1 true EP0634230A1 (fr) 1995-01-18
EP0634230B1 EP0634230B1 (fr) 1998-12-23

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Country Link
EP (1) EP0634230B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE174823T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69415423T2 (fr)
DK (1) DK0634230T3 (fr)
ES (1) ES2126024T3 (fr)
GR (1) GR3029341T3 (fr)

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5467790A (en) * 1993-07-13 1995-11-21 Pepsico, Inc. Manifold and valve block assembly
EP0894543A1 (fr) * 1997-08-01 1999-02-03 Flavio Rocchi Procédé et machine pour rincer et stériliser des bouteilles avec des buses mobiles entrant dans les bouteilles
WO2003084685A1 (fr) * 2002-04-10 2003-10-16 R. Bardi S.R.L. Dispositif permettant de nettoyer l'interieur de contenant en plastique
WO2010046072A1 (fr) * 2008-10-21 2010-04-29 Khs Ag Procédé et dispositif de remplissage de contenants
WO2011027370A1 (fr) * 2009-09-02 2011-03-10 Sidel S.P.A. Machine à rincer pour récipients, en particulier des bouteilles
CN103801541A (zh) * 2014-01-25 2014-05-21 潘云俊 一种气瓶表面清洗设备
TWI563942B (zh) * 2015-10-23 2017-01-01 蕭清景 多功能自轉式刷具結構
CN108971168A (zh) * 2018-07-12 2018-12-11 刘业倩 一种饮料灌装瓶连续旋转高效清洗装置
CN109131994A (zh) * 2018-09-26 2019-01-04 浙江域桥电器有限公司 一种水雾塑封机
CN109186218A (zh) * 2018-10-31 2019-01-11 泸州市慧江机械制造有限公司 旋转式烘瓶机及系统
IT201900007845A1 (it) * 2019-06-03 2020-12-03 Gd Spa Macchina lavatrice per contenitori, in particolare per prodotti del settore farmaceutico
IT201900007860A1 (it) * 2019-06-03 2020-12-03 Gd Spa Macchina lavatrice per contenitori, in particolare per prodotti del settore farmaceutico
IT201900007866A1 (it) * 2019-06-03 2020-12-03 Gd Spa Macchina lavatrice per contenitori, in particolare per prodotti del settore farmaceutico
CN112934887A (zh) * 2021-01-29 2021-06-11 重庆优久酒业有限公司 全自动洗瓶机
US11090701B2 (en) 2017-02-14 2021-08-17 Packline Technologies, Inc. Bin cleaning systems and methods of use
CN113387595A (zh) * 2021-08-02 2021-09-14 汪沛林 一种空心玻璃砖处理工艺
CN113828604A (zh) * 2021-09-15 2021-12-24 巩义市予华仪器有限责任公司 一种生物制药用的器械清洗装置
CN114210681A (zh) * 2021-12-13 2022-03-22 安徽新科水处理设备有限公司 一种倾斜式特殊桶型多功能一体化清洗设备
CN114477723A (zh) * 2022-02-25 2022-05-13 江苏晶瑞玻璃有限公司 一种玻璃瓶生产用压制成型机
IT202100012950A1 (it) * 2021-05-19 2022-11-19 Stevanato Group Spa Unita’ modulare per il lavaggio e l’asciugatura di contenitori per uso farmaceutico e linea di produzione di contenitori per uso farmaceutico

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102008046608A1 (de) * 2008-09-10 2010-05-20 RATIONAL Technische Lösungen GmbH Anlage für die Aufbereitung von Tränkeflaschen
DE102008049937A1 (de) * 2008-10-02 2010-04-29 Khs Ag Vorrichtung sowie Verfahren zum Behandeln von Behältern

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DE492206C (de) * 1928-11-02 1930-02-20 Albert Schnedler Reinigungs-, Spuel- und Desinfektionsapparat fuer Flaschen mittels einer Fluessigkeit
GB377444A (en) * 1931-08-07 1932-07-28 Ralph Waldo Webster Improvements in machines for cleaning bottles
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Cited By (29)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5467790A (en) * 1993-07-13 1995-11-21 Pepsico, Inc. Manifold and valve block assembly
EP0894543A1 (fr) * 1997-08-01 1999-02-03 Flavio Rocchi Procédé et machine pour rincer et stériliser des bouteilles avec des buses mobiles entrant dans les bouteilles
WO2003084685A1 (fr) * 2002-04-10 2003-10-16 R. Bardi S.R.L. Dispositif permettant de nettoyer l'interieur de contenant en plastique
WO2010046072A1 (fr) * 2008-10-21 2010-04-29 Khs Ag Procédé et dispositif de remplissage de contenants
CN102612413B (zh) * 2009-09-02 2015-02-25 西得乐独资股份公司 用于容器的冲洗机
WO2011027370A1 (fr) * 2009-09-02 2011-03-10 Sidel S.P.A. Machine à rincer pour récipients, en particulier des bouteilles
CN102612413A (zh) * 2009-09-02 2012-07-25 西得乐独资股份公司 用于容器，特别是瓶子的冲洗机
CN103801541A (zh) * 2014-01-25 2014-05-21 潘云俊 一种气瓶表面清洗设备
CN103801541B (zh) * 2014-01-25 2015-09-30 潘云俊 一种气瓶表面清洗设备
TWI563942B (zh) * 2015-10-23 2017-01-01 蕭清景 多功能自轉式刷具結構
US11090701B2 (en) 2017-02-14 2021-08-17 Packline Technologies, Inc. Bin cleaning systems and methods of use
CN108971168A (zh) * 2018-07-12 2018-12-11 刘业倩 一种饮料灌装瓶连续旋转高效清洗装置
CN109131994A (zh) * 2018-09-26 2019-01-04 浙江域桥电器有限公司 一种水雾塑封机
CN109131994B (zh) * 2018-09-26 2024-04-09 浙江域桥电器有限公司 一种水雾塑封机
CN109186218A (zh) * 2018-10-31 2019-01-11 泸州市慧江机械制造有限公司 旋转式烘瓶机及系统
IT201900007860A1 (it) * 2019-06-03 2020-12-03 Gd Spa Macchina lavatrice per contenitori, in particolare per prodotti del settore farmaceutico
IT201900007866A1 (it) * 2019-06-03 2020-12-03 Gd Spa Macchina lavatrice per contenitori, in particolare per prodotti del settore farmaceutico
EP3747561A1 (fr) * 2019-06-03 2020-12-09 G.D Societa' Per Azioni Machine à laver pour récipients, en particulier pour des produits de l'industrie pharmaceutique
IT201900007845A1 (it) * 2019-06-03 2020-12-03 Gd Spa Macchina lavatrice per contenitori, in particolare per prodotti del settore farmaceutico
CN112934887A (zh) * 2021-01-29 2021-06-11 重庆优久酒业有限公司 全自动洗瓶机
IT202100012950A1 (it) * 2021-05-19 2022-11-19 Stevanato Group Spa Unita’ modulare per il lavaggio e l’asciugatura di contenitori per uso farmaceutico e linea di produzione di contenitori per uso farmaceutico
EP4091728A1 (fr) * 2021-05-19 2022-11-23 Stevanato Group S.P.A. Unité modulaire de lavage et de séchage de récipients pour une utilisation pharmaceutique et ligne de production de récipients pour une utilisation pharmaceutique
CN113387595A (zh) * 2021-08-02 2021-09-14 汪沛林 一种空心玻璃砖处理工艺
CN113387595B (zh) * 2021-08-02 2022-08-02 德州瑞百利玻璃砖有限公司 一种空心玻璃砖处理工艺
CN113828604B (zh) * 2021-09-15 2022-10-14 巩义市予华仪器有限责任公司 一种生物制药用的器械清洗装置
CN113828604A (zh) * 2021-09-15 2021-12-24 巩义市予华仪器有限责任公司 一种生物制药用的器械清洗装置
CN114210681A (zh) * 2021-12-13 2022-03-22 安徽新科水处理设备有限公司 一种倾斜式特殊桶型多功能一体化清洗设备
CN114477723A (zh) * 2022-02-25 2022-05-13 江苏晶瑞玻璃有限公司 一种玻璃瓶生产用压制成型机
CN114477723B (zh) * 2022-02-25 2023-01-20 江苏晶瑞玻璃有限公司 一种玻璃瓶生产用压制成型机

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69415423T2 (de) 1999-06-10
ES2126024T3 (es) 1999-03-16
GR3029341T3 (en) 1999-05-28
DE69415423D1 (de) 1999-02-04
ATE174823T1 (de) 1999-01-15
EP0634230B1 (fr) 1998-12-23
DK0634230T3 (da) 1999-08-23

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