EP1731231B1 - Bottle cleaning machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine has a set of processing compartments arranged in series in a process flow direction. Bottles are passed in bottle cells or other transport systems by presoaked baths (10), brine baths and spraying stations of the compartments. Device for removing labels works together with the individual bottles. An active arrangement for label removal with specifically directed fluid flow is provided in the presoaked bath that follows directly towards a bottle feeding.

Description

The invention relates to a bottle washing machine with a plurality of consecutively arranged in the passage direction treatment departments, consisting of pre-soaking baths, Laugebädern, spray stations and the like., Which are passed through in bottles cells or other transport systems bottles, as well as with the individual baths cooperating devices for removing labels.

In such cleaning machines, a residue removal takes place before the actual cleaning, wherein in addition an ejection of the bottles can be done with the aim to remove coarse or loosely fitting impurities and at the same time initiate a certain increase in temperature. After that, the softness and separation of impurities in the actual liquor zone takes place, which is to be regarded as the largest treatment department, especially in longitudinal cleaning machines ( DE-OS 30 34 413 ).

Cleaning machines of this type for reusable containers such as bottles and the like have in addition to the actual cleaning of these containers the task of equipment, such as labels and the like. Safely detach during the cleaning process, especially at the end of the suds zone. For this purpose, the bottles equipped with labels are acted upon after a certain pre-soaking time by means of spray nozzles or gushing devices.

In a known machine of this type, the bottles are guided in their receiving cells looped through the machine, wherein in each case in the lower region of the loops of Laugebades troughs are arranged, in which the dissolved labels are rinsed by an overlying Spitz station. With such a device, a reliable label removal is not always guaranteed, especially as parts of labels get stuck in the area of the chain guides and entrained in the subsequent baths ( DE-OS 39 34 797 ).

Another known device is to provide only one main flow channel which prevents edge flows of the circulated liquid outside the actual cell openings and causes whirling labels regardless of their position in the actual flow channel, the flow of the circulated liquid from below
upwards and preferably impulsively to act on the respective cell openings guided over. The device provided for this purpose has immediately above the cell carrier in the lower region of the suction only a transverse to the direction of movement of the cells opening whose active width corresponds at least to the diameter of a cell opening. The specifically directed flow requires a very high pump capacity. Moreover, the desired effect can be ensured only up to a certain throughput speed of the receiving cells within such a bath area. If the throughput is to be increased, the individual cells move too fast over the transverse opening, so that the pulse-like currents can not reach their full effect.

The novelty is now the object of improving such label removal systems and by special measures to relieve the subsequent treatment zones targeted in advance.

This problem underlying the innovation is achieved in a bottle cleaning machine with a plurality of successively arranged in the flow direction treatment stations according to the preamble of claim 1, that in a immediately following the bottle task pre-soak a first active device for label removal is arranged with a targeted flow. In this case, this flow can be directed, for example, from top to bottom.

In this case, according to a further embodiment, the level within this pre-soaking bath is expediently set above the upper opening end sides of the bottle cells passing through the negative amplitude of the cell guide, and an active flow is provided for discharging the labels from top to bottom.

With this innovation according to the invention and the further features resulting from the subclaims and the following description, a particularly intensive pre-separation of already dissolved labels and other dirt particles is ensured. This considerably reduces the load on all subsequent soft and bath zones. Another advantage is the active in the direction of sedimentation active flow for the derivation of the labels and the like. From top to bottom in a special flow channel.

• Figur 1 eine Flaschenreinigungsmaschine in Einendbauweise und
• Figur 2 eine Flaschenreinigungsmaschine in Doppelendbauweise.

In the following, the innovation will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. In the drawing shows:

• FIG. 1 a bottle cleaning machine in single end construction and
• FIG. 2 a bottle cleaning machine in double end construction.

In the FIG. 1 illustrated cleaning machine is shown as Einendmaschine. As a result, bottle feed 1 and bottle delivery 2 are located on the same front side of a cleaning machine housing 3. Within this housing, bottle carriers with bottle cells 4 are fastened to circulating chains 5. The chains lead the bottle cells 4 with the bottles therein through the individual treatment departments. They consist in preferably of a pre-softening zone 6 with subsequent Laugebädern 7, the only partially represented different main spray and Nachspritzzonen 8 follow.
The pre-softening zone 6 according to the embodiment in FIG FIG. 1 from two in the direction of movement according to arrow 9 consecutively located pre-soaking baths 10, 11, the liquid level 12 may be equal in height or different set. Above the first pre-softening bath 10, a residual liquid collecting channel 13 is arranged, in which the residual liquid discharging from the bottles is collected and disposed of separately, for example by evaporation, thickening or the like.
The liquid of the pre-soaking baths 10, 11 is supplied to these from non-illustrated leaching spray stations through a first line 14, the container 15 and an overflow weir 16. From the first pre-soaking bath 10, the liquid is partly used for flow control in this bath by pumping and partially fed with prior treatment to the wastewater.
After passing through a drip-free zone, the bottles reach a deflection region 18 with injection device 19 for pressurizing the interior of the bottle and a dripping zone with a collection channel 20 to the second pre-softening bath 11 and then further into the alkaline baths 7 for further treatment.
In a similar embodiment, but with a changed bath arrangement, is a bottle washer double-ended according to the FIG. 2 designed. Moreover, the bottle feed 1 and the bottle delivery 2 are arranged on the opposite end faces of the housing 3. On the in FIG. 1 designated components, provided they are also in FIG. 2 contain or are appropriately trained, reference is made to the same numbers. The in the FIG. 2 shown double-end cleaning machine is equipped in the embodiment shown only with a pre-soak 10.
According to both embodiments, a first active device for label removal is arranged in the bottle feed 1 immediately preceding pre-soak 10. In particular, with this device already pre-dissolved or dissolved labels before further passage through the subsequent treatment departments should be removed. The level or liquid level 12 within the pre-soaking bath 10 preferably extends above the negative end 21 of the cell curve guide 22 passing upper opening end faces 23 of the bottle cells, wherein the active flow for deriving labels from top to bottom. A suitable flow guiding device is formed, for example, from a spraying and suction device 24, which may be preceded by a label filter 25 with a corresponding label-discharging device in the suctioning region.
After the in FIGS. 1 and 2 In the example shown, a siphon-like guide channel 26 is formed below the pre-soaking bath 10, the end of which runs in the region of the filling level of the labeling and rest-collecting basin 27. The active flow is in this case carried out at least partially by pumping circulating liquid contained in the label and residual drainage tank 27 through the injection and suction 24. It can also be done depending on the design and height allocation by the resulting level difference between the pre-soak 10 and the pool 27 , The basin 27 can be designed as an additional collection and circulation basin for subsequent tip stations 19 or overflow facilities or partially available.

In a further embodiment of the present invention is provided to further improve the label detachment, to arrange a nozzle device 40 following the pre-soak 10. Although a certain proportion of the labels within the pre-soaking bath 10 have been dissolved but not yet completely separated from the bottles, the nozzle device 40 serves to completely separate further labels from the bottles. Because the effectiveness of a jet of liquid within ambient air is greater than when this jet of liquid is within a liquid environment would be the one in FIG. 2 shown formation of the nozzle device 40 as a so-called Überlauge-Schwallung particularly advantageous.
It is also of particular advantage to design the injection direction of the nozzle device substantially in the direction of gravity.
The supply of liquid to the nozzle device 40 can be effected, for example, by the injection and suction device 24, or else via a further device.

With regard to the consumption values of water and energy, it has proved to be particularly advantageous to feed the pre-softening bath 10 with the fresh water spray wastewater.

Claims (12)

1. Bottle cleaning machine with a set of processing compartments arranged in series in a process flow direction, consisting of presoaked baths, brine baths, spraying stations and the like through which bottles in bottle cells or other transport systems are passed, as well as devices for removing labels, said devices working together with the individual baths, characterised in that a first active arrangement for label removal with a specifically directed fluid flow is provided in at least one presoaked bath (10) that follows after the bottle feeding (1).
2. Bottle cleaning machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the specifically directed fluid flow is directed downward from above.
3. Bottle cleaning machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the first active arrangement for label removal with a specifically directed fluid flow is provided in a presoaked bath (10) that immediately follows after the bottle feeding (1).
4. Bottle cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the filling level (12) within this presoaked bath (10) is set above the opening faces of the bottle cells (4) passing through the negative amplitude of the cell curve track and an active flow is provided for diverting the labels downward from above.
5. Bottle cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a flow guiding device is provided which is formed from a spraying and suction arrangement and upstream of which a label filter (25) is arranged in the suction area.
6. Bottle cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a syphon-type guiding channel (26) is formed under the presoaked bath (10), the end of said channel running in the area of the filling level (12) of a label and residue discharge basin (27).
7. Bottle cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the active fluid flow is at least partially generated by transfer pumping the circulating fluid situate within the label and residue discharge basin (27).
8. Bottle cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the label and residue discharge basin (27) is designed as an additional storage tank and/or circulation tank for at least subsequent spraying stations (19).
9. Bottle cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that this first presoaked bath (10) is preceded by a presoak nozzle set (17) for fluid application to the bottles introduced by the bottle feeding (1).
10. Bottle cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the active flow is at least partially generated by the level difference between the presoaked bath (10) and the label and residue discharge basin (27).
11. Bottle cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a further nozzle arrangement 40 is provided following the at least one presoaked bath 10.
12. Bottle cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least one presoaked bath 10 is fed by the waster water of the fresh water spray.

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