JP6998685B2 - Container cleaning Drip removal drying method and container processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a container cleaning / dropping / drying method and a container processing device for a container (trolley) used for delivery in a facility that uses a large amount of food cans and tableware, such as a school lunch center.

Conventionally, there is a facility called a school lunch center that intensively cooks and delivers school lunches to be provided to multiple schools and hospitals. In such facilities, cooked meals are filled into cans and loaded into containers (trolleys) for delivery together with tableware baskets containing tableware for eating. Then, after eating, the tableware basket containing the used tableware and the empty cans are loaded again in the container and collected at the school lunch center. The containers collected at the school lunch center are washed, dried, disinfected, etc. in preparation for the next day's delivery, along with tableware and cans. (See Patent Document 1).

In recent years, such a school lunch center has adopted a hygiene management system called a dry system. The dry system is a management method related to the kitchen environment that suppresses the growth of bacteria and pests by using the floor surface in a dry state. In a dry system, it is required that water can be easily removed even if the floor surface is wet with water without wetting the floor surface with water as much as possible.

From the viewpoint of hygiene management, the school lunch center that adopts the dry system is mainly divided into a non-contaminated work area with high cleanliness and a contaminated work area with low cleanliness compared to the non-contaminated work area.

In the contaminated work area, there is a pre-collection room that receives used containers containing post-eating tableware and cans collected from the outside, and following the pre-collection room, used containers, tableware, cans, etc. Includes a cleaning room and the like for cleaning. In the washing room, a container washing device is installed to take out the tableware and cans stored in the collected container and fix them in the open state for washing. The container carried from the pre-collection room to the washing room is carried into the container cleaning device from the carry-in port of the container cleaning device and washed with washing water.

On the other hand, the non-contaminated work area is provided with a container pool (container storage room) that receives containers cleaned by a container cleaning device. The carry-out port of the container cleaning device is installed so as to be connected to the container pool. In the container pool, for example, a container processing device (Patent Document 2) for heat-disinfecting the container is installed, and the container after cleaning is heat-sterilized. And can be stored as it is. Then, in a clean, non-contaminated work area, the containers stored in the container processing device are loaded with tableware baskets containing tableware and cans filled with school lunch again the next day, and are again loaded into schools and hospitals. Will be delivered to.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-97293 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-204915

However, in the conventional container cleaning device, after cleaning the container, it is carried out from the container cleaning device to the container pool in the non-contaminated work area without being sufficiently dried, and water droplets fall from the carried-out container to the floor surface. It often got the surface wet.

The school lunch center that adopts the dry system is required to keep the floor surface from getting wet with water as much as possible, and has a problem that the water adhering to the container after cleaning does not fall on the floor surface. In addition, when the floor surface gets wet, it is necessary for the worker to remove the water on the floor surface each time, and when processing a large amount of containers, the labor is devoted to the water removal work. Had.

In particular, the container forms a part of the storage space due to vibration when the container is moved, etc. There was a problem that the water droplets fell from the bottom and easily wet the floor surface.

The present invention provides a container washing / dropping / drying method and a container processing apparatus capable of preventing the washed container from getting wet on the floor surface of the facility by sufficiently removing the water adhering to the container. The purpose.

In order to solve the above object, the container cleaning, drip-dropping and drying method of the present invention is used.
In the container processing device installed in the facility, a carry-in step of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped container having a storage space for storing tableware by opening the doors held in the left-right direction orthogonal to the transport direction and carrying in from the carry-in entrance. ,
A cleaning step of cleaning the carried-in container with cleaning water while transporting it by a transport mechanism.
By injecting air from the drip-dropping and drying means while transporting the washed container by the transport mechanism, the moisture adhering to the container is drip-dried by wind pressure, and the container is drip-dried and dried by heat. Drop-drop drying step and
A unloading step in which the container dripping and drying in the dripping and drying step is carried out from the unloading port of the container processing device, and a unloading step.
It is a container cleaning, drop-dropping and drying method including
In the drip-removing and drying step, which is performed in a state where a plurality of the containers are conveyed substantially linearly in the container processing apparatus by performing the carry-in step a plurality of times.
By injecting air at a predetermined temperature toward the upper surface and the lower surface of the ceiling surface of the container and the middle portion to dry the moisture by heat, the moisture adhering to each portion is drip-dried and then dried. Moisture is dried by heat By injecting air at a predetermined temperature, the moisture adhering to the lower part of the container is drip-dried and dried.
Further, after air is sprayed onto the upper part, the middle part, and the lower part to remove and dry the adhering moisture, one of the plurality of units being transported is stopped, and the container is stopped from the bottom of the stopped container. By injecting air upward at a low position, moisture adhering to the wheels on the lower surface of the bottom of the container and the lower surface of the bottom of the container is dripping and drying.
After that, the container is transported again, and it is characterized in that water droplets from the container carried out in the carry-out step are suppressed from falling to the floor surface of the facility.

Further, the container processing apparatus of the present invention is
Open the door that has a storage space that can store tableware, and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped container with wheels on the lower surface of the bottom that forms the bottom of the storage space, in the left-right direction orthogonal to the transport direction. And a transport mechanism that transports in one direction,
The carry-in entrance for carrying in the container and
A heat exchanger that heats the air to a predetermined temperature,
A blower that sucks in and discharges air,
Drip-removing and drying means, which is an air nozzle that injects air discharged from the blower,
A cleaning zone for cleaning the container carried in from the carry-in port with cleaning water, and a cleaning zone.
The container washed in the washing zone is sucked with air by the blower and discharged, and the moisture adhering to the container is removed by wind pressure by the air jetted from the drip-dropping and drying means, and the container is dried by heat . A drip-drying zone for drip-drying the container, and a drip-drying zone.
It is provided with a carry-out port for carrying out the container that has been drip-dried in the drip-drying zone.
A container processing device for washing, dripping and drying while transporting the container from the carry-in port to the carry-out port by the transport mechanism.
Further provided with a deceleration means for decelerating the container transported from the carry-in port to the carry-out port.
The transport mechanism has a transport means that is an endless chain conveyor extending from the carry-in inlet to the carry-out port, and an engaging portion that engages with a part of the container provided in the transport means.
The transport mechanism engages the engaging portion with a part of the container and pushes the part of the container to carry the container.
In the drip-removing and drying zone, a plurality of the containers are simultaneously transported in a substantially linear shape by the transport mechanism.
The blower sucks in and discharges air of a predetermined temperature heated by the heat exchanger, which heats and dries moisture toward the upper and lower surfaces of the ceiling surface of the container, and the drip-dried drying. By injecting from the means , the moisture adhering to each part is drip-dried, and then the air of a predetermined temperature heated by the heat exchanger is sucked and discharged by the blower and ejected from the drip-drying means . By doing so, the moisture adhering to the lower part of the container is drip-dried and dried.
Of the plurality of containers being simultaneously transported, one container in which the moisture adhering to the upper part, the middle part, and the lower part is drip-dried and dried is not allowed to engage the engaging portion with a part of the container. In the state where the container is not pushed by the transport mechanism, the one container is stopped by the deceleration means.
By discharging the air sucked by the blower at a position lower than the bottom of the stopped container and injecting it upward from the drip-dripping and drying means, the lower surface of the bottom of the container and the said. Moisture adhering to the wheels on the lower surface of the bottom of the container is drip-dried and dried.
It is characterized by suppressing the drop of water droplets from the container carried out from the carry-out port onto the floor surface of the facility where the container processing device is provided , which is carried by being pushed by the carrying mechanism again.

According to the container cleaning / dropping / drying method and the container processing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the container after cleaning from getting wet on the floor surface of the facility by sufficiently removing the water adhering to the container.

The plan view which shows the lunch center which installs the container washing drop-drop dryer of Embodiment 1 of this invention. The perspective view which shows the outline of the whole structure of the container washing and dropping dryer of Embodiment 1 of this invention, and a container. FIG. 2 is an overall block diagram of the container washing / dropping / drying machine of FIG. The block diagram of the washing zone of the container washing drop-off dryer of FIG. The block diagram of the drop-off drying zone of the container washing drop-off dryer of FIG. 2 shows a state in which the hinge door of the container is opened, (A) is a front view, and (B) is a right side view. FIG. 2 is a front sectional view showing a state in which the hinge door of the container of FIG. 2 is opened. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a state in which the hinge door of the container of FIG. 2 is opened. FIG. 3 is a partial plan sectional view of a container washing / dropping / drying machine for explaining the transport mechanism of FIG. Partial side sectional view of the container washing / dropping / drying machine for explaining the transport mechanism of FIG. 2 shows a transport mechanism of the container cleaning / dropping / drying machine, FIG. 2A is a schematic perspective view of a part of the transport means, and FIG. 2B is a schematic front view of a part of the transport mechanism. 3 shows the rail of the transport mechanism, (A) is a plan view of the rail, and (B) is a schematic front view of the rail. The front sectional view (hatching omitted) of the cleaning zone of the container cleaning drip dripping dryer of FIG. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view (hatching omitted) on the carry-in entrance side of the cleaning zone of the container cleaning / dropping / drying machine of FIG. The front sectional view (hatching omitted) of the drip-drip drying zone of the container washing drip-drip dryer of FIG. The plan view of the drip-drip drying zone of the container washing drip-drip dryer of FIG. A centralized air nozzle member is shown, (A) is a perspective view of the centralized air nozzle member, (B) is a front view of the centralized air nozzle member, and (C) is a side sectional view of the centralized air nozzle member. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view (hatching omitted) on the carry-in entrance side of the cleaning zone of the container cleaning / dropping / drying machine in the state of transporting the container of FIG. The movement of the bar and the container near the carry-in entrance in FIG. 2 is shown, (A) is a front schematic view showing a state before the bar is placed on the carry-in guide, and (B) is a front schematic view showing the state before the bar is placed on the carry-in guide. The front schematic view showing the state of being in the state, (C) is the front schematic view showing the state where the bar has fallen from the carry-in guide to the upper surface of the conveying means, and (D) shows the state where the engaging claw engages the bar and conveys it. Front schematic. The front schematic view which shows the relationship between the transport means on the carry-in entrance side, and the bar of a container corresponding to FIG. FIG. 19 is a front schematic view for explaining a situation in which a container is subsequently engaged with an engaging claw when the engaging claw of the transport means passes through the horizontal guide portion of the carry-in guide. FIG. 2 shows a schematic side sectional view (hatching omitted) of the container placed in the drip-drying zone of the container cleaning drip-removing dryer, (A) is a schematic side sectional view (hatching omitted) of the pre-drying region, (B). ) Is a schematic side sectional view of the upper dry region (hatching omitted), (C) is a schematic side sectional view of the central dry region (hatching omitted), and (D) is a schematic side sectional view of the lower dry region (hatching omitted). The movement of the bar and the container near the carry-out port of FIG. 2 is shown, (A) is a front schematic view showing a state in which the bar is placed on the transport surface and the container is transported, and (B) is a front schematic view showing a state in which the bar is placed on the transport surface. A front schematic view showing a state immediately before the container is placed and separated from the transport means, and (C) a front schematic view showing a state in which the bar is stopped away from the transport surface. FIG. 5 is a front schematic view showing a state in which a plurality of containers are sequentially transported in the transport direction from (A) to (E) in order to show the operation of the containers in the drip-dripping and drying zone of FIG. The perspective view which shows the outline of the whole structure of the container drip dryer and the container of Embodiment 2 of this invention. Overall block diagram of the container drip dryer of FIG. 25. The front sectional view (hatching omitted) of the drip-drying zone of the container drip-dryer of FIG. 25.

The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention
In the container processing device installed in the facility, a carry-in step of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped container having a storage space for storing tableware by opening the doors held in the left-right direction orthogonal to the transport direction and carrying in from the carry-in entrance. ,
A cleaning step of cleaning the carried-in container with cleaning water while transporting it by a transport mechanism.
By injecting air from the drip-dropping and drying means while transporting the washed container by the transport mechanism, the moisture adhering to the container is drip-dried by wind pressure, and the container is drip-dried and dried by heat. Drop-drop drying step and
A unloading step in which the container dripping and drying in the dripping and drying step is carried out from the unloading port of the container processing device, and a unloading step.
It is a container cleaning, drop-dropping and drying method including
In the drip-removing and drying step, which is performed in a state where a plurality of the containers are conveyed substantially linearly in the container processing apparatus by performing the carry-in step a plurality of times.
By injecting air at a predetermined temperature toward the upper surface and the lower surface of the ceiling surface of the container and the middle portion to dry the moisture by heat, the moisture adhering to each portion is drip-dried and then dried. Moisture is dried by heat By injecting air at a predetermined temperature, the moisture adhering to the lower part of the container is drip-dried and dried.
Further, after air is sprayed onto the upper part, the middle part, and the lower part to remove and dry the adhering moisture, one of the plurality of units being transported is stopped, and the container is stopped from the bottom of the stopped container. By injecting air upward at a low position, moisture adhering to the wheels on the lower surface of the bottom of the container and the lower surface of the bottom of the container is dripping and drying.
After that, the container is transported again, and the container cleaning / dropping / drying method is characterized in that the drop of water droplets from the container carried out in the carrying-out step to the floor surface of the facility is suppressed.

According to this container washing / dropping / drying method, the container after being washed by the washing step is dropped / dried by the dropping / drying step. Here, by removing the water adhering to the upper part and the middle part of the container, the water adhering to the upper part and the middle part of the container can be dropped or carried down and collected in the lower part of the container. Therefore, the lower part of the container can be effectively dripping and drying by collecting the moisture adhering to the upper part and the middle part of the container in the lower part of the container and then dripping and drying the lower part of the container.

In addition, after the bottom of the container has been dripping and drying, the bottom surface of the bottom of the container and the bottom of the container are in order to stop the container and inject air upwards at a position lower than the bottom of the container. Moisture adhering to the wheels on the lower surface can be effectively removed by wind pressure and dried.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the washed container from getting wet on the floor surface of the facility.

The invention according to claim 2 of the present invention is the invention according to claim 1.
Air is sprayed onto the upper part, middle part, and lower part to remove the attached moisture. The air jetted upward at a position lower than the bottom of the dried container is lower than the predetermined temperature, but the moisture is caused by heat. It is a container cleaning, drip-dropping and drying method characterized by air having a drying temperature.

According to this container cleaning, drip-dropping and drying method, the wheels of the container have a rubber or resin material that easily deteriorates due to heat, but the air injected toward the wheels of the container has a temperature lower than that of the air having a predetermined temperature. Since it is air, deterioration due to heat of the rubber or resin material can be suppressed.

The invention according to claim 3 of the present invention is the invention according to claim 1 or 2.
In the drop-off drying step,
Container cleaning, drip-drop drying, characterized in that air injected in a container processing device formed in a tunnel shape in the transport direction of the container is sucked by a blower, heated to a predetermined temperature, and injected toward the container. It is a method.

As a result, the air injected in the container processing apparatus is circulated and used, so that the amount of heat required to heat the air again to a predetermined temperature is small, and energy can be saved.

The invention according to claim 4 of the present invention
Open the door that has a storage space that can store tableware, and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped container with wheels on the lower surface of the bottom that forms the bottom of the storage space, in the left-right direction orthogonal to the transport direction. And a transport mechanism that transports in one direction,
The carry-in entrance for carrying in the container and
A heat exchanger that heats the air to a predetermined temperature,
A blower that sucks in and discharges air,
Drip-removing and drying means, which is an air nozzle that injects air discharged from the blower,
A cleaning zone for cleaning the container carried in from the carry-in port with cleaning water, and a cleaning zone.
The container washed in the washing zone is sucked with air by the blower and discharged, and the moisture adhering to the container is removed by wind pressure by the air jetted from the drip-dropping and drying means, and the container is dried by heat . A drip-drying zone for drip-drying the container, and a drip-drying zone.
It is provided with a carry-out port for carrying out the container that has been drip-dried in the drip-drying zone.
A container processing device for washing, dripping and drying while transporting the container from the carry-in port to the carry-out port by the transport mechanism.
Further provided with a deceleration means for decelerating the container transported from the carry-in port to the carry-out port.
The transport mechanism has a transport means that is an endless chain conveyor extending from the carry-in inlet to the carry-out port, and an engaging portion that engages with a part of the container provided in the transport means.
The transport mechanism engages the engaging portion with a part of the container and pushes the part of the container to carry the container.
In the drip-removing and drying zone, a plurality of the containers are simultaneously transported in a substantially linear shape by the transport mechanism.
The blower sucks in and discharges air of a predetermined temperature heated by the heat exchanger, which heats and dries moisture toward the upper and lower surfaces of the ceiling surface of the container, and the drip-dried drying. By injecting from the means , the moisture adhering to each part is drip-dried, and then the air of a predetermined temperature heated by the heat exchanger is sucked and discharged by the blower and ejected from the drip-drying means . By doing so, the moisture adhering to the lower part of the container is drip-dried and dried.
Of the plurality of containers being simultaneously transported, one container in which the moisture adhering to the upper part, the middle part, and the lower part is drip-dried and dried is not allowed to engage the engaging portion with a part of the container. In the state where the container is not pushed by the transport mechanism, the one container is stopped by the deceleration means.
By discharging the air sucked by the blower at a position lower than the bottom of the stopped container and injecting it upward from the drip-dripping and drying means, the lower surface of the bottom of the container and the said. Moisture adhering to the wheels on the lower surface of the bottom of the container is drip-dried and dried.
A container processing device characterized by suppressing the drop of water droplets from the container carried out from the carry-out port onto the floor surface of the facility where the container processing device is provided , which is conveyed by being pushed by the transport mechanism again. It was.

According to this container processing apparatus , the container is washed with washing water in the washing zone and then dropped and dried by injecting air having a predetermined temperature in the dropping and drying zone. Here, by removing the water adhering to the upper part and the middle part of the container, the water adhering to the upper part and the middle part of the container can be dropped or carried down and collected in the lower part of the container. Therefore, the lower part of the container can be effectively dripping and drying by collecting the moisture adhering to the upper part and the middle part of the container in the lower part of the container and then dripping and drying the lower part of the container.

In addition, after the bottom of the container has been dripping and drying, the bottom surface of the bottom of the container and the bottom of the container are in order to stop the container and inject air upwards at a position lower than the bottom of the container. Moisture adhering to the wheels on the lower surface can be effectively removed by wind pressure and dried.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the washed container from getting wet on the floor surface of the facility.

The invention according to claim 5 of the present invention is the invention according to claim 4.
Air is sprayed onto the upper part, middle part, and lower part to remove the adhering moisture. At a position lower than the bottom of the dried container, the air sucked by the blower is discharged, and the air is ejected upward from the drip-drying means . Is a container processing apparatus characterized by having air having a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature but having a temperature at which moisture is dried by heat.

As a result, the wheels of the container have a rubber or resin material that easily deteriorates due to heat, but the air injected toward the wheels of the container is rubber or air having a temperature lower than that of the air having a predetermined temperature. Deterioration of the resin material due to heat can be suppressed.

The invention according to claim 6 of the present invention is the invention according to claim 4 or 5 .
The lower shell that is housed in the storage space dug below the floor of the facility,
It consists of an upper outer shell above the floor surface.
The drop-off drying zone is
A drip-removing drying means for removing water adhering to the lower surface of the bottom of the container by discharging the air sucked by the blower and injecting air upward at a position lower than the bottom of the container. Is a container processing apparatus characterized in that it is arranged in the lower outer shell of the drip-removing and drying zone.

As a result, a part of the air piping for sending air to the air nozzle that injects air toward the lower surface of the bottom of the container is housed in the storage space dug below the floor surface. By arranging it in, a large space for installing the air piping can be taken.

In addition, the path of the air pipe can be configured so that the air flowing in the air pipe can flow as smoothly as possible. Then, without significantly attenuating the wind pressure of the injected air, air is injected from the air nozzle so as not to disturb the flow, and the moisture adhering to the lower surface of the bottom of the container can be effectively removed and dried. can.

The invention according to claim 7 of the present invention is the invention according to any one of claims 4 to 6 .
The container has a bar extending in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the container and a support portion for rotatably supporting the bar below the bottom portion forming the bottom surface of the storage space of the container.
The transport mechanism is provided with a transport surface on which the bar is placed, the bar is placed on the transport surface, and the bar is engaged with an engaging portion of the transport mechanism to transport the container.
Further, the drip-free drying zone includes an accelerating means for accelerating the container transported by the transport mechanism and a deceleration means for decelerating the accelerated container.
When the accelerating means accelerates the container, or when the decelerating means decelerates the container, the bar mounted on the transport surface leaves the engaging portion and rolls on the transport surface.
The drip-removing and drying means is a container processing apparatus including an air nozzle that injects air having a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature toward a bar that rolls on the transport surface.

According to this container processing device , when the container accelerates or decelerates, the bar provided at the bottom of the container rolls on the transport surface of the transport mechanism.

Then, by injecting air having a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature toward the rolling bar, the moisture adhering between the bar and the transport surface on which the bar is placed can be drip-dried and dried. The entire outer peripheral surface can be effectively drip-dried and dried.

(Embodiment 1)
As the first embodiment of the container processing apparatus P, the basic configuration of the container washing / dropping / drying machine W will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 17. The container washing / dropping / drying machine W is used to wash the container 1 while transporting it in the machine, and then remove, that is, remove the water adhering to the container 1 to dry the container 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the container washing / dropping / drying machine W is installed in a school lunch center C (facility) that provides school lunches to schools and hospitals. At the school lunch center C, a food can filled with cooked food and a tableware basket containing tableware for eating are stored in a plurality of containers 1 and delivered to schools and hospitals. After eating at a school or hospital, empty food cans and tableware baskets containing used tableware are stored in a plurality of containers 1, and the plurality of containers 1 are collected in the school lunch center C.

The school lunch center C employs a hygiene management system called a dry system. The dry system is a management method related to the kitchen environment that suppresses the growth of bacteria and pests by using the floor surface in a dry state. In an environment where a dry system is adopted, it is required that water can be easily removed even if the floor surface is wet with water without getting the floor surface wet as much as possible, and it can be expected to prevent the growth of food poisoning bacteria. If the floor surface gets wet with water, scrape it off with a wiper or the like and drain it into a drainage ditch covered with grating to dry the floor surface.

Further, the school lunch center C is divided into a non-contaminated work area having a relatively high cleanliness and a contaminated work area having a low cleanliness as compared with the non-contaminated work area. The non-contaminated work area includes a kitchen for cooking lunch (not shown), a container pool (container storage room) Ca in which a container heat treatment device T (see Patent Document 2) for heat disinfecting container 1 is installed, and delivery. It is provided with a pre-delivery room Cb or the like for temporarily storing the previous container 1.

The contaminated work area includes a pretreatment room (not shown) that prepares the ingredients for pre-cooking food, a pre-collection room Da that collects the container 1 after eating, and a container washing / drip-drying machine W that cleans the collected container 1. , A dishwashing device V for washing tableware (not shown) and a tableware basket (not shown), a washing room Db for installing a dishwashing device U for washing food cans (not shown), etc. Be prepared.

The used container 1 recovered from the outside is carried to the washing chamber Db following the pre-collection chamber Da via the pre-collection chamber Da (see the arrow IN in FIG. 1). Then, the container 1, tableware, food cans, and other objects to be washed are washed by the container washing and drip-dripping dryer W, the dishwashing device V, and the food can washing device U installed in the washing room Db.

The object to be washed, which has been washed by the container washing / dropping dryer W, the dishwashing device V, and the food can washing device U, is received in the container pool Ca in the non-contaminated work area. The object to be cleaned is heat disinfected for next day delivery. In particular, the container 1 is heat-sterilized by the container heat treatment device T installed in the container pool Ca, and is stored in the container heat treatment device T until delivery on the next day. Then, on the next day, the tableware basket containing the tableware and the food can filled with the school lunch are stored and delivered via the pre-delivery chamber Cb (see the arrow OUT in FIG. 1).

(Container cleaning / dropping / drying machine)
As shown in FIG. 2, in the following description, the transport direction of the container 1 is defined as the transport direction, the horizontal direction on the left side facing the transport direction is the left direction, the horizontal direction on the right side is the right direction, and the upper side in the transport direction. The vertical direction will be described as an upward direction, and the lower vertical direction will be described as a downward direction.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the container washing / dropping dryer W is formed in a long tunnel shape in the transport direction for transporting the container 1, and has a cleaning zone 2 for cleaning the container 1 with cleaning water and cleaning. A dripping / drying zone 3 for dripping and drying the container 1 is provided on the downstream side of the zone 2 in the transport direction.

Further, the container cleaning / dropping / drying dryer W is installed in the cleaning room Db of the contaminated work area, and the carry-in inlet 4 for carrying in the container 1 is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction of the container 1 in the cleaning zone 2 to carry out the container 1. A carry-out port 5 is provided on the downstream side of the container 1 of the drip-dripping / drying zone 3 in the transport direction. In the container cleaning / dropping / drying machine W, the container 1 is carried in from the carry-in inlet 4, passed through the washing zone 2 and the drip-dripping / drying zone 3, and carried out from the carry-out port 5 connected to the container pool Ca in the non-contaminated work area. do.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the container washing / dropping / drying dryer W is provided with an intermediate tank 213 for circulating washing water on the side of the washing zone 2 and on the ceiling near the carry-in entrance 4. Provide an exhaust port E. The exhaust port E is connected to a blower (not shown) provided on the equipment side of the facility, and is connected to the outside of the facility via an exhaust duct (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 3, the exhaust port E takes in air from the carry-out port 5, and the air that has passed through the drip-drying zone 3 and the washing zone 2 of the container washing / dropping / drying machine W is taken into the container washing / dropping / drying machine. Discharge to the outside of the facility where W is installed (see arrow a in FIG. 3). The container cleaning / dropping / drying dryer W may be provided with a blower on the exhaust port E side. In that case, exhaust can be performed from the inside of the container cleaning / dropping / drying dryer W without using a blower on the equipment side.

As shown in FIG. 2, a storage box L for accommodating a motor (not shown) which is a drive source for driving the transfer mechanism 7 is provided on the side of the carry-out port 5 of the container washing / dropping / drying machine W. Further, a carry-in rail 6 for guiding the container 1 to the carry-in entrance 4 is provided at the carry-in entrance 4, and when the container 1 is carried in, the wheels 122 of the container 1 are carried on the carry-in rail 6. The carry-out port 5 is provided with a carry-out rail 8 (see FIG. 9) that guides the container from the carry-out port 5, and the wheels 122 of the container 1 are carried out on the carry-out rail 8.

Further, in the container washing / dropping / drying machine W, a plurality of blowers 401 to 407 and a plurality of heat exchangers 501 to 503 connected to the blowers 401 to 407 are provided on the ceiling of the dropping / drying zone 3. The ceiling of the container washing / dropping / drying machine W has an opening (not shown) communicating with the inside of the container washing / dropping / drying machine W, and the opening leads to the heat exchangers 501 to 503. The air in the container washing / dropping / drying machine W heated by the heat exchangers 501 to 503 is sucked into the blowers 401 to 407. Further, a control panel G for controlling blowers 401 to 407 and the like is provided on the side of the drip-dripping and drying zone 3.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the container washing / dropping / drying machine W is supported by a plurality of legs F, and the container washing / dropping / drying machine W is placed in a pit (accommodation space) S dug in the floor of the facility. Accommodates a part of the lower side. The lower tank 212, the submersible pump 214, etc. placed below the transport rail 72 are installed below the floor FL. By doing so, the pit S below the floor surface FL can be effectively utilized. Further, the transport rail 72 provided above the lower tank 212 can be arranged at substantially the same height as the floor surface FL. By doing so, the container 1 is carried into the container washing / dropping / drying machine W substantially horizontally, transported substantially horizontally in the container washing / dropping / drying machine W, and carried out substantially horizontally from the container washing / dropping / drying machine W. be able to.

In the present embodiment, the pit S is dug from the floor surface FL of the facility to a predetermined depth, for example, about 250 mm. The container cleaning / drip / drip / dryer W is formed in a tunnel shape having a transport path penetrating the upper outer shell WU with a substantially rectangular cross section, with the upper outer shell WU on the upper side and the lower outer shell WD on the lower side of the floor surface FL. ing.

Further, at the boundary between the washing zone 2 and the drip-dried drying zone 3, a double-door partition door (not shown) for partitioning both zones is provided. The partition door is attached to the inner walls of the outer shells on both the left and right sides of the cross section of the substantially rectangular transport path by hinges (not shown) so as to be openable and closable. The bottom of the substantially rectangular transport path and the bottom of the partition door are spaced apart from each other to form a ventilation path (not shown) that allows air to pass through the cleaning zone 2 and the drip-dripping / drying zone 3.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the cleaning zone 2, the container 1 carried in from the carry-in inlet 4 is carried by the carrying mechanism 7 while being washed by injecting washing water. The cleaning zone 2 has a cleaning area 21 for removing stains on the container 1 by injecting cleaning water obtained by mixing a cleaning agent for a cleaning machine with water onto the container 1, and cleaning adhering to the container 1 in the cleaning area 21. It is provided with a rinse area 22 for rinsing water with finishing water.

The cleaning zone 2 includes two cleaning areas 21 and cleans the container 1 in two stages. Each cleaning region 21 has a cleaning nozzle portion 211 that injects cleaning water, a lower tank 212 that collects and stores the cleaning water injected into the container 1 from the cleaning nozzle portion 211, and a cleaning water stored in the lower tank 212. A cleaning water pump (pump) that sends the cleaning water from the intermediate tank 213 to the cleaning nozzle section 211 and injects it at high pressure. It is equipped with 215.

The lower tank 212 is arranged in the container washing / dropping / drying machine W at a position lower than the floor surface FL (in the pit S), and has a volume capable of storing, for example, 140 liters of liquid. Further, the intermediate tank 213 has a volume capable of storing, for example, 150 liters of liquid.

A discharge pipe (not shown) is connected to the side surface of the lower tank 212. The discharge pipe is used to open a valve (not shown) to discharge the washing water stored in the lower tank 212 when the use of the container washing / dropping / drying machine W is finished. Further, the intermediate tank 213 also has a drain pipe for draining the stored washing water, similarly to the lower tank 212.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the cleaning region 21, the cleaning water injected into the container 1 is collected and stored in the lower tank 212 provided below the transport mechanism 7, and the first cleaning is performed by the submersible pump 214. It is pumped to the intermediate tank 213 via the water pipe 218. A steam pipe 217 connected from the boiler 216 is connected to the intermediate tank 213.

Then, the high-temperature steam supplied from the boiler 216 is blown into the washing water stored in the intermediate tank 213 to heat the washing water to a predetermined temperature, for example, about 50 degrees Celsius. The washing water having reached a predetermined temperature is sent to the washing nozzle section 211 at high pressure via the second washing water pipe 219 by the washing water pump 215, and is again injected from the washing nozzle section 211 into the container 1. In this way, in the washing area 21, the washing water can be circulated and reused.

In the washing region 21, the washing water is an alkaline washing machine washing having a predetermined detergent, for example, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or the like as a main raw material and mixed with the predetermined water to have a pH of about 10 to 12. Produced by mixing agents. The type, concentration, and the like of the detergent mixed in the washing water may be adjusted according to the degree of contamination of the container 1. Further, depending on the degree of contamination of the container 1, it is not necessary to mix the detergent in the washing water.

In the present embodiment, the lower tank 212 is provided in the lower part of the cleaning zone 2, and the cleaning water stored in the lower tank 212 is sent to the intermediate tank 213 by the submersible pump 214. At this time, by making the volume of the intermediate tank 213 larger than the volume of the lower tank 212, the intermediate tank 213 can store more washing water than the lower tank 212. As a result, even if the amount of wash water stored in the lower tank 212 is small, the depth of the lower tank 212 can be made shallow without disturbing the circulation of the wash water. As a result, the depth of the pit S accommodating the lower tank 212 can be made shallow.

By adjusting the amount of washing water flowing to the lower tank 212 and the amount of washing water discharged by the submersible pump 214, it is possible to omit the intermediate tank 213 and the washing water pump 215. In this case, instead of the heating means for heating the washing water stored in the intermediate tank 213, the lower tank 212 is provided with the heating means, or the washing water heated directly from the external hot water supply facility is supplied to the intermediate tank 212. It is possible to omit the tank 213 and the cleaning pump 215. By doing so, the amount of washing water used in the container washing / dropping / drying device W can be reduced. In that case, the washing water stored in the lower tank 212 is injected from the washing nozzle portion 211 by the submersible pump 214.

The predetermined detergent to be mixed with the washing water is supplied by a detergent feeder (not shown) provided in the intermediate tank 213. A detergent concentration detection sensor (not shown) installed in the intermediate tank 213 detects the detergent concentration of the washing water stored in the intermediate tank 213, and sends the detected signal to the detergent supply machine. Based on the detected signal, the detergent feeder supplies the detergent so that the washing water has a predetermined concentration.

The rinsing region 22 includes a rinsing nozzle portion 222 for injecting finishing water. In the rinsing area 22, the cleaning water adhering to the container 1 is washed away and rinsed in the cleaning area 21 by injecting the finishing water into the container 1. The rinsing region 22 includes a flat plate-shaped running water plate 221 that inclines downward to the lower tank 212 of the cleaning region 21 on the downstream side of the two cleaning regions 21. Then, the finishing water sprayed from the rinse nozzle portion 222 to the container 1 is poured down to the lower tank 212 of the cleaning region 21 on the downstream side via the running water plate 221.

As the finishing water, for example, tap water is used. The finishing water is supplied from the finishing water pipe 224 and flows to the rinsing nozzle portion 222 via the mixing valve 225. In the mixing valve 225, the finishing water is heated to a predetermined temperature, for example, about 80 ° C. by mixing the high-temperature steam supplied from the boiler 216 through the steam pipe 217 with the finishing water.

As shown in FIG. 3, the container washing / dropping / drying machine W includes a dropping / drying zone 3 continuous from the washing zone 2. The drip-removing and drying zone 3 sprays air from a plurality of drip-removing and drying means 301 to 310 to drip and remove water adhering to the container 1 (washing water and / or finishing water adhering to the container 1 in the washing zone 2). dry. In the drip-dripping and drying zone 3, the moisture adhering to the container 1 is drip-dried by the wind pressure of the air jetted from the drip-dripping and drying means 301 to 310. Further, since a part of the air ejected from the drip-removing and drying means 301 to 310 is heated to a predetermined temperature by the heat exchangers 501 to 503, it adheres to the container 1 by injecting it into the container 1. The water is evaporated by heat and dried.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, in the drip-removing drying zone 3, blowers 401 to 407 and heat exchangers 501 to 503 are provided on the ceiling of the container cleaning drip-removing dryer W. The blowers 401 to 407 are connected to the drip-drying means 301 to 310 and inject air from the drip-drying means 301 to 310. Further, the blowers 401 and 402 are connected to the heat exchanger 501, the blowers 403 and 404 are connected to the heat exchanger 502, and the blowers 405 and 406 are connected to the heat exchanger 503.

Since the blowers 401 to 406 are connected to the heat exchangers 501 to 503, the drip-dripping and drying means 301 to 308 connected to the blowers 401 to 406 inject air heated by the heat exchangers 501 to 503. Further, since the blower 407 is not connected to the heat exchanger, the drip-drying means 309 and 310 connected to the blower 407 have a temperature lower than that of the heated air ejected from the other drip-drying means 301 to 308. Inject air.

A part of the air ejected from the drip-drying means 301 to 310 toward the container 1 is sucked into the blowers 401 to 407 again through the openings in the ceiling of the container-cleaning drip-dryer W. It will be discharged to the container 1 (see the arrow b in FIG. 5). Therefore, air circulates.

In the container washing / dropping / drying dryer W, the air in each drying area 30 to 33 (see FIG. 15) is sucked by the blowers 401 to 406 through the opening having the ceiling, and heated to a predetermined temperature, for example, 80 ° C. Inject toward container 1. A part of the air of a predetermined temperature injected into the container 1 is sucked in again by the blowers 401 to 406 from the opening provided in the ceiling, and is heated again to the predetermined temperature by the heat exchangers 501 to 503, and the container is heated again. Is sprayed on. That is, since the air heated to a predetermined temperature is circulated and used, the amount of heat for heating the air to a predetermined temperature again is small, and energy can be saved.

(container)
As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the container 1 is roughly formed in the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box including a ceiling portion 11, a bottom portion 12, a front portion 13, a back portion 14, and a pair of side surface portions 15. Therefore, the ceiling portion 11, the bottom portion 12, the front portion 13, the back surface portion 14, and the pair of side surface portions 15 are each formed in a substantially rectangular shape. The front portion 13 and the back portion 14 of the container 1 include a pair of hinge doors 16 that can be opened and closed as Kannon doors.

The container 1 has a storage unit (storage space) 17 capable of storing tableware and the like while the hinge door 16 is opened. The storage unit 17 is separated by an upper shelf 18 and a lower shelf 19. The storage unit 17 is provided between the upper shelf between the ceiling 11 and the upper shelf 18, the middle shelf between the upper shelf 18 and the lower shelf 19, and between the lower shelf 19 and the bottom 12. It is divided into three lower stages, and each stage communicates from the front portion 13 to the back portion 14.

In the present embodiment, the ceiling portion 11 to the upper shelf 18 of the container 1 is the upper portion 101 of the container, the upper shelf 18 to the upper surface of the bottom portion 12 is the middle portion 102 of the container, and the upper surface of the bottom portion 12 to the ground contact point of the wheel 122. Is also referred to as the lower 103 of the container. The upper part 101, the middle part 102, and the lower part 103 merely refer to the order of the positions of the container 1 in the vertical direction. That is, the position below the upper portion 101 is the central portion 102, and the position below the central portion 102 is the lower portion 103. Therefore, for example, the ceiling portion 11 to the lower shelf 19 is the upper portion 101 of the container, the lower shelf 19 to the upper surface of the bottom portion 12 is the middle portion 102 of the container, and the upper surface of the bottom portion 12 to the ground contact point of the wheel 122. May be the lower 103 of the container.

Further, the left-right direction on the drawing of FIG. 6A is also referred to as a front-rear direction of the container 1, and the left-right direction on the drawing of FIG. 6B is also referred to as a left-right direction of the container 1. In addition, the side surface portion 15 on the transport direction side of the container 1 is also referred to as a front side surface portion 15, and the side surface portion 15 in the direction opposite to the transport direction side of the container 1 is also referred to as a rear side surface portion 15.

As shown in FIG. 6A, when cleaning the container 1, each hinge door 16 is maintained in a state of being opened 180 degrees by a fixing jig (not shown) from the side surface portion 15 on the front side of the container 1. The container 1 is carried into the container cleaning / dropping / drying machine W. Therefore, in the container cleaning / dropping / removing dryer W, the container 1 is transported in the order of the front door portion 161 of the container 1, the storage portion 17, and the rear door portion 162 from the front in the transport direction.

Further, on the lower surface of the rectangle forming the bottom surface of the bottom portion 12 of the container 1, casters 121 are provided at the four corners to rotatably support the wheels 122 by metal fittings or the like (not shown). The four casters 121 can rotate the wheels 122 by 360 degrees around the vertical direction, and the wheels 122 of the casters 121 can be rotated so that the container 1 can move freely back and forth and left and right.

As shown in FIG. 6B, in the container 1, a horizontally long recess 151 is formed in both side surface portions 15, and a horizontally long handle 152 is provided in the recess 151. Workers move the container 1 while holding the handle 152 when storing and carrying tableware in a facility that uses a large amount of tableware, for example, a school lunch center C for school lunch. Can be done.

As shown in FIGS. 6 (A) and 6 (B), the container 1 has a bar whose bottom portion 12 is supported at both ends by a pair of support portions 123 provided on the front portion 13 side and the back portion 14 side. 124 is provided. The bar 124 is a rod-shaped member extending linearly with a cross section of a perfect circle, and both ends thereof are formed by attaching a disk-shaped member having an enlarged diameter. For example, the bar 124 can be formed by welding and fixing a stainless steel disc-shaped member having a diameter of 40 mm to both ends of a stainless steel rod-shaped member having a diameter of 27 mm and extending linearly with a cross section of a perfect circle. .. The bar 124 may use a rod-shaped member having a hollow cross section.

A pair of support portions 123 are attached so as to provide a bar 124 at substantially the center of the bottom portion 12 of the container 1 in the front-rear direction. The pair of support portions 123 support the bar 124 so as to be able to move up and down and roll while the bar 124 is inserted into the elongated hole 125 of the support portion 123.

Specifically, the support portion 123 and the bar 124 will be described. The width of the elongated hole 125 of the support portion 123 is slightly wider than the circular diameter which is the cross-sectional shape of the rod-shaped member of the bar 124. Therefore, the bar 124 inserted into the elongated hole 125 can move up and down by a predetermined dimension, for example, about 70 mm while being inserted into the elongated hole 125, and the bar 124 rolls in the circumferential direction of the cross-sectional shape. It is possible. Further, the disk-shaped members at both ends of the bar 124 have a diameter larger than the width of the elongated hole 125 of the support portion, and prevent the bar 124 from falling out of the pair of support portions 123.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the container 1 is configured so that the washing water does not easily collect and the washing water can be easily removed. Specifically, the upper shelf 18 and the lower shelf 19 of the container 1 are composed of cylindrical pipes.

The upper shelf 18 and the lower shelf 19 of the container 1 are connected so as to be sandwiched by a pair of longitudinal pipes 182 from both ends of the short pipes 181 arranged in parallel at substantially equal intervals. Both ends of the short pipe 181 are welded to the inner side surface of the long pipe 182. The cylindrical pipe is easy to flow down even if water is attached, and it is easy to remove the water attached to the container 1.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the end portion 126 of the member forming the bottom portion 12 of the container 1 is folded downward. The lower end of the end portion 126 faces downward so that the water adhering to the container 1 can easily flow off. Further, a hole (not shown) is formed in the lower surface of the short pipe 181 and the long pipe 182 to facilitate drainage of water that has entered the inside of the short pipe 181 and the long pipe 182. The upper surface of the bottom portion 12 may be provided with a discharge hole penetrating the bottom portion 12. In that case, the water accumulated on the upper surface of the bottom portion 12 can be discharged to the outside.

In the present embodiment, the container 1 is formed by bending and welding a sheet metal, for example, a stainless steel plate having excellent corrosion resistance. Further, the storage portion 17 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape is configured to be divided into three stages by an upper shelf 18 and a lower shelf 19. However, the container 1 may have another shape as long as it has casters 121 and bars 124 at the lower part. For example, casters 121 may be provided at the lower part of the basket whose upper surface is open, and cooking utensils may be put in the basket and carried into the container washing / dropping / drying machine W. The shape of the container 1 can be changed to various shapes.

(Transport mechanism)
As shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the transport mechanism 7 transports the container 1 by a linear path formed substantially horizontally in a straight line without forming a path that is curved in a top view.

As shown in FIG. 9, the transport mechanism 7 includes a pair of top chains (transport means) 71 for transporting the container 1 and a transport rail 72 for guiding the wheels 122 of the container 1. The top chain 71 carries the bar 124 of the container 1 on it. The top chain 71 and the transport rail 72 extend linearly and parallel to each other.

As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the top chain 71 has a plate attached to the upper part of the chain and is configured as a transport chain in an endless manner. The top chain 71 is folded back by the drive sprocket 74 and the driven sprocket 77, and has a feed side that drives the container 1 in the transport direction and a return side that drives the container 1 in the direction opposite to the feed side. The upper surface of the top chain 71 on the feed side is the transport surface 76 on which the bar 124 of the container 1 is placed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, engagement claws (engagement portions) 73 for engaging with the bar 124 of the container 1 are attached to the top chain 71 at equal intervals in the transport direction. In the present embodiment, for example, the engaging claws 73 are formed at a predetermined pitch, for example, a pitch of 2 m, and the container 1 is conveyed at the predetermined pitch. The engaging claw 73 is manufactured by cutting stainless steel, for example.

The transport mechanism 7 includes an electric motor (not shown) housed in the storage box L on the side near the carry-out port 5 as a drive source. The electric motor is connected to an inverter (not shown), and the rotation speed and the like can be changed. The electric motor rotates the drive sprocket 74 (see FIGS. 5 and 11) to drive the top chain 71.

A sensor (not shown) for detecting that the engaging claw 73 has passed a predetermined position is provided in the vicinity of the drive sprocket 74 on the return side of the top chain 71. Further, the control panel G is provided with an inverter, and the rotation speed of the electric motor is changed by the inverter.

The sensor detects the engaging claw 73 that has passed a predetermined position, sends a signal to the control panel G, receives the signal, and changes the rotation speed of the electric motor by the inverter.

The top chain 71 is based on low speed drive, so the electric motor is usually driven at low speed. The engaging claw 73 provided on the transport surface 76 of the top chain 71 driven at a low speed engages with the bar 124 of the container 1 and moves the container 1 at a predetermined speed, for example, at a speed of 1.5 m / min.

When the engaging claw 73 provided on the transport surface 76 of the top chain 71 driven at low speed passes a predetermined position, the sensor detects the engaging claw 73 and sends a signal to the control panel G. Upon receiving the signal, the control panel G causes the inverter to drive the electric motor at high speed for a predetermined time, for example, 20 seconds, drives the top chain 71 at high speed, and sets the container 1 in which the bar 124 engages with the engaging claw 73. Move at high speed, for example, at a speed of 3 m / min.

After a predetermined time elapses, the top chain 71 returns to low speed drive. Then, the container 1 is moved at a low speed for a predetermined time, for example, 40 seconds until the next engaging claw 73 passes through the predetermined position.

In this way, while each of the engaging claws 73 provided on the top chain 71 moves by one pitch, the top chain 71 repeats high-speed drive and low-speed drive for a predetermined time, and the container 1 also receives the same. It is possible to switch between high-speed movement and low-speed movement for a predetermined time. That is, high-speed movement and low-speed movement of the container 1 are performed while the container 1 advances at a predetermined interval in which the engaging claws 73 are provided, for example, 2 m.

The transport rail 72 includes a concavo-convex portion (deceleration means) 720 composed of a plurality of convex portions provided on the transport rail 72 on the carry-out port 5 side of the drip-dripping and drying zone 3. When the container 1 self-propells on the transport rail 72, the wheels 122 of the container 1 get over the uneven portion 720, so that the container 1 can obtain a deceleration effect. That is, the uneven portion 720 acts as a deceleration means.

The uneven portion 720 is formed by providing the convex portion on the transport rail 72, but the uneven portion 720 may be formed by providing the concave portion on the transport rail 72.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in the transport mechanism 7, a pair of transport rails 72 are arranged on the outside in the left-right direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and a pair of top chains 71 are arranged on the inside thereof, and a utility space 70 is provided in the center. To form.

The feed side and the return side of the top chain 71 are arranged so as to be higher than the floor surface FL. In the present embodiment, the apex of the engaging claw 73 on the return side of the top chain 71 has substantially the same height as the floor surface FL. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the top chain 71 is arranged so as to be above the floor surface FL. The utility space 70 can be used as a scaffold for cleaning and maintaining the inside of the container cleaning / dropping / drying machine W.

Further, the transport rail 72 is provided at a height substantially equal to the floor surface FL. The height of the transport surface 76 is, for example, 126 mm from the floor surface FL, and the height of the engaging claw 73 is, for example, 30 mm from the transport surface 76. Therefore, the height from the floor surface FL to the apex of the engaging claw 73 is 156 mm.

In the present embodiment, the pair of transport rails 72 are provided at the same height position from the floor surface FL, but the height position of one of the pair of transport rails may be changed. In that case, the container 1 can be transported so as to be slanted in the left-right direction, and when the container 1 described later is drip-dried, the moisture adhering to the container 1 is inclined and brought to the lower side. Therefore, the water can be removed more easily.

As shown in FIG. 11A, each of the pair of top chains 71 is provided with a pair of engaging claws 73 spaced in the left-right direction orthogonal to the transport direction. Each engaging claw 73 moves in the transport direction (see arrow c in FIG. 11) as the drive sprocket 74 of the top chain 71 rotates. In both top chains 71, the engaging claws 73 are provided so as to be aligned in a straight line in the left-right direction orthogonal to the transport direction.

As a result, the top chain 71 can place the linear bar 124 of the container 1 on the transport surface 76 and stably press it by the four engaging claws 73. The engaging claw 73 rises at a predetermined angle, for example, 90 degrees upward from the transport surface 76 of the top chain 71 on the front side in the transport direction, and has a pressing surface 731 for pressing the bar 124 of the container 1 and a rear portion in the transport direction. It is provided with an inclined surface 732 that inclines to the side.

As shown in FIG. 11B, each top chain 71 is rotationally circulated by a driven sprocket (sprocket) 77 provided on the carry-in port 4 side and a drive sprocket (sprocket) 74 provided on the carry-out port 5 side. do. As a result, the engaging claws 73 provided on the pair of top chains 71 push the bar 124 and convey it. At this time, the bar 124 is placed on the transport surface 76 of the pair of top chains 71 and is pushed by the pressing surface 731 of the engaging claw 73. Then, when the bar 124 is pushed, the container 1 is pushed through the support portion 123, and the container 1 is conveyed in the conveying direction. At this time, the bar 124 is pushed without rolling.

A carry-in guide 81 for guiding the bar 124 of the container 1 to the transport surface 76 of the top chain 71 is provided in the vicinity of the driven sprocket 77. The pair of top chains 71 are connected to a pair of drive sprockets 74 having the same drive shaft as the electric motor, and rotate at the same speed.

The carry-in guide 81 extends in the left-right direction between the pair of top chains 71 with substantially the same width as the utility space 70 in the carry-in direction. The carry-in guide 81 is formed by bending a single plate-shaped member. The carry-in guide 81 extends in the transport direction while tilting upward from a height lower than the bar 124 provided in the container 1 to a height substantially equal to the transport surface 76 of the top chain 71 in the traveling direction. And, following the inclined guide portion 82, a horizontal guide portion 83 extending in the transport direction to a position exceeding the driven sprocket 77 in the horizontal direction is provided.

In the present embodiment, the upper surface of the horizontal guide portion 83 is located above the transport surface 76 of the top chain 71 by a predetermined dimension, for example, 3 mm, and the upper surface of the horizontal guide portion 83 and the transport surface 76 of the top chain 71 are different from each other. The step 84 is formed.

As shown in FIG. 12A, the pair of transport rails 72 of the transport mechanism 7 are connected to the pair of carry-in rails 6 provided on the carry-in inlet 4 side and the pair of carry-out rails 8 provided on the carry-out port 5 side. The carry-in rail 6 and the carry-in rail 72 are connected to each other with the carry-in inlet 4 as a boundary to form a second step portion 92, which will be described later. The transport rail 72 and the carry-out rail 8 are connected with the carry-out port 5 as a boundary, and serve as a connection point between the third inclined portion 97, which will be described later, and the carry-out rail 8 which is a flat surface. The transport rail 72 is formed in the container cleaning / dropping / drying machine W from the carry-in port 4 to the carry-out port 5.

As shown in FIG. 12B, the wheel path including the carry-in rail 6, the transfer rail 72, and the carry-out rail 8 forms a plurality of stepped portions and inclined portions. FIG. 12B exaggerates the dimensions in the height direction for ease of explanation.

The carry-in rail 6 forms a first step portion 91 at the boundary with the floor surface FL. The first step portion 91 is formed by the thickness of the carry-in rail 6. For example, since one end of the carry-in rail 6 has a thickness of 3 mm, the first step portion 91 is located at a height of 3 mm from the floor surface FL. Further, the carry-in rail 6 forms a second step portion 92 at the boundary with the carry-in rail 72. One end of the transport rail 72 on the carry-in entrance 4 side of the second step portion 92 is raised above the floor surface FL, and is formed by a difference in height from the carry-in rail 6. For example, since the thickness of one end of the transport rail 72 has a thickness of 3 mm and is raised by 3 mm above the floor surface FL, the second step portion 92 has a step of 3 mm.

Further, from the second step portion 92, a first inclined portion 93 that inclines downward along the transport direction is formed. From the end of the first inclined portion 93, it becomes the first flat portion 94. The first flat portion 94 is formed through the washing zone 2 to the middle of the drip-dripping and drying zone 3. The transport rail 72 has a second inclined portion 95 that inclines upward along the transport direction from the end of the first flat portion 94, and the second inclined portion 95 has a plurality of on the upper surface of the transport rail 72. The uneven portion 720 provided with the convex portion of the above is formed. A second flat portion 96 continues from the end of the second inclined portion 95, and a third inclined portion 97 that inclines downward along the transport direction is further formed.

The third inclined portion 97 continues to the boundary of the transport rail 72 with the carry-out rail 8. Further, since the carry-out rail 8 is thick, the end portion on the downstream side forms the third step portion 98 due to the thickness. In the present embodiment, the height of the third step 98 from the floor surface FL is 3 mm. The thickness and the degree of inclination of each rail may be appropriately adjusted.

In addition, another uneven portion may be provided on the transport rail 72 at the boundary between the cleaning zone 2 and the drip-dried drying zone 3 or in the drip-dried drying zone 3. As a result, the vibration when the wheel 122 of the container 1 crosses the other uneven portion can drop and remove the rough moisture adhering to the container 1 in the cleaning zone 2.

(Washing zone)
As shown in FIG. 13, the cleaning zone 2 includes two cleaning regions 21 continuing from the carry-in inlet 4 and a rinsing region 22 continuing downstream from the cleaning region 21.

In each cleaning region 21, cleaning nozzles 201 are provided in two rows and five stages as cleaning nozzle portions 211. By these, the washing water is sprayed from the upper part 101 to the lower part 103 of the container. Further, in the rinsing region 22, a five-stage rinsing nozzle 226 is provided in the finishing water pipe 224 extending in the vertical direction as the rinsing nozzle portion 222. The rinse nozzle 226 is configured by mounting a nozzle tip in the injection hole formed in the finishing water pipe 224. By these, the finishing water is sprayed from the upper part 101 to the lower part 103 of the container.

As shown in FIG. 14, in the cleaning region 21, the lower tank 212 is provided on the lower outer shell WD below the floor surface FL, and the bottom surface of the lower tank 212 is unilaterally oriented in the left-right direction orthogonal to the transport direction. Tilt. As a result, the washing water is collected on one side of the slope, and by arranging the submersible pump 214 on the one side, the washing water can be smoothly sent to the intermediate tank 213. The lower tank 212 and the intermediate tank 213 can be manufactured, for example, by bending and welding a stainless steel plate.

Each of the cleaning regions 21 injects cleaning water from the cleaning nozzle 201 at high pressure from the left-right direction toward the center. The washing water injected into the container 1 is received by the lower tank 212, sent to the intermediate tank 213 by the submersible pump 214, and again injected from the intermediate tank 213 by the washing water pump 215 from the washing nozzle 201. As a result, the washing water is circulated and used in the washing area 21.

(Drop-free drying zone)
As shown in FIG. 15, the drip-drying zone 3 includes a plurality of drip-drying regions along the transport direction of the container 1. The washing zone 2 is provided with a preliminary drip-drying region 30, an upper drip-drying region 31, a middle drip-drying region 32, and a lower drip-drying region 33 in this order from the rinse region 22 to the downstream side. A carry-out port 5 connected to the container pool Ca, which is a non-contaminated work area, follows on the downstream side of the lower drip-removing and drying area 33 in the transport direction.

At the boundary of each region of the drip-dripping and drying zone 3, a pair of partition plates 35 are arranged at intervals on the left and right sides, which are orthogonal to the transport direction of the container 1, so that the container 1 can be transported. When the container 1 is located in each drip-drying region, the partition plate 35 suppresses the flow of air having a predetermined temperature for drip-drying the container 1 to the adjacent drip-drying region. And convection in each drip-dried dry area. Then, the moisture adhering to the container 1 can be evaporated by heat and dried by the air of a predetermined temperature convected in each drip-dried drying region.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, blowers 401 to 407 and heat exchangers 501 to 503 are provided on the ceiling of the drip-dripping and drying zone 3. The blowers 401 and 402 are connected to the heat exchanger 501 via the pipe 610, the blowers 403 and 404 are connected to the heat exchanger 502 via the pipe 610, and the blowers 405 and 406 are connected to the heat exchanger 502 via the pipe 610. It is connected to the exchanger 503. The heat exchangers 501 to 503 are connected to the drip-drying regions through openings (not shown) communicating with the drip-drying regions 31 to 33. The blower 407 is not connected to the heat exchanger, but is connected to the lower drip-dried drying region 33 via the pipe 611.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 15, a pair of wide-area air nozzles 340 are provided as the drip-removing and drying means 301 in the preliminary drip-dripping and drying region 30, and the wide-area air nozzles 340 are provided in the transport direction of the container 1 to the extent that the container 1 can be transported. Provided at intervals on the left and right sides in the direction orthogonal to. The wide area air nozzle 340 injects air from the left-right direction with respect to the transport direction of the container 1 toward the center.

The wide area air nozzle 340 is a so-called slit nozzle capable of injecting a wide range of air in a certain direction, and is arranged along substantially the vertical direction to inject air over the entire area in the vertical direction from the top to the bottom of the container 1. The wide area air nozzle 340 is arranged along the vertical direction with a slight inclination.

In the upper drip-removing and drying region 31, a pair of straight-moving air nozzles 311 and 312, which are drip-removing and drying means 302, are placed in the substantially center of the transport direction at a height of about two-thirds of the substantially rectangular transport path in the left-right direction. It is arranged on one side of the house and is provided so as to inject air toward the other side. In the present embodiment, the pair of straight-moving air nozzles 311 and 312 inject air from the right side to the left side.

The drip-removing and drying means 302 to 310 are straight-moving air nozzles 311 to 330 capable of injecting high-pressure air in a narrow range. One of the pair of straight-ahead air nozzles 311 and 312, which is the drip-removing and drying means 302, injects air diagonally upward, and the other straight-ahead air nozzle 312 has an angle smaller than that of the straight-ahead air nozzle 311. Inject air diagonally upward. For example, the straight-ahead air nozzle 311 is tilted upward by 30 to 40 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction, and the straight-ahead air nozzle 312 is tilted upward by 3 to 5 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction.

Further, the straight-moving air nozzles 319 and 320, which are the drip-removing and drying means 305, are arranged on the downstream side of the container 1 in the transport direction from the straight-moving air nozzles 311 and 312. The straight-moving air nozzles 319 and 320 are arranged between the pair of transport rails 72 in a plan view at a position higher than the ceiling portion 11 of the container 1 to be transported, and are oblique in a direction opposite to the transport direction of the container 1. It faces downward. The straight-ahead air nozzles 319 and 320 inject air toward the front side surface portion 15 and the ceiling portion 11 of the container 1 to be conveyed.

In the central drip-dried drying region 32, a pair of straight-moving air nozzles 313 and 314, which are drip-dripping and drying means 303, are arranged in the upper drip-dripping and drying region 31 at substantially the center in the transport direction, which is lower than the straight-moving air nozzles 311 and 312. It is arranged at the height position on one side of the left-right direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and is provided so as to inject air toward the other side. In the present embodiment, the pair of straight-moving air nozzles 313 and 314 inject air from the right side to the left side.

Of the pair of straight-ahead air nozzles 313 and 314, one of the straight-ahead air nozzles 313 injects air diagonally upward, and the other straight-ahead air nozzle 314 injects air diagonally downward. For example, the straight-ahead air nozzle 313 is tilted upward by 10 to 20 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction, and the straight-ahead air nozzle 314 is tilted downward by about 35 to 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction.

Further, the straight-moving air nozzles 321 and 322, which are the drip-dripping and drying means 306, are arranged on the upstream side of the container 1 from the straight-moving air nozzles 313 and 314 in the transport direction. The straight-ahead air nozzles 321 and 322 are arranged between the pair of transport rails 72 in a plan view at a position higher than the ceiling portion 11 of the container 1 to be transported, and face downward in the same direction as the transport direction of the container 1. .. The straight-ahead air nozzles 321 and 322 inject air toward the ceiling portion 11 and the rear side surface portion 15 of the container 1 to be conveyed.

Further, the straight-moving air nozzles 323 and 324, which are the drip-removing and drying means 307, are arranged on the downstream side of the container 1 from the straight-moving air nozzles 313 and 314 in the transport direction. The straight-ahead air nozzles 323 and 324 are arranged between the pair of transport rails 72 in a plan view at a position higher than the ceiling portion 11 of the container 1, and are directed diagonally downward in a direction opposite to the transport direction of the container 1. ing. The straight-ahead air nozzles 323 and 324 inject air into the ceiling portion 11 and the front side surface portion 15 of the container 1 to be conveyed.

In the lower drip-removing and drying region 33, four straight-moving air nozzles 315 to 318, which are drip-removing and drying means 304, are arranged in the substantially center of the transport direction on the other side of the left-right direction orthogonal to the transport direction across the vertical direction. However, it is provided so as to inject air toward one side. In the present embodiment, the four straight-moving air nozzles 315 to 318 inject air from the left side to the right side.

Of the four straight-moving air nozzles 315 to 318, the straight-moving air nozzle 315 is arranged at the height position of the upper portion 101 of the container, and injects air slightly upward. As a result, the straight-ahead air nozzle 315 injects air toward the lower surface of the ceiling portion 11 of the container 1. Further, the straight-ahead air nozzle 316 is arranged at the height position of the shelf 18 on the upper side of the container 1 and injects air diagonally upward. As a result, the straight-ahead air nozzle 316 injects air toward the upper shelf 18 of the container 1.

Further, the straight-ahead air nozzle 317 is arranged at the height of the shelf 19 on the lower side of the container 1 and injects air diagonally upward. As a result, the straight-ahead air nozzle 317 injects air toward the lower shelf 19 of the container 1. The straight-ahead air nozzle 318 is arranged at a height position of the bottom 12 of the container 1 and injects air diagonally downward. As a result, the straight-ahead air nozzle 318 injects air toward the upper surface of the bottom 12 of the container 1.

Further, the straight-moving air nozzles 325 and 326, which are the drip-dripping and drying means 308, are arranged on the upstream side of the container 1 from the four straight-moving air nozzles 315 to 318 in the transport direction. The straight-ahead air nozzles 325 and 326 are arranged between the pair of transport rails 72 in a plan view at a position higher than the ceiling portion 11 of the container 1, and are directed downward in the same direction as the transport direction of the container 1.

The straight-ahead air nozzles 325 and 326 inject air toward the ceiling portion 11 and the rear side surface portion 15 of the container 1 to be conveyed. As a result, the drip-dripping and drying means 308 acts as an accelerating means for pushing the container 1 in the transport direction by injecting air having a predetermined temperature.

Further, a pair of straight-moving air nozzles 327 and 328, which are drip-removing and drying means 309, are arranged between the pair of transport rails 72 in a plan view at a position lower than the bottom 12 of the container 1 to be transported, and are directed upward. There is. As a result, the straight-ahead air nozzles 327 and 328 inject air onto the lower surface of the bottom 12 of the container 1.

Further, a pair of straight-moving air nozzles 329 and 330, which are drip-removing and drying means 310, are arranged on both sides in the left-right direction orthogonal to the transport direction at a height position similar to that of the caster 121 of the container 1, respectively, in a substantially horizontal direction. Turn to. As a result, the straight-ahead air nozzles 329 and 330 inject air toward the casters 121.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 15, the drip-drying means 301 is connected to the blower 401, the drip-drying means 302 is connected to the blower 402, the drip-drying means 303 is connected to the blower 404, and the drip-drying means is connected. 304 is connected to the blower 406, the drop drying means 305 and 306 are connected to the blower 403, the drop drying means 307 and 308 are connected to the blower 405, and the drop drying means 309 and 310 are connected to the blower 407.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 15 and 16, the blowers 401 and 402 are connected to the heat exchanger 501, and the drip-dripping and drying means 301 and 302 inject air heated to a predetermined temperature. The blowers 403 and 404 are connected to the heat exchanger 502, and air heated to a predetermined temperature is ejected from the drip-dripping and drying means 303, 305 and 306. The blowers 405 and 406 are connected to the heat exchanger 503, and air heated to a predetermined temperature is ejected from the drip-dripping and drying means 304, 307 and 308. The air ejected from the drip-dripping and drying means 301 to 308 is heated by the heat exchangers 501 to 503 to a predetermined temperature, for example, about 80 degrees Celsius.

The blower 407 is not connected to the heat exchanger, and the air ejected from the drip-drying means 309 and 310 is at a temperature lower than the predetermined temperature of the air ejected from the other drip-drying means 301 to 308, for example, 70. The degree is C. The air having a temperature lower than the predetermined temperature ejected from the drip-dripping and drying means 309 and 310 includes air at substantially room temperature flowing in from the carry-out port 5 and a predetermined temperature ejected from the drip-dripping and drying means 304 and 308, for example, 80 ° C. By mixing with the air of the above, the temperature becomes lower than the air of the predetermined temperature jetted from the drip-dripping and drying means 301 to 308.

The drip-dripping and drying means 301 to 310 include at least one air nozzle of a wide area air nozzle and a straight-ahead air nozzle, and for example, one straight-ahead air nozzle may constitute one drip-dripping and drying means. Further, the drip-drying means 301 to 310 may be connected to at least one blower and may not be connected to the heat exchanger.

As shown in FIG. 17, the centralized air nozzle member 300 includes an outer cylinder 399 forming a cylindrical outer circumference, a tsuno member 398 arranged in the center of the outer cylinder 399, and a plurality of tsuno members 398 arranged around the outer cylinder 398. It is equipped with an inner cylinder 397. In the centralized air nozzle member 300, a plurality of inner cylinders 397 are closely arranged around the horn member 398, and the outer cylinder 399 is fitted so as to surround the plurality of inner cylinders 397. In the present embodiment, the weapon member 398 has a circular cross section whose diameter decreases toward the tip of both ends. Further, six inner cylinders 397 are provided around the horn member 398. The centralized air nozzle member 300 can be manufactured in various sizes with a similar structure.

In the present embodiment, the centralized air nozzle member 300 is attached to the tips of the straight-moving air nozzles 311 to 314 which are the drip-removing and drying means 302 and 303. The centralized air nozzle member 300 may also be attached to other straight-moving air nozzles 315 to 330.

When air is sent from the blowers 402 and 404 to the straight-ahead air nozzles 311 to 314, inside the centralized air nozzle member 300 attached to the tips of the straight-ahead air nozzles 311 to 314, the tip of the horn member 398 of the centralized air nozzle member 300 The hit air spreads around and is smoothly sent to the inner cylinder 397. The air that has passed through the inner cylinder 397 has a negative pressure near the tip of the horn member 398 on the outlet side, and the air that has come out of the inner cylinder 397 is brought to the center. This makes it possible to impart straightness to the air injected from the centralized air nozzle member 300.

(Movement of container in container washing / dropping / drying machine)
Next, after the container 1 is carried into the container washing / dropping / removing dryer W, the container 1 is drip-dried and dried by blowing air at a predetermined temperature after washing with washing water and rinsing with finishing water. , A series of operations from the container cleaning / dropping / removing dryer W to the removal of the container 1 will be described. The operation of the submersible pump 214 of the cleaning zone 2, the cleaning water pump 215, the blowers 401 to 407 of the drip-dripping and drying zone 3, the top chain 71 of the transport mechanism 7, the heat exchangers 501 to 503, etc. is controlled by the control panel G. do.

(Delivery of container to container cleaning / dropping dryer)
As shown in FIG. 18, the container 1 is carried into the container washing / dropping / drying machine W from the carry-in inlet 4. A plurality of containers 1 are sequentially carried into the container washing / dropping / removing dryer W from the carry-in inlet 4 at predetermined intervals in the carrying direction, and are continuously washed, dropped / dried, and carried out from the carry-out port 5. Will be done. That is, the container washing / dropping / drying machine W cleans and drops / dries the container 1 by a so-called continuous treatment.

The operation of the container 1 in the vicinity of the carry-in entrance 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20.

As a general rule, the operator moves the container 1 and places the wheels 122 of the container 1 on the pair of carry-in rails 6 and pushes the wheels 122 of the container 1 from the pair of carry-in rails 6 to the pair of transport rails. Transfer to 72, and carry the container 1 into the container washing / dropping / drying machine W from the carry-in inlet 4.

The bar 124 supported by the pair of support portions 123 provided on the bottom portion 12 of the carried-in container 1 rides on the upper surface of the carry-in guide 81 and rolls on the upper surface of the carry-in guide 81 in the transport direction (clockwise in FIG. 20). ), Drops from the stage 84, and is placed on the transport surface 76 of the top chain 71. The bar 124 rolls (counterclockwise in FIG. 20) while being placed on the transport surface 76 of the top chain 71, and makes the container 1 stand by.

Then, the engaging claw 73 provided on the transport surface 76 of the driving top chain 71 engages with the bar 124 of the standby container 1, and pushes the bar 124 in the transport direction to push the container 1 in the transport direction. Transport to. At this time, the wheels 122 of the container 1 are guided by the transport rail 72 extending in a straight line, and the container 1 is conveyed in the transport direction along the transport rail 72 by the transport mechanism 7.

The state of FIG. 19A is a state in which the operator pushes the container 1 and partially carries the container 1 into the carry-in inlet 4 of the container washing / dropping / drying dryer W. The bar 124 is located at the position A in FIG. 20 and is in contact with the bottom 171 of the elongated hole 125 provided in the support portion 123. The distance HA between the upper side 172 of the elongated hole 125, which is the lower surface of the bottom portion 12 of the container 1, and the upper end of the bar 124 is, for example, about 47 mm. The bar 124 moves back and forth in the transport direction in the elongated hole 125.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 19A, the front wheel 122 of the container 1 exceeds the first and second step portions 91 and 92, and becomes the first inclined portion 93 and the first flat portion 94. Located on the border of. The rear wheel 122 is located in front of the first step 91.

While the operator further pushes the container 1 and the bar 124 moves from the position A to the position B in FIG. 20, the bar 124 comes into contact with the inclined guide portion 82 of the carry-in guide 81. Since the bar 124 can move up and down and roll freely in the elongated holes 125 provided in the pair of support portions 123, the bar 124 abuts on the tilt guide 82 and rides on the tilt guide 82 while rolling to the horizontal guide. It advances in the transport direction while rolling (clockwise in FIG. 20) on the upper surface of the portion 83.

The state of FIG. 19B is a state when the operator further pushes the container 1 to advance in the transport direction and the bar 124 advances to the position B of FIG. The bar 124 advances in the transport direction while rolling (clockwise in FIG. 20) on the upper surface of the horizontal guide portion 83 of the carry-in guide 81 in the transport direction. Further, the bar 124 moves upward away from the bottom 171 of the long hole 125 having the support portion 123, and is the upper side 172 of the long hole 125 which is the lower surface of the bottom 12 of the container 1 and the upper end of the bar 124. The distance HB to and from is smaller than the distance HA, for example, about 32 mm.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 19B, the front wheel 122 of the container 1 is located on the first flat portion 94 beyond the first inclined portion 93. The rear wheel 122 is located between the first step 91 and the second step 92.

The carry-in guide 81 may be provided with a resin material at a position where the bar 124 abuts. In that case, when the operator pushes the container 1 vigorously to carry in the container 1, the bar 124 abuts on the inclined guide portion 82 of the carry-in guide 81, or the bar 124 rolls on the horizontal guide portion 83 of the carry-in guide 81. It is possible to prevent the bar 124 from being damaged by rubbing and moving without moving.

The state of FIG. 19C is a state when the operator further pushes the container 1 to advance in the transport direction and the bar 124 advances to the position C in FIG. 20. While the bar 124 moves from the position B to the position C in FIG. 20, the bar 124 is pushed by the rear side side 173 of the elongated hole 125 of the support portion 123, and the horizontal guide portion 83 of the carry-in guide 81 is pushed. The step 84 will fall from the upper surface to the transport surface 76 of the top chain 71. Further, at this time, a falling sound is generated due to the falling of the bar 124. As will be described later, the falling sound of the bar 124 can be a signal to stop the operator from pushing the container 1.

Then, by stopping the operator from pushing the container 1 by a signal, the bar 124 rolls (counterclockwise in FIG. 20) in a state of being placed on the transport surface 76 of the top chain 71 driven in the transport direction. It will be turned). Further, the bar 124 moves upward away from the bottom 171 of the elongated hole 125 having the support portion 123, and is the upper side 172 of the elongated hole 125 which is the lower surface of the bottom portion 12 of the container 1 and the upper end of the bar 124. The distance HC from and to is, for example, about 35 mm. Then, the bar 124 keeps rolling to release the drive of the top chain 71, and makes the container 1 stand by until the engaging claw 73 provided on the transport surface 76 of the top chain 71 engages with the bar 124.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 19C, the wheel 122 on the rear side of the container 1 is located in front of the second step portion 92. Here, when the operator pushes the container 1, the rear wheel 122 rests on the second step 92, and therefore tries to get over the second step 92, so that there is resistance to the feeling of pushing the container 1. The resistance of the feeling of pushing the container 1 can be a signal to stop the operator from pushing the container 1 together with the falling sound of the bar 124.

Even after the operator has given a signal to stop pushing the container 1, the bar 124 may be moved by pushing the container 1 further, and the bar 124 may be positioned downstream of the position C in FIG. 20 in the transport direction to stand by. good.

The state of FIG. 19D is a state when the engaging claw 73 provided on the transport surface 76 of the driving top chain 71 engages with the bar 124 and the bar 124 advances to the position D in FIG. 20. be. As described above, the bar 124 is dropped and placed on the transport surface 76 of the top chain 71 from the upper surface of the horizontal guide portion 83 of the carry-in guide 81, so that the bar 124 is engaged by the engaging claw 73. It is placed in a position where it can be.

Then, the bar 124 with which the engaging claw 73 is engaged abuts on the front side side 174 of the elongated hole 125. As a result, the bar 124 is engaged with the engaging claw 73 and pushed by the pressing surface 731, abuts on the front side side 174 of the elongated hole 125, pushes the container 1 through the support portion 123, and pushes the container 1. Transport in the transport direction. At this time, the distance HD between the upper side 172 of the elongated hole 125, which is the lower surface of the bottom portion 12 of the container 1, and the upper end of the bar 124 is the same as the distance HC, and is, for example, about 35 mm.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 19D, the front wheel 122 of the container 1 is located on the first flat portion 94. Then, the rear wheel 122 crosses the second step portion 92 and reaches the first inclined portion 93.

In the state of FIG. 19C, when the bar 124 drops the step 84 from the upper surface of the horizontal guide portion 83 of the carry-in guide 81 to the transport surface 76 of the top chain 71, the bar 124 comes into contact with the transport surface 76. There is a falling sound. Further, since the rear wheel 122 rests on the second step portion 92, there is resistance to the feeling of pushing the container 1. When the operator stops pushing the container 1 with the falling sound and the resistance as a signal, the bar 124 is placed on the transport surface 76 and becomes a position where the bar 124 is engaged with the engaging claw 73. That is, the timing at which the operator stops pushing the container 1 can be confirmed by sound and feel, and the container 1 can be made to stand by at the optimum position.

At that time, since the rear wheel 122 rests on the second step portion 92, it is possible to prevent the container 1 from moving forward. As a result, it is possible to prevent the container 1 that the worker pushes and tries to carry in from colliding with the container 1 that is carried in first and is being carried.

As described above, the operator places the container 1 in a predetermined position, in the present embodiment, the position where the bar 124 makes a falling sound, and the wheel 122 on the rear side of the container 1 comes in front of the second step portion 92. By moving to, the container 1 can be made to stand by while being suppressed from moving forward. Then, after the engaging claw 73 provided on the transport surface 76 of the driving top chain 71 is engaged with the bar 124 with respect to the standby container 1, the second stage is attached to the wheel 122 on the rear side of the container 1. The container 1 can be transported in the transport direction by overcoming the portion 92.

Explaining the rolling state of the bar 124 and the wheels 122 until the container 1 is carried in and transported, the bar 124 rolls (clockwise in FIG. 19) when the container 1 is carried in from the carry-in inlet 4. , Wheel 122 rolls (clockwise in FIG. 19). Next, when the container 1 is on standby, the bar 124 rolls (counterclockwise in FIG. 19) and the wheels 122 are stationary. Then, when the transportation of the container 1 is started, the bar 124 comes to rest and the wheels 122 roll (clockwise in FIG. 19).

It should be noted that the position where the operator stops pushing the container 1 can be known even when the side surface portion 15 on the rear side in the transport direction of the container 1 and the surface of the carry-in inlet 4 substantially coincide with each other in the transport direction. You may do it.

By making the bar 124 movable up and down in the elongated hole 125, regardless of changes in the height position of the top chain 71 and the distance between the lower surface of the bottom 12 of the container 1 and the floor surface FL, etc. In a state where the container 1 is carried in and the bar 124 is placed on the transport surface 76 of the top chain 71, the engaging claw 73 can be engaged with the bar 124 to transport the container 1. As a result, the bar 124 of the container 1 can be engaged with the engaging claw 73 to convey the container 1 without being affected by the dimensional error at the time of manufacturing the container 1.

In the present embodiment, since the engaging claws 73 are provided on the conveying surface 76 of the top chain 71 at predetermined intervals in the conveying direction of the container 1, for example, at a pitch of 2 m, the container in which the bar 124 is engaged with the engaging claws 73 is provided. 1 is transported at substantially equal intervals at intervals of 2 m.

Next, using FIG. 21, when the container 1 is carried in from the carry-in entrance 4, the engaging claw 73 has passed the step 84 of the horizontal guide portion 83 of the carry-in guide 81, but the engaging claw 73 is still present. A case where the operator pushes the container 1 in the transport direction to engage the bar 124 with the passing engaging claw 73 in the vicinity of the step 84 of the horizontal guide portion 83 will be described. At positions F, G, and H in FIG. 21, the support portion 123 is omitted for easy viewing.

As shown in FIG. 21, the container 1 is pushed by the operator at a speed higher than that of the top chain 71 until the bar 124 comes to the position E of FIG. 21 which is in front of the upstream side of the engaging claw 73 in the transport direction. To move. At this time, the container 1 moves the container 1 further into the position than the position where the worker stops pushing the container 1 by a signal.

The operator further pushes the container 1 to move it on the transport surface 76 of the top chain 71 driven in the direction of the arrow c. The bar 124 is pushed while abutting on the rear side side 173 of the elongated hole 125 provided in the support portion 123. Further, since the bar 124 is placed on the transport surface 76, the bar 124 is located above the bottom side 171 of the elongated hole 125 held in the support portion 123, and the distance HE from the upper end of the bar 124 to the upper side 172 of the elongated hole 125 is set. For example, it is about 35 mm.

After that, when the operator further pushes the container 1 at a speed faster than that of the top chain 71, the bar 124 that can be moved up and down is pushed while abutting on the rear side side 173 of the elongated hole 125, and is pushed at the position of FIG. 21. As shown in F, the engaging claw 73 moves while rolling diagonally upward on the inclined surface 732 of the engaging claw 73. Further, since the bar 124 is placed on the inclined surface 732 of the engaging claw 73, the distance HF from the upper end of the bar 124 to the upper side 172 of the elongated hole 125 is such that the bar 124 has the inclined surface 732 of the engaging claw 73. It becomes smaller as it moves while rolling diagonally upward (clockwise in FIG. 21).

Then, when the operator further pushes the container 1 at a speed higher than that of the top chain 71, the bar 124 is pushed while abutting on the rear side side 173 of the elongated hole 125, and the bar 124 is the position G in FIG. , Reach the apex 733 of the engaging claw 73. The bar 124 is located above the bottom 171 of the elongated hole 125, and the distance HG from the upper end of the bar 124 to the upper side 172 of the elongated hole 125 is, for example, 5 mm. Even when the bar 124 is placed on the apex portion 733 of the engaging claw 73, a gap is formed between the upper end of the bar 124 and the upper side 172 of the elongated hole 125.

After that, when the operator further pushes the container 1 at a speed higher than that of the top chain 71, the bar 124 that has passed over the apex portion 733 of the engaging claw 73 falls to the transport surface 76 as shown at the position H in FIG. .. Further, at this time, a falling sound is generated due to the falling of the bar 124. The falling sound of the bar 124 can be a signal to stop the operator from pushing the container 1. After that, the pressing surface 731 of the engaging claw 73 provided on the transport surface 76 of the driven top chain 71 abuts on the bar 124 and engages with the bar 124. The bar 124 with which the engaging claw 73 is engaged abuts on the front side side 174 of the elongated hole 125. As a result, the bar 124 is engaged with and pushed by the engaging claw 73, abuts on the front side side 174 of the elongated hole 125, pushes the container 1 through the support portion 123, and moves the container 1 in the transport direction. Transport. At this time, the distance HH between the upper side 172 of the elongated hole 125, which is the lower surface of the bottom portion 12 of the container 1, and the upper end of the bar 124 is the same as the distance HC in FIG. 20, and is, for example, about 35 mm.

As described above, even if the engaging claw 73 passes by without engaging with the bar 124 and the container 1 sequentially conveyed in the container cleaning / dropping / drying machine W becomes empty, the work is performed. A person can push and move the container 1 at a speed faster than that of the top chain 71, and engage the bar 124 with the passing engaging claw 73 to convey the container 1. By doing so, the container 1 can be conveyed by engaging the bar 124 with the engaging claw 73 that has passed by without engaging the bar 124.

Further, even when the bar 124 is placed on the apex portion 733 of the engaging claw 73, the upper side 172 of the elongated hole 125 and the upper end of the bar 124 form a predetermined distance, for example, a distance of 5 mm. As a result, the bar 124 can get over the engaging claw 73 without contacting the bottom portion 12 of the container 1. That is, the apex portion 733 of the engaging claw 73 is configured such that the distance from the upper side 172 formed by the lower surface of the bottom portion 12 of the container 1 is larger than the diameter of the bar 124.

Further, the predetermined interval in the transport direction of the engaging claws 73 provided on the transport surface 76 of the top chain 71 is the length in the transport direction of the container 1 and the container cleaning / dropping / drying machine W cleans the container 1 per hour. , It is set according to the ability to drip and dry. Therefore, by engaging the bar 124 with the engaging claw 73 that has passed without engaging with the bar 124 and transporting the container 1, the container 1 of the container washing / dropping / drying machine W is transferred per hour. It is possible to demonstrate the ability to wash with and drip dry without waste.

(Washing of container by washing zone)
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 13, the container 1 carried in from the carry-in inlet 4 is removed from the dirt adhering to the container 1 with washing water mixed with detergent in the washing area 21 of the washing zone 2. In the rinse area 22, rinse with finish water, which is tap water. Therefore, when the container 1 leaves the washing zone 2, the washing water is substantially discharged and is conveyed to the drip-removing drying zone 3 in a state where water mainly composed of finishing water is attached.

In the cleaning region 21, the high-temperature steam supplied from the boiler 216 is blown into the cleaning water stored in the intermediate tank 213 to heat it to a predetermined temperature, for example, about 50 degrees Celsius. Then, the washing water heated to a predetermined temperature is sent from the intermediate tank 213 to the washing nozzle portion 211 by the washing water pump 215, and the washing water is injected into the container 1. The container 1 can be heated by washing the container 1 with washing water having a predetermined temperature.

Further, in the rinsing region 22, the high-temperature steam supplied from the boiler 216 by the mixing valve 225 is mixed with the finishing water and heated to a predetermined temperature, for example, 80 ° C. The container 1 can be further heated by injecting the finishing water heated to a predetermined temperature onto the container 1 and rinsing the container 1 with the finishing water. By heating the container 1 in the washing area 21 and the rinsing area 22, it is possible to promote the drip-drying of the moisture adhering to the container 1 by the drip-drip-drying zone 3 described later.

(Drip removal and drying of the container by the drip-drying dry zone)
As shown in FIG. 3, the heat exchangers 501 to 503 are transported from the drip-removing and drying means 301 to 308 while the container 1 that has been washed and rinsed in the cleaning zone 2 is transported by the transport mechanism 7 in the drip-removing and drying zone 3. Injects air at a predetermined temperature heated by, for example, 80 degrees Celsius. Then, the moisture adhering to the container 1 is drip-dried by wind pressure by the air of a predetermined temperature jetted from the drip-dropping and drying means 301 to 308 into the container 1, and dried by heat. Further, since the drip-removing and drying means 309 and 310 are not connected to the heat exchanger, air having a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature, for example, 70 ° C. C is jetted, and the moisture adhering to the container 1 is drip-dried by wind pressure. It is dried by heat. As a result, the drip-removing and drying means 301 to 310 remove the moisture adhering to the container 1.

As shown in FIG. 22 (A), with respect to the container 1 passing through the preliminary drip-dried drying region 30, the pair of wide-area air nozzles 340, which are the drip-dripping and drying means 301, are containers from the left-right direction to the center with respect to the transport direction. Air of a predetermined temperature is injected over the entire area from the top to the bottom of 1. As a result, the water adhering to the container 1 can be roughly removed from the upper portion 101, the middle portion 102, and the lower portion 103 of the container. Further, the portion of the container 1 exposed to air at a predetermined temperature is heated.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, in the preliminary drip-dripping / drying region 30, the upper portion of the pair of wide-area air nozzles 340 is tilted toward the carry-in inlet 4 in the transport direction. As a result, in the preliminary drip-removal drying region 30, air of a predetermined temperature is jetted from the upper portion 101 of the container to be conveyed to the lower portion 103 of the container in order according to the drop of the moisture adhering to the container 1, and the air is removed by wind pressure. It can be dropped and dried by heat.

Further, the portion of the container 1 exposed to air at a predetermined temperature can be heated to enhance the drip-drying effect in the drip-drying regions 31 to 33 in the subsequent stage. Further, since the container 1 is heated and the temperature rises, the moisture adhering to the container 1 can be evaporated and dried even while the air having a predetermined temperature is not injected toward the container 1. ..

As shown in FIG. 22B, one of the pair of straight-moving air nozzles 311 and 312, which is the drip-dripping and drying means 302, has the straight-moving air nozzle 311 with respect to the container 1 passing through the upper drip-dried drying region 31. , Air of a predetermined temperature is jetted diagonally upward from the right side in the transport direction of the container 1 toward the lower surface of the ceiling portion 11 of the container 1. Further, the other straight-ahead air nozzle 312 injects air having a predetermined temperature diagonally upward from the right side in the transport direction of the container 1 toward the upper shelf 18 of the container 1. As a result, the moisture adhering to the lower surface and the upper shelf 18 of the ceiling portion 11 can be blown off to the left side in the transport direction of the container 1 by the wind pressure of air at a predetermined temperature to be removed and dried by heat.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the pair of straight-moving air nozzles 319 and 320, which are the drip-dripping and drying means 305, are the front side surface portions of the container 1 from the front with respect to the container 1 passing through the upper drip-dripping and drying region 31. Air at a predetermined temperature is injected toward the 15 and the ceiling portion 11. As a result, the moisture adhering to the front side surface portion 15 in the transport direction of the container 1 and the upper surface portion of the ceiling portion 11 of the container 1 is blown off by the wind pressure of air at a predetermined temperature to remove drops, and the moisture is dried by heat. Can be done.

In the upper drip-dried drying region 31, it is possible to heat a portion of the container 1 exposed to air at a predetermined temperature to enhance the drip-drying effect in the middle drip-drying region 32 and the lower drip-drying region 33 in the subsequent stage. .. Further, since the container is heated and the temperature rises, the moisture adhering to the container can be evaporated and dried even while the air having a predetermined temperature is not injected toward the container.

As shown in FIG. 22 (C), with respect to the container 1 passing through the central drip-dried drying region 32, the pair of straight-moving air nozzles 313 and 314, which are the drip-dripping and drying means 303, is a container. Air having a predetermined temperature is jetted diagonally upward from the right side in the transport direction of 1 toward the lower shelf 19 of the container 1. Further, the other straight-ahead air nozzle 314 of the pair of straight-ahead air nozzles 313 and 314, which are the drip-removing and drying means 303, injects air having a predetermined temperature diagonally downward from the right side toward the upper surface of the bottom portion 12 of the container 1. .. As a result, the moisture adhering to the upper surface of the lower shelf 19 and the bottom 12 of the container 1 can be blown off to the left side in the transport direction of the container 1 by the wind pressure of air at a predetermined temperature to be removed and dried by heat. can.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15, with respect to the container 1 passing through the central drip-dried drying region 32, the pair of straight-moving air nozzles 321 and 322, which are the drip-dripping and drying means 306, are the rear side surfaces of the container 1 from the rear. Air at a predetermined temperature is injected toward the portion 15 and the ceiling portion 11. Further, the pair of straight-moving air nozzles 323 and 324, which are the drip-removing and drying means 307, inject air having a predetermined temperature from the front toward the front side surface portion 15 of the container 1 and the ceiling portion 11 of the container.

As a result, the moisture adhering to the upper surface of the ceiling portion 11 of the container 1 and the front side surface portion 15 and the rear side side surface portion 15 in the transport direction of the container 1 is blown off by the wind pressure of air at a predetermined temperature. It can be dropped and dried by heat.

In the middle drip-drying region 32, the portion of the container 1 exposed to air at a predetermined temperature can be heated to enhance the drip-drying effect in the lower drip-drying region 33 in the subsequent stage. Further, since the container is heated and the temperature rises, the moisture adhering to the container can be evaporated and dried even while the air having a predetermined temperature is not injected toward the container.

In the upper drip-dried drying area 31 and the middle drip-dried drying area 32, in order, a straight-ahead air nozzle 311 to the entire area of the ceiling portion 11, the upper shelf 18, the lower shelf 19, and the bottom portion 12 of the container 1 Air is injected by 314. Only the straight-ahead air nozzles 311 and 312 are connected to one blower 402, and only the straight-ahead air nozzles 313 and 314 are connected to one blower 404. Therefore, more concentrated air can be sprayed, and the moisture adhering to the container 1 can be more effectively attracted from one side to the other. In the present embodiment, the straight-ahead air nozzles 311 to 314 can inject air from the right side to more effectively attract moisture to the left side.

As shown in FIG. 22 (D), the drip-removing drying means 304 is provided on the left side in the transport direction of the container 1 with respect to the container 1 passing through the lower drip-dripping and drying region 33, and the lower drip-dripping and drying region 33 is provided. Air having a predetermined temperature is injected into the container 1 from the left side to the right side in the transport direction of the passing container 1.

Then, of the four straight-moving air nozzles 315 to 318, which are the drip-removing and drying means 304, the straight-moving air nozzle 315 injects air having a predetermined temperature diagonally upward toward the vicinity of the ceiling portion 11 of the container 1. The straight-ahead air nozzle 316 injects air having a predetermined temperature diagonally upward toward a height position near the shelf 18 on the upper side of the container 1. The straight-ahead air nozzle 317 injects air having a predetermined temperature diagonally upward toward the vicinity of the lower shelf 19 of the container 1. The straight-ahead air nozzle 318 injects air having a predetermined temperature diagonally downward toward the bottom 12 of the container 1.

Then, the straight-moving air nozzles 315 to 318, which are the drip-removing and drying means 304, can inject air over the entire vertical direction of the storage portion 17 of the container 1.

In the upper drip-drying region 31 and the middle drip-drying region 32, the moisture brought to the left side in the transport direction of the container 1 by the drip-drying means 302 and 303 is collected by the drip-drying means 304 in the lower drip-drying region 33. By injecting air having a predetermined temperature from the left side to the right side in the transport direction of the container 1 to the container 1, the moisture can be removed by the wind pressure and the moisture adhering to the container 1 can be dried by the heat.

Further, the pair of straight-moving air nozzles 327 and 328, which are the drip-removing and drying means 309, have air having a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature, for example, 70 ° C., from the lower side of the bottom portion 12 of the container 1 toward the lower surface of the bottom portion 12. Is sprayed. As a result, the lower surface of the bottom 12 of the container 1 is drip-dried and dried.

Further, the pair of straight-moving air nozzles 329 and 330, which are the drip-removing and drying means 310, are lower than a predetermined temperature from the left and right sides of the container 1 in the transport direction toward the vicinity of the caster 121 from the positions corresponding to the lower portion 103 of the container, respectively. Inject hot air. As a result, the pair of straight-moving air nozzles 329 and 330 drip-dry the area around the caster 121. Since the drip-removing and drying means 309 and 310 are not connected to the heat exchanger and inject air at a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature, casters made of rubber, resin, or the like, which are relatively heat-sensitive in the container 1, are used as materials. Deterioration due to heat of 121, particularly wheels 122 and the like can be suppressed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the pair of straight-moving air nozzles 325 and 326, which are the drip-dripping and drying means 308, are the rear side surfaces of the container 1 from the rear with respect to the container 1 passing through the lower drip-dripping and drying region 33. Air at a predetermined temperature is injected toward the portion 15 and the ceiling portion 11. As a result, the moisture adhering to the side surface portion 15 and the ceiling portion 11 on the rear side of the container 1 can be drip-dried and dried. Further, the container 1 receives the air of a predetermined temperature ejected from the rear by the drip-dripping and drying means 308, and accelerates forward in the transport direction. As a result, the container 1 leaves the engaging claw 73 and precedes the front in the transport direction, but the details will be described later.

Similar to the drip-drying means 308, the drip-drying means 306 injects air having a predetermined temperature from the rear toward the side surface portion 15 and the ceiling portion 11 on the rear side of the container 1. However, for the container 1 receiving the air jet from the drip-drying means 306, the drip-drying means 307 has a predetermined temperature from the front toward the front side surface portion 15 and the ceiling portion 11 of the container 1. Since the air is injected, the forces received by the air ejected from the drip-drying means 306 and the drip-drying means 307 are balanced, and the container does not accelerate forward.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a front door portion 161 and a rear door portion 162 are provided on both end sides of the side surface portions 15 on the front side and the rear side of the container 1. In FIGS. 22 (A) to 22 (D), the front door portion 161 on the left side in the left-right direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the container 1 is the left side of the wide area air nozzle 340 of the preliminary drip-dried drying region 30. The distance between the lower drip-dried drying region 33 and the straight-moving air nozzles 315 to 318 is short.

In addition, the front door portion 161 on the right side in the left-right direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the container 1 is a straight-ahead air nozzle on the right side of the wide area air nozzle 340 of the preliminary drip-dried drying region 30 and the upper drip-dried drying region 31. The distance between 311 and 312 and the straight-ahead air nozzles 313 and 314 of the central drip-dripping and drying region 32 is short. Therefore, the wind pressure of the injected air at a predetermined temperature is unlikely to be attenuated, and the temperature is unlikely to decrease. Therefore, the front door portions 161 on both sides in the left-right direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the container 1 are relatively drip-dried and dried. Cheap. Further, the rear door portion 162 on both sides in the left-right direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the container 1 is also easy to drip-dry.

(Transportation of container from container cleaning / dropping dryer)
As shown in FIG. 23, the container 1 is carried out from the container washing / dropping / drying machine W via the carry-out port 5. The plurality of containers 1 sequentially carried in from the carry-in inlet 4 at predetermined intervals are continuously washed, drip-dried and dried, and then sequentially carried out from the carry-out port 5.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 23 (A), the bar 124 of the container 1 is pushed on the transport surface 76 by the engaging claw 73 and proceeds. At this time, the front wheel 122 reaches the carry-out rail 8, and the rear wheel 122 advances in the transport direction through the third inclined portion 97 that inclines downward.

Then, as shown in FIG. 23 (B), the bar 124 of the container 1 reaches the end of the top chain 71. At this time, the rear wheel 122 advances in the transport direction through the third inclined portion 97. At the end of the top chain 71, the engaging claw 73 rotates along with the rotation of the drive sprocket 74. At this time, the engaging claw 73 can push the bar 124 of the container 1 forward by the pressing surface 731 of the engaging claw 73 against the top chain 71.

Next, as shown in FIG. 23C, since the bar 124 of the container 1 is not pressed when it is separated from the engaging claw 73, the container 1 pushes the engaging claw 73 to release the bar 124 of the container 1. Due to the pressure, it coasts slightly in the transport direction and then stops. At this time, the bar 124 abuts on the bottom 171 of the elongated hole 125 of the support portion 123.

Further, at this time, since the front wheel 122 exceeds the third step portion 98 and the rear wheel 122 is placed on the third inclined portion 97, the container 1 is dripping and drying in the rear in the transport direction. It is possible to suppress the return to zone 3. It should be noted that, on the outside of the carry-out port 5, an uneven portion similar to the uneven portion 720 may be provided in the path of the wheel 122 so that the container 1 does not advance too much due to inertia.

(Regarding container transport speed and drip-drying in the drip-drying zone)
With reference to FIGS. 24 (A) to 24 (E), the transport of the container 1 from the vicinity of the upper drip-dried drying region 31 to the vicinity of the lower drip-dried drying region 33, and the drip-drying will be described. The containers 1001, 2001, 3001, 4001, and 5001 are transported by engaging the engaging claws 73 provided on the transport surface 76 of the top chain 71 with the bars 124 of the respective containers 1 and driving the top chain 71. To.

Since the top chain 71 is driven by an electric motor that is a drive source, the speed at which the top chain 71 is driven is switched between high-speed drive and low-speed drive by an inverter that controls the electric motor. Then, the high-speed drive and the low-speed drive are set to a predetermined cycle, for example, the high-speed drive is set to 20 seconds and the low-speed drive is set to 40 seconds, and the one cycle is repeated.

When the bar 124 is pushed and conveyed by the engaging claw 73 of the top chain 71, the container 1 moves at high speed when the top chain 71 is driven at high speed and moves at low speed when driven at low speed. Further, when the container 1 receives the air injected from the dripping / drying means 308, which is an accelerating means, on the side surface portion 15 on the rear side of the container 1, the bar 124 accelerates and the bar 124 is separated from the engaging claw 73 in the transport direction. Go ahead of. In FIG. 24, the top chain 71 is omitted for the sake of clarity.

In FIG. 24A, the top chain 71 is driven at high speed, and the containers 1001, 2001, 3001, and 4001 are moving at high speed. At this time, since the bars 1124, 2124, 3124, and 4124 are engaged with the engaging claws 73 provided in the containers 1001, 2001, 3001, and 4001 and conveyed, the containers 1001, 2001, 3001, and 4001 of the containers 1001, 2001, 3001, and 4001 are conveyed. The interval is equal to the interval of the engaging claws 73, and is a predetermined interval, for example, an interval s which is an interval of 2 m. Further, the wheel 1122 on the rear side of the container 1001 that has been drip-dried and dried is located at a position past the uneven portion 720 that is the deceleration means.

Further, the drip-dripping and drying means 302, 303, 304, 309, 310 are generally located near the front ends of the front door portions 4161, 3161, 2161 of the containers 4001, 3001, 2001 that move at high speed, and air at a predetermined temperature. I'm spraying.

Further, as described above, the front door portions 2161, 3161, 4161 and the rear door portions 2162, 3162, 4162 mounted on both sides in the left-right direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the containers 2001, 3001 and 4001 are relatively excluded. Easy to drop dry.

When the front door portions 2161, 3161, 4161 and the like, which are relatively easy to drip dry, are drip-dried, even if the containers 2001, 3001 and 4001 are moved at high speed, the drip-drying can be sufficiently performed. , 3001 and 4001 can be reduced in time required for drip-drying.

At this time, the drip-removing and drying means 308 generally injects air having a predetermined temperature into the side surface portion 2015 and the ceiling 2011 on the rear side of the container 2001. As a result, the container 2001 is pushed from the rear and further accelerates from the high-speed movement, the bar 2124 separates from the engaging claw 73, and starts the transition to the preceding movement in which the bar 2124 moves at a speed faster than the high-speed movement. That is, the drip-dripping and drying means 308 also acts as an accelerating means. When the container 2001 accelerates and the bar 2124 separates from the engaging claw 73, the bar 2124 rolls and moves in the transport direction.

In the state of FIG. 24B, the top chain 71 starts to shift from high-speed drive to low-speed drive. At this time, the containers 1001, 3001, and 4001 have bars 1124, 3124, and 4124 pushed by the engaging claws 73, and start shifting from high-speed movement to low-speed movement. On the other hand, in the container 2001, the bar 2124 is separated from the engaging claw 73 by injecting air at a predetermined temperature ejected from the drip-dripping and drying means 308 to the side surface portion 2015 on the rear side of the container 1, and the speed is high. We are shifting from moving to leading movement that moves at a faster speed. As a result, the distance from the front container 1001 is reduced to a distance v smaller than the distance s, for example, 1.5 m, and the distance from the rear container is widened to a distance t larger than the distance s, for example 2.5 m.

Further, the drip-removing and drying means 302 generally injects air having a predetermined temperature near the boundary between the front door portion 4161 of the container 4001 and the storage portion 4017, and the drip-removing and drying means 303 roughly indicates the front door of the container 3001. Air having a predetermined temperature is injected near the boundary between the portion 3161 and the storage portion 3017.

The drip-drying means 304 injects air having a predetermined temperature near the boundary between the front door portion 2161 and the storage portion 2017 of the container 2001, and the drip-drying means 309 is a lower surface of the bottom portion 2012 of the container 2001. Air having a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature is injected near the front end, and the drip-dripping / drying means 310 injects air having a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature to a position in front of the wheels 2122 on the front side of the container 2001.

In the state of FIG. 24C, since the top chain 71 is driven at a low speed, the containers 1001, 3001, and 4001 move at a low speed by pushing the bars 1124, 3124, and 4124 by the engaging claws 73. On the other hand, in the container 2001, the front wheel 2122 reaches the uneven portion 720, the unevenness of the uneven portion 720 becomes the rolling resistance of the front wheel 2122, and the container 2001 is stopped after decelerating. The distance from the front container 1001 is widened to an interval w larger than the interval v, for example, 1.8 m, and the distance from the rear container 3001 is reduced to an interval u smaller than the interval t, for example 2.2 m.

Further, the drip-removing and drying means 302 injects air having a predetermined temperature into the storage section 4017 of the container 4001 which moves at a low speed, and the drip-dripping / drying means 303 roughly determines the storage section 3017 of the container 3001 which moves at a low speed. Is injecting air at the temperature of. Since the storage portions 3017 and 4017 of the containers 3001 and 4001 receive air at a predetermined temperature while moving at a low speed, they are effectively dripping and drying.

On the other hand, in the container 2001, until the engaging claw 73 engages with the bar 2124 of the container 2001, the drip-dripping and drying means 304 is predetermined over the entire vertical direction of the storage portion 2017 of the stopped container 2001. Air at a temperature is jetted, and the drip-drying means 309 injects air at a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature on the lower surface of the bottom portion 2012 of the stopped container 2001. As a result, until the engaging claw 73 engages with the bar 2124 of the container 2001, the entire area inside the storage portion 2017, the lower surface of the bottom portion 2012 of the container 2001, and the container 2001 are stopped. It is possible to effectively remove and dry the bar 2124.

Further, while the container 2001 is stopped, the drip-dripping and drying means 310 injects air having a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature between the front wheel 2122 and the rear wheel 2122 of the container 2001. As a result, air having a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature is not directly injected into the front wheel 2122 and the rear wheel 2122, so that even if the container 2001 is stopped, the front wheel 2122 and the rear wheel 2122 are not directly injected. Deterioration due to heat of the rubber and resin material used in 2122 can be suppressed.

Further, since the drip-removing and drying means 310 are arranged on both sides in the left-right direction orthogonal to the transport direction, air having a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature injected between the front wheel 2122 and the rear wheel 2122 is provided. Can collide near the lower surface of the bottom 2012 of the container 2001 and change the flow in the vertical direction to promote dripping and drying of moisture adhering to the lower surface of the bottom 2012 of the container 2001. can.

From the state of FIG. 24 (A) to the state of (C), in the state of FIG. 24 (A), the container 2001 is sprayed with air having a predetermined temperature on the rear side surface 2015 by the drip-removing and drying means 308. When the wheel 2122 on the front side starts to move in advance, passes through the position shown in FIG. 24 (B), and approaches the position shown in FIG. 24 (C), the front wheel 2122 starts to touch the uneven portion 720. The unevenness of the uneven portion 720 acts as a resistance to the rolling of the front wheel 2122, and the container 2001 decelerates. Then, the container 2001 is stopped in the vicinity where the drip-dripping and drying means 304, 309, and 310 are located substantially in the center of the container 2001 in the transport direction.

While the container 2001 is decelerating, the drip-dripping and drying means 304 injects air having a predetermined temperature over the entire vertical direction of the storage portion 2017 of the container 2001. The drip-dropping and drying means 309 injects air having a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature onto the bottom of the bottom 2012 of the container 2001. Since the container 2001 is decelerating the air of a predetermined temperature injected into the container 2001, the amount of air of a predetermined temperature injected into the same place per hour increases, and the amount of heat is given to the same place. Since the time is long, it can be effectively drip-dried and dried.

Further, while the container 2001 is decelerating, the drip-removing drying means 310 arranged on both sides in the left-right direction orthogonal to the transport direction has a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature in the vicinity of the front wheels 2122 on both the left and right sides of the container 2001. It is injecting air. During that time, the wheels 2122 roll so that the specific points on the ground plane of the wheels 2122 do not remain in contact with the transport rail 72. Therefore, it is possible to effectively drip and dry the moisture adhering to the entire rolling surface, which is the ground contact surface of the front wheels 2122 on both the left and right sides. Since the air ejected from the drip-dripping and drying means 310 is air having a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature, deterioration due to heat of the rubber and the resin material used for the wheels 122 can be suppressed.

After the front wheel 2122 has passed in front of the drip-drying means 310, air having a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature is directed toward between the front wheel 2122 and the rear wheel 2122, and the drip-drying means is used. It is jetted from 310. Since the drip-removing and drying means 310 are arranged on both sides in the left-right direction orthogonal to the transport direction, air having a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature injected between the front wheel 2122 and the rear wheel 2122 can be removed. It is possible to collide with each other in the vicinity of the lower surface of the bottom portion 2012 of the container 2001 and change the flow in the vertical direction to promote the removal of water adhering to the lower surface of the bottom portion 2012 of the container 2001.

Then, since the bar 2124 of the container 2001 is rolling from the time when the container 2001 moves in advance to the time when the bar 2124 decelerates and stops, the bar 2124 is sprayed from the drip-dripping and drying means 309 to the lower surface of the bottom portion 2012 of the container 2001. The entire bar 2124 can be effectively dripping and drying with air at a temperature lower than the predetermined temperature.

That is, when the bar 2124 is pushed by the pressing surface 731 of the engaging claw 73, the bar 2124 does not roll and adheres to the portion where the bar 2124 is in contact with the pressing surface 731 and the transport surface 76. Moisture is difficult to drip and dry. However, since the bar 2124 is rolling, the moisture adhering to the entire rolling surface, which is the outer peripheral surface of the bar 2124, can be effectively drip-dried by air having a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature.

In the state of FIG. 24D, the top chain 71 is still driven at low speed. Therefore, the containers 2001, 3001, 4001, and 5001 move at low speed by pushing the bars 2124, 3124, 4124, and 5124 by the engaging claws 73. Therefore, the intervals of the containers 2001, 3001, 4001, and 5001 are all again the intervals s. Further, the drip-dried container 1001 is carried out from the carry-out port 5.

Further, the drip-dripping and drying means 302, 303, 304 inject air having a predetermined temperature into the rear door portions 2162, 3162, 4162 of the containers 2001, 3001, 4001 that move at low speed and their vicinity thereof. Since the containers 2001, 3001 and 4001 receive air at a predetermined temperature while moving at a low speed, they are effectively dripping and drying.

Further, while the container 2001 is moving at a low speed, the temperature is lower than a predetermined temperature in the vicinity of the rear wheels 2122 on both the left and right sides of the container 2001 from the drip-dripping and drying means 310 arranged on both sides in the left-right direction orthogonal to the transport direction. Injecting hot air. During that time, the wheels 2122 roll so that the specific points on the ground plane of the wheels 2122 do not remain in contact with the transport rail 72. Therefore, the moisture adhering to the entire rolling surface, which is the ground contact surface of the rear wheels 2122 on both the left and right sides, can be effectively drip-dried. Since the air ejected from the drip-dripping and drying means 310 is air having a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature, deterioration due to heat of the rubber and the resin material used for the wheels 122 can be suppressed.

In the state of FIG. 24 (E), the top chain 71 has shifted from low-speed drive to high-speed drive, and returns to the same state as in FIG. 24 (A). Therefore, the containers 2001, 3001, 4001, and 5001 are moving at high speed. At this time, the containers 2001, 3001, 4001, and 5001 are conveyed by being pushed by the bars 2124, 3124, 4124, and 5124 by the engaging claws 73 provided at predetermined intervals, for example, at equal intervals of 2 m. The intervals of the containers 2001, 3001, 4001, and 5001 are equal, and the intervals are s.

In the present embodiment, the timing at which the containers 2001, 3001, 4001, and 5001 shift from the low-speed movement to the high-speed movement is during the transition from FIG. 24 (D) to FIG. 24 (E). Specifically, after the drip-dripping and drying means 302 to 310 inject air at a predetermined temperature toward the ends of the rear door portions 2162, 3162, 4162, the containers 2001, 3001, 4001, and 5001 are at low speed. The timing of shifting from movement to high-speed movement may be accelerated.

For example, even if the containers 2001, 3001, 4001 and 5001 are moved from low-speed movement to high-speed movement after injecting air having a predetermined temperature to the rear side surfaces 2015, 3015 and 4015 of the containers 2001, 3001 and 4001. good. By doing so, after the storage portions 2017, 3017, and 4017 of the containers 2001, 3001, 4001, and 5001 that are difficult to dry are dried, the rear door portions 2162, 3162, and 4162 that are easy to dry are replaced with the containers 2001, 3001 and. The number of containers 1 that can be drip-dried and dried while moving 4001 at high speed, shortening the time required to carry in containers 2001, 3001, 4001 and 5001 from the carry-in inlet 4 and carry out from the carry-out port 5. Can be increased.

After that, the operations of FIGS. 24 (A) to 24 (E) are repeated for the containers 1 that are sequentially transported.

As described above, in FIGS. 24 (B) to 24 (D), when the top chain 71 is driven at low speed, the containers 3001 and 4001 that move at low speed have front door portions 3161 and 4161 and storage portions 3017 and 4017. From the vicinity of the respective boundaries to the rear door portions 3162 and 4162, the drip-drying means 303 and 302 are used for drip-drying. As a result, the containers 3001 and 4001 are effectively dripping and drying.

As described above, the containers 1 transported at equal intervals are drip-dried while being transported, and the transported container 1 is moved in advance by the air having a predetermined temperature ejected from the drip-drop-drying means 308. It is decelerated by the uneven portion 720 and stopped.

The storage unit 17 in which the outside and the inside communicate with each other in the left-right direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the container 1 includes an upper shelf 18 and a lower shelf 19 in which a long pipe 182 and a short pipe 181 are combined. Since the storage unit 17 has a distance between both ends in the length direction of the short pipe 181 (see FIG. 8), the storage unit 17 is sprayed from the drip-dripping and drying means 302, 303, 304. As for the air having a predetermined temperature, the wind pressure tends to be attenuated in the storage portion 17, and the temperature tends to decrease. Therefore, it is difficult for the storage unit 17 to be drip-dried and dried.

By dripping and drying the storage unit 17, which is difficult to dripping and drying, while the container 1 is decelerating and stopping, the amount of air at a predetermined temperature to be ejected to the same place per hour can be reduced. Since the amount of heat is increased and the time for applying heat to the same location is long, the water adhering to the container 1 can be efficiently removed. In addition, since the centralized air nozzle member 300 is attached to the drip-removing and drying means 302 and 303, the wind pressure of the air at a predetermined temperature ejected from the drip-removing and drying means 302 and 303 is difficult to be attenuated, and the storage portion of the container 1 is stored. It is easy to remove the water adhering to 17.

Further, by removing the water adhering to the container 1, particularly sufficiently removing the water adhering to the lower portion 103 or the bottom portion 12 of the container 1, the water adhering to the container 1 is removed after the container 1 is carried out from the carry-out port 5. It is possible to prevent the product from falling onto the floor FL of the facility. Further, since the moisture adhering to the wheels 122 of the container 1 can be efficiently removed, after the container 1 is carried out from the carry-out port 5, a trace of moisture remains on the route on which the wheels 122 of the container 1 travel. Can be suppressed.

Then, the portion of the container 1 that is easy to drip-dry is moved at high speed when it is drip-dried, and the portion of the container 1 that is difficult to drip-dry is moved at low speed, decelerated, and stopped to drip. It is possible to reliably drip-dry while shortening the time required for drying. That is, the water adhering to the container 1 can be efficiently removed.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, as the second embodiment of the container processing apparatus P, the container drip dripping dryer H will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 25 to 27. In the description of the second embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, only the characteristic parts of the second embodiment will be described, and some of the parts similar to the first embodiment will be omitted. Further, the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals. The container drip-dryer H of the second embodiment is different from the container-cleaning drip-dryer W of the first embodiment in that it does not have a washing zone.

Similar to the container 1 of the first embodiment, the container 1 needs to be washed, drip-dried and dried in preparation for the next day's delivery after being returned to the school lunch center C. After washing manually using such a container 1 as an object to be washed or washing with a washing machine, the container drip-drying machine H drip-drys the container 1.

(Container drop dryer)
As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, the container drip-dryer H is formed in a long tunnel shape in the transport direction for transporting the container 1, and includes a drip-drip-drying zone 3 for drip-drying the washed container 1. .. Further, the container drip-removing dryer H is provided with a carry-in inlet 4 for carrying in the container 1 on the upstream side in the transport direction of the container 1 in the drip-removing and drying zone 3, and a carry-out outlet 5 for carrying out the container 1 is in the drip-removing and drying zone 3. It is provided on the downstream side of the container 1 in the transport direction. Therefore, in the container drip-removing dryer H, the container 1 is carried in from the carry-in inlet 4, passes through the drip-removal drying zone 3, and is carried out from the carry-out port 5.

Similar to the container cleaning drip dryer W of the first embodiment, the container drip dryer H is provided with an exhaust port E on the ceiling near the carry-in inlet 4. The exhaust port E takes in air from the carry-out port 5 and discharges the air that has passed through the drip-drying zone 3 of the container drip-dryer H to the outside of the facility where the container drip-dryer H is installed (FIG. 26). See arrow a).

As shown in FIG. 25, in the container drip dryer H, similarly to the container cleaning drip dryer W of the first embodiment, the carry-in inlet 4 is provided with a carry-in rail 6 for guiding the container 1 to the carry-in inlet 4. The carry-out port 5 is provided with a carry-out rail (not shown) that guides the container 1 from the carry-out port 5. When carrying in the container 1, the wheels 122 of the container 1 are carried on the carry-in rail 6.

As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the container drip dryer H accommodates a part of the lower side of the container drip dryer H in a pit (accommodation space) S dug in the floor. As a result, the transport rail 72 can be arranged at substantially the same height as the floor surface FL, so that the container 1 can be carried into the container drip dryer H substantially horizontally. In the present embodiment, the pit S is dug from the floor surface FL to a predetermined depth, for example, about 250 mm. The container drip dryer H is formed in a tunnel shape so as to have a transport path penetrating the upper outer shell HU with a substantially rectangular cross section, with the upper outer shell HU on the upper side and the lower outer shell HD on the lower side of the floor surface FL. Has been done.

The container drip / drip dryer H is provided with a transfer mechanism 7 similar to that of the container cleaning / drip / drier W of the first embodiment, and the wheels 122 of the container 1 are mounted on the transfer rail 72, and the engaging claws of the top chain 71 are mounted. The bar 124 of the container 1 is engaged with the 73 to convey the container 1. The transport rail 72 is provided at a height position substantially equal to that of the floor surface FL. Further, the feed side and the return side of the top chain 71 are arranged so as to be higher than the floor surface FL. In the present embodiment, the apex of the engaging claw 73 on the return side of the top chain 71 has substantially the same height as the floor surface FL. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the top chain 71 is arranged so as to be above the floor surface FL. The utility space 70 can be used as a scaffold for cleaning and maintaining the inside of the container drip dryer H.

As shown in FIGS. 25 to 27, the drip-removing drying zone 3 is provided with blowers 401 to 407, heat exchangers 501 to 503, and drip-removing drying means 301 to 310, which are the same as those of the container cleaning and drip-drying machine W. After cleaning, the container 1 carried into the container drip-drying machine H is drip-dried.

(Drop-free drying zone)
As shown in FIG. 27, similarly to the container washing / dropping / drying machine W of the first embodiment, the dropping / drying zone 3 includes a plurality of dropping / drying regions in the transport direction of the container 1. From the carry-in port 4 side, a preliminary drip-drying region 30, an upper drip-drying region 31, a middle drip-drying region 32, and a lower drip-drying region 33 are provided in this order. A carry-out port 5 follows on the downstream side of the lower drip-dripping / drying region 33 in the transport direction of the container 1.

Each of the drip-dripping and drying regions 30 to 33 includes drip-dripping and drying means 301 to 310, similarly to the container-washing and drip-drying machine W of the first embodiment, and each drip-dripping and drying means includes the container-washing and drip-dripping of the first embodiment. Similar to the dryer W, it is provided with a wide area air nozzle 340 and a straight-ahead air nozzle 311 to 330.

The lower drip-drying region 33 of the container drip-dryer H also includes a drip-drying means 309 that injects air from below toward the bottom 12 of the container 1, similar to the container-cleaning drip-dryer W. The drip-removing and drying means 309 is connected from the blower 407 via an air pipe 370. A part of the air pipe 370 is arranged at a position lower than the floor surface FL, and is connected to the straight-moving air nozzle 327 of the drip-removing and drying means 309.

As a result, a large space for installing the air pipe 370 can be taken, and the path of the air pipe 370 can be configured so that the air flowing in the air pipe 370 can flow smoothly as much as possible. can. Therefore, it is possible to inject air having a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature from the drip-dripping and drying means 309 without significantly attenuating the wind pressure of the injected air and without disturbing the flow.

(Action and effect of container processing equipment)
In the container processing apparatus P according to the first and second embodiments as described above, the transport rail 72 of the transport mechanism 7 has substantially the same height as the floor surface FL, and extends substantially horizontally from the carry-in inlet 4 to the carry-out port 5. To be provided. As a result, the container 1 can be advanced in a substantially horizontal direction and placed on the transport rail 72, so that the container 1 can be smoothly carried in and the container 1 can be smoothly carried out. Therefore, the loading, transporting, and unloading of the container 1 can be performed substantially horizontally by one transport mechanism.

Further, the transport mechanism 7 transports the wheels 122 of the caster 121 while rolling on the transport rail 72 while pressing the bar 124 of the container 1 with the engaging claws 73. Thereby, in the present invention, the load applied to the transport mechanism 7 can be reduced as compared with the method in which the wheels 122 are mounted on the top chain 71 to transport the container 1.

Further, the top chain 71 is circulated and driven by being folded back by the drive sprocket 74 and the driven sprocket 77. However, since the pitch circle diameter of the sprocket generally used for the top chain is small, the top chain 71 is attached to the transport mechanism 7. By using it, the vertical dimension of the transport mechanism 7 can be reduced. By reducing the vertical dimension of the transport mechanism 7, even if the transport mechanism 7 is provided below the bottom 12 of the container 1 to be transported, the transport mechanism 7 does not penetrate deeply into the pit S. As a result, the pit S can be made shallow.

Further, since the pressing surface 731 of the engaging claw 73 rises at a predetermined angle, for example, 90 degrees, the bar 124 can be reliably engaged with the engaging claw 73 without escaping. The predetermined angle of the pressing surface 731 is set to, for example, 70 to 80 degrees, and while the container 1 is being conveyed, a force exceeding the assumption is applied to the bar 124 in a direction opposite to the conveying direction of the container 1. The bar 124 may be released from the engaging claw 73 when the bar 124 is joined.

By doing so, in the unlikely event that the container 1 is not transported in the transport direction for an unexpected reason, the bar 124 rolls upward on the pressing surface of the engaging claw 73, and the bar 124 holds the engaging claw 73 in the container. It is possible to get over the direction opposite to the transport direction of 1 and stop the transport of the container 1, and protect the transport mechanism 7 and the container 1 to be transported.

In that case, a sensor for detecting that the container 1 is not transported in the transport direction and is stopped is installed in the container processing device P so as not to collide with the subsequent container 1, and a signal is transmitted from the sensor to the control panel G. Then, the operation of the container processing device P may be stopped with a warning sound. As a result, when a force exceeding an assumption is applied in the direction opposite to the transport direction of the container 1, the transport mechanism 7 can be protected, and the container 1 in which the bar 124 escapes from the engaging claw 73 succeeds. It is possible to prevent the container 1 from colliding with the container 1. Then, in order to find out the cause of the stoppage of the container processing device P, it can be immediately inspected.

The drive speed and drive time of the low-speed drive and high-speed drive of the top chain 71 are determined by a predetermined interval of the engaging claws 73 or by the container processing device P per hour (cleaning and drip-drying, or drip-drying). ) It should be set optimally according to the ability to do.

Further, since the bar 124 is movable in the vertical direction in the elongated hole 125 having the support portion 123, the height relationship between the bar 124 and the transport surface 76 and the engaging claw 73 of the top chain 71 is made constant. Can be kept. As a result, for example, even if the wheels 122 of the container 1 are worn down and the height of the bar 124 supported by the support portion 123 of the container 1 is changed, the bar 124 is placed on the transport surface 76 of the top chain 71. It can be conveyed by the engaging claw 73.

Further, even if the height from the floor surface FL to the lower surface of the bottom portion 12 of the container 1 is different, the bar 124 may move up and down within the range necessary for engaging with the engaging claw 73. This allows the bar 124 to be engaged by the engaging claws 73 to convey the container 1 regardless of the height to the lower surface of the bottom 12 of the container 1. Therefore, even if the height of the container 1 is different from the floor surface FL to the lower surface of the bottom portion 12 of the container 1, the height of the top chain 71 of the container processing device P can be adjusted. Instead, by moving the bar 124 of the container 1 up and down, the container 1 can be carried in, transported, and carried out.

Further, the engaging claw 73 may have a height that allows it to engage with the bar 124, and the bar 124 can move up and down in the elongated hole 125 to maintain the state of being placed on the transport surface 76. The height of the engaging claw 73 from the transport surface 76 can be adjusted to a minimum. By minimizing the height of the engaging claw 73, the height of the transport mechanism 7 can be lowered, and the pit S can be made shallow.

Moisture adhering to the container 1 transported by the transport mechanism 7 from the upper drip-drying region 31, the middle drip-drying region 32, the lower drip-drip-drying region 33, and the upper portion 101 of the container to the middle portion 102 and the lower portion 103 in order. It can be blown off by wind pressure to remove droplets and dried by heat. As a result, the water can be removed and dried according to the movement of the water falling, so that the water adhering to the container 1 can be effectively removed.

Further, when the container 1 is located in each of the drip-dried and dried regions 30 to 33 by the partition plate 35, air having a predetermined temperature for drip-drying the container 1 is retained in each region. The temperature can accelerate the drying of the container 1.

When the container 1 moves from the drip-drying region due to the transportation of the container 1, the partition of the drip-drying region formed by the partition plate 35 and the container 1 disappears, and the container 1 is drip-dried and dried to a high temperature. The humidified air can be placed on the flow of air exhausted from the upper exhaust port E on the carry-in port 4 side of the container 1 and exhausted to the outside from the container processing device P.

The drip-removing and drying means 301 to 310 are composed of straight-ahead air nozzles 311 to 330 for injecting air and a wide-area air nozzle 340. However, the drip-dropping and drying means is not limited to the air nozzle as long as the moisture adhering to the container 1 can be drip-dried and dried, and may have another configuration. For example, a water-absorbent material such as a sponge or a member such as a scraper that scrapes off moisture may be used to remove the moisture adhering to the container 1 and heated by infrared radiation to dry the container 1.

As an embodiment of the container processing apparatus P, a container washing / dropping dryer W for washing and dropping / drying the container 1 and a container dropping / drying machine H for dropping and drying the container 1 have been described. However, the container processing device P may be a container washer that only cleans the container. Such a container washer is provided with, for example, a cleaning zone 2 of the container washer / drip / drip / dryer W, a carry-in inlet 4 on the upstream side in the transport direction of the container 1, and a carry-out port 5 on the downstream side. In addition to these, if the container processing apparatus P performs processing while transporting the container 1, processing other than washing and drip-dripping and drying, for example, high-temperature steam, alcohol, or an aqueous solution of hypochlorous acid can be applied. It may be one that sprays onto the container 1 to disinfect the container 1, or one that sprays a chemical on the container 1 to perform surface treatment on the container 1.

Further, in the container 1 processed by the container processing device P, the upper and lower shelves 18 and 19 of the storage portion 17 are formed mainly of a cylindrical pipe. As a result, even if the washing water adheres to the cylindrical pipe, it easily flows down, and the water adhering to the container 1 can be easily removed. Further, the end portion 126 of the member forming the bottom portion 12 of the container 1 is folded downward. The lower end of the end portion 126 faces downward so that the water adhering to the container 1 can easily flow off. This makes it easier to remove the water adhering to the container 1.

The container processing device P accommodates a part of the lower side in the pit S dug in the floor of the facility. When the legs F are installed on the bottom surface of the pit S, a sufficient predetermined space, for example, 150 mm, is formed between the lower surface of the container processing device P and the bottom surface of the pit S so that it can be cleaned with a mop or the like. It is common to do.

Further, when the legs F are installed on the floor surface FL, it is necessary to form a sufficient predetermined space between the lower surface of the container processing device P and the floor surface FL, for example, the carry-in rail 6 and the carry-out rail 6. It is necessary to make the rail 8 into a slope shape, or to provide a lifter instead of the carry-in rail 6 and the carry-out rail 8 to move the container 1 up and down to carry in and out, and carry-in / carry-out work of the container 1 to the container processing device P. Work efficiency is reduced.

Therefore, a pit S is dug on the floor, a leg F is installed on the bottom surface of the pit S, a sufficient predetermined space is formed between the lower surface of the container processing device P and the bottom surface of the pit S, and the container 1 is formed. It is preferable that the carry-in rail 6, the transport rail 72, and the carry-out rail 8 are substantially horizontal so as to improve the work efficiency of the carry-in / carry-out.

However, the configurations shown in each of the above embodiments are given specific examples of components, and each configuration, shape, or mounting mode is limited to those shown as embodiments as long as the gist of the present invention is not deviated. It can be modified or changed in various ways.

It can be applied to a container processing device that performs various processing while transporting a container.

P Container processing device W Container cleaning drip dryer H Container drip dryer V Dishwashing device U Food can cleaning device T Container heat processing device C Lunch center S Pit (accommodation space)
E Exhaust port F Leg G Control panel L Storage box FL Floor surface WU Upper outer shell WD Lower outer shell HU Upper outer shell HD Lower outer shell Ca Container pool (container storage room)
Cb Pre-delivery room Da Pre-collection room Db Cleaning room 1 Container 2 Cleaning zone 3 Drip-free drying zone 4 Carry-in entrance 5 Carry-out outlet 6 Carry-in rail 7 Carrying mechanism 8 Carry-out rail 11 Ceiling 12 Bottom 13 Front 14 Back 15 Side 16 Hinge door 17 Storage section (storage space)
18 Upper shelf 19 Lower shelf 21 Cleaning area 22 Rinse area 30 Preliminary drip drying area 31 Upper drip drying area 32 Middle drip drying area 33 Lower drip drying area 35 Partition plate 70 Utility space 71 Top chain (conveyance) means)
72 Transport rail 73 Engagement claw (engagement part)
74 Drive sprocket 76 Transport surface 77 Driven sprocket 81 Carry-in guide 82 Tilt guide section 83 Horizontal guide section 84 Step 91 First step section 92 Second step section 93 First tilt section 94 First flat section 95 Second Inclined portion 96 Second flat portion 97 Third inclined portion 98 Third stepped portion 101 Upper part of container 102 Middle part of container 103 Lower part of container 121 Caster 122 Wheel 123 Support part 124 Bar 125 Long hole 126 End part 151 Recessed part 152 Handle 161 Front door 162 Rear door 171 Bottom 172 Top 173 Rear side 174 Front side 181 Short pipe 182 Longitudinal pipe 201 Cleaning nozzle 211 Cleaning nozzle 212 Lower tank 213 Intermediate tank 214 Submersible pump (pump) )
215 Washing water pump (pump)
216 Boiler 217 Steam pipe 218 First wash water pipe 219 Second wash water pipe 221 Flowing water plate 222 Rinse nozzle part 224 Finishing water pipe 225 Mixing valve 226 Rinse nozzle 300 Concentrated air nozzle members 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 309, 310 Drop-dripping and drying means 308 Drop-dropping and drying means (acceleration means)
311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330 Straight type air nozzle 340 Wide area air nozzle 370 Air piping 397 Cylinder 398 Tsuno member 399 Outer cylinder 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407 Blower 501, 502, 503 Heat exchanger 610, 611 Piping 720 Concavo-convex part (deceleration means)
731 Pressing surface 732 Inclined surface 733 Vertices 1001, 2001, 3001, 4001, 5001 Container

Claims (7)

In the container processing device installed in the facility, a carry-in step of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped container having a storage space for storing tableware by opening the doors held in the left-right direction orthogonal to the transport direction and carrying in from the carry-in entrance. ,
A cleaning step of cleaning the carried-in container with cleaning water while transporting it by a transport mechanism.
By injecting air from the drip-dropping and drying means while transporting the washed container by the transport mechanism, the moisture adhering to the container is drip-dried by wind pressure, and the container is drip-dried and dried by heat. Drop-drop drying step and
A unloading step in which the container dripping and drying in the dripping and drying step is carried out from the unloading port of the container processing device, and a unloading step.
It is a container cleaning, drop-dropping and drying method including

In the drip-removing and drying step, which is performed in a state where a plurality of the containers are conveyed substantially linearly in the container processing apparatus by performing the carry-in step a plurality of times.
By injecting air at a predetermined temperature toward the upper surface and the lower surface of the ceiling surface of the container and the middle portion to dry the moisture by heat, the moisture adhering to each portion is drip-dried and then dried. Moisture is dried by heat By injecting air at a predetermined temperature, the moisture adhering to the lower part of the container is drip-dried and dried.
Further, after air is sprayed onto the upper part, the middle part, and the lower part to remove and dry the adhering moisture, one of the plurality of units being transported is stopped, and the container is stopped from the bottom of the stopped container. By injecting air upward at a low position, moisture adhering to the wheels on the lower surface of the bottom of the container and the lower surface of the bottom of the container is dripping and drying.
After that, the container is transported again, and the container cleaning / dropping / drying method is characterized in that the water droplets from the container carried out in the carrying-out step are suppressed from falling onto the floor surface of the facility.
Air is sprayed onto the upper part, middle part, and lower part to remove the attached moisture. The air jetted upward at a position lower than the bottom of the dried container is lower than the predetermined temperature, but the moisture is caused by heat. The container cleaning, drip-dropping and drying method according to claim 1, wherein the air has a drying temperature.
In the drop-off drying step,
Claim 1 or 2 is characterized in that the air injected in the container processing apparatus formed in a tunnel shape in the transport direction of the container is sucked by a blower, heated to a predetermined temperature, and injected toward the container. The container cleaning, drip-dropping and drying method described in 1.
Open the door that has a storage space that can store tableware, and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped container with wheels on the lower surface of the bottom that forms the bottom of the storage space, in the left-right direction orthogonal to the transport direction. And a transport mechanism that transports in one direction,
The carry-in entrance for carrying in the container and
A heat exchanger that heats the air to a predetermined temperature,
A blower that sucks in and discharges air,
Drip-removing and drying means, which is an air nozzle that injects air discharged from the blower,
A cleaning zone for cleaning the container carried in from the carry-in port with cleaning water, and a cleaning zone.
The container washed in the washing zone is sucked with air by the blower and discharged, and the moisture adhering to the container is removed by wind pressure by the air jetted from the drip-dropping and drying means, and the container is dried by heat . A drip-drying zone for drip-drying the container, and a drip-drying zone.
It is provided with a carry-out port for carrying out the container that has been drip-dried in the drip-drying zone.
A container processing device for washing, dripping and drying while transporting the container from the carry-in port to the carry-out port by the transport mechanism.

Further provided with a deceleration means for decelerating the container transported from the carry-in port to the carry-out port.
The transport mechanism has a transport means that is an endless chain conveyor extending from the carry-in inlet to the carry-out port, and an engaging portion that engages with a part of the container provided in the transport means.
The transport mechanism engages the engaging portion with a part of the container and pushes the part of the container to carry the container.

In the drip-removing and drying zone, a plurality of the containers are simultaneously transported in a substantially linear shape by the transport mechanism.
The blower sucks in and discharges air of a predetermined temperature heated by the heat exchanger, which heats and dries moisture toward the upper and lower surfaces of the ceiling surface of the container, and the drip-dried drying. By injecting from the means , the moisture adhering to each part is drip-dried, and then the air of a predetermined temperature heated by the heat exchanger is sucked and discharged by the blower and ejected from the drip-drying means . By doing so, the moisture adhering to the lower part of the container is drip-dried and dried.

Of the plurality of containers being simultaneously transported, one container in which the moisture adhering to the upper part, the middle part, and the lower part is drip-dried and dried is not allowed to engage the engaging portion with a part of the container. In the state where the container is not pushed by the transport mechanism, the one container is stopped by the deceleration means.
By discharging the air sucked by the blower at a position lower than the bottom of the stopped container and injecting it upward from the drip-dripping and drying means, the lower surface of the bottom of the container and the said. Moisture adhering to the wheels on the lower surface of the bottom of the container is drip-dried and dried.
A container processing device characterized by suppressing the drop of water droplets from the container carried out from the carry-out port onto the floor surface of the facility where the container processing device is provided , which is conveyed by being pushed by the transport mechanism again. ..
Air is sprayed onto the upper part, middle part, and lower part to remove the adhering moisture. At a position lower than the bottom of the dried container, the air sucked by the blower is discharged, and the air is ejected upward from the drip-drying means . The container processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the air is lower than a predetermined temperature but has a temperature at which moisture is dried by heat.
The lower shell that is housed in the storage space dug below the floor of the facility,
It consists of an upper outer shell above the floor surface.
The drop-off drying zone is
A drip-removing drying means for removing water adhering to the lower surface of the bottom of the container by discharging the air sucked by the blower and injecting air upward at a position lower than the bottom of the container. The container processing apparatus according to claim 4 or 5 , wherein the container processing apparatus is arranged in the lower outer shell of the drip-removing and drying zone.
The container has a bar extending in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the container and a support portion for rotatably supporting the bar below the bottom portion forming the bottom surface of the storage space of the container.
The transport mechanism is provided with a transport surface on which the bar is placed, the bar is placed on the transport surface, and the bar is engaged with an engaging portion of the transport mechanism to transport the container.
Further, the drip-free drying zone includes an accelerating means for accelerating the container transported by the transport mechanism and a deceleration means for decelerating the accelerated container.
When the accelerating means accelerates the container, or when the decelerating means decelerates the container, the bar mounted on the transport surface leaves the engaging portion and rolls on the transport surface.
The container according to any one of claims 4 to 6 , wherein the drip-removing and drying means includes an air nozzle that injects air having a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature toward a bar that rolls on the transport surface. Processing equipment .

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