FR2629373A1 - Machine for automatically washing objects contained in baskets - Google Patents

Abstract

This washing machine comprises a plurality of washing tubs 1 in which baskets 2 containing the objects 3 to be washed are successively immersed. The introduction of the baskets 2 into the tubs 1 and the transfer of these baskets 2 from one tub to the next is performed automatically and simultaneously on all baskets. To this end a carriage 7 moving horizontally over the tubs 1 carries a frame 10 capable of vertical movement under this carriage 7 and equipped with means 14 to 17 able simultaneously to grasp and release a plurality of baskets 2 standing in line. Particular application: for automatically washing cheese moulds.

Description

"Installation for automatic washing of objects,
grouped in baskets',
The present invention relates to an installation for the automatic washing of objects grouped in baskets. This invention relates more particularly, but not exclusively, to an installation intended for washing cheese molds.

 In various food and other industries, the washing of utensils and accessories used in particular for molding is carried out either in continuous washing tunnels or in washing tanks.

 In the case of a continuous washing tunnel, the material to be washed passes, supported and driven by a carpet, inside a sealed carcass in which jets of water, with or without the addition of products, are sent to high flow and under various pressures by means of pumps. The continuous washing tunnel works best when integrated into automated production lines where, as much as possible, only one type of support or mold is used.

 On the contrary, the washing tub system is mainly used in factories where there are many types of parts to be washed, requiring storage of these parts in storage baskets. These are the baskets, grouping the parts to be washed, which are soaked in the tanks where these parts are cleaned. The advantage of this system lies in the. fact that by means of the same baskets, both the problem of storage and that of washing are solved.

 In washing tub systems, a hoist or a rolling beam is generally used to take the baskets and pass them from one tub to another, the tubs being specialized. For example, in an installation comprising five tanks, these respectively provide the functions of prewash, washing soda, rinsing, acid washing, rinsing; in the case of an installation with three tanks, these are respectively assigned to prewash, washing with a compound product, and rinsing.

These washing tub systems, using baskets, currently have various drawbacks:
- The baskets are gripped by means of a hoist hook, which must be put in place manually.

 - The respective passage times of the baskets in the various tanks are often poorly observed.

- Waiting between passages in two successive tanks, for
The draining of the baskets is practically never carried out.

 - The bad positioning of the baskets is frequent, hence the hanging of the baskets and deterioration of these and of the washing tanks.

 The object of the present invention is to overcome all these drawbacks by providing a washing installation provided with safe and fully automatic means for gripping the baskets, placing these baskets in the washing tubs and removing them from these tubs. of washing, respecting specific washing and drip times.

 To this end, the invention essentially relates to an installation for the automatic washing of objects grouped in baskets, this installation comprising several washing tanks in which the baskets grouping together objects to be washed are successively soaked, and further comprising means for gripping, lifting and horizontal transfer of the baskets, capable of simultaneously gripping or releasing a plurality of baskets, of simultaneously introducing baskets into the various washing tanks, and of simultaneously transferring all the baskets, having stayed in a wash, to the next wash tub.

 In a preferred embodiment, the washing installation according to the invention comprises washing tubs arranged in line, with constant centers, and the means for picking up, lifting and horizontal transfer of the baskets essentially comprise a carriage movable in translation horizontally in a direction parallel to the alignment of the washing tanks, above these tanks, on a stroke equal to the center distance of said tanks, the carriage carrying a chassis movable vertically under this carriage and provided with suitable means to grab and release simultaneously baskets arranged in line, in number at least equal to that of the washing tubs, increased by one unit.

 If the washing installation includes N washing tanks placed in line, the chassis is provided for the simultaneous handling of N + l baskets. At a given time, N baskets are dipped, respectively, in the N trays.

After a determined residence time of the baskets in the tanks, the intervention of the means for picking up, lifting and horizontal transfer of the baskets makes it possible to operate simultaneously
- the transfer of each basket, occupying the first Nl bins, to the next bin
- the removal on the floor, at one end of the installation, of the basket which occupied the last bin, therefore which completed its washing cycle
- the handling and introduction, into the first tank at the other end of the installation, of a new basket starting its washing cycle.

 The assembly formed by the carriage and by the movable frame makes it possible to simultaneously raise or lower all these baskets, and to move them horizontally "step by step", the step of the basket movement being equal to the distance between the washing tubs .

 In a particular embodiment, the carriage is mounted rolling on horizontal beams, belonging to a fixed frame and surmounting the washing tanks, and is displaceable in translation horizontally by means of a horizontal jack carried by the frame and having a stroke equal to the centers of the washing tanks.

Advantageously, the vertically movable chassis is suspended from lifting cables, which pass on idler wheels supported by the carriage and which are coupled to a horizontal jack also carried by the carriage. The chassis can thus be raised or lowered, above the washing tanks, while remaining perfectly horizontal;
The means provided on the vertically movable chassis for gripping the baskets may comprise, for each basket, two - pairs of locking fingers turned in opposite directions, and linked to respective control means actuating these pairs of locking fingers in opposite directions one from the other, the baskets each having, at their upper part, two pairs of ears pierced with holes for the introduction of said locking fingers. Thanks to these locking fingers, the baskets are securely grasped by the chassis movable vertically, and they can be positioned very precisely, thus providing perfect centering of these baskets relative to the washing tanks.

 In a particularly simple embodiment, the means for controlling the locking fingers, provided on the vertically movable chassis, comprise a first cylinder connected to all the pairs of locking fingers turned in one direction, and simultaneously actuating these pairs of fingers , and a second cylinder connected to all the other pairs of locking fingers turned in the opposite direction, and simultaneously actuating these other pairs of fingers.

 According to another advantageous characteristic, means are provided for positioning a basket containing objects. to be washed, in line with the washing tanks, in a waiting position where the basket is located at the same level as baskets resting on the bottom of the washing tanks, and where the vertical axis of this basket is separated from the 'axis of the first bin by the same center distance as that of the bins. A new basket can thus be placed on hold in a very precise position, allowing it to be gripped securely during the next transfer of baskets.

In any case, the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawing representing, by way of nonlimiting example, an embodiment of this installation for the automatic washing of grouped objects. in baskets
Figure 1 is a side view of a washing installation according to the invention
Figure 2 and 3 are views similar to Figure 1, illustrating various phases of the operating cycle of this washing installation.

 The washing installation according to the invention comprises several washing tanks 1 placed side by side, in alignment, the centers E of these tanks 1 being constant; The example shown relates to an installation having three tanks 1, which can respectively be a prewash tank, a washing tank with introduction of a compound product, and a rinsing tank.

 Each washing tank 1 is designed to receive at least one basket 2, in which objects 3 to be washed are grouped. The introduction of a basket 2 into a tray 1 brings the objects 3 contained in this basket 2 into contact with the bath filling the tray 1.

 The washing installation comprises a fixed metal frame 4, forming a sort of gantry surmounting all of the washing tanks 1, the frame 4 itself consisting of pillars 5 and horizontal upper beams 6. The frame 4 supports a elongated carriage 7 movable in translation horizontally in a direction parallel to the alignment of the washing tanks 1, above these tanks 1. The carriage 7 is mounted rolling, by means of four wheels 8, on the horizontal upper beams 6 of the frame 4. A horizontal pneumatic cylinder 9 for driving the carriage 7 is provided on the frame 4 to move the carriage 7 in translation over a stroke equal to the center distance E of the tanks 1.

 This carriage 7, movable in translation, itself supports a horizontal frame 10 movable vertically under said carriage 7. The frame 10 is suspended and moved by means of four lifting cables 11. The cables 11 pass on movement return wheels 12, supported by the carriage 7, and are all coupled to the same horizontal pneumatic cylinder 13, also carried by the carriage 7. The control of the cylinder 13 makes it possible to move the four cables 11 in a perfectly synchronized manner, therefore to move vertically the chassis 10 while maintaining the latter perfectly horizontal. Guide means, not shown, can be arranged on each side to guide the movable frame 10 in the lateral direction, during its movement of vertical translation.

 The chassis 10, movable vertically, is equipped with locking means for taking up baskets 2, these means comprising, for each basket 2, two pairs of locking fingers, respectively 14 and 15, turned in opposite directions and horizontally movable in directions opposite to each other. The control of these locking fingers is ensured, for example, by means of a first cylinder 16 connected to all the pairs of locking fingers 14 turned in one direction, and of a second cylinder 17 connected to all the other pairs of locking fingers 15 turned in the opposite direction. The realization of such a control is facilitated by providing that all the pairs of locking fingers 14, turned in one direction, are offset with respect to all the other pairs of locking fingers 15, turned in the opposite direction.

 In the case of washing tanks 1 with a single compartment, each receiving a single basket 2, the locking means carried by the frame 10 form a single line. On the other hand, if the washing tanks 1 each have two compartments, provided for the simultaneous washing of two baskets 2 placed at the front, the locking means are also doubled and thus form two parallel lines.

 Finally, the baskets 2 themselves are provided, at their base, with feet 18 allowing them to rest on the bottom of a washing tub 1 or on the floor 19. At its upper part, each basket 2 has four ears 20 turned upwards, arranged on two opposite edges and pierced with oblong holes. The ears 20 are provided for taking up the baskets 2 by the locking means carried by the chassis 10, each basket 2 being held by means of two pairs of locking fingers 14 and 15, introduced respectively into the holes of its four ears 20 by moving in opposite directions. To this end, the two pairs of ears 20 of each basket 2 are offset with respect to each other, in a manner corresponding to the offset of the pairs of locking fingers 14 and 15.

 The washing installation, the structure of which has just been described, is shown in FIG. 1 in a starting position of its operating cycle: the chassis 10 is in the high position, and the carriage 7 is placed in an extreme position of its horizontal stroke, such that a part of the chassis 10 protrudes from the metal frame 4, at one end of the latter (straight end in the example shown).

 A basket 2, containing objects to be washed 3, is placed by appropriate handling means in the extension of the washing tanks 1, on a support 21 placed on the floor 19. The basket 2 can thus be placed in a previously defined position , at the same level as the bottom of the washing tanks 1 and with its vertical axis separated from the axis of the first washing tank 1 by the same center distance E as that of the tanks 1. This basket 2 is thus waiting under the part of the chassis 10 which protrudes from the frame 4.

 As shown in FIG. 2, the chassis 10 is lowered vertically by means of the jack 13 and the cables 11, to a low position. In this low position, the locking means carried by the chassis 10 are actuated to grip the basket 2 considered by its ears 20.

 The chassis 10 is then raised vertically to its high position, still by means of the jack 13 and the cables 11, as indicated by the dashed line in Figure 2. The basket 2 previously considered is thus lifted with the chassis 10, until '' at a level above the washing tanks 1.

 Then, the jack 9 is put into action to move the carriage 7 in translation, over a length equal to the center distance E of the washing tanks 1, and to the left (with reference to the drawing). The basket 2 considered is then positioned above the first washing tub 1, as indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 3.

 Still referring to FIG. 3, the chassis 10 is then lowered vertically and the basket 2 considered, descending with the chassis 10, is introduced inside the first washing tank 1. At the end of the descent of the chassis 10, the basket 2 rests by its feet 18 on the bottom of this tank 1 the locking means are then actuated to release this basket 2.

 The chassis fo can then go up slightly, while the pre-washing of the objects 3 grouped in the basket 2 which has just been introduced in this tray 1 takes place in the first tank 1. The carriage 7 is brought to the right by cylinder 9.

 During the period of stay of the basket 2 previously considered in the first tank 1, a new basket 2 filled with other objects 3 to be washed can be placed, like the previous one, in alignment with the tanks 1.

 At the end of this period, the chassis 10 descends and again grasps the basket 2 placed in the first washing tub 1. Simultaneously, this chassis 10 grasps the new basket 2 put on hold. After complete reassembly of the chassis 10, the carriage 7 is moved to the left. A new descent of the chassis 10 then makes it possible to introduce the basket 2, previously considered, into the second washing tank 1, while the new basket 2, which has just been removed is deposited in the first tank I.

 The same cycle repeating itself, the basket 2 considered in the first place is then extracted from the second tank 1 and introduced into the third tank 1, so as to accomplish a complete cleaning sequence with prewash, washing and rinsing; Of course, in the case where the washing tanks 1 are more numerous, the successive operations of transferring the basket 2 from a tank 1 to.

next are also more numerous.

 In a "continuous" operation, with the supply of a new basket 2 at each cycle, the frame 10 simultaneously grasps, by its locking means, all the baskets 2 having stayed for a certain period, in the various washing tanks 1 , to lift these baskets 2 and transfer them each to the washing tank 1 immediately following that which was previously occupied. The basket 2 which stayed in the last washing tank 1 is unloaded on a support 22, similar to the support 21, where it can be taken up by any means of handling or disposal.

More particularly, in the case taken for example of an installation comprising three washing tanks 1, the frame 10 is provided for simultaneously gripping four baskets 2 and carrying out the following transfers
- unloading on the support 22 of the basket 2 having stayed in the third tank I
- Transfer in this third bin 1 of the basket 2 having stayed in the second bin 1;
- Transfer in this second bin 1 of the basket 2 having stayed in the first bin 1;
- brought into this first bin 1 of a new basket 2 placed on the support 21.

 The duration of stay of the baskets 2 in the different washing tanks 1 is obviously the same, in such "continuous" operation, but this duration can be easily modulated. It is also understood that during a transfer, the baskets 2 can be kept out of the washing tanks 1 for a well controlled time, for draining.

 The objects 3 to be washed can in particular be molds and other utensils or accessories used in the cheese industry.

As is obvious, and as follows from the above,
The invention is not limited to the sole embodiment of this installation for the automatic washing of objects grouped in baskets which has been described above, by way of example; it embraces, on the contrary, all the variants of implementation and application respecting the same principle, whatever in particular
- the number of washing tanks
- the structure of the means for controlling the various movements, as well as the locking means, which can be replaced by any equivalent
- the nature of the objects to be washed, grouped in the baskets.

Claims (8)

 1. Installation for the automatic washing of objects grouped in baskets, this installation comprising several washing tubs (1) in which the baskets (2) grouping together washing objects (3) are successively soaked, characterized in that it comprises means (4 to 17) for gripping, lifting and horizontal transfer of the baskets (2), capable of simultaneously gripping or releasing a plurality of baskets (2), of simultaneously introducing baskets (2) into the different trays wash (1), and simultaneously transfer all the baskets (2), having stayed in a wash tank (1), to the next wash tank (1).  2. Installation for the automatic washing of objects grouped in baskets, according to claim 1, this installation comprising washing tanks (1) arranged in line, with constant centers (E), characterized in that the gripping means , lifting and horizontal transfer of the baskets (2) essentially comprise a carriage (7) movable in translation horizontally in a direction parallel to the alignment of the washing tanks (1), above these tanks (1) , over a stroke equal to the center distance (E) of said tanks (1), the carriage (7) carrying a frame (10) movable vertically under this carriage (7), and 'provided with means (14 to 17) suitable for grab and simultaneously release baskets (2) arranged in line, in a number at least equal to that of the washing tubs (1), increased by one.  3. Installation for the automatic washing of objects grouped in baskets, according to claim 2, characterized in that the carriage (7) is mounted rolling on horizontal beams (6), belonging to a fixed frame (4) and surmounting the washing tanks (1), and is movable in translation horizontally by means of a horizontal cylinder (9) carried by the frame (4) and having a stroke equal to the centers (E) of the washing tanks (1).  4. Installation for the automatic washing of objects grouped in baskets, according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the chassis (10) movable vertically is suspended from lifting cables (11), which pass on wheels of return (12) supported by the carriage (7) and which are coupled to a horizontal cylinder (13), also carried by the carriage (7).  5. Installation for the automatic washing of objects grouped in baskets, according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the means provided on the frame (10) movable vertically to grip the baskets (2) comprise, for each basket (2), two pairs of locking fingers (14,15) turned in opposite directions, and linked to respective control means (16,17) actuating these pairs of locking fingers (14,15) in directions opposite to each other, the baskets (2) each comprising, at their upper part, two pairs of ears (20) pierced with holes for the introduction of said locking fingers (14,15).  6. Installation for the automatic washing of objects grouped in baskets, according to claim 5, characterized in that the control means of the locking fingers (14,15), provided on the chassis (10) movable vertically, comprise a first cylinder (16) connected to all pairs of locking fingers (14) rotated in one direction, and simultaneously actuating these pairs of fingers (14), and a second cylinder (17) connected to all other pairs of locking fingers (15) turned in the opposite direction, and simultaneously actuating these other pairs of fingers (15).  7. Installation for the automatic washing of objects grouped in baskets, according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the pairs of locking fingers (14), turned in one direction, are offset with respect to the pairs of fingers of locking (15) turned in the opposite direction, the two pairs of ears (20) of each basket (2) being offset relative to each other in a corresponding manner.  8. Installation for the automatic washing of objects grouped in baskets, according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that means (21) are provided for positioning a basket (2), containing objects to be washed (3), in line with the washing tanks (1), in a waiting position where the basket (2) is located at the same level as baskets (2) resting on the bottom of the washing tanks ( 1), and where the vertical axis of this basket (2) is separated from the axis of the first container (1) by the same center distance (E) as that of the containers (1).