EP2584298A2 - Drying device for container and method for cleaning such a drying device - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) comprises a closed drying chamber (10), which has an inlet opening (15) and an outlet opening (17) for the containers (2), and a transport system (3) for the containers. A cleaning unit is provided for the chemical or chemical and mechanical cleaning of the interior of the drying chamber, through which a cleaning and disinfecting unit is supplied in the interior of the drying chamber. The cleaning unit comprises cleaning nozzles (30) and brushes, which are arranged in each of the corners of the drying chamber. An independent claim is included for a method for cleaning a drying device.

Description

The present invention relates to a drying device for containers, in particular for bottles, according to the features of the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for cleaning such a drying device.

In the manufacture, filling and / or packaging of containers, particularly in the manufacture, filling and / or packaging of bottles in the beverage industry, it often happens that moisture adheres to the outside of the containers. This is, for example, liquid that overflows when filling the container. Furthermore, it may also be residual liquid, which still adheres to the containers after cleaning them. In addition, variations in temperature during processing may cause moisture to condense on the outside of the containers. Since this moisture in subsequent processing steps, such as in the empty or full bottle inspection, labeling or similar. disturbs, it must be removed from the container before further processing steps. For this purpose, the containers go through drying modules, in which the adhering moisture is blown off. The blown-off drops of moisture accumulate in a drip pan, but also often hang on the inner side walls of the drying module.

A device for drying objects is in DE 102008004774 A1 described. In this case, air supply openings for supplying drying air and at least one exhaust air opening for the removal of moist exhaust air are provided in a drying chamber. In particular, this device provides an inner air guide, which is directed past the inlet and / or outlet opening for the objects to be dried.

Even with this directed guidance of the exhaust air, it can happen that blown-off drops collect on the side walls of the drying module. Especially in warm areas, this leads to an enormous contamination of the drying modules, since a lot of germs accumulate and can multiply rapidly due to the excellent humid and / or warm conditions. The drying modules must therefore be cleaned regularly, preferably at least once a day, in order to avoid increased nucleation and contamination. The cleaning is conventionally carried out manually by the interior of the Drying module is sprayed with water, if necessary treated with a cleaning agent and then sprayed again with water. This is quite time consuming and often uncomfortable for the operator performing. Since no production can take place during this time, the intervals between the cleanings are often lengthened. This also results in a higher germ load for the operators of subsequent processing stations, since the germs find improved conditions for their growth.

The object of the invention is to be able to carry out a simple, fast and cost-effective cleaning of drying modules.

The above object is achieved by an apparatus and a method comprising the features in claims 1 and 9. Further advantageous embodiments are described by the subclaims.

The invention relates to a device for drying containers, in particular a drying module for drying empty or filled beverage bottles or the like. in a container treatment and / or bottling plant. The device comprises a substantially closed drying chamber, with an inlet and outlet opening for the container to be dried. The containers are transported upright through the drying chamber via a transport system. The device comprises at least one air supply opening for supplying drying air. Furthermore, the device may have at least one air discharge opening for the removal of moist exhaust air. According to the invention, the device has at least one cleaning device for chemical or chemical and mechanical cleaning of the interior of the drying chamber. About the cleaning device, a detergent and / or disinfectant can be fed into the interior of the drying chamber, distributed and removed again from the interior of the drying chamber.

For example, neutral agents, in particular cold and / or hot water, can be used as detergent and / or disinfectant. Furthermore, special cleaning agents, especially alkaline cleaners can be used. The use of acidic cleaners is also possible insofar as they do not attack the materials used in the interior of the drying chamber.

The cleaning device comprises at least one cleaning nozzle and / or a brush. In particular, a spray ball, a deflection nozzle, a rotary nozzle, a flat jet nozzle or a double flat jet nozzle can be used. Preferably, the device comprises a plurality of cleaning nozzles and / or Brushes, wherein at least in each of the corner regions of the drying chamber, a cleaning nozzle and / or brush is arranged.

According to a preferred embodiment, the cleaning nozzles and / or brushes are arranged stationarily in the interior of the drying chamber. Preferably, the cleaning nozzles and / or brushes are also pivotable, so that a complete rinsing and cleaning of the interior of the drying chamber by pivoting the cleaning nozzles and / or brushes during the cleaning process is possible.

According to an alternative embodiment, rotating brushes are provided which are movably mounted on frame elements or truss elements. The brushes are in particular attached to the frame elements in the interior of the drying chamber, that they contact the surfaces to be cleaned, in particular the inner walls of the drying chamber. The brushes coat the inner walls and / or other areas to be cleaned and thus improve the cleaning success, since in addition to the chemical cleaning with water and / or a suitable cleaning agent, a mechanical cleaning of the corresponding surfaces. The cleaning device can be associated with at least one reservoir with cleaning agent and / or a water connection. The reservoir or the water connection is connected via lines to the cleaning nozzles and / or brushes, so that the detergent and / or the water can be supplied to them and distributed through them in the interior of the drying chamber.

The cleaning process is preferably automated and can be controlled and controlled via a control module. In particular, the control module controls the cleaning cycle and / or the cleaning process according to a predefined program that includes, for example, the different cleaning steps. The control module can also specify at which intervals automatic cleaning of the interior of the drying chamber takes place. Alternatively, the cleaning process can also be started manually by a user via the control module.

The control of the cleaning process can thus take place via a control associated with the drying module. But it can also be provided that the controller is connected to a central, higher-level system that coordinates the different modules of a container treatment device. The higher-level system activates the control module in particular when, for example, due to a product change, the system at least partially needs to be converted. The cleaning intervals can thus be adjusted individually over time, production start / end etc. or manually.

According to a further embodiment, the inlet and outlet openings during the cleaning of the drying chamber can be largely sealed by means of closure devices, so that the interior of the drying chamber forms a closed system. This can prevent that during the cleaning process, cleaning agent passes to the outside and thus pollutes the environment of the device. Furthermore, this improves the safety of the staff operating the device. In particular, it is effectively prevented that the personnel comes into contact with the possibly aggressive cleaning agent and / or superheated steam, etc. In particular, it can be provided that the closure devices are controlled by the control module. The control module controls the closure devices before and after completion of the cleaning process accordingly.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the closure device in the region of their contact surfaces to the inlet and outlet openings with sealing elements, in particular with rubber lips and / or brush strips, equipped. In particular, rugged areas such as the guide railing for the containers in the inlet or outlet area, i. in the region of the inlet and outlet, thus can be better sealed.

According to a further embodiment, the cleaning process takes place automatically at predefined time intervals, wherein the control unit interrupts the inflow of containers into the drying chamber before the beginning of the cleaning process, while the containers located in the interior of the drying chamber are conveyed out of the drying chamber through the outlet opening. This ensures that there are no containers in the interior of the drying chamber during the cleaning process. Furthermore, it can be provided that the transport system moves on during the cleaning process, so that the entire transport system is also sufficiently cleaned.

The closure devices can also be monitored by an active lock or door contacts. The cleaning process is started by the control module only when the closure devices are closed and there are no more containers in the interior of the drying chamber.

Furthermore, the device may comprise a suction device for the cleaning agent in order to be able to control it and remove it separately from the device. Furthermore, the drying chamber can be equipped with a viewing window. The viewing window allows the operator to monitor the health and / or cleanliness of the interior of the drying chamber.

The invention further relates to a method for cleaning an already described apparatus for drying containers with inventive cleaning device. According to the invention, at least one cleaning and / or disinfecting agent is introduced into the interior of the drying chamber via the cleaning device. Preferably, the following cleaning steps take place automatically and / or controlled during a cleaning process. First, water is injected into the interior of the drying chamber to humidify the interior surfaces and remove the grossest debris. Subsequently, the interior of the drying chamber is acted upon by the cleaning nozzles with cleaning agent, in particular detergent foam is injected into the interior. Preferably, the cleaning agent can now act for a defined time. For example, an exposure time of about 5min to 10min is provided. Thereafter, the detergent is purged by injecting water through the cleaning nozzles into the interior. After repeated rinsing and blowing out of the at least one air supply opening, the operation of the device can be resumed. Blowing out the air supply port serves to remove detergent residue and / or water that may have entered the air supply system. Then air can still be blown through the cleaning nozzles to dry the interior, before the production is resumed.

In particular, it can be provided that the water and / or cleaning agent is in each case extracted by suction after each of the cleaning steps. This makes it possible, for example, to collect the detergent separately and reprocess. For example, an outflow is integrated in the bottom plate of the interior or laterally. The cleaning agent can be collected, disposed of or recycled and reused. For example, a drain for water and a drain for detergent may be provided, wherein the water drain is opened and the detergent drain is closed when a cleaning step with water takes place and wherein the detergent effluent is opened and the water drain is closed when a cleaning step is performed with detergent. Alternatively, a single outflow may be provided, each of which switches to different disposal routes can be. In particular, multiple drain lines can be provided, each leading to its own collection container. Depending on the cleaning step, the corresponding disposal path or the corresponding outflow line for water, alkaline cleaning agent, acidic cleaning agent, etc. is opened by means of a switching valve, while the other disposal routes are each closed. The water or cleaning agent passes into the associated collection container, from which it can then be removed and fed to a suitable reprocessing.

According to a preferred embodiment, air is also blown through the at least one air supply opening into the interior of the drying chamber during the cleaning process. This will ensure that no water or detergent gets into the air supply system and contaminates it. In order to save energy during the cleaning process, while the performance of the fan can be reduced compared to the blower power during the drying process, so that, for example, only about 20% of the normal dry air volume per unit time is blown.

The cleaning is preferably mechanical, swollen or sprayed. The pressure, temperature and / or amount of cleaning media is adjustable and controllable by the control module. The lines leading to the cleaning nozzles for the water and / or the cleaning agent can be used with flow monitors or flow meters or the like. be equipped. As a result, the supply of water and / or cleaning agent can be controlled even better and the complete treatment of the interior of the drying chamber can be ensured or ensured.

It should also be noted that chemical cleaning also means cleaning the drying chamber only with water as the cleaning agent, for example with hot steam.

The automatic cleaning via the cleaning device can be operated independently of the general system cleaning system or connected to the existing system cleaning system. Thus, for example, a common detergent supply and / or water connection can be used.

The particular advantage of automated cleaning is that no time-consuming cleaning by an operator is necessary. Furthermore, it is ensured that the cleaning is also carried out at regular intervals. This effectively prevents colonization of the drying chamber with germs, in particular with mold fungi such as Aspergillus or the like. This leads to a significant improvement in the hygienic conditions in such systems. Health risks to the device operator by mold spores or similar can thus be largely minimized.

• Figur 1 zeigt eine schematische Vorderansicht eines Trocknungsmoduls für Flaschen gemäß vorliegender Erfindung.
• Figuren 2 bis 4 zeigen jeweils eine schematische Seitenansicht des Innenraumes eines Trocknungsmoduls für Flaschen gemäß vorliegender Erfindung.
• Figur 5 bis Figur 8 zeigen jeweils eine weitere schematische Vorderansicht eines Trocknungsmoduls für Flaschen gemäß vorliegender Erfindung.
• Figur 9 zeigt schematisch die Reinigungsschritte während eines Reinigungszyklus.

In the following, embodiments of the invention and their advantages with reference to the accompanying figures will be explained in more detail. The proportions of the individual elements to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the actual size ratios, since some shapes are simplified and other shapes are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration.

• FIG. 1 shows a schematic front view of a drying module for bottles according to the present invention.
• FIGS. 2 to 4 each show a schematic side view of the interior of a drying module for bottles according to the present invention.
• FIG. 5 to FIG. 8 each show a further schematic front view of a drying module for bottles according to the present invention.
• FIG. 9 shows schematically the cleaning steps during a cleaning cycle.

For identical or equivalent elements of the invention, identical reference numerals are used. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference symbols are shown in the individual figures, which are required for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of how the device or method of the invention may be configured and are not an exhaustive limitation.

FIG. 1 to FIG. 5 each show views of a drying module 1 for bottles 2 according to the present invention. The drying module 1 comprises a substantially closed drying chamber 10 with an inlet and outlet opening 15, 17 for the bottles 2. The bottles 2 are transported upright through the drying chamber 10 via a transporting means 3. For example, this is a transport lane in which the bottles 2 successively pass through the drying chamber 10 in the transport direction TR.

Above and / or next to the transport lane for the bottles 2, an air supply system 4 is arranged, for example, drying air 20 by a blower 6 generated and passed through air ducts 7 in the interior of the drying chamber 10, where the drying air 20 is blown from so-called Air Knifes 5 preferably obliquely down to the bottles 2. The blown-off moisture accumulates preferably in a drain pan 9, which includes a drain 9 _A. The removal of the moist exhaust air 22 is effected by suction via an air discharge opening eighth

The drying chamber 10 comprises at least one cleaning device, by means of which cleaning agent can be supplied into the interior of the drying chamber 10. In the embodiment shown, the cleaning device comprises a plurality of cleaning nozzles 30, wherein in each case a cleaning nozzle 30 is arranged in one of the corners of the drying chamber 10. Furthermore, at least two cleaning nozzles 30 are arranged in the middle region of the drying chamber 10. The cleaning nozzles 30 are preferably spray balls, deflecting nozzles, flat jet nozzles, double flat jet nozzles or the like. Preferably, the cleaning nozzles 30 are pivotable and / or rotatable in all spatial directions.

Instead of cleaning nozzles 30 and brushes can be used, in particular brushes with openings through which cleaning agent into the interior of the drying chamber 10 can be supplied.

As in FIG. 3 shown, the cleaning device is associated with at least one reservoir 50 with detergent 51. In addition, the cleaning device comprises at least one access to a water connection 60. The cleaning agent 51 and / or water is supplied via lines 52, 62 to the cleaning nozzles 32 or brushes and distributed in the interior of the drying chamber 10. The cleaning agent 51 may be, for example, water. For an improved cleaning and / or disinfecting effect, it is also possible to use special cleaners, in particular alkaline cleaners. A cleaning with acidic cleaning agents is also possible, provided that the materials used in the interior of the drying chamber 10 are not attacked by the cleaning agent 51 used.

The cleaning of the interior of the drying chamber 10 is preferably carried out automatically. In particular, the cleaning steps, the duration of the cleaning process and the intervals between two cleaning operations are controllable. As in FIG. 4 shown, a control device 40 is provided for this purpose. This controls a pumping device 53, via which water, cleaning agent 51 or a mixture of water and cleaning agent 51 is supplied to the cleaning nozzles 30. On the other hand, the control device 40 controls the cleaning nozzles 30 or brushes. These are preferably arranged stationarily in the interior of the drying chamber, but may for example be pivotable and / or rotatable. As a result, the water and / or cleaning agent 51 can be largely uniformly distributed in the interior or on the inner side surfaces of the drying chamber 10. The cleaning preferably takes place automatically after certain preset time intervals. In this case, the control unit 40 interrupts the supply of bottles 2 in the drying chamber 10, so that there are no bottles 2 in the drying chamber 10 during the cleaning process. However, it can be provided that the empty means of transport 3 continues to move through the drying chamber 10 in order to enable an all-embracing cleaning of the means of transport 3.

However, it can also be provided that a user starts the cleaning process manually via the control device 40.

Preferably, during the cleaning process, air 21 is further injected through the air knifes 5 into the interior of the drying chamber 10. This prevents water and / or cleaning agents from getting into the air knifes 5 or into the air ducts 7. To save energy during the cleaning process, the power of the fan 6 can be reduced by about 80%, whereby the effect described above is still achieved.

FIG. 5 shows that special closure devices 35 are provided, with which the inlet and outlet openings 15, 17 can be closed for the container before the start of the cleaning process, so that the interior of the drying chamber 10 forms a completely closed space and no water and / or cleaning agent 51 after outside. The closure devices 35 may be provided at the contact points to the openings 15, 17 with sealing elements 36, in particular with rubber lips and / or brush strips. As a result, for example, fissured areas such as the railing guide for the bottles in the input or output area can be sealed well.

The closure devices 35 can be manually attached. Preferably, however, the closure devices 35 are automatically adjustable and are controlled by the control device 40, so that the inlet and outlet openings 15, 17 are automatically closed for the container before the start of the cleaning process and automatically opened after completion of the cleaning process. FIG. 5 further shows a arranged in the lower side region Suction device 55 for water and / or cleaning agent 51, so that the cleaning agent 51 can each be collected separately and possibly reprocessed.

According to FIG. 6 it is provided that the drain 9A two discharge lines 57a, 57b are assigned. Depending on the respective cleaning step is switched over a change-over valve 59 each to the desired disposal path, while the other disposal path is closed in each case. For example, the drain line 57a leads to a collecting container 58a for spent detergent 51 u. Accordingly, the drain line 57b leads to a collecting tank 58b for spent water 61 u. The spent cleaning agent 51 u or the used water 61 u can then be removed from the respective collection container 58 a, 58 b and fed to a suitable reprocessing.

FIG. 7 shows another air distribution system. To complete the cleaning process, the interior of the drying chamber 10 must be dried again before the drying of the bottles 2 can take place. For this purpose, it may be provided that the necessary drying air 22 via the existing air supply system 4 (see FIG. FIG. 2 ) is blown. Alternatively and / or additionally, air 33 can also be blown in via the cleaning nozzles 30. The cleaning nozzles 30 are accordingly connected to air ducts 32, which are connected, for example, to the blower 6 for the drying air 22 or to a separate blower (not shown).

According to a in FIG. 8 illustrated alternative embodiment, instead of the cleaning nozzles rotating brushes 31 are provided whose position in the interior of the drying chamber 10 can be changed. The brushes 31 are arranged movably on a frame construction with vertical and horizontal truss elements 70. This allows the brushes 31, the inner walls of the drying chamber and / or other areas to be cleaned - for example, the transport (not shown) or the like. - coat and thus additionally clean mechanically

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates the cleaning steps during a cleaning cycle. First, water is injected into the interior of the drying chamber via the cleaning nozzles. This is for wetting the interior surfaces and removing coarse contaminants. Subsequently, the interior is foamed with a cleaning and / or disinfecting agent. This is also injected through the cleaning nozzles. Preferably, the cleaning and / or Disinfectant now for a certain exposure t _effective , for example, 5min to 10min, act on the interior. The cleaning and / or disinfecting agent can now be first aspirated or rinsed directly by water is injected through the cleaning nozzles in the interior. Preferably, residual cleaning agent is completely removed by rinsing with water. In a final cleaning step, the interior of the drying chamber is blown dry. On the one hand, this is done via the air supply openings, which inject the drying air. On the other hand, air can also be injected via the cleaning nozzles.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications or changes may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

drying module

2

bottle

3

Mode of Transport

4

Air supply device / air supply system

5

Air knife

6

fan

7

air line

8th

Luftabführöffnung

9

drain pan

9 _A

outflow

10

drying chamber

15

inlet opening

17

outlet opening

20

drying air

21

air

21 _r

Air with reduced blower output

22

moist exhaust air

30

cleaning nozzle

31

cleaning brush

32

air lines

35

closure device

36

sealing

40

control module

50

reservoir

51

cleaning supplies

51 u

used cleaning agent

53

pumping device

55

suction

57a / 57b

drain line

58a / 58b

Clippings

60

mains water supply

61 u

used water

62

water pipe

70

cross element

twirk

exposure

Claims (15)

Device (1) for drying containers (2), in particular bottles, wherein the device (1) comprises a substantially closed drying chamber (10), with an inlet and outlet opening (15, 17) for the containers (2), with a transport system (3) for the containers (2), the containers (2) being transported upright through the drying chamber (10), with at least one air supply opening (5) for supplying drying air (20), characterized in that Device (1) comprises at least one cleaning device for chemical or chemical and mechanical cleaning of the interior of the drying chamber (10) through which a cleaning and / or disinfecting agent (51) in the interior of the drying chamber (10) can be fed, distributed and removed , Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning device comprises at least one cleaning nozzle (30), in particular a spray ball, a deflection nozzle, a rotary nozzle, a flat jet nozzle or a double flat jet nozzle, and / or at least one brush (31). Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cleaning device comprises a plurality of cleaning nozzles (30) and / or brushes (31), wherein at least one cleaning nozzle (30) and / or brush (31) in each of the corners of the drying chamber ( 10) is arranged. Device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the cleaning nozzles (30) and / or brushes (31) are arranged fixed in the interior of the drying chamber (10) and / or wherein the device (1) comprises frame elements (70) on which rotating brushes (31) are arranged movable, so that the rotating brushes (31) with the surfaces to be cleaned in the interior of the drying chamber (10) are brought into contact. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning device is associated with at least one storage container (50) with cleaning and / or disinfecting agent (51) and / or wherein the cleaning device comprises at least one access (62) to a water connection (60) , Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning device is associated with a control module (40) and wherein the cleaning device via the control module (40) manually and / or automatically controllable. Device (1) according to claim 6, wherein by the control module (40) the cleaning cycle and / or the cleaning process is adjustable and / or controllable. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (1) closure devices (35) for the inlet and outlet openings (15, 17) of the drying chamber (10). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (1) comprises a suction device (55) for water and / or cleaning agent (51). Method for cleaning a device (1) for drying containers (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one cleaning and / or disinfecting agent (51) is introduced into the interior of the drying chamber (10) via the cleaning device and then removed again. The method of claim 10, wherein in the interior of the drying chamber (10) the following purification steps occur automatically and / or controlled: Injecting water through the cleaning device into the interior of the drying chamber (10) to moisten the interior surfaces; Pressurizing the interior of the drying chamber (10) with a cleaning and / or disinfecting agent (51) which is injected by the cleaning device into the interior of the drying chamber (10); • action of the cleaning and / or disinfecting agent (51) for a defined time (twirk); Flushing the interior to remove the cleaning and / or disinfecting agent (51); • rinsing the interior; Blowing out the at least one air supply opening (5) and / or • Blowing out the interior through the cleaning nozzles (30). The method of claim 10 or 11, wherein during the cleaning process further air (21, 21 _R ) is blown through the at least one air supply opening (5) in the interior of the drying chamber (10). The method of claim 12, wherein the drying air (20, 21, 21 _R ) is generated with a blower (6), and wherein the power of the blower (6) during the cleaning operation is reduced by up to 80% compared to the blower performance during the drying process , A method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the cleaning operation is controlled by a control module (40) coupled to the closure devices (35), and wherein the control module (40) controls the closure devices (35) prior to and after completion of the cleaning operation in that the inlet and outlet openings (15, 17) for the containers (2) are closed by the closure devices (35) during the duration of the cleaning process and are opened again after the cleaning process has ended. Method according to one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the cleaning process is carried out automatically at predefined time intervals, wherein the control unit (40) interrupts a supply of containers (2) into the drying chamber (10) before the beginning of the cleaning process.

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