JP2008265847A - Cleaning apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect a clog in a cleaning nozzle 16 in a cleaning section B to make good use of washing water to be used. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of cleaning nozzles 16 are provided at equal circumferential intervals along an outer periphery of a rotator 4, and the washing water jetted to a container 14 is fed via a rotary valve 18 constituted by a rotary valve 36 integrally rotating with the rotator 4 and a fixed valve 34 on the fixed side. A plurality of delivery paths 37 connected with the respective nozzles 16 are formed inside the rotary valve 36 and connected with/shut from two arcuate washing water supply paths 38 and 40 formed on the fixed valve 34 in association with the rotation of the rotator 4. A flowmeter 50 is provided at a second branch pipe 44B feeding the washing water to the shorter second washing water supply path 40. A difference in a flow quantity from the case where the cleaning nozzles 16 are normal is detected to detect a clogging nozzle 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a device for cleaning a container such as a rotary type rinser or a bottle rinsing machine that performs cleaning by injecting a cleaning liquid from the cleaning nozzle to the container, and particularly has a detection function capable of detecting clogging of the cleaning nozzle. The present invention relates to a cleaning device.

  As a device for cleaning containers such as rotary type rinsers and bottle washers, it is equipped with a plurality of bottle grippers arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction near the outer periphery of the rotating body, and holds the containers supplied from the outside with each gripper It is widely known that the container is cleaned by injecting a liquid such as a cleaning liquid from a cleaning nozzle provided below each bottle gripper as the rotating body rotates.

  When cleaning is performed by operating a container cleaning device such as the above-mentioned rinser for a long time, foreign substances such as dust in the liquid may accumulate in the nozzle and block the passage of the cleaning liquid. If the cleaning nozzle is clogged in this way, there is a possibility that cleaning failure may occur due to the cleaning liquid not being sprayed at all and being unable to be cleaned, or the amount of cleaning liquid being sprayed being insufficient and insufficient cleaning. Therefore, conventionally, an attendant has detected the clogging of the nozzle by visual observation, and has taken measures such as nozzle cleaning.

  However, manual detection has a high possibility that a detection error will occur, and there is a problem that it cannot be applied to a case where the number of nozzles is large or a device that operates at high speed. Therefore, various types of container cleaning devices including a detection device that automatically detects clogging of the cleaning nozzle have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2).

  The nozzle checker (device for detecting clogging of nozzles) described in Patent Document 1 is provided in a rotary cleaning device of a type that rotates intermittently, and checks nozzles during stoppage. Yes, it cannot be applied to a type of rinser that operates continuously at high speed. Moreover, the nozzle checker described in Patent Document 2 detects a nozzle abnormality using a sensor such as a photoelectric switch. When a photoelectric switch is used in the cleaning device, it is cloudy or wet, so that there is a disadvantage that reliability is low. Therefore, the applicant of the present invention has applied for an invention of a nozzle checker for a container cleaning apparatus that improves the reliability of nozzle check, enables nozzle check even during cleaning operation, and can also cope with high-speed operation. (See Patent Document 3).

  The nozzle checker of the container cleaning apparatus according to the invention described in Patent Document 3 includes a bottle gripper that holds and inverts a container, and ejects liquid while moving following the container held by each bottle gripper. Provided in a container cleaning device having a nozzle for cleaning the container, a lever disposed above the nozzle movement path and swingable up and down, and an upper end and a lower end of the lever are regulated. A stopper and a detecting means for detecting a rising position or a lowering position of the lever, and a width of the lever in the nozzle moving direction and a nozzle provided at regular intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotating body. The pitch (distance between two adjacent nozzles) is matched.

In the configuration of the invention, as long as the nozzle is normal, the lever remains swung upward, and is more reliable than the conventional configuration that moves up and down for each nozzle, and can handle high-speed operation. Yes, it is possible to check for clogged nozzles during normal cleaning operation. Further, since the lever is lowered only when the clogged nozzle reaches the position of the nozzle checker, it is possible to achieve excellent effects such as quiet operation with little generation of operation noise.
No. 2-31189 Utility Model Registration No. 2512024 Japanese Patent No. 3876476 (page 4-5, FIG. 1)

  In the configuration of Patent Document 3, a mechanism such as a lever for detecting nozzle clogging cannot be provided in the cleaning zone for cleaning the container. Provided. Therefore, since the cleaning water is sprayed for the purpose other than the cleaning of the container, there is a problem that the cleaning water is consumed wastefully. In addition, since the cleaning water is sprayed on the lever that swings up and down, there is a problem in durability because the swing lever is loaded.

  The present invention includes a plurality of nozzles for injecting cleaning water, a rotating member in which a plurality of discharge passages for supplying cleaning water to these nozzles are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and each rotation member as the rotating member rotates. A fixing member formed with an arc-shaped cleaning water supply passage through which the discharge passage is cut off, and a supply pipe for sending the cleaning water to the cleaning water supply passage. In the cleaning apparatus in which the nozzle sprays cleaning water while cleaning the container while the discharge passage passes through the section in which the supply passage is formed, the cleaning water supply passage is divided into at least two, and each of these cleaning The cleaning water is sent from different supply pipes to the water supply passage, and the detection means for detecting the flow state of the cleaning water is provided in one of the supply pipes, so that the cleaning water is supplied from the supply pipe to the cleaning water supply passage. Communicating It is characterized in that for detecting the clogging of Le.

  The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that the detection means is a flow meter.

  The invention described in claim 3 is characterized in that the detection means is a pressure gauge.

  In the cleaning device of the present invention, when each discharge passage formed in the rotating member and connected to each nozzle communicates with the arc-shaped cleaning water supply passage formed in the fixed member, the cleaning liquid sent from the supply pipe is Since it is sent to the nozzle and sprayed to the container, a plurality of the washing water supply passages are provided, and a detecting means such as a flow meter and a pressure gauge is arranged in the supply pipe for sending the washing water to one of them. Nozzle clogging can be checked in the cleaning section, and the cleaning water is not wasted and the durability is not affected.

  A plurality of nozzles for injecting cleaning water, a rotating member in which discharging passages for supplying cleaning water to these nozzles are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and a circle in which the discharging passage can communicate with the rotation of the rotating member A rotary valve comprising a fixed member formed with an arc-shaped cleaning water supply passage, and a supply pipe for feeding cleaning water to the arc-shaped cleaning water supply passage, and further comprising at least two of the cleaning water supply passages The flow pipe, pressure gauge, and other detection means are arranged in the supply pipe that supplies the wash water to one of them, so that fluctuations in flow rate due to nozzle clogging, fluctuations in discharge pressure, etc. The object of detecting the clogging of the nozzle without wasting the cleaning water by detecting the difference from the state in which the cleaning water is jetted is achieved.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing the overall structure of a rotary cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a part (right half) of a front view of the rotary cleaning apparatus. FIG. 5 is a connection diagram showing the shape of the lower surface side of the fixed valve and the supply path of cleaning water. The rotary type cleaning apparatus 2 of this embodiment includes a plurality of grippers 6 provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral portion of the rotating body 4, and is continuously conveyed by a container conveying conveyor 8, and a timing screw 10. The container 14 that has been pitch-cut by a predetermined interval is supplied to the cleaning device 2 via the inlet star wheel 12. The container 14 supplied into the cleaning device 2 is held by each gripper 6 and is rotated and conveyed as the rotating body 4 rotates.

  The container 14 is transported in an upright state by the container transport conveyor 8, that is, with the mouth portion 14a facing upward, and is delivered to the gripper 6 of the rotating body 4 as it is by the inlet star wheel 12 (supply). Position E). The gripper 6 opens and closes and grips the lower side of the flange portion 14 b formed on the upper portion of the container 14. While the container 14 held by the gripper 6 is transported in the reversing section A by the rotation of the rotating body 4, the grip portion 6a of the gripper 6 is reversed by a reversing means described later, and is inverted.

  A cleaning nozzle 16 for injecting cleaning water is disposed below the mouth portion 14a of the container 14 which has been turned upside down by the grip portion 6a of the gripper 6 being inverted. In B, the cleaning liquid is jetted from the cleaning nozzle 16 into the container 14 to clean the container 14. The cleaning nozzle 16 is supplied with cleaning water from an external cleaning liquid tank (not shown) through a rotary valve 18 and a liquid supply tube 20, and rotates in the cleaning section B. Washing water is supplied by the rotary valve 18 only during this time.

  A draining section C is provided next to the cleaning section B. In this draining section C, the container 14 held by the gripper 6 is conveyed in an inverted state, and the cleaning liquid blown into the cleaning section B is supplied to the inside. Discharge. After passing through the draining section C, there is a re-inversion section D in which the grip portion 6a of the gripper 6 gripping the container 14 is inverted again to return the container 14 to an upright state, and after the container 14 is returned to an upright state, At the discharge position F, it is taken out by the outlet star wheel 22 and discharged onto the container transport conveyor 8.

  The gripper 6 provided on the outer peripheral portion of the rotating body 4 is rotatably attached via a horizontal pin 26 on a support 24 on which the grip portion 6a is upright, and radiates through the center O of the rotating body 4. It is possible to rotate on the direction line radially outward and inward, and stop in a horizontal state in each direction.

  Around the rotating body 4, a guide rail 28 is disposed as a reversing means for controlling the posture of the gripper 6 and reversing and re-reversing the gripper 6. The guide rail 28 is fixed to a plurality of support columns 30 installed upright on the outer peripheral side of the rotating body 4. On the other hand, each gripper 6 is provided with an engaging portion 32 that engages with the guide rail 28, and the engaging portion 32 follows the path of the guide rail 28 as the rotating body 4 rotates. By moving, the gripper 6 that rotates is guided, and the grip portion 6 a is reversed in the reversing section A and is reversed again in the re-reversing section D.

  The configuration of the rotary valve 18 will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. The rotary valve 18 includes an upper fixed valve (fixed member) 34 and a rotary valve (rotary member) 36 that is connected to the upper surface of the rotating body 4 and slides on the lower surface side of the fixed valve 34. . In the rotary valve 36, the same number of discharge passages 37 as the number of the grippers 6, that is, the same number of the cleaning nozzles 16 are formed in the radial direction at equal intervals. In each discharge passage 37, the cleaning water inlet 37a is arranged at equal intervals on the same circumference on the upper surface side (the sliding surface side with the fixed valve 34) of the rotary valve 36, and the cleaning water outlet 37b is rotated. Openings are made at equal intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the valve 36. The liquid supply tube 20 is connected to an opening 37 b on the outlet side of each discharge passage 37.

  The fixed valve 34 is formed with arc-shaped cleaning water supply passages 38 and 40 that open to the lower surface side that is a sliding surface with the rotary valve 36. In this embodiment, the cleaning water supply passages 38 and 40 are divided into two, the upstream first cleaning water supply passage 38 has a length close to the entire area of the cleaning section B, and the downstream second cleaning water supply passage 38 has a length. The washing water supply passage 40 is shortened. These two wash water supply passages 38 and 40 are arranged close to each other, and immediately after the communication between the discharge passage 37 of the rotary valve 36 and the first wash water supply passage 38 is finished, the second wash water supply passage 40 is provided. Communication with has started. The arc in which the two cleaning water supply passages 38 and 40 are arranged is located on the same circumference as the circumference in which the cleaning water inlet 37a of the discharge passage 37 of the rotary valve 36 is arranged.

In this embodiment, the length L of the second cleaning water supply passage 40 and the pitch P of the cleaning water inlet 37a of the discharge passage 37 formed in the rotary valve 36 (the center of two adjacent cleaning water inlets 37a). And the relationship between the diameter D of the washing water inlet 37a is
P + D <L <2P (1)
In the second cleaning water supply passage 40, the cleaning water inlet 37a of one or two discharge passages 37 is always located. The rotational position of the discharge passage 37 corresponding to each cleaning nozzle 16 is detected by an encoder disposed in the rotating portion of the cleaning device 2. Note that the length L of the second cleaning water supply passage 40 is not limited to the relationship shown in the formula (1), and may be longer or shorter. However, if the length is too long, it is difficult to detect flow rate fluctuations or pressure fluctuations by the detection means described later.

  Although not shown in the drawing, the two cleaning water supply passages 38 and 40 are each provided with a cleaning water supply hole opening on the outer peripheral surface of the fixed valve 34. A supply pipe 44 through which the cleaning water is sent is connected. In this embodiment, the liquid supply pipe 44 is branched into two, and one branch pipe (hereinafter referred to as the first branch pipe 44A) is connected to the first cleaning water supply passage 38 and the other branch pipe (hereinafter referred to as the second branch pipe). 44B) are connected to the second cleaning water supply passage 40, respectively. The first branch pipe 44A is provided with an opening / closing valve 46, and the second branch pipe 44B is provided with a flow meter 50 as detection means for detecting clogging of the opening / closing valve 48 and the cleaning nozzle 16. When the rotary valve 36 rotates and the cleaning water inlet 37a of the discharge passage 37 communicates with each of the cleaning water supply passages 38 and 40, the cleaning water sent from the cleaning water supply means 42 flows into the fixed valve 34. The cleaning water is supplied from the cleaning water supply passages 38 and 40 to the discharge passage 37 of the rotary valve 36, supplied to the cleaning nozzle 16 through the liquid supply tube 20, and sprayed toward the container 14. In this embodiment, the flow meter 50 is installed as a means for detecting nozzle clogging, but the present invention is not limited to the flow meter, and a pressure gauge may be used.

  The operation of the cleaning device 2 according to the above configuration will be described. The containers 14 that have been continuously conveyed by the container conveying conveyor 8 are cut into predetermined intervals by the timing screw 10 and then supplied into the rotary cleaning device 2 via the inlet star wheel 12. A plurality of bottle grippers 6 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral portion of the rotating body 4 of the cleaning device 2, and one container 14 supplied from the inlet star wheel 12 is received by each bottle gripper 6. It is passed and held, and is rotated and conveyed along with the rotation of the rotating body 4. At the supply position E (see FIG. 1) to the cleaning device 2, the bottle gripper 14 holds the lower side of the flange portion 14b formed on the neck portion of the container 14 and holds it in an upright state.

  An engaging portion 32 provided in each bottle gripper 6 is engaged with a reversing guide rail 28 installed on the outer peripheral portion of the rotating body 4, and the bottle gripper 6 according to the movement path of the guide rail 28. Changes its posture. As described above, at the supply position E, the neck gripper 6 holds the container 14 in an upright state, and then the neck gripper 6 moves 180 inward in the radial direction of the rotating body 2 while moving in the reversing section A. The container 14 that has been held is turned upside down.

  Below the mouth portion 14a of the container 14 in an inverted state, a cleaning nozzle 16 for injecting cleaning water is disposed upward, and the mouth portion 14a and the cleaning nozzle 16 are rotated and conveyed while facing each other. Is done. Each cleaning nozzle 16 is connected to a discharge passage 37 formed in the rotary valve 36 via the liquid supply tube 20, but in the reverse section A, cleaning water supply passages 38 and 40 of the fixed valve 34 are formed. Therefore, the discharge passage 37 of the rotary valve 36 is closed and the cleaning water is not discharged.

  When entering the next cleaning section B from the reversing section A, the first cleaning water supply passage 38 is formed in this section B, and the cleaning water inlet 37a of the discharge passage 37 formed in the rotary valve 36 is connected to this section B. The cleaning water communicated with the first cleaning water supply passage 38 and sent from the cleaning water supply means 42 to the first cleaning water supply passage 38 through the first branch pipe 44A of the liquid supply pipe 44 is supplied to the rotary valve 36. The discharge passage 37 and the liquid supply tube 20 are sent to the cleaning nozzle 16 and injected into the container 14. While the discharge passage 37 of the rotary valve 36 corresponding to the cleaning nozzle 16 is moving in the first cleaning water supply passage 38, the cleaning water is continuously jetted. When the discharge passage 37 corresponding to the cleaning nozzle 16 passes through the end portion of the first cleaning water supply passage 38, the communication with the discharge passage 37 is temporarily interrupted and the injection of the cleaning water is stopped.

  When the discharge passage 37 of the rotary valve 36 corresponding to the cleaning nozzle 16 communicates with the second cleaning water supply passage 40, the second cleaning water is now passed from the cleaning water supply means 42 through the second branch pipe 44 B of the liquid supply pipe 44. The cleaning water supplied to the water supply passage 40 is sent to the cleaning nozzle 16 and injected into the container 14. A flow meter 50 is provided in the second branch pipe 44 </ b> B that sends the cleaning water to the second cleaning water supply passage 40, and measures the flow rate of the cleaning water sent to the cleaning nozzle 16. In this embodiment, the length L of the second cleaning water supply passage 40 is set so that the pitch P of the cleaning water inlet 37a of the discharge passage 37 formed in the rotary valve 36 and the cleaning water inlet 37a are as described above. Since it is longer than the length plus the diameter D and shorter than twice the pitch P (P + D <L <2P), the cleaning water for the discharge passage 37 is connected to the second cleaning water supply passage 40. The case where one inlet 37a communicates and the case where two inlets 37 communicate alternately appear. The flowmeter 50 provided in the second branch pipe 44B and measuring the flow rate of the cleaning water alternately measures the flow rate for two and the flow rate for one when the cleaning nozzle 16 is normal. . When the cleaning nozzle 16 is clogged, the flow rate value measured by the flow meter 50 is lower than the normal value, and thus the clogged cleaning nozzle 16 can be specified by measuring it. In the second cleaning water supply passage 40, the flow rate of the cleaning water sent to the cleaning nozzle 16 through the supply passage 40 is measured to detect clogging of the cleaning nozzle 16. The washing water sent from the passage 40 to the washing nozzle 16 is also jetted to the container 14 for washing, so that the washing water is not wasted as in the prior art.

  The container 14 that has been washed and drained in the washing section B and the draining section C is returned to the upright state in the re-inversion section D, and then transferred to the outlet star wheel 22 at the discharge position F, and the container conveyor 8 is discharged to the next process.

  Note that a pressure gauge can be used in place of the flow meter 50 as the detecting means. In the configuration in which the second branch pipe 44B is provided with a pressure gauge, when the cleaning nozzle 16 is normal, a low pressure for two cleaning nozzles and a high pressure for one are measured alternately. When the cleaning nozzle 16 is clogged, the pressure is higher than the normal value, and this is detected to determine the clogged cleaning nozzle 16.

Plan view (Example 1) which simplifies and shows the whole structure of a rotary type washing | cleaning apparatus. It is a front view which shows the right half of the said washing | cleaning apparatus. It is a connection figure which shows the shape of the lower surface side of a fixed valve, and the supply path | route of washing water.

Explanation of symbols

16 Nozzle 34 Fixed member (fixed valve)
36 Rotating member (Rotating valve)
37 Discharge passage 38 Wash water supply passage (first wash water supply passage)
40 Washing water supply passage (second washing water supply passage)
44A Supply pipe (first branch pipe)
44B Supply pipe (second branch pipe)
50 Detection means (flow meter)

Claims (3)

A plurality of nozzles for injecting cleaning water, a rotating member in which a plurality of discharge passages for supplying cleaning water to these nozzles are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and each discharge passage communicated with the rotation of the rotating member A fixing member formed with an arc-shaped washing water supply passage to be blocked; and a supply pipe for sending the washing water to the washing water supply passage. The washing water supply passage is formed as the rotating member rotates. In the cleaning apparatus in which the nozzle jets cleaning water to clean the container while the discharge passage passes through the section,
The cleaning water supply passage is divided into at least two, the cleaning water is sent to each of the cleaning water supply passages from different supply pipes, and a detection means for detecting the flow state of the cleaning water is provided in one of the supply pipes. By this, a clogging of a nozzle communicating with a cleaning water supply passage through which cleaning water is sent from the supply pipe is detected.   The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is a flow meter.   The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is a pressure gauge.

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