JPH05253554A - Apparatus for automatically washing container - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To wash a plurality of used containers vain an extremly short time by constituting the title apparatus of a container transfer mechanism, a washing mechanism washing off chemicals, a manipulator for moving a container and a feed mechanism feeding out the washed container to a predetermined position. CONSTITUTION:An automatic washing apparatus for a container A is constituted of a transfer mechanism 101 for continuously feeding a used container A having chemicals remaining therein or adhering thereto, a washing mechanism 201 washing off the chemicals remaining in and adhering to the container A, a manipulator grasping the fed-in container A to move the same into the washing mechanism 201 and a feed mechanism 104 feeding out the washed container A to a predetermined position. The container A having chemicals remaining therein and adhering thereto is continuously fed in the washing mechanism 201 by the transfer mechanism 101 and washing water is vigorously sprayed to the inside and outside of the container A while the container A is grasped by the manipulator to be moved and the washed container A is dried to be fed out to a predetermined position by the feed mechanism 401. By this constitution, all of washing processes are automated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic container cleaning device for quickly cleaning the outside and the inside of a container while holding and moving a used container in which a chemical remains or adheres with a manipulator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when cleaning a container such as a plastic tank containing a chemical such as acetic acid, in order to completely remove the residual or adhering chemicals in the container, each container is manually cleaned. Was there.

When it is necessary to quickly clean a plurality of used containers, a container cleaning device that automatically cleans the containers by spraying water on them may be used. At this time, chemicals may remain or adhere. Each of the containers was manually fed into the cleaning device.

[0004]

However, in the case of manually cleaning the container, it takes a lot of time to clean a plurality of used containers in which the chemical remains or adheres, and the cleaning work is required. The labor cost of the operator was enormous and the user was burdened.

Further, when the container is washed by hand, a chemical harmful to the human body adheres to the worker, causing a harmful effect on the health of the worker.

Further, even when a cleaning device for automatically cleaning the container by spraying water is used, the container is manually fed into the cleaning device, so that a plurality of used containers can be quickly removed. I couldn't wash it. Also,
For the worker, sending the container was a heavy labor, and there was a risk that the machine could get caught in the machine during the work.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the container in which the chemical remains or adheres is continuously sent to the cleaning mechanism by the transfer mechanism, and the container is clamped and moved by the manipulator while vigorously cleaning the inside and outside of the container. Spray water,
Then, by drying, a container automatic cleaning device for cleaning a plurality of used containers in an extremely short time is provided.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, according to the present invention, an automatic container cleaning device is provided with a container transfer mechanism for continuously feeding a used container, in which a chemical remains or adheres, to a predetermined position. A cleaning mechanism to wash away residual / adhered chemicals, a manipulator that holds the container sent by the transfer mechanism and moves the container in the cleaning mechanism, and a container transport mechanism that sends the cleaned container to a specified position. The above-mentioned problems have been solved by the configuration of and.

Further, the container transfer mechanism includes a conveyor for continuously feeding the container to a predetermined position, a stopper device for stopping the movement of the container on the driven conveyor, and a container in the stopped state being pushed out for cleaning. It consisted of an extrusion device feeding into the mechanism.

Further, the container cleaning mechanism includes an outer cleaning section for cleaning off the dirt adhering to the container surface, a chemical receiving section for receiving the residual chemical discharged with the mouth of the container facing downward, and a rough cleaning of the inside of the container. An inner cleaning section for arranging a first water spraying apparatus for performing and a second water spraying apparatus for finishing cleaning to wash away chemicals remaining or adhering to the inside of the container, and a warm air blowing section for drying the cleaned container. And consisted of

In addition, the manipulator is reversible so that the mouth of the container to be moved faces in the vertical direction.

[0012]

According to the present invention, a used container in which a chemical remains or adheres is placed on a conveyor which is a transfer mechanism, and the container is continuously fed to the cleaning mechanism. Specifically, the container is brought into contact with a stopper device attached to the end of the conveyor to stop the movement of the container on the driven conveyor. In this state, the container is pushed out in a predetermined direction by the extrusion device and sent to the cleaning mechanism.

The container pushed out from the conveyor enters the outer cleaning section in the cleaning mechanism. Here, washing water is vigorously sprayed over the entire container while pressing the mouth of the container to remove dirt adhering to the outside of the container.

When the outer cleaning of the container is completed, the container is clamped by the manipulator and moved to the medicine receiving portion. Here, the container is inverted by the manipulator, and the mouth portion is directed downward so that the medicine remaining in the container is discharged from the mouth portion.

Next, the container is moved to the inner cleaning section. Here, the cleaning water is vigorously sprayed into the container by the first water jet device with the mouth of the container facing downward to roughly clean the container. Further, the second water jetting device vigorously blows the washing water into the container again, and the residual chemicals are discharged together with the washing water from the mouth portion to perform the final washing. Finally, the container is moved to the hot air spraying section by the manipulator. Here, warm air is blown to the entire container to dry the container.

The dried and dried container is placed on a carry-out conveyor in a state in which the mouth of the container is turned upside down by a manipulator and sent out to a predetermined position.

[0017]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The automatic container cleaning device according to the present invention is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, a container transfer mechanism 1 for continuously sending a used container A, in which a chemical remains or adheres, to a predetermined position.
01, a cleaning mechanism 201 for washing away the chemicals remaining or adhering to the container A, a manipulator 301 for holding the container A sent by the transfer mechanism 101 and moving the container A in the cleaning mechanism 201, and finishing the cleaning. And a transport mechanism 401 for the container A that sends the container A to a predetermined position.

The container transfer mechanism 101 for continuously feeding the used container A to the cleaning mechanism 201 includes a conveyor 102 on which the container A is placed and moved, and a driven conveyor 1.
Stopper device 10 for stopping the movement of container A on 02
3 and an extrusion device 104 that pushes a stopped container in a predetermined direction and sends it to the cleaning mechanism 201. The conveyor 102 has a pair of continuous frames 105, 1
A belt conveyor is used in which belts are mounted on belt wheels (pulleys) provided at both ends of 06, and the belt is rotationally driven by a driving device. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the used containers A are arranged such that the mouths B face upward and the mouths B are arranged in a line when viewed from above, and the plurality of containers A are continuously connected to the belt conveyor. And put it on. Incidentally, conveyor 1
02 is not limited to a belt conveyor, and various conveyors such as a chain conveyor and a roller conveyor are used according to the size of the container A to be washed.

The stopper device 103 is installed at the end of the conveyor 102 as shown in FIG. The stopper device 103 itself is configured by, for example, vertically arranging a stop plate 107 that comes into contact with the side wall of the container A.
Any structure may be used as long as the movement of the container A can be stopped on 02.

Extrusion device 104 for pushing out container A stopped on conveyor 102 and sending it to cleaning mechanism 201.
As shown in FIG. 1, an extruding rod 108 for sending the container A from the rear to the front is attached by a hydraulic cylinder or the like so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. Extrusion device 10 of FIG.
4 is 3 in order to send three containers A forward at a time.
The push rods 108 of the book are arranged in parallel. Therefore, the frame 106 forming the conveyor 102 is also provided with three delivery ports 109 near the front of the container A (the mouth B).
The extrusion device 104 may have any configuration as long as it pushes out the container A stopped on the conveyor 102 and sends it to the cleaning mechanism 201.

Then, the container A sent forward by the extrusion device 104 enters the cleaning mechanism 201. As shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning mechanism 201 includes an outer cleaning section 202 for cleaning dirt adhering to the surface of the container A and a mouth B of the container A.
Chemical receiving part 2 for receiving residual chemical discharged downward
03, an inner washing section 204 for washing away the chemicals remaining and adhering in the container A, and a warm air blowing section 205 for drying the washed container A.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning mechanism 201 is installed in a state of being connected to one end portion of the conveyor 102 constituting the transfer mechanism 101, and the container A pushed forward by the extrusion device 104 is The outer cleaning section 202 which constitutes the cleaning mechanism 201 is adapted to enter.

The outer cleaning section 202, as shown in FIG.
The bottom plate 206 on which the container A is placed, the top plate 208 to which the water injection nozzle 207 is attached, the inlet door 209 and the outlet door 210 constitute a cleaning chamber 211, and the inlet door 209 and the outlet door 210 are closed during cleaning. The cleaning water sprayed on the container A is prevented from splashing around. And container A
When the outside washing of the door is finished, the entrance door 209 and the exit door 2
10 is opened, the container A placed on the bottom plate 206 is clamped by the manipulator 301 and moved to the medicine receiving portion 203, and the container A before cleaning stopped on the conveyor 102 is externally cleaned by the extrusion device 104. Bottom plate 20 of the part 202
It is sent to 6 again. The water injection nozzle 207
Is movably attached to a top plate 208, and this water jet nozzle 207 vigorously sprays cleaning water over the entire container A to remove dirt adhering to the surface of the container A.
At this time, the mouth B of the container A is closed by the mouth closing device 212 so that the cleaning water does not enter the container A. The mouth closure device 212, as shown in FIG.
Is attached to the top plate 208 located above the bottom of the container A, and has a structure in which a downward downward substantially conical mouth part closing tool 213 that contacts the mouth part B of the container A and closes the mouth part B moves in the vertical direction. Then, the mouth closing device 212 uses the cleaning water in the container A.
It also prevents it from entering inside and also serves to temporarily fix the installation position of the container A in the cleaning chamber 211. The inlet door 209 and the outlet door 210 of the cleaning chamber 211 shown in FIG. 2 are opened and closed vertically using hydraulic cylinders 214, 215 and the like. What is the opening / closing means and the opening / closing direction of the door? It doesn't matter.

When the outside cleaning of the container A is completed, the outlet door 210 of the cleaning chamber 211 is opened, the container A is nipped by the manipulator 301, and moved to the chemical receiving portion 203 as described above. As shown in FIG. 2, the medicine receiving portion 203 is
One side of the chemical receiving plate 216 having a predetermined width is connected to the bottom plate 206 of the outer cleaning section 202. In the medicine receiving portion 203, as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 2, the container A is inverted by the manipulator 301 so that the mouth B of the container A faces downward,
Retain the medicine remaining inside from the mouth B of the container A to the medicine receiving plate 2
Discharge to 16. The remaining chemical is discharged in about 4 seconds.

Next, the container A held by the manipulator 301 is moved to the inner cleaning section 204. As shown in FIG. 1, the inner washing section 204 of the container A is configured by arranging a first water jetting device 217 for roughly washing the inside of the container A and a second water jetting device 218 for finishing washing in parallel. The first and second water injection devices 217 and 218 are respectively provided with water injection pipes 219 and 2
20, three water injection nozzles 221 and 222 are attached upward. The number of water injection nozzles 221 and 222 attached to the water injection pipes 219 and 220 is not limited to three, and may be increased or decreased as appropriate according to the number of containers A that are nipped and moved by the manipulator 301. In the inside cleaning unit 204 configured as described above, first, the container A held by the manipulator 301 is positioned above the first water jetting device 217, and then moved downward to move the mouth B of the container A. The water injection nozzle 221 of the first water injection device 217 is inserted into the. Then, the washing water is vigorously sprayed again into the container A, and the chemicals adhering to the inside of the container A are discharged from the mouth B of the container A together with the washing water. This rough cleaning is performed in about 7 seconds. When the rough cleaning of the container A is completed, the manipulator 3
The container A is lifted by 01 to be positioned above the second water injection device 218, and then moved downward to the mouth B of the container A at the water injection nozzle 22 of the second water injection device 218.
Insert 2. Then, washing water is vigorously sprayed into the container A to completely wash away the chemicals adhering to the container A. This finishing cleaning is also performed in about 7 seconds. As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning water sprayed from the water injection nozzle 222 of the second water injection device 218 into the container A is stored in the water tank 223 and sent to the first water injection device 217 that performs rough cleaning. If filled, the chemicals in the container A can be washed off with a minimum amount of washing water.

The container A which has undergone the inside cleaning is moved to the warm air blowing section 205 by the manipulator 301. The hot air blowing unit 205 includes, for example, a plurality of hot air jet nozzles 224, and blows hot air to the entire container A to quickly dry the inside and outside of the container A. The container A is dried in about 7 seconds.

Finally, the container A is placed on the transport mechanism 401 by the manipulator 301 and transported to a predetermined position.
At this time, as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 2, the container A is inverted by the manipulator 301 so that the mouth B of the container A faces upward. Like the transfer mechanism 101, the transport mechanism 401 uses a belt conveyor or the like in which a belt is mounted on belt wheels (pulleys) provided at both ends of a continuous frame and a driving device rotates the belt.

In the manipulator 301 which holds the container A and moves it to the chemical receiving part 203, the inner cleaning part 204, and the warm air blowing part 205, and finally put it on the transport mechanism 401, the mouth part B of the container A moves vertically. It is configured so that it can be inverted so that it faces.

As shown in FIG. 3, the manipulator 301 comprises a base 302 and an arm device 303 attached to the base 302. As shown in FIG. 4 (two-dot chain line), the base 302 is pivotally attached to the base 304. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the board 304 is fixed to a position adjacent to the warm air blowing section 205 of the cleaning mechanism 201. As shown in FIG. 3, the arm device 303 that holds the container A includes an arm base body 305 having a drive device such as a motor built therein, and a rotation drive unit 306 attached to one end of the arm base body 305. Rotation drive unit 306
Is attached to the arm basic body 305 so as to be horizontal, and rotates in the horizontal direction at a first rotation shaft 308 which rotates along the axis of the arm and the upper end of the first rotation shaft 308 (see FIG. 4 two-dot chain line) and a horizontal rotation unit 309.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a holding body 310 for moving the container A is attached to the end of the horizontal rotating portion 309 so as to be rotatable in the same direction as the first rotating shaft 308.
The base 302 and the arm basic body 305 are connected to the connecting rod 30.
7 through, and as shown in FIG. 3 (two-dot chain line),
The arm device 303 can move in the front-rear direction. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 3 (two-dot chain line),
The arm device 303 can be rotated on the connecting rod 307. As shown in FIG. 5, the sandwiching body 310 is
The structure is such that three containers A are nipped and moved at one time. Specifically, four container holding plates 312, 313, 314, and 315 are attached to one surface of the holding substrate 311 at equal intervals. And a pair of clamping plates 3 for clamping the container A
12 ・ 313, 313 ・ 314, 314 ・ 315,
Holding plates 312, 313, 313, 314, 314.3
Pressing bodies 316, 317, 3 movable in the width direction between 15
18 and fixed pressing bodies 319, 320, 321 are installed respectively, and both pressing bodies 316, 319, 317, 3 are installed.
The container A is sandwiched and moved by 20, 318 and 321. The container A held by the holding body 310
Is not limited to three, and may be increased or decreased depending on conditions such as the total number of containers A to be cleaned and the scale of the entire cleaning device.

[0031]

The automatic container cleaning apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a container A transfer mechanism 101 for continuously feeding a used container A, on which a chemical remains or adheres, to a predetermined position, and a container A.
Cleaning mechanism 201 that removes chemicals remaining or adhering to the
And a manipulator 301 that holds the container A sent by the transfer mechanism 101 and moves the container A in the cleaning mechanism 201, and a container A transport mechanism 401 that sends the cleaned container A to a predetermined position. Therefore, a plurality of used containers A can be washed in an extremely short time.

That is, since the conveyor 102 is used as the transfer mechanism 101 for the container A, the container A is installed on the conveyor 102.
Anyone can easily send the used container A to the cleaning mechanism 201 simply by mounting the container. Also, the conveyor 10
2, a stopper device 103 is installed, and while the side walls of the container A are in contact with the stopper device 103 and a plurality of containers A are stopped on the conveyor 102 that is rotationally driven,
On the other hand, since the used containers A are continuously placed on the conveyor 102, the single conveyor 102 can efficiently perform the preparation for sending the plurality of containers A to the cleaning mechanism 201. Further, since the extruder 10 for feeding the stopped container A in a predetermined direction is installed at one end of the conveyor 102, the used container A can be continuously supplied to the cleaning mechanism 201 without relying on human labor. Can be sent. As described above, since the plurality of used containers A are sent to the cleaning mechanism 201 by using the conveyor 102 and the extrusion device 10, there is no risk that an operator may get their hands caught in various devices forming the cleaning mechanism 201. The safety of cleaning work is ensured.

Further, the cleaning mechanism 201 for the container A is
An outer washing section 202 for washing off dirt adhering to the surface,
A chemical receiving portion 203 for receiving the discharged residual chemical with the mouth B of the container A facing downward, and a first rough cleaning of the inside of the container A.
A water jetting device 217 and a second water jetting device 218 for finishing washing are arranged in parallel to wash off the chemicals remaining or adhering to the inside of the container A, and a hot air blow for drying the washed container A. Since it includes the attachment part 205, the outer side and the inner side of the used container A can be cleaned in an extremely short time.

In particular, before cleaning the inside of the container A, the container A
Since the stains adhering to the surface are washed off, and the residual chemical that is the main factor of the stain is removed in advance by discharging the residual chemical to the chemical receiving portion 203 with the mouth B of the container A facing downward, The container A can be cleanly washed with the limited amount of washing water.
Further, in the inner cleaning unit 204, since the cleaning water is sprayed into the container A by the first water injection device 217 to perform rough cleaning, the cleaning water is fed again into the container A by the second water injection device 218, so that the minimum With the limited amount of cleaning water, the chemicals remaining or adhering to the container A can be completely washed off. Further, after the container A is washed, the container A is sent to the warm air blowing unit 205 and dried, so that the container A that has been washed can be used immediately.

On the other hand, the used container A is replaced with the manipulator 3
The outer cleaning section 202 and the chemical receiving section 20 are sandwiched by 01.
3, the inner cleaning unit 204 and the warm air blowing unit 205 are moved, so that the plurality of containers A sent from the transfer mechanism 101 can be continuously cleaned. Further, since the used container A is clamped by the manipulator 301 and moved, and no manpower is required to wash the outside and the inside of the container A, the container A
There is no risk of residual chemicals accidentally adhering to the worker's body or hands during the cleaning of (1), and the cleaning work of the container A can be safely carried out. Furthermore, since the manipulator 301 is constructed so that the mouth B of the container A to be moved can be turned upside down, the outside of the container A is washed and then the mouth B of the container A is turned downward. The residual chemical can be discharged to the chemical receiving portion 203, and then the container A can be cleanly cleaned by spraying a minimum amount of cleaning water. Further, in the inner washing section 204, the washing water is sprayed into the container A by the first water jetting device 218 and the second water jetting device 219 with the mouth portion B of the container A facing downward, so that the residual water remains in the container A. The attached chemicals can be discharged from the mouth B of the container A as they are together with the cleaning water. Therefore, the cleaning water is sprayed into the container A and the residual chemicals and the cleaning water are discharged to the outside of the container A at substantially the same time, so that the plurality of used containers A can be cleaned in an extremely short time. In addition, the container A, which has been cleaned, has the mouth B facing upward and the transport mechanism 4
Since the container A is placed on 01, the container A does not fall down and the container A can be easily accommodated at a predetermined position.

As described above, according to the present invention, chemicals remain
The used container A attached is sent to the cleaning mechanism 201 by the transfer mechanism 101, and the container A is transferred to the manipulator 30.
1, the chemical receiving portion 203, the inner cleaning portion 204,
The container A, which has been moved to the warm air spraying unit 205 or the like and finished cleaning, is sent to a predetermined position by the transport mechanism 401.
Automation in all cleaning processes is possible, and labor costs can be significantly reduced.

In addition to this, the automatic container cleaning apparatus according to the present invention includes a container A transfer mechanism 101, a cleaning mechanism 201, and a container A.
A manipulator 301 for moving the inside of the cleaning mechanism 201,
It has a transport mechanism 401 that sends out the cleaned container A, and its configuration is extremely simple. Therefore, it is suitable for mass production, and has an excellent practical effect such that the entire apparatus can be provided at low cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an arrangement example of a container transfer mechanism, a cleaning mechanism, a manipulator, and a transfer mechanism.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a moving state of the container.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the manipulator.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the manipulator.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a holding body.

[Explanation of symbols]

A Container B Mouth 101 Transfer Mechanism 102 Conveyor 103 Stopper Device 104 Extruder 105 Frame 106 Frame 107 Stop Plate 108 Extrusion Rod 109 Outlet 201 Cleaning Mechanism 202 Outer Cleaning Section 203 Chemical Receiving Section 204 Inner Cleaning Section 205 Warm Air Spraying Section 206 Bottom plate 207 Water injection nozzle 208 Top plate 209 Inlet door 210 Outlet door 211 Washing chamber 212 Mouth closing device 213 Mouth closing device 214 Hydraulic cylinder 215 Hydraulic cylinder 216 Chemical receiving plate 217 First water injecting device 218 Second water injecting device 219 Water injection pipe 220 Water injection pipe 221 Water injection nozzle 222 Water injection nozzle 223 Water tank 224 Warm air injection nozzle 301 Manipulator 302 Base stand 303 Arm device 304 Base 305 Arm basic body 306 Rotation drive unit 307 Connection rod 3 8 the first rotating shaft 309 horizontally rotating unit 310 Kyojitai 311 sandwiching the substrate 312 containers holding plate 313 containers holding plate 314 containers holding plate 315 containers holding plate 316 pressing body 317 pressing body 318 pressing body 319 pressing body 320 pressing body 321 pressing body

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A container transfer mechanism for continuously sending a used container, in which a chemical remains or adheres, to a predetermined position,
A cleaning mechanism to wash away the chemicals remaining or adhering to the container, a manipulator that holds the container sent by the transfer mechanism to move the container within the cleaning mechanism, and a container that sends the cleaned container to a specified position. An automatic container cleaning device comprising a transport mechanism. 2. The container transfer mechanism comprises a conveyor for continuously feeding the container to a predetermined position, a stopper device for stopping the movement of the container on the driven conveyor, and a container in the stopped state being pushed out for cleaning. An automatic cleaning device for containers according to claim 1, which comprises an extrusion device for feeding into the mechanism. 3. The container cleaning mechanism includes an outer cleaning section for cleaning off dirt adhering to the container surface, a chemical receiving section for receiving the residual chemical discharged with the mouth of the container facing downward, and a rough cleaning for the inside of the container. An inner cleaning section for arranging a first water spraying apparatus for performing and a second water spraying apparatus for finishing cleaning to wash away chemicals remaining or adhering to the inside of the container, and a warm air blowing section for drying the cleaned container. An automatic cleaning device for a container according to claim 1, comprising: 4. The automatic container cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the manipulator is constructed so that the mouth of the container to be moved can be turned upside down.