JP3650513B2 - Cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus for cleaning containers that are used repeatedly, such as returnable boxes and lunch boxes, or parts of food handling machines.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In order to repeatedly use industrial food containers such as food return boxes and lunch boxes used for the distribution of goods, a cleaning process is essential, and various cleaning apparatuses are used for such cleaning. Various types of industrial food containers are used. For example, the bottom plate portion and the side plate portion of a thin plate of a synthetic resin box are partly or entirely meshed, or a synthetic resin box. For transporting liquids in containers such as glass bottles, PET bottles, paper packs, etc., such as soft drinks and alcoholic beverages And the like which have a partition for fixing the article position inside are used, which are referred to as containers, weights or tenbacos, folding containers, salmons, etc., respectively.
[0003]
These industrial food storage containers have been repeatedly collected and used over a long period of time, and those used in the distribution stage are collectively called returnable boxes. Such returnable boxes are suitable for efficiently transporting uniform goods, and are therefore used in many convenience stores and restaurant industries for developing chains.
[0004]
On the other hand, wooden containers have been frequently used as food containers. However, due to recent developments in petrochemical technology, many are made of synthetic resin. These are widely used as sealed containers and lunch boxes. Among them, lunch boxes used for industrial meals and catering are once collected, washed and reused.
[0005]
Such industrial food containers are usually contaminated with oil, and conventionally, they are washed with a detergent by a washing apparatus as shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional typical cleaning apparatus.
[0006]
In FIG. 3, the cleaning device 11 includes a transport mechanism 14 that uses a net conveyor 13 that transports the containers W from the input part IN of the containers W to be cleaned toward the discharge part OUT of the cleaned containers W, and the like. A cleaning chamber 15 (cleaning unit) including a nozzle 150 for spraying a cleaning liquid for cleaning the container W transported by the transport mechanism 14, a rinsing tank 16 for removing the cleaning liquid from the container W, and the rinsed container W A dryer 17 such as a blower for drying water and various pipes 18 (for cleaning liquid supply and cleaning liquid recovery) for the nozzle 150 of the cleaning chamber 15 and the like are configured. In addition, a preliminary cleaning chamber 19 is configured in front of the cleaning chamber 15 so as not to contaminate the cleaning chamber 15 and the rinsing tank 16 located in the subsequent stage, and the cleaning liquid is sprayed from the nozzle 190 to the container W also in the preliminary cleaning tank 19. In addition, the rubber covers 20 and 21 for the goodwill-like partition are hung down from the input part IN and the discharge part OUT of the container W.
[0007]
In this cleaning device 11, the cleaning liquid is circulated while being regenerated, and the oil stain is washed out as much as possible in the preliminary cleaning chamber 19 so that the oil stain does not adhere to the net conveyor 13, the cleaning chamber 15, and the pipe 18. In many cases, oil in the cleaning liquid adheres to the inside of the net conveyor 13, the cleaning chamber 15, and the pipe 18, and such oil stains are collected and reattached to the container W that has been washed. For this reason, conventionally, the operation of the cleaning device 11 is periodically stopped, and the operator has washed off the oil stains adhering to the net conveyor 13 and the cleaning chamber 15 using a strong alkaline detergent or the like. Further, since the inside of the pipe 18 is out of reach, oil stains are removed by a method such as passing a heated alkal detergent or the like. In addition, since scales and the like adhere to the net conveyor 13, the cleaning chamber 15, and the pipe 18, such dirt is removed at the same time as oil dirt is removed.
[0008]
Furthermore, in the conventional cleaning apparatus 11, the precleaning chamber 19, the cleaning chamber 15, and the pipe 18 that are likely to be contaminated with oil are avoided from using a synthetic resin that is easily deteriorated by oil, and this portion is made of stainless steel.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional cleaning device 11, there is a problem that even if the dirt adhering thereto is periodically removed, such a cleaning operation cannot be frequently performed in relation to the operating rate of the cleaning device 11.
[0010]
In addition, there is a problem that once the oil stain is attached, it cannot be easily washed off. However, when an excessively strong alkaline detergent is used, there is anxiety that the strong detergent remaining in the cleaning chamber 15 and the pipe 18 adheres to a container W such as a lunch box used for cleaning. In addition, since it is necessary to manually remove dirt adhering to the cleaning chamber 15 and the like, it is not possible to perform cleaning at an excessively high temperature. Moreover, it is difficult to completely remove the oil stains adhering to the net conveyor 13, and if reinforcing ribs are formed on the walls of the cleaning chamber 15, the oil stains are completely removed from the intersections thereof. It is difficult to remove. For this reason, it is not possible to completely prevent the growth of bacteria in the portion where the oil stain remains. Also, the rubber cover 20 hanging from the container 20 can easily be contaminated with oil, so it cannot be prevented from breeding bacteria and spiders. doing.
[0011]
In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device that is difficult to adhere oil stains and can be easily removed even if oil stains adhere.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, in the present invention, a transport mechanism that transports an article from an input section of an article that is a cleaning target toward a discharge section of the cleaned article, and the article that is transported by the transport mechanism is cleaned. A layer containing a photocatalytic material such as titanium oxide is formed on at least a part of the piping, the cleaning unit, or the transport mechanism. To do.
[0013]
In the present invention, the surface of a normal metal, resin, or the like has a water contact angle of several degrees to several tens of degrees, depending on the material and surface state. On the other hand, when a layer containing a photocatalytic material is formed on the surface of a predetermined portion of the cleaning device using a coating agent that combines a silicone resin or the like and titanium oxide that is a photocatalytic material, and sufficiently irradiated with ultraviolet rays. The contact angle of water on the surface is almost 0 degrees. This phenomenon is called a superhydrophilic phenomenon, and such a property is called superhydrophilicity. Thus, the surface of the part to which super hydrophilicity is imparted is more compatible with water than oil stains. Accordingly, oil stains hardly adhere to the surface of the superhydrophilic portion, and the cleaning device can be kept clean for a long period of time. Moreover, even if oil stains adhere to the surface imparted with super hydrophilicity, the oil stains can be easily removed in water, so that the oil stains can be easily washed off with water alone. Furthermore, since the surface imparted with super hydrophilicity has high affinity with water, not only oil stains but also scales are difficult to adhere, and even if they adhere, they can be easily washed off. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove oil stains or the like from the cleaning device using a strong alkaline detergent or the like with great effort and cost, and there is no fear of water pollution. Moreover, once the layer containing the photocatalytic material is made superhydrophilic by ultraviolet irradiation, the effect is maintained for several tens of hours, and even if the superhydrophilicity is lowered, it is removed from sunlight or an ultraviolet lamp. When exposed to UV light and irradiated with ultraviolet light, there is an advantage that the reduced super hydrophilicity is restored.
[0014]
Such a cleaning device is suitable for cleaning containers such as lunch boxes, food return boxes, and food handling machine parts that are required to be clean in terms of hygiene and appearance.
[0015]
In the present invention, the layer containing the photocatalytic material is formed, for example, in the cleaning unit, a part of the transport mechanism that contacts the cleaning liquid, or a part of the pipe through which the used cleaning liquid passes.
[0016]
In the present invention, the portion of the base material on which the layer containing the photocatalytic material is formed is made of rubber, synthetic resin, or stainless steel. In the part where the layer containing the photocatalytic material is formed, it is difficult for oil stains to adhere, and even if it adheres, it can be easily washed off, so this part is also made of rubber or synthetic resin that is easily deteriorated by oil. It can be. In addition, in the conventional photocatalyst technology of decomposing the deposit itself such as dirt, there is a problem that the base material itself is damaged by the photocatalytic decomposition action when a base made of rubber or synthetic resin is used. The photocatalyst technique used in the present invention is effective even in a state where there is almost no photocatalytic decomposition action, and can be applied to rubber or synthetic resin base materials.
[0017]
In the present invention, the portion of the substrate on which the layer containing the photocatalytic material is formed is more effective when it is made of an ultraviolet light transmissive material. Normally, even if a layer containing a photocatalytic material is formed in a place where ultraviolet rays do not reach, the ultraviolet rays reach through a base material made of an ultraviolet transmitting material, so that such portions can also be made super hydrophilic.
[0018]
In the present invention, the cleaning device is preferably provided with an ultraviolet irradiation device for irradiating ultraviolet rays toward the layer containing the photocatalytic material. Once superhydrophilicized by UV irradiation, the effect is maintained for several tens of hours. However, a UV irradiation device is provided in the cleaning device in advance, and UV irradiation is periodically directed toward the layer containing the photocatalytic material. Thus, it is preferable to reliably prevent oil stains from sticking by maintaining the superhydrophilicity at a high level.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of a cleaning apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cleaning apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which has a function in common with the conventional washing | cleaning apparatus.
[0021]
In this figure, the cleaning apparatus 1 of the present embodiment uses a net conveyor 3 or the like that transports the containers W from the input part IN of the containers W (articles) to be cleaned toward the discharge part OUT of the cleaned containers W. A stainless steel cleaning chamber 5 having a transport mechanism 4, a nozzle 50 for spraying a cleaning liquid for cleaning the container W transported by the transport mechanism 4 toward the container W, and a rinsing for removing the cleaning liquid from the container W A tank 6, a dryer 7 such as a blower for drying the rinsed container, and various pipes 8 (for cleaning liquid supply and cleaning liquid recovery) for the cleaning chamber 5 and the like are configured. Also. Rubber covers 9 and 10 for a funnel-like partition are suspended from the input part IN and the discharge part OUT of the container W. The cleaning chamber 5 is configured with a dust removal basket (not shown).
[0022]
The cleaning device 1 is suitable for cleaning containers W such as lunch boxes or food use boxes, and is also suitable for cleaning parts of food handling machines. Measures against dirt are taken. Therefore, in this embodiment, no pre-cleaning chamber (see FIG. 3) for preventing the oil dirt from adhering to the latter stage is provided, and the cleaning device 1 is downsized and the cleaning time is shortened.
[0023]
In this embodiment, a layer containing a photocatalytic material is formed on both the inner surface and the outer surface of the cleaning chamber 5 as a countermeasure against oil stains of the cleaning device 1 configured as described above. Moreover, the layer containing such a photocatalytic material is also formed in the portion of the pipe 8 through which the used cleaning liquid passes, and a transparent pipe made of acrylic resin is used for the pipe 8 in this portion. Furthermore, the layer containing the photocatalytic material is also formed on the net conveyor 3 in contact with the cleaning liquid in the transport mechanism 4. Furthermore, the cleaning device 1 is entirely covered with a housing (not shown), but an opening / closing window (not shown) made of a transparent acrylic resin plate formed in the housing and the cleaning chamber 5. In addition, the rubber covers 9, 10 are also formed with a layer containing the photocatalytic material.
[0024]
Such a layer containing a photocatalytic material is formed by applying a coating agent that is a combination of a silicone resin and titanium oxide, which is a photocatalytic material. Is almost 0 degrees.
[0025]
That is, the surface of the base material on which the layer containing the photocatalytic material is not formed has a contact angle of water of several degrees to several tens of degrees, whereas as shown in FIG. When a layer T containing a photocatalytic material is formed by using a coating agent combining titanium oxide, which is a photocatalytic material, and a silicone resin, for example, about 0.1 μm to 50 μm and then irradiated with sufficient ultraviolet rays, the surface of the stainless steel, rubber The contact angle of water on the surface and the resin surface (the surface of the base material R) is almost 0 degrees. The reason for this is that the surface of the substrate R is covered with the hydrophobic substance R0 and has a property of repelling moisture, whereas the photocatalytic material decomposes the hydrophobic substance R0 by irradiation with ultraviolet rays, and the surface is thin water. This is thought to be because the layer of molecules is stably formed. Thus, the surface of the part to which super hydrophilicity is imparted is more compatible with water than oil stains. Accordingly, oil stains hardly adhere to the surface of the superhydrophilic portion, so that the cleaning device 1 can be kept clean for a long period of time.
[0026]
Even if oil stains adhere to the surface imparted with super hydrophilicity, the oil stains can be easily removed in water, so that the oil stains can be easily washed off with water alone. Furthermore, since the surface imparted with super hydrophilicity has high affinity with water, not only oil stains but also scales are difficult to adhere, and even if they adhere, they can be easily washed off. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove oil stains and the like from the cleaning apparatus 1 with a great deal of labor and cost using a strong alkaline detergent or the like, and there is no fear of water contamination. In addition, once the layer T containing the photocatalytic material is made superhydrophilic by ultraviolet irradiation, the effect is maintained for several tens of hours, and even if the superhydrophilicity is lowered, it is reflected by the light from the ultraviolet lamp. When exposed to UV rays and irradiated with ultraviolet light, there is an advantage that the reduced super hydrophilicity is restored.
[0027]
In particular, the bottom of the cleaning chamber 5 is located below the net conveyor 3 and is difficult to wash, and the wall surface is often configured with reinforcing ribs to reduce weight and increase strength. In the form, oil stains and scales are difficult to adhere even in the corners of the cleaning chamber 5, that is, at the intersections of the ribs, and even if oil stains and scales adhere, they can be easily removed by washing with water. The entire cleaning chamber 5 can be kept clean. Therefore, oil stains adhering to the cleaning chamber 5 do not gradually flow out into the cleaning liquid, and the rinsing time can be shortened.
[0028]
In addition, the inside of the pipe 8 was also difficult to wash, but in this embodiment, oil stains and scales are difficult to adhere, and a transparent pipe made of acrylic resin is used. In addition, since there is no hindrance to irradiating the inner surface with ultraviolet rays, the inside of the pipe 8 can be kept clean. Furthermore, since the housing and the opening / closing window of the cleaning chamber 5 are formed with the layer T containing the photocatalytic material on the inner surface of the acrylic resin plate, they are not fogged with oil stains. Therefore, the inside of the cleaning device 1 can be monitored, and an internal abnormality can be detected early.
[0029]
In addition, as for the parts of machinery used in lunch boxes and food factories, food factories, etc., the safety of the photocatalytic material to the human body becomes a problem as long as the goods handled are food. This photocatalytic technique can be used for contact lenses, catheters, and the like, so there is no problem. In particular, titanium oxide, which is a photocatalytic material, is currently used for food packaging materials and the like, and is safe even if it is mixed in the unit. In addition, it is recognized that titanium oxide has an antibacterial action, and it can be expected to prevent bacteria and soot from adhering to the surface of the layer containing the photocatalytic material.
[0030]
In addition, conventionally, the portion where oil stains are likely to adhere cannot be made of rubber or synthetic resin which is easily deteriorated by oil. Since the layer T containing a conductive material is formed, oil stains do not adhere, and even if it adheres, it can be easily washed off with water before deterioration. Therefore, according to this embodiment, a considerably large number of parts such as the cleaning chamber 5 and the pipe 8 can be made of synthetic resin. Here, in the conventional photocatalyst technology of decomposing unattached material itself such as dirt, there is a problem that the substrate itself is damaged by the photocatalyst technology when an organic base material such as rubber or synthetic resin is used. Since this photocatalytic technique is effective even in a state where there is almost no photocatalytic decomposition action, there is no problem in using it for a synthetic resin cleaning apparatus. Further, when rubber or synthetic resin as a base material is exposed to ultraviolet rays, the resin structure tends to deteriorate due to the influence of ultraviolet rays, but the layer T containing a photocatalytic material is on the surface of the rubber or synthetic resin portion. The photocatalytic material absorbs ultraviolet rays. For this reason, since the rubber and the synthetic resin are not directly exposed to the ultraviolet rays and the deterioration of the resin structure can be suppressed, damage to the cleaning device 1 caused by the ultraviolet rays can be suppressed.
[0031]
Furthermore, since titanium oxide (photocatalytic material) and the like can be obtained at low cost, and the silicone resin is also inexpensive, it is possible to impart super hydrophilicity to each part of the cleaning apparatus 1 at low cost. In order to improve the existing cleaning apparatus, a layer containing a catalytic material may be formed by applying a coating agent combining a silicone resin and titanium oxide.
[0032]
In addition, when a layer containing a photocatalytic material is coated on the surface, it is necessary to irradiate ultraviolet rays as described above in order to make it superhydrophilic. May be arranged so that the net conveyor 3 and the cleaning chamber 5 are regularly irradiated with ultraviolet rays. Such an ultraviolet lamp can be obtained at a relatively low cost. Even in this case, once the layer T containing the catalytic material is superhydrophilicized by irradiation with ultraviolet rays, the effect is maintained for several tens of hours. By turning off the lamp, it is possible to prevent ultraviolet rays from damaging the retina of the worker. Further, when the ultraviolet ray is regularly irradiated onto the net conveyor 3 or the like, there is an effect that the net conveyor 3 or the like can be sterilized simultaneously with photoexcitation of the photocatalytic material there. Therefore, sterilization using steam or the like can be omitted or simplified.
[0033]
Note that the rubber covers 9 and 10, the net conveyor 3, the cleaning chamber 5, and the inner surface of the pipe 8 may be sterilized by a combination of a photocatalytic material and a sterilizing material such as an organic acid. This anaerobic property forms an environment in which various bacteria are difficult to exist, thereby forming an environment in which the bacteria do not propagate, and does not necessarily have a bactericidal action. As a specific aspect, there is a method such as kneading a photocatalytic material and an antibacterial material in a silicon resin.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the cleaning device of the present invention, when a layer containing a photocatalytic material is formed on the surface of a predetermined portion of the cleaning device and sufficiently irradiated with ultraviolet rays, the contact angle of water on the surface is almost 0. Therefore, oil stains hardly adhere to the surface of the superhydrophilic portion, and even if it adheres, the oil stains can be easily washed away with water alone. Therefore, the cleaning device can be kept clean and is suitable for cleaning lunch boxes, food return boxes, and parts of food handling machines.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cleaning apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of the action of a layer containing a photocatalytic material formed in a predetermined portion of the cleaning device shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional cleaning apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cleaning apparatus 3 Net conveyor 4 Conveying mechanism 5 Cleaning chamber 6 Rinse tank 7 Dryer 50 Nozzle IN Container inlet OUT Container outlet W Container (article to be cleaned)

Claims (9)

A transport mechanism for transporting articles from an input section for articles to be cleaned toward a discharge section for articles after cleaning, a cleaning section for cleaning articles transported by the transport mechanism, and a pipe for the cleaning section And
A cleaning device, wherein a layer containing a photocatalytic material is formed on at least a part of the pipe, the cleaning section, or the transport mechanism. 2. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photocatalytic material is titanium oxide. 3. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the article is any one of a lunch box, a food return box, and a part of a food handling machine. 4. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the layer containing the photocatalytic material is formed in the cleaning section. 4. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the layer containing the photocatalytic material is formed in a portion of the pipe through which the used cleaning liquid passes. 4. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the layer containing the photocatalytic material is formed in a portion of the transport mechanism that contacts a cleaning liquid. 7. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base material in a portion where the layer containing the photocatalytic material is formed is made of synthetic resin or stainless steel. 7. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base material in a portion where the layer containing the photocatalytic material is formed is made of an ultraviolet light transmissive material. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an ultraviolet irradiation device that irradiates ultraviolet rays toward the layer containing the photocatalytic material.

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