EP2464468B1 - Cleaning machine for bottles or similar containers - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a cleaning machine according to the preamble of claim 1.

Bottle or container cleaning machines of this type are known in different designs. Basically common to such machines is a machine-internal, endlessly circulating drivable transport system with a plurality of container or bottle cells for receiving a respective container. These are moved by the transport system from a container inlet through several treatment stations or zones before they arrive as a cleaned container to a container outlet of the cleaning machine. At least one treatment zone (injection zone) is used for spraying or Vorabspritzen the container on its outer or lateral surface for removing labels, label residues or other adhering foreign bodies, before the containers are then fed to the transport system of another treatment zone, such as a barter. In the spray-off zone, the containers are arranged with their container axis vertically or substantially vertically in the container cells open at the bottom and slide with their container bottom at least one sliding surface formed by a sliding grate. The spraying of the container takes place by means of spray nozzles from above. A disadvantage of known cleaning machines that it often comes in this spray zone to damage containers on the container bottom, but in particular also to a blocking of labels on the sliding grate and thus to a blocking and tilting of the containers.

A device corresponding to this prior art has been described, for example, by US Pat DE 27 05 507 presented. This document provides a rotatable about its longitudinal axis, in particular also rotationally driven roller, which is intended to effect a change in the orientation of the container in the container cell, the presented device is complex and expensive. Also, this device tends to contamination, as easily caught in the guides of the roll labels and can accumulate, which is extremely undesirable. Another device was through the DE 1 108 101 presented. This document introduces a Gleltlelste, which is twisted around its longitudinal axis. The production and in particular the installation of such Gleltleisten are complex and expensive.

Also known was a device according to the DE 971 587 , This document describes a device, bel which the container with your container bottom are guided over rotating cam. In this case, the arrangement of the containers in the container cells is changed by the different positions of the cams and / or by the movements of the cams, so that the area between the outer container wall and the container cell can be intensively rinsed and cleaned. The device presented by this document is complicated and expensive.

The DE 965 678 , deals with a device for guiding the container mouth of container oriented with its mouth downwards. The container mouths should be aligned to a directed into the container Reinigungsmittsistrahl. This document does not contribute to the cleaning of the mantle surfaces of containers.

The FR 76 10052 , present an apparatus in which the containers located in the container cells are first pushed up an inclined plane by the container cells and then slide down an inclined plane, the containers changing their position within the container cells. Bel this device, the container with your floor over the entire surface of the inclined plane, which can lead to the carryover of labels.

The object of the invention is to show a cleaning machine in which by appropriate design of the at least one guide on the treatment zone designed as a spray zone damage to containers on the container bottom and in particular a tilting, blocking of containers and / or labels is avoided. To solve this problem, a treatment machine according to the patent claim 1 is formed.

The inventive design of the at least one sliding surface as a sliding edge or sliding bar, which protrudes significantly over the remaining part of the sliding, results in below the sliding surface a space for trouble-free discharge of labels, label residues or other foreign matter.

Due to the course of the web-like or strip-like sliding surface, a targeted change in position of the containers in the container cells when passing through the treatment zone is still possible, whereby the accessibility of the outer or lateral surface when spraying and thus the quality of treatment are substantially improved. Furthermore, there is in the invention in particular also the possibility to match the sliding surface or the sliding surface forming slider with respect to the material used on the material of the container that give optimum sliding properties for the container and damage to the container thereby effectively avoided.

Further developments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. In this case, all described and / or illustrated features alone or in any combination are fundamentally the subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their dependency. Also, the content of the claims is made an integral part of the description.

Fig. 1

in vereinfachter Darstellung und in Seitenansicht eine Spritzzone einer Flaschenreinigungsmaschine zusammen mit Flaschenzellen und einem Gleitrost gemäß der Erfindung;

Fig. 2

in perspektivischer Teildarstellung und Draufsicht den Gleitrost der Behandlungszone der Figur 1;

Fig. 3 und 4

in Seitenansicht (Figur 3) sowie in Draufsicht (Figur 4) eines der Gleitstücke eines Gleitrostes gemäß einer weiteres Ausführungsform der Erfindung;

Fig. 5 und 6

in Seitenansicht (Figur 5) sowie in Draufsicht (Figur 5) eines der Gleitstücke eines Gleitrostes gemäß einer weiteres Ausführungsform der Erfindung;

Fig. 7 und 8

in Seitenansicht (Figur 7) sowie in Draufsicht (Figur 8) eines der Gleitstücke eines Gleitrostes gemäß einer weiteres Ausführungsform der Erfindung;

The invention will be explained in more detail below in connection with the figures of exemplary embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1

in a simplified representation and in side view of a spray zone of a bottle washing machine together with bottle cells and a sliding grate according to the invention;

Fig. 2

in a perspective partial view and top view of the sliding grate of the treatment zone of FIG. 1 ;

3 and 4

in side view ( FIG. 3 ) as well as in plan view ( FIG. 4 ) one of the sliders of a sliding grate according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 5 and 6

in side view ( FIG. 5 ) as well as in plan view ( FIG. 5 ) one of the sliders of a sliding grate according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 7 and 8

in side view ( FIG. 7 ) as well as in plan view ( FIG. 8 ) one of the sliders of a sliding grate according to another embodiment of the invention;

In the figures, 1 is a treatment zone of a container or bottle cleaning machine, not otherwise shown, which in the manner known to those skilled u.a. an endlessly circulating driven transport system, with which the bottles 2 are moved between a bottle application for the cleaning bottles and a bottle delivery for the cleaned bottles through several treatment zones, and so on. also through the treatment zone 1. At this takes place a spraying of the bottles 2 in particular on its outer or lateral surface for detaching existing labels, label residues or other foreign substances.

The transport system comprises in the manner known to those skilled in endlessly driven chains 3 a plurality of bottle baskets 4, each having a plurality of perpendicular to the transport direction A adjoining bottle cells 5 for receiving a respective bottle 2 to be cleaned. The bottle cells 5, which are oriented in the region of the treatment zone 1 with its bottle cell axis in each case in a vertical or substantially vertical direction, are adapted with regard to their shape shaping of the bottles 2, form at their in the representation of FIG. 1 upper end a lattice-like structure having a plurality of openings, which serves as a contact for the mouth 2.1 of the bottle 2 in other treatment zones. At her in the FIG. 1 lower end, the bottle cells 5 are open. The axial dimension and the interior of the bottle cells 5 is slightly larger than the height and the maximum outer diameter of the bottles. 2

At the treatment zone 1 is above the trajectory of the bottle baskets 4 oriented with its axis in the horizontal direction and perpendicular to the transport direction A spray tube 6 with spray nozzles 7 for discharging spray jets 8 a cleaning liquid, for example water or alkali provided. The nozzles 7 are oriented in such a way that at least one downwardly directed spray jet 8 is introduced into the bottle cells 4 moving past the nozzle 7 via each nozzle 7. The number of spray nozzles 7 is at least equal to the number of bottle cells 5 of each bottle cage 4.

The spray tube 6 is arranged, for example, stationary. In principle, it is also possible to form the spray tube 6 and / or its nozzles 7 such that the respective spray jet 8 is moved over a short distance with the respective bottle cell 5.

When passing the treatment zone 1, arranged in the bottle baskets 5 bottles 2 slide with their protruding from the lower, open end of the bottle cell 5 bottle bottom 2.2 on a sliding grid or grate 9, which also allows that with the beams 8 of the bottles 2 detached labels, label residues, foreign matter, etc. can be removed together with the cleaning liquid through the sliding grate 9 through below the movement path of the bottle cells 5. With reference to the transport direction A in front of the treatment zone 1 or before the sliding grid 9 and after the treatment zone 1 or after the sliding grate 9, the bottles 2 are guided with their bottle bottom 2.2 on sliding guides 10 and 11, for example, also as lattice-like structures or as a continuous Sliding plates are formed.

In order to avoid disturbances, in particular by blocking of labels or label residues and to improve the treatment of the bottles 2 at the treatment zone 1, the sliding grate 9 is formed with a special sliding structure, which also targeted during treatment Change in position of the surfaces 2 in the bottle cells 5 when passing the treatment zone 1 allows, in such a way that a particularly effective treatment of Flaschenaussen- or lateral surface with the respective spray jet 8 results. The sliding structure is in the in FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrated embodiment of a plurality of strip-like sliders 12 are formed, which are oriented with their longitudinal extent L respectively in the transport direction or substantially in the transport direction A and of which in each case a slider in the middle of the movement path of the bottle cell 5 is arranged. The number of sliders 12 is therefore at least equal to each of the rows extending in the transport direction A cylinder rows or groups.

Each slider 12 forms an edge or strip-like sliding surface 13, against which the bottles 2 abut with its bottom 2.2 and the succession in the transport direction A one after the level of the sliding surface 10 ramp-like portion 13.1, then a ramp-like sloping section 13.2 and one having a repeated ramp-like rising portion 13.3, which ends at the level or slightly above the level of the subsequent sliding surface 11. In all sections 13.1-13.3, the strip-like sliding surface 13 of each slider 12 is exposed, i. In all sections 13.1-13.3, the level of the strip-like sliding surface 13 of each slider 12 is higher than the level of adjacent areas of the sliding grate 9, so that the bottles 2 slide on passing the treatment zone 1 with its bottom 2.2 exclusively on the sliding surfaces 13 of the sliders 12.

By the differently inclined sections 13.1 and 13.2, the above-mentioned change in position of the bottles 2 takes place when passing the spray jet 8 by lifting and tilting or pivoting each bottle 2. The transition between the sections 13.1 and 13.2 is located in the illustrated embodiment, approximately below the respective spray nozzle 7. The sliding surfaces 13 and their projection surfaces have a width in the range between about 2 mm and 15 mm.

How the particular FIG. 2 shows, the sliding grate 9 in this embodiment consists of several, for example, made of a metallic sheet, such as stainless steel sliding grate elements 14 and 15, each with the openings of the sliding grate 9 forming recesses 14.1 and 15.1 are provided, in the horizontal direction and perpendicular to connect to the conveying direction A to each other and record between them the sliders 12, which protrude with their sliding surfaces 13 on the plane of the elements 14 and 15 clearly.

The sliders 12 are interchangeably held on the sliding grate 9 and consist at least in the region of their sliding surfaces 13 of an optimal sliding properties for the bottles 2 guaranteed material, such as plastic, such as PP, PVC, HDPE. For the detachable or replaceable attachment, the sliders 12 are each carried out with a mounting portion or shoe 16, which in the in the FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrated embodiment, for example, in a plane with the remaining part of the respective slider 12 and with the help of suitable fasteners, such as screws, locking pins, or by clicking or locking connections with the elements 14 and 15 or provided with these fastening straps or sections are held.

The sliding grate 9 essentially consisting of the elements 14 and 15 and the sliders 13, for example, as a complete unit or in the form of individual elements releasably provided in the cleaning machine, for example by hooking or by inserting e.g. transverse to the transport direction A. Furthermore, the elements 14 and 15 may be integral with the respective executed, wherein the elements 14 and 15 then form foot elements of the sliders 12.

The FIGS. 3 and 4 show in side view and in plan view, a slider 12a, which in turn forms the sliding surface 13 with the longitudinal axis L in a common axial direction, arranged adjoining sliding surfaces 13.1 - 13.3, but differs from the slider 12 in that the slider 12a to his Attachment is integrally formed with a strip-like fastening or foot member 16 a, which in this embodiment on the extends along the entire length of the slider 12 and is oriented with its surface sides perpendicular to the surface sides of the Gleitfläche13 forming part of the slider 12a and protrudes beyond a side of the slider 12a. Using suitable fasteners, the slider 12a is attached, for example, to the top of flat webs 17 of the sliding grate, such that in plan view of the sliding grate between each slider 12a and an adjacent element, such as another web 17 or slider 12a of the sliding grate a gap 18 remains with a sufficiently large width, ie, for example, with a width which is approximately equal to or preferably greater than the width of the foot members 16a.

Following the course of section 13.2, the foot element 16a is angled approximately at the transition between the sections 13.2 and 13.3 such that the sliding surface 13 facing away from underside of the foot member 16a two successive in Gleitstücklängsrichtung sections formed an angle slightly smaller than 180 ° with each other include, which opens to the sliding surface 13 having the top of the slider 12a.

The FIGS. 5 and 6 show in side view and in plan view, a slider 12b, which in turn has the upper sliding surface 13 with the in a common axial direction (longitudinal axis L) arranged and adjoining sections 13.1 - 13.3. The slider 12b differs from the slider 12a in that there are provided two attachment portions 16b, each extending about half the length of the slider 12b. The two foot elements 16b are on different surface sides of the strip-like slider 12b away. The reference to the transport direction A second foot member 16b is bevelled at 19 with respect to the transport direction A front end.

In the slider 12b close the levels of the sliding surface 13 facing away underside of the two foot members 16b also the angle slightly smaller than 180 °, which opens to the top of the respective slider 1 b.

The FIGS. 7 and 8 show in side view and in plan view as a further embodiment, a slider 12c, which differs from the sliders 12, 12a and 12b in that the in the FIG. 5 with 13c designated sliding surface in a section and in the horizontal direction transversely or obliquely to the transport direction A extends. In detail, the sliding surface 13c in the direction of transport A consecutively a ramp-like rising and extending in the transport direction A section 13c.1, then a further ramp-like rising and in its projection obliquely to the transport direction A from the center of the foot member 16c to an edge extending Section 13c.2, then a ramp-like and in his projection also oblique to the transport direction and co-axially with the section 13c.3 extending section 13c.3, then a ramp-like rising, in its projection obliquely to the transport direction A and the center of the foot element 16c extending back portion 13c.4 and then a further ramp-like rising portion 13c.5, which extends in its projection in the transport direction A and is arranged coaxially with the section 13c.1 in the longitudinal axis L. By the partially horizontal or substantially horizontally oriented transversely to the transport direction A course of the strip-like sliding surface 13c in the sections 13c.2 - 13c.4 is carried out in addition to the above described in connection with the sliding surface of the sliders 12 tilting of the bottle 2 substantially to one Axis transverse to the transport direction A at the same time also a tilting of these bottles 2 about an axis parallel or substantially parallel to the transport direction A and thus a further improvement of the treatment of the bottles 2 at the treatment zone. 1

In order to ensure as gentle as possible sliding of the bottle bottoms 2.2 on the sliding surface 13c, this is also laterally inclined at the sections 13c.2 - 13c.4.

In the case of the slides 12a-12c, the width of the sliding surface 13 or 13c or its projection surface is again about 2 mm-15 mm. The width of the respective foot element 16a-16c or its projection surface is in the range between about 25 mm and 45 mm, so that a ratio of the width of the sliding surface 13 or 13 c to the width of the foot member 16 a, 16 b and 16 c from 1/3 to about 1/15 results.

The invention has been described above by means of exemplary embodiments. It is understood that numerous changes and modifications are possible without thereby departing from the inventive concept underlying the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Treatment or spray zone

2

bottle

2.1

bottle mouth

2.2

bottle bottom

3

transport chains

4

bottle baskets

5

bottle cell

6

spray wand

7

nozzle

8th

spray jet

9

sliding grate

10, 11

sliding surface

12, 12a-12c

slide

13, 13c

sliding surface

13.1 - 13.3

Section of the sliding surface 13

13c.1 - 13c.5

Section of the sliding surface 13c

14, 15

Sliding grate element

14.1, 15.1

recess

16, 16a - 16c

Attachment section or foot element

17

web

18

gap

19

bevel

A

transport direction

L

Longitudinal extension of the slider

Claims (10)

1. Cleaning machine for bottles or similar containers (2), comprising a container conveying system having container cells (5) for receiving in each case one container (2), wherein the container cells (5) form at least one container cell group, in which a plurality of container cells (5) consecutively follow each other in a conveying direction (A) in an arrangement forming a cohesive loop, comprising at least one treatment zone (1), with the containers (2) being moved past said zone by the conveying system for spray-washing particularly the outer or lateral surface of said containers, and comprising a slide structure or a slide grate (9) having at least one sliding surface (13, 13c) for the containers (2) at the treatment zone (1) below the movement path of the container cells (5), wherein the sliding surface (13, 13c) cooperates with the container base, wherein the at least one sliding surface is configured as a sliding edge or sliding strip (13, 13c) in such a way that it projects upwards considerably beyond the rest of the slide structure or slide grate (9), characterised in that each of the sliding strips are configured with an upwardly sloping ramp, a section sloping downwards after the apex of the ramp and thereafter once again an upwardly sloping ramp.
2. Cleaning machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the container cells (5) are arranged in a plurality of container cell groups which are adjacent to one another perpendicular to the conveying direction (A), and in that at least one sliding surface (13, 13c) configured as a sliding edge or sliding strip is provided at the at least one treatment zone (1) for each container cell group.
3. Cleaning machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least one sliding surface (13) has at least one portion (13.1 - 13.3; 13c.1 - 13c.5) on which the sliding surface (13) is inclined in a horizontal plane relative to the conveying direction (A).
4. Cleaning machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the slide piece (12, 12a - 12c) forming the at least one sliding surface (13, 13c) has at least one foot element (14, 15, 16, 16a - 16c) for the attachment thereof, and in that the foot element protrudes for example laterally beyond the sliding surface (13, 13c).
5. Cleaning machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least one slide piece (12, 12a - 12c) forming the sliding surface (13, 13c) is attached to the slide structure or the slide grate (9) in a detachable manner.
6. Cleaning machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the width of the at least one strip-like sliding surface (13, 13c) is 2 mm to 15 mm and/or the width of the foot element (14, 15, 16, 16a - 16c) is 25 mm and 45 mm.
7. Cleaning machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the ratio of the width of the at least one sliding surface (13, 13c) to the width of the foot element (14, 15, 16, 16a - 16c) is 1/3 to 1/15.
8. Cleaning machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the foot elements (14, 15, 16, 16a - 16c) in conjunction with the slide pieces (12, 12a - 12c) form the slide structure or the slide grate, and/or in that provided at least on one side of a slide piece (12, 12a - 12c), at a distance therefrom, is a further slide piece (12, 12a - 12c) or the foot element (16, 16a - 16c) thereof.
9. Cleaning machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least one slide piece (12, 12a - 12c) is made from a plastic, e.g. from PP, PVC or HDPE, at least on the sliding surface (13, 13c).
10. Cleaning machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the slide structure or the slide grate (9) is provided, together with the at least one slide piece (12, 12a - 12c) forming the sliding surface (13, 13c), on or in the cleaning machine in a detachable manner, preferably by being suspended or inserted by pushing also transversely to the conveying direction (A).

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