EP3053662A1 - Jet device - Google Patents

Abstract

A spraying device, in particular for low pressure internal cleaning of containers, comprises: a, in particular spherical, hollow spray head (10) having a plurality of spray openings (11); an interface (20, 20 ') for, in particular, positive, frictional and / or material-locking attachment to a fluid port (3, 3'); and a connecting tube (22; 23 '+ 24) connecting the spray head to the interface; in which the connecting tube has at least one elastic joint section (23, 23 '), by means of which the spray head is mounted to be elastically movable relative to the interface; and or in the hollow spray head at least one, in particular spherical, Pertubationskörper (40) is movably received.

Description

The present invention relates to a spray device, in particular for low-pressure internal cleaning of containers, a container, in particular tank, in particular for food and / or luxury foods, chemicals and / or lubricants and / or fuels, with the spray device, a mobile cleaning arrangement with the Spray device and a method for cleaning the interior of a container, in particular tanks, in particular for food and / or beverage, chemicals and / or lubricants and / or fuels.

From an in-house practice, spray devices are known having a spherical, hollow spray head with a plurality of spray holes, an interface attached to a fluid port, and a one-piece, rigid connecting tube rigidly connecting the spray head to the interface.

As a result of the spray head stationary relative to the interface or the container, jets from the spray orifices essentially always strike the same points of a container to be cleaned inside, so that it is unevenly walled.

For this reason, spraying devices are also known from internal practice in which the spray head is movably mounted by means of a rigid-body joint, for example a hinge or ball joint, in the joint surfaces, for example of the shaft and pin of a hinge joint or ball and socket of a ball joint, sliding on each other.

The object of the present invention is to improve a spraying device and / or internal cleaning of containers.

This object is achieved by a spray device with the features of claim 1. Claims 13-15 disclose a container with a spray device described herein, a mobile cleaning assembly with a spray device described herein, or a method for interior cleaning a container or containers a spray device or cleaning arrangement described here under protection. The subclaims relate to advantageous developments.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a spray device includes a hollow spray head having a plurality of spray ports, an interface for attachment to a fluid port, and a connector tube connecting the spray head to the interface. In one embodiment, the connecting tube has one or more elastic hinge sections through which the spray head is elastically movable (supported) relative to the interface. Additionally or alternatively, one or more pertubation bodies are movably received in the hollow spray head.

Surprisingly, it has been found that by an elastic mobility or storage of the spray head opposite or relative to the interface by at least one elastic joint portion of the connecting pipe on the one hand and by at least one movable Pertubationskörper in the spray head on the other hand, each be realized in each case an advantageous Beschwallung can, in particular by the elastically movable or mounted spray head or the or the Pertubationskörper be inspired in the spray head by the spray liquid flowing through to movements.

In one embodiment, the spray head is formed like a ball. In one embodiment, spray openings are arranged in an interface-facing and / or an interface-facing half. In one embodiment, spray openings have one, at least substantially, circular or langlochbzw. slit-like cross section.

The interface is or is in one embodiment form-fitting, in particular by one or more pins and / or a bayonet fitting, frictionally, in particular by one or more brackets and / or an internal or external thread of the interface, and / or cohesively, in particular by welding , Soldering and / or gluing, attachable to the liquid connection, in particular fastened, or is adapted thereto, in particular by appropriate fits, holes or the like.

In one embodiment, no (rigid body) joint with successive sliding joint surfaces is arranged between the spray head and the interface, in particular no hinge or ball joint. By the mobility of the spray head relative to the interface in this embodiment is effected exclusively by the or the elastic hinge portion (s), can advantageously contamination of the liquid flowing through the spray device and / or the container interior by abrasion and / or lubricant of rigid body joint surfaces and / or Pollution, especially a bacterial attack, such joint surfaces are advantageously avoided.

In another embodiment, one or more (rigid body) joints with mutually sliding joint surfaces are arranged between the spray head and the interface, in particular one or more hinge or ball joints. This can advantageously, in particular optionally, a greater mobility of the spray head against the interface are provided. In one embodiment, one or more arranged between the spray head and the interface (rigid body) joints can be locked, so that when locked or locked (rigid body) joint (s), the mobility of the spray head with respect to the interface again exclusively by the or the elastic joint portion (e) is effected.

In one embodiment, one, in particular the single, or a plurality of elastic joint sections can each have one or more local diameter enlargements and / or one or more local diameter reductions, in particular a bellows with at least two, in particular at least five, folds. By such local diameter enlargements and / or diameter reductions, in particular wrinkles, in one embodiment, an advantageous elastic mobility can be made available and / or fluidically advantageous, an elastic movement of the spray head can be excited.

Additionally or alternatively, in one embodiment, one, in particular the single, or several elastic joint sections each have one or more elastic membranes, in particular ring membranes, wherein in a development a ring membrane of the connection pipe between a rigid pipe section of Connecting pipe and the interface is arranged, in particular this connects, and / or a ring membrane of the connecting pipe between a rigid pipe section of the connecting pipe and the spray head is arranged, in particular connects and / or a ring membrane between two rigid pipe sections of the connecting pipe is arranged, in particular these together combines. By a ring diaphragm between a rigid pipe section of the connecting pipe and the interface, an elastic movement of the pipe section relative to or relative to the interface can be effected by a ring diaphragm between a rigid pipe section of the connecting pipe and the spray head an elastic movement of the spray head relative to or relative to the pipe section, by a membrane between two rigid connecting pipe sections an elastic movement of these rigid connecting pipe sections against or relative to each other.

Additionally or alternatively, in one embodiment, one, in particular the single, or a plurality of elastic joint sections each have one, in particular maximum or average, wall thickness of at most 0.9 mm, in particular at most 0.8 mm, in particular at most 0.7 mm. In a development, a bellows has such a wall thickness. Likewise, a cylindrical connecting tube, which in a further development has a constant cross-section, over its entire axial length or a portion thereof thereof have such a wall thickness and thus form an elastic joint portion in the sense of the present invention. By such a wall thickness, in one embodiment, an advantageous elastic mobility can be provided.

Additionally or alternatively, in one embodiment, one, in particular the single, or a plurality of elastic joint sections may each have a modulus of elasticity of at most 10 GPa, in particular at most 7 GPa. By such a low (re) stiffness advantageous elastic mobility can be provided in one embodiment.

Additionally or alternatively, in one embodiment, in particular the single or multiple elastic hinge sections may each comprise plastic, in particular elastomer, and / or metal, in particular a steel or light metal alloy, in particular with aluminum and / or titanium, in particular consist thereof. By such a material, in one embodiment, an advantageous elastic mobility can be provided.

In one embodiment, a, in particular the single, or more elastic joint sections and the spray head are made of the same material or are. Additionally or alternatively, one or more, in particular the single, or a plurality of elastic joint sections and the interface are made of the same material. In another embodiment, a, in particular the single, or a plurality of elastic joint sections and the spray head made of different materials and / or one, in particular the single, or more elastic joint sections and the interface made of different materials.

In one embodiment, the connecting tube and the spray head are or are releasably, in particular form-fitting, in particular by one or more pins and / or a bayonet lock, and / or frictionally, in particular by one or more brackets and / or a thread of the interface, or cohesively , in particular by welding, in particular laser welding, soldering and / or gluing, connected or integrally formed with each other.

In one embodiment, in particular, the elastic hinge section extends over at most 90%, in particular at most 75%, of an axial length of the connecting tube and / or an axial distance between the interface and the spray head. Additionally or alternatively, a, in particular the, elastic hinge section extends over at least 10%, in particular at least 25% of the axial length of the connecting tube and / or an axial distance between the interface and the spray head. As stated above, in one embodiment, the entire connecting tube, in particular as a result of a corresponding wall thickness and / or a corresponding modulus of elasticity, in particular material, can form one or the elastic joint section as a whole.

In one embodiment, one or more pertubation bodies have one or more surface depressions and / or one or more planar surface regions, for example, notches, (screws) wings or the like. As a result, in one embodiment, the perturbing or (aus) flow inhomogenizing effect can be improved. In one embodiment, one, in particular the single, or more Pertubationskörper are formed like a ball. In one embodiment, a pertubation body can be a hollow or solid body, in particular of metal, ceramic, Teflon and / or plastic.

In one embodiment, a maximum outer diameter of a pertubation body is at most 90% of a minimum inner diameter of the connecting tube and / or at most 75%, in particular at most 50%, of a minimum inner diameter of the hollow spray head. As a result, in one embodiment, the perturbing or (aus) flow inhomogenizing effect can be improved.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a container, in particular a tank, in particular for foodstuffs and / or luxury foods such as drinks, spices, tobacco or the like, chemicals and / or lubricants and / or fuels, one, in particular neck or hole-like , Liquid connection and a spray device described here, the interface is attached to the liquid connection or is.

In one embodiment, in particular, the interface is a pipe, in particular a pipe end region, which in a further development is rigid and / or integral, in particular homogeneous, with the connecting pipe or can connect seamlessly and seamlessly to this. In other words, a (rigid and / or end) region of a pipe, in particular covering itself with the liquid connection or provided therefor, can form an interface in the sense of the present invention, the remaining pipe a connecting pipe in the sense of the present invention. In one embodiment, in particular, the interface is an end face of the connecting tube (on).

In one embodiment, the spraying device has a tube with a first and a second end face, wherein the first end face is attached to the spray head. An end portion of the tube which, in one embodiment, extends over at most 25%, in particular at most 10%, of an axial length of the tube between the latter extends first and second end face and having the second end face, in particular the second end face, forms in one embodiment, the interface, the remaining tube, the connecting pipe.

Equally, in one embodiment, the interface may in particular also be an area, in particular edge, of a (ring) membrane which has, in particular, an elastic joint section of the connecting tube.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a container described herein is internally cleaned by cleaning fluid, in particular at a pressure of at most 5 bar, in particular at most 3 bar, is supplied through the interface, flows through the spray device and exits the spray holes to clean the container inside. If the cleaning fluid is supplied at a pressure of at most 3 bar, this is referred to as low pressure internal cleaning in the sense of the present invention.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a mobile cleaning arrangement, in particular for low-pressure internal cleaning of a container, in particular tanks, in particular for food and / or luxury foods such as beverages, spices, tobacco or the like, chemicals and / or lubricants and / or fuels , a liquid connection and a spray device described here, the interface, in particular form, friction and / or material fit, is fastened to the liquid connection, in particular is attached or is.

The mobile cleaning arrangement can in particular have a passive or actuated or driven, in particular motorized, chassis with one or more wheels, tracks or the like, on which the fluid connection can be rigid or movable, in particular articulated. Such a mobile cleaning trolley can in particular be arranged temporarily or permanently in the container and / or be moved in this case or be. Its fluid connection is or is in a development, in particular by means of a hose, connected to a, in particular fixed or external, external fluid reservoir, in particular connected.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the container is cleaned internally by means of the mobile cleaning arrangement by cleaning fluid, in particular at a pressure of at most 5 bar, in particular at most 3 bar, supplied via the interface, flows through the spray device and exits the spray openings to the container innenzureinigen.

In one embodiment, the spray head of a spray device described here with one or more further spray heads, in particular a spray head of one or more further of the spray devices described here, fluidically connected in parallel or in series.

In particular, in one development, the spray head of a spray device described here in turn at least one, in particular nozzle or hole-like, liquid connection, on which a further spray head, in particular via a connecting pipe, can be fastened, in particular is attached or is. In one embodiment, the spray head of a spraying device described here in turn has at least one liquid connection to which an interface of at least one further of the spraying devices described here can be fastened, in particular fastened or is.

Additionally or alternatively, in a further development, the interface of a spray device described here can be fastened, in particular fastened, to a liquid connection which has a further spray head, in particular a spray head of a further spray device described here.

Fig. 1:

eine Schnittdarstellung einer Sprühvorrichtung nach einer Ausführung der vorliegenden Erfindung; und

Fig. 2:

eine Teilschnittdarstellung eines Behälters mit einer Sprühvorrichtung nach einer weiteren Ausführung der vorliegenden Erfindung.

Further advantages and features emerge from the subclaims and the exemplary embodiments. This shows, partially schematized ,:

Fig. 1:

a sectional view of a spray device according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 2:

a partial sectional view of a container with a spraying device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of a spray device for low-pressure internal cleaning of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention with a spherical, hollow spray head 10 with a plurality of spray holes 11, an interface 20 at a nozzle-like liquid port 3 of the container by means of a splint (not shown) can be fastened or fastened, which passes through a corresponding bore 21, and a connecting tube 22 which connects the spray head 10 with the interface 20.

In the embodiment forms an in Fig. 1 upper end portion of a tube 20 + 22, which overlaps the fluid port 3, the interface 20, the thus formed homogeneously formed remaining tube the connecting tube 22 in the context of the present invention.

This connecting tube 22 has an elastic joint portion in the form of a bellows with several local diameter enlargements and reductions in the form of folds 23, through which the spray head 10 is mounted elastically movable relative to the interface 20.

In the hollow spray head 10, a spherical pertubation body 40 is movably received.

Between the spray head 10 and the interface 20 no rigid body joint with successive sliding joint surfaces is arranged.

The elastic joint portion in the form of bellows with multiple folds 23 has a wall thickness between 0.6 mm to 0.8 mm.

In the exemplary embodiment, the spray head 10 and the connecting tube 22 are made of a metal, in particular an aluminum alloy, and are connected to one another in a materially bonded manner. In a modification, the spray head 10 and / or the connecting tube 22 may also be made of plastic, in particular integrally with one another, such that the elastic joint section in the form of the bellows with multiple folds 23 in one embodiment has a modulus of elasticity of at most 7 GPa ,

The elastic joint portion in the form of the bellows with a plurality of folds 23 extends in the exemplary embodiment over at most 75% and at least 25% of an axial length of the connecting tube 22nd

The pertubation body has a surface depression with flat surface areas in the form of a notch 41. Its (maximum) outer diameter is at most 90% of a minimum inner diameter of the connecting pipe and / or at most 75%, in particular at most 50%, of a minimum inner diameter of the hollow spray head.

For cleaning the interior of the container cleaning liquid is supplied at a pressure between 1 bar and 2.5 bar via the interface 20, flows through the spray device and exits the spray holes 11 in order to clean the container inside.

Fig. 2 shows a partial sectional view of a container with a spray device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the elastic hinge portion is formed as an elastic ring membrane 23 'made of an elastomer, the edge 20' is connected in a diagrammatically shown manner with a hole-like liquid connection 3 'of the container and thus forms an interface in the context of the present invention. On its inner circumference, the annular membrane 23 'is again connected in a schematically illustrated manner to a rigid tube 24 which thus together with the annular membrane 23' forms a connecting tube in the sense of the present invention. At the end facing away from the interface (bottom in Fig. 2 ) is a spray head as it relates to Fig. 1 has been explained, firmly attached.

The annular membrane 23 'is thus arranged between the rigid tube (section) 24 of the connecting tube and the interface 20'. In a modification, not shown, a ring diaphragm between the rigid tube (section) 24 of the connecting tube and the spray head can be arranged in an analogous manner.

Although exemplary embodiments have been explained in the foregoing description, it should be understood that a variety of modifications are possible.

It should also be noted that the exemplary embodiments are merely examples that are not intended to limit the scope, applications and construction in any way. Rather, the expert is given by the preceding description, a guide for the implementation of at least one exemplary embodiment, with various changes, in particular with regard to the function and arrangement of the components described, can be made without departing from the scope, as it turns out according to the claims and these equivalent combinations of features.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

spray nozzle

11

spray openings

20; 20 '

interface

21

drilling

22

connecting pipe

23

(Bellows with several) fold (s)

23 '

ring membrane

24

Tube (section)

3; 3 '

liquid port

40

Pertubationskörper

41

score

Claims (15)

Spray device, in particular for low pressure internal cleaning of containers, comprising: a, in particular spherical, hollow spray head (10) having a plurality of spray openings (11); an interface (20, 20 ') for, in particular positive, frictional and / or cohesive, attachment to a liquid connection (3, 3'); and a connecting tube (22; 23 '+ 24) connecting the spray head to the interface; characterized in that the connecting tube has at least one elastic joint section (23, 23 '), by means of which the spray head is mounted to be elastically movable relative to the interface; and or in the hollow spray head at least one, in particular spherical, Pertubationskörper (40) is movably received. Spray device according to claim 1, characterized in that between the spray head and the interface no or at least one joint with successive sliding joint surfaces is arranged. Spray device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an elastic joint portion at least a local diameter increase and / or at least one local diameter reduction, in particular a bellows with at least two, in particular at least five, folds (23). Spray device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an elastic joint section has at least one elastic membrane, in particular annular membrane (23 '). Spray device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the annular diaphragm is connected between a rigid tube section (24) of the connecting tube and the interface (20 ') or between a rigid tube section (24) of the connecting tube and the spray head (10) or between two rigid pipe sections of the connecting pipe is arranged, in particular these interconnects. Spray device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an elastic joint portion (23) has a wall thickness of at most 0.9 mm, in particular at most 0.8 mm, in particular at most 0.7 mm. Spray device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an elastic joint portion (23 ') has a modulus of elasticity of at most 10 GPa, in particular at most 7 GPa. Spray device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an elastic joint portion (23, 23 ') plastic, in particular elastomer, and / or metal, in particular a steel or light metal alloy having. Spray device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an elastic joint portion (23; 23 ') and the spray head and / or the interface of the same material or different materials is made. Spray device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an elastic hinge portion (23) extends over at most 90%, in particular at most 75%, and / or at least 10%, in particular at least 25% of an axial length of the connecting tube (22). Spray device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a perturbation body (40) has at least one surface depression (41) and / or at least one planar surface region (41). Spray device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a maximum outer diameter of a Pertubationskörpers (40) at most 90% of a minimum inner diameter of Connecting pipe and / or at most 75%, in particular at most 50%, of a minimum inner diameter of the hollow spray head. Container, in particular tank, in particular for foodstuffs and / or luxury foods, chemicals and / or lubricants and / or fuels, having a liquid connection (3, 3 ') and a spraying device according to one of the preceding claims, whose interface (20; ), in particular form, friction and / or material fit, is attached to the liquid connection. Mobile cleaning arrangement, in particular for low-pressure internal cleaning of a container, in particular tanks, in particular for food and / or beverage, chemicals and / or lubricants and / or fuels, wherein the mobile cleaning arrangement comprises a liquid connection and a spray device according to one of the preceding claims, whose interface (20, 20 '), in particular form, friction and / or material fit, can be fastened to the liquid connection. Process for the internal cleaning of a container, in particular tanks, in particular for food and / or beverage, chemicals and / or lubricants and / or fuels, according to claim 13 and / or by means of a cleaning arrangement according to claim 14, wherein cleaning liquid, in particular with a pressure of at most 5 bar, in particular at most 3 bar, is supplied via the interface (20; 20 ') and exits from the spray openings (11) in order to clean the container inside.

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