JPH1080671A - Device and method for washing and drying foldable container - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the effective washing and drying by quickly and surely removing droplets stuck to a foldable container. SOLUTION: This washing and drying device of the foldable container is constituted by having an assemblying device 22 with which the foldable container under the folded state is placed in the assembled state, a washing device 23 with which the foldable container assembled by means of the assembling device 22 is washed and dryers 29, 30 with which droplets are removed by rotating the foldable container washed by means of the washing device 23 and the inside of the foldable container is thereafter dried by feeding the hot air into the foldable container.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for cleaning and drying a foldable folding container and for drying the folding container.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A folding container (registered trademark [Oricon] of Showa Denko KK) is assembled to be able to store contents when used, and is folded when not in use to reduce management and transportation space. .

[0003] Since the inside of such a folding container becomes dirty when used, it is necessary to clean the dirt, and after the cleaning, it is necessary to dry the folding container.

[0004] In the drying of the folding container as described above, hot air is supplied into the assembled folding container, and the heat attached to the folding container evaporates and dries the moisture attached to the folding container.

[0005]

That is, there are facilities such as washing the folded container in the assembled state by the force of jet water or spraying a liquid containing a detergent, but have the following drawbacks. They had to stack the folded containers off the pallet and assemble them, or folded the washed containers to stack them on the pallet or to obtain them. Sticky dirt on the inside of the folding container was hard to remove. Drying was only enough to blow hot air onto the wet folding container, so that water accumulated inside and water accumulated in the concave and convex portions of each plate of the container remained and could not be completely dried. Since the inside of the folding container has a large space and is hard to be heated, drying is insufficient or a large amount of hot air is required for performing sufficient drying, and the drying time is long.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to take the above circumstances into consideration,
An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for washing and drying a folding container, which can quickly and surely remove droplets attached to the folding container and efficiently wash and dry the same.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a pair of end plates are axially supported opposite to each other on a side frame.
A pair of side plates are supported adjacent to and opposed to the end plate, and a bottom plate is supported by one of the pair of end plates or the side plates.
In the washing and drying apparatus for washing and drying a folding container in which the end plate and the side plate are vertically arranged with respect to the bottom plate to form an assembled state, and which are arranged in parallel and folded, the folding containers in the folded state are stacked. The loaded folding container group is carried in a state of being set on a pallet, the loading device for individually transporting the folded container group from the pallet, and the folding container in the folded state of the folding container group carried in by the loading device are in an assembled state. An assembling device, a washing device for washing the folding container assembled by the assembling device, and a folding container washed by the washing device folded around and stacked around the axis to rotate around an axis perpendicular to the bottom plate. A drying device that removes droplets attached to the folding containers and dries each of the folding containers, and transports a group of folding containers dried by the drying device to a pallet. Is location is obtained by the so and a unloading device for unloading the folded container in this pallet units.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the drying device further removes the droplets, and then introduces hot air into the folded folding container in a stacked state. Is supplied.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the assembling apparatus further includes a plurality of the folded containers which are folded and stacked. A lifting device for intermittently lifting at a predetermined pitch, and a gripping portion disposed adjacent to the lifting device, and the gripping portion grips the side frame of the uppermost folding container placed on the lifting device. And, while lifting and transferring to the container discharge position, extend the side plate of the folding container,
And a transfer device for bringing the folding container into a semi-assembled state.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the assembling apparatus further includes an expanding portion disposed adjacent to the transfer device, and the expanding portion includes the expanding portion. The above-mentioned end plate of the folding container is vertically provided so that the folding container is brought into a fully assembled state.

[0011] The present invention described in claim 5 provides the invention according to claims 1-4.
In the present invention described in any one of the above, further, the cleaning device may further include a transport device that transports the folding container, a brushing unit in which a brush body is horizontally disposed above the transport device and a brush body is implanted around the transport device. Lowering the unit to the inner surface of the bottom plate of the folding container on the transfer device, and also includes an elevating mechanism for raising the container above the folding container, and a rotating mechanism for rotating and driving the brushing unit, The width dimension of the brushing unit is set to be slightly larger or equal to the inner width dimension of the folding container.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the brushing unit of the cleaning device further includes a brush shaft having a brush body implanted on an outer periphery thereof, and a brush shaft. It has a support stay rotatably and horizontally supported, and an end member installed at an end of the brush shaft and having a brush body implanted on the outer periphery.

The present invention described in claim 7 provides the invention according to claims 1 to 6
In the present invention according to any one of the above, further, the drying device enables the folding container in a folded state to be placed in contact with the bottom plate or the side frame, and rotates around an axis perpendicular to the bottom plate of the folding container. A drivable turntable, which is disposed above the turntable so that the folded container in the folded state can be held between the turntable and the turntable, and is rotatably provided about an axis perpendicular to the bottom plate. Holding the holding container, and holding the folding container in the folded state between the turntable and the holding plate and rotating about the axis to remove droplets attached to the folding container. It is configured to do so.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the hot air supply means for supplying hot air is provided adjacent to the turntable and the holding member of the drying device. Then, hot air can be supplied from the hot air supply means into the folding container in a folded state from which liquid droplets have been removed by the turntable and the holding member.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a pair of end plates are supported on the side frame so as to face each other, and the pair of side plates are supported adjacent to and opposed to the end plates. A bottom plate is pivotally supported on one of the end plate and the side plate, and the end plate and the side plate are arranged vertically with respect to the bottom plate to be in an assembled state, and are arranged in a parallel state in a folded state. In the method of washing and drying containers, a loading step of loading a group of folded containers in which folding containers in a folded state are stacked on a pallet and individually transporting the group of folded containers from the pallet; An assembling process of assembling the folded containers in the folded state of the container group, a washing process of washing the assembled folded containers, and a center around an axis perpendicular to the bottom plate in a state where the folded containers are folded and stacked. Rotate A drying step of removing the liquid droplets attached to the folding containers and drying each of the folding containers; transporting the dried folding containers and placing them on a pallet; and carrying out the folding containers on a pallet basis. And a process.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect of the present invention, after the droplets are removed in the drying step, hot air is supplied into the stacked folding containers in a stacked state. It is something to do.

The present invention described in claim 11 is the present invention according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising the step of:
A plurality of stacked containers are raised, the uppermost folding container is positioned at a certain folding container gripping level, a side frame of the uppermost folding container is gripped and lifted, and moved to a predetermined position. Then, the folding container is assembled.

The present invention according to claim 12 provides the invention according to claim 11
In the present invention described in the above, further, in the assembling step, during the moving step of the folding container, the end plate is pushed downward to expand.

The present invention described in claim 13 is the invention according to claims 9 to
12. In the present invention according to any one of the above 12, further, the washing step includes disposing, on a transfer device, the folding container in which two sets of wall plates facing each other are arranged upright, and the transfer direction of the transfer device. The brushing unit according to claim 5 or 6 is rotated while being brought into contact with the inner surface of one of the pair of wall plates corresponding to the wall plate, and is lowered along the one wall plate to form the one wall plate. After the inner surface of the plate is brushed and washed, the brushing unit comes into contact with the inner surface of the bottom plate of the box-shaped container, and then the box-shaped container is relatively moved while rotating the brushing unit to brush the inner surface of the bottom plate. After cleaning, the brushing unit contacts the inner surface of the other wall plate of the pair of wall plates, and then the brushing unit is rotated while maintaining the contact state. It is raised along the wall plate of the other while, in which the inner surface of the other wall plate is configured to brushing cleaning.

The present invention according to claim 14 provides the present invention according to claim 13.
In the present invention described in the above item, further, the washing step may include the step of:
After brushing and washing by the washing method, the folding container is turned at right angles and conveyed, and the inner surfaces of the other pair of wall plates and the inner surface of the bottom plate of the folding container are arranged orthogonally to the pair of wall plates. The brushing cleaning is performed by the cleaning method according to claim 13.

According to the present invention, the following effects are obtained. While the gripper of the transfer device grips the side frame of the folding container and lifts the folding container to transfer it to the container discharging position,
Since the side plate of the folding container is extended by the weight of the bottom plate of the folding container, the folding container can be assembled in a semi-assembled state in the transfer process by the transfer device. For this reason, the assembling time of the folding container by the assembling apparatus can be shortened, and assembling of the folding container as a whole assembling equipment of the folding container can be rapidly performed.

Further, it is sufficient for the lift device to intermittently raise the folded containers in a stacked state at a predetermined pitch.
Since it is not necessary to reciprocate the lift device in a state where the folded containers in the stacked state remain in the lift device, the lift device can be operated at high speed, and the assembly of the folded container can be quickly performed.

The width of the brushing unit which is horizontally arranged and driven to rotate is set to be slightly larger than or equal to the inner width of the box-shaped container. When brushing and cleaning the inner surface of the bottom plate, the brush body of the brushing unit reaches the corner surrounded by the wall plate and the bottom plate adjacent to each other, and this corner can be satisfactorily brushed.

Further, as described above, since the brushing unit can brush-clean both the inner surface of the wall plate and the bottom plate and the corner, the corner brushing unit required for brush-cleaning the corner is unnecessary. It can be.

During the lowering of the brushing unit, the inner surface of one wall plate of the box-shaped container and during the relative movement of the box-shaped container (including the case where the brushing unit is moved to hold the box-shaped container). Since the inner surface of the bottom plate of the box-shaped container and the inner surface of the other wall plate opposite to the one wall plate of the box-shaped container during the raising of the brushing unit are respectively brushed and washed, the box-shaped container of the brushing unit is The cleaning of the inside of the box-shaped container can be performed more efficiently and the cleaning time can be shortened as compared with the case where the brushing cleaning is stopped during the relative lifting / lowering or during the transportation of the box-shaped container.

Since the inner surface of the bottom plate of the box-shaped container is also brushed and washed by the brushing unit before and after the direction of the box-shaped container is changed to a right angle, the inner surface of the bottom plate that is easily contaminated can be cleaned well.

Since the folding container is sandwiched between the turntable and the holding member in the folded state and rotated about an axis perpendicular to the bottom plate of the folding container, the end plate, the side plate and the bottom plate of the folding container in the folded state are substantially formed. Since the centrifugal force acts in the parallel direction, droplets adhered to the end plate, the side plate, the bottom plate, and the like can be reliably scattered and removed by the centrifugal force, and good drying can be performed.

Since a plurality of folded containers are stacked and sandwiched between the turntable and the holding member, a plurality of droplets can be removed simultaneously by centrifugal force of the folded containers, and the folded containers can be efficiently dried. it can.

Since the hot air is supplied from the hot air supply means to the folded container in a small space, the heat transfer efficiency is improved, and the inside of the folded container can be dried quickly and satisfactorily.

A plurality of the folded containers are stacked in a folded state, loaded as a group of folded containers on a pallet, and loaded and unloaded in the same state. The folded containers are washed and dried. Can be automatically washed and dried by simply loading and unloading pallets.
The washing and drying processing of the folding container can be efficiently performed.

[0031]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a layout diagram showing a washing and drying line for a folding container. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state of the folding container in the washing and drying line of FIG. 3A and 3B show a loading / unloading device for a folding container stacking pallet. FIG. 3A is an overall perspective view, and FIG. 3B is a schematic plan view of a loading side portion. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a facility for assembling the folding container. FIG. 5 is a front view showing the transfer device of FIG. FIG. 6 is a front view showing the assembling apparatus of FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a process of assembling the folding container. 8A and 8B show a cleaning device for a folding container, wherein FIG. 8A is a plan view and FIG. 8B is a side view. FIG. 9 (A) shows FIG.
FIG. 9 (A) is an arrow view along line IXA-IXA, and FIG. 9 (B).
FIG. 10 is a view on arrow IXB of FIG. FIG.
It is a figure which shows the brushing unit of (A). FIG.
FIG. 11A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the XIA portion of FIG.
FIG. 11B is an enlarged sectional view of the XIB portion in FIG. 10. FIG.
Shows a first reversing device of the folding container, (A) is a side view thereof, and (B) is a front view thereof. 13A and 13B show a water washing apparatus for a folding container, wherein FIG. 13A is a plan view thereof, FIG. 13B is a view taken along the arrow XIIIB of FIG. 13A, and FIG. 13C is a view of FIG.
It is an XIIIC arrow view. FIG. 14 is a front view showing a folding device for folding containers. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a folding process of the folding container. FIG. 16 shows a second example of the folding container.
2A is a side view of the reversing device, and FIG. FIG. 17 is a side view showing a stacking device for folding containers. FIG. 18 is a view on arrow XVIII in FIG. 19A and 19B show a first drying device for a folding container to which the drying device for a folding container according to the present invention is applied, wherein FIG. 19A is a front view and FIG. 19B is a plan view. FIG. 20 shows the folded container in an assembled state, (A) is a front view thereof, and (B).
Is a side view thereof. FIG. 21 shows a folded container in a folded state, (A) is a plan view thereof, (B) is a side view thereof,
(C) and (D) show the XXI C-XXI C line, XX in FIG.
It is sectional drawing in alignment with ID-XXI D line. FIG.
Shows a second drying device of the folding container to which the drying device of the folding container according to the present invention is applied, (A) is a front view thereof,
(B) is a side view of the folding container of FIG. 22 (A), and (C) is a schematic sectional view showing a hot air supply state. FIGS. 23A and 23B show a loading / unloading device for a folding container stacking pallet, in which FIG. 23A is an overall perspective view, and FIG. 23B is a schematic plan view of a loading side portion.
FIG. 24 is a time chart in the folding container cleaning apparatus of FIG.

The washing and drying line 2 for the folding container shown in FIG.
Numeral 0 indicates that the folding container 2 is carried in in units of pallets, washed and dried, and then carried out in units of pallets. Folding container washing equipment 23 as a washing device, first folding container reversing device 24, folding container water washing device 25, folding container folding device 26, folding container second reversing device 27, folding container stacking device 28 The first drying device 29 for the folding container and the second drying device 30 for the folding container are sequentially connected, and the second drying device 30 for the folding container is connected to the loading / unloading device 21 for the folding container stacking pallet. You.

The folding container 2 (registered trademark "Oricon" of Showa Denko KK) is supported by a pair of frame-shaped side frames 13 as shown in FIGS.
A side plate 10 that can be bent at a joint 14 and a side frame 13
A pair of end plates 9 are provided so as to face each other and are arranged adjacent to the side plate 10, and a bottom plate 11 is supported at the end of the side plate 10.

The folded container 2 is in the assembled state as shown in FIG.
As shown in (E) and (H) and FIG. 20, the end plate 9 and the side plate 10 are vertically arranged with respect to the bottom plate 11 so that the contents can be accommodated. In the folded state, FIGS. 7 (A) and 7 (B) 21, and the end plate 9 and the side plate 10 are connected to the bottom plate 11 as shown in FIG.
And the side plates 10 are bent at the joints 14 to reduce the space for management and transportation. When the folding container 2 is assembled, the folding container 2 has an opening above the bottom plate 11 and the pair of end plates 9 and side plates 10 constitute a wall plate.

As shown in FIG. 2 (A), in the folding container loading / unloading device 21 for the folding container stacking pallet, as shown in FIG. Two (for example, six) pallets 16 are carried in a state where they are placed on the pallet 16, and are separated into 15 units of each folding container group (FIG. 2B). In the folding container assembly equipment 22 and the folding container cleaning equipment 23, the folding container 2 includes:
As shown in FIG. 2 (C), the first reversing device 24 of the folding container and the water washing device 25 of the folding container 25 are in an assembled state as shown in FIG. Is done.

Further, the folding container 2 is folded upside down in the folding container folding device 26 (FIG. 2).
(E)), the folding container is normally rotated in the second reversing device 27 (FIG. 2 (F)). The folding container 2 is in the state of the folding container group 15 as shown in FIG. 2 (G) in the folding container stacking device 28, the first folding container drying device 29, and the second folding container drying device 30. In the folding container loading / unloading device 21 for stacking pallets, the folding container group 1
5 are placed on a plurality of pallets 16 (FIG. 2).
(H)). Hereinafter, each of the above devices and equipment will be described.

(A) Folding Container Loading Pallet Loading / Unloading Device 21 (FIG. 3) The folding container loading pallet loading / unloading device 21 loads the folding containers 2 in units of pallets 16 and separates them into 15 units of folding containers. The folding containers 2 of 15 units of the folding containers are carried out by 16 units of pallets, and the carrying-in process and the carrying-out process are performed.

In the folding container loading / unloading apparatus 21 for loading and unloading pallets, when the folding containers 2 are loaded into the loading pallet conveyor 31 in units of pallets 16 by a forklift or the like, for example, the loading pallet conveyor 31 is folded into six pallets. The pallet 16 on which the container group 15 is placed is carried into the carry-in area 32A of the transfer station 32. The transfer station 32 includes the transfer station 3
A transfer pusher 33 that reciprocates between the carry-in area 32A and the carry-out area 32B is provided, and six of the pallets 16 in which the folding container group 15 carried into the carry-in area 32A are arranged. All folding container groups 15
The transfer pusher 33 simultaneously transfers the data onto the first conveyor 34 on the loading side.

The first conveyor 34 on the loading side simultaneously transports all of the folded container groups 15 transferred to the second conveyor 35 on the loading side, and the first three folding container groups 15 in the first half.
Stops when it comes into contact with the second conveyor 35 on the loading side.
Since the conveying speed v ₂ of the carry-in side second conveyor 35 is set larger than the conveying speed v ₁ of the carry-side first conveyor 34 (v _2> v _1), the first conveyor 34 and the carry-entry side Between the two conveyors 35, the first three folding container groups 15
And the latter three folding container groups 15 are separated. Next, the three folding container groups 1 on the second conveyor 35 on the loading side.
5 is transferred to the third conveyor 37 on the loading side and the fourth conveyor 38 on the loading side by the pusher 36.

The third conveyor 37 on the loading side and the fourth conveyor 38 on the loading side are respectively two folding containers and one folding container group.
5, and the fourth conveyor 38 on the loading side is driven first to transport one group of folding containers 15 to the folding container assembly equipment 22. After the folding container group 15 on the loading-side fourth conveyor 38 is transported to the folding container assembling equipment 22, the loading-side third conveyor 37 is driven, and one folding container group on the loading-side third conveyor 37 is driven. The conveyor 15 is conveyed to the fourth conveyor 38 on the loading side and front-filled. Thereafter, the third conveyor 37 on the loading side is stopped, and the fourth conveyor 38 on the loading side is driven. The folding container group 15 is transported to the folding container assembly equipment 22.
The remaining one is similarly transported to the folding container assembly facility 22.

The last three folding container groups 15 remaining on the first conveyor 34 on the loading side are connected to the second conveyor 3 on the loading side.
5 is emptied by the carry-in side first conveyor 34 when it becomes empty, and is conveyed to the folding container assembly equipment 22 as described above.

In the folding container loading / unloading device 21 for loading and unloading pallets, the folding containers 2 can be loaded in pallets 16 by a forklift (not shown) or the like, so that the number of times the folding containers 2 are loaded can be reduced. The pallet 16
In this case, the six folding container groups 15 need not be placed in a full state, and it is sufficient that the folding container group 15 is placed in a predetermined position when the container is full.

(B) Assembly equipment for folding containers (FIGS. 4, 5
6 and 7) The folding container assembling equipment 22 implements an assembling process in which the folding container group unit is set as one unit of the folding container 2 and is transported in an assembled state, as shown in FIG. And a lift device 39, a transfer device 40, an assembly device 41, and a transfer device 42.

Loading / unloading device 21 for folding container stacking pallets
When the single folding container group 15 is transferred to the elevator 43 of the lifting device 39 by the fourth conveyor 38 on the loading side, the lifting device 39 is moved to the folding container group 15 placed on the elevator 43.
Is lifted until the uppermost folding container 2 reaches the gripping level A.

After that, the gripping element 44A (FIG. 5) of the gripping portion 44 of the transfer device 40 is moved by the action of the gripping cylinder device 45 to the side frame 13 of the uppermost folding container 2.
Is gripped from both sides. Here, the left and right grips 44 are
The two links 46 are configured to be swingable. After gripping the side frame 13 in the folding container 2, the swing cylinder device 47 (FIG. 4) of the transfer device 40 is extended to lift the folding container 2 while holding the uppermost folding container 2. Transfer to 42. The folding container 2 gripped during the transfer is such that the side plate 10 is extended and the end plate 15 is lowered by its own weight to be in a semi-assembled state (FIGS. 7C and 7F) or a tentatively assembled state (FIG. 7D). , (G)).

The folding container 2 is new and the end plate 9 is
However, if it is difficult to rotate, the transfer device 40 does not directly enter the temporary assembly state during the transfer process, but enters the semi-assembly state. In this case, the temporary assembling cylinder device 48 is then operated to forcibly push down the end plate 9 of the folding container 2 to bring it into a temporarily assembled state.

The transfer device 40 stops the swing cylinder device 47 immediately before the folding container 2 is placed on the transfer device 42, contracts the gripping cylinder device 45, and moves the folding container 2 by the gripping element 44A. The gripper is released, and then the swing cylinder device 47 is contracted to operate the gripper 4.
4 is swung toward the lift device 39 side. Before the gripper 44 returns to the lift device 39 side, the lift device 39 moves up one pitch by the thickness t of the folding container 2.

After the temporary assembly of the folding container 2 is completed, the assembling cylinder device 49 of the assembling device 41 shown in FIG. 6 is contracted, and the expanding bar 51 is moved via the swing arm 50 to the end plate of the folding container 2. 9, the folding container 2 is fully assembled (FIGS. 7E and 7H). During this assembling, the gripping cylinder 45 of the transfer device 40 is extended and the gripping element 44A grips the next uppermost folding container 2, and the gripping folding container 2 is moved as described above. Similarly, it is transferred by the transfer device 40 and semi-assembled or temporarily assembled.

The above-described assembling operation of the folding containers 2 is executed for each of the folding containers 2 in the folding container group 15, and the lowermost folding containers 2 are transferred by the transfer device 40 to the transfer device 4.
After being transferred to the upper side, the lift device 39 is lowered, and the folding container group 15 in the next stacked state is brought into the fourth conveyor 3 on the loading side.
At 8, it is placed on the lift 43 of the lift device 39.

(C) Folding Container Cleaning Equipment 23 (FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11) As shown in FIG. 8, the folding container cleaning equipment 23 cleans the folding container 2 using a cleaning agent. The cleaning step is performed, and includes an L-direction cleaning device 23A and a W-direction cleaning device 23B. These L-direction cleaning devices 2
3A and the W-direction cleaning device 23B
2. It has a main brushing unit 52, a sub brushing unit 53, a lifting mechanism 54, and a drive mechanism 55.

The transporting device 42 is a transporting device in the folding container assembling equipment 22, and transports the folding container 2 with the bottom plate 11 in contact therewith. This transfer device 42 is the same as that shown in FIG.
A turn guide 56 is provided as shown in FIG.
The folding container 2 is transported in a direction (L direction) parallel to the side plate 10 and the folding container 2 is guided to the L-direction washing device 23A. After that, the folding container 2 transported in the L direction is transferred to the turn guide 56. Abut, change direction at right angles,
The folding container 2 is transported in a direction (W direction) parallel to the end plate 9, and the folding container 2 is guided to the W-direction washing device 23B.

A frame 57 is installed so as to straddle the transport device 42 as shown in FIG. A guide member 58 extending in the vertical direction is installed on the frame 57, and a slider 60 fixed to a support plate 59 is fitted to the guide member 58, and the support plate 59 is provided so as to be able to move up and down. The main brushing unit 52 is supported on the support plate 59 by the support stay 61.

The main brushing unit 52 is provided as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 11, end brushes 63 are arranged at both ends of a center brush 62, and are supported in a horizontal state by a plurality of, for example, two support stays 61. The center brush 62 is configured by implanting a brush body 65 around a brush shaft 64. The end brush 63 is formed by implanting a brush body 65 around an end member 66. The end member 66 is penetrated by end shafts 67 projecting from both ends of the brush shaft 64, and is provided with nuts 68. The end brush 63 and the center brush 62 are fixed.
Are integrated.

The brush shaft 64 of the center brush 62 is rotatably supported in a horizontal state by each support stay 61 provided with a bearing 69.

The main brushing unit 52 in which the center brush 62 and the end brush 63 are integrated
The width X (axial direction) of the folding container 2 in the assembled state
8A, ie, the dimension Y between the inner surfaces of both side plates 10 of the folding container 2 in the L-direction cleaning device 23A as shown in FIG. 8A, and the both end plates 9 of the folding container 2 in the W-direction cleaning device 23B. Are set respectively to the inner surface dimension Z of.
The main brushing unit 52 allows the end plate 9 and the side plate 10 in the assembled folding container 2 to be described later.
And the respective inner surfaces of the bottom plate 11 and these end plates 9,
A corner 12 formed by the side plate 10 and the bottom plate 11 is subjected to brushing cleaning.

As shown in FIG. 9, the support plate 59
Is provided with a rotary drive motor 70, a sprocket 71 fixed to the motor shaft of the rotary drive motor 70, and a brush shaft 64 (FIG. 1) of the main brushing unit 52.
The chain 73 is wound around the sprocket 72 fixed in 1), and the main brushing unit 52 is rotationally driven by the rotational drive motor 70. The rotary drive motor 70, sprockets 71 and 72, and chain 73
Constitute the drive mechanism 55.

The chain 73 is connected to one of the support stays 6.
The cover 1 is covered with a protective cover 74 (FIG. 11) fixed thereto. The support plate 59 has a cleaning agent tank 75.
Is installed, and the cleaning agent tube 7 is provided in the cleaning agent tank 75.
6 are connected. As shown in FIG. 10, the cleaning agent tube 76 is accommodated in the support stay 61 and extends to the vicinity of the main brushing unit 52, and transfers the cleaning agent in the cleaning agent tank 75 to the main brushing unit 52.
To be dropped.

As shown in FIG. 9, a pulley 78 driven by a lifting motor 77 and a guide pulley 79 are installed on the frame 57, and a rope 80 is wound around the pulley 78 and the guide pulley 79. . One end of the rope 80 is fixed to the support plate 59, and the other end is fixed to the counter weight 81. The weight of the counter weight 81 is set to be substantially the same as the portion of the rotary drive motor 70, the support plate 59, the support stay 61, the main brushing unit 52, etc., which is moved up and down along the guide member 58 by the slider 60. Balance is always maintained.

The elevating mechanism 77 is constituted by the elevating motor 77, pulley 78, guide pulley 79, rope 80 and counterweight 81. The main brushing unit 52 is driven down by the drive of the elevating motor 77 until the main brushing unit 52 comes into contact with the inner surface of the bottom plate 11 of the folding container 2 on the transfer device 42, and can be raised to a position above the folding container 2 on the transfer device 42. .

The sub brushing unit 53 is installed on both sides of the folding container 2 conveyed by the conveying device 42 on the frame 57, and in the L-direction cleaning device 23A shown in FIG. Both sides plate 1 of container 2
0, brushing and cleaning the outer surface, and a W-direction cleaning device 23B.
In this case, the outer surfaces of both end plates 9 of the folding container 2 being transported can be brushed and washed. Reference numeral 86 denotes a rotary drive motor for driving the sub brushing unit 53.

In addition, below the transfer device 42, FIG.
As shown in (B), a first stopper 82 and a second stopper 83 are arranged corresponding to the L-direction cleaning device 23A.
A first stopper 84 and a second stopper 85 are arranged corresponding to the direction cleaning device 23B.

The first stopper 82 is connected to the L-direction cleaning device 23
The main brushing unit 52 of FIG.
The folding container 2 can be stopped at a position where it can come into contact with the inner surface of the end plate 9 on the front side in the transport direction in FIG. Also, the second
The stopper 83 is connected to the main brushing unit 52.
However, the folding container 2 can be stopped at a position where it can contact the inner surface of the end plate 9 on the rear side in the transport direction in the folding container 2.

The first stopper 84 can stop the folding container 2 at a position where the main brushing unit 52 of the W-direction cleaning device 23B can come into contact with the inner surface of the side plate 10 on the front side in the transport direction of the folding container 2. And Further, the second stopper 85 is located at a position where the main brushing unit 52 of the W-direction washing device 23B can contact the inner surface of the side plate 10 on the rear side in the transport direction of the folding container 2.
The folding container 2 can be stopped.

As shown in FIG. 9, the frame 57 is provided with a pair of fixing devices 87 which can hold the folding container 2 on the transfer device 42 from both sides and fix the folding container 2. The fixing device 87 of the L-direction cleaning device 23A holds the both side plates 10 of the folding container 2 to fix the folding container 2, and the fixing device 87 of the W-direction cleaning device 23B holds the both end plates 9 of the folding container 2. To fix the folding container 2.

Next, the operation of the washing equipment for the folding container 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the folding container 2 transported in the L direction by the transport device 42 is
3A is taken in the same direction, the folding container 2 is stopped by the first stopper 82, and the folding container 2 is fixed by the fixing device 87 of the L-direction washing device 23A.

Next, the L-direction cleaning device 23A activates the rotary drive motor 70 to rotate the main brushing unit 52 while dropping the cleaning agent from the cleaning agent tube 76, and operates the elevating motor 77 in this state. To lower the main brushing unit 52. In this lowering process, the main brushing unit 52 is
And the main brushing unit 58 brushes and cleans the inner surface of the end plate 9 on the front side in the transport direction.

When the main brushing unit 52 comes into contact with the bottom plate 11 of the folding container 2, the lifting motor 77 is stopped while rotating the main brushing unit 52, and the lowering of the main brushing unit 52 is stopped. At this time, a corner 12 surrounded by the end plate 9, the bottom plate 11, and both side plates 10 on the front side in the transport direction in the folding container 2.
Is brushed and washed by the main brushing unit 52.

Next, the fixing device 8 of the L-direction cleaning device 23A
7, the folding container 2 is transported in the L direction by the transport device 42, and the inner surface of the bottom plate 11 of the folding container 2 is brushed and washed by the rotating main brushing unit 52. During this time, the rotation driving motor 86 is activated to rotate the sub brushing unit 53,
The outer surfaces of both side plates 10 of the folding container 2 are brushed and washed by the sub brushing unit 53.

The main brushing unit 52 comes into contact with the inner surface of the end plate 9 on the rear side in the transport direction (L direction) of the folding container 2, and the folding container 2 is moved to the second stopper 83.
Then, the transport device 42 is stopped to stop the transport of the folding container 2, the sub brushing unit 53 is also stopped at the same time, and the folding device 2 is further fixed by the fixing device 87. During this time, the corner 12 surrounded by the end plate 9, the bottom plate 11, and the side plates 10 on the rear side in the transport direction of the folding container 2 is brushed and washed.

Thereafter, while continuing to rotate the main brushing unit 52, the elevating motor 77 is started to raise the main brushing unit 52 while making contact with the end plate 9 of the folding container 2 on the rear side in the transport direction. The inner surface of the end plate 9 on the rear side in the transport direction of the folding container 2 is brushed and cleaned by the rising main brushing unit 52. Main brushing unit 5
When 2 reaches the upper end of the end plate 9 of the folding container 2, the lifting motor 77 and the rotation drive motor 70 are stopped, and the lifting and rotation of the main brushing unit 52 are stopped.

Thereafter, the fixing of the fixing device 87 is released, and the conveying device 42 is activated to convey the folding container 2. During this conveyance, the folding container 2 comes into contact with the turn guide 56, the conveyance direction is changed from the L direction to the W direction, and is carried into the W-direction cleaning device 23B.

The W-direction cleaning device 23B takes in the folding container 2 carried in the W-direction, and
Brushing and washing are performed in the same manner as in 3A. That is, the W-direction cleaning device 23B includes the main brushing unit 52
Side plate 10 on the front side in the transport direction of the folding container 2 during the lowering process of
Of the folding container 2 and the outer surface of the end plate 9 at the same time during the transfer process of the transfer device 42, and the rear side of the folding container 2 in the transfer direction of the folding container 2 during the rising process of the main brushing unit 52. Of the side plate 10 is brushed and cleaned.

(D) First reversing device 24 of the folding container (FIG. 1)
2) The first reversing device 24 of the folding container is configured to transfer the folding container 2 which has been loaded upward with the bottom plate 11 in contact with the transport device 42,
The bottom plate 11 is turned upside down and carried out, and includes a frame 89 provided with tires 88 and a ring 90 provided with a first conveyor 91 and a second conveyor 92.

A ring 90 is mounted on the tire 88, and the ring 90 can be rotated forward and backward by ± 180 ° by a drive motor 93 via a belt 93A. Each roller 94 of the first conveyor 91 and the second conveyor 92 can be driven by a motor 95.
A stopper 96 is provided on the second conveyor 92. Furthermore,
The distance between the first conveyor 91 and the second conveyor 92 is set to substantially match the height of the folded container 2 in the assembled state.

When the folding container 2 is carried upward into the first reversing device 24 of the folding container, the stopper 96 of the first conveyor 91 arranged below stops the folding container 2,
When the drive motor 93 is started, the ring 90 is rotated clockwise by +180.
° Turn forward. Next, the roller 94 of the second conveyor 92 newly disposed on the lower side is driven to convey the folding container 2 downward.

Next, the folding container 2 is transported upward in the same manner as described above, and the folding container 2 is stopped by the stopper 96 of the second conveyor 92.
To rotate the ring 90 by −180 °, and by the rollers 94 of the first conveyor 91 newly disposed on the lower side,
The folding container 2 is transported downward.

As described above, by discharging the folding container 2 downward, the cleaning agent used in the folding container cleaning device 23 and the next-stage folding container water washing device 25 can be used.
Is discharged so as not to accumulate in the folding container 2.

The ring 90 is rotated clockwise and counterclockwise alternately with the first conveyor 91 and the second conveyor 92 alternately, so that the wiring connected to the drive motor 93 and the stopper 96 is twisted. Occurrence can be prevented.

(E) Folding container washing device 25 (FIG. 1)
3) The folding container washing device 25 performs a washing step of washing the folding container 2 with water while the folding container 2 is transported downward by the transport device 97 to remove dirt and a cleaning agent. It comprises nozzle units 98 and 99.

The nozzle units 98 and 99 are installed at a predetermined interval in the transport direction of the folding container 2 by the transport device 97, and are connected to the water tank 101 via the pump 100. Each nozzle unit 98, 99 has blow nozzles 102A, 102B, 102C,
102D are provided. These blowing nozzles 1
Jet water jets are ejected from 02A to 102D to the folding container 2 conveyed by the conveying device 97, and the folding container 2 is washed with water.

Of these, the blowout nozzles 102C installed on the left and right sides of the nozzle units 98 and 99, respectively.
102D cleans the outer surfaces of both end plates 9 of the folding container 2 by injecting the jet water stream at right angles to the folding container 2 being transported.

Further, the blowing nozzles 102A, 102A, 1
No. 02B injects the jet water stream obliquely to the folding container 2 being transported (FIG. 13C). The outer surface of the bottom plate 11 of the folding container 2 and the outer surface of the side plate 10 on the front side in the transport direction are washed with the jet water flow from the blowing nozzle 102A of the nozzle unit 98. Further, the outer surface of the bottom plate 11 of the folding container 2 and the outer surface of the side plate 10 on the rear side in the transport direction are washed with water by the jet water flow from the blowing nozzle 102A of the nozzle unit 99. Further, a part of the inner surface of each of the bottom plate 11 and both end plates 9 of the folding container 2 and the inner surface of the side plate 10 on the rear side in the transport direction are washed with water by the jet water flow from the blowing nozzle 102B of the nozzle unit 98. Furthermore, the blowing nozzle 1 of the nozzle unit 99
The remaining portions of the inner surfaces of the bottom plate 11 and the end plates 9 of the folding container 2 and the inner surface of the side plate 10 on the front side in the transport direction are washed with water by the jet water flow from 02B.

The above-described water washing device 25 for a folding container.
By jetting a jet water stream from each of the blowout nozzles 102A to 102D onto the folding container 2 conveyed downward by the transfer device 97 without moving each of the blowout nozzles 102A to 102D of the nozzle units 98 and 99, the folding container 2 can be washed off dirt and cleaning agent.

(F) Folding device folding device 26 (FIG. 1)
4, FIG. 15) The folding container folding device 26 folds the folding container 2 carried in the assembled state in a downward state and carries it out in the folded state, and includes folding cylinder devices 103 and 104 on the left and right. Is done.

The one end plate 9 of the folding container 2 transported downward by the transport device 97 is folded by the folding cylinder device 10.
3 and fold down the other end plate 9 to fold the cylinder device 1
Push down at 04 (FIG. 15 (A)). At this time, the piston rods of the foldable cylinder device 103 and the foldable cylinder device 104 are projected at different timings so that the pushed-down end plates 9 do not collide. Further, a guide plate 105 is provided on the transfer device 97 so that the folding container 2 does not move when the end plate 9 is pushed down by the folding cylinder devices 103 and 104.

The above-mentioned folding cylinder devices 103 and 10
4, the side plates 10 are bent around the joints 14 by the weight of the bottom plate 11 (FIG. 15).
(B)), the folding container 2 is folded (FIG. 15).
(C)).

(G) The second reversing device 27 of the folding container (FIG. 1)
6) The second reversing device 27 of the folding container has the same structure as that of the first reversing device 24 of the folding container described above, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. The reason that the second reversing device 27 of the folding container is different from the first reversing device 24 of the folding container is that the distance between the first conveyor 91 and the second conveyor 92 substantially matches the height of the folding container 2 in the folded state. Is set.

The folding container 2 in the folded state, which is carried in a downward state by the second reversing device 27 of the folding container.
Is turned upside down and carried out, and preparation for stacking in the folding container stacking device 28 in the next process is performed.

Also, the second reversing device 27 of this folding container
In the above, the ring 90 includes the first conveyor 91 and the second conveyor 91.
180 ° alternately clockwise or counterclockwise with conveyor 92
By rotating forward and reverse, the first conveyor 91 and the second conveyor 92
Alternatively, the occurrence of torsion of the wiring connected to the stopper 96 is prevented.

(H) Folding container stacking device 28 (FIG. 1)
7, FIG. 18) The folding container stacking device 28 is for stacking a plurality of the folding containers 2 in units of one unit and carrying them out as a group of 15 folding containers, and includes a lifter device 106 and a stacking plate device 107. And a transfer device 108.

The lift table 109 of the lifter device 106 is provided so as to be able to move up and down along the column 110 and to mount a plurality of folded containers 2 in a folded state. The elevating table 109 enables the folding containers 2 (folding container group 15) that are stacked and passed through the notch 111 (FIG. 18) of the transport device 108 to be transferred onto the transport device 108.

The stacking plate device 107 is a cylinder 1
At 12, the stacking plate 113 can be moved in the horizontal direction, and one folding container 2 in a folded state can be placed on the stacking plate device 113. In addition, the cylinder 112 is connected to the support 1 of the lifter device 106.
It is mounted on a positioning stopper 114 fixed to 10.

In the folding container stacking device 28 described above,
Guides 115 installed on the left and right sides of the transport device 97, respectively.
, While positioning the folded container 2 in the folded state,
Stacked plate 11 in the closed state (shown by the solid line in FIG. 17)
The folding container 2 is carried in onto the container 3. Next, cylinder 1
7, the stacking plate 113 is set to the open state shown by the broken line in FIG.
The folding container 2 is dropped on the lifting table 109 of the lifter device 106 while being positioned in contact with the container 4.

Thereafter, the lifting platform 109 is lowered by an amount corresponding to the thickness of one of the folding containers 2 in the folded state, and the stacking plate device 107 and the stacking plate device 107 are placed on the folding container 2 placed on the lifting platform 109. The folding container 2 is placed by the action of the positioning stopper 114. The stopping of the lowering of the folding container 2 corresponding to the thickness of the folding container 2 by the elevating platform 109 is performed by a detection signal from the lowering position detecting photoelectric tube 116.

As described above, the folded containers 2 in the folded state are sequentially stacked on the lifting platform 109 of the lifter device 106, and the lifting platform 109 is lowered to the position where the stacking completion detection photoelectric tube 117 detects. At this point, the stacking is completed, and the folding container group 15 is formed. After the stacking is completed, the elevator 109 is further lowered to the unloading position, and
The formed folding container group 15 is carried out on the upper surface 8.

(I) First drying device 29 for folding container (FIG. 1)
9, FIG. 20, FIG. 21) The first drying device 29 of the folding container rotates the folding container 2 of the folding container group 15 which is folded and stacked,
A first drying step of drying the folding container 2 by scattering water droplets as droplets attached to the folding container 2 is performed. The turntable 118, a holding plate 119 as a holding member, and a dehydrating chamber 120 are provided. Constructing entrance door 1
21 and an exit door 122.

In the dehydrating chamber 120, the folding container group 15 from the transfer device 108 of the folding container stacking device 28 is placed.
And the transport device 1 of the second drying device 30 for the folding container
A transport device 124 for carrying out to 23 is arranged. A stopper 125 is provided on the transfer device 124 and the transfer device 10
Guides 126 are mounted on both sides of the guide 8. This guide 12
6, the folding container group 15 is guided and the transfer device 12
The folding container group 15 is brought into contact with the stopper 125 and positioned.

The turntable 118 is provided in the dehydrating chamber 12.
0. The turntable 118 is provided so as to be able to move up and down above and below the transfer surface of the transfer device 124 by the lifter 127, so that the folder group 15 can be placed with the folder 2 in contact with the bottom plate 11. Furthermore,
The turntable 118 is configured to be rotatable at high speed by a rotation motor 129 with a central axis 128 about an axis perpendicular to the bottom plate 11 of the folded containers 2 in the placed folded container group 15.

The presser plate 119 is disposed above the turntable 118 in the dehydrating chamber 120 so that the folding container group 15 can be sandwiched between the presser plate 119 and the turntable 118. Further, the holding plate 119 is provided so as to be rotatable around the central axis 128 in the folding container group 15.

The entrance door 121 is opened when the folding container group 15 is detected by the entrance door open photoelectric tube 130 on the transfer device 108, and when the folding container group 15 is detected by the rotation position arrival photoelectric tube 131 on the transfer device 124. Is closed. The exit door 122 is opened when the rotation of the turntable 118 is stopped, and is closed when the exit door closed photoelectric tube 132 on the transport device 123 is detected.

Next, the operation of the first drying device 29 for a folding container will be described. The folding container group 15 is transported by the transport device 108, and the folding container group 15 is
When the detection is made at 0, the entrance door 121 is opened, and the folding container group 15 is carried into the dehydration chamber 120 by the transfer device 124. At this time, the folding container group 15 is
Will be guided.

When the folding container group 15 reaches the rotation position after coming into contact with the stopper 125, the photoelectric tube 131 that has reached the rotation position detects the folding container group 15, closes the entrance door 121, and stops the transfer device 124.

Next, the lifter 127 is operated to raise the turntable 118, and the folding container group 15 is placed on the turntable 118. At this time, the bottom plate 11 of the lowermost folding container 2 in the folding container group 15 contacts the turntable 118. The turntable 118
The turntable 118 and the holding plate 11
9, the folding container group 15 is sandwiched.

After that, the rotation motor 129 is started, and
The folding container group 15 is rotated at high speed by the turntable 118 and the holding plate 119. Here, when the folding container 2 is in the assembled state, as shown in FIG. 20, water droplets a in the folding container 2 adhere to the inner surfaces of the end plate 9 and the side plate 10 and are not scattered. It flows and accumulates. On the other hand, the folding container 2 of the folding container group 15 is in a folded state as shown in FIG. 21, and the end plate 9 and the side plate 10 are arranged in parallel with the bottom plate 11. The attached water droplets a are generated by a centrifugal force F generated when the folding container group 15 rotates (the centrifugal force F acts in a horizontal direction substantially parallel to the end plate 9, the side plate 10 and the bottom plate 11 in the folded folding container 2). ), Jumps over the uneven portion inside the folding container 2, and moves from the gap 17 between the side frame 13 and the bottom plate 11 in the folding container 2 and the handle 18 in the open state formed in the side frame 13 to the outside. , And each of the folding containers 2 of the folding container group 15 is dried.

After the rotation of the folding container group 15, the exit door 1
22 is opened, and the folded container group 15 is transported to the transport device 123 by the operation of the transport device 124. When the folding container group 15 is detected by the exit door closing photoelectric tube 132, the exit door 122 is closed.

(J) The second drying device 30 for the folding container (FIG. 2)
2) The second drying device 30 for the folding container is for supplying a hot air into the folding container 2 in the folded state to perform a drying step for drying the folding container 2, and the transport device 123.
And a dryer 133.

The dryer device 133 is disposed on the side of the transfer device 123, and has a support bar 136 provided on a support 134 via a cylinder device 135. The support bar 136 is provided with a plurality of dryers 137 as hot air supply means. Things. The dryer 137 includes at least the transport device 123.
The number of the folding containers 2 constituting the upper folding container group 15 is set on the support bar 136. The dryer 137 is configured such that its tip can enter or exit the handle 18 of each folding container 2 by the operation of the cylinder device 135 (FIGS. 22B and 22C).

Next, the second drying device 30 of this folding container is used.
The operation of will be described. First, the transport device 123 carries in and stops the folded container group 15 from which water droplets have been removed by the first drying device 29 of the folded container. Next, the cylinder device 135
Is operated to cause each dryer 137 to enter the respective handle portion 18 of each folding container 2 in the folding container group 15.

In this state, hot air is supplied from the dryer 137 into each of the folding containers 2. By operating the first drying device 29 of the folding container, the center axis 12 of the folding container 2
In some cases, water droplets remain in the vicinity of FIG. 8 (FIG. 21 (A)). However, by supplying hot air into the folding container 2, the water droplets are completely removed.

After supplying hot air from the dryers 137 into the folded container 2 for a predetermined time, the supply of the hot air is stopped, the dryer 137 is withdrawn, and the dryer 137 is withdrawn from the handle 18 of the folding container 2 and transported by the transport device 123. Is operated to carry out the folding container group 15 to the transport device 138 (FIG. 23).

(K) Folding Container Loading Pallet Loading / Unloading Device 21 (FIGS. 23 and 3) The folding container loading pallet loading / unloading device 21
As described in (A), the folding container 2 is carried in by the pallet 16 and divided into the folding container group 15 units, and the folding container 2 in the folding container group 15 unit is carried out by the pallet 16 unit to carry in and carry out the step. The process is performed. In the above (A), the loading process of the loading / unloading device 21 for the folding container stacking pallet has been described.
Now, the unloading process will be described.

The washed and dried folded container group 1 carried out from the second drying device 30 for the folded container to the transport device 138.
5 is conveyed to the unloading side first conveyor 141 and is stopped by contacting the stopper 139. Similarly, the transport device 138
Folding container group 15 from transfer side to first conveyor 141
And the three folding container groups 15 are stored in the first conveyor 141 on the discharge side.

When the transfer pusher 33 in the transfer station 32 returns to the origin position shown by the broken line in FIG. 23A, the stopper 139 is released, and the three folding container groups 15 are moved to the second conveyor on the discharge side. Convey to 142. next,
By operating the transfer pusher 33, the second conveyor 14 on the unloading side is operated.
Transfer the three folding container groups 15 on the transfer station 3
The pallet 16 is transferred to the pallet 16 positioned in the second carry-out area 32B (FIG. 23B).

The above-described operations by the first conveyor 141 on the unloading side, the second conveyor 142 on the unloading side, and the transfer pusher 33 are performed again, and 6
The folding container group 15 of books is placed. Thereby, the folding container 2 of 16 pallets is formed.

Next, the completed folding container 2 in units of 16 pallets is transported to the unloading side pallet conveyor 140, and is moved to the unloading position 143 of the forklift (not shown) by the unloading side pallet conveyor 140. At this extraction position 143, the folding container 2 is extracted by a pallet 16 by a forklift. in this way,
In the folding container loading / unloading device 21 for loading and unloading pallets, the folding containers 2 can be unloaded in units of pallets 16 by a forklift, so that the number of times the folding containers 2 are unloaded can be reduced.

(L) Effects of the Embodiment According to the folding container assembly equipment 22 described in the above (B), the following effects are obtained. Gripping element 4 in gripper 44 of transfer device 40
4A grips the side frame 13 of the folding container 2 and while the link 46 of the transfer device 40 lifts the folding container 2 and transfers it to the transport device 42, the weight of the bottom plate 11 of the folding container 2 Since the side plate 10 of the second container 2 is extended, during the transfer process by the transfer device 40, the folding container 2
Can be assembled in a semi-assembled state. Therefore, the assembling time of the folding container 2 by the assembling device 41 can be reduced,
As a whole of the folding container assembly equipment 22, the folding container 2
Can be assembled quickly.

The lift device 39 only needs to intermittently raise the placed folding container group 15 at a predetermined pitch, and in a state where the folding container group 15 remains in the lifting device 39,
There is no need to reciprocate the lift device 39. Moreover,
Since the predetermined pitch of the lift of the lift device 39 is set to be substantially equal to the thickness t of the folded container 2, the transfer start timing by the transfer device 40 (the folding container 2 by the gripping element 44 </ b> A of the gripper 44). (The start time of gripping). As a result, the assembly of the folding container 2 by the folding container assembling equipment 22 can be speeded up.

According to the folding container washing equipment 23 described in the above (C), the following effects are obtained. The width dimension X of the main brushing unit 52 (FIG. 10) that is horizontally arranged and driven to rotate is set to be slightly larger than the inner width dimensions Y and Z of the folded container 2 in the assembled state. When the inner surface of the end plate 9 and the inner surface of the bottom plate 11 of the folded container 2 in the assembled state are brushed and washed by the main brushing unit 52, the folded container 2 in the assembled state by the main brushing unit 52 of the W-direction washing device 23B. When brushing and cleaning the inner surface of the side plate 10 and the inner surface of the bottom plate 11, the brush body 65 of the main brushing unit 52 reaches the corner 12 surrounded by the end plate 9, the side plate 10 and the bottom plate 11 adjacent to each other, This corner 12 can be brushed and cleaned well.

As described above, the main brushing unit 52 can brush and wash both the inner surfaces of the end plate 9, the side plate 10 and the bottom plate 11 and the corners 12 in the assembled folding container 2, so that the corners 12 can be cleaned. The conventional corner brushing unit required for brushing and cleaning the 12 can be eliminated.

During the lowering of the main brushing unit 52, the inner surface of the end plate 9 or the side plate 10 on the front side in the transport direction of the folded container 2 in the assembled state, and the transporter 42 transports the inner surface of the folded container 2 in the assembled state. Folding container 2
Further, the inner surface of the bottom plate 11 is further brushed and washed during the raising of the main brushing unit 52, and the inner surface of the end plate 9 or the side plate 10 on the rear side in the transport direction of the folded container 2 in the assembled state. Compared to the case where the brushing cleaning is stopped during lifting / lowering or during transportation of the folding container 2, the cleaning time of one cycle for cleaning the inside of one folding container 2 can be shortened (FIG. 24). The washing of the inside of can be performed efficiently.

Before and after the folded container 2 in the assembled state is turned at right angles by using the turn guide 56, the bottom plate of the folded container 2 in the assembled state by the main brushing units 52 of the L-direction washing device 23A and the W-direction washing device 23B. Since the inner surface of the bottom plate 11 is brushed and cleaned together, the inner surface of the bottom plate 11 that is easily contaminated can be cleaned well.

According to the first drying apparatus for a folding container described in the above (I), the following effects and advantages can be obtained. Since the folding container 2 is sandwiched between the turntable 118 and the holding plate 119 in the folded state and rotated about the axis perpendicular to the bottom plate 11 of the folding container 2 as the central axis 128, the end plate 9 of the folding container 2 in the folded state is rotated. , Side plate 10 and bottom plate 1
Since the centrifugal force acts in a direction substantially parallel to 1, the centrifugal force makes it possible to surely scatter and remove the water droplets a adhered to the end plate 9, the side plate 10, the bottom plate 11, and the like, thereby performing good drying. be able to.

Further, since a plurality of folded containers 2 are stacked and sandwiched between the turntable 118 and the holding plate 119, a plurality of water droplets can be simultaneously removed by the centrifugal force of the folded container 2, which is efficient. Then, the folding container 2 can be dried.

According to the folding container second drying apparatus described in (J) above, the following effects can be obtained. Since the hot air is supplied from the dryer 137 of the dryer device 133 into the folding container 2 in the folded state in which the space is narrow, the hot air transmission efficiency is improved, and the inside of the folding container 2 can be dried quickly and well.

The folding container washing and drying line described in the above (A) to (K) has the following effects. While a plurality of the folding containers 2 are stacked in a folded state and placed on a pallet 16 as a group of folding containers 15, the container is loaded by the loading / unloading device 21 for the folding container stacking pallet, and is unloaded in the same state. The above-mentioned folding container 2 is washed by the washing device 23 and the folding container washing device 25, and the washed folded container 2 is dried by the first drying device 29 of the folding container and the second drying device 30 of the folding container. Since each folding container 2 can be automatically washed and dried only by loading and unloading the folding container 2 in pallet units,
The washing and drying processing of the folding container 2 can be efficiently performed.

In the above embodiment, the bottom plate 11 of the folding container 2 is pivotally supported by the side plate 10, but it may be pivotally supported by the pair of end plates 9. Further, in the folding container washing equipment 23, the side frame 13 of the folding container 2 may be in contact with the turntable 118, and the folding container group 15 may be placed on the turntable 118. Further, in the folding container washing facility 23, one folding container 2 may be placed on the turntable 118 in a folded state. In addition, the second drying device of the folding container may be deleted when the water droplet attached to the folding container is completely removed by the first drying device of the folding container.

[0127]

As described above, according to the apparatus and method for cleaning and drying a folding container according to the present invention, the droplets attached to the folding container can be quickly and reliably removed to efficiently wash and dry. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a layout diagram showing a washing / drying line for a folding container.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state of a folding container in the washing and drying line of FIG. 1;

3A and 3B show a loading / unloading device for a folding container stacking pallet, in which FIG. 3A is an overall perspective view and FIG. 3B is a schematic plan view of a loading side portion thereof.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a facility for assembling the folding container.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing the transfer device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front view showing the assembling apparatus of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an assembly process of the folding container.

FIG. 8 shows a cleaning device for a folding container, and (A)
Is a plan view thereof, and (B) is a side view thereof.

9 (A) is a view along arrow IXA-IXA of FIG. 8 (A), and FIG. 9 (B) is a view along arrow IXB of FIG. 9 (A).

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the brushing unit of FIG. 9 (A).

11 (A) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the XIA portion of FIG. 10; FIG. 11 (B) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the XIB portion of FIG. 10;

FIGS. 12A and 12B show a first reversing device for a folding container, wherein FIG. 12A is a side view and FIG. 12B is a front view.

FIG. 13 shows a water washing device for a folding container,
13A is a plan view thereof, FIG. 13B is a view taken in the direction of arrow XIIIB in FIG. 13A, and FIG. 13C is a view taken in the direction of arrow XIIIC in FIG. 13B.

FIG. 14 is a front view showing a folding device for a folding container.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a folding process of the folding container.

FIG. 16 shows a second reversing device of the folding container, (A) is a side view thereof, and (B) is a front view thereof.

FIG. 17 is a side view showing a stacking device for folding containers.

FIG. 18 is a view on arrow XVIII in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 shows a first drying device for a folding container to which the drying device for a folding container according to the present invention is applied;
(A) is the front view, (B) is the top view.

FIG. 20 shows the folded container in an assembled state,
(A) is the front view, (B) is the side view.

FIG. 21 shows the folding container in a folded state,
(A) is its plan view, (B) is its side view, (C),
(D) is the XXI C-XXI C line, XXI D-XX of FIG.
It is sectional drawing which respectively follows ID line.

FIG. 22 shows a second drying device for a folding container to which the drying device for a folding container according to the present invention is applied;
(A) is the front view, (B) is the side view of the folding container of FIG. 22 (A), (C) is the schematic sectional drawing which shows a hot-air supply state.

23A and 23B show a loading / unloading device for a folding container stacking pallet, wherein FIG. 23A is an overall perspective view thereof, and FIG. 23B is a schematic plan view of a loading side portion.

FIG. 24 is a time chart of the folding container cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Folded Container 9 End Plate of Folded Container 10 Side Plate of Folded Container 11 Bottom Plate of Folded Container 12 Corner of Folded Container 13 Folded Container Side Frame 15 Folded Container Group 16 Pallet 20 Folded Container Washing / Drying Line 22 Folded Container Assembly Equipment 23 Folding Container Cleaning Equipment 29 First Folding Container Drying Device 30 Folding Container Second Drying Device 39 Lifting Device 40 Transfer Device 41 Assembly Device 42 Transport Device 51 Expanding Bar 52 Main Brushing Unit 54 Elevating Mechanism 55 Drive Mechanism 56 Turn guide 61 Support stay 62 Center brush 63 End brush 64 Brush shaft 65 Brush body 66 End member 69 Bearing 118 Turntable 119 Holding plate 120 Dehydration chamber 133 Dryer device 137 Dryer X Width dimension of main brushing unit W Dimensions between inner surfaces of side plates Z Dimensions between inner surfaces of end plates a Water drop

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A pair of end plates are supported on a side frame so as to face each other, and a pair of side plates are supported adjacent to and opposed to the end plates, and one of the pair of end plates or the side plates is provided. A bottom container is pivotally supported, and the end plate and the side plate are vertically arranged with respect to the bottom plate to be in an assembled state, and a parallel container is placed in a folded state. A loading device that carries the folded containers in which the folded containers are stacked on a pallet, and individually transports the folded containers from the pallet, and a folded state of the folded containers loaded by the loading device. An assembling apparatus for assembling the folded containers of the above, a washing device for cleaning the folded containers assembled by the assembling device, and a folding container washed by the washing device folded and stacked. Is rotated about an axis perpendicular to the plate,
A drying device for removing the droplets attached to the folding containers and drying each folding container, and a group of the folding containers dried by the drying device are transported and placed on a pallet, and the above-mentioned folding containers are unloaded in units of the pallet. A washing / drying apparatus for a folding container, comprising: 2. The washing and drying apparatus for a folding container according to claim 1, wherein the drying device supplies hot air into the stacked folding containers in a stacked state after removing the droplets. 3. A lift device for placing the plurality of folded containers in a stacked state in a stacked state and intermittently rising at a predetermined pitch, wherein the assembling device is disposed adjacent to the lift device and gripped. The gripping portion extends the side plate of the folding container while gripping and lifting the side frame of the uppermost folding container placed on the lift device and transferring the container to the container discharging position. 3. The apparatus for cleaning and drying a folding container according to claim 1, further comprising: a transfer device for bringing the folding container into a semi-assembled state. 4. The assembling device includes an expanding portion disposed adjacent to the transfer device, the expanding portion suspending the end plate of the folding container, and assembling the folding container in a fully assembled state. The washing and drying apparatus for a folding container according to claim 3, wherein 5. A transporting device for transporting the folding container, a brushing unit horizontally disposed above the transporting device, and a brushing body planted around the transporting device, wherein the brushing unit is mounted on the transporting device. A lifting mechanism for lowering to the inner surface of the bottom plate of the folding container, and for raising the folding container to above the folding container; and a rotating mechanism for rotating and driving the brushing unit, wherein the width dimension of the brushing unit is The washing / drying apparatus for a folding container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the apparatus is configured to be set slightly larger or equal to the inner width dimension of the folding container. 6. The brushing unit of the cleaning device, a brush shaft having a brush body implanted on an outer periphery thereof, a support stay rotatably and horizontally supporting the brush shaft, and an end of the brush shaft. The cleaning and drying apparatus for a folding container according to claim 5, further comprising an end member installed on the outer periphery and having a brush body implanted on an outer periphery thereof. 7. The drying device, wherein the folding container in a folded state can be placed in contact with the bottom plate or the side frame, and
A turntable rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a bottom plate of the folding container; and a turntable disposed above the turntable so that the folding container in the folded state can be sandwiched between the turntable and the turntable. A holding member rotatably provided about an axis perpendicular to the bottom plate, wherein the folding container in the folded state is sandwiched between the turntable and the holding plate and rotated about the axis. The apparatus for cleaning and drying a folding container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the apparatus is configured to remove droplets attached to the folding container. 8. A hot air supply means capable of supplying hot air is provided adjacent to the turntable and the holding member of the drying device, and the turntable and the holding member remove the droplets in a folded state. The washing / drying apparatus for a folding container according to claim 7, wherein hot air can be supplied from the hot air supply means into the folding container. 9. A pair of end plates are supported on the side frame so as to face each other, and the pair of side plates are supported adjacent to and opposed to the end plates, and one of the pair of end plates or the side plates is provided. A method of washing and drying a folding container, in which the end plate and the side plate are vertically arranged with respect to the bottom plate to be in an assembled state, arranged in a parallel state and folded, and dried, is provided. A loading process in which the folded containers in which the folded containers are stacked are loaded on a pallet, and the loaded containers are individually transported from the pallet, and the loaded containers are folded. An assembling process for assembling the container, a washing process for washing the assembled folding container, and rotating the folding container around an axis perpendicular to the bottom plate in a state where the folding container is folded and stacked, and this folding container Attached A drying step of removing the dropped droplets and drying each of the folded containers, and a carrying-out step of carrying the dried folded containers and placing them on a pallet, and carrying out the folding containers in units of pallets. A method for washing and drying a folding container. 10. The method for washing and drying a folding container according to claim 9, wherein after the drying step, the droplets are removed, and hot air is supplied into the stacked folding containers in a stacked state. 11. The assembling step includes ascending the plurality of stacked containers to position the uppermost container at a predetermined container gripping level, and providing a side frame of the uppermost container. The method for washing and drying a folding container according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the folding container is gripped, lifted and moved to a predetermined position to assemble the folding container. 12. The assembling step, wherein, during the step of moving the folding container, the end plate is pushed downward to expand the end plate.
A method for washing and drying the folding container according to the above. 13. The washing step comprises: disposing a pair of folded containers in which a pair of wall plates facing each other are arranged upright on a transfer device; and a pair of wall plates corresponding to a transfer direction of the transfer device. The brushing unit according to claim 5 or 6 is rotated while being in contact with the inner surface of one of the wall plates, and is lowered along the one wall plate to brush and wash the inner surface of the one wall plate. After the brushing unit comes into contact with the inner surface of the bottom plate of the box-shaped container, the brush-type unit is relatively moved while rotating the brushing unit to brush and wash the inner surface of the bottom plate. After contacting the inner surface of the other wall plate of the pair of wall plates, the brushing unit is rotated while rotating the brushing unit while maintaining the contact state. 13. The brushing cleaning device according to claim 9, wherein the inner wall surface of the other wall plate is brushed and washed by being raised along the inner wall surface.
The method for washing and drying a folding container according to any one of the above. 14. The cleaning step includes brushing and cleaning the inner surfaces of the pair of wall plates corresponding to the transport direction of the transport device by the cleaning method of claim 13, and then transports the folded container at right angles. 14. The folding container according to claim 13, wherein an inner surface of another pair of wall plates orthogonal to the pair of wall plates and an inner surface of a bottom plate of the folding container are brushed and cleaned by the cleaning method of claim 13. Washing and drying method.