JP2017131811A - Washing apparatus and washing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing device and a washing method enabling a container remaining in a washing section after washing the container to be properly detected.SOLUTION: A washing device 100 comprises a wash water injection nozzle 14 for washing one group of cans C, a laser sensor 16 installed in the vicinity of the upstream end of a washing section K, a reflection plate 17 installed in the vicinity of the downstream end of the washing section K, a sensor 15 for detecting the cans C moving in the washing section K, an air injection nozzle 18 for removing wash water stuck to the reflection plate 17 and a control part 19 for determining whether or not the cans C remain in the washing section K based on a detection result of the laser sensor 16 after removing the wash water stuck to the reflection plate 17 by the air injection nozzle when estimating that the one group of the cans C comes out of the washing section K based on the detection result of the sensor 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus and a cleaning method for cleaning a container such as a can.

  2. Description of the Related Art A cleaning device that cleans the inner and outer surfaces of a container by spraying cleaning water before filling the container with a beverage is known. For example, Patent Document 1 includes a reflective sensor that detects a bottle remaining in the basket and a mirror that reflects light emitted from the reflective sensor in a washing machine that cleans the bottle in the basket. It is described.

JP 2005-296842 A

  However, when the cleaning water adheres to the mirror described in Patent Document 1, the light emitted from the reflective sensor is reflected or refracted at the interface of the cleaning water attached to the mirror, so that the bottle remains in the basket. There is a possibility of misdetection as to whether or not

  Then, this invention makes it a subject to provide the washing | cleaning apparatus and washing | cleaning method which can detect appropriately the container which remains in the washing | cleaning area after washing | cleaning of a container.

The above problem can be solved by the following means.
(1) Cleaning means for cleaning a group of containers moving in a predetermined cleaning section, a laser sensor installed near one of the upstream end and the downstream end of the cleaning section, and the upstream end and the downstream end of the cleaning section A reflector that is installed near the other and that reflects the laser beam emitted from the laser sensor toward the laser sensor, and a detection that directly or indirectly detects a container that moves in the cleaning section. And a cleaning water removing unit that removes the cleaning water adhering to the reflecting plate, and based on the detection result of the detecting unit, when it is estimated that the group of containers have come out of the cleaning section, Control means for determining, based on the detection result of the laser sensor, whether or not a container remains in the cleaning section after the attached cleaning water is removed by the cleaning water removing means. Cleaning apparatus according to symptoms.
(2) The cleaning apparatus according to (1), wherein the cleaning water removing unit removes cleaning water adhering to the reflecting plate by injecting a gas toward the reflecting plate.
(3) The control means outputs, to the laser sensor, a command signal for experimentally emitting laser light in a state where it is known that at least a part of the group of containers is present in the cleaning section. When the container existing in the cleaning section is detected by the laser sensor, it is determined that the laser sensor is normal, and the container existing in the cleaning section is not detected by the laser sensor. The cleaning apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein the laser sensor is determined to be abnormal.
(4) The cleaning device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the detection unit is installed upstream of the cleaning section.
(5) A laser sensor installed near one of an upstream end and a downstream end of a predetermined cleaning section where the container is cleaned, and a laser sensor installed near the other of the upstream end and the downstream end of the cleaning section and emitted from the laser sensor And a reflecting plate installed so as to reflect the laser beam directed toward the laser sensor, a cleaning method executed by a cleaning apparatus, and a cleaning process for cleaning a group of containers moving in the cleaning section; Based on the detection result of the detection process, the detection process for directly or indirectly detecting the container moving in the cleaning section, the cleaning water removal process for removing the cleaning water adhering to the reflector, and the detection process When it is presumed that a group of containers have come out of the cleaning section, the laser determines whether or not the containers remain in the cleaning section after the cleaning water adhering to the reflector is removed by the cleaning water removal process. Cleaning method characterized by comprising a determining control process based on the capacitors of the detection result.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the washing | cleaning apparatus and washing | cleaning method which detect appropriately the container which remains in the washing | cleaning area after washing | cleaning of a container can be provided.

It is side sectional drawing of the washing | cleaning apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a plane sectional view of a cleaning device concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the process which the control part of the washing | cleaning apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention performs. It is a flowchart of the can discharge | payout process which the control part of the washing | cleaning apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention performs. It is a display example of the rinser residual can confirmation screen in the display part of the washing | cleaning apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the sensor state confirmation process which the control part of the washing | cleaning apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention performs. In the washing | cleaning apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) is explanatory drawing which shows a mode after the last can passes a sensor, (b) is the state of the state which the washing water injection nozzle and the belt conveyor stopped. It is explanatory drawing, (c) is explanatory drawing of a mode that air is injected to a reflecting plate from an air injection nozzle, (d) is explanatory drawing of a mode that the laser beam radiate | emitted from the laser sensor reflects on a reflecting plate. .

  Hereinafter, a mode (embodiment) for carrying out a cleaning apparatus and a cleaning method according to the present invention will be described. Note that the drawings referred to in the following description schematically show the configuration of the embodiment, exaggerating the scale, spacing, positional relationship, etc. of each member, omitting illustration of some of the members. There is something to do.

<Embodiment>
<Configuration of cleaning device>
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a cleaning apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.
The cleaning device 100 is a device that cleans the inner and outer surfaces of the can C before filling the can C (container) with a beverage such as beer or soft drink. As shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning apparatus 100 includes a rinser housing 11, conveyors 12a and 12b (see FIG. 2), a guide rail 13, a cleaning water jet nozzle 14, a sensor 15, a laser sensor 16, A reflection plate 17, an air injection nozzle 18, a control unit 19, and a display unit 20 are provided.

  The rinser casing 11 is a casing in which a guide rail 13, a cleaning water injection nozzle 14, a laser sensor 16, a reflection plate 17, an air injection nozzle 18 and the like which will be described later are installed, and has a cylindrical shape. The rinser housing 11 includes an inclined portion 11s that is inclined so that the height gradually decreases toward the downstream side. The inclined portion 11s is inclined so that the cans C arranged in a row slide down the guide rail 13 by the weight of the can C or the pressing force from the other cans C on the upstream side.

The conveyor 12 a conveys the can C toward the rinser housing 11 and is arranged on the upstream side of the rinser housing 11. In addition, a vacuum conveyor, a belt conveyor, etc. can be used as the conveyor 12a.
Further, another conveyor 12 b (see FIG. 2) that conveys the can C cleaned in the rinser housing 11 toward the filler F (see FIG. 2) is disposed on the downstream side of the rinser housing 11.

  The guide rail 13 is a rail that guides the movement of the can C and is installed in the rinser housing 11. For example, the guide rail 13 extends so as to guide the can C on the upper side, the lower side, the left side, and the right side. Then, a group of cans C (for example, tens or hundreds of cans C) conveyed to the rinser housing 11 by the conveyor 12a move along the guide rails 13 while being aligned in a row, Further, the inside of the rinser housing 11 is slid down by the pressing force from the other can C.

  In FIG. 1, the guide rails 13 arranged on the upper and lower sides of the can C are not shown. Further, in the guide rail 13, the can C in an upright state (a state in which the opening of the can C faces upward) is rotated (twisted) in the inverted state, or the inverted can C is returned to the upright state. The illustration of the twist portion for this purpose is also omitted.

The cleaning water spray nozzle 14 (cleaning means) is a nozzle that sprays cleaning water onto a group of cans C that move in the cleaning section K, and is installed in the rinser housing 11. The aforementioned cleaning section K is a section in which a group of cans C are cleaned. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning section K is from the upstream end to the downstream end of the rinser housing 11.
The opening of the cleaning water injection nozzle 14 faces the inside of the rinser housing 11, and the cleaning water is injected in accordance with a command from the control unit 19. As the “washing water” described above, for example, chlorine water can be used, but is not limited thereto. Further, rinsing water may be included in the “washing water”. Incidentally, the water for rinsing may be used by the factory or may not be used.

  In the present embodiment, as an example, after the washing water is sprayed onto the bottomed cylindrical can C on which the can lid (that is, the upper wall of the can C) is not installed, the twist portion (not shown) of the guide rail 13 Thus, the can C is rotated halfway to the inverted state, and the washing water accumulated in the can C is dropped. Thereafter, the can C is further rotated halfway by another twist portion (not shown) of the guide rail 13 to return to the upright state.

The sensor 15 (detection means) is a sensor that indirectly detects the can C moving in the cleaning section K, and is installed on the upstream side of the cleaning section K. Although details will be described later, it is estimated by the control unit 19 based on the detection result of the sensor 15 whether or not the group of cans C has exited the cleaning section K.
For example, an infrared sensor or a proximity sensor can be used as the sensor 15. Although FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which one sensor 15 is provided as an example, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of sensors may be installed at predetermined intervals along the conveyance path of the can C. The detection result of the sensor 15 is output to the control unit 19 and is used when estimating whether or not the group of cans C has come out of the cleaning section K.

  Incidentally, when the can 15 is not detected by the sensor 15, an abnormality detection signal indicating that the conveyance by the conveyor 12a is not properly performed is output to the filler F, and the filler F may be stopped. In a configuration in which such a function (hereinafter referred to as “abnormality detection function”) is provided, the sensor 15 can be switched on / off of the abnormality detection function by a command from the control unit 19. Details of the abnormality detection function will be described later.

  As described above, the group of cans C arranged in a row moves in the rinser housing 11 along the guide rails 13 by the weight of the cans C and the pressing force from the other cans C. However, the can C near the tail has a relatively small pressing force from the other cans C on the upstream side. Therefore, the can C near the tail end tends to remain in the rinser housing 11 after cleaning, and in the prior art, the remaining can C may be mixed in another type of can next time. On the other hand, in this embodiment, it is configured to accurately detect whether or not the can C remains in the rinser housing 11 by using a laser sensor 16 and a reflection plate 17 described below.

  The laser sensor 16 determines whether or not the can C remains inside the rinser housing 11 (that is, the cleaning section K) when it is estimated by the control unit 19 that the group of cans C has come out of the rinser housing 11. It is a sensor to detect. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a laser sensor 16 is installed near the upstream end of the rinser housing 11. By using the laser sensor 16 in this way, the light does not spread even at a long distance and the laser light goes straight in a small spot, so that the presence or absence of the can C can be detected with high accuracy.

  The laser sensor 16 is a retroreflective sensor, and includes a light projecting element (not shown) that emits laser light toward the reflecting plate 17 and a light receiving element that receives the laser light reflected by the reflecting plate 17 (not shown). (Not shown). The laser sensor 16 is arranged so that the optical axis of the laser sensor 16 penetrates almost all of the cans C that may exist inside the rinser housing 11.

  The reflection plate 17 is installed near the downstream end of the cleaning section K so as to reflect the laser light emitted from the laser sensor 16 toward the laser sensor 16. As the reflecting plate 17, for example, one made of polycarbonate or acrylic can be used, but is not limited thereto.

  FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view of the cleaning apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, illustration of the guide rail 13 on the upper side of the can C, the cleaning water spray nozzle 14, the sensor 15, the air spray nozzle 18, the control unit 19, and the display unit 20 is omitted.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the guide rail 13 is bent in an L shape near the downstream end of the rinser housing 11. A reflector 17 is installed at a position where the guide rail 13 on the left side in the traveling direction of the can C is bent so as to face the laser sensor 16. Accordingly, the reflecting plate 17 can be arranged so that the optical axis of the laser sensor 16 passes through the can C in the rinser housing 11 and reaches the reflecting plate 17.
The filler F shown in FIG. 2 is a device for filling the can C after washing with a beverage, and is installed on the downstream side of the conveyor 12b.

Returning again to FIG. 1, the description will be continued.
The air injection nozzle 18 (cleaning water removing means) is a nozzle that injects air (gas) toward the reflection plate 17 prior to the emission of the laser light from the laser sensor 16. More specifically, the air injection nozzle 18 is configured to remove the cleaning water adhering to the reflection plate 17 by jetting air after the control unit 19 estimates that the group of cans C have come out of the cleaning section K. It is. The air injection nozzle 18 is installed in the vicinity of the reflecting plate 17 in the rinser housing 11, and its opening faces the reflecting plate 17.

As described above, since the reflecting plate 17 is installed on the guide rail 13, the cleaning water sprayed from the cleaning water spray nozzle 14 often scatters and adheres to the reflecting plate 17. If the laser light is incident on the reflection plate 17 to which the cleaning water adheres in a state where the can C does not remain inside the rinser housing 11, the laser light is refracted or reflected at the interface of the attached cleaning water. . As a result, although the can C does not remain in the rinser housing 11, there is a possibility of erroneous detection that “the can C remains”.
On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as described above, air is ejected from the air ejection nozzle 18 to the reflection plate 17 prior to the emission of the laser light, so that the cleaning water adhering to the reflection plate 17 is surely removed. Can be removed. Therefore, it can be accurately detected whether or not the can C remains in the rinser housing 11.

  The control unit 19 (control means) is, for example, a microcomputer, and although not shown, electronic circuits (not shown) such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and various interfaces (see FIG. (Not shown). Then, the program stored in the ROM is read out and expanded in the RAM, and the CPU executes various processes.

  The control unit 19 has a function of estimating whether or not the group of cans C has come out of the cleaning section K based on the detection result of the sensor 15. The control unit 19 also has a function of driving the cleaning water injection nozzle 14, the laser sensor 16, the air injection nozzle 18 and the like based on the above estimation and displaying various information on the display unit 20. Yes.

  The display unit 20 is a display, for example, and has a function of displaying a predetermined image in response to a command from the control unit 19.

<Operation of cleaning device>
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of processing executed by the control unit 19 of the cleaning apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. 3 "START", a group of cans C are conveyed by the conveyors 12a and 12b (see FIGS. 1 and 2), and a "cleaning process" for cleaning the cans C in the rinser housing 11 is performed. It is assumed that

  Although omitted in FIG. 3, for example, when the last can C of the group of cans C reaches a predetermined position upstream of the sensor 15, the last can C is moved by a sweeper (not shown). It is pressed downstream. Note that the operator may visually confirm that the group of cans C have reached a predetermined position, and perform the pressing operation described above.

  In step S101, the control unit 19 executes a can payout process. The “can discharge process” is a process for switching off the abnormality detection function of the sensor 15 before the last can C passes the sensor 15.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the can dispensing process executed by the control unit 19 of the cleaning apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. In step S <b> 1011, the control unit 19 displays “can processing process” on the display unit 20.

  FIG. 5 is a display example of a rinser remaining can confirmation screen on the display unit 20 of the cleaning apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 19 displays “can-dispensing process in progress” so that the worker can grasp that the can-dispensing process is being executed.

In step S1012, the control unit 19 switches off the abnormality detection function of the sensor 15. This is because when the abnormality detection function is on and the can 15 is no longer detected by the sensor 15 (that is, when the last can C passes the sensor 15), an abnormality detection signal is output from the sensor 15 to the filler F. This is because the filler F temporarily stops. As described above, by stopping the abnormality detection function of the sensor 15, the remaining can C that has not yet been filled with the beverage can be filled with the beverage.
The timing for turning off the abnormality detection function may be immediately after the can C is pressed by a sweeper (not shown), or when a predetermined time based on the conveyance speed of the conveyor 12a has elapsed since the can C was pressed. But you can. In addition, an operator may manually turn on / off the abnormality detection function.

  Further, in the case where a plurality of sensors are provided along the conveyance path of the can C on the upstream side of the rinser housing 11, the control unit 19 detects the abnormality of each sensor before the last can C reaches each sensor. The detection function is sequentially turned off toward the downstream side. For example, when the can C is no longer detected by the upstream sensor among the plurality of sensors described above, the control unit 19 may perform a process of sequentially turning off the abnormality detection function of the downstream sensor, Also, the operator may turn off the abnormality detection function manually. As a result, the remaining can C that has not yet been filled with the beverage can be filled with the beverage, and the on-time of the abnormality detection function of each sensor can be ensured to the maximum.

  Although omitted in FIG. 4, after the abnormality detection function of the sensor 15 (all sensors when a plurality of sensors are provided) is stopped, the control unit 19 displays a “can-dispensing process in progress” display (FIG. 5) is deleted from the screen of the display unit 20.

  After performing the can dispensing process in step S101 of FIG. 3, in step S102, the control unit 19 executes a sensor state confirmation process. The “sensor state confirmation process” is a process for confirming whether the laser sensor 16 is normally driven.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of sensor state confirmation processing executed by the control unit 19 of the cleaning apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. In addition, at the time of “START” in FIG. 6, it is assumed that at least a part (including the last can C) of the group of cans C is moving inside the rinser housing 11. For example, it is known that not much time has passed since the last can C is pushed out by the sweeper (not shown), and at least a part of the group of cans C exists in the cleaning section K. Suppose that

In step S1021, the control unit 19 drives the laser sensor 16 on a trial basis. That is, the control unit 19 outputs a command signal for causing a laser beam to be emitted from a light projecting element (not shown) in a test manner to the laser sensor 16.
In step S <b> 1022, the control unit 19 determines whether or not the can C that should exist in the cleaning section K has been detected by the laser sensor 16. When the can C is detected in the cleaning section K (S1022: Yes), the process of the control unit 19 proceeds to step S1023.

In step S1023, the control unit 19 determines that “the laser sensor 16 is normal”.
In step S1024, the control unit 19 causes the display unit 20 to display that “the laser sensor 16 is normal”. As a result, “normal” on the side of “laser sensor” shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display unit 20.

In Step S1022, when the can C that should exist in the cleaning section K is not detected (S1022: No), the process of the control unit 19 proceeds to Step S1025.
In step S1025, the control unit 19 determines that “the laser sensor 16 is abnormal”. In this case, the laser sensor 16 is out of order or is turned off.

  In step S1026, the control unit 19 displays on the display unit 20 that “the laser sensor 16 is abnormal”. Accordingly, “abnormal” on the side of “laser sensor” shown in FIG.

  After performing the sensor state confirmation process in step S102 of FIG. 3, in step S103, the control unit 19 determines whether or not the last can C has passed the sensor 15. For example, based on the “detection process” in which the sensor 15 detects the can C by the sensor 15, the control unit 19 determines that the last can C has passed the sensor 15 when the detection result of “no can C” continues for a predetermined number of times. To do.

FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram showing a state after the last can C has passed the sensor 15.
The detection result “no can C” shown in FIG. 7A is used for the determination process in step S104 described below. At this time, the abnormality detection function of the sensor 15 is switched off (S1012: see FIG. 4). Therefore, even if the detection result “no can C” is output from the sensor 15, the filler F (see FIG. 2) continues to be driven without stopping.

  In step S103 of FIG. 3, when the last can C passes the sensor 15 (S103: Yes), the process of the control unit 19 proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, when the last can C has not passed the sensor 15 (S103: No), the control unit 19 repeats the process of step S103.

  In step S <b> 104, the control unit 19 estimates whether the group of cans C has exited the cleaning section K based on the detection result of the sensor 15. For example, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the last can C passed the sensor 15 (that is, after the can C is no longer detected by the sensor 15), the control unit 19 causes the group of cans C to move from the cleaning section K. Estimate that it came out. The aforementioned “predetermined time” is set in advance based on the conveying speed of the conveyor 12a, the inclination angle / length of the guide rail 13, the weight of the can C, the frictional force between the can C and the guide rail 13, and the like. ing.

  When it is estimated that the group of cans C has come out of the cleaning section K (S104: Yes), the process of the control unit 19 proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, when it is estimated that at least a part of the group of cans C has not yet come out of the cleaning section K (S104: No), the control unit 19 repeats the process of step S104.

In step S <b> 105, the control unit 19 stops the injection of the cleaning water from the cleaning water injection nozzle 14.
In step S <b> 106, the control unit 19 stops the conveyor 12 a on the upstream side of the rinser housing 11.
The operator may manually stop the washing water jet nozzle 14 or stop the conveyor 12a.

FIG.7 (b) is explanatory drawing of the state which the washing water injection nozzle 14 and the conveyor 12a stopped.
By stopping the washing water jet nozzle 14 and the conveyor 12a in this way, it is possible to suppress wasteful consumption of washing water and power after washing the group of cans C. Even after the upstream conveyor 12a of the rinser housing 11 stops, the downstream conveyor 12b (see FIG. 2) continues to drive, and transports the can C toward the filler F (see FIG. 2). ing.

  In step S107 of FIG. 3, the control unit 19 ejects air to the reflection plate 17 by the air ejection nozzle 18 (cleaning water removal process). In addition, the time (for example, 5 seconds) which injects air is set based on the prior experiment so that washing water can be removed appropriately from the reflecting plate 17.

FIG. 7C is an explanatory diagram showing a state where air is ejected from the air ejection nozzle 18 to the reflection plate 17.
By injecting air from the air injection nozzle 18 to the reflection plate 17 in this way, the cleaning water adhering to the reflection plate 17 is blown off by the air, and the surface of the reflection plate 17 is further dried. Therefore, the remaining can (can C remaining inside the rinser housing 11) can be appropriately detected using the laser sensor 16.

In step S108 in FIG. 3, the control unit 19 causes the display unit 20 to display “remaining can check process in progress” (see FIG. 5). Thereby, the worker can grasp that the presence or absence of the remaining can is confirmed using the laser sensor 16.
In step S <b> 109, the control unit 19 causes the laser sensor 16 to emit laser light.

FIG. 7D is an explanatory diagram showing how the laser light emitted from the laser sensor 16 is reflected by the reflecting plate 17.
As shown in FIG. 7D, when there is no remaining can inside the rinser housing 11, the laser light from the laser sensor 16 reaches the reflecting plate 17, and the laser light reflected by the reflecting plate 17 is further reflected by the laser sensor. Return to 16. On the other hand, although not shown, when there is a remaining can in the rinser housing 11, the laser light from the laser sensor 16 is reflected by the surface of the remaining can, and therefore the laser light does not return to the laser sensor 16.

  In step S <b> 110 of FIG. 3, the control unit 19 determines whether or not the emitted laser light has returned to the laser sensor 16. That is, the control unit 19 determines whether or not a predetermined electrical signal is input from a light receiving element (not shown) of the laser sensor 16. When the emitted laser light returns to the laser sensor 16 (S110: Yes), the process of the control unit 19 proceeds to step S111.

In step S111, the control unit 19 determines that “no remaining can” in the rinser housing 11 (that is, the cleaning section K).
In step S112, the control unit 19 displays “no remaining can” on the display unit 20 (see FIG. 5). Thereby, the worker can grasp that there is no remaining can in the rinser housing 11.

On the other hand, when the emitted laser beam does not return to the laser sensor 16 in step S110 (S110: No), the process of the control unit 19 proceeds to step S113.
In step S113, the control unit 19 determines that “there is a remaining can” in the rinser housing 11 (that is, the cleaning section K).

  In this way, when it is estimated that the group of cans C have come out of the cleaning section K based on the detection result (S103) of the sensor 15 (S104: Yes), the cleaning water adhering to the reflecting plate 17 is removed from the air injection nozzle. After the removal by 18 (S107), a series of “control processing” of determining whether or not the can C remains in the cleaning section K based on the detection result of the laser sensor 16 (S109 to S111, S113) is controlled. This is executed by the unit 19.

  In step S <b> 114, the control unit 19 causes the display unit 20 to display “there is a remaining can” (see FIG. 5). Furthermore, you may call attention by sounding an alarm sound. As a result, the worker can easily grasp that the remaining can is present in the rinser housing 11. Thereafter, the operator opens the lid (not shown) of the rinser housing 11 and removes the remaining can. Furthermore, when the reset button (corresponding to the display of “reset” in FIG. 5) is pressed by the worker, the display of “remaining can” and the alarm sound are turned off.

  After the completion of such a series of processing (S109 to S114), although omitted in FIG. 3, the control unit 19 turns off the display of “remaining can confirmation process” (see FIG. 5) on the display unit 20. In addition, after a drink is filled with the can C after washing | cleaning by the filler F (refer FIG. 2), a can lid | cover is installed in the opening of the can C by a seamer (not shown).

<Effect>
According to the present embodiment, prior to the emission of the laser light from the laser sensor 16 (S109: see FIG. 3), air is ejected from the air ejection nozzle 18 to the reflection plate 17 (S107). Adhering cleaning water can be removed reliably. Therefore, it can be accurately detected by the laser sensor 16 whether or not the can C remains in the rinser housing 11.
Conventionally, each time a group of cans C is cleaned, an operator opens the lid (not shown) of the rinser housing 11 and visually checks for the presence of remaining cans. However, since the inside of the rinser housing 11 is dark, it is difficult to check the remaining cans, and there is a problem that it takes time to check the remaining cans.
On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, as described above, by using the reflector 17 from which the washing water has been removed, the laser sensor 16 can accurately detect the presence or absence of the remaining can, and the operator's Save time and effort.

  Moreover, according to this embodiment, before the last can C reaches | attains the sensor 15, the abnormality detection function of the sensor 15 is turned off (S1012: refer FIG. 4). Thereby, since an abnormality detection signal is not output from the sensor 15 to the filler F, the filling of the beverage with the filler F can be continued. For example, if the abnormality detection function is turned off immediately before the last can C reaches the sensor 15, the on-time of the abnormality detection function of the sensor 15 can be ensured to the maximum.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, before using the laser sensor 16, laser light is experimentally emitted from the laser sensor 16 to determine whether the laser sensor 16 is normally driven (S1021 to S1023). S1025: See FIG. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the control unit 19 from erroneously determining “no remaining can” due to an abnormality of the laser sensor 16 despite the presence of the remaining can after cleaning.

≪Modification≫
As described above, the cleaning apparatus 100 according to the present invention has been described with the embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to these descriptions, and various modifications can be made.
For example, in the embodiment, the configuration in which the laser sensor 16 and the reflecting plate 17 are provided inside the rinser housing 11 has been described (see FIG. 1), but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, one or both of the laser sensor 16 and the reflector 17 may be installed outside the rinser housing 11 so that the optical axis of the laser sensor 16 passes through the can C that moves along the guide rail 13.

  In the embodiment, the laser sensor 16 is installed near the upstream end of the rinser casing 11 and the reflector 17 is installed near the downstream end of the rinser casing 11 (see FIG. 1). Not exclusively. For example, the laser sensor 16 may be installed near the downstream end of the rinser housing 11, and the reflector 17 may be installed near the upstream end of the rinser housing 11. Even in such a configuration, the same effect as the embodiment can be obtained.

  Moreover, although embodiment demonstrated the structure in which the sensor 15 which indirectly detects the can C which moves the cleaning area K was installed in the upstream of the cleaning area K (refer FIG. 1), it is not restricted to this. For example, by installing a sensor (detection means) such as a proximity sensor or an infrared sensor in the cleaning section K, the can C moving in the cleaning section K may be directly detected. Further, by installing a sensor (detection means) on the downstream side of the cleaning section K, the can C moving in the cleaning section K may be detected indirectly. Then, when the detection result of “no can C” continues for a predetermined number of times by the above-described sensor, the control unit 19 may estimate that the group of cans C has come out of the cleaning section K.

  Moreover, although embodiment demonstrated the structure by which the four washing water injection nozzles 14 are installed in the upper wall of the rinser housing | casing 11 at predetermined intervals (refer FIG. 1), it is not limited to this. For example, the cleaning water spray nozzle 14 for cleaning the outer surface of the can C and for cleaning the inner surface of the can C is used as a side wall or a lower wall of the rinser housing 11 so that the cleaning water is sprayed at a predetermined angle with respect to the can C. Etc. may be installed. Further, the number of washing water spray nozzles 14 may be three or less, or may be five or more.

  Moreover, although embodiment demonstrated the structure which installs the one sensor 15 inside the rinser housing | casing 11, it does not restrict to this. As described above, a plurality of sensors for detecting the can C may be provided.

  Further, in the embodiment, the configuration in which the air injection nozzle 18 is used as the “cleaning water removing unit” has been described, but the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, instead of the air injection nozzle 18, a gas injection solenoid valve (not shown) is installed in a pipe (not shown) through which air flows, and the solenoid valve is opened and closed by a command signal from the control unit 19. You may do it. In addition, the above-mentioned “gas” may be air (air) or another kind of gas (for example, nitrogen).

  In addition, as the “washing water removing means”, for example, the washing water attached to the reflecting plate 17 may be evaporated by an electric heater instead of the configuration in which the gas is jetted onto the reflecting plate 17. Further, as the “washing water removing means”, warm air may be blown onto the reflection plate 17.

  In the embodiment, the configuration in which the single reflection plate 17 is provided has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the configuration in which the guide rail 13 is bent in an L shape in plan view in the rinser housing 11, in addition to the reflector 17 provided near the downstream end of the rinser housing 11, A second reflector (not shown) may be provided. That is, the laser light emitted from the laser sensor 16 may be reflected by the second reflecting plate and further reflected by the reflecting plate 17 near the downstream end.

  In the embodiment, in the sensor state confirmation process (see S102 in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6), if the laser sensor 16 is in an off state when it should be driven, a process for determining that “the laser sensor 16 is abnormal”. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, based on the output of the laser sensor 16 or the like, if the laser sensor 16 is in an on state when it should be stopped, processing for determining that “the laser sensor 16 is abnormal” may be added.

Further, the sensor state confirmation process (S102) shown in FIG. 3 may be performed under the known condition that the can C exists in the cleaning section K as described above, and therefore, for example, prior to the can discharge process (S101). Sensor state confirmation processing may be performed. Alternatively, the sensor state confirmation process may be performed immediately after the last can C passes the sensor 15 (S103: Yes).
In addition, prior to the process of stopping the washing water injection (S105), the process of stopping the conveyor 12a on the upstream side of the rinser housing 11 (S106) may be performed.

In the embodiment, the configuration in which the can C is slid down by its own weight in the inclined rinser housing 11 is described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the can C may be pushed downstream by the water pressure when the cleaning water or the like is jetted. Moreover, it is set as the structure which does not incline a rinser housing | casing, and the can C may be conveyed with a conveyor in this rinser housing | casing.
In the embodiment, the case where the “container” to be cleaned is the can C has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in addition to the can C, bottles and the like are also included in the “container”.

The embodiments are described in detail for easy understanding of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. Further, it is possible to add, delete, and replace other configurations for a part of the configuration of the embodiment.
In addition, the above-described mechanisms and configurations are those that are considered necessary for the description, and do not necessarily indicate all the mechanisms and configurations on the product.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Cleaning apparatus 11 Rincer housing | casing 11s Inclined part 12a, 12b Conveyor 13 Guide rail 14 Washing water injection nozzle (cleaning means)
15 Sensor (detection means)
16 Laser sensor 17 Reflector 18 Air injection nozzle (cleaning water removing means)
19 Control unit (control means)
20 Display part C Can (container)
K wash section

Claims (5)

Cleaning means for cleaning a group of containers moving in a predetermined cleaning section;
A laser sensor installed near one of the upstream end and the downstream end of the cleaning section;
A reflector installed in the vicinity of the other of the upstream end and the downstream end of the cleaning section, and installed so as to reflect the laser light emitted from the laser sensor toward the laser sensor;
Detecting means for directly or indirectly detecting the container moving in the washing section;
Cleaning water removing means for removing the cleaning water adhering to the reflector;
Based on the detection result of the detection means, when it is estimated that the group of containers have come out of the cleaning section, the cleaning water attached to the reflecting plate is removed by the cleaning water removing means, and then the container is placed in the cleaning section. And a control means for determining whether or not a remaining amount is based on a detection result of the laser sensor.   The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning water removing unit removes cleaning water adhering to the reflecting plate by injecting gas toward the reflecting plate. The control means outputs, to the laser sensor, a command signal for experimentally emitting laser light in a state where it is known that at least a part of the group of containers is present in the cleaning section,
When the container present in the cleaning section is detected by the laser sensor, it is determined that the laser sensor is normal,
The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the container present in the cleaning section is not detected by the laser sensor, the laser sensor is determined to be abnormal.   The said detection means is installed in the upstream of the said washing area, The washing | cleaning apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. A laser sensor installed near one of the upstream end and the downstream end of a predetermined cleaning section in which the container is cleaned;
A cleaning apparatus is provided that includes a reflector installed near the other of the upstream end and the downstream end of the cleaning section and configured to reflect the laser beam emitted from the laser sensor toward the laser sensor. A cleaning method,
A cleaning process for cleaning a group of containers moving in the cleaning section;
A detection process for directly or indirectly detecting a container moving in the washing section;
A cleaning water removal process for removing the cleaning water adhering to the reflector;
Based on the detection result of the detection process, when it is estimated that the group of containers has come out of the cleaning section, the cleaning water attached to the reflector is removed by the cleaning water removal process, and then the container is placed in the cleaning section. And a control process for determining whether or not a residue remains based on a detection result of the laser sensor.

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