FR2774051A3 - Washing plant for shopping trolleys - Google Patents

Abstract

The cleaning fluid tanks (2) are located on one or both sides of the heat insulated frame section (1). One or more cleaning fluid collecting reservoirs are provided on the underside of the frame section and from which fluid is delivered to the supply tanks. One or more fluid filtering components (4) are provided to clean the wash fluid. Units are provided to supply electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic power, and a drying unit removes surplus washing fluid from the trolley

Description

This invention relates to a trolley washing system of the type used

  in stores to allow customers to shop and which can also be used to wash bicycles or the like, which is mobile and which is installed in the semi-trailer, in the transport container or container

interchangeable of a truck.

  At present, the trolleys used in stores use a pressure washing device held manually. Additionally, known systems for washing shopping carts are described in the patents.

American 3,444,867 and 3,698,029.

  US Patent 3,444,867 describes a washing system installed in a light trailer on which the shopping carts move with a chain on the underside of the trailer. The cleaning liquid is contained i5 in a tank which is located on the underside of the trailer, from which the cleaning liquid is sucked up and pumped by means of a pump to

  nozzles which are located on both sides of the carriage.

  In addition, US Patent 3,698,029 is equipped with cleaning brushes for

carriage wheels.

  The disadvantages of manual washing are that it is laborious work and the waste water is drawn to the sewer, which increases the cost of

  cleaning, water use and service.

  The disadvantage of the solutions proposed in the US patents mentioned above

  above is that the capacity for cleaning liquid is low, which makes the liquid quickly dirty. These two solutions require, for their operation, electrical connections and they cannot function independently. A cleaning liquid purification system has not been provided on either of the washing systems. A "pre-wash" and drying option has not been provided for either of these

washing.

  The above-mentioned drawbacks are eliminated in a trolley washing system for shops according to the present invention which is characterized in that tanks for the washing liquid are positioned on one side or on both sides of the semi-trailer body , the transport container or the interchangeable container of the truck in which the washing system is installed. According to the invention, on the underside of said box, one or more basins are provided for collecting the cleaning liquid, from which the cleaning liquid is transferred to cleaning liquid reservoirs. According to the invention,

  one or more means are provided to purify the cleaning liquid.

  A washing system according to the present invention is equipped with one or more

  several units for the production of electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic energy.

  The most important advantage of the invention is that a trolley washing system produced in accordance with the invention can be used independently since it is equipped with its own power unit, preferably a diesel group that produces electricity or generates compressed air or hydraulic pressure and that uses electrical devices. The washing system according to the invention comprises a sufficient supply of cleaning liquid or in other words, preferably water. The washing system incorporates a cleaning means for the spent cleaning liquid so that it is not necessary to change the cleaning liquid frequently. The cleaning system includes a solvent spray means for dissolving hard dirt. As a variant, the system comprises means of lubrication and drying by blowing air in order to dry, after washing, the carriage and the slot which it comprises with a view to the introduction of a coin. By using a washing system according to the invention, shopping carts are quickly cleaned with a minimum of work in the immediate vicinity of the carts, which allows significant savings. The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 illustrates in lateral cross-section, a system for washing shopping trolleys according to the present invention, in a top view, - Figure 2 is a side elevational view in longitudinal section of the washing system according to FIG. 1; - Figure 3 is an axial section of the trolley washing system according to Figures 1 and 2, in side view; - Figure 4 illustrates a trolley washing system according to Figures 1, 2 and 3 in side view; - Figure 5 is a top view of the washing system according to Figure 4; - Figure 6 illustrates another side view of the washing system; - Figure 7 illustrates the washing system according to Figure 6, seen from the end, - Figure 8 is an end view of the washing system illustrated by Figures 1, 2 and 3, and,

  - Figure 9 is an end view of the washing system according to Figure 8.

  Figures 1 and 2 show the internal structure of the washing system. The latter comprises a box 1, which in the drawing is of construction similar to that of conventional mobile trailers, thermally insulated, which comprises on its floor conventional guide rails 17 by means of which the transport container is connected to the truck during the transport. According to the present invention, the

  transport container is provided with 18 feet on its sides.

  1s The actual washing system is located inside the crate 1. The washing system includes, among other things, the following components: cleaning agent tanks 2, means for collecting the cleaning liquid 3 which are produced here in the form of a solvent collection basin 3a and a cleaning liquid collection basin 3b, purification means 4, conveyor means 5 which include regulating means 5a and a chain 5b, conveyors 5c, sprayers 6, spraying means 7, solvent tank 8, compressor 9, hydraulic unit 10, group 11, rinsing core 12, fuel tank 13, system blowing air 14, a washing tunnel 15 comprising a floor 15a, a door 16, a curtain 16a, guide rails 17, feet 18 consisting of a frame 18a, a sliding piece 18b, an articulation 18c, a transfer element 18d, a bridge 14 which is lifted by a jack 19a. When building a

  basic washing, one or more of all the elements mentioned above can be used

  above or we can omit some.

  The washing liquid tanks 2 can for example be made of plastic or one can use an accessible tank ready for use. Plastic tanks can last a long time since preferably the cleaning liquid is water. Thanks to this invention, according to which cleaning liquid tanks 2 are positioned on both sides of the washing tunnel 15, large quantities of washing liquid are contained in the box 1 and it is not necessary to provide pipes supply in

water or drainage connections.

  The cleaning liquid collection means 3 can be made, for example, of plastic, or of a conventional metal. Preferably, they

  gives the shape of a cone with point downwards. However, this form may vary.

  The role of the cone shape is to collect the cleaning liquid in a location from which it can be easily circulated using a conventional pump, in the cleaning liquid tanks 2 or in the tank solvent 8. The reason for providing at least two collection means 3,

  is that the water and the solvent should not mix.

  The purification means 4 consists of a conventional water filtration unit

which purifies the cleaning liquid.

  In this embodiment, there are two conveying means 5, one on each side of the carriages to be cleaned. The conveying means 5 are positioned inside the washing tunnel 15. These conveying means 5 consist of a conventional endless chain 5b which runs laterally and which can be driven, for example, by a hydraulic motor. On chain 5b are connected

  conveyors 5c which are made of rubber or any other elastic material.

  The conveyors are in contact with the sides of the shopping trolleys and they move them so as to drive them along the washing tunnel 15. It is preferable to provide several conveyors on a chain 5b, at an appropriate distance from them.

  each other. The conveying means 5 each have their own frame.

  The conveying means 5 can move in a transverse direction using the regulating means which can be conventional hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders by which the conveying takes place in steps. A transverse movement is necessary since the height level of the

carts varies.

  According to a variant of the present invention, another option for the internal structure of the box 1 consists in including one or more of the conveying means 5 equipped with a conveyor belt with transverse pushers for transporting the carriages. The lifters grip the carriages by the wheels and in this way they push the carriages forward. The conveyor belt is made of a conventional material, such as rubber, plastic or the like. The conveyor belt which is located at the top of the roller or other surface of

  sliding, is driven by a hydraulic, electric or pneumatic motor.

  The transverse pushers or the conveyor belt can be made of conventional material such as rubber or plastic. The pushers are fixed for example, using glue, screws or by any other means. The conveyor belt is located on the floor of the washing tunnel 15, above the means for collecting the cleaning liquid 3. Preferably, two conveyor belts are provided, one behind the other, above the solvent tank. 3a and

  of the cleaning liquid basin 3b.

  The spraying means 6 consist in a conventional manner of jets for spraying jets and supply conduits as used for example, in pressure washing installations. The spraying means 6 are located on the two sides and on the ceiling of the interior of the tunnel 15. The spraying means can rotate in the direction indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The displacement, or forward movement and backwards, improves the cleaning results since, thanks to the movement of the spraying means, there remains no location of the carriages which is not reached by the jet. The forward and backward movement is obtained by implementing conventional techniques. For example, the nozzles can oscillate back and forth, causing the cleaning fluid to be sprayed further. The displacement can be obtained with a different device, for example by oscillating towards

  rear and forward of the connected pipes.

  The device ensuring the movement of the spraying means can be a compressed air cylinder or a motor, for example, a row of spraying means 6 can also be preferably installed under the trellis of the floor 15a, so that cleaning can also be done from below. The spraying means 6 can be produced in a fixed position. The

  role of the spraying means 6 is to clean the shopping carts.

  The spraying system 7 can be produced in the same way as the spraying means 6 or in a simpler manner. The function of this system

  Spray 7 is to spread the solvent on the surface of the carts.

6 2774051

  The solvent tanks 8 can be identical to the tanks 2 for cleaning liquid. They serve as a reserve of solvent agent. The system works in the same way as the washing system: one or more pumps pump the solvent to the spray system 7 which sprays the solvent on the surface of the carriage and the excess solvent flows into the basin. collection of solvent 3a from which it is pumped by one or more pumps to the

solvent tanks.

  Compressor 9 is a conventionally manufactured compressed air unit.

  The hydraulic unit 10 is a hydraulic pressure unit made of

classic way.

  Group 11 is a conventional electrical unit, preferably a diesel group which produces the energy for all the electrical machines in the washing system. The rinsing system 12 is a conventional pressure rinsing device preferably using hot water. Rinsing system 12 pumps the liquid

  cleaning with the pressure of the spraying means 6.

  The fuel tank 13 is of the conventional type and it stores the fuel

necessary for the group.

  The air blowing system 14 is of known type.

  The blowing system 14 illustrated in FIG. 3 is a rotary fan, but it could for example be produced in the form of an axial blowing device. The role of the air blowing system 14 is to remove the water and, at least partially, to dry the carriages which have been washed. System 14 blows air from bottom to top, which is the preferred direction since the liquid

  flows down and falls into the cleaning liquid collecting basin 3b.

  The washing tunnel 15 is visible in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 and it extends all along the body 1 towards the doors 16 at each end. The washing tunnel 15 can be made of any conventional metal such as aluminum. It can also be done in

plastic or similar.

  The washing tunnel 15 prevents the cleaning agent and the solvent from spreading to other areas of the body 1. Additionally, the washing tunnel prevents cold air, in winter, from entering the spaces mentioned above. . The floor 15a of the washing tunnel preferably consists of a grid or a conventional wire mesh, or the like, so that the liquid can flow into the cleaning liquid collecting means 3. Preferably, in order to facilitate the movement of the carriages, the longitudinal wires of the grid or the trellis must be slightly raised so that the carriages

  move well, since the wheels must be facing forward.

  The doors 16 are preferably thermally insulated as are the

  body wall structures 1.

  Curtains 16a are provided at the two ends of the washing tunnel 15 and, in addition, curtains 16a disposed at the joint between the solvent collection basin 3a and the cleaning agent collection basin 3b. The curtains at each end prevent the liquid from being sprayed beyond the box 1 and, at the same time, they prevent cold air coming from outside from entering the box. The curtains 16a prevent the sprayed liquids from mixing. Curtains 16a can consist of door curtains made of plastic strips used

for example in industry.

  The feet 18 are shown in Figures 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. The feet 18 have a frame 18a, a sliding part 18b, a hinge 18c and a transfer component 18d. The materials used to make these feet are preferably conventional metals. For example, the feet can be made so that the frame 18a constitutes a hydraulic cylinder whose piston rod functions as a sliding part 18b, which communicates to the feet the movement of descent and ascent. The frame 18a is connected to the body 1 by its upper articulation 18c, which, in the figure, is produced with an axis of

  classic pivoting which allows the frame to be moved by lateral rotation.

  The bottom end of the frame 18a is fixed to the transfer component 18d by means of a joint, the transfer component 18d being a conventional hydraulic cylinder the other end of which is connected by a joint to a guide rail 17 The role of the transfer component 18d is to move the feet 18 inward and outward. Using these feet, the box 1 can be lifted so that the towing unit (the truck) can be moved, then the box is

  lowered to the floor so cleaning the carts is easier.

  At both ends of the body 1 there are provided bridges 19, illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, which can be lifted by a jack 19a. Preferably, the bridges can be made of aluminum and they can be pushed inside the body 1. The jack 19a can be a pneumatic jack, a hydraulic jack or an articulated jack, or the like. By using bridges 19 and the jacks 19a, it is easy to transfer the carriages into the washing system and remove it from the latter. The cleaning liquid tanks 2 are located on one or on both sides of the box 1. On the underside of the box 1 there are one or more cleaning liquid collection basins 3, starting from from which the cleaning liquid is transferred into the cleaning liquid reservoirs 2. The washing system comprises one or more conveying means 5 which come into contact with the sides of the carriages in order to move them forward. Box 1 is thermally insulated and includes one or more power units to generate energy, electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically. In the box 1 is provided a drying means 7 which eliminates the excess cleaning liquid from the carriages. Box 1 includes means for drying and lubricating the slot

  introduction of the metal coin of the carriage.

  The system for washing carts for shops according to the present invention operates as follows: carts to be washed are pushed in line into the inlet where solvent is applied, the conveyor means move the carts forward, d first in the section where the solvent is applied, then in the washing section, then in the drying section so that they become clean and come out of the interior of the box 1, along the bridge 19 , being pushed by the other carriages. After washing, the carriages are lubricated and the water which remains, for example on the slot for inserting the coin, is evacuated by blowing with compressed air. You can also change the wheels, or bring other maintenance work to the carts if necessary. It remains to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and / or mentioned above but that it

includes all variants.

Claims (6)

  1 - Trolley washing system of the type used in stores and other trolleys, cycles and the like, which is mobile and which is positioned in the body (1) of a semi-trailer, of a transport container or of an interchangeable truck container, characterized in that it comprises cleaning fluid reservoirs (2) which are positioned on one, or on both sides of said body (1).   2 - Trolley washing system according to claim 1 characterized in that, on the underside of the body (1) there is provided one or more cleaning liquid collection basins (3), from which the cleaning liquid is conveyed   to the cleaning liquid tanks (2).   3 - Trolley washing system according to claim 1, characterized in that i5 it comprises one or more purification means (4) for purifying the cleaning liquid. 4 - Trolley washing system according to claim 1, characterized in that   that the body (1) is thermally insulated.   - Trolley washing system according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises one or more power units in order to produce energy   generated hydraulically, electrically or pneumatically.   6 - Trolley washing system according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a drying means (14) to remove the cleaning liquid in excess of carts.   7 - Trolley washing system according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises means for drying and lubricating the slot provided on the   trolley for the introduction of a coin.   8 - Trolley washing system according to any one of claims   previous characterized in that it comprises one or more conveying means (5) which are in contact with the sides of the carriages so as to ensure their movement. t 2774051 9 - Washing system according to claim 8, characterized in that one or more of said conveying means (5) are provided with a conveyor belt   having transverse pushers to ensure the movement of the carriages.