EP1803507A2 - Machine de lavage de caisses en plastique pour fruits et légumes - Google Patents

Machine de lavage de caisses en plastique pour fruits et légumes Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1803507A2
EP1803507A2 EP06024477A EP06024477A EP1803507A2 EP 1803507 A2 EP1803507 A2 EP 1803507A2 EP 06024477 A EP06024477 A EP 06024477A EP 06024477 A EP06024477 A EP 06024477A EP 1803507 A2 EP1803507 A2 EP 1803507A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
truck
washing machine
nozzles
crate
distributor
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP06024477A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1803507A3 (fr
Inventor
Agostino Galandrino
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.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP1803507A2 publication Critical patent/EP1803507A2/fr
Publication of EP1803507A3 publication Critical patent/EP1803507A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • B08B9/0861—Cleaning crates, boxes or the like
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a washing machine for plastics crates for fruit and vegetables, more particularlycrates for grapes.
  • Such crates generally have a rectangular profile but may vary in dimensions and sizes depending on the specific application.
  • the everyday use of the crates causes mud, leaves, earth, insects, and other pollutants on the ground to enter the crate and to mix with the residual must, thereby forming deposits and bacterial sediments.
  • Fig. 1 shows a plastics crate 10 of the type for storing grapes during vintage.
  • Crate 10 generally has a rectangular profile with perforated side walls 14, 16 stiffened with beads.
  • the crates may extensively vary in dimensions and sizes depending on the specific application.
  • Figs. 2-6 show a washing machine 18 for plastics crates of the type shown in Fig. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • Machine 18 comprises a box-shaped framework 20, with uprights 22 interconnected via longitudinal members 24 and cross members 26.
  • Machine 18 receives crates 10 (only the contour of which is shown in Figs. 2-15) from a chute 28 attached to the rear end of framework 20, on which the crates are arranged in line and upside-down.
  • Chute 28 is provided with overhanging lateral guides 30 supported on brakets 32 of a conventional type, in which the overhang is adjustable in order to vary the distance between the guides depending on the crate size.
  • a shelf 34 is attached to the front end of framework 20, on which the crates are unloaded after washing.
  • Truck 38 comprises a rectangular, horizontal frame 44 supported on four wheels 46 lying on rails 36, and is provided with a connection member 48 to which the driving rod 50 of cylinder 40 is connected.
  • a first pair of swinging pushers 52 are hinged to the opposite sides of frame 44 about a first transverse axis A near the forward end of truck 38.
  • the pushers each consist of a plate having a middle portion 52a hinged to the truck and provided with a forward contact projection 52b for engaging the inside of the crate, as well as with a rear return projection 52c acting as a counter-weight.
  • the plate is normally biased by its return end 52c toward a vertically hanging position in which its contact end 52b emerges obliquely from the sliding plane defined by longitudinal slide bars 42.
  • a second pair of swinging pushers 56 are hinged to the opposite sides of frame 44 about a second transverse axis B near the rear end of truck 38. Rear pushers 56 are identical to forward pushers 52, therefore no further description will be given about them.
  • a steel rope 58 pulling on the opposite longitudinal ends of frame 44 has its ends anchored to respective anchor members 60, 62 projecting downwards from frame 44 by means of adjustable, elastically yelding turnbukles 64, 66 of a type known per se and shown in more detail in Fig. 5 with reference to turnbukle 66.
  • Such turnbukles generally comprise a threaded rod 66a having an eyelet 66b at one end for anchoring the rope.
  • the opposite end of threaded rod 66a is inserted in a hole of anchor member 62 and has nuts 66c screwed thereto, with interposition of a spring 66d between nuts 66b and anchor member 62.
  • a rotating device 68 for washing the inside of the crate (shown in detail in Fig. 6) is arranged between slide bars 42.
  • a horizontal tube 78 is connected to the upper end of shaft 70 by means of a union tee 79 through which tube 78 communicates with the inside of hollow shaft 70.
  • a first pair of nozzles 80, 82 are mounted to the opposite ends of tube 78, each of which nozzles being arranged such as to shoot a sheet-shaped water jet lying on the plane defined by the axes of shaft 70 and tube 78.
  • nozzles 80, 82 are respectively arranged such as to shoot an upward vertical jet and an oblique jet directed outwards.
  • a hydraulic joint 84 is mounted to the lower end of shaft and connects pivoting device 68 to a hydraulic circuit CI (shown diagrammatically in Fig. 2) which is suppliable by a conventional high pressure cleaner P.
  • a overhanging lateral guide 86 is supported by side of one of slide bars 42 on brakets 88 of the adjustable type already described with reference to lateral guides 30 of chute 28.
  • Guide 86 extends along the overall lenght of sliding guides 42.
  • a pair of overhanging, lateral counter-guides 90, 92 are supported in line by side of the other slide bar on respective supports 94 which are elastically yelding in a transversal direction.
  • Supports 94 each comprise a rod 96 inserted in a hole of the framework.
  • the counter-guide is attached to the inner end of rod 96, with a compression spring 100 arranged between the counter-guide and framework 20.
  • Machine 18 is also provided with a device 102 for washing the outside of the crate, which is provided with a second delivery member comprising a hollow transversal bar 103 which is pivotally supported at its opposite ends on a pair of slides 104, 106 that are slidable along respective vertical guides 108, 110 attached to the upside of the framework, the position of the slides being lockable by means of a locking screw (not shown).
  • a lever 112 projects radially from bar 103 and is operatively connected to a pneumatic actuator 114 also operated by pneumatic circuit CP.
  • a second pair of nozzles 116, 118 are mounted to the opposite ends of bar 103, are in fluid communication with the inside of the bar and are connected to hydraulic circuit CI via a hose 120 (Fig. 2). Nozzles 116, 118 are arranged such as to shoot respective symmetrical sheet-shaped jets obliquely directed inwards.
  • Hydraulic circuit CI substantially has two circuit branches R1, R2, which respectively supply outside washing device 68 and inside washing device 102 and are alternatively operatable by opening/closing respective valves V1, V2 controlled by pneumatic circuit CP.
  • Pneumatic circuit CP (shown in Fig. 7) comprises a first distributor DC which controls pneumatic cylinder 40, and a second distributor DA which controls pneumatic actuator 114.
  • a cycle-start sensor SP is provided for detecting the presence of a crate entering the machine and is connected for sending a cycle-start pilot signal, when a crate is detected, which switches both distributor DC to operate the extension of pneumatic cylinder 40, and a third distributor DV1 which controls valve V1.
  • a fourth distributor DV2 controls valve V2.
  • Three position sensors S1, S2, S3 are arranged in line along the extension stroke of rod 50 of pneumatic cylinder 40.
  • First sensor S1 is arranged for sending a pilot signal with rod 50 at its innermost position, which signal switches both distributor DA to operate the withdrawing of pneumatic actuator 114, and distributor DC, if cycle-start sensor SP detects the presence of a crate.
  • Second position sensor S2 is arranged for sending a pilot signal with rod 50 at an intermediate position, which signal switches distributor DA to operate the extension of pneumatic actuator 114.
  • Third position signal S3 is arranged for sending a pilot signal with rod 50 at its outermost position, which signal signal switches distributors DV1 and DV2 to close valve V1 and to open valve V2 respectively.
  • Pneumatic circuit CP also comprises a safety circuit CE that is manually operatable for immediately stopping the machine in case of emergency.
  • Truck 38 is initially at its rearmost position as shown in Fig. 2, with rear pushers 56 engaging the inside of the first crate 10a, which is arranged between lateral guide 86 and first counter-guide 90.
  • sensor S1 is active and distributor DA is configured such as to maintain pneumatic actuator 114 at its withdrawn position.
  • the pilot signal from sensor S1 operates the extension of pneumatic cylinder 40, thereby causing truck 48 to move forward.
  • the signal from sensor S1 also switches both distributor DV1, which opens valve V1 supplying the outside washing device, and distributor DV2, which closes valve V2 supplying the inside washing device.
  • sensor S2 After a first stroke T1 (Fig. 7), sensor S2 sends a pilot signal which switches distributor DA such as to operate the extension of pneumatic actuator 114. This causes bar 102 to rotate to a position in which nozzles 116, 118 shoot jets slanting at an angle with respect to a transversal, vertical plane in the direction of motion of the crates, whereby they hit the rear wall of the crate, as well as its side walls and its bottom.
  • sensor S3 At the and of the forward stroke, sensor S3 sends a pilot signal which switches distributor DC such as to operate the withdrawing of pneumatic cylinder 40, thereby causing the truck to move back.
  • the vertical jet from nozzle 80 mainly hits the bottom of crate 10a
  • the oblique jet from nozzle 82 mainly hits the inside of the side walls of crate 10a, as well as the edge of the next crate 10b.
  • pushers 56 disengage crate 10a and, when the truck is back to its starting position, they hook the next crate 10b, while forward pushers 52 engage the crate 10a just washed.
  • Now machine 18 is ready to start a new washing cycle upon crate 10b.
  • the moving forward of truck 38 causes both the crate that must be washed 10b to be pushed by rear pushers 56, and the crate 10a just washed to be pushed by forward pushers 52 onto shelf 34.
  • Figs. 13-15 show an alternative embodiment of the machine according to the invention, which comprises a more sophisticated inside washing device.
  • truck 150 has a rectangular frame 152 having a crosspiece 154 at an intermediate position to which the rod 50 of pneumatic cylinder 40 is attached.
  • the pulley 160 keyed to hollow vertical shaft 158 is larger in diameter than the pulley of the previous embodiment.
  • Rope 162 has one end anchored to the rear end of truck 150 and describes a S-shaped path along which it is first wound around pulley 160, then around a counter-wheel 164 that is pivotally supported at the rear end of the framework, and finally is anchored with its opposite end to crosspiece 154.
  • Shaft 158 coaxially supports a disc 166 having a radial groove 168 with a slide 170 that is slidably received therein.
  • Slide 170 supports a pair of nozzles 172, 174 each arranged to shoot a sheet-shaped water jet lying on the plane defined by the axis of shaft 158 and by the radial sliding direction of slide 170.
  • nozzles 172, 174 are respectively arranged such as to shoot an upward vertical jet and an oblique jet directed inwards.
  • Nozzles 172, 174 are open to a conduit 176 formed within slide 170, which is operatively connected to the inside of shaft 158 via a hose 178.
  • a pin 180 projects downwards from slide 170 and engages a closed track 182 formed on a plate 184 supported on truck 150 below disc 166, with a camming action.
  • the forward moving of truck 150 causes disc 166 to rotate by mutual engagement of rope 162 with pulley 160.
  • the rotation of disc 166 causes slide 170 to radially reciprocate by mutual engagement of pin 180 with track 182. Therefore, during the inside washing of the crate, nozzles 172, 174 follow the inner profile of the crate, so that the washing action is very effective because the outlet of the nozzles is always near the walls of the crate.
  • the trasmission systems of the first embodiment for turning the motion of translation of the truck into a rotary motion of the inside washing device can be easily used in the second embodiment, and vice versa.
  • the pneumatic driving means for moving the truck and the outside washing device can be easily replaced by other types of driving means, for example, hydraulic cylinders controlled by a hydraulic circuit similar to the pneumatic circuit of Fig. 7.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
  • Apparatuses For Bulk Treatment Of Fruits And Vegetables And Apparatuses For Preparing Feeds (AREA)
  • Vehicle Cleaning, Maintenance, Repair, Refitting, And Outriggers (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)
EP06024477A 2005-12-29 2006-11-25 Machine de lavage de caisses en plastique pour fruits et légumes Withdrawn EP1803507A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITTO20050913 ITTO20050913A1 (it) 2005-12-29 2005-12-29 Macchina per il lavaggio di cassette in plastica per frutta e verdura

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1803507A2 true EP1803507A2 (fr) 2007-07-04
EP1803507A3 EP1803507A3 (fr) 2008-02-13

Family

ID=37907371

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06024477A Withdrawn EP1803507A3 (fr) 2005-12-29 2006-11-25 Machine de lavage de caisses en plastique pour fruits et légumes

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1803507A3 (fr)
IT (1) ITTO20050913A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2011061097A1 (fr) 2009-11-19 2011-05-26 Unitec S.P.A. Installation pour laver des cageots utilisés pour des produits de légumes
US8267101B2 (en) * 2010-08-31 2012-09-18 Echo Bravo Llc Fruit bin cleaning method and apparatus
CZ308395B6 (cs) * 2019-02-11 2020-07-22 WashZone s.r.o. Vestavný přítlačně-fixační systém přepravek pro mycí linky přepravek
US11090701B2 (en) 2017-02-14 2021-08-17 Packline Technologies, Inc. Bin cleaning systems and methods of use

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107497808B (zh) * 2017-08-31 2023-12-15 河南中烟工业有限责任公司 一种烟厂用周转箱残留叶片自动清理装置

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2132176A (en) * 1982-12-22 1984-07-04 Salm O & Co Gmbh Cleaning apparatus for tub- shaped containers
DE3304732A1 (de) * 1983-02-11 1984-08-23 Woma-Apparatebau Wolfgang Maasberg & Co Gmbh, 4100 Duisburg Reinigungstunnel fuer verpackungsbehaelter

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2132176A (en) * 1982-12-22 1984-07-04 Salm O & Co Gmbh Cleaning apparatus for tub- shaped containers
DE3304732A1 (de) * 1983-02-11 1984-08-23 Woma-Apparatebau Wolfgang Maasberg & Co Gmbh, 4100 Duisburg Reinigungstunnel fuer verpackungsbehaelter

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2011061097A1 (fr) 2009-11-19 2011-05-26 Unitec S.P.A. Installation pour laver des cageots utilisés pour des produits de légumes
US9415429B2 (en) 2009-11-19 2016-08-16 Unitec S.P.A. Plant for cleaning bins used for vegetable produce
US8267101B2 (en) * 2010-08-31 2012-09-18 Echo Bravo Llc Fruit bin cleaning method and apparatus
US11090701B2 (en) 2017-02-14 2021-08-17 Packline Technologies, Inc. Bin cleaning systems and methods of use
CZ308395B6 (cs) * 2019-02-11 2020-07-22 WashZone s.r.o. Vestavný přítlačně-fixační systém přepravek pro mycí linky přepravek

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ITTO20050913A1 (it) 2007-06-30
EP1803507A3 (fr) 2008-02-13

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