JPS6397A - Vessel washer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a container cleaning device, and more specifically to a container that is configured to spray a cleaning agent from a cleaning nozzle into the inside of an inverted container to clean the container. Regarding cleaning equipment.

``Prior Art'' Conventionally, in a container washing device, a pair of sprockets are arranged vertically, an endless chain is stretched horizontally between the sprockets, and a container holder provided on this chain is connected vertically. A device in which a container in an upright state is supplied and held is known. In this type of container cleaning device, the container held by the container holder is reversed from an upright state to an inverted state by being conveyed around one sprocket, and a cleaning agent is injected into the inside of the container in the inverted state. After cleaning is carried out, the periphery of the other sprocket is conveyed to rotate normally to an upright state, and the container is further carried out of the container washing device in the upright state (U.S. Patent Specification No. 3. 41111.348, West German Patent Specification No. 1,214,511i4).

Further, as a container washing device having another configuration, one in which a pair of sprockets is arranged horizontally instead of vertically is known. In this type of container washing device, a container holder is attached to a rotatable pot on an endless chain that is stretched between the sprockets, and by rotating the container holder with respect to the chain, the container held by it can be erected. be able to rotate between state and inverted state (
(U.S. Patent No. 3,510,971), a container holder is attached in an inverted state to the endless chain passed between the sprockets, and a container is supplied to the container holder in an inverted state, and the container is discharged. (West German Patent Publication No. 3.301,525).

``Problems to be Solved by the Invention'' However, in the former container cleaning device in which pairs of sprockets are arranged vertically, the container can be automatically reversed and corrected simply by transferring the chain around the sprockets. This has the advantage that no special mechanism is required to reverse and rotate the container, but if the sprocket is provided with a cleaning nozzle, the cleaning time cannot be extended. There is.

In other words, when a cleaning nozzle is provided on the sprocket, the cleaning nozzle can be transferred in synchronization with the container holder, which eliminates waste of cleaning agent and allows efficient cleaning. When the sprocket is arranged vertically as in is only the range A in the circumferential direction of the sprocket, and therefore the time for efficient cleaning is shortened.

On the other hand, in the latter type of container cleaning equipment in which a pair of sprockets are arranged horizontally, the chains are generally pulled out from opposite positions in the diametrical and horizontal directions of the sprockets. The inverted container now rotates around its tin locator 2 over the range of stations in the circumferential direction of the sprocket, and therefore, if the sprocket is provided with a cleaning nozzle, the former container cleaning a Washing time can be longer than when washing.

However, in the latter container method S device, it is necessary to rotatably attach a container holder to an endless chain and rotate the container holder with respect to the chain, or it is necessary to rotate the container holder in an inverted state attached to the chain. Since it is necessary to supply and discharge the container in an inverted state, a mechanism for this purpose is required, making the overall structure of the apparatus complicated.

"Means for Solving the Problems" The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and consists of attaching container holders for holding containers to an endless chain at predetermined intervals, and attaching the chain to the containers. A royal conveyance section in which the container held by a holder is conveyed in an upright state, an inversion section in which the chain is rotated vertically to invert the upright container to an inverted state, and an inverted section in which the container is conveyed in an inverted state. In a container washing device that is provided so as to be able to circulate through a conveying section and a normal rotation section in which the chain is vertically rotated to normally rotate an inverted container to an upright state, the chain is connected to an endless section. The universal chain is composed of a universal chain, and a sprocket is arranged to be freely rotatable in a horizontal plane in the inverted conveyance section, and the universal chain is spanned over this two-way cage, and as the sprocket rotates, the container is placed in an inverted state. The detergent can be conveyed around the sprocket as it is, and is further transferred to the sprocket in synchronization with the container holder, and the cleaning agent is injected into the inside of the inverted container held by each container holder to clean the container. A cleaning nozzle is provided.

"Function" In this way, if the sprocket is provided to be rotatable in the horizontal plane in the above-mentioned inverted conveyance section, and an endless universal chain is placed around the sprocket, the inverted container can be moved in the circumferential direction of the sprocket. For example, since the container can be rotated and transferred over the range of expansion, the cleaning time can be longer than in a container cleaning device in which the sprocket is arranged vertically.

In addition, since the chain for conveying the container is composed of a universal chain, it is possible to rotate the universal chain in the vertical direction to automatically reverse and rotate the container. There is no need for a special mechanism for this purpose.

``Example'' The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated example. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a container cleaning device according to the present invention.
An endless universal chain 3 equipped with a container holder 2 that holds a container 1 has an erect transport section A that transports the container 1 held by the container holder 2 in an upright state, and a vertically extending chain 3. There is an inversion section B in which the container 1 in an erect state is rotated and inverted into an inverted state, an inverted transport section C in which the container 1 is transported in an inverted state, and a container 1 in an inverted state is further rotated in the vertical direction by the chain 3. It is provided so that it can run in circulation across a normal rotation section in which it rotates normally to an upright state.

In addition, in FIG. 1, the triangular container holder 2 is shown in an upright state, and the inverted triangular container holder 2 is shown in an inverted state.

Containers 1 are brought in from the outside of the container washing device in a single row in an upright state by a carry-in conveyor 4, and are supplied and held in a container holder 2 that is conveyed through the upright conveyance section A.
By passing through the reversing section B and being reversed, it becomes an inverted state and is carried into the inverted conveyance section C.

This inverted conveyance section C is provided with a cleaning nozzle 5 that is operated in synchronization with the container holder 2, and injects cleaning agent such as cleaning air or cleaning liquid into the interior of the inverted container 1 from the cleaning nozzle 5. This makes it possible to wash the inside of the inverted container 1. A cleaning nozzle 6 for cleaning the outside of the container 1 may be provided at this position, if necessary.

The inverted containers l carried into the above-mentioned inverted conveyance section C and washed by the washing nozzles 5.6 are then rotated in the normal direction in the forward rotation section to become upright, and then transferred to the unloading conveyor 7 in one row in the upright state. is carried out to the outside of the container cleaning equipment.

Next, to explain the specific configuration of the container washing device, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the container washing device rotates at fixed intervals above and below a vertical shaft 10 disposed in the vertical direction. Horizontal sprockets (11, 12) that are freely supported and rotate in opposite directions, and horizontal sprockets (11 and 12) that are freely rotatable and rotate in opposite directions at a certain interval on the left and right sides of a horizontal shaft 13 that is disposed horizontally. It is equipped with rotating vertical sprockets 14.15, and the above-mentioned jIAX&-shaped universal chain 3 is spanned between these sprockets 11, 12, 14, and 15.

As shown in FIG. 4, the endless universal chain 3 is made up of a large number of connectors 18 connected in a row in an endless manner. 8 has a roughly semicircular protrusion 19 on one side thereof.
is provided with a recess 2G into which the protrusion 19 of the connector 18 adjacent to the other side is fitted, and furthermore, a cylindrical connection member 21 is rotatably mounted inside each JI approximately semicircular protrusion 19. I support you.

A connecting shaft 22 passes through the connecting member 21 in its diametrical direction, and this connecting shaft 22 has an elongated hole 23 formed in the projecting portion 19 in its circumferential direction, and its protruding g! ! 19
The wall portion 2 forming the recess of the adjacent connector 18 fitted with the
4 and fixed to the wall 24 thereof, and further the connecting shaft 2
A roller 25 is rotatably supported at both ends of the roller 2, respectively.

Therefore, the connecting member 21 and the wall portion 24 are connected to the connecting shaft 22.
are integrally connected to each other via the connecting members 21
The connecting shaft 22 and the wall portion 24 are connected to the connecting member 21 and the wall portion 24 in a rotating layer with respect to the protruding portion 19 within the range of the elongated hole 23 in a plane parallel to the paper plane of FIG. Projection part 1
9, it is rotatable around the axis of the connecting shaft 22.

In addition, each connector 18 constituting the endless universal chain 3 has a sprocket (11°12.14.1) attached to the universal chain 3, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
A roller 28 is rotatably provided on a surface that is always on the inside when it is hung on the container 5, and a container holder 2 for holding the container 1 is attached on the opposite surface that is always on the outside. Each of these container holders 2 is constructed from a semi-cylindrical member with a cutout on the outside.

Moreover, the lower end portion thereof is narrowed to form an annular holding portion 2a that holds the periphery of the mouth of the inverted container 1.

As can be understood from FIG. 5, the rollers 25 provided at both ends of the connecting shaft 22 are horizontally arranged sub-blocks.
11. Each sprocket engages the teeth of 12) 11
．． 12, and as shown by the imaginary line in the same figure, the rollers 28 provided inside each connector 18 are sprockets (14.1) disposed vertically.
5. A guide rail 29 for guiding each roller 28 is provided between the sprockets, so that the chain 3 can be conveyed on a predetermined am trajectory between the sprockets.

However, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a timing screw 30 that is rotated in synchronization with the operation of the chain 3 is provided at the tip of the above-mentioned carry-in conveyor 4. The transported container l is synchronized with the container holder 2 by a timing screw 30, and can be inserted into the container holder 2.

The container l inserted into the container holder 2 is prevented from falling laterally from the container holder 2 by a side guide 31 whose outer surface is fixed to the machine frame.

Further, when the container holder 2 passes over the tip of the carry-in conveyor 4, the bottom of the container 4 is supported by a bottom guide 32 fixed to the machine frame and is prevented from falling off the container holder 2 in the axial direction.

The bottom guide 32 is connected to the timing screw 30.
The container 1 pushed into the container holder 2 is gradually raised to bring its mouth close to the holding part 2a of the container holder 2, and its bottom guide 32 is
The container holder 2 is in an inverted state, and the container l is placed in the container holder 2.
Sections where there is no risk of falling are omitted. On the other hand, the side guide 31 is provided over the entire area where the container 1 is transported by the container holder 2.

The bottom guide 32 is provided not only on the carry-in conveyor 4 side but also from the normal rotation section to the carry-out conveyor 7,
This bottom guide 32 is arranged so that the container holder 2 is rotated in the normal rotation section to be in an upright state, and the conveyor 7
As the container 1 approaches the end of the container holder 2, the container 1 that was in contact with the annular holder 2a of the container holder 2 is gradually removed.
It is formed so that it can be lowered from the point to the state where it is discharged.

Then, the container holder 2 is guided by the bottom guide 32.
The container 2 that has been lowered from the container holder 2 to the discharge conveyor 7 is delivered to the outside.

Furthermore, the sub-block located within the above-mentioned inverted conveyance section C)
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a rotating body 35 that rotates together with the sprocket 12 is provided at the lower part of the sprocket 12. The above-mentioned cleaning nozzle 5 is installed at a position directly below the container holder 2 that is being transported around the container holder 2 and injects a cleaning agent into the inside of the inverted container l held by the container holder 2.

Each of the cleaning nozzles 5 is connected to a cleaning agent supply device through a rotary joint (not shown), and communicates with the cleaning agent supply device only when the cleaning nozzle 5 is positioned directly below the container holder 2. It is possible to spray cleaning agent.

In the above configuration, the container l transported by the carry-in conveyor 4 is inserted into the container holder 2 by the timing screw 30, and the container 1 inserted into the container holder 2 is moved through the side guide 31 and the bottom guide 32. The container is transported by the container holder 2 while being supported by the container holder 2. When the container holder 2 passes through the reversing section B and is inverted to an inverted state, and the mouth of the container l comes to be held by the annular holding part 2a of the container holder 2, the container 1 is no longer supported by the bottom guide 32. released, the container 1 is placed in an inverted position on the side guides 3
1 while being transported.

When the inverted container l is conveyed around the sprocket 12 located in the inverted conveyance section C, the cleaning nozzle 5 provided at the lower part of the sprocket 12 moves to the container holder 2.
At the same time, the cleaning nozzle 5 is communicated with the supply device, so that the cleaning agent from the supply device 2 is transferred from the cleaning nozzle 5 to the container 1.
The water is sprayed into the inside of the container to clean the volume x1.

When the container 1 is rotated around the subblock 12, the washing is completed, and the container 1 that has been washed is then rotated in the normal direction to the original upright state by passing through the normal rotation section. The container 1 in this condition is transferred onto the carry-out conveyor 7 while being guided by the side guides 31 and the bottom guide 32, and is further discharged from the container holder 2 and carried out by the carry-out conveyor 7.

In this way, in this embodiment, the container 1 in an inverted state can be washed over the range of stirring of the sprocket 12 disposed horizontally. The cleaning time can be longer than that of other container cleaning devices. In addition, the chain for conveying the container 1 is composed of the universal chain 2 and has four sprockets arranged as described above.
5, the universal chain 3 can be rotated in the vertical direction by sprockets 14 and 15 to automatically reverse and rotate the container 1 in the normal direction. No special mechanism is required, simplifying the configuration.

Next, FIGS. 6 and 7 show another embodiment of the present invention in which the container holder 40 has a different configuration. The container holder 40 of this embodiment grips the mouth of the container 1. It consists of a gripper mechanism. If the container holder 40 is of a gripper type, the side guide 31 and bottom guide 32 can be omitted.

The container holder 40 consists of a bracket 41 attached to each connector 18 of the universal chain 3, and a bracket 41 attached to each connector 18 of the universal chain 3.
A pair of gripping arms 43.4 are each rotatably attached to a shaft 42 provided at
is fixed to the bracket 41 by a fixing pin 45 provided on the bracket 41. A spring 4B is loaded on the base side of the pair of gripping arms 43.44 to expand the base side of the gripping arm 43.44, so that normally both optical ends of the gripping arm 43.44 are expanded. The mouth of the container L can be grasped with the handle.

A cam follower 47 is attached to the base of one of the gripping arms 44 that is rotatable with respect to the bracket 41, and by engaging the cam follower 47 with a fixed cam 48 fixed to the machine frame, the gripping arm 44 of the other pair .44 is expanded against the spring 4B, and in this state, the mouth of the container 1 is inserted between the tips of the gripping arms 43 and 44,
Or it can be discharged.

Furthermore, an annular holding member 48 for holding the mouth of the container 1 is attached to the bracket 41, so that the outer periphery of the mouth of the container 1 can be supported when the container 1 is turned upside down by the container holder A40. There is. Since such an annular holding member 49 is provided, an appropriate guide member (not shown) is provided especially at the container feeding position to the container holder A4G to slightly raise the container 1 and open the mouth of the container. It can be positioned within the annular retaining member 48.

It is clear that even if the container holder 40 having such a configuration is used, the same effects as those of the above-mentioned embodiments can be obtained.

Furthermore, FIG. 8 shows a modification of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, in which the upper sprocket 12a provided with the cleaning nozzle is arranged at an angle. . That is, in the present invention, arranging the sprocket provided with the cleaning nozzle in a horizontal plane does not mean that the sprocket must be located in a completely horizontal plane, and the container is substantially inverted.

In other words, the range of inclination of the sprocket is such that the cleaning agent sprayed into the container can be easily discharged by gravity.

Similarly, when rotating a chain vertically to rotate a container between an upright position and an inverted position, it is not necessary to rotate the chain completely vertically; It is sufficient that the container can be rotated substantially between an upright state and an inverted state.

Further, FIGS. 9 to 11 respectively show other embodiments of the present invention, and while the above-mentioned embodiments each provided a cleaning nozzle 5 on one sprocket 12.12a, In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the two upper sprockets 12b are provided with cleaning nozzles, and in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the three upper sprockets 12c and 12d are provided with cleaning nozzles. In this way, if multiple sprockets are provided with cleaning nozzles,
The overall cleaning time can be lengthened, and the type of cleaning agent can be changed for each sprocket as necessary.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show an embodiment in which the container holder has a different configuration, and the container holder A5Q of this embodiment is similar to the container holder 40 of FIGS. 6 and 7. However, unlike the two container holders 2.40 mentioned above, the container 1 is not held in a direction parallel to the connecting axis 22 of the universal chain 3. I try to hold it in a direction perpendicular to that.

That is, each connector 18 of the universal chain 3 has a bearing portion 51 that bulges on the side opposite to the roller 28 on both side wall portions 24 through which the connecting shaft 22 passes.
are integrally formed, and a shaft 52 is slidably attached to each bearing portion 51 parallel to the connecting shaft 22. Each axis 52
Semicircular gripping members 53 are attached to one end of each gripping member so as to face each other, and a spring 54 is elastically loaded between each gripping member 53 and the wall portion 24 to bias both gripping members 53 in a direction toward each other. By doing so, the opening of the container 1 can be gripped between both gripping members 53.

Then, in order to spray the cleaning agent into the container 1 gripped by both gripping members 53 in a circular manner, a through hole 55 is bored in the connector 18 on the same axis as the volume 1, and,
The roller 28 is attached to the connector 18 at a position avoiding the through hole 55 thereof.

Further, a cam follower 5B is attached to the other end of each shaft 52, and by engaging each cam follower 5B with a fixed cam 57 provided at the container supply position and the container discharge position, the -pair of gripping members 53 are expanded against the force of the spring 54, and in this state, the opening of the container 1 can be inserted between the gripping members 53, or the container 1 can be discharged.

Further, each gripping member 53 is integrally formed with an annular support portion 53a that supports the mouth of the container l. Gripping member 53
When the container is held and turned upside down, the opening of the container 1 can be supported by the annular support portion 53a.

The universal chain 3 equipped with the container holder 50 configured as described above differs from the universal chain 3 equipped with other container holders A-2 and 40 in that the roller 2B provided on the connector 18 is attached to the horizontal sprocket 11.12. and the connecting shaft 2
The rollers 25 provided at both ends of the rollers 25 are vertically oriented.
14 and 15, but in this universal chain 3 as well, as shown in Figs. It is clear that it can be done.

As shown in FIG. 14, when the roller 28 of the universal chain 3 engages with the horizontally upper sprocket 12, the cleaning nozzle 5 attached directly to the sprocket 12 Since it faces the through hole 55, the cleaning agent sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 5 can be supplied into the container 1 through the through hole 55 to clean the inside thereof.

Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 15, the cleaning nozzle 5 may be provided on the above-mentioned rotating body 35, which is provided integrally with the lower part of the sprocket 12, and may be indirectly attached to the sprocket 12. In that case, it is necessary to form a notch 12a or a through hole (not shown) in the southern part of the sprocket 12 to allow the crude oil of the cleaning agent injected from the cleaning nozzle 5.

Furthermore, in the universal chain 3 equipped with the above-mentioned 4IIi container holder 50, as shown in FIG.
The universal chain 3 is connected from a sprocket 12e, which is arranged in a horizontal plane and rotates in one direction, to a sprocket 12f, which is arranged in a horizontal plane and rotates in the opposite direction, and from this sprocket 12f, which is arranged in a horizontal plane. Sprocket 12 that rotates in the opposite direction to sprocket 12f
Since it is removable to sequentially connect to g, the upper 3
The two sprockets 126-12f can be arranged close to each other, thus making it possible to manufacture the entire device compactly.

In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the sprockets 12, 12
The cleaning nozzles 5 provided at a to 12g can be moved up and down so that their tips can be inserted into the container 1. In addition, if necessary, the sprocket 12.12a-12
Of course, the cleaning nozzle may be provided in a portion other than g, and the sprocket 12.g with the cleaning nozzle 5 may be provided.
It is also possible to provide circular guide rails in the portions other than 12a to 12g to allow the universal chain 3 to be conveyed in a circular manner.

"Effects of the Invention" As described above, according to the present invention, there is no need for a special configuration for inverting and forward rotating the container, so the configuration of the device is simple and it can be manufactured at low cost.
The effect is that the cleaning time can be extended compared to conventional devices that do not require special configurations for inverting and forward rotating such containers.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a side view showing the specific configuration of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a plan view of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a universal chain. 3, FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line V-V in FIG. 2, FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a container holder 40 in another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the main parts; FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a modification of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5;
11 to 11 are schematic configuration diagrams showing other embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a container holder 50 in another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
14 is a sectional view taken along line - FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a modification of FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a schematic configuration diagram showing still another embodiment of the present invention. l... Container 4... Loading conveyor 2
．． 40.50... Container holder 5... Washing nozzle 3
... Universal chain 7 ... Unloading conveyor 11
, 12. 12a ~ 12g, 14.15...
Sprocket A: Upright conveyance section B: Reversal section C: Inverted conveyance section 'D: Normal rotation section 16 Figure

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] An erect conveyance section in which container holders for holding containers are attached to an endless chain at predetermined intervals, and the chain conveys containers held by the container holders in an erect state; an inversion section in which the chain is rotated vertically to invert the upright container to an inverted state; an inverted conveyance section in which the container is transported in an inverted state; and an inverted conveyance section in which the chain is rotated vertically to invert the container In the container washing device, the chain is configured to be an endless universal chain, and the sprocket is rotated in a horizontal plane in the inverted conveyance section. The universal chain is freely arranged around the sprocket so that the container can be conveyed in an inverted state around the sprocket as the sprocket rotates, and the container holder and the container holder are attached to the sprocket. A container washing device comprising a washing nozzle that sprays a washing agent into the interior of an inverted container that is synchronously transferred and held by each container holder to wash the container.