EP3666408A1 - Procédé de chauffage d'un liquide de lavage dans une machine de lavage de récipients et machine à laver pour mettre en oeuvre un tel procédé - Google Patents

Procédé de chauffage d'un liquide de lavage dans une machine de lavage de récipients et machine à laver pour mettre en oeuvre un tel procédé Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3666408A1
EP3666408A1 EP18212666.4A EP18212666A EP3666408A1 EP 3666408 A1 EP3666408 A1 EP 3666408A1 EP 18212666 A EP18212666 A EP 18212666A EP 3666408 A1 EP3666408 A1 EP 3666408A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
washing
containers
washing liquid
circulation line
bath
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Withdrawn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
EP18212666.4A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Claudio Berzaghi
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.)
Sidel End of Line and Tunnels Solutions SRL
Original Assignee
Gebo Packaging Solutions Italy SRL
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 Gebo Packaging Solutions Italy SRL filed Critical Gebo Packaging Solutions Italy SRL
Priority to EP18212666.4A priority Critical patent/EP3666408A1/fr
Priority to PCT/EP2019/084980 priority patent/WO2020120709A1/fr
Publication of EP3666408A1 publication Critical patent/EP3666408A1/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Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • B08B9/20—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 invention relates to a method for heating a washing liquid in a machine for washing containers.
  • washing machines are known with the purpose of cleaning the empty containers upstream of a filling and a labelling station, in which the containers are respectively filled with a pourable product and labelled with respective labels.
  • washing machine is known, e.g. from EP2727660 in the name of the same Applicant.
  • Known washing machines essentially comprise:
  • the chain conveyor comprises a plurality of bars, which are loaded with respective rows of containers at the inlet station by the feeding system.
  • each bar comprises a plurality of aligned pockets, which receive, convey and outlet the respective containers.
  • the treatment zones comprise, in sequence, a prewash zone, a first cleaning zone, a second cleaning zone and at least one rinsing zone.
  • the prewash zone, the first cleaning zone, and the second cleaning zone comprise respective cleaning baths, which are filled with a washing liquid at high temperature with a chemical agent: the containers are advanced through the cleaning baths so as to dip the containers into the washing liquid.
  • a washing liquid is heated by a heating system, generally comprising a plurality of hot conduits extending through the above mentioned baths and channelling a steam flow under pressure.
  • the heating system further comprises condensate separators, that separate condensate from steam in the conduits and discharge the separated condensate.
  • the steam and the corresponding condensate are at a pressurized condition, i.e. at a pressure higher than the atmospheric one (e.g. about four bars). Therefore, the condensate is formed at a boiling temperature that is higher than the usual boiling temperature of the water at atmospheric conditions, i.e. formed at a temperature higher than 100° C (e.g. at about 120 °C).
  • the separated condensate Downstream of the separators, on the other hand, the separated condensate is channelled in a discharge line at the atmospheric pressure. In other words, the condensate undergoes a pressure reduction when discharged into the discharge line. Because of this pressure reduction, the boiling temperature decreases. Therefore, part of the discharged condensate undergoes a change of phase, i.e. it becomes again steam. This steam part coming from the separators is usually discharged into the atmosphere.
  • the invention further relates to a washing machine, as defined in claim 5.
  • reference numeral 1 indicates a washing machine for washing containers 2, in particular empty bottles intended to be filled with a pourable product.
  • each container 2 has a first surface 2a delimiting an inner volume 2b adapted to receive the pourable product and extends along an axis A (lying on a vertical plane, in the embodiment shown) from a base portion 2c to a neck portion 2d.
  • the neck portion 2d is provided, along axis A, with an inlet opening 2f, which allows for the filling of the inner volume 2b of the corresponding container 2.
  • Washing machine 1 comprises:
  • chain conveyor 4 comprises:
  • each beam 16 comprises a row of pockets 17 aligned orthogonally to path P and adapted to receive respective containers 2.
  • containers 2 carried by a corresponding beam 16 are aligned orthogonally to path P and housed inside the respective pockets 17.
  • washing machine 1 further comprises a feeding system 8 for feeding a sequence of empty containers 2 along a direction F and at an inlet station I of washing tunnel 3.
  • containers 2 fed along direction F are arranged in rows orthogonal to path P.
  • Feeding system 8 comprises:
  • the containers 2 of the most forward row of containers 2 are transferred by sequencing device 105 to the respective pockets 17 of the beam 16 that is travelling at inlet station I.
  • direction F is horizontal and orthogonal to axes A of containers 2 fed along the same direction F.
  • Washing machine 1 further comprises an outfeed conveyor 14, which receives rows of cleaned containers 2 from chain conveyor 4 at an outlet station 0 of washing tunnel 3.
  • path P comprises:
  • washing machine 1 comprises:
  • washing machine 1 comprises respective tubs or basins 11, 12, 13 filled with a washing liquid including a cleaning agent, so as to form respective baths into which containers 2 are dipped during advancement along washing branch Q.
  • the washing liquid is defined, by way of example, by a basic aqueous solution comprising sodium hydroxide.
  • washing machine 1 comprises respective nozzles 106, 107 and 108 which are arranged along washing branch Q to deliver, in use, sprays of the washing liquid, preferably directed towards first surfaces 2a and inner volumes 2b of containers 2, while the latter are advanced along washing branch Q.
  • conveyor 4 travels into the baths of basins 11, 12 and 13, so as to dip the containers 2 into the washing liquid of such baths during advancement along washing branch Q.
  • the washing liquid in basin 11 and/or the washing liquid ejected by nozzles 106 are brought to a relatively high temperature, for instance between 45 °C and 60 °C, so that the encrusted dirt on containers 2 starts to dissolve as containers 2 themselves advance through prewash zone P1.
  • the washing liquid ejected by nozzles 107 and 108 and/or the washing liquid in basins 12 and 13 are brought to a higher temperature, for instance between 65 °C and 80 °C, thanks to a heating system 200 (schematically shown in figure 2 ) that will be described later on, so that in cleaning zones C1 and C2 dirt on advancing containers 2 is fully removed together with possible labels arranged thereon.
  • a heating system 200 (schematically shown in figure 2 ) that will be described later on, so that in cleaning zones C1 and C2 dirt on advancing containers 2 is fully removed together with possible labels arranged thereon.
  • Containers 2 come out from the bath of basin 13 cleaned and heated up to a temperature likely between 60 °C and 70 °C, so that the same containers 2 needs to be cooled down to environmental temperature before being discharged at outlet station O.
  • washing machine 1 comprises a cooling apparatus 101, not described in detail, arranged within cooling zones H1 and H2.
  • cooling apparatus 101 allows containers 2 and beams 16 to come in thermal contact with a cooling medium having a temperature lower than that of the washing liquid, such that the same containers 2 and beams 16 are cooled while the cooling medium is heated.
  • Washing machine 1 further comprises at least one circulation line 150, which connects the lowest areas 151,152 of the basins 12 and 13 to the nozzles 107 and 108 and is external in respect to the cleaning zones C1 and C2.
  • each cleaning zone C1 and C2 may be provided with a dedicated respective circulation line 150.
  • circulation line 150 comprises two branches 153,154, which are connected respectively to the areas 151,152 and join together at a branch 155.
  • Circulation line 150 further comprises a pump 156, that is arranged along branch 155, sucks flows of washing liquid from areas 151,152 via branches 153,154 and delivers such flows towards the nozzles 107 and 108.
  • nozzles 107 and 108 are connected separately to branch 155 by respective valves.
  • circulation line 150 further comprises a filter 158, arranged along branch 155 upstream of pump 156 (considering the flow direction of the washing liquid delivered towards the nozzles 107 and 108).
  • heating system 200 exploits steam to heat the washing liquid defining the baths in basins 12 and 13.
  • heating system 200 comprises at least one heating conduit 201, which extends in such cleaning zone C1,C2 through the bath of basins 12,13.
  • the heating conduits 201 communicate with a steam source 202 via a supply line 203.
  • the steam source 202 is defined by a connector suitable to be connected to a steam generator (not shown), e.g. to a boiler.
  • a steam generator not shown
  • the heating conduit 201 arranged in cleaning zone C1 and the heating conduit 201 arranged in cleaning zone C2 are supplied with steam as parallel branches 204 by the same supply line 203.
  • the steam pressure in the heating conduits 201 is higher than the atmospheric pressure, e.g. it is at about four bars.
  • the steam is kept separated from the washing liquid, by means of watertight conduits (in particular, to avoid a change in the percentage of the cleaning agent in the washing solution).
  • each cleaning zone C1, C2 is defined by a bundle of heating pipes.
  • the branches 204 are controlled independently by respective temperature control devices 205, each comprising a temperature sensor 207 for detecting the temperature of the washing liquid, in particular the bath temperature in the basins 12,13.
  • Each device 205 further comprises a control valve 208 operated in response to the detected temperature, so as to adjust the quantity or flowrate of steam supplied by the supply line 203 to the corresponding heating conduit 201.
  • the temperature control device 205 has the function of a thermostat, for switching on and switching off the supply of steam to the heating conduit 201, so as to adjust the temperature in the bath of the basin 12,13 to a predetermined setpoint.
  • heating system 200 further comprises at least one condensate separator 210, which communicates with the corresponding heating conduit 201 and is configured to separate the condensate normally forming in such heating conduit 201 and to discharge the separated condensate into a discharge line 211.
  • the discharge line 211 comprises an outlet 212, that is generally at the atmospheric pressure.
  • the boiling temperature of the condensate discharged by the separators 210 decreases.
  • the temperature of the condensate discharged by the separators 210 is usually at about 120 °C, i.e. above the boiling temperature at atmospheric pressure, a part of such condensate undergoes a change of phase within the discharge line 211, just past the separators 210, and becomes again steam.
  • the fluid channelled by the discharge line 211 towards the outlet 212 is defined by a liquid part and a steam part.
  • such fluid (at a temperature of about 100-120 °C) is exploited as heating fluid to transfer heat to, and increase temperature of, the washing liquid.
  • heat is transferred from this fluid channelled by the discharge line 211 to the washing liquid that is delivered in the circulation line 150, by means of an appropriate heat exchanger 220 (schematically shown).
  • heat exchanger 220 is arranged downstream of pump 156 (i.e. along branch 155 between pump 156 and nozzles 107,108).
  • the fluid discharged along discharge line 211 and the washing liquid are kept separated, e.g. by fluidtight passages in the heat exchanger 220.
  • the condensate is not mixed with the washing liquid.
  • heating system 200 further comprises one or more temperature sensors 230 to detect and therefore check the temperatures of the washing liquid and/or the fluid in the discharge line 211, upstream and/or downstream of heat exchanger 220.
  • the detected temperatures can be used to check the amount of heat transferred to the washing liquid.
  • a one of the temperature sensors 230 is arranged along the discharge line 211 between heat exchanger 220 and outlet 212, so as to check if the fluid channelled towards outlet 212 has a temperature below 100 °C (i.e. it is all in the liquid phase).
  • washing machine 1 The operation of washing machine 1 is briefly described in the following.
  • Feeding system 8 advances a plurality of rows of containers 2 to be washed through conveyor 103 in a parallel manner to direction F.
  • the properly positioned containers 2 are arranged with respective axes A orthogonal to path P and with respective base portions 2c lying on conveyor 103.
  • Beams 16 of chain conveyor 4 withdraw respective rows of containers 2 at inlet station I from sequencing device 105, advance containers 2 inside washing tunnel 3 along the washing branch Q, discharge rows of cleaned containers 2 at outlet station 0 onto outfeed conveyor 14, and return along return branch R without containers 2.
  • containers 2 of each row are first carried by pockets 17 through prewash zone P1, where containers 2 are preliminary washed and heated through immersion within bath 11 and by means of nozzles 106.
  • containers 2 are conveyed also along nozzles 107 and 108 and through baths of basins 12 and 13, respectively at cleaning zones C1, C2, so that containers 2 are completely cleaned and deprived of any labels attached thereon.
  • both containers 2 and beams 16 continue to receive heat from the washing liquid sprayed by nozzles 107 and 108 and from the washing liquid defining the baths of basis 12 and 13, up to reach elevated temperatures, for instance between 60 °C and 70° C.
  • heating system 200 provides for heating the washing liquid, either in the baths of basins 12 and 13, by means of the conduits 201, or in the circulation line 150, by means of heat exchanger 220.
  • the latter heat exchanger 220 aids to increase the temperature of the washing liquid by recovering energy, i.e. heat, of the fluid discharged by the separators 210.
  • the heating system 200 and the machine 1 are more efficient, from the energetic point of view. Besides, it is possible to completely recover also the water at the outlet 212 (without loss of possible steam).
  • heating exchanger 220 along circulation line 150 allows for having a simple solution, as there is no need to provide further and dedicated pumps and/or filters and/or pipes, as such solution exploits components that are already provided in known washing machines for handling the flow of the washing liquid.
  • the fluid discharged by separators 210 could be used to heat the washing liquid in areas different from the circulation line 150 (by way of example, at the basins 11,12,13 and/or at the nozzles 106, 107, 108).
  • washing machine 1 may comprise a different number of heat exchanging zones for heating the washing liquid and/or a different number of baths for washing containers 2.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)
EP18212666.4A 2018-12-14 2018-12-14 Procédé de chauffage d'un liquide de lavage dans une machine de lavage de récipients et machine à laver pour mettre en oeuvre un tel procédé Withdrawn EP3666408A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP18212666.4A EP3666408A1 (fr) 2018-12-14 2018-12-14 Procédé de chauffage d'un liquide de lavage dans une machine de lavage de récipients et machine à laver pour mettre en oeuvre un tel procédé
PCT/EP2019/084980 WO2020120709A1 (fr) 2018-12-14 2019-12-12 Procédé de chauffage d'un liquide de lavage dans une machine de lavage de récipients, et machine à laver pour la mise en œuvre d'un tel procédé

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP18212666.4A EP3666408A1 (fr) 2018-12-14 2018-12-14 Procédé de chauffage d'un liquide de lavage dans une machine de lavage de récipients et machine à laver pour mettre en oeuvre un tel procédé

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3666408A1 true EP3666408A1 (fr) 2020-06-17

Family

ID=64755124

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP18212666.4A Withdrawn EP3666408A1 (fr) 2018-12-14 2018-12-14 Procédé de chauffage d'un liquide de lavage dans une machine de lavage de récipients et machine à laver pour mettre en oeuvre un tel procédé

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3666408A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2020120709A1 (fr)

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1607960A1 (de) * 1967-05-19 1971-11-04 Enzinger Union Werke Ag Flaschenreinigungsmaschine
FR2264602A1 (fr) * 1974-03-19 1975-10-17 Milpro Nv
US3951158A (en) * 1975-04-07 1976-04-20 Erhard Tedden Apparatus for automatically cleaning reusable foodstuff containers with reduced quantities of fresh water and chemicals
DE2454100A1 (de) * 1974-11-14 1976-05-20 Orthmann & Herbst Behaelterreinigungsmaschine
EP0501302A1 (fr) * 1991-02-23 1992-09-02 KHS Maschinen- und Anlagenbau Aktiengesellschaft Dispositif pour le traitement col en bas de bouteilles et analogues
JP2010022943A (ja) * 2008-07-18 2010-02-04 Mayekawa Mfg Co Ltd 洗びん方法及び洗びん機
EP2727660A1 (fr) 2012-11-05 2014-05-07 Sidel S.p.A. Con Socio Unico Unité de traitement de récipients et procédé pour la reconfiguration d'une unité de traitement de récipients

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1607960A1 (de) * 1967-05-19 1971-11-04 Enzinger Union Werke Ag Flaschenreinigungsmaschine
FR2264602A1 (fr) * 1974-03-19 1975-10-17 Milpro Nv
DE2454100A1 (de) * 1974-11-14 1976-05-20 Orthmann & Herbst Behaelterreinigungsmaschine
US3951158A (en) * 1975-04-07 1976-04-20 Erhard Tedden Apparatus for automatically cleaning reusable foodstuff containers with reduced quantities of fresh water and chemicals
EP0501302A1 (fr) * 1991-02-23 1992-09-02 KHS Maschinen- und Anlagenbau Aktiengesellschaft Dispositif pour le traitement col en bas de bouteilles et analogues
JP2010022943A (ja) * 2008-07-18 2010-02-04 Mayekawa Mfg Co Ltd 洗びん方法及び洗びん機
EP2727660A1 (fr) 2012-11-05 2014-05-07 Sidel S.p.A. Con Socio Unico Unité de traitement de récipients et procédé pour la reconfiguration d'une unité de traitement de récipients

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Publication number Publication date
WO2020120709A1 (fr) 2020-06-18

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