JP3614241B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a bottle washer for cleaning containers, bottles, and the like, and more particularly, to a double-ended bottle washer that supplies a bottle from one end of a can body and discharges the bottle from the other end of the can body. Is.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A washing machine generally includes an endless carrier for transporting a bottle, and this carrier has endless chains that are wound around a plurality of sprockets provided in a can body arranged on both sides in the traveling direction, and between the two chains. A number of brackets provided and a number of holders attached to each bracket are provided. Each bottle is accommodated and transported, and the bottles are cleaned by passing through a caustic soaking tank and a finishing washing tank.
[0003]
In particular, in the double-end type bottle washer, the carrier that has finished washing and discharged the bottle at the drainage part passes through a return section arranged at the bottom of the can body and is sent to the bottle supply part. .
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional bottle washer, in order to wash away the caustic component adhering in the caustic soaking tank, fresh water is used in the finishing washing section, and this is sprayed onto the carrier containing the bottle. Therefore, the carrier is placed in a state where moisture adheres thereafter. The carrier is generally made of metal except for the holder, and the metal is corroded, that is, rusted due to moisture adhering to it. In turn, this leads to wear of the carrier.
[0005]
In particular, the return section of the carrier leading to the feeding section after draining is long, and the time for passing through here is also long. In addition, in the case of an apparatus stop, a considerable part of the carrier is placed in this state. In addition, some of the moisture adhering to the carrier falls and stays as drops on the bottom of the can body in which the return section is disposed. If it is left unattended, harmful microorganisms may be generated and become a hotbed.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an endless carrier that is wrapped around a can body and holds and transports a large number of bottles, and a bottle that is provided at one end of the can body and supplies the bottles to the carrier. A drainage part that is provided at the other end of the can body and discharges the bottle from the carrier, and a caustic immersion tank that is provided downstream of the bottle supply part and that is immersed in and washed by the bottle transported by the carrier. And a finish washing section provided on the downstream side of the caustic soaking tank to finish and wash the soaked bottle, and a carrier return section from the draining section to the feeding section is disposed at the bottom of the can body. In the washing machine, an attachment means for adhering the alkaline solution to the carrier after draining is provided at a predetermined position near the drainage portion in the return section, and the carrier remains in a state where the alkaline solution is adhered. Return is intended to pass through the section, the attachment means may be or provided or provided carrier immersion bath containing an alkaline solution of dipping the carrier, a water spray nozzle for sprinkling alkaline solution to the carrier. A caustic solution can also be used as the alkaline solution.
[0007]
In the bottle washer configured as described above, the progress of corrosion of the carrier is delayed by adhering an alkaline solution. This is based on the fact that the alkaline solution has a slower progression of corrosion on the metal than water.
Moreover, generation | occurrence | production of the microorganisms in a can bottom can be prevented by the bactericidal action by using a caustic solution as an alkaline solution.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a washing machine for supplying a bottle from one end of a can body and discharging a bottle from the other end, wherein an endless carrier circulates in the can body, accommodates the bottle in the carrier, conveys the bottle, and a circulation path It is immersed and washed at the caustic soaking position and finish washing position provided inside, and the bottle is discharged in the return section of the carrier provided at the bottom of the can body that moves the carrier after discharging the bottle to the bottle supply position. An attachment means for attaching the alkaline solution is provided at a predetermined position near the portion.
[0009]
【Example】
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.
FIG. 1 illustrates a main part of a bottle washer that is a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0010]
In the first embodiment, an endless carrier 3 wound around a plurality of sprockets 2 provided in a can 1 includes an endless chain 4 on both sides in the traveling direction and a number of holders 5 provided between both chains. The bottles accommodated in the respective holders 5 are transported. At one end of the can body 1, a bottle portion (not shown) for supplying a bottle into the holder 5 of the carrier 3 is provided, and at the other end of the can body 1, a discharge portion 6 for discharging the bottle from the holder 5. Is provided.
Further, the can bottom 12 has a return section in which the empty carrier 3 after draining moves between the draining part 6 and the bottle feeding part from the bottle draining part 6 to the bottle feeding part. 13 is disposed.
[0011]
The bottle supplied from the bottle supply unit into the holder 5 of the carrier 3 is preliminarily cleaned by a precleaning unit (not shown) and then immersed in a plurality of caustic dipping tanks and cleaned with a caustic solution. In the first embodiment, only the final caustic immersing tank 7 and the caustic immersing tank 7 'just before it are shown for convenience. When the bottle passes through the final caustic bath 7, the caustic solution is washed away by the finish washing unit 8 and discharged from the can 6 to the outside of the can 1.
[0012]
In the plurality of caustic soaking tanks, for example, a caustic solution having a concentration of 3 to 4% (weight%) and a temperature of 75 to 80 ° C. is accommodated by the last caustic soaking tank 7 ′. The final caustic bath 7 contains a caustic solution having a concentration of 0.2 to 2% and a temperature of 50 to 60 ° C. Further, in the finishing cleaning section 8, the recovered water in the cleaning water recovery tank 11 provided below the latter cleaning section 10 is sucked up and injected by the first cleaning section 9, and normal temperature fresh water is injected in the latter cleaning section 10. As a result, the caustic solution adhering to the bottle is completely washed away.
[0013]
The carrier 3 that has discharged the bottle at the drainage portion 6 passes through the return section 13 of the carrier disposed on the bottom of the can body 12 and is sent to a bottle not shown, but in the first embodiment, A carrier immersion tank 14 is provided in the return section 13 near the drainage section 6, that is, the empty carrier 3 after draining does not advance so much in the return section 13 and is immersed as close to the drainage section 6 as possible. . The carrier immersion tank 14 contains an alkaline solution, and the carrier 3 passes through the carrier 3 so that the alkaline solution adheres to the carrier 3. The carrier is introduced into the return section 13 of the remaining carrier following the carrier immersion tank 14. The carrier 3 introduced into the carrier return section 13 passes through the carrier return section 13 with the alkaline solution adhering to the bottle feeding section. In addition, as a density | concentration of the said alkaline solution, it is desirable that it is pH12.7 or more, and a caustic solution can be used as an alkaline solution. In this case, the concentration of the caustic solution is preferably 0.2% (weight%) or more.
[0014]
In the first embodiment, a pipe 15 extending from the carrier soaking tank 14 to the carrier soaking tank 14 again through the caustic soaking tank 7 is provided. A heat exchanger 16 for exchanging heat with the caustic solution in the tank 7 is provided. This heat exchanger 16 has an effect of heating the carrier liquid, which has been lowered to room temperature in the finishing washing section 8, by passing through the carrier immersion tank 14, so that the bath liquid is also close to room temperature. Have. By heating the alkali solution to be attached to the carrier 3 in this way, the water in the alkali solution attached to the carrier 3 is easily evaporated and a further effect can be obtained. In addition, as a heating means, it is not restricted to the said heat exchanger 16, Other means can also be employ | adopted.
Further, the caustic soaking tank for performing heat exchange is not limited to the final caustic soaking tank 7, and may be a previous caustic soaking tank.
[0015]
The operation of the bottle washer according to the above configuration will be described. The endless carrier 3 that circulates in the can 1 is preliminarily washed in the pre-cleaning section when the bottle is accommodated in a not-shown bottle section, and sequentially passes through a plurality of caustic soaking tanks. Wash. The carrier 3 that has passed through the final caustic immersing tank 7 is subjected to finish washing with recovered water and fresh water in the finish washing section 8. At that time, the caustic component adhering to the carrier 3 is washed away, and moisture adheres to the carrier 3.
[0016]
When the carrier 3 that has passed through the finish cleaning unit 8 is discharged from the bottle discharging unit 6, the carrier 3 is immersed in the carrier immersion tank 14 provided near the bottle discharging unit 6 in the carrier return section 13. When immersed in the carrier immersion tank 14, the moisture adhering to the carrier 3 is dissolved into the alkaline solution in the tank, and when the carrier 3 is carried out of the tank, the alkaline solution adheres to the carrier 3 instead. It will be in the state. The carrier 3 to which the alkaline solution is attached is introduced into the remaining return section 13 that reaches the feeding section after the carrier immersion tank 14, and reaches the feeding section by passing therethrough.
[0017]
Since the alkaline solution is attached to the carrier 3 in the return section 13, the progress of the corrosive action is delayed as compared with the carrier 3 to which moisture is attached. Further, when the alkaline solution is a caustic solution, even if the caustic solution drops as a drop and falls within the return section 13, microorganisms are not generated like water, and this can be prevented. Furthermore, since the alkaline solution in the carrier immersion tank 14 is heated by the heat exchanger 16 in the caustic immersion tank 7, the alkaline solution attached to the carrier 3 is in a state where its moisture is easily evaporated, A further effect can be obtained.
[0018]
Next, a bottle washing machine according to the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
Since the basic configuration of the bottle washer is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted. In the second embodiment, a watering nozzle 17 for sprinkling an alkaline solution is provided on the carrier 3 near the drainage section 6 in the return section 13 of the carrier, and a recovery tank 18 for collecting the sprinkled alkaline solution is provided below the watering nozzle 17. Is. The carrier 3 from which the bottle has been discharged in the waste bottle section 6 is not immersed in the immersion tank, but is provided so as to pass below the watering nozzle 17, and the recovery tank 18 is provided below the carrier 3 that passes therethrough. It is provided. The carrier 3 passing below the watering nozzle 17 is one in which the adhering water is washed away by the alkaline solution, and the alkaline solution adheres instead. The remaining carrier following the watering nozzle 17 in the state where the alkaline solution is attached. It is introduced into the return section 13 and passes through here to the feeding section. As in the first embodiment, a caustic solution can be used as the alkaline solution.
[0019]
Also in the second embodiment, the alkaline solution to be deposited can be heated. In the present second embodiment, a pipe 15 is provided from the recovery tank 18 through the caustic dip tank 7 to the watering nozzle 17, and the caustic dip tank 7 in the pipe line contains the inside of the caustic dip tank 7. A heat exchanger 16 is provided for exchanging heat with the caustic solution. The pipe 15 is provided with a pump 19 for supplying the alkaline solution in the recovery tank 18.
[0020]
As an effect | action of the bottle washer based on the said 2nd Example, the carrier 3 which discharged | emitted the bottle in the discharge part 6 moves to the downstream of the discharge part 6, and passes the said sprinkling nozzle 17 lower part. At this time, since the alkaline solution is constantly sprayed from the watering nozzle 17, the alkaline solution is sprayed on the carrier 3. The sprinkled alkaline solution ishes away water adhering to the carrier 3 and simultaneously adheres to the carrier 3. The alkaline solution not attached to the carrier 3 is collected in a collection tank 18 provided below the watering nozzle 17 with the carrier 3 interposed therebetween. Here, the carrier 3 to which the alkaline solution is attached is introduced into the return section 13 as it is, and passes through this to the feeding section.
[0021]
Further, in order to warm the alkali solution as described above, the alkali solution recovered in the recovery tank 18 is sucked up by the pump 19 and passed through the heat exchanger 16 provided in the caustic immersion tank 7 to be stored in the tank. Heat exchanged with caustic solution and heated. When the heated alkaline solution reaches the watering nozzle 17, it is sprinkled on the carrier 3. In such a case, since the alkaline solution sprayed from the water spray nozzle 17 is collected and reused after water spraying, it is more economical than the case where a separate supply source is provided.
[0022]
Furthermore, the bottle washer according to the third embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
Since the basic configuration of this bottle washing machine is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.
In the third embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, a carrier immersion tank 14 is provided in which the discharged carrier 3 near the discharge portion 6 in the carrier return section 13 is immersed. In the third embodiment, a first pipe 20 extending from the caustic dip tank 7 to the carrier dip tank 14 and a second pipe 21 extending from the carrier dip tank 14 to the caustic dip tank 7 are provided. A pump 19 for supplying a caustic solution in the caustic immersion tank 7 is connected to the first pipe 20 from the caustic immersion tank 7 to the carrier immersion tank 14, and the second pipe 21 is connected to the first pipe 20. Is connected to a pump 19 for returning the caustic solution in the carrier soaking tank 14 into the caustic soaking tank 7.
[0023]
In the third embodiment, the caustic solution in the caustic soaking tank 7 is used as the alkaline solution accommodated in the carrier soaking tank 14, and it is not necessary to supply the alkaline solution separately. Further, the caustic solution in the carrier soaking tank 14 is returned to the caustic soaking tank 7 by the second pipe 21 and the caustic solution in the carrier soaking tank 14 is always kept warm by circulating the caustic solution. Can do. Further, when the carrier 3 is immersed, the adhering water is dissolved in the caustic solution in the tank, and the concentration of the caustic solution is lowered. However, since the caustic solution is supplied from the caustic immersion tank 7, a desired concentration can be obtained. . In addition, the caustic immersion tank 7 is managed so as to maintain the concentration and temperature at desired levels in order to prevent a reduction in cleaning power.
In addition, the caustic immersion tank in which the first and second pipes 20 and 21 are provided is not limited to the caustic immersion tank 7, and the other caustic immersion tanks may be used.
[0024]
Further, the first and second pipes 20 and 21 can be used in the second embodiment. In this case, in the second embodiment, the first pipe 20 is changed from the caustic immersion tank 7 to the water spray nozzle 17 without adopting the pipe 15 extending from the recovery tank 18 through the caustic immersion tank 7 to the water spray nozzle 17. It is assumed that the second pipe 21 extends from the recovery tank 18 to the caustic immersion tank 7. By doing so, the water spray nozzle 17 is supplied with the caustic solution in the caustic immersion tank 7, and the caustic solution sprayed from the water spray nozzle 17 is recovered in the recovery tank 18 and returned to the caustic immersion tank 7. Caustic solution can be circulated. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the third embodiment can be obtained.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention is in a double-ended bottle washer, and a caustic solution is included in the vicinity of the waste bottle in the return section 13 of the carrier with respect to the carrier to which moisture has adhered in the finish washing section. Since the alkaline solution is adhered, the occurrence of carrier corrosive action in the return section of the carrier leading to the bottle feeding portion is prevented, or the progress can be delayed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing a main part of a bottle washer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing a main part of a bottle washer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing a main part of a bottle washer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Can body 2 ... Sprocket 3 ... Carrier 4 ... Endless chain 5 ... Holder 6 ... Drain part 7 ... Caustic immersion tank 8 ... Finish cleaning part 9 ... First half cleaning part 10 ... The latter half of the washing section 11 The washing water collection tank 12 The bottom of the can 13 The return section 14 The carrier immersion tank 15 The piping 16 The heat exchanger 17 The watering nozzle 18 The collection tank 19 ... Pump 20 ... First piping 21 ... Second piping

Claims (4)

An endless carrier that is wrapped around the can body and holds and transports a large number of bottles, a bottle portion that is provided at one end of the can body and supplies the bottle to the carrier, and is provided at the other end of the can body A waste bottle for discharging the bottle from the carrier, a caustic dip tank provided on the downstream side of the bottle supply part for immersing and cleaning the bottle conveyed by the carrier, and a dip provided on the downstream side of the caustic dip tank And a finish washing section that finishes and cleans the washed bottle, and a bottle washer having a carrier return section from the drainage section to the bottle supply section at the bottom of the can body. An attachment means for adhering the alkaline solution to the carrier after evacuation is provided at a predetermined position near the evacuation part, so that the carrier passes through the remaining return section with the alkali solution attached. Washing bottle machine according to symptoms. The bottle washer according to claim 1, wherein the adhering means is a carrier immersion tank in which the carrier is immersed. 2. The bottle washer according to claim 1, wherein the adhering means comprises a watering nozzle for sprinkling the alkaline solution to the carrier and a recovery tank for collecting the sprinkled alkaline solution. The adhering means has a pipe from the caustic immersing tank to the adhering means, and the alkaline solution to be adhered to the carrier is a caustic solution in the caustic immersing tank. 1. A bottle washing machine according to item 1.

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