KR101908048B1 - Cleaning sterilizer for beverage can - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cleaning sterilizer for a beverage can which cleans and sterilizes a blow-out inlet portion of the beverage can storing beverages in a sealed state such that a user is able to drink the beverages in a hygienic state without being contaminated by foreign matters or germs attached to the blow-out inlet portion of the beverage can in a driving process. The present invention comprises: a main body formed with at least one cleaning chamber formed to be opened at an entrance port at the top; a rotation gripper unit installed at the inner wall of the cleaning chamber, clamping the outer wall of the beverage can which is entering into the cleaning chamber in a standing state, and rotating the beverage can in one direction; and a cleaning head unit for cleaning the blow-out inlet portion of an opposed beverage can entered into the cleaning chamber, wherein the rotation gripper unit comprises: one pair of dividing grippers arranged to be opposed to each other and formed with a grip groove at the inner wall; and an advance and retreat member for simultaneously advancing the opposing dividing grippers to the inside, or expanding to the outer side.

Description

{Cleaning sterilizer for beverage can}

The present invention relates to a cleaning and sterilizing apparatus for a beverage can, and more particularly to a washing and sterilizing apparatus for a beverage can, which is capable of cleaning and sterilizing the inlet opening portion of a beverage can stored in a sealed state, To a sanitizing apparatus for a beverage can which enables the drinking of a beverage in a hygienic state without pollution.

Generally, the beverage cans are composed of two main parts, that is, a body for storing beverages and an inlet for drinking beverages.

The take-out opening portion is provided with a separate opener having a cut-out portion having a finger insertion hole. When the user inserts the finger into the above-mentioned hole portion and lifts the finger, the stopper face of the cut- So that the contents could be consumed in a state in which this part was brought close to the mouth.

Such beverage cans are packaged in box units and delivered to general supermarkets, convenience stores, and large discount stores through various distribution processes, and are sold not only in retail but also in vending machines.

However, the canned water cans distributed through the above process are circulated without sanitary protection or washing, and various foreign substances generated during the transportation, storage, and packaging processes are left around the inlet port, Exposed.

In this state, when the cap of the above structure is taken off, foreign substances are left in the vicinity of the take-out inlet portion. As a result, the beverage is drawn out to the mouth as foreign matter. The pollutants remaining on the surface of the plug have been put into beverages as they are, and they have been drinking can drink in a very unsanitary condition, and the possibility of viral infection due to the bacteria contained in the foreign material is always present will be.

Therefore, there is a disadvantage that the drinker drinks after removing the dust with a hand, a tissue, a handkerchief or the like depending on the situation.

In consideration of such a problem, the upper part of the can is entirely covered with a lid, the cup-shaped cap is separated from the upper part of the can to be detached and used as a cup, Which is designed as a structure in which a soft synthetic resin is separately packaged and then cut out.

However, such a structure can essentially protect the upper surface of the can from various pollutants. However, the structure of the beverage can changes the external structure and disposability of the beverage can, and the complexity of the can manufacturing process, And there are many problems to be practically used because of the inconvenience of

On the other hand, Korean Utility Model Registration No. 0221308 (can opener cleaning device) proposes a can opener cleaning device for sterilizing and cleaning the surface of the opening portion of a beverage can by using washing water and a rotary brush, The sanitary safety due to ingestion of the beverage can be secured.

However, in the above-described cleaning device, since the beverage can is simply erected and the rotating brush disposed below is rotated to frictionally clean the opening portion of the beverage can, the beverage can placed on the rotating brush is rotated together with the rotating brush , The cleaning efficiency of the opening portion of the beverage can falls.

In addition, since the cleaning device cleans only the opened portion of the beverage can, it is difficult to clean the side of the beverage can in contact with the lips of the user when drinking, and when drinking, the beverage can is gripped .

In addition, since the rotary brush is always exposed to the cleaning fluid, if a user does not use the brush for a long time, a large amount of bacteria may breed in the wet rotary brush by the cleaning fluid.

Particularly, in the cleaning process, the beverage can swings to the left and right to generate noise and vibration, and the degree of vaporization of carbonated water or the like saturated with beverage is increased by the vibration, and when the beverage is immediately opened after being washed, A phenomenon of leakage may occur.

KR 20-0221308 Y1 2) KR10-2016-0149359A 3) KR10-0518351 B1 4) KR10-2003-0059587A 5) KR201999-0033103I

It is an object of the present invention, which is devised to overcome the above-mentioned problems, to provide a beverage can dispenser capable of cleaning and sterilizing the inlet and outlet ports of a beverage can containing a beverage and preventing contamination of the beverage can, Sterilizing device for a beverage can which enables drinking water to be consumed in a state where the beverage can is sterilized.

The above object is achieved by the following constitutions provided in the present invention.

In the cleaning and sterilizing apparatus for a beverage can according to the present invention,

1. A washing machine comprising: a main body having at least one cleaning chamber formed at an upper portion thereof so as to open an inlet;

A rotary gripper unit installed on an inner wall of the cleaning chamber for holding the outer wall of the beverage can entering the cleaning chamber in an upright position and rotating in one direction; And a cleaning head unit that cleans the take-out inlet portion of the beverage can entering into the cleaning chamber and facing the beverage can,

Wherein the pivoting gripper unit includes a pair of split grippers which are disposed to face each other and have grip grooves formed on an inner wall thereof and advance and retreat members that simultaneously move the divided grippers inward or outward,
The advancing /
An electromagnet formed between the end portions of the opposing divided grippers to generate an electromagnetic force,
And a torsion spring formed between the end portions of the split gripper to elastically separate the end portions of the split gripper,
The end portions of the divided grippers are brought close to each other by the electromagnetic coupling force generated by the electromagnet to nip the outer wall of the beverage can in a noncontact state,
Wherein each of the divided grippers is provided with at least one interval measuring sensor for measuring an interval between the grip groove of the divided gripper and the beverage can,
The amount of electric current supplied to the electromagnets is adjusted in accordance with the gap between the grip groove of the divided gripper measured by the gap measuring sensor and the outer wall of the beverage can so that the interval formed between the inner wall of the grip groove and the outer wall of the beverage can is set Respectively,
On the inner wall of the grip groove of the split gripper,
A cleaning water discharge hole communicating with the cleaning water supply pipe and a cleaning air discharge hole communicating with the cleaning air supply pipe are formed obliquely to one side,
The cleaning water discharging hole discharges the washing water supplied through the washing water supply pipe to the inner wall of the grip groove so as to be inclined toward one side, and the washing air discharged from the washing air discharging hole is supplied to the inner wall of the grip groove So that the beverage can is rotated in one direction by the washing water and the washing air.

delete

delete

Preferably, the cleaning head unit further includes: a cleaning brush which rubs against the take-out inlet portion of the beverage can; an injection nozzle that upwardly injects the washing water; an air nozzle that injects clean air into the take- And a cleaning head in which a UV lamp for irradiating ultraviolet rays is disposed at an inlet portion of the can for taking out,

The beverage can which has entered the washing chamber through the entry port rotates in one direction with the outer wall being sandwiched by the rotating gripper member and the washing head unit rotates in the direction in which the beverage inlet of the beverage can is rubbed through the washing brush of the washing section, The cleaning liquid is sprayed through the nozzle to clean the take-out opening of the beverage can, and then dry air is sprayed through the air nozzle to remove the cleaning liquid adhering to the take-out opening of the beverage can, And a sterilizing and drying step of sterilizing the inlet portion of the washed beverage can.

As described above, according to the present invention, in implementing the beverage can cleaning device capable of cleaning the take-out inlet portion and the outer wall of the beverage can, the present invention includes a rotating gripper unit for holding and rotating the outer wall of the beverage can in the cleaning chamber, It is possible to stably clean and sterilize the take-out inlet portion and the outer wall of the beverage can by providing a cleaning head unit rotating in one direction by the unit.

Therefore, it is possible to secure a more stable hygiene state when the beverage is ingested through the intake port of the beverage can.

Particularly, since the rotating gripper unit is composed of a pair of divided grippers and is proximate or spaced from each other due to the organic action of the electromagnets generating the electromagnetic coupling force and the advancing / retreating members composed of the torsion springs providing the elastic force, It is possible to nip and rotate the beverage can having various diameters by adjusting the intensity of the electromagnetic coupling force to be radiated. As a result, the present invention has the advantage of allowing common washing of beverage cans having various diameters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing the entire configuration of a cleaning and sterilizing apparatus for a beverage can proposed in the preferred embodiment of the present invention,
Fig. 2 shows the arrangement of the rotation gripper unit and the cleaning head unit disposed in the cleaning chamber in the cleaning and sterilizing apparatus for a beverage can, which is proposed as a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
FIGS. 3 to 4 are operation states sequentially illustrating a cleaning process of a beverage can with a cleaning and sterilizing apparatus for a beverage can, which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing an operating state of the 'A' portion of FIG. 3,
FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are enlarged views of the 'B' portion in FIG. 3, FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the 'B' portion, and FIG. 7 is a plan view of the portion 'B'.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a cleaning and sterilizing apparatus for a beverage can, which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is an outline configuration view showing the entire configuration of a cleaning and sterilizing apparatus for a beverage can, which is proposed as a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a cleaning and sterilizing apparatus for a beverage can, FIGS. 3 to 4 illustrate a cleaning grip unit for cleaning the beverage can, which is proposed in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, in sequence. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the operation state of the 'A' portion of FIG. 3. FIGS. 6 and 7 are enlarged views of the operation state of the 'B' portion of FIG. Is a bottom state view of the 'B' portion, and FIG. 7 is a plan view of the 'B' portion.

The cleaning and sterilizing apparatus for a beverage can, which is proposed as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, includes a take-out inlet portion 110 and an outer wall 120 of a beverage can 100 containing various beverages such as juice, carbonated beverage, And sterilizing at the same time so that the drink can be consumed in a hygienic state without being contaminated with foreign substances or bacteria adhering to the inlet opening 110 or the outer wall 120 of the beverage can 100 during the drinking process.

The washing and sterilizing apparatus 1 is composed of an independent main body 10 and can be separately disposed in a store or a home so as to clean and disinfect the beverage can 100 or to be installed in a general vending machine or the like, The beverage can is washed and sterilized.

1 to 4, a washing and sterilizing apparatus 1 for beverage can, which is proposed as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, includes a main body 10A having at least one cleaning chamber 10A formed with an inlet 11 at an upper portion thereof 10); A rotary gripper unit 20 provided on an inner wall of the cleaning chamber 10A and configured to pivot and rotate the outer wall of the beverage can 100 entering the cleaning chamber 10A in a standing state in a single direction; And a cleaning head unit 30 for cleaning the take-out inlet portion 110 of the beverage can 100 that enters into the cleaning chamber 10A and faces the inside of the cleaning chamber 10A.

A pair of cleaning chambers 10A in which the rotary gripper unit 20 and the cleaning head unit 30 are respectively disposed are partitioned left and right in the main body 10 to form a pair of beverage cans 100 ) At the same time, and a drain port (10b) is formed in the lower part of the cleaning chamber.

2 to 5, the cleaning head unit 30 includes a cleaning brush 31 which rubs against the inlet opening 110 of the beverage can 100, An air nozzle 33 for injecting clean air into the take-out inlet portion 110 of the beverage can 100 and a take-out inlet portion 110 of the beverage can 100 And a cleaning head 30A in which a UV lamp 34 for irradiating ultraviolet rays is disposed.

The cleaning brush 31 is constituted by a hollow tube having the spray nozzle 32 formed therein and the cleaning brush 31 is physically rubbed and cleaned by the take-out inlet portion 110 of the beverage can 100, The washing water discharged through the spray nozzle 32 is directly sprayed to the friction cleaning area of the cleaning brush 31 and is discharged to the discharge inlet part 110 of the beverage can 100 which is frictionally cleaned by the cleaning brush 31 The cleaning liquid is directly supplied to achieve more stable cleaning.

The cleaning head unit 30 is provided with a pivoting member 30B for rotating the cleaning head 30A in the longitudinal direction at a high speed so that the beverage can 100 having been cleaned and sterilized in the cleaning chamber 10A is taken out The pivoting member 30B rotates the cleaning head 30A at a high speed as shown in FIG. 4 to centrifugally remove the cleaning liquid and the foreign substances remaining in the cleaning head 30A during the cleaning process of the beverage can 100.

In this embodiment, the electric motor is used as the tilting member 30B. Thus, when the cleaning head 30A is rotated at high speed to remove the foreign substances and cleaning water remaining in the cleaning head 30A by centrifugal separation, It is possible to sterilize the beverage can in a more hygienic state as a result, since the phenomenon of propagation of bacteria by water or foreign matter is suppressed.

3, when the beverage can 100 which requires cleaning and disinfection is introduced into the cleaning chamber 10A through the inlet 11, the beverage can 100 that has entered the cleaning chamber 10A is rotated The gripper unit 20 rotates in one direction with the outer wall 120 sandwiched therebetween.

3 and 5, the cleaning head unit 30 sprays the cleaning liquid through the spray nozzle 32 while rubbing the take-out inlet portion 110 of the beverage can 100 through the cleaning brush 31, A cleaning step of cleaning the take-out inlet part 110 of the beverage can 100 is first performed.

Thereafter, the cleaning head unit 30 ejects the drying air through the air nozzle 33 to remove the cleaning liquid adhering to the inlet opening 110 of the beverage can 100, and irradiates ultraviolet rays through the UV lamp 34 A sterilizing and drying process for sterilizing the inlet opening 110 of the cleaned beverage can 100 is performed.

In the present invention, in implementing the beverage can sterilizing apparatus 1, the outer wall 120 of the beverage can 100 entering the washing chamber 10A through the inlet 11 is held and rotated in one direction The grip gripper unit 20 is constituted by a pair of divided grippers 20A so that common beverage can 100 having various diameters can be held.

To this end, as shown in Figs. 2 to 4 and Figs. 6 and 7, a pair of split grippers 20A disposed opposite to each other of the rotary gripper unit 20, 20A of the divided grippers 20A are simultaneously moved inward or outwardly, and each of the divided grippers 20A is configured to move inward or outward along the forward / backward guide 20B.

Therefore, the outer wall 120 of the beverage can 100 entering into the cleaning chamber 10A through the entry opening 11 is held by the divided gripper 20A which simultaneously enters inward. In this embodiment, So that the beverage can 100 having different diameters can be jointly held between them according to the forward and backward distances of the beverage can 20A.

A drive roller may be provided on the inner wall of the divided gripper holding the outer wall of the beverage can so that the beverage can is rotated in one direction through rotation of the circumscribed drive roller.

However, in the present embodiment, in order to prevent physical damage to the outer wall of the beverage can, and to prevent secondary contamination by the driving roller, and to suppress the complication of the structure due to the installation of the driving roller, The beverage can is rotated in one direction by the washing water and the washing air.

That is, in this embodiment, when the beverage can 100 is held by the rotary gripper unit 20 and rotated at a high speed in one direction, the beverage can 100 and the divided gripper 20A are configured to be non-rubbing, The beverage can (100) held in the non-rubbing state is rotated in one direction by the washing water and the washing air.

To this end, as shown in Figs. 2 and 6 to 7, the advancing / retreating member 23 for simultaneously moving the pair of divided grippers 20A forward and backward is disposed at the end of the divided gripper 20A facing up and down And an electromagnet 23a which is formed respectively to generate a magnetic coupling force and a tangential spring 23b which is disposed between the ends of the divided gripper 20A and separates them from each other.

Therefore, the divided grippers 20A are spaced apart from each other at normal times to secure a stable entry path of the beverage can 100, and the beverage can 100 requiring cleaning sterilization through the inlet 11 is introduced into the washing chamber 10A The electromagnetic coupling force of the electromagnet 23a is generated so that the ends are brought close to each other by the electromagnetic coupling force to hold the outer wall 120 of the beverage can 100 in a noncontact state.

That is, the divided grippers 20A are arranged so that the outer wall 120 of the beverage can 100 entering between the divided grippers 20A is parallel to the elastic force of the tongue spring 23b and the electromagnetic coupling force emitted from the electromagnet 23a A clearance G of a predetermined gap is formed between the inner wall of the grip groove 20A-a formed in the divided gripper 20A and the outer wall 120 of the beverage can 100, do.

One or more gap measuring sensors 23c for measuring the gap between the grip groove 20A-a of the divided gripper 20A and the beverage can 100 are disposed in each of the divided grippers 20A.

Therefore, the control unit supplies the electromagnet 23a with the gap between the grip groove 20A-a of the divided gripper 20A measured through the gap measuring sensor 23c and the outer wall 120 of the beverage can 100 The amount of electric current is organically controlled so that the outer wall of the beverage can 100 having various diameters is held in a state in which the outer wall of the beverage can 100 is maintained at a set interval. As a result, the rotating gripper unit 20 It is possible to publicly hold it.

With this configuration, the beverage can can be rotated in one direction without any physical damage to the outer wall 120 of the beverage can 100, and the beverage can 100 held in the non- So as to rotate in one direction.

The beverage can 100 held in the non-rubbing state by the rotating gripper unit 20 is rotated in one direction by the washing water discharged from the rotating gripper unit 20 and the cleaning air.

To this end, in the present embodiment, the cleaning water discharging hole 21 and the cleaning air discharging hole (not shown) which are inclined to one side on the inner wall of the grip groove 20A-a of each divided gripper 20A constituting the rotating gripper unit 20 22 are formed.

The cleansing water discharging hole 21 discharges the cleansing water supplied through the cleansing water supply pipe 21a obliquely to the inner wall of the grip groove 20A-a, and the cleansing air discharging hole 22 is cleaned And the cleaning air supplied through the air inlet pipe 22a is discharged obliquely to the inner wall of the grip groove 20A-a.

At this time, the cleaning air discharge holes 22 formed in the gripper members 20A are disposed relatively higher than the cleaning water discharge holes 21 as shown in FIG. 3, and the cleaning air discharged from the cleaning air discharge holes 22 The air flowing through the cleansing water discharging hole 21 by the air film is prevented from diffusing to the outside through the entry opening 11 formed in the upper part.

3 and 6 and 7, the beverage can 100 having the inner wall of the grip groove 20A-a of the gripper member 20A held in a non-rubbing state has the cleansing water discharging hole 21, And in the non-rubbing state in the gripper member 20A-a by the cleansing water and the cleansing air respectively discharged through the cleansing air discharging hole 22 in the one direction, Whereby the outer wall of the beverage can is washed and dried.

When the user puts the beverage can 100 requiring cleaning and sterilization through the inlet 11 into the cleaning chamber 10A in an upright state, the outer surface of the beverage can 100, which has entered the cleaning chamber 10A, (120) is held in a non-rubbing state by the rotating gripper unit (20).

At this time, the rotatable gripper unit 20 simultaneously moves the divided gripper 20A inwardly through the advancing / retreating member 23 so that the outer wall 120 of the beverage can 100 is wrapped Hold.

In this state, each divided gripper 20A discharges clean water and clean air in one direction through the cleansing water discharging hole 21 formed in the inner wall and the cleansing air discharging port 22 to rotate the beverage can 100 in one direction .

In this process, the cleaning head unit 30 supporting the take-out inlet portion 110 of the beverage can 100 rubs the take-out inlet portion of the beverage can through the cleaning brush 31 as shown in FIG. 5, And then the dry mouth is sprayed through the air nozzle 33 to spray the cleaning liquid onto the surface of the beverage can 100, A sterilizing and drying step of sterilizing the inlet opening 110 and the external wall 120 of the cleaned beverage can 100 by removing the cleaning liquid from the inlet opening 110 and irradiating ultraviolet rays through the UV lamp 34 Secondary.

When the washing and drying and disinfection of the extraction inlet 110 and the outer wall 120 of the beverage can 100 entering the washing chamber 10A are completed, The beverage can 100 is taken out from the cleaning chamber 10A while holding the upper part of the can 100. [

Therefore, the take-out inlet portion 110 of the beverage can 100 which has entered the cleaning chamber 10a through the inlet 11 is removed by the friction cleaning process and the sterilizing and drying process, 100). ≪ / RTI >

When the beverage can 100 is taken out from the cleaning chamber 10A, the cleaning head unit 30 rotates the cleaning head 30A at a high speed through the rotating member 30B as shown in FIG. 4, By centrifugally separating the foreign substances and the washing water remaining in the head 30A, the beverage can can be prevented from being contaminated by the cleaning liquid and the foreign substances remaining in the washing process of the beverage can 100 in the future.

1. Cleaning sterilizer for beverage can
10. Body 10A. Washing room
10B. waterspout
11. Entry
20. Rotating gripper unit 20A. Split gripper
20A-a. Grip groove 20B. Advance guide
21. Washing water discharge hole
22. Cleaning air discharge hole 22a. Clean air inlet tube
23. No advancement member
23a. Electromagnet 23b. Tangential spring
23c. Interval measuring sensor
30. Cleaning head unit 30A. Cleaning head
30B. Pivoting member 31. Cleaning brush
32. Injection nozzle 33. Air nozzle
34. UV lamp 35. Rotating coupling

Claims (5)

1. A washing machine comprising: a main body having at least one cleaning chamber formed at an upper portion thereof so as to open an inlet;
A rotatable gripper unit provided on an inner wall of the cleaning chamber for holding an outer wall of the beverage can entering the cleaning chamber in an upright position and rotating in one direction; And
And a cleaning head unit for cleaning the take-out inlet portion of the beverage can entering into the cleaning chamber and facing the beverage can,
Wherein the pivoting gripper unit includes a pair of split grippers which are disposed to face each other and have grip grooves formed on an inner wall thereof and advance and retreat members that simultaneously move the divided grippers inward or outward,
The advancing /
An electromagnet formed between the end portions of the opposing divided grippers to generate an electromagnetic force,
And a torsion spring formed between the end portions of the split gripper to elastically separate the end portions of the split gripper,
The end portions of the divided grippers are brought close to each other by the electromagnetic coupling force generated by the electromagnet to nip the outer wall of the beverage can in a noncontact state,
Wherein each of the divided grippers is provided with at least one interval measuring sensor for measuring an interval between the grip groove of the divided gripper and the beverage can,
The amount of electric current supplied to the electromagnets is adjusted in accordance with the gap between the grip groove of the divided gripper measured by the gap measuring sensor and the outer wall of the beverage can so that the interval formed between the inner wall of the grip groove and the outer wall of the beverage can is set Respectively,
On the inner wall of the grip groove of the split gripper,
A cleaning water discharge hole communicating with the cleaning water supply pipe and a cleaning air discharge hole communicating with the cleaning air supply pipe are formed obliquely to one side,
The cleaning water discharging hole discharges the washing water supplied through the washing water supply pipe to the inner wall of the grip groove so as to be inclined toward one side, and the washing air discharged from the washing air discharging hole is supplied to the inner wall of the grip groove So that the beverage can is rotated in one direction by the cleansing water and the cleansing air. delete 2. The beverage can according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning head unit comprises: a cleaning brush which rubs against the take-out inlet portion of the beverage can; an injection nozzle which upwardly injects the washing water; an air nozzle which injects clean air into the take- And a cleaning head having a UV lamp for irradiating ultraviolet rays to an inlet of the beverage can. The beverage can according to claim 3, wherein the beverage can which has entered the washing chamber through the entry opening is rotated in one direction with the outer wall held by the rotating gripper member, A rinsing cleaning step of cleaning the take-out inlet portion of the beverage can by spraying the washer fluid through the spray nozzle while rubbing the take-out inlet portion is first performed,
Drying operation of spraying dry air through the air nozzle to sterilize the inlet opening portion of the cleaned beverage can by irradiating ultraviolet rays through a UV lamp while removing the cleaning liquid adhering to the inlet opening portion of the beverage can, Wherein the cleaning and sterilizing device is a sterilizing device for a beverage can. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the cleaning head unit includes a rotating member that rotates the cleaning head at a high speed, and when the takeout of the beverage can is completed in the cleaning chamber, the cleaning head is rotated by the rotating member, Is removed by centrifugal separation of the cleaning liquid and the foreign substance remaining in the cleaning liquid.

Images