WO2010066983A1

WO2010066983A1 - Method for automatically cleaning a container, device for implementing same, and use

Info

Publication number: WO2010066983A1
Application number: PCT/FR2009/052342
Authority: WO
Inventors: François-Régis MEUGNIOT; Alain Redureau
Original assignee: Veolia Proprete
Priority date: 2008-12-10
Filing date: 2009-11-30
Publication date: 2010-06-17
Also published as: FR2939337A1; FR2939337B1

Abstract

The invention particularly relates to a device for automatically cleaning the outer surface (FE) of a container (K), such as a waste container, having a vertical axis of symmetry (Z). Said device includes a crane (2) sized so as to be able to seize the container (K) by an anchor point (A) and lift the container along the vertical axis (Z) thereof, at least two retractable brushes (1) arranged symmetrically relative to the vertical axis (Z) of the container (K), and a rotary bearing (3) arranged between the crane (2) and the anchor point (A).

Description

METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC CLEANING OF A CONTAINER,

DEVICE FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION, AND APPLICATION.

The invention relates generally to the field of industrial cleaning.

More specifically, the invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a method of automatically cleaning a container comprising at least one cylindrical wall of circular or polygonal section having an outer face, an inner face, a vertical generatrix and an axis. vertical symmetry.

In the case of large containers, for example in the case of public waste collection containers, the cleaning is generally made difficult by the size of these containers, by their difficult accessibility, especially in the case where they are buried , and by the possible variety of their form.

The invention, which is in this context, is intended in particular to provide a rational method of automatic cleaning, applicable to a multitude of varied situations.

To this end, the method of the invention, furthermore in accordance with the generic definition given in the preamble above, is essentially characterized in that it comprises at least the operations of: arranging the container between two brushes applying elastically on the outer face, on either side of this container; print the container vertically back and forth; print the container a continuous or incremental movement of rotation about its vertical axis; and combine the movements of back and forth vertical and rotating at least until the brushes have run all the outside of the container.

Preferably, this cleaning method further comprises a preparatory operation of suspending the container by an anchor point substantially located on the vertical axis of the container.

The invention also relates to a device for implementing the cleaning method as defined above, this device being characterized in that it comprises a crane dimensioned to be able to grip the container by its anchor point and lift it according to its vertical axis, at least two retractable brushes arranged symmetrically with respect to the vertical axis of the container, and a rotational bearing disposed between the crane and the anchor point and preferably motorized.

The brushes extend for example in a substantially horizontal plane, and each of these brushes is advantageously rotatable.

The device of the invention may furthermore comprise, for each of the brushes, at least one arm whose one end is articulated about a horizontal axis and whose second end carries the brush.

This device may also comprise, for each brush, at least one jack designed to rotate each arm of the brush around its first end.

The invention also relates to the application of a device as defined above to the cleaning of a waste collection container having an opening bottom, this application being characterized in that said device further comprises a floor arranged under the crane and a liquid spray nozzle mounted to rotate between a rest position in which the nozzle is retracted into the floor and an erect position in which the nozzle protrudes from the floor and adopts a position substantially perpendicular to the floor.

In this application, the nozzle itself may comprise a telescopic support and selectively adopt a low erect position and a high erect position.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the description which is given hereinafter, by way of indication and in no way limitative, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic view of a device according to the invention, illustrated after the implementation of a preparatory operation cleaning;

Figure 2 is a schematic view of a device according to the invention, illustrated at the beginning of the cleaning of the outer face of a container;

Figure 3 is a schematic view of a device according to the invention, illustrated during the cleaning of the outer face of a container of polygonal section, driven in a back and forth movement vertical;

Figure 4 is a schematic view of a device according to the invention, illustrated during the cleaning of the outer face of a container of polygonal section, driven in a rotational movement;

Figure 5 is a schematic view of a device according to the invention, illustrated during the cleaning of the outer face of a container of circular section, driven in a combined movement of rotation and back and forth vertical; Figure 6 is a schematic view of a device according to the invention, illustrated during the emptying of an open bottom waste recovery container;

Figure 7 is a schematic view of a device according to the invention, illustrated during the cleaning of the interior of an open bottom waste recovery container;

- Figure 8 is a schematic view of a nozzle, illustrated in the rest position, intended to equip a device according to one invention and for cleaning the interior of an open bottom waste recovery container;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the nozzle already shown in FIG. 8, illustrated in the low upright position; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the nozzle already shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, illustrated in a raised up position.

As previously announced, the invention particularly relates to a device and a method for automatically cleaning a container.

The device of the invention, which is illustrated in the figures, typically allows cleaning a container K having, in use and processing configuration, a vertical axis of symmetry Z, and delimited by a substantially cylindrical wall of circular or polygonal section. whose generator is also vertical. The wall of this container K itself has a visible outer face FE and an inner face, not visible and facing the inside of the container K.

The device of the invention, which is typically installed on a truck, essentially comprises two brushes 1, a crane 2, and a rotation bearing 3.

The crane 2 is dimensioned to be able to grip the container K by an anchorage point A which is provided with this container K and which is substantially arranged on the vertical axis Z, and to be able to lift this container along this vertical axis Z.

The rotation bearing 3, which is preferably motorized, is disposed between the crane 2 and the anchor point A, that is to say, in fact interposed on the link which extends between the crane 2 and the crane 2. grab hook of anchor point A

The two brushes 1, which are retractable, are arranged symmetrically with respect to the vertical axis Z of the container K and advantageously extend in a substantially horizontal plane.

For example, each brush 1 is rotatably mounted on the free ends 112 of two parallel arms 11, while the other end 111 of each of these arms 11 is articulated around a horizontal axis X on the floor 4 of the device.

In addition, each brush 1 is provided with one or two cylinders 12 which are designed and controlled to rotate at will arms 11 of the brush 1 around their articulated ends 111.

The method of the invention is implemented using this device as follows. Firstly, a container K is suspended by its anchorage point A to the crane 2, which releases it from its environment of use and which places it above the floor 4 between the two brushes 1, as illustrated in FIG. Figure 1.

Then, the cylinders 12, which are for example constituted by pneumatic cylinders, are controlled to elastically apply the brushes 11 on the outer face FE of the container K, on either side of this container, as shown in Figure 2.

If the brushes 1 are motorized, they are then rotated about their axes 112.

The crane 2 is then controlled to print to the container K a vertical back and forth movement, as shown schematically in FIG.

In the case where the section of the cylindrical wall of the container K is polygonal, this vertical reciprocating movement makes it possible to clean two opposite areas of the external face FE of this container.

Once these two areas are cleaned, the cylinders 12 are controlled to disengage the brushes 11 from the external face FE of the container K as shown in FIG. 4, then the container 4 is turned about its vertical axis Z, by actuation or urging the rotating bearing 3, so as to present opposite brushes 1 two other opposite beaches of the outer face FE which remain to be cleaned.

The cleaning process is then resumed from the configuration described with reference to Figure 2, until the brushes 1 have traveled the entire outer face FE of the container K. In the case where the section of the cylindrical wall of the container K is circular, the operation shown in FIG. 4 and which consists in disengaging the brushes 1 in order to turn the container K about its axis Z is unnecessary, so that the movements of vertical back and forth and rotation about the vertical axis Z can be printed in the container K until the complete cleaning of its external face FE without having to periodically release the brushes 1, as shown in FIG. 5 .

However, regardless of the shape of the section of the wall of the container K, the vertical and rotational movements of the container K about the vertical axis Z are combined at least until the brushes 1 have traveled all the external face FE of the container K, the only difference being that the rotational movement is very advantageously incremental, as previously described, in the case where the section of the wall is polygonal, while this rotational movement can be incremental or continuous in the case where the section of the wall is circular.

In the case where the container K is a waste recovery container having an opening bottom FO, it is particularly advantageous to proceed with the cleaning of its outer face FE during the emptying of this container.

The emptying operation, which is preferably the first operation performed after the entry of the container K, can be implemented by placing the container K, once attached to the crane 2 by its anchor point A, above a recovery tank B embarked on the truck carrying the device of the invention (see Figure 6), and to open the bottom FO of the container K to allow its contents to fall in this tray B. The container K is thus emptied, it is also very advantageous to proceed with the cleaning of its internal face.

To do this, the device of the invention preferably comprises a nozzle 5 for spraying cleaning liquid, typically water under pressure.

This nozzle 5 is for example rotatably mounted about an axis X 'disposed in the floor 4, that is to say below the level of the upper face of this floor.

This nozzle 5 is for example moved by a jack 50 to be able to adopt at will, on command of this jack 50, a rest position shown in Figure 8 and in which the nozzle 5 is retracted into the floor 4, and an erect position illustrated in Figure 9 and wherein the nozzle 5 projects from the floor 4 by adopting a position substantially perpendicular to the floor 4.

Preferably, the nozzle 5 also comprises a telescopic support 51 shaped as a jack and which allows it to adopt at will a raised up position illustrated in Figure 9 and a raised up position illustrated in Figure 10.

Finally, the nozzle 5 can be rotatably mounted about its vertical axis in its raised up position, so as to send on the inner face of the container K a pressurized water jet which sweeps this inner face to clean it optimally.

Claims

CLAIMS.

1. A method of automatically cleaning a container (K) comprising at least one cylindrical wall of circular or polygonal section having an outer face (FE), an inner face, a vertical generatrix and a vertical axis of symmetry (Z), this characterized in that it comprises at least the operations of:

arranging the container (K) between two brushes (1) elastically applied to the outer face (FE) on either side of this container;

- Printing the container (K) a vertical back and forth movement;

printing the container (K) a continuous or incremental movement of rotation about its vertical axis (Z); and

combining the back and forth movements and rotation at least until the brushes (1) have traveled the entire outer face (FE) of the container (K).

2. Automatic cleaning method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a preparatory operation of suspending the container (K) by an anchor point (A) substantially located on the vertical axis (Z). container (K).

3. Device for implementing the cleaning method according to any one of the preceding claims, this device comprising a crane (2) sized to be able to grasp the container (K) by an anchor point (A) and lift along a vertical axis

(Z), at least one brush (1), and a rotational bearing (3) disposed between the crane (2) and the anchor point (A), characterized in that it comprises at least two retractable brushes (1) arranged symmetrically with respect to said vertical axis (Z), and in that said bearing rotation (3) is motorized.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the brushes (1) extend in a substantially horizontal plane.

5. Device according to any one of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that each brush (1) is rotatable.

6. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that it further comprises, for each of the brushes (1), at least one arm (11), a first end (111) is articulated around a horizontal axis (X) and a second end (112) carries the brush (1).

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises, for each brush (1), at least one jack (12) designed to rotate each arm (11) of the brush (1) around its first end (111).

8. Application of a device according to any one of claims 3 to 7 for cleaning a container (K) for waste recovery having an opening bottom (FO), characterized in that said device further comprises a floor ( 4) disposed under the crane (2) and a nozzle (5) for liquid projection rotatably mounted between a rest position in which the nozzle (5) is retracted into the floor (4) and an erect position in which this nozzle (5) protrudes from the floor (4) and adopts a position substantially perpendicular to the floor (4).

9. Application according to claim 8, characterized in that the nozzle (5) comprises a telescopic support (51) and selectively adopts a low erect position and a raised up position.