FR2556986A1 - Device for cleansing containers - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for cleaning containers, comprising atomising parts mounted on a vertical rotary shaft 3 which passes through the lid 2 of the container 1 and has an axial channel 10 through which a cleaning fluid is passed to the said atomising parts, and the rotating joint giving communication between at least one supply line 8, 9 and the axial channel 10. To simplify construction and provide considerable cleansing efficiency, the said rotating joint is located inside the container 1 below the lid 2 and comprises an annular housing 11 surrounding the shaft 3, and a clearance is provided between the housing 11 and the shaft 3 so as to allow leaks which will clean the said shaft and the packing 18 provided between the shaft 3 and the lid 2.

Description

 The present invention cor.cerne the cleaning of containers, and more particularly the washing of the treatment tanks used in the food industries.

 These tanks of different types (ferment tanks, ripening tanks, curd tanks, mixing tanks, etc.) are generally equipped with a central rotary agitator.

 It is essential that such tanks are extremely clean, so it should be washed frequently with the greatest care, after each treatment operation.

 A known solution consists in providing, inside the tank, a plurality of perforated balls permanently fixed to the walls of the tank, said balls being supplied, when the appliance has completed an operation, with one or more liquid appropriate washing.

 This solution requires a large number of balls if one wants to ensure the washing of all the accessories of the tank. The latter comprises, in addition to its cover, members such as level probe, lighting porthole, door, device for supplying the product to be treated, etc.

These different organs are difficult to access with a limited number of balls. The increase in the number of balls leads to an increase in the total flow required for the cleaning liquid, which is not always compatible with the planned outlet diameter and with the flows of the cleaning stations. Furthermore, the multiplicity of balls leads to an expensive production and creates additional non-watered zones due to the pipes internal to the tank, which supply these balls, thus going against the desired goal.

 Another known solution consists in using a hollow shaft agitator provided with balls or nozzles judiciously positioned. By activating the agitator, each ball or each nozzle makes it possible to successively reach the different areas to be cleaned. The agitator is driven by means of a motor-reduction unit with hollow shaft provided with an external rotary joint.

 This solution has several drawbacks. Its reliability is questionable given the nature of the various products passing through the rotary joint and the sometimes high temperature differences. The gear motor assembly can be damaged if a leak occurs on the rotating joint, the sealing of which poses delicate problems. Ultimately this solution leads to a very costly implementation and seriously complicates the gearmotor-agitator coupling.

 The object of the invention is above all to avoid the aforementioned drawbacks by producing a simple, effective device at a moderate price.

 More specifically, it relates to a cleaning device for a container comprising spraying members mounted on a vertical rotating shaft passing through the cover of the container and provided with an axial channel for supplying a washing fluid to said spraying members. , and a rotary joint connecting at least one supply line and the axial channel of the shaft, characterized in that said rotary joint is disposed inside the container, below the lid and comprises an annular housing surrounding the shaft, and in that a clearance is provided between the housing and the shaft so as to allow leaks ensuring the washing of said shaft and of the seals provided between the shaft and the cover.

 The housing is advantageously pierced with orifices through which are emitted jets capable of ensuring the cleaning of part of the interior surface of the cover.

 The invention will be better understood by referring to the description which follows, made with reference to the appended drawing, concerning a particular embodiment given by way of nonlimiting example.

 Figure i is a schematic representation of the entire washing device.

 Figure 2 is a detail view on a larger scale.

 In the figures, the reference 1 designates the generally cylindrical tank, provided at its upper part with a cover 2. This cover is crossed by a vertical shaft 3 disposed in the axis of the tank 1 and driven in rotation by a motor-reduction unit 4. The latter thus makes it possible to ensure the rotational movement of an agitator 5 integral with the shaft 3, at the lower end of the latter. This agitator is, for example, formed by a pair of blades. Seals 18 are provided between the shaft 3 and the cover 2.

 A succession of suitable cleaning liquids is supplied by a piping 6 which comprises a first branch 6 ′ supplying a ball 7 fixed in a non-removable manner to the base of the tank 1. The jets of liquid ensure the washing of the two blades of the agitator 5 which are placed successively above the ball 7.

 The piping 6 comprises a second branch 6 "which feeds, at the upper part of the tank, two pipes 8 and 9 passing through the cover 2.

 The vertical shaft 3 is provided with an axial channel 10 for receiving the washing fluid and bringing it to the spraying members which will be discussed below.

 A rotary joint connects the lines 8 and 9 with the channel 10 by lights 16. This seal is constituted by an annular housing it secured to the fixed lines 8 and 9 and mounted with clearance around the shaft 3, at the inside of the tank 1.

 Below the housing 11, the shaft 3 is connected to a horizontal hollow arm 12 which carries a nozzle 13 and a ball 14. These last two spraying members ensure the cleaning of the upper wall of the tank, around the cover 2 , and therefore various accessories fitted out at this location. The arm 12 is of course driven in rotation by the shaft 3. Below the arm 12, substantially in the central part of the tank 1, the shaft 3 carries a ball 15 capable of washing the cylindrical walls of the tank 1.

 In order to ensure the cleaning of the inner surface of the cover 2, the wall of the housing 11 is pierced with orifices 17 at least on its upper planar face. The jets emitted by these orifices at least partially clean the cover 2. Furthermore, the clearance provided between the housing II and the shaft 3 allows leaks which ensure the washing of said shaft and of the seals 18.

 Although the invention has been described with reference to an embodiment, it goes without saying that it is in no way limited to it and that modifications may be made to it without departing from its field.

 We can, of course, replace any of the means described by a technically equivalent means.

 The invention therefore covers, in addition to the example shown, its various possible alternative embodiments, within the limits defined by the claims.

Claims (2)

1. Cleaning device for container (1) comprising  spraying members (13, 14, 15) mounted on  a rotating vertical shaft (3) passing through the cover  (2) of the container (1) and provided with an axial channel (10) for  supplying a washing fluid to said spray organs  and a rotating joint connecting  at least one supply line (8, 9) and the channel  axial (10) of the shaft (3), characterized in that said  rotating joint is arranged inside the container (1),  below the cover (2) and includes a year box  ring (11) surrounding tree (3), and in that a set  is formed between the housing (11) and the shaft (3) of  so as to authorize leaks ensuring the washing of said  shaft and seals (18) provided between  the shaft (3) and the cover (2). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in  that the housing (11) is pierced with orifices (17) by  which are emitted jets suitable for ensuring cleaning  part of the inner surface of the cover (2).