GB2107685A - Improvements in or relating to ultrasonic article cleaning apparatus and method - Google Patents

Improvements in or relating to ultrasonic article cleaning apparatus and method Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2107685A
GB2107685A GB08220643A GB8220643A GB2107685A GB 2107685 A GB2107685 A GB 2107685A GB 08220643 A GB08220643 A GB 08220643A GB 8220643 A GB8220643 A GB 8220643A GB 2107685 A GB2107685 A GB 2107685A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
article
pipe
tank
cage
articles
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.)
Granted
Application number
GB08220643A
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GB2107685B (en
Inventor
Christopher James Chamberlain
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.)
LEA JOANNE MARY
Original Assignee
LEA JOANNE MARY
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 LEA JOANNE MARY filed Critical LEA JOANNE MARY
Priority to GB08220643A priority Critical patent/GB2107685B/en
Publication of GB2107685A publication Critical patent/GB2107685A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2107685B publication Critical patent/GB2107685B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B3/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam
    • B08B3/04—Cleaning involving contact with liquid
    • B08B3/10—Cleaning involving contact with liquid with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration
    • B08B3/12—Cleaning involving contact with liquid with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration by sonic or ultrasonic vibrations

Abstract

An apparatus for cleaning hollow articles e.g. beer casks with their open ends lowermost comprises vent pipes (3) which serve to allow the escape of air from the articles whilst they are being lowered on platform (15) into a cleaning tank (1), in which the liquid is agitated by ultrasonic wave generators. After cleaning, compressed air introduced via pipes (3) may be used alone, or may act in conjunction with rams 27, to raise the articles and platform. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to ultrasonic article cleaning apparatus and method The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning articles ultrasonically and in particular for cleaning hollow containers such as beer kegs.
Successful ultrasonic cleaning of articles relies on the high frequency energy vibrations being transmitted to the surface of the article. Usually a liquid is used to transmit the energy to the entire article surface. In the case of hollow open ended containers it is therefore necessary to completely fill the container with liquid to enable them to be ultrasonically cleaned and then to remove or drain offthe liquid. In the known processes the hollow open ended containers, for example beer kegs, are filled either by introducing liquid into the upwardly positioned open end directly from a nozzle aligned with the opening, or by submerging the container in a tank of liquid and allowing the liquid flowing into the container to displace the air from within it. This requires that the opening be uppermost during the filling to ensure that no air is trapped in the container.It is subsequently necessary to invert the container to drain off this liquid.
An aim of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for ultrasonically cleaning hollow open ended articles in which filling is achieved easily and reliably and in which inversion of the articles between filling and draining is avoided.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of cleaning hollow open ended articles comprising positioning the article with its open end lowermost over a tank containing liquid, aligning the open end with a pipe disposed in the tank, lowering the article into the tank and allowing gas within the article to be displaced down the pipe so filling the hollow article with liquid, subjecting the article to ultrasonic wave energy to clean same, and removing the article from the tank.
Preferably the method further comrises introducing gas into the container by way of said pipe to displace the contained liquid therefrom after the cleaning operation.
The method may further comprise introducing the article into a cage, clamping the article into the cage with the open end aligned with the pipe and lowering the cage into the tank using hydraulic ram means. The introduction of gas into the article serving to raise or assist in raising the article.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for cleaning hollow open ended articles comprising a tank containing liquid into which the article to be cleaned is to be submerged with its open end lowermost, and a pipe disposed in the tank and aligned with the opening in the article by way of which pipe gas within the article is vented when the article is lowered into the tank, ultrasonic wave energy generating means disposed within the tank to clean the article, and means for raising the article after cleaning.
Preferably the pipe is provided with a two way valve, preferably a solenoid operated valve, which connects the pipe to exhaust, e.g. atmosphere, orto a source of compressed gas, e.g. compressed air.
The valve is arranged to connect the pipe to exhaust during submersion of the article and is changed over when it is required to displace the liquid contained in the article and raise it out of the tank. The opening of the pipe is arranged to be above the level of liquid in the tank prior to submersion of the article into the tank. The article is lowered until the open end of the pipe contacts the bottom of the article to be cleaned.
This ensures that the article is completely filled with liquid.
Conveniently, the apparatus comprises a cage into which the article is loaded and in which it is fixedly clamped. The cage and the article located therein is lowered into the tank by means of hydraulic rams.
The article is preferably clamped in the cage by pneumatic clamps.
Conveyor means lead to and from the cage and the article supporting surface of the cage preferably comprises a plurality of rollers. Stop means is provided to ensure that the article is positioned in the cage in alignment with the pipe in the tank.
The method and apparatus may be used to clean any type of hollow container, be it plastic, glass or metal, which is provided with an opening into which the pipe may be inserted to vent air from the interior during submersion of the container.
The apparatus may be adapted to clean one or a plurality of articles at the same time.
The present invention will now be described further, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an elevational view of apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 is a half plan view of Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a side elevation of Figure 1.
Referrring more particularly to the drawings there is shown apparatus for cleaning hollow open ended articles in the form of beer kegs. The apparatus comprises a generally rectangular tank 1 having an open top. As illustrated the top of the tank is flared outwardly.
It will be appreciated that the apparatus can be designed to handle a plurality of articles, or just one.
The illustrated apparatus is arranged to clean two beer kegs simultaneous. Disposed within the tank is a pipe 3 which in the illustrated embodiment is L-shaped, having a vertical run 5 and a horizontal run 7. The horizontal run passes seaminglythrough the wall of the tank 1 and has attached to an outer end thereof a two way valve 9. The valve is solenoid operated and controls communication to an exhaust or to a compressed gas supply. In an alternative embodiment where two or more articles are to be cleaned several vertical runs, one for each article, may connect with a common horizontal run. Alternatively, the pipe 3 may pass vertically through the base of the tank.
The apparatus is provided with a cage 11 which is displaceable vertically between a loading/discharge position and a cleaning position in which the articles are submerged. The cage comprises a rectangular frame work 13 and a platform 15 for supporting the articles, in this instance beer kegs. The platform comprises a plurality of rollers 17 which, when the platform is in the loading/discharge position are aligned with respective loading and discharge coveyor runs 19,21.
The cage carries a pneumatic clamp device 23 which is actuated to clamp the article to be cleaned in the cage in the correct alignment, with the opening in the article aligned vertically with the vertical run of the pipe 3.
A cross-bar 25 is secured to the top of the cage 11 and projects outwardly from opposite sides of the tank. Vertically below the ends of these projecting ends are positioned locating brackets 29 which are secured to the exterior of the tank on opposite sides thereof. A respective pneumatic or hydraulic run 27 is disposed between and secured to the projecting end of the cross-bar 25 and the locating bracket 29.
The rams serve to raise and/or lower the cage between the loading/discharge and cleaning positions.
The cage is guided by means of four vertical guide bars 31 which are secured in position in respective corners of the tank 1. Four flanged guide wheels 33 are carried by the cage 11 and cooperate with a respective one of the guide bars 31.
Apparatus 34 for generating ultrasonic wave energy is disposed within the tank. Conveniently, the devices are secured to the corner guide bars.
In operation, with the cage raised to the loading/ discharging position the article loads to be cleaned are moved along the loading conveyor run 19 and onto the roller platform 15. The articles are conveyed with their open ends lowermost. A stop is provided to ensure that the articles are stopped on the platform with their openings aligned with the pipe 3.
The clamp device 23 is operated to fixedly locate the article in the cage 11.
The surface of the liquid in the tank is below the open end of the pipe 3 at this stage. This reduces loss of liquid. On operation of the runs 27 the cage is displaced downwardly and the articles submerged into the liquid. The pipe 3 penetrates the opening in the article allowing airto escape to exhaust and allowing the liquid to enter the hollow interior as the article is gradually submerged. The article is held submerged with the end of the pipe contacting the closed end of the article whilst ultrasonic cleaning is performed. In this position the article is completely submerged and the interior completely filled. The interior and exterior of the article can thus be cleaned simultaneously.The open end of the pipe 3 preferably has a shallow notch or recess so that communication exists between the pipe exhaust and interior of the container, when the pipe is contacting the closed end of the article. This ensures that all the air is exhausted. The small amount of liquid flowing out through the pipe is recirculated back to the tank.
When the cleaning operation is completed, the valve 9 is changed over and a small quantity of compressed gas discharged through the pipe and into the interior of the container. This may be used alone to raise the article due to bouyancy or more preferably acting in conjunction with the rams to lift the articles back up to the discharging position. The gas within the container initiates the draining action by forcing liquid out of the article interior.
The clamp device then releases the cleaned arti cles which are transferred to the discharge conveyor run. Further articles are loaded onto the platform from the loading conveyor, and the cycle repeated.
The cleaned articles may be subject to a rinsing operation on removal from the cage.
Where the cleaning operation is performed in an air environment the compressed gas may be air.
CLAIMS (Filed on 15 Oct 82) 1. A method of cleaning hollow open ended articles comprising positioning the article with its open end lowermost over a tank containig liquid, aligning the open end with a pipe disposed in the tank, lowering the article into the tank allowing gas within the article to be displaced down the pipe so filling the hollow article with liquid, subjecting the article to ultrasonic wave energy to clean same, and removing the article from the tank.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising introducing gas into the container by way of said pipe to displace the contained liquid therefrom after the cleaning operation.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising introducing the article into a cage, clamping the article into the cage with the open end aligned with the pipe and lowering the cage into the tank using hydraulic ram means.
4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the hollow open ended article to be cleaned is a beer keg.
5. A method of cleaning hollow open ended articles substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
6. Apparatus for cleaning hollow open ended articles comprising a tank containing liquid into which the article to be cleaned is to be submerged with its open end lowermost, and a pipe disposed in the tank and aligned with the opening in the article by way of which pipe gas within the article is vented when the article is lowered into the tank, ultrasonic wave energy generating means disposed within the tank to clean the article, and means for raising the article after cleaning.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the pipe is provided with a two way valve which connects the pipe to exhaust or to a source of compressed gas.
8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which the valve is a solenoid operated valve which connects the pipe to atmosphere or a compressed air source.
9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 or 8 in which the valve is arranged to connect the pipe to exhaust during submersion of the article and is changed over when it is required to displace the liquid contained in the article and raise it out of the tank.
10. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9 in which the open end of the pipe is arranged to be above the level of liquid in the tank prior to submersion of the article into the tank and the article is lowered until the open end of the pipe contacts the
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (17)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. frame work 13 and a platform 15 for supporting the articles, in this instance beer kegs. The platform comprises a plurality of rollers 17 which, when the platform is in the loading/discharge position are aligned with respective loading and discharge coveyor runs 19,21. The cage carries a pneumatic clamp device 23 which is actuated to clamp the article to be cleaned in the cage in the correct alignment, with the opening in the article aligned vertically with the vertical run of the pipe 3. A cross-bar 25 is secured to the top of the cage 11 and projects outwardly from opposite sides of the tank. Vertically below the ends of these projecting ends are positioned locating brackets 29 which are secured to the exterior of the tank on opposite sides thereof. A respective pneumatic or hydraulic run 27 is disposed between and secured to the projecting end of the cross-bar 25 and the locating bracket 29. The rams serve to raise and/or lower the cage between the loading/discharge and cleaning positions. The cage is guided by means of four vertical guide bars 31 which are secured in position in respective corners of the tank 1. Four flanged guide wheels 33 are carried by the cage 11 and cooperate with a respective one of the guide bars 31. Apparatus 34 for generating ultrasonic wave energy is disposed within the tank. Conveniently, the devices are secured to the corner guide bars. In operation, with the cage raised to the loading/ discharging position the article loads to be cleaned are moved along the loading conveyor run 19 and onto the roller platform 15. The articles are conveyed with their open ends lowermost. A stop is provided to ensure that the articles are stopped on the platform with their openings aligned with the pipe 3. The clamp device 23 is operated to fixedly locate the article in the cage 11. The surface of the liquid in the tank is below the open end of the pipe 3 at this stage. This reduces loss of liquid. On operation of the runs 27 the cage is displaced downwardly and the articles submerged into the liquid. The pipe 3 penetrates the opening in the article allowing airto escape to exhaust and allowing the liquid to enter the hollow interior as the article is gradually submerged. The article is held submerged with the end of the pipe contacting the closed end of the article whilst ultrasonic cleaning is performed. In this position the article is completely submerged and the interior completely filled. The interior and exterior of the article can thus be cleaned simultaneously.The open end of the pipe 3 preferably has a shallow notch or recess so that communication exists between the pipe exhaust and interior of the container, when the pipe is contacting the closed end of the article. This ensures that all the air is exhausted. The small amount of liquid flowing out through the pipe is recirculated back to the tank. When the cleaning operation is completed, the valve 9 is changed over and a small quantity of compressed gas discharged through the pipe and into the interior of the container. This may be used alone to raise the article due to bouyancy or more preferably acting in conjunction with the rams to lift the articles back up to the discharging position. The gas within the container initiates the draining action by forcing liquid out of the article interior. The clamp device then releases the cleaned arti cles which are transferred to the discharge conveyor run. Further articles are loaded onto the platform from the loading conveyor, and the cycle repeated. The cleaned articles may be subject to a rinsing operation on removal from the cage. Where the cleaning operation is performed in an air environment the compressed gas may be air. CLAIMS (Filed on 15 Oct 82)
1. A method of cleaning hollow open ended articles comprising positioning the article with its open end lowermost over a tank containig liquid, aligning the open end with a pipe disposed in the tank, lowering the article into the tank allowing gas within the article to be displaced down the pipe so filling the hollow article with liquid, subjecting the article to ultrasonic wave energy to clean same, and removing the article from the tank.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising introducing gas into the container by way of said pipe to displace the contained liquid therefrom after the cleaning operation.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising introducing the article into a cage, clamping the article into the cage with the open end aligned with the pipe and lowering the cage into the tank using hydraulic ram means.
4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the hollow open ended article to be cleaned is a beer keg.
5. A method of cleaning hollow open ended articles substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
6. Apparatus for cleaning hollow open ended articles comprising a tank containing liquid into which the article to be cleaned is to be submerged with its open end lowermost, and a pipe disposed in the tank and aligned with the opening in the article by way of which pipe gas within the article is vented when the article is lowered into the tank, ultrasonic wave energy generating means disposed within the tank to clean the article, and means for raising the article after cleaning.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the pipe is provided with a two way valve which connects the pipe to exhaust or to a source of compressed gas.
8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which the valve is a solenoid operated valve which connects the pipe to atmosphere or a compressed air source.
9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 or 8 in which the valve is arranged to connect the pipe to exhaust during submersion of the article and is changed over when it is required to displace the liquid contained in the article and raise it out of the tank.
10. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9 in which the open end of the pipe is arranged to be above the level of liquid in the tank prior to submersion of the article into the tank and the article is lowered until the open end of the pipe contacts the
bottom of the article to be cleaned so that the article is completely filled with liquid.
11. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 6 to 10 further comprising a cage adapted to receive the article and means for fixedly clamping the article in the cage.
12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 in which the clamp means comprises pneumatically operable clamps.
13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 or 12 in which the cage is lowered into the tank by means of hydraulic rams.
14. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 11 to 13 further comprising respective conveyor means leading to and from the cage and a plurality of rollers defining the article supporting surface of the cage.
15. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 11 to 14 in which stop means is provided to position the article in the cage in alignment with the pipe in the tank.
16. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 6 to 15 in which a plurality of said pipes are provided whereby a plurality of articles may be cleaned simultaneously.
17. Apparatus for cleaning hollow open ended articles constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
GB08220643A 1981-10-19 1982-07-16 Improvements in or relating to ultrasonic article cleaning apparatus and method Expired GB2107685B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08220643A GB2107685B (en) 1981-10-19 1982-07-16 Improvements in or relating to ultrasonic article cleaning apparatus and method

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8131418 1981-10-19
GB8131518 1981-10-19
GB08220643A GB2107685B (en) 1981-10-19 1982-07-16 Improvements in or relating to ultrasonic article cleaning apparatus and method

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GB2107685A true GB2107685A (en) 1983-05-05
GB2107685B GB2107685B (en) 1985-09-18

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Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2122980A (en) * 1982-07-08 1984-01-25 Techno Pack Method and apparatus for cleansing containers
GB2124195A (en) * 1982-07-31 1984-02-15 Lea Joanne Mary Machines for cleaning containers e.g. beer kegs
GB2148862A (en) * 1983-10-26 1985-06-05 Lea Joanne Mary Vessel cleaning
GB2168043A (en) * 1984-11-17 1986-06-11 Thomas Hill Engineering Co The A vibratory cleaning system
DE29800742U1 (en) * 1998-01-17 1998-03-19 Engel Matthias Mobile cleaning system for loose or permanently installed containers
US7976642B2 (en) * 2007-09-28 2011-07-12 Siltron, Inc. Box cleaner for cleaning wafer shipping box
US11771298B2 (en) 2018-12-21 2023-10-03 Realmthree Ltd Ultrasonic cleaning apparatus

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2122980A (en) * 1982-07-08 1984-01-25 Techno Pack Method and apparatus for cleansing containers
GB2124195A (en) * 1982-07-31 1984-02-15 Lea Joanne Mary Machines for cleaning containers e.g. beer kegs
GB2148862A (en) * 1983-10-26 1985-06-05 Lea Joanne Mary Vessel cleaning
GB2168043A (en) * 1984-11-17 1986-06-11 Thomas Hill Engineering Co The A vibratory cleaning system
DE29800742U1 (en) * 1998-01-17 1998-03-19 Engel Matthias Mobile cleaning system for loose or permanently installed containers
US7976642B2 (en) * 2007-09-28 2011-07-12 Siltron, Inc. Box cleaner for cleaning wafer shipping box
EP2042245B1 (en) * 2007-09-28 2016-07-20 Siltron Inc. Box cleaner for cleaning wafer shipping box
US11771298B2 (en) 2018-12-21 2023-10-03 Realmthree Ltd Ultrasonic cleaning apparatus

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Publication number Publication date
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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee