EP4082682A1

EP4082682A1 - Rinser device for rinsing containers adapted to contain a pourable product

Info

Publication number: EP4082682A1
Application number: EP21171611.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gianluca Pongolini; Francesco PICCININI
Original assignee: Sidel Participations SAS
Current assignee: Sidel Participations SAS
Priority date: 2021-04-30
Filing date: 2021-04-30
Publication date: 2022-11-02

Abstract

There is described a rinser device (4) for rinsing containers (2) adapted to contain a pourable product, the rinser device (4) comprises: a fixed frame (10); a gripping member (11) for gripping one container (2) to be rinsed at a time, movably coupled to the fixed frame (10) and thereby movable between a first position for receiving the container (2) and a second position for arranging the container (2) in a rinsing position; a nozzle member (18) for sprinkling one container (2) at a time in the rinsing position with a rinsing fluid and movable between a rest position and an operative position for sprinkling the rinsing fluid into such container (2); and an actuator member (15) coupled to the gripping member (11) and configured to move the gripping member (11) between the first position and the second position; wherein the nozzle member (18) is coupled to the gripping member (11) and to the frame (10) to be movable by means of the actuator member (15) between the rest position and the operative position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a rinser device for rinsing containers adapted to contain a pourable product, preferably a pourable food product.

BACKGROUND ART

Treatment assemblies for treating containers adapted to contain a pourable product, preferably a pourable food product like water, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, milk, juice or similar, are known.
Such treatment assemblies comprise a number of treating units, each configured to carry out a specific operation during a treatment process of the aforementioned containers.
For example, in case plastic containers, such as plastic bottles, are to be treated, a treatment assembly typically comprises:

a blower unit configured to form plastic containers starting from known preforms;
a filling unit configured to fill the containers with a predetermined amount of pourable product;
a capping unit configured to apply one cap to each filled container; and
a labelling unit configured to apply labels onto the filled and capped containers.

In case the containers to be treated are made of glass, such as glass bottles or glass jars, the treatment assemblies generally comprise, instead of the blower unit, a rinser unit or rinsing machine, configured to rinse the glass bottles with a rinsing fluid (such as water) prior to the filling, capping and labelling operations.
In addition, also the treatment assemblies for treating plastic containers can include a rinser unit.
A rinser unit or rinsing machine of the known type essentially comprise a carousel rotatable about a vertical axis for advancing a plurality of containers to be rinsed along a rinsing path, and a plurality of rinser devices carried by the carousel and each configured to receive one container to be rinsed at a time, to arrange such container in a rinsing position and to rinse it with at least one rinsing fluid contained in a rinsing fluid tank or source.
In detail, each rinsing device comprises:

a gripping member for gripping one container to be rinsed at a time, movably coupled to the carousel and thereby movable between a first position for receiving the container and a second position for arranging the container in the rinsing position; and
a nozzle member for sprinkling one container at a time in the rinsing position, movably fitted to the carousel and thereby movable between a rest position outside the container and an operative position inside the container for sprinkling the rinsing fluid into the container arranged in the rinsing position.

According to the known configurations, the gripping member is driven by means of a first actuator, preferably a cam actuator, and the nozzle member is driven by a second actuator, preferably a cam actuator.
In particular, each rinser device comprises a first driven cam element coupled to the gripping member and configured to cooperate in contact with a first driving cam element of the rinser unit, for cyclically controlling the movement of the gripping member between the first and second positions.
Furthermore, each rinser device comprises a second driven cam element coupled to the nozzle member and configured to cooperate in contact with a second driving cam element of the rinser unit, for cyclically controlling the movement of the nozzle member between the rest and operative positions.
Accordingly, the first and second driving cam elements extend along the rinsing path and angularly around the carousel axis.
Hence, an operative rinsing angle is defined around the carousel axis, along which the containers are effectively rinsed with the rinsing fluid(s).
Conveniently, by the movement of the gripping member in the second position, the container is arranged in an overturned position, so that the fluid sprinkled therein can easily flow out of the container itself during rinsing.
In use, as soon as the container is arranged in the rinsing position by moving the gripping member from the first to the second position, the nozzle member is controlled to move from the rest position to the operative position.
Accordingly, the first and second driving cam elements are conveniently shaped and positioned, in a manner known and not shown in detail, so that a movement of the nozzle member to the operative position occurs after a movement of the gripping member to the second position, cyclically for each rinser device carried by the carousel.
In fact, such a movement of the nozzle member has to be carried out only after the container is in the rinsing position, otherwise an interference between the nozzle and the container and/or the gripping member would occur.
Although being structurally and functionally valid, the known rinser devices are still open to further improvement, in particular as to simplify their architecture and the overall architecture of the rinser unit, to increase the operative rinsing angle on the carousel or to maintain the same rinsing angle while reducing the carousel dimensions.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a rinser device which is designed to meet at least one of the above-mentioned needs in a straightforward and low-cost manner.
This object is achieved by a rinser device as claimed in claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top schematic view, with parts removed for clarity, of a rinser unit comprising a plurality of rinser devices according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a larger-scale, perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, of a rinser device according to the present invention and fitted to a conveyor of the rinser unit of Figure 1;
Figures 3 to 5 are larger-scale, partially-sectioned, side views of the rinser device of Figure 2 during three successive operative conditions; and
Figure 6 is a larger-scale, partially-sectioned front view, with parts removed for clarity, of the rinser device of Figure 2 during a determined operative condition.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to Figure 1, number 1 indicates as a whole a rinser unit (or rinsing machine) for rinsing containers 2, such as plastic or glass bottles, jars, pots or the like, adapted to contain a pourable product, preferably a pourable food product, such as water, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, milk, juice, or the like.
Preferably, rinser unit 1 is part of a treatment assembly (known per se and not shown) for treating containers 2 as part of a more complex line for packaging the pourable product into containers 2.
In one embodiment, the treatment assembly comprises a filling unit, arranged downstream the rinser unit 1 and configured to fill containers 2 with a predetermined amount of pourable product, a capping unit configured to apply one cap to each filled container 2, and a labelling unit configured to apply labels onto the filled and capped containers 2.
In case of containers 2 made of plastic, the treatment assembly further comprises a blower unit configured to form plastic containers 2 starting from known preforms.
In one embodiment, the treatment unit comprises another combination of the above units.
Rinser unit 1 is configured to rinse containers 2 with at least one rinsing fluid (known per se and not described in detail), e.g. water.
As visible in Figure 1, rinser unit 1 essentially comprises:

a conveyor, in particular a carousel 3 rotatable about a longitudinal, preferably vertical, axis X for advancing a plurality of containers 2 to be rinsed along a rinsing path; and
a plurality of rinser devices 4, each one carried by, in particular rigidly fixed to, carousel 3 and each configured to receive cyclically at least one container 2 to be rinsed at an input station I, to arrange such container 2 in a rinsing position, and to rinse it with the rinsing fluid.

Each rinser device 4 is further configured to release the rinsed container 2 at an output station O.
Accordingly, in the example shown the rinsing path is arc-shaped and extends around axis X from input station I to output station O.
In detail, rinser unit 1 comprises an input conveyor, preferably an input star wheel 5 for feeding containers 2 to be rinsed to carousel 3 at input station I, and an output conveyor, preferably an output star wheel 6 for withdrawing rinsed containers 2 at output station O.
Rinser unit 1 further comprises at least one rinsing fluid tank or source 7 for containing the rinsing fluid.
Each rinser device 4 is fluidly connected to the tank 7 by means of at least one duct 8.
Conveniently, rinser devices 4 are fixed to a peripheral portion of carousel 3.
For the sake of brevity, reference will be made in the following to a single rinser device 4 carried by carousel 3 and configured to rinse at least one respective container 2. The structural and functional features described in connection with such rinser device 4 are equally applicable to all rinser devices 4 of rinser unit 1.
According to the non-limiting preferred embodiment shown, rinser device 4 is fluidly connected to two separate tanks 7, each containing a respective rinsing fluid, by two respective ducts 8, schematically shown in Figure 2.
In particular, ducts 8 are made of flexible material, such as flexible plastic.
As visible in Figures 2 to 5, rinser device 4 comprises:

a fixed frame 10, in particular rigidly fitted, for example by means of bolts, to the peripheral portion of carousel 3;
a gripping member 11 for gripping at least one container 2 to be rinsed (at input station I), pivotally coupled to frame 10 and thereby rotatable between a first position for receiving container 2 and a second position for arranging container 2 in a rinsing position; and
a nozzle member 18 for sprinkling one container 2 in the rinsing position with the rinsing fluid(s) and movable between a rest position and an operative position for sprinkling the rinsing fluid into the container 2 arranged in the rinsing position.

In detail, frame 10 comprises a pair of hook-shaped symmetric arms 10a, 10b fitted at one end portion thereof to carousel 3 and having a middle portion and a free end portion.
Gripping member 11 comprises a support body 12 and a clamp 13 fitted to the support body 12. Clamp 13 is configured for gripping a neck portion of container 2 at input station I, retaining such neck portion during the advancement of rinser device 4 along the rinsing path, and releasing the neck portion at output station O.
Support body 12 is pivotally fitted, i.e. hinged, at the middle portion of each arm 10a, 10b by a first fixed hinge A for pivoting thereabout between said first and second positions.
To this end, rinser device 4 further comprises an actuator member, in particular a driven cam element 15 coupled to gripping member 11, in particular rigidly fitted to support body 12, and configured to move gripping member 11 between the first position and the second position.
In detail, rinser unit 1 comprises a driving cam element 16, entirely visible in Figure 1 and partially visible in Figures 2 to 5. The driving cam element 16 is configured, upon rotation of the carousel 3, for cooperating in contact with driven cam element 15 to control the rotation of gripping member 11 about first hinge A.
In greater detail and according to a known configuration not described in detail, driving cam element 16 comprises a first stretch at a first radial distance from axis X, a second stretch at a second radial distance from axis X and a third and fourth stretches which connect the first and second stretch to one another (as shown in Figure 1).
More precisely, driving cam element 16 angularly extends around axis X, follows the rinsing path and its third and fourth stretches are shaped in a twisted manner so that the container 2 gripped by clamp 13 is overturned while travelling between the first and the second stretches. Hence, container 2 is arranged in an overturned position while in the rinsing position.
In other words, by the rotation of gripping member 11 about hinge A from the first position to the second position, container 2 is arranged in an overturned position (Figure 5) so that the fluid sprinkled therein can easily flow out of the container 2 itself during rinsing.
According to an aspect of the present invention, nozzle member 18 is coupled to gripping member 11 and to frame 10 to be movable by means of the actuator member, i.e. by driven cam element 15, between the rest position and the operative position.
The device 4 is configured so that the gripping member 11 is movable with respect to the frame 10, between the first position and the second position. In Fig.3, gripping member 11 adopts the first position. In Figs. 5 and 6, gripping member 11 adopts the second position. In Fig. 4, gripping member 11 adopts an intermediate position.
In Figs. 2 and 3, the container 2 is received by the gripping member 11. In Figs. 5 and 6, the container 2 adopts the rinsing position. In Fig. 4, the container 2 is moving towards the rinsing position, but has not yet adopted the rinsing position.
The device 4 is configured so that the nozzle member 18 is movable with respect to the frame 10, between the rest position and the operative position. In Fig.3 nozzle member 18 adopts the rest position. In Figs. 5 and 6, nozzle member 18 adopts the operative position. In Fig. 4, nozzle member 18 adopts an intermediate position.
The device 4 is configured so that the actuation member 15 can be driven to move the gripping member 11 between the first position and the second position.
The rinsing device 4 is configured so that the movement of the nozzle member 18 is coupled to the movement of the gripping member 11, in such a way that the movement of the gripping member 11 between the first position and the second position generates the movement of the nozzle member 18 between the rest position and the operative position. Therefore, the rinsing device 4 is configured so that the same actuator member 15 causes both the movement of the nozzle member 18 between the rest position and the operative position and the movement of the gripping member 11 between the first position and the second position. In this way the compactness of the rinsing device 4 is improved, and therefore in particular the compactness of the rinser unit.
In particular, nozzle member 18 is kinematically fitted between frame 10 and gripping member 11 by means of a crank mechanism 17. The rinsing device 4 is configured so that a coupling between the movement of the gripping member 11 and the movement of the nozzle member 18 is obtained by means of the crank mechanism 17. The device 4 is configured so that the crank mechanism 17 guides said movement of the nozzle member 18 and provides the coupling between the movement of the nozzle member 18 and the movement of the gripping member 11. Thanks to the use of a crank mechanism 17 for guiding the movement of the nozzle member 18 and for coupling between each other the movement of the nozzle member 18 and the movement of the gripping member 11, the nozzle member 18 can be moved also in such a way to enter in the container 2 during the movement of the container towards the rinsing position. In this way, the time for the rinsing phase is increased, as the nozzle member 18 can enter the container 2 earlier. The actuation member 15 causes the movement of the gripping member 11 between the first position and the second position, and, by means of the crank mechanism 17, the movement of the gripping member 11 causes simultaneously the movement of the nozzle member 18 between the rest position and the operative position. Also, the crank mechanism 17 can make the nozzle member 18 to penetrate more in the container 2.
In practice, crank mechanism 17 kinematically connects nozzle member 18 to both frame 10 and gripper member 11 so that both gripping member 11 and nozzle member 18 can be actuated, i.e. moved between the two respective positions, by a single actuation, namely by means of the actuator defined by driving cam element 16 and driven cam element 15.
Crank mechanism 17 includes several components that will be described hereinafter.
More in particular, crank mechanism 17 comprises a first fixed hinge, defined by first hinge A, and a second fixed hinge B, which is arranged at a fixed position on frame 10 distinct and spaced from first hinge A.
In particular, second hinge B is arranged at the free end portion of frame 10, i.e. of arms 10a, 10b.
Furthermore, crank mechanism 17 comprises a crank arm 19 pivotally coupled, at a first end 19a thereof, to frame 10 by second hinge B.
Similarly to frame 10, crank arm 19 is defined by a pair of symmetric arms 19 each having said first end 19a and a second end 19b opposite to first end 19a, and each symmetrically fitted to one respective arm 10a, 10b of frame 10, by second hinge B.
Crank arm 19 connects and/or couples nozzle member 18 to frame 10, namely nozzle member 18 is coupled to frame 10 by means of crank arm 19.
Crank mechanism 17 comprises a guide member 20. Guide member 20 is rigidly fitted to gripping member 11, in particular to support body 12, to pivot about first hinge A by means of the actuator member 15, i.e. by means of driven cam element, i.e. by means of the actuation of this latter by the cooperation with driving cam element 16. Nozzle member 18 engages guide member 20 in a sliding manner, at the first end 18a thereof, thereby defining a prismatic joint with this latter.
Nozzle member 18is pivotally coupled, at a second end 18b thereof opposite to first end 18a, to crank arm 19 by a mobile hinge C which is arranged at second end 19b of the crank arm 19 itself.
In this way the guide member 20 cooperates for transmitting the action of the actuator member 15 to the nozzle member 18 and simultaneously guides the movement of the nozzle member 18. In this way, the complexity of the structure of the device 4 is reduced.
Hence, guide member 20 defines a coupling of first end 18a of nozzle member 18 to support body 12 of gripping member 11.
According to the embodiment shown, nozzle member 18 is defined by an elongated element movable, by the movement between the rest and operative positions, in a reciprocating manner through guide member 20 along a longitudinal axis Y.
The device 4 is configured so that the movement of the nozzle member 18, comprises a translation of the elongated element through the guide member 20 along a longitudinal axis Y. The guide member 20 is configured to guide said translation, for example by means of recirculating balls, to avoid a jamming.
The device 4 is configured so that the axis Z of the gripped container 2 is aligned with said longitudinal axis Y. Therefore, the device 4 is configured so that nozzle member 8 can enter the container 2 during the movement of the container 2 towards the rinsing position, and therefore before the container 2 adopts the rinsing position, to increase the time available for the rinsing phase. In fact, the rinsing phase can start before the container 2 has adopted the rinsing position.
In particular, as visible in detail in Figure 6, nozzle member 18 has a tubular shape along axis Y and internally delimits at least one duct 18c, in particular two coaxial ducts 18c (inner duct) and 18d (outer duct) each for conveying the respective rinsing fluid from the relative flexible duct 8 to a mouth 21 of nozzle member 18. The mouth 21 is arranged at first end 18a.
More in particular, guide member 20 has an inner bore 22 (or through hole) and nozzle member 18 is movable, by the movement between the rest and operative positions, in a reciprocating sliding manner through bore 22.
More specifically, nozzle member 18 engages a first axial end opening of bore 22 facing mobile hinge C while in the rest position and protrudes out of a second axial end opening of bore 22 facing clamp 13 while in the operative position.
According to this embodiment, nozzle member 18 is configured so that mouth 21 is arranged inside container 2 to be rinsed when nozzle member 18 is in the operative position, as shown in Figure 5.
Accordingly, crank arm 19 and nozzle member 18 are dimensioned so that nozzle member 18 engages guide member 20, in particular the first axial end opening of bore 22, while being in its rest position and engages and protrudes out of guide member 20, in particular the second axial end opening of bore 22, and inside the gripped container 2 to be rinsed while being in its operative position.
Conveniently, gripping member 11, in particular clamp 13, is configured to grip container 2 so that axis Y is coaxial with a container axis Z.
In this way, and thanks to crank mechanism 17, mouth 21 of nozzle member 18, and especially first end 18a, can easily enter inside the container 2 even before the container 2 is in the overturned rinsing position, as visible in Figure 4.
In light of the above, and thanks to crank mechanism 17, nozzle member 18 is rotatable, by means of the actuator member, i.e. by interaction of driven cam element 15 and driving cam element 16, about mobile hinge C and is rototranslatable, by means of the actuator member, about first hinge A and second hinge B.
In other words, the above-described crank mechanism 17 ensures that driven cam element 15, by interaction with driving cam element 16, controls the movement of nozzle member 18 while controlling (and by controlling) the movement of gripping member 11.
Hence, crank mechanism 17 is actuatable by the actuator member, i.e. by driven cam element 15 interacting with driving cam element 16, to transform the movement (in particular the rotation about first hinge A) of gripping member 11 between the first and second positions in the movement (in particular the rotation about mobile hinge C and the rototranslation about first and second hinges A, B) of nozzle member 18 between the rest and operative positions, so that the actuator member is configured to drive the movement of nozzle member 18 between the rest position and the operative position by driving the movement of gripping member 11, in particular of support body 12, between the first position and the second position.
As visible in Figures 2 to 5, guide member 20 comprises a flap element 23 fitted thereto at the second axial end opening of bore 22 and movable between a closed position (Figure 3), in which it closes bore 22 (i.e. the second axial end opening thereof), and an open position (Figure 5), in which it opens bore 22.
In detail, flap element 23 is movable from the closed position to the open position by a thrust exerted thereon by nozzle member 18, in particular by first end 18a, moving through bore 22 from the rest position towards the operative position (Figure 4).
Conveniently, flap element 23 is hinged to guide member 20 at a position adjacent to the second axial end of bore 22 by an elastic hinge.
In particular, such elastic hinge comprises a spring 24 which biases flap element 23 in the closed position.
In use, as visible in Figure 4, nozzle element 18 pushes, while moving through the second axial end opening of bore 22 from the rest position towards the operative position, onto flap element 23, thereby counteracting the spring force exerted thereon by spring 24 and opening flap element 23. The rinsing can begin as soon as the flap element 23 is open.
As soon as nozzle member 18 returns in the rest position, spring 24 controls flap element 23 in the closed position.
In this way, a spillage of residual rinsing fluids from ducts 18c, 18d towards the container 2 already rinsed or a new container 2 to be rinsed and grasped by clamp 13 is avoided.
As visible in Figure 6, rinser device 4 further comprises a collector body 25 fitted to second end 18b of nozzle member 18 and configured to receive the two rinsing fluids from tanks 7, respectively, and to feed such rinsing fluids to nozzle member 18.
In particular, collector body 25 internally delimits a first duct 25a for receiving a first rinsing fluid from one flexible duct 8, and a second duct 25b for receiving a second rinsing fluid from the other flexible duct 8.
More in particular, first duct 25a is fluidly connected with duct 18c and second duct 25b is fluidly connected to duct 18d, as shown in Figure 6.
Mobile hinge C comprises an inner pin 27. Second end 18b of nozzle member 18 comprises a bulb 26. The inner pin 27 passes through the bulb 26, and the bulb 26 defines a seat for the inner pin 27.
Advantageously, collector body 25 is defined by inner pin 27.
In other words, collector body 25 is embedded in mobile hinge C, so that ducts 25a and 25b pass through hinge C and, more in particular, through inner pin 27.
Mobile hinge C comprises at least one hydraulic joint 29 or 30. The collector body 25 is hydraulically interposed between nozzle member 18 and the hydraulic joint 29 or 30. The hydraulic joint 29 or 30 is rotatable with respect to and around inner pin 27.
In this way the flexible duct 8 can be connected to the at least one hydraulic joint 29 or 30 and has not to follow any of the movement of the nozzle member 18 and the rotation of the crank arm 19, to reduce the wear of the flexible duct 8.
In one embodiment, one single rinsing fluid is to be fed to container 2 for rinsing. In this case, rinser device 4 comprises a single duct 8, nozzle member 18 comprises a single duct 18c and collector body comprises a single duct 25a.
In one embodiment, one rinsing fluid can be water, and the other rinsing fluid can be air or another sanitizer.
Rinser unit 1 comprises a plurality (only one shown in Figure 2) of support members 28, each rigidly carried by carousel 3 in a fixed position adjacent to one respective rinser device 4 and configured to support the flexible ducts 8.
Advantageously, each support member 28 is pivotally fixed to carousel 3 so as to adapt to a movement of the relative flexible ducts 8 imparted thereto by the movement of nozzle member 18 between the rest and operative positions.
In this way, an excessive stretch or deformation of flexible duct 8 can be avoided.
The operation of rinser unit 1 and in particular rinser devices 4 is described hereinafter with reference to a single rinser device 4 and starting from a condition in which clamp 13 of gripping member 11 has received one container 2 to be rinsed at input station I.
In this condition, carousel 3 advances rinser device 4 along the rinsing path, thereby causing driven cam element 15 to interact with the different stretches of driving cam element 16.
This interaction causes gripping member 11 to move from the first position to the second position, thereby arranging container 2 in the rinsing position, and, thanks to the actuation of crank mechanism 17, nozzle member 18 to move from the rest position to the operative position.
Hence, the above interaction causes (i.e. the actuator member is configured to cause):

support body 2 to rotate about first hinge A;
guide member 20 to rotate about first hinge A;
crank arm 19 to rotate about second hinge B;
nozzle member 18 to translate along axis Y and to rotate about mobile hinge C, i.e. to rototranslate about first and second hinges A, B;
flap element 23 to open;
nozzle element 18 to enter inside container 2.

Once nozzle member 18 has sprinkled container 2 with the rinsing fluids, driven cam element 15 controls the movement of nozzle member 18 and gripping member 11 back in the rest position and the first position, respectively.
Then, the rinsed container 2 is withdraw from carousel 3 by outlet star wheel 6 at output station O.
The advantages of rinser device 4 according to the present invention will be clear from the foregoing description.
In particular, the assembly including frame 10, nozzle member 18, gripping member 11 and crank mechanism 17 defines a lever mechanism that allows to control the movement of nozzle member 18 by controlling the movement of gripping member 11.
In other words, with a single actuator, i.e. a single driving cam element 16 and a single driven cam element 15, it is possible to control both the movement of the container 2 in the rinsing position and the movement of the nozzle member 18 in the operative position to rinse the container 2.
This results in a much simpler architecture of rinser device 4 and of rinser unit 1.
Moreover, since the movement of nozzle member 18 is linked to the movement of gripping member 11, it is possible to start the rinsing during the overturning movement of container 2 towards the rinsing position.
This results in a larger rinsing angle around axis X, which can therefore lead to a carousel 3 of smaller dimension (smaller radius) while maintaining the same rinsing angle.
This also results in an increased available time for the rinsing treatment.
Furthermore, the overall cleanliness of rinser unit 1 is improved, since the number of components is reduced.
For the same reason, the reliability of rinser unit 1 is improved.
Clearly, changes may be made to rinser device 4 as described herein without, however, departing from the scope of protection as defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

A rinser device (4) for rinsing containers (2) adapted to contain a pourable product, the rinser device (4) comprising:
- a fixed frame (10);

- a gripping member (11) for gripping at least one container (2) to be rinsed, the device (4) being configured so that the gripping member (11) is movable with respect to the frame (10), between a first position for receiving the container (2) and a second position for arranging the gripped container (2) in a rinsing position;

- a nozzle member (18) for sprinkling the gripped container (2) in the rinsing position, with at least one rinsing fluid, the device (4) being configured so that the nozzle member (18) is movable with respect to the frame (10), between a rest position, and an operative position for sprinkling the rinsing fluid into such container (2); and

- an actuator member (15) coupled to the gripping member (11), the device (4) being configured so that the actuation member (15) can be driven to move the gripping member (11) between the first position and the second position;
wherein the nozzle member (18) is coupled to the gripping member (11) and to the frame (10), the rinsing device (4) being configured so that the movement of the gripping member (11) between the first position and the second position generates the movement of the nozzle member (18) between the rest position and the operative position.
Rinser device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nozzle member (18) is kinematically fitted between the frame (10) and the gripping member (11) by means of a crank mechanism (17), the device (4) being configured so that the crank mechanism (17) guides the movement of the nozzle member (18) and couples the movement of the nozzle member (18) to the movement of the gripping member (11).
Rinser device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the crank mechanism (17) comprises a first fixed hinge (A) and a second fixed hinge (B) arranged in respective distinct fixed positions on the frame (10);
wherein the gripping member (11) is pivotally coupled to the frame (10) by the first fixed hinge (A) for pivoting thereabout, by means of the actuator member (15), between the first and second positions;
and wherein the crank mechanism (17) comprises a crank arm (19) pivotally coupled, at a first end (19a) thereof, to the frame (10) by the second fixed hinge (B), the crank arm (19) connecting the nozzle member (18) to the frame (10);
the crank mechanism (17) comprises a guide member (20) rigidly fitted to the gripping member (11) to pivot about the first fixed hinge (A) by means of the actuator member (15);
the nozzle member (18) engages the guide member (20) in a sliding manner at a first end (18a) thereof;
the nozzle member (18) is pivotally coupled, at a second end (18b) thereof opposite the first end (18a), to the crank arm (19) by a mobile hinge (C) arranged at a second end (19b) of the crank arm (19) opposite the first end (19a) of the crank arm (19).
Rinser device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the nozzle member (18) is rotatable, by means of the actuator member (15), about the mobile hinge (C) and is roto-translatable, by means of the actuator member (15), about the first fixed hinge (A) and the second fixed hinge (B).
Rinser device as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the nozzle member (18) comprises an elongated element, the device (4) being configured so that the movement of the nozzle member (18) comprises a translation of the elongated element through the guide member (20) along a longitudinal axis (Y);
and wherein the device (4) is configured so that the axis (Z) of the gripped container (2) is aligned with said longitudinal axis (Y).
Rinser device as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the crank arm (19) and the nozzle member (18) are dimensioned so that the nozzle member (18) engages the guide member (20) while being in its rest position and engages and protrudes out of the guide member (20) and inside the gripped container (2) to be rinsed while being in its operative position.
Rinser device as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the nozzle member (18) is movable, by the movement between the rest and operative positions, in a reciprocating sliding manner through a bore (22) of the guide member (20) along a longitudinal axis (Y);
the guide member (20) comprising a flap element (23) fitted thereto at one end opening of the bore (22) opposite the end opening of the bore (22) engaged by the nozzle member (18) in the rest position;
the flap element (23) being movable between a closed position, in which it closes the bore (22), and an open position, in which it opens the bore (22);
and wherein the flap element (23) is movable from the closed to the open position by a thrust exerted thereon by the nozzle member (18) moving, through the bore (22) of the guide member (20), from the rest position towards the operative position.
Rinser device as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 7, and comprising a collector body (25) fitted to the second end (18b) of the nozzle member (18) and configured to receive one or more rinsing fluids from a fluid source (7) and to feed the one or more rinsing fluids to the nozzle member (18);
wherein said mobile hinge (C) comprises an inner pin (27), and said second end (18b) of nozzle member 18 comprises an outer pin (26), the inner pin (27) passing through the outer pin (26), and the outer pin (26) being rotatable with respect to and around the inner pin (27);
wherein collector body (25) is defined by inner pin (27);
wherein mobile hinge (C) comprises at least one hydraulic joint (29), the collector body (25) being hydraulically interposed between the nozzle member (18) and the hydraulic joint (29), the hydraulic joint (29) being rotatable with respect to and around inner pin (27) .
Rinser device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the collector body (25) has at least one inner duct (25a, 25b) extending through the inner pin (27) and passing through the mobile hinge (C) for fluidly connecting the fluid source (7) with the nozzle member (18).
Rinser device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the crank mechanism (17) is actuatable by the actuator member (15) to transform the movement of the gripping member (11) between the first and second positions in the movement of the nozzle member (18) between the rest and operative positions, so that the actuator member (15) is configured to drive the movement of the nozzle member (18) between the rest position and the operative position by driving the movement of the gripping member (11) between the first position and the second position.
Rinser device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator member includes a driven cam element (15) rigidly coupled to the gripping member (11) and configured to cooperate in contact with a driving cam element (16).
Rinser unit (1) for rinsing containers (2) adapted to contain a pourable product, the rinser unit (1) comprising:
- a rotatable conveyor (3) for advancing a plurality of containers (2) to be rinsed along a rinsing path;

- a plurality of rinser devices (4) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, each one rigidly carried by the conveyor (3) by means of the respective fixed frame (10), and each actuator member including a driven cam element (15); and

- a driving cam element (16) configured, upon rotation of the conveyor (3), to cooperate in contact with each driven cam element (15) to control the movement of the respective gripping member (11) between the first and second positions, thereby controlling the movement of the respective nozzle member (18) between the rest and operative positions.
Rinser unit as claimed in claim 12, wherein each rinser device (4) is fluidly connected to a rinsing fluid source (7) by means of at least one flexible duct (8); wherein the rinser unit (1) comprises a plurality of support members (28), each rigidly carried by the conveyor (3) in a fixed position adjacent to one respective rinser device (4) and configured to support said flexible duct (8);
and wherein each support member (28) is pivotally fixed to the conveyor (3) so as to adapt to a movement of the relative flexible duct (8) imparted thereto by the movement of the nozzle member (18) between the rest and operative positions.