EP1532916A2 - Apparatus for cleaning drink containers and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

Drinking vessels (2) are cleaned in a unit (3) comprising a rotating carousel (12) with vessel holders (19) distributed in its circumferential direction. The cleaning device (22) cooperates with the carousel so that the vessels are cleaned in at least one position (30, 30) between the carousel loading and unloading positions (20, 21). The cleaning unit contains at least one vessel cleaning device. A transport device (6-8) is provided for transporting dirty glasses from a loading unit (4) to the cleaning unit and for transporting the clean glasses to an unloading unit (5).

Description

The invention relates to a device for cleaning Drinking vessels, in particular of glasses, with a cleaning unit, in each case in a drinking vessel receptacle held drinking vessels by at least one cleaning member be cleaned, with a Transpörteinrichtung to transport the drinking vessels from one of the soiled ones Drinking vessels receiving input unit via the cleaning unit to one of the purified drinking vessels providing output unit.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for feeding of cleaning fluid, at least one cleaning member A cleaning unit according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

From DE 100 40 036 A1 is a device for cleaning known from drinking vessels that have a cleaning unit in which the drinking vessels by means of at least one Cleaning device to be cleaned. The cleaning unit is preceded by an input unit in which the polluted Drinking vessels added and the cleaning unit be supplied. Further, an output unit of Cleaning unit downstream of the cleaned drinking vessels supplied by the cleaning unit and by the them be provided for issue. During the cleaning process are kept in drinking vessel receptacles Drinking vessels transported linearly and by means of a along the linear transport path arranged nozzles supplied Cleaning fluid cleaned.

A disadvantage of the known device is that the device by the linear cleaning process a relative has large longitudinal extent. Furthermore, it is disadvantageous that the soiled glasses by the operators must be used in the drinking vessel receptacles.

The object of the present invention is a device for cleaning drinking vessels and a method for Supplying cleaning fluid to the cleaning devices specify such that a reliable cleaning with ensures increased ease of use and reduced space requirements is.

To solve this problem, the invention in combination characterized by the preamble of claim 1 characterized that the cleaning unit one around a rotation axis revolving revolver, on which the drinking vessel receptacles are arranged in the circumferential direction of the same, and that the cleaning member so arranged to the revolver is that the drinking vessels between one the same receiving input position of the revolver and one the same releasing release position of the revolver in at least be cleaned in a cleaning position.

According to the invention, the cleaning unit has a revolver on, which distributes a plurality of circumferentially arranged drinking vessel receptacles. Advantageous the cleaning process takes place within a semicircular movement of the revolver, so that to be cleaned Drinking vessel performs a bow movement of 180 °. hereby can save space on the one hand a cleaning and on the other a user-friendly reversal of orientation the drinking vessels are made so that they are hygienic can be removed manually.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention operated the revolver clocked, so the drinking vessel shots or the drinking vessels in defined input and / or Issued and / or cleaning positions spent become. This allows a secure transfer between the Input unit and the cleaning unit or the cleaning unit and the output unit as well as a secure and reliable cleaning of the drinking vessels within the cleaning unit be enabled. In the respective positions the drinking vessels are the drinking vessel shots in a resting position.

According to a development of the invention, the input unit Means for separating the drinking vessels on, so that These almost automatically and one after the other an input position the cleaning unit can be supplied. One user-friendly placement in holders of the input unit not necessary. Preferably, the Input unit on a conveyor belt whose width is greater is as the width of the drinking vessels. This way offers the input unit is a large-scale recording of the Drinking vessels, in their storage, the operator only Take care that the opening of the drinking vessel pointing upwards.

According to a development of the device according to the invention has an input unit upstream of the cleaning unit a passage opening on the inside with a Brush ring is provided. The inner diameter of the brush ring is smaller than the outer diameter of the drinking vessels, so that they always fall through the Through hole detected by the brushes, centered and be slowed down so that they are undamaged in the drinking vessel receptacle slide into. This will be advantageous a guide or fixation of the drinking vessels when falling achieved the same, in addition, such a deceleration takes place that the drinking vessels below a prescribed Falling speed recorded by the drinking vessel shots become.

To solve the problem is the inventive method for supplying cleaning fluid to at least one Cleaning member a cleaning unit according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the cleaning liquid collected after the cleaning process is separated by the deposition of debris from the same is and then returned to the cleaning device is, depending on the cleaning member the Cleaning fluid heated or not heated and the Cleaning fluid added a detergent or not is added.

The particular advantage of the method consists in that the device according to the invention is self-sufficient System can work without a constant flow of water to need. The cleaning liquid is automatically cleaned and for repeated cleaning use supplied to the appropriate cleaning organs. Essentially, only one expiration of with Dirt residues interspersed wastewater. Advantageously the device according to the invention thus mobile in many places be used.

Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the others Dependent claims.

An embodiment of the invention will be described below explained in more detail in the drawings.

Figur 1

einen Vertikalschnitt durch eine erfindungsgemäße Reinigungsvorrichtung,

Figur 2

eine Draufsicht auf einen Revolver der Reinigungsvorrichtung,

Figur 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Eingabeeinheit von oben,

Figur 4

eine Draufsicht auf die Eingabeeinheit mit der Durchgangsöffnung gemäß Figur 3 und

Figur 5

eine schematische Darstellung der Anordnung von Reinigungsorganen und deren Ansteuerung.

Show it:

FIG. 1

a vertical section through a cleaning device according to the invention,

FIG. 2

a top view of a revolver of the cleaning device,

FIG. 3

a perspective view of an input unit from above,

FIG. 4

a plan view of the input unit with the passage opening according to Figure 3 and

FIG. 5

a schematic representation of the arrangement of cleaning devices and their control.

A device 1 for cleaning drinking vessels 2 according to Figure 1 and 2, for example, in the vicinity of beer dispensers in inns or in marquees (Schützenfest and the like). The cleaned Drinking vessel 2, the tapper directly to the cleaning device 1 and again with a drink, in particular Beer, fill.

The cleaning device 1 consists essentially of a cleaning unit 3 in which the drinking vessels 2 are cleaned be an input unit 4, in which the polluted Drinking vessels 2 deposited and the cleaning unit 3, and from an output unit 5, in which purified by the cleaning unit 3 Drinking vessels 2 are provided for removal.

The cleaning unit 3, the input unit 4 and the output unit 5 each contain a transport device 6, 7, 8 for transporting the drinking vessels 2.

The transport device 7 of the input unit 4 and the Transport device 8 of the output unit 5 are similar formed and each have an endless conveyor belt 9 or 10 on. The transport devices 7, 8 extend in a horizontal direction parallel to each other, wherein the transport device 8 of the output unit 5 in a transport direction 11 offset to the transport device 7 of the input unit 4 is arranged. The distance the transport devices 7 and 8 to each other by sizing the as a revolver 12 comprehensive Transport device 6 of the cleaning unit 3 determines.

The transport device 7 of the input unit 4 is in one upper area bounded by upright side walls 13 Cleaning device 1 is arranged. The conveyor belt 9 of the input unit 4 is one in the transport direction 11 rear drive drum 14 and one in the drive direction 11 front idler drum 15 laid. On one upper Gurttrum 16 of the conveyor belt 9 are as Jars running 2 drinking glasses with a vertical after placed above opening 17. The width of the upper Gurttrums 16 is designed so that arbitrarily a plurality of glasses 2 placed on the upper Gurttrum 16 can be. This can advantageously be handling friendly the dirty glasses 2 directly from the trays are placed on the conveyor belt 9. By manual intervention in the openings 17 of the glasses 2 can thus saving time several glasses 2 in the input unit 4 discontinued.

In an in the transport direction 11 front end of the Conveyor 9 and the input unit 4 are as a means for separating the glasses 2 in the transport direction 11 tapered upright side walls 18 are provided, whose front clearance Distance in the range of a diameter d the glasses 2 corresponds. That's how the glasses are made 2 individually fed to the cleaning unit 3.

The revolver 12 of the cleaning unit 3 has a number arranged in the circumferential direction evenly distributed drinking vessel receptacles 19 for receiving the glasses 2, the in Circumferential direction of the turret 12 by an angle of 180 ° from a side facing the input unit 4 arranged input position 20 in a on the output unit 5 facing side arranged issue position 21 are promoted. During this semicircular movement takes place the cleaning of the glasses 2 by means of a cleaning member 22, which will be described further below.

To transfer a soiled glass 2 from the input unit 4 to the cleaning unit 3, the input unit 4, following the conveyor belt 9, a passage opening 23, by which in the transport device 11th conveyed glass 2 by gravity into the drinking vessel receptacle 19 of the revolver 12 falls. The drinking vessel intake 19 is tulip-shaped and has a a rotation axis 24 of the revolver 12 side facing a bottom 25 (spring plate) with nubs 26 on. hereby it is ensured that during the fall of the glass 2 and during its movement in revolver 12, the glass material no damage. In addition, the Drinking vessel receptacle 19 opposite V-shaped, itself radially extending walls 27, the glass 2 in hold the intended holding position. The walls 27 are flexible and by means of screw 28 on a vertically extending annular surface 29 of the revolver 12 attached. The V-shaped walls 27 of the drinking vessel receptacle 19 are made of a silicone material, so that the glasses 2 are protected from damage are. The annular surface 29 extends at opposite ends Side of the drinking vessel 19 such that the Glasses 2 in the input position 20 and in an intermediate the input position 20 and the output position 21 occupied Cleaning position 30 are held clamped. Towards the bottom, the annular surfaces 29 widen, so that the cleaned glass 2 after edition of the opening edge of the glass 2 on an upper run 31 of the conveyor belt 10 in Transport direction 11 released and by means of the conveyor belt 10 along the upper upper run 31 in a free accessible removal area 32 of the output unit 5 can be transported. The transport device 8 of the Output unit 5 has for this purpose - as the transport device 7 of the input unit 4 - a drive drum 33 and a tail pulley 34, whose distance or the width of the upper strand 31 of the throughput of the Cleaning device 1 depends. The cleaned glasses 2 can be removed in the removal area 32 and for filling the same manually fed for example to a tap become.

The axis of rotation 24 of the revolver 12 extends in a horizontal Direction and is perpendicular to the transport direction 11 or transport tracks 16, 31 of the input unit 4th or the output unit 5 is arranged. The revolver 12 is - As the drive drums 14 and 33 - not shown Coupling elements with an electric drive unit connected. The revolver 12 is driven clocked, wherein the drinking vessel receptacles 19 in the input position 20 and the discharge position 21 oriented in the vertical direction are arranged. In the entry position 20, in the Issue position 21 and in the intervening possible three cleaning positions 30 are the drinking vessel receptacles 19 and the glasses 2 in a rest position, so that a secure transfer from the input unit 4 to the Cleaning unit 3 and from the cleaning unit 3 to the Output unit 5 on the one hand and a safe cleaning of Glasses 2 in at least one cleaning position 30 on the other is guaranteed. For this purpose, the revolver 12, for example, at one axial end a disc with a matching to the number of drinking vessel 19 shots Number of attacks by means of a driver cyclically by an adjustment angle α be moved in the direction of rotation 35 of the revolver 12. The driver can be from the same electric drive unit be driven, so that the cleaning device 1 exclusively by mechanical coupling means is operated.

In the present embodiment, the cleaning member 22 as a horizontally displaceable Brush 37 formed by means of a push rod 36 cyclically in the cleaning position 30 of the glass 2 in the Opening 17 thereof under any rotating movement engages and exits again. The push rod 36 is via coupling means with the not shown connected electrical drive unit. The brush 37 is constructed in a conventional manner and has a Shank 38 radially projecting bristles 39 and in a free front end portion spherical protruding bristles 39 on. The shaft 38 is integral with a base disc 40, of which a nozzle ring 41 having a plurality protrudes from nozzles 42, so that the bristles 39 with a Cleaning liquid 43 injected through the nozzles 42 be moistened. This way can be a reliable one Cleaning the glasses 2 done.

In a subsequent cleaning position 30 'of the glass 2 or the drinking vessel receptacle 19 may be a final cleaning of Glasses 2 with feeding possibly preheated Water 44 done. In a subsequent cycle step has the glass 2 reaches and becomes the lower dispensing position 21 transferred to the upper strand 31 of the output unit 5.

The glasses 2 undergo a stepwise rotation the axis of rotation 24 of the turret 12 according to an angle of 45 ° until they have reached the dispensing position 21 after 180 °, while the drinking vessel shots 19 endless and also cyclically in the circumferential direction 35 of the revolver 12 moves become.

In the present embodiment, a maximum of three Cleaning positions 30, 30 'may be provided. If several Cleaning positions should be required the diameter of the revolver 12 can be increased, which is the Dimensioning of the cleaning device 1 adversely affect would. To increase the throughput, several such described cleaning devices 1 side by side be arranged. The dimensioning of the conveyor belts 9, 10 or the speed of the drive drums 14, 33 is on the time by the cleaning member 22 predetermined cleaning step duration tuned.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, FIG Input unit 4, an input cylinder 50, which the passage opening 23 includes. At a bottom of the input cylinder 50, a brush ring 51 is provided on the inside with a variety of brushes 52, each in radial Direction from the inside of the input cylinder 50 protrude. The inner diameter of the brush ring 51, the is the distance between the opposite peaks of the brush 52, is smaller than the outer diameter d of the Drinking vessels 2. This ensures that after leaving the transport device 7 or after Leaving the conveyor belt 9, the drinking vessel with deceleration and centering through the through hole 23 in the arranged underneath drinking vessel 19 drops. The central axis the input cylinder 50 and the passage opening 23 is perpendicular to the axis of rotation 24 of the revolver 12th arranged. The length and stiffness of the brush 52 is tuned so that the drinking vessels 2 with a prescribed Speed into the drinking vessel receptacle 19 fall in.

In Figure 5 is shown schematically at which locations the cleaning liquid supplied to the drinking vessels 2 and How the cleaning fluid is controlled. As already previously described, the cleaning brush 37 is a supplied with detergent water, wherein the cleaning fluid on the one hand from the inside through the Cylinder surface of the cleaning brush 37 to the outside occurs and on the other hand via external nozzles 41, 42 from the outside acting on the drinking vessels 2. In addition, in one Following clock step, a nozzle 60 effective, the Drinking vessel 2 from the inside clear water (cold water) supplies for neutralizing the drinking vessel 2 from the inside. hereby ensures that within the drinking vessel 2 no Traces and residues remain. The nozzle 60 is in an angle of 45 ° in the direction of rotation 35 of the revolver 12th arranged downstream of the cleaning brush 37.

After the drinking vessels 2 have left the revolver 12, they are transported away on the conveyor belt for manual removal. Before manual removal of the drinking vessels 2 These are by means of another nozzle 61 from the outside with clear water (cold water) is applied, leaving a Neutralization of the drinking vessels 2 can be done from the outside. Preferably, the nozzle 61 is located on a bottom of the Drinking vessel 2 facing side oriented, taking the water while wetting the outside of the drinking vessel 2 from the bottom thereof in the direction of the opening thereof flows.

To control the nozzles 60, 61 with cold water is a Control unit 62 is provided on a directional control valve 63 interacts with a fresh water reservoir 64 and a Distributor 65 is connected. By means of a not shown Pump is the cold water through the manifold 65 directed to the nozzles 60, 61. From an adjacent hot water reservoir 66 may be added with detergent Hot water the cleaning brush 37 are fed. to Heating the cleaning liquid 43 is a heater 67 provided with a heating element 68, which in the Hot water reservoir 66 is arranged.

The cold water reservoir 64 and the hot water reservoir 66th upstream of a reservoir 68, in which the cleaning fluid 43, 44, which deliver the nozzles 60, 61 and 37, is collected. The reservoir 68 is connected to the Hot water / cold water reservoir 66, 64 connected in such a way that settling debris 69 in the reservoir 68 remain and not returned to the cleaning process can be. The liberated from debris 69 Water is reprocessed in the reservoirs 64, 66 and returned to the cleaning process. This is a self-sufficient cleaning system formed, which is only a minor Level of fresh water intake needed.

A drain 70 is provided for draining the cleaning fluid or polluted water.

Claims (15)

Device for cleaning drinking vessels, in particular glasses, with a cleaning unit in which the drinking vessels each held in a drinking vessel receptacle are cleaned by at least one cleaning member, with a transport device for transporting the drinking vessels from an input unit receiving the dirty drinking vessels via the cleaning unit to an output unit which provides the cleaned drinking vessels, characterized in that the cleaning unit (3) has a revolving spindle (24) rotatable revolver (12) on which the drinking vessel receptacles (19) are arranged in the same circumferential direction, and that the cleaning member (22) to the revolver (12) arranged that the drinking vessels (2) between a same receiving input position (20) of the turret (12) and a same release dispensing position (21) of the revolver (12) in at least one cleaning position (30, 30 ') are cleaned. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the revolver (12) between the input position (20) and the output position (21) is rotated by 180 °. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the revolver (12) is clocked actuated, such that the drinking vessel receptacles (19) in a rest position of the same receive the drinking vessel (2) from the input unit (4) and / or the output unit ( 5) and / or the drinking vessel (2) in the cleaning position (30, 30 ') is cleaned. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the revolver (12) has a number of the same evenly distributed radial drinking vessel receptacles (19). Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that laterally on the revolver (12) guides (29) are arranged, such that the drinking vessels (2) between the input position (20) and the dispensing position (21) are held the same clamping and only in the input position (20) and / or in the output position (21) are exposed. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the input unit (4) comprises means (18) for separating the drinking vessels (2), such that the drinking vessels (2) individually to the revolver (12) of the cleaning unit (3). be supplied. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the input unit (4) as means (18) for separating the drinking vessels (2) in the transport direction (11) has tapered upright side walls (18). Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cleaning member (22) as perpendicular to the axis of rotation (24) of the revolver (12) displaceable brush (37) is formed in the cleaning position (30) of the drinking vessel (2 ) engages in the opening (17) thereof. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cleaning member (22) is mounted horizontally displaceable. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the input unit (4) and the output unit (5) each have an endless conveyor belt (9, 10). Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the axis of rotation (24) of the revolver (12) perpendicular to the transport path (16, 31) of the input unit (4) and / or the output unit (5). Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the cleaning member as at least one in the conveying direction in front of the cleaning brush (37) arranged cleaning nozzle (60, 61) is formed, the cold water jet from the outside and / or from inside the drinking vessel (2) injects to neutralize it. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the input unit (4) to a drinking vessel receptacle (19) aligned through opening (23) for falling through the drinking vessels (2), wherein a central axis of the passage opening (23) perpendicular to the The axis of rotation (24) of the revolver (12) extends and wherein on an inner side of the passage opening (23) a brush ring (51) is provided for guiding and / or braking of the falling drinking vessels (2). Method for supplying cleaning liquid 43, 44 to at least one cleaning member (37, 60, 61) of the cleaning unit (3) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the cleaning liquid (43, 44) is collected after the cleaning operation Depositing residual dirt (69) is separated from the same and then the cleaning member (37, 60, 61) is redirected, depending on the cleaning member (37, 60, 61), the cleaning liquid (43, 44) heated or not heated and the detergent liquid is added or not added a detergent. Apparatus for carrying out the method according to claim 14th

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