EP3711868A1 - Procédé de nettoyage d'une buse - Google Patents

Procédé de nettoyage d'une buse Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3711868A1
EP3711868A1 EP19163915.2A EP19163915A EP3711868A1 EP 3711868 A1 EP3711868 A1 EP 3711868A1 EP 19163915 A EP19163915 A EP 19163915A EP 3711868 A1 EP3711868 A1 EP 3711868A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
implement
nozzle
cleaning
liquid
cleaning liquid
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP19163915.2A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Mark Baak
Bob Leonard Honsbeek
Marcus Johannes Voskuil
Marcel Hendrikus Petrus Engels
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.)
Fast and Fluid Management BV
Original Assignee
Fast and Fluid Management BV
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 Fast and Fluid Management BV filed Critical Fast and Fluid Management BV
Priority to EP19163915.2A priority Critical patent/EP3711868A1/fr
Publication of EP3711868A1 publication Critical patent/EP3711868A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B15/00—Details of spraying plant or spraying apparatus not otherwise provided for; Accessories
    • B05B15/50—Arrangements for cleaning; Arrangements for preventing deposits, drying-out or blockage; Arrangements for detecting improper discharge caused by the presence of foreign matter
    • B05B15/52—Arrangements for cleaning; Arrangements for preventing deposits, drying-out or blockage; Arrangements for detecting improper discharge caused by the presence of foreign matter for removal of clogging particles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F33/00—Other mixers; Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
    • B01F33/80—Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
    • B01F33/84—Mixing plants with mixing receptacles receiving material dispensed from several component receptacles, e.g. paint tins
    • B01F33/841—Mixing plants with mixing receptacles receiving material dispensed from several component receptacles, e.g. paint tins with component receptacles fixed in a circular configuration on a horizontal table, e.g. the table being able to be indexed about a vertical axis
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/10—Maintenance of mixers
    • B01F35/12—Maintenance of mixers using mechanical means
    • B01F35/121—Maintenance of mixers using mechanical means using a brush for cleaning out rests of products
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/10—Maintenance of mixers
    • B01F35/145—Washing or cleaning mixers not provided for in other groups in this subclass; Inhibiting build-up of material on machine parts using other means
    • B01F35/1452—Washing or cleaning mixers not provided for in other groups in this subclass; Inhibiting build-up of material on machine parts using other means using fluids

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method of cleaning a nozzle in a valve for dispensing a liquid, in particular a viscous liquid, such as a colorant or pigment for paints, by means of a cleaning implement, preferably a brush.
  • the invention also relates to an apparatus for dispensing a plurality of liquids, in particular viscous liquids, such as colorants and pigments for paints, comprising a support, such as a turntable or a linear table, a plurality of containers for a liquid, mounted on the support and provided with a pump and a valve for dispensing the liquid from the container via a nozzle in the valve, an implement, preferably a brush, for cleaning the nozzle, and a reservoir for supplying a cleaning liquid to the implement.
  • EP 1 990 102 relates to a dispensing device for dispensing a number of liquids, comprising a movable support, a dispensing assembly supported on said support, each dispensing assembly comprising a liquid reservoir and a pump having a dispensing opening, a stationary pump actuation device configured to cooperate with a pump, and a stationary cleaning device for cleaning a dispensing opening positioned at a cleaning location.
  • Said cleaning device comprises a cleaning brush comprising a central portion rotatable about an axis of rotation and a number of bristles extending from said central portion, wherein said bristles are arranged on only a part of the circumference of said central portion so that in a rotational rest position of said cleaning brush none of said bristles contacts said dispensing opening when positioned in said cleaning location.
  • WO 95/08098 relates to a method of metering highly viscous, paste-like material, in particular printing ink, e.g. offset printing ink, from a metering valve, whereby the metering valve in dependence upon the determined quantity of material delivered into a container or the like is closed and then the residual material left suspended at the outlet side of the metering valve is removed.
  • a roller disposed just below and to one side of the metering valve is brought into contact with the residual material, the roller rotating about its substantially horizontal longitudinal axis in such a way that the peripheral region of the roller coming into contact with the residual material moves in an upward direction.
  • WO 2019/012008 relates to a nozzle apparatus for dispensing colorant liquid in a paint tinting system.
  • the nozzle apparatus comprises: a nozzle with a passage for a colorant liquid, the passage extending to an outlet for dispensing colorant liquid from the nozzle; and an ultrasound transducer for applying ultrasonic vibration to the nozzle and/or to liquid at the nozzle outlet.
  • the method according to the present invention comprises the steps of cleaning the implement, preferably a brush, with a cleaning liquid, allowing the implement to dry, and cleaning the nozzle with the dried implement.
  • the brush that is used to clean the nozzles in dispensers for colorants or pigments for paints is wetted permanently or at least just prior to cleaning the nozzles.
  • a typical brush for cleaning such nozzles is bristled, rotatable and/or cylindrical and, during cleaning, the bristles in the upper part of the brush contact the nozzle located above it, while its lower bristles extend in, e.g. rotate through, a cleaning liquid in a reservoir located below the brush.
  • Cleaning the nozzle(s) with a wetted brush leaves the nozzle(s) wet after a cleaning cycle and during subsequent dispensing of the liquid from the nozzle.
  • nozzles can be effectively cleaned with a dry brush and that a nozzle thus cleaned is capable of more accurately and/or reproducibly dispensing small amounts of liquid, e.g. amounts equal to or smaller than 0.04 millilitre (ml) or even equal to or smaller than 0.03 ml, and thus e.g. dispense amounts small enough and accurately enough to mix samples (testers).
  • the method comprises the step of dispensing the liquid from the nozzle that has been cleaned with the dried implement, preferably dispensing an amount of the liquid that is equal to or smaller than 0.5 ml, preferably equal to or smaller than 0.04 ml, preferably equal to or smaller than 0.03 ml, preferably equal to or smaller than 0.015 ml.
  • the nozzle is cleaned with the dried implement a plurality of times, e.g. at least 20 times or at least 50 times, and/or a plurality of nozzles, e.g. all nozzles of a dispenser comprising a plurality, e.g. sixteen or thirty-two, assemblies of a container, pump, and valve, are cleaned with the dried implement, before the implement is again cleaned with the cleaning liquid.
  • the implement is wetted with the cleaning liquid and cleaned and/or the nozzle or nozzles are wetted with the cleaning liquid and cleaned by means of the implement.
  • the implement is not wetted or cleaned and remains dry during the day, e.g. during business hours, or during a predetermined number of nozzles cleaned, and subsequently the implement and preferably also the nozzle(s) are wetted and cleaned during the night, e.g. after/outside business hours, or after a predetermined number of nozzles have been cleaned.
  • This procedure facilitates cleaning the nozzle e.g. following a period of limited or no use or a prolonged maintenance interval.
  • residues in the implement or on or near the nozzle(s) are allowed to dissolve in the cleaning liquid during a predetermined time, e.g. for at least two minutes, preferably at least five minutes, before the implement and/or the nozzle(s) are cleaned.
  • cleaning liquid is removed from one or more nozzles by means of a dry implement.
  • the cleaning liquid is applied, preferably jetted, sprayed or dripped, onto a top or side section of the implement.
  • the cleaning liquid contains an agent that promotes the settling of material cleaned off the nozzle(s), such as residues of colorant or pigment removed from the nozzle (s) .
  • the invention further relates to an apparatus for dispensing a plurality of liquids, in particular viscous liquids, such as colorants and pigments for paints, comprising a support, such as a turntable or a linear table, a plurality of containers for a liquid, mounted on the support and provided, preferably each provided, with a pump and a valve for dispensing the liquid from the container via a nozzle in the valve, an implement, preferably a brush, for cleaning the nozzle, a reservoir for supplying a cleaning liquid to the implement, and a controller for operating the implement and/or the reservoir, which controller is configured to (operate drivers and/or actuators to) wet the implement with the cleaning liquid from the reservoir, to allow the implement to dry, and to clean one or more of the nozzles with the dried implement.
  • a support such as a turntable or a linear table
  • a plurality of containers for a liquid mounted on the support and provided, preferably each provided, with a pump and a valve for dispensing the
  • the apparatus comprises an actuator to supply cleaning liquid to the implement, e.g. via a conduit and one or more nozzles directed towards the implement, and/or immerse at least a part of the implement in the cleaning liquid.
  • the implement is located in or above the reservoir, and the reservoir comprises an actuator, e.g. a block or float movable by a motor, e.g. a stepper motor, to raise and lower the level of cleaning liquid in the reservoir to, respectively, immerse and wet the implement or prevent the implement from contacting the cleaning liquid.
  • an actuator e.g. a block or float movable by a motor, e.g. a stepper motor, to raise and lower the level of cleaning liquid in the reservoir to, respectively, immerse and wet the implement or prevent the implement from contacting the cleaning liquid.
  • the controller is arranged to operate the implement to clean the nozzle or nozzles a plurality of times, e.g. at least 20 times or at least 50 times, while it is dry and to then operate the implement and/or the actuator to wet and clean the implement and preferably also the nozzle(s) with the cleaning liquid.
  • the controller is configured to allow, after the implement and/or the nozzles have been wetted, residues in the implement and/or on or near the nozzle(s) to dissolve in the cleaning liquid during a predetermined time, e.g. for at least two minutes, preferably at least five minutes, and then operate the implement and/or the actuator to clean the implement, e.g. against a pressure roller, and/or the nozzle(s).
  • the controller is configured to wet the implement and all nozzles or at least the nozzles that have been used during the last cleaning, allow residues to dissolve in the cleaning liquid, wet the nozzles again to remove the cleaning liquid containing residues from the nozzles, dry the implement, and clean the liquid from the nozzles with the dried implement.
  • a plurality of the valves comprise a housing and a valve member rotatably fitted in the housing and comprising a nozzle configured such that the liquid will be dispensed directly from the valve member, i.e. without an additional downstream channel, spout, or the like, and/or a plurality of the nozzles has a diameter equal to or smaller than 2 mm, preferably equal to or smaller than 1.5 mm.
  • the controller comprises a processor and a memory and is configured to receive data on the use of the nozzle(s), e.g. the number of dispenses and/or the amount(s) dispensed, to process such data, and to operate one or more drivers that cause the implement and, if required, the nozzle(s) to be wetted.
  • a brush is the preferred cleaning implement
  • alternative implements include a roller, sponge or cloth, which are preferably cylindrical and/or rotatable.
  • liquid is defined as any flowable material that comprises a liquid phase and thus includes suspensions and emulsions. Colorants often contain high density pigments or particles suspended in (instable) liquid binder/solvent solutions.
  • Figure 1 shows a dispenser 1 for a plurality of colorants and/or pigments for paints, comprising a support, in this example a turntable 2, and a plurality of containers 3 for a liquid mounted on the support.
  • a support in this example a turntable 2
  • a plurality of containers 3 for a liquid mounted on the support.
  • Each container is connected to an assembly of a pump, in this example a piston pump 4, and a valve 5 for dispensing the liquid from the container via a nozzle in the valve.
  • the assemblies are mounted on the turntable at equidistant positions along its circumference.
  • valves comprise a rotatable valve member, such as a ball of cylinder, and the nozzle is defined in the valve member, e.g. as a radial channel, preferably having a diameter equal to or smaller than 2 mm.
  • the liquid is dispensed downwards (following the direction of gravity) and directly from the valve member.
  • the dispenser comprises, in its front, a door 6 containing actuators for operating the pump and valve of the assembly directly behind it.
  • a selected assembly of pump and valve can be aligned with the actuators in the door and liquid can be withdrawn from the respective container and dispensed in a receptacle (not shown) on a table beneath the valve.
  • a rotary brush 10 is located below the turntable 2, such that its bristles contact the nozzle of the valve directly above it and the nozzle can be cleaned by rotating the brush. Further, the brush is located in or above a reservoir 11 containing cleaning liquid 12.
  • suitable cleaning liquids include water, alcohol, liquid hydrocarbons, and mixtures of water and alcohol or soap.
  • the liquid can contain additives, such as agents that promote the settling of material cleaned off the nozzle(s).
  • the reservoir 11 is provided with a block 13 or float that is movable between two positions, a lowered positon ( Figure 3 ) and a raised position ( Figure 4 ).
  • the block causes the level of the cleaning liquid 12 in the reservoir to rise, such that a lower section of the brush is immersed in the liquid and the brush and, upon rotation of the brush, the nozzle are wetted and cleaned with the liquid.
  • the block In the raised position ( Figure 4 ), the block causes the level of the cleaning liquid in the reservoir to drop, such that contact between the brush and the cleaning liquid is prevented.
  • the brush can be dried, e.g. through evaporation and, if accelerated drying is required, by forced convection and/or a pressure roller 14. Further, in this position, the brush, once dried, will remain dry and, in consequence, the nozzles are clean with a dry brush.
  • the embodiment shown in Figure 5 comprises one or more jets 15 to wet the brush 10.
  • the jets are supplied with cleaning liquid from the reservoir 11 by means of a conduit 16 and a pump 17 and directed to a top section of the brush.
  • the pump When the pump is deactivated, the brush can be dried.
  • the nozzles can be effectively cleaned with a dry brush and a nozzle thus cleaned is capable of more accurately and/or reproducibly dispensing small amounts of liquid, e.g. amounts equal to or smaller than 0.04 millilitre (ml) or even equal to or smaller than 0.03 ml, and thus e.g. dispense amounts small enough and accurately enough to mix samples (testers).
  • small amounts of liquid e.g. amounts equal to or smaller than 0.04 millilitre (ml) or even equal to or smaller than 0.03 ml, and thus e.g. dispense amounts small enough and accurately enough to mix samples (testers).
  • the level of the cleaning liquid in the reservoir can be adjusted by simply tilting the reservoir.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)
EP19163915.2A 2019-03-19 2019-03-19 Procédé de nettoyage d'une buse Pending EP3711868A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19163915.2A EP3711868A1 (fr) 2019-03-19 2019-03-19 Procédé de nettoyage d'une buse

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19163915.2A EP3711868A1 (fr) 2019-03-19 2019-03-19 Procédé de nettoyage d'une buse

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3711868A1 true EP3711868A1 (fr) 2020-09-23

Family

ID=65904037

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19163915.2A Pending EP3711868A1 (fr) 2019-03-19 2019-03-19 Procédé de nettoyage d'une buse

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3711868A1 (fr)

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3125252A (en) * 1964-03-17 Dispensing machine with nozzle cleaner
WO1995008098A1 (fr) 1993-09-15 1995-03-23 Fluid Management Limited Partnership Procede et dispositif de dosage
EP0800858A1 (fr) 1996-01-22 1997-10-15 Fluid Management, Inc. Appareil pour le dosage des peintures
EP1492970A1 (fr) 2002-04-01 2005-01-05 Fluid Management, Inc. Ensemble soupape
EP1688652A1 (fr) 2005-02-04 2006-08-09 Fluid Management Operations LLC Ensemble de soupape
EP1990102A1 (fr) 2007-05-07 2008-11-12 Stibbe Management B.V. Dispositif de distribution, dispositif de nettoyage et procédé de nettoyage d'un dispositif de distribution
EP2198950A1 (fr) 2008-12-19 2010-06-23 Fluid Management Operations LLC Appareil pour distribuer plusieurs fluides
WO2019012008A1 (fr) 2017-07-12 2019-01-17 Jotun A/S Appareil à buse pour distribuer un colorant

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3125252A (en) * 1964-03-17 Dispensing machine with nozzle cleaner
WO1995008098A1 (fr) 1993-09-15 1995-03-23 Fluid Management Limited Partnership Procede et dispositif de dosage
US5647411A (en) * 1993-09-15 1997-07-15 Fluid Management, Inc. Metering method and device
EP0800858A1 (fr) 1996-01-22 1997-10-15 Fluid Management, Inc. Appareil pour le dosage des peintures
EP1492970A1 (fr) 2002-04-01 2005-01-05 Fluid Management, Inc. Ensemble soupape
EP1688652A1 (fr) 2005-02-04 2006-08-09 Fluid Management Operations LLC Ensemble de soupape
EP1990102A1 (fr) 2007-05-07 2008-11-12 Stibbe Management B.V. Dispositif de distribution, dispositif de nettoyage et procédé de nettoyage d'un dispositif de distribution
EP2198950A1 (fr) 2008-12-19 2010-06-23 Fluid Management Operations LLC Appareil pour distribuer plusieurs fluides
WO2019012008A1 (fr) 2017-07-12 2019-01-17 Jotun A/S Appareil à buse pour distribuer un colorant

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
HERO PRODUCTS GROUP: "Automatic Dispenser - Sponge and Nozzle Cleaning", YOUTUBE, 24 February 2017 (2017-02-24), pages 1, XP054979642, Retrieved from the Internet <URL:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txa2lOUi5wQ> [retrieved on 20190902] *
INTERNATIONAL SCALE MODELLER: "Iwata Airbrush Cleaning Kit", YOUTUBE, 12 January 2015 (2015-01-12), pages 1, XP054979641, Retrieved from the Internet <URL:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLe_XPID-As> [retrieved on 20190902] *

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