US1678780A - Bottle washing, rinsing, and sterilizing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

July 31, 1928.

J. W. LADD ET AL BOTTLE WASHING, RINSING, AND STERILIZING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 18, 1927 %Y .w v E mi A. 2 M

July 31, 1928. 1,678,780

, J. w. LADD ET AL BOTTLE WASHING, RINSING, AND STERILIZING APPARATUS Filed March 18, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ullln A TTORNE Y.

Patented July 31, 1928. v

JOHN W. LADD AND CARL 0. JORDAN, OF

nnrnorr, MICHIGAN, nssrcnons r Jorm w.

LADD COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN- BOTTLE WASHING, BIN SING, AND STERILIZING APPARATUS.

Application filed March 18, 1927. Serial No. 176,316

This invention relates to bottle washing, rinsing and stcrilizingmaclnnes, the ob ect being to provide, a simple and comparatlvely inexpensive apparatus into which a case of bottle case over bottles may be introduced over a washing header wherein it is automatically washed through injection of a washing solution into and about the bottles and then is positioned over a rinsing and sterilizing header in which the bottles are first subjected to a bath of hot water automatically followed by a steam sterilizing bath.

A feature of the lnvention is in providing means whereby the introduction of a the washing header and its subsequent positioning over the rinsing and sterilizing headerprovides first a certain amount of-water for the rinsing operation and then by introduction of sterilizing header automatically causes the discharge of said water in streams into and about the bottles by means of steam which, as the water (which is comparatively small in quantity) becomes discharged, is discharged through the header sterilizing the bottles.

A further object of the invention is to provide the washing and sterilizing headers at opposite ends of a washing solution tank which is provided .with a hinged cover forming a table between the headers on which the bottle cases may be supported and passed into hoods over the headers as is more fully described.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character stated in which the washing solution tank is entirely separate from the rinsing and sterilizing header and tank' provided therefor in which clear water is used for the rinsing operation.

A further feature of this invention resides in the provision of the sterilizing header in a tank, an ejector below the tank and in. a

valve controlled steam line with the outlet of the tank to the ejector being valve controlled and the said tank being provided with an overflow so that only a limited amount of water may be provided therein and for controlling automaticallythe steam line and valve of the said outlet by placing a bottle case in or removing it from position over the headers. a 1

These and other objects and various novel features of the invention are hereinafter more fully-described and claimed, and the preferred form of construction ofa bottle the case over the I hereinafter.

washing, rinsing and sterilizing apparatus embodying our invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is an elevation partly in section showing our improved bottle washing apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a plan view.thereof partly broken away and with the hoods over the headers removed.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken through the outlet from the rinsing and sterilizing tank and the injector into which it discharges. V j

The apparatus and its mode of operation will be understood more clearly from Fig. 1 in which 1 indicates a framework of the usual angle iron form in the central portion of which is mounted a tank 2 for washing solution, the upper open en of which is provided with a hinged cover 3. The opposite ends of the tank are provided with the rectangular frames 4.- and 5 respectively and the side bars of these frames have brace members 6 and 7 respectively supporting the outer ends thereof while the inner ends of Figs. 1 and 2 at 11 and 12 at the right side of the said figures.

} As will be understood from Fig. 1 a hood is provided preferably of sheet metal over 'each of these tracks indicated at 13 and 14 respectively. These hoods are open on the inner ends adjacent the washing solution tank. Beneath the hood 13 is a sheet metal receptacle 15 and in this receptacle is a header 16 provided with a series of apertures or "nozzles 17 as will be understood from Fig. 2

through which wash water maybe dis-' charged to bottles in a case positioned on the said tracks 9 and 10. These apertures or nozzles 17 are distributed to correspond to the arrangement of bottles in the cases to inject water directly into the bottle and, also are'provided with several aperturesout of registration with the bottles to cause washing solution to be discharged over the outer surface of the bottles. This wash water is supplied to the header by-mean's of a contrifugal pump 18 driven bya motor 19. This pump receives its supply from the line 20 which leads into the center of the pump as indicatedat the left of the Fig.1 and re-v ceives its supply from the tank 2, the opening to the tank 20 being provided with a fine screen 21 preferably of a cylindrical form the purpose of which is to prevent material washed from the bottles from being discharged into the header where it would tend to clog the nozzles. For this purpose also there is provided a for-aminous partition 22 near the left end of the said washing solution tank 2 and into which portion of the tank the receptacle 15 beneath the header discharges. This foraminous partition to a large extent will prevent passage of material -not in solution to the outlet of the tank where the fine screen will prevent passage of finer particles of matter to the pump and header 16.

On therightside of the machine, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is provided a sheet metal receptacle 23 and in this receptacle there is an overflow tube 24 of certain height permit-' ting water to overflow from the tank when filled to that height, the tube 24 being open at the lower end through the bottom of the tank 23. In this tank is positioned a sterilizing or steaming header 25 which isconnected, by means of a pipe 26 extending down through the tube 24, to the steam supply line 27. This tank is also provided with an outlet line 28 in which outlet is a control .valve 29. As shown more clearly inFig. .3, this line '28 extends from the valve 29 to a steam ejector in the steam line indicated purpose of this line 33 is to discharge cold generally at 80. This steam ejector is of the usual form having at the point of connection of the steam line therewith a jet 31 discharging'into the open end of a venturi 32'. We also provide a water line 33, connected with a suitable source of supply, Which leads into the discharge line 28 for the tank and through which cold water continuously flows during operation of the machine. .The

water into the injector and to keep the same cool so that upon passage of steam thereinto the condensation of steamwill cause a Vacuum and thus draw water from. the tank 23 and discharge the same thnough the venturi 32 into the line. 26 and header 25. This water will continue to flow from the tank with the steam while the valve 29 is open and thus hot water will be discharged into the bottles to rinse the same but,-on 'the closing ofthe valve 29, the flow of water is stoppedand if the steam line is opened at this time, the rinsing water will be followed by a flow of steam through the-jets which sterilizesthe bottles.

In order that the washing, rinsing .and sterilizing steps may be performed ,In the necessary, sequence andwithout necessity of' manual operation of the variousv'alves, we have provided means for automatically controlling the washing, rinsing and sterilizing operations through introduction and removal of bottle cases in the respective hoods.

This sequence of operation is as follows- A case of bottles to be washed is moved from the table or hinged cover 3 into the hood 13 over the washing header 16 which is directly supplied by the pump. On moving thecase into position shown in Fig. 1 the a handle 42 at one end .for its operation and at its opposite end a bar 43 extending across the back of the machine to the stem 44 of the valve indicated at 29. This movement causes the valve 29 to close and it remains closed untilit is opened by the operator grasping the handle 42 and moving the same to the right of Fig. 2.to eject the bottle case 45 from position in the hood 13. This case then is moved across the top of the washing solution tank 2 and into the hood14 above the steam header 25. It is first to be noted that on the ejecting of the bottle case 45 from the hood 13 by means of the lever 41 the valve 29 is opened and water flowing in the line 33 passes down in around the injector 3O cooling the same irrespective of whether the water in the tank 25 is warm or cold. This water rises in the header line 26 to the level of the Water in the tank 23. On

movement of this case of washed bottles into the hood 14 and Over the sterilizing header, the case, by means of the ejector arm 46 and 'due' to its connection with the lever 47 moves the said lever to the right. This lever is pivoted at 48 to a stationary part of the framework and is provided with a handle 49 at one end and at the opposite end thereof is a lever 50 pivoted at one end to the. ejector lever- 47 and at the other end pivoted to a bracket'51' supported by the steam valve 52. This lever 50 beyond its pivot "has an arm 53 engaging the end of the valve stem 54 causing the steam valve to open. This is the usual spring seated valve sometimes termed a whistle valve and is opened by the operation just described and is caused to close by moving the handle 49 to the left of the position shown in Fig. 2 which permits the spring to seat the valve. The result of movthe line 26 'and by reason of the condensation in the injector draws the water from the tank 23 anl continues to discharge it as hot water throtgh'the nozzles of the header 25 into and about the bottles rinsing the same. This rinsing operation will continue ing the case of bottles into the hood'13 and I until the operator places 'a new bottle case I over'the washing header 16 by which act'the valve 29 heretofore mentioned is' c1osed.'-

The closing of this valve 29 shuts off the supireply of water to the ejector by closing the outlet to the tank 23 and steam will then flow through the header 25 into the bottles and will continue to flow until the case over the sterilizing header is removed by the operator taking the case ejecting handle 49 and moving the same to the left of Fig. 2 which closes the steam line. This operation is then repeated for as many cases as it is desired to wash and sterilize.

The hinged cover 3 is preferably provided with an aperture 60 and as the operator in bringing a new case to the deviceto be washed discovers a bottle that is more than usually encrusted with dirt or dried milk he takes this bottle out of the case and drops it through aperture 60. into the washing solution to remain for a period of time until the driedmatter becomes softened. Several such bottles are then placed in a case and put through the washing and sterilizing operation. The cover 3 is preferably hinged as stated, and this enables the operator to raise the cover and place an entire case of bottles in the washing solution if he so desires or to even wash a milk can or for other convenient or necessary purposes By this arrangement of parts the washing solution tank is available for any of the ordinary purposes arising in a dairy and when the cover is in position over the washing solution tank it provides a convenient table on which'toiplace the bottle cases and to enable them to be readily, moved from one header member to the other. For this purpose we preferably provide what we have termed a track 61 at the rear side of the cover practically in alignment with the angle bars 10 and 12 for the-oppositely disposed hoods.

Thus, the case upon being'partially ejected by either one of the levers 42 or 49 may be withdrawn from one and guided across, the table by the track 61 into the other.

A feature and object of this invention becomes apparent from a previous description-that is, that the rinsing water, after the machine has been operated a time or two, becomes heated and does not lose its heat to an appreciable degree between operations of the sterilizing headers. Therefore, by providing a reservoir to receive the water discharged into the bottles, the heated rinse water is retained and is returned again and again as the device is operated through the header to the bottles. In order to efiectually draw hot water from the tank 23 by means ofthe steam ejector described, means must be provided to cool the ejector between operations which is secured byprovision of the tube'33' which discharges into the outlet of the tank leading to the ejector. As previously stated, cold water continues to flow in smallvolume per unit of time into the outlet line 28 and, when the valve" 29' is closed, this water discharged through the stated to cause the washing,

pipe 33 will cause the water of the tank 23 to overflow through the 'pipe line 24. Thus this continual flow of cold water has a double purpose-that is, it replenishes the rinse water approximately as rapidly as it becomes opening of the steam valve through the introduction ofa new case of bottles in the hood 14, the condensation of steam will be rapid in the ejector with consequent high efliciency in withdrawal of the hot water from the tank 23. Due to this water being 'ofhigh temperature which we find in practice to be approximately 180 degrees F., it attains a much higher degree of heat through introduction of steam thereinto than would be the-case if fresh cold water be supp-lied with the steam to the sterilizing head in quantity sufficient to provide a rinsing bath.

From this foregoing description it is evident that the device is quite inexpensive in construction; is not cumbersome in form being comparatively'light in weight when not filled with the wash water and is very convenient in operation and, as above described, is practically automatic in character reducing the labor cost of handling the bottles in that the pperator only has to move the bottles into the respective hoods in the sequence rinsing and sterilizing operations to take place in sequence' automatically as'the cases arepositioned for the operation.

Having thus fully described our invention,

its utility and mode of operation, what we a claim and desire to secure-by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In apparatus of the characterdescribed,

a header having a plurality of nozzles, a support for a bottle case thereabove, an'open ended hood into which a case of bottles may be introduced, a steam line connected with the said header, a valve in the steam line, a tank enclosing the header, said tank being provided ,with an overflow whereby it may contain only a limited volume of water, a

. closing of the valve of the discharge conduit causes the water to cease to flow and steam only is discharged into and about the bottles,

and means for ejecting the case from position over the sterilizing header and simultaneously" closing the steam valve.

2. In apparatus of the character described,

header thereby causing the rinse water and steam to dischar e through the header to the bottles, means for ejecting the bottle case from position over the washing solution a header through which washing solution header and simultaneously closing the valve may be'discharged, a header through which\ of the outlet l1ne thereby causing cessation steam and hot water may be discharged, a water supply therefor, a valve controlling the flow of water, a supporting means for acase of bottles over each header, means actuated by the positioning of a bottle case over the washing solution header to open the valve controlling flow of water to'the sterilizing header, a steam line for said header, a valve for the steam line, means actuated by the ositioning of a case of bottles over the steri izing header to open the steam valve sterilizing header, means and cause steam to flow and force the water into the header, means for closing the water controlling valve actuated by removal of the bottle case from position over the. washing solution header, and means for ejecting the case of bottles from position over the sterilizing header and simultaneously closing the steam valve.

3. .In apparatus of the character described, a washing solution header and a rinsing and for supporting a bottle case over each of said headers, means for supplying washing solution to the for the tank header therefor, means for supplying rinsing water and steam to the sterilizing header,

a valve controlling flow of water, a valve for controlling flow of steam, said mechanism actuated by the positioning of the bottle cases in sequence over the respective headers operating to open the valves and cause discharge of steam and water through the sterilizing header and by removal of the-bottle case from position over the washing header to close the water controlling-valve and cause cessation of flow of water to the sterilizing header while permitting steam to flow therethrough, and means operated by removal of the bottle case'from position over the sterilizing headers to close the steam valveand cause cessation of flow of steam.

4. In apparatus of the character described, a washing solution headerand a rinsing and sterilizing header, a tank for washing solu tion, means for discharging the solution through the Washing solution header, a' support for a bottle case over each of the said headers, a tank for rinse Water in which the water discharged through the steriIiZing -header,

header accumulates, a steam line for the sterilizing header; an ejector in said steam line, an outlet line for the rinse. water tank discharging into the ejector, a valve in the said outlet line and a valve in the steam line, means whereby the valve in said outlet line is opened by introduction ofa bottle case a over the washing solution header, means whereby the steam line valve is opene d by positioning a bottle case over the sterilizing the of flow of water to the ejector and permitting steam only to flow therethrough, and

means for ejecting the bottle case over the sterilizing header and simultaneously closing the steam valve.

5. In apparatus of the character described,-a washing solution tank, a header for washing solution at one end of the tank and a sterilizing header at the opposite end hood over each of said headers,

of the tank, a means for supporting a bottle case in each hood, apparatus for withdrawing washing solution from the tank and discharging it through the washing solution header into 15 and a out bottles in the said hood thereover, a receptacle for receiving the washing solution discharged from the header draining to the washing solution tank, a rinse water tank in which the sterilizing header is 'posi-' tioned, said rinse water tank having an overflow whereby it may contain a definite volume of water, the said header, an ejector therein, an outlet connected with the ejector, means for supplying a limited quantity of cold water to the outlet line of the tank, a valve in the said outlet linemeans whereby the said valve is opened thro duction of a bottle case over the washing solution header,

a steam pipe discharging to gh the intro- 7 scribed, a Washing solution tank, a header for washing solution at one end of the tank,

the tank, a hood over each of t c said headers having, an open end toward the tank, a cover for the tank providing a table between the hoods for transferring bottle cases from one hood to the other, means for su-p lying washing solution to the washing so ution means for supplying hot rinsing water and steam and then steam only to the a sterilizing header at the opplosite end of sterilizing header, said means comprising a steam 'line for the sterilizing ejector in the line, a tank about the said header arranged to contain a limited quantity of water, an outlet line for the tank discharging into the ejector, a valvein the said outlet line,

washlng solution header, means whereby the header, an 4 means for opening the, valve by positioning of a bottle case over the] positioning of a bottle case over the sterilizing header opens the steam valve forcing the rinsing water and steam through the header into and about the bottles, means for eject ing a bottle case from position over the washing solution'header and simultaneously closing the valve of the tank outlet ofthe sterilizing header thereby causing cessation,

of flow of water to the ejector and permitting steam only to flow through the header, and means for ejecting a bottle case from position over the sterilizing header and simultaneously closing the steam valve.

7. In apparatus of the character described, a washing solution tank, a header for washing solution at one end of'the tank and a rinse water and sterilizing header at the opposite end ofthe tank, a hood over each of said headers, means for supporting a case of bottles in each header, a cover for the washing solution tank providing a table between the hoods, said hoods each having an open end facing the table, apparatusfor discharging washing solution through the header therefor, and means for supplying rinsing water and steam in sequence through the sterilizing header and into and about the bottles supported thereabove, said means being controlled through introduction and removal of the bottle cases into and from the respective hoods.

8. In apparatus of the character ,described, a washin solution header, a sterilizing header for discharging) hot rinse water and steam in.,sequence to ottles or similar receptacles comprising a tank about the header arranged to contain a lirmtedquantity of water, a steam line connected with the header, an ejector in the stem line, an outlet conduit for the tank discharging into the ejector, a valve in the said outlet conduit, actuating means therefor controlled by the positioning of a bottle case over and removal from the washing solution header a cold water supply line discharging into the sald outlet conduit above the valve and arranged to provide a continual flow of cold water in a limited quantity whereby on the opening of the valve the cold water flows to and about the ejector cooling the same, and a steam valve in the said steam line, the arrangement of the parts providing that the opening of the steam valve'while'the valve of the tank outlet is open causes steam and water to be discharged as hot water through the header to fall into the tank and further providing that, on the closing of the valve of the tank outlet, steam only is discharged thru the sterilizing header.

95 Means for rinsin ceptacles which comprises a and, sterilizing re-- header, means for supporting the receptacle thereon, the

header having discharge apertures through which'hot rinse water and steam may be mtroduced into and about the receptacle, a

tank about the header adapted to receive the discharged rinse water, meansdetermining the volume of water retained in the. tank, a steam line by which steam may be introduced to the header and into and about the receptacle thereabove, an ejector in the said steam line, an outlet for the tank discharging into the-ejector,a valve for opening or closing the saidoutlct, means for continuously discharging cold water in small quantity into the tank outlet whereby on the opening of the valve therein cold Water flows into the ejector, avalve in the steam line, the parts operating upon the opening of said steam line valve to cause steam to flow through the ejector and simultaneously draw water from the said tank and continuing to discharge the said water and steam through the header into and about the receptacle and by closing the valve in the tank outlet steam only is discharged through the header and into and about the receptacle. e

10. In apparatus of the character described, a washing solution tank, a washing solution header at one end thereof, a sterilizing header at the opposite end thereof, a hood over each of the said headers, said hoods each having an open end facing the tank, means for supporting a case of bottles over each of the said headers, a guide means extending over the top of the said tank providing a way for transfer of'bottle cases from one hood to the other, means for discharging washing solution through the header therefor to and about the bottles supported thereabove, means for discharging hot rinse water and then steam through the sterilizing header and into and about the bottles supported thereabove, and control apparatus for said last named means operated by introduction and removal of the bottle cases into the hoods in succession.

11. In apparatus of the character described, a washing solution tank, a header for washing solution at one end thereof, a header for rinse water and steam at the opposite end, a hood over each header, said hoods having open ends in opposed relation facing the tank, and means on a plane with the upper surface of the tank for supporting bot-tle cases in the said hoods, a guideway across the top of the tank in continuation of the said bottle can supporting means whereby bottle cases may be transferred from one hood to the 6ther across the washing solution tank, m eans for discharging washing solution through the "header provided therefor, and means for discharging hot rinse water and steam in succession through the other header.

12. In apparatus of 'the character described, a washing solution header, a sterilizing header, means for supplying washing solution to the header, means for supplying water and for supplying steam to the sterilizing header, a support for abottle case over each of the headers, a valve for controlling the Water supply for the sterilizing header, a

valve for controlling the flow of steam, operating means for the Water controlling valve actuated torespectively open and close the valve by the positioningof a, bottle case over and removal from the Washing solution header, means actuated by positioning 10 of a case over and removal from the sterilizing header to respectively open and close the steam valve, and a receptacle for holding a predetermined volume of water to bedischarged to the sterilizing header through opening of both water supply and the steam line valves.

In testimony whereof we sign this specification.

JOHN W. LADD. CARL 0. JORDAN.

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