WO2015080965A1

WO2015080965A1 - Method and system for cleaning used food/beverage containers, and managing system thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2015080965A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/066812
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Chen; Dooriya FAN; Bruce XIAO; Jian Xu; Tony JING; Liuya HUANG
Original assignee: Ecolab Usa Inc.
Priority date: 2013-11-29
Filing date: 2014-11-21
Publication date: 2015-06-04
Also published as: CN104668252B; CN104668252A

Abstract

A method for delivering a plurality of chemical materials/solutions to a washing unit for cleaning used food/beverage containers, said method comprising: selecting a preset formulation data corresponding to a dirt challenge of used food/beverage containers to be cleaned from a plurality of preset formulation data stored in a memory, wherein said preset formulation data indicating a volume of each of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions to be dispensed; loading said selected preset formulation from said memory to a central controller; controlling one or more delivery devices by said central controller according to said preset formulation data to dispense said plurality of chemical materials/solutions stored in a multiple chemical material/solution stations into the washing unit, wherein each of said multiple chemical material/solution stations corresponds to each of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CLEANING USED FOOD/BEVERAGE CONTAINERS,

AND MANAGING SYSTEM THEREOF

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a method and system for cleaning used

food/beverage containers, and a managing system thereof. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a method and system for delivering a plurality of chemical

materials/solutions to a washing unit for cleaning used food/beverage containers, and a system for managing the delivery.

BACKGROUND

This section is intended to introduce the readers to various aspects of the art, which may be relevant to various aspects of the present disclosure that are disclosed and/or claimed below. This section is believed to be helpful in providing the readers with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions to the prior art.

Food/beverage containers (e.g. beer bottles made of class) are increasingly recycled and reused after cleaning processes. Manually cleaning by human is time and effort consuming and the work is overwhelming, particularly for the increasing numbers of bottles that are recycled. And thus it is industrially impractical nowadays. Bottle washing machines (BWM) are widely used for this work, and it is much more efficient.

In traditional BWMs, a single cleaning additive is used to tackle variety types of dirt challenges of used containers including, but not limited to: mold, mud, rust, oil and etc. This implementation is easy to use, but it has the following problems. Specific cleaning additives that are good at cleaning one type of dirt challenge (e.g. mud) might not be good at other dirt challenges (e.g. rust or oil) while comprehensive formulas are blunt to response since they lack pertinence when two or more than two major types of dirt dominate. That will inevitably increase the washed bottle rejection rate when bottles to be cleaned are contaminated by different types of dirt.

Another issue is that the washed bottle rejection rate does not simultaneously feedback to the BWMs, making it unable to adjust the volume of the cleaning additive being used or provide a different type of cleaning additive. Using a high concentration cleaning additive (e.g. heavy dirt additive) all the time may reduce the rejection rate of washed bottle, but is unnecessary for light dirt challenges, and it is costly and environmental unfriendly.

Therefore, there is a need for providing a method and a system for delivering a plurality of chemical materials/solutions to the BWMs in a customizable manner targeting different types of dirt challenges.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The current disclosure provides a method for delivering a plurality of chemical materials/solutions to a washing unit for cleaning used food/beverage containers, said method comprising: selecting a preset formulation data corresponding to a dirt challenge of used food/beverage containers to be cleaned from a plurality of preset formulation data stored in a memory, wherein said preset formulation data indicating a volume of each of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions to be dispensed; loading said selected preset formulation from said memory to a central controller; controlling one or more delivery devices by said central controller according to said preset formulation data to dispense said plurality of chemical materials/solutions stored in a multiple chemical material/solution stations into the washing unit, wherein each of said multiple chemical material/solution stations corresponds to each of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions.

The current disclosure further provides a system for delivering a plurality of chemical materials/solutions to a washing unit for cleaning used food/beverage containers, said system comprising: a central controller having a memory for storing a plurality of preset formulation data corresponding to a plurality of dirt challenges of used food/beverage containers to be washed, and a CPU for processing a preset formulation data of said plurality of preset formulation data, wherein said preset formulation data indicates a volume of a plurality of chemical materials/solutions to be dispensed to the washing unit; a plurality of chemical material/solution stations for storing said plurality of chemical materials/solutions; and one ore more delivery devices having an inlet connected to said plurality of chemical material/solution stations, and an outlet connected to the washing unit, and said delivery devices being connected to said controller, wherein said delivery devices being controlled by said central controller to convey one or more of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions to said outlet for dispensing.

The current disclosure further provides a system for cleaning used food/beverage containers, comprising: a chemical material/solution delivery section, having a central controller having a memory storing a plurality of preset formulation data corresponding to different dirt challenges of used food/beverage containers, and a CPU processing a preset formulation data of said plurality of preset formulation data, wherein said preset formulation data indicates a volume of a plurality of chemical materials/solutions, a plurality of chemical material/solution stations storing said plurality of chemical materials/solutions, and one or more delivery devices, each having an inlet connected to said plurality of chemical material/solution stations, and each having an outlet, and said delivery devices being connected to said controller, wherein each of said delivery devices is controlled by said central controller to convey one or more of said chemical materials/solutions to said outlet for dispensing; and a container washing unit, having an inlet for inputting said used containers, and an outlet for outputting washed containers, wherein the washing unit washes said used containers by using water and the chemical materials/solutions provided by the chemical material/solution delivery section.

The current disclosure further provides a method for cleaning used food/beverage containers, comprising: loading dirt containers into a container washing unit through an inlet of the container washing unit; washing said dirt containers by using water with a plurality of chemical materials/solutions; and outputting said washed containers through an outlet of said container washing unit; wherein the plurality of chemical materials/solutions are provided through selecting a preset formulation data corresponding to a dirt challenge of said dirt containers from a plurality of preset formulation data stored in a memory, said preset formulation data indicating a volume of each of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions; processing said selected preset formulation data loaded from said memory in a central controller; controlling one or more delivery devices of said plurality of chemical

materials/solutions by said central controller according to said preset formulation data to dispense one or more of said chemical materials/solutions stored in a plurality of chemical material/solution stations into the container washing unit. The current disclosure further provides a system for managing delivery of a plurality of chemical materials/solutions to a container washing unit for cleaning used food/beverage containers, said system comprising: a central controller having a memory for storing a plurality of preset formulation data corresponding to a plurality of dirt challenges of used containers, and a CPU for processing a preset formulation data of said plurality of preset formulation data, wherein said preset formulation data indicates a volume of a plurality of chemical materials/solution to be dispensed into the container washing unit; an interface for inputting a feedback signal indicating an index of cleanness of washed containers, said CPU processes said feedback signal so that said central controller controls the volume one or more of the plurality of chemical materials/solutions according to said feedback signal; and a user interface, for inputting a selecting signal to said CPU for an operator to select said preset formulation data from said plurality of preset formulation data, wherein, said central controller records the operations over time of at least one of a selected preset formulation data, said index of cleanness of washed containers, a modification made by said central controller, and the amount of the chemical materials/solutions used, and displaying said operations on said user interface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred features of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of non- limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 shows a schematic structure of an embodiment of the formulator;

Figure 3 shows a flowchart of a process for delivering a plurality of chemical materials/solutions to a washing unit of the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a process for delivering a plurality of chemical materials/solutions to a washing unit of the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 5 shows a flowchart of a process for delivering a plurality of chemical materials/solutions to a washing unit of the third embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 6 shows a user interface displaying a selection of formulations;

Figure 7 shows a user interface displaying a modification of volumes of the chemical materials/solutions; and Figure 8 shows a user interface displaying a status of the chemical material/solution supply apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In a first aspect of the present disclosure, a method for delivering a plurality of chemical materials/solutions to a washing unit for cleaning used food/beverage containers is provided. The method comprises: selecting a preset formulation data corresponding to a dirt challenge of used food/beverage containers to be cleaned from a plurality of preset formulation data stored in a memory, wherein said preset formulation data indicating a volume of each of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions to be dispensed; loading said selected preset formulation from said memory to a central controller; controlling one or more delivery devices by said central controller according to said preset formulation data to dispense said plurality of chemical materials/solutions stored in a multiple chemical material/solution stations into the washing unit, wherein each of said multiple chemical material/solution stations corresponds to each of said plurality of chemical

materials/solutions.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure according to the first aspect, the method further comprises: monitoring by a monitor the volume of each of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions being dispensed by said delivery devices; sending an alarming signal to said central controller when an abnormal volume of one or more of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions dispensed is detected; and alarming when said alarming signal is received.

In a third aspect of the present disclosure according to the first aspect, the method further comprises: receiving by said central controller a feedback signal from an inspector monitoring washed containers in the washing unit, and modifying the volume of one or more of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions to be dispensed by said central controller according to said feedback signal, wherein an index of cleanness of washed containers is indicated by said feedback signal or an index of cleanness of washed containers can be obtained from said feedback signal.

In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure according to the third aspect, when said index of cleanness of washed containers is equal or above a first threshold, the current volume of each of said chemical materials/solutions being dispensed is kept unchanged; or at least the volume of one of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions being dispensed is reduced.

In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure according to the third aspect, when said index of cleanness of the washed containers is below said first threshold, at least the volume of one of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions being dispensed is increased, or loading a preset heavy duty formulation data from said memory to said central controller; and delivering to the washing unit said plurality of chemical materials/solutions according to said heavy duty formulation data.

In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure according to the fourth or fifth aspect, when said index of cleanness of the washed containers is below a second threshold or said index of cleanness of the washed containers is below said first threshold longer than a specific period of time, said central controller indicates a warning, wherein said second threshold is below said first threshold.

In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure according to the first aspect, the method further comprises: modifying the control of said one or more delivery devices by said central controller according to a signal input through a user interface.

In an eighth aspect of the present disclosure according to the seventh aspect, said modifying step further comprises at least one of the operations: increasing the volume of one or more of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions being dispensed; decreasing the volume of one or more of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions being dispensed; adding one or more of the chemical materials/solutions that is not originally dispensed into said formulation data; and removing one or more of the chemical materials/solutions being dispensed from said formulation data.

In a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, a system is provided for delivering a plurality of chemical materials/solutions to a washing unit for cleaning used food/beverage containers. The system comprises: a central controller having a memory for storing a plurality of preset formulation data corresponding to a plurality of dirt challenges of used food/beverage containers to be washed, and a CPU for processing a preset formulation data of said plurality of preset formulation data, wherein said preset formulation data indicates a volume of a plurality of chemical materials/solutions to be dispensed to the washing unit; a plurality of chemical material/solution stations for storing said plurality of chemical materials/solutions; and one ore more delivery devices having an inlet connected to said plurality of chemical material/solution stations, and an outlet connected to the washing unit, and said delivery devices being connected to said controller, wherein said delivery devices being controlled by said central controller to convey one or more of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions to said outlet for dispensing.

In a tenth aspect of the present disclosure according to the ninth aspect, said central controller further comprises: a monitor for monitoring the volume of each of the chemical materials/solutions that is dispensed by said delivery devices, and sending an alarming signal to said CPU when an abnormal volume of one or more of said of chemical materials/solutions dispensed is detected; and an alarming unit for alarming when said alarming signal is received.

In an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure according to the ninth aspect, said central controller further comprises: an interface for inputting a feedback signal, said CPU processes said feedback signal so that said central controller modifies the control of said one or more delivery devices according to said feedback signal, wherein an index of cleanness of the washed containers is indicated by said feedback signal or an index of cleanness of the washed containers can be obtained from said feedback signal.

In a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure according to the eleventh aspect, when said index of cleanness of the washed containers is equal or above a first threshold, the current volume of each of said chemical materials/solutions to be dispensed is kept unchanged; or at least the volume of one of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions being dispensed is reduced.

In a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure according to the eleventh aspect, when said index of cleanness of the washed containers is below said first threshold, at least the volume of one of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions being dispensed is increased, or loading a preset heavy duty formulation data from said memory to said central controller; and delivering to the washing unit said plurality of chemical materials/solutions according to said heavy duty formulation data.

In afourteenth aspect of the present disclosure according to the twelfth aspect, when said index of cleanness of the washed containers is below a second threshold or said index of cleanness of the washed containers is below said first threshold longer than a specific period of time, said central controller indicates a warning, wherein said second threshold is below said first threshold. In a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure according to the ninth aspect, the system further comprises: a user interface, for inputting a selecting signal to said CPU for an operator to select said preset formulation data from said plurality of preset formulation data.

In a sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure according to the fifteenth aspect, said user interface can further input a modifying signal into said CPU to modify the control of said one or more delivery devices.

In a seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure according to the sixteenth aspect, said user interface is operative to at least one of the operations: increasing the volume of one or more of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions being dispensed; decreasing the volume of one or more of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions being dispensed; adding one or more of chemical materials/solutions that is not originally dispensed into said formulation; and removing one or more of chemical materials/solutions being dispensed from said formulation.

In an eighteenth aspect of the present disclosure according to any one of the ninth - seventeenth aspects, said central controller comprises a PLC.

In a nineteenth aspect of the present disclosure, a system is provided for cleaning used food/beverage containers. The system comprises: a chemical material/solution delivery section, having a central controller having a memory storing a plurality of preset formulation data corresponding to different dirt challenges of used food/beverage containers, and a CPU processing a preset formulation data of said plurality of preset formulation data, wherein said preset formulation data indicates a volume of a plurality of chemical materials/solutions, a plurality of chemical material/solution stations storing said plurality of chemical

materials/solutions, and one or more delivery devices, each having an inlet connected to said plurality of chemical material/solution stations, and each having an outlet, and said delivery devices being connected to said controller, wherein each of said delivery devices is controlled by said central controller to convey one or more of said chemical materials/solutions to said outlet for dispensing; and a container washing unit, having an inlet for inputting said used containers, and an outlet for outputting washed containers, wherein the washing unit washes said used containers by using water and the chemical materials/solutions provided by the chemical material/solution delivery section.

In a twentieth aspect of the present disclosure according to the nineteenth aspect, the system further comprises: an inspecting section, having a sensor for inspecting washed containers and generating values indicting whether the containers being sensed are clean or not, and a feedback unit for sending a feedback signal to said central controller of said chemical material/solution delivery section.

In a twenty first aspect of the present disclosure according to the twentieth aspect, said inspecting section can further comprise an inspecting unit connected to said sensor and said feedback unit, for generating said feedback signal indicating an index of cleanness of washed containers based on a statistics of said values.

In a twenty second aspect of the present disclosure according to the twentieth aspect, said feedback signal is said values that are generated by said sensor.

In a twenty third aspect of the present disclosure according to the twentieth aspect, said central controller of said chemical material/solution delivery section can further comprise: an interface for inputting said feedback signal sent by said inspecting unit, said CPU processes said feedback signal so that said central controller can send out instructions for the control of said one or more delivery devices according to said feedback signal.

In a twenty fourth aspect of the present disclosure according to the twenty third aspect, wherein when said index of cleanness of washed containers is equal or above a first threshold, said central controller keeps a current volume of said chemical materials/solutions being dispensed unchanged, or reduces at least one volume of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions being dispensed; and when said index of cleanness of washed containers is below said first threshold, said central controller increases at least one volume of said chemical materials/solutions.

In a twenty fifth aspect of the present disclosure according to the twenty third aspect, when said index of cleanness of washed containers is below a first threshold, said central controller further loads a preset heavy duty formulation data from said memory to said central controller; and said chemical materials delivery section conveys into the washing unit the chemical materials/solutions according to said heavy duty formulation data.

In a twenty sixth aspect of the present disclosure according to the twenty fourth or twenty fifth aspect, when said index of cleanness of washed containers is below a second threshold or said index of cleanness of washed containers is below said first threshold for longer than a specific period of time, said central controller alarms, wherein said second threshold is below said first threshold. In a twenty seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided for cleaning used food/beverage containers. The method comprises: loading dirt containers into a container washing unit through an inlet of the container washing unit; washing said dirt containers by using water with a plurality of chemical materials/solutions; and outputting said washed containers through an outlet of said container washing unit; wherein the plurality of chemical materials/solutions are provided through selecting a preset formulation data corresponding to a dirt challenge of said dirt containers from a plurality of preset formulation data stored in a memory, said preset formulation data indicating a volume of each of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions; processing said selected preset formulation data loaded from said memory in a central controller; controlling one or more delivery devices of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions by said central controller according to said preset formulation data to dispense one or more of said chemical materials/solutions stored in a plurality of chemical material/solution stations into the container washing unit.

In a twenty eighth aspect of the present disclosure according to the twenty seventh aspect, the method can further comprise: inspecting washed containers and generating values indicting whether the containers being sensed are clean or not; and sending a feedback signal to said central controller.

In a twenty ninth aspect of the present disclosure according to the twenty eighth aspect, the method can further comprise: generating said feedback signal indicating an index of cleanness of washed containers based on a statistics of said values.

In a thirtieth aspect of the present disclosure according to the twenty eighth aspect, said feedback signal is said values that are generated.

In the thirty first aspect of the present disclosure, a system is provided for managing delivery of a plurality of chemical materials/solutions to a container washing unit for cleaning used food/beverage containers. The system comprises: a central controller having a memory for storing a plurality of preset formulation data corresponding to a plurality of dirt challenges of used containers, and a CPU for processing a preset formulation data of said plurality of preset formulation data, wherein said preset formulation data indicates a volume of a plurality of chemical materials/solution to be dispensed into the container washing unit; an interface for inputting a feedback signal indicating an index of cleanness of washed containers, said CPU processes said feedback signal so that said central controller controls the volume one or more of the plurality of chemical materials/solutions according to said feedback signal; and a user interface, for inputting a selecting signal to said CPU for an operator to select said preset formulation data from said plurality of preset formulation data, wherein, said central controller records the operations over time of at least one of a selected preset formulation data, said index of cleanness of washed containers, a modification made by said central controller, and the amount of the chemical materials/solutions used, and displaying said operations on said user interface.

A description of example embodiments is described with reference to the figures. In Figure 1, a schematic view of a bottle cleaning system 10 according to the present disclosure is shown. The bottle cleaning system 10 includes a chemical material/solution supply apparatus 100, a bottle washing machine (BWM) 150, and a bottle inspector. Since the bottle washing machine 150 and the bottle inspector 160 are well-known in the art, they will not be discussed in detail in the following sections of this disclosure. The following discussion of the present invention mainly focuses on the chemical material/solution supply apparatus 100.

The chemical material/solution supply apparatus 100 comprises three main parts: a central controller 110, a plurality of delivery devices 120, and a plurality of chemical material/solution stations 130. The central controller 110 has a memory 114 for storing a plurality of preset formulation data corresponding to a plurality of dirt challenges, a CPU 112 for processing a preset formulation data of said plurality of preset formulation data, a user interface 118 for inputting information by a user to the central controller 110 and displaying information. The central controller further has an I/O unit 116 for connecting other components outside the central controller 110, a timer 115 for timing, a monitor 113 for monitoring the volume of each of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions that is dispensed by said delivery devices 120 and cleaning results, and an alarm 119.

The central controller 110 is electronically connected to the delivery devices 120 via its I/O 116 for controlling the delivery devices 120 to dispense the chemical

materials/solutions stored in the chemical material/solution stations 130 to which the delivery devices connect. During operations, the delivery devices 120 conveys chemical materials out from the chemical material/solution stations 130 and dispense them into the bottle washing machine 150 for cleaning bottles. After washing, bottles are output from the bottle washing machine 150 to the bottle inspector 160 for inspecting. The bottle inspector 160 inspects and determines if the washed bottles meet the cleaning requirements (e.g. using a Boolean value) and picks out those that fail the requirements. The bottle inspector 160 also counts the bottles and generates an index of cleanness of the washed bottles, a statistic results of cleaned bottles, which reflects the passing rate of the washed bottles, and feeds the an index of cleanness back to the central controller 110 to which it electronically connects via the I/O 116.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the central controller 110 is

implemented by using a PLC. It is noted that, it is not limited thereto, it can also be implemented by other types of mechanism such as general purpose computers.

It should be noted that there is no special limitation to the chemical materials used in each aspect of the invention, as long as they are present in a liquid state or can be formulated into a liquid.

The chemical materials can be any kind of additives for bottle washing used in the art.

"Additives for bottle washing" refer to all kinds of additives (also called as aids) that are added into a working liquid for bottle washing. The additives for bottle washing are used to improve the efficiency of the working liquid for bottle washing itself, or to introduce additional functions, for example, to decrease the alkali concentration, decrease the washing temperature, suspend insoluble scale, improve the washing effects, prevent from the foam formation, elevate the removal effects of various labels or ornaments as well as shorten the washing duration, etc.

According to their industrial use, the additives for bottle washing can be generally classified into chelating agents, dispersants, scale inhibitors, surfactants, and so on.

Moreover, according to their contributions or functions in the bottle washing process, the additives for bottle washing can be generally classified into fungicides, scale inhibitor, de- labeled agents, defoamers, rust remover, microbicides, and so on.

As required, the chemical materials used in some cases may comprise the working liquid for bottle washing itself, for example, the cleaning agent for bottle washing. The conventional cleaning agent for bottle washing comprises a strong base such as caustic soda.

The skilled in the art can pre-select a plurality of (for example, two, three, four, five or more) chemical materials for use depending on the specific application. It can be understood that one chemical material may have various functions, or various chemical materials may have the same function.

A "preset formulation" or "formulation", as used in the invention, refers to a combination of selected chemical materials in a certain dosage. For example, the "preset formulation" or "formulation" can be pre-determined by a skilled artisan according to his experience and / or based on the properties and or functions of the chemicals.

Figure 2 shows a more detailed structure of an embodiment of the chemical material supply apparatus 100 of the present disclosure. Each of the chemical material/solution stations 201-205 stores a chemical material solution (i.e. an ingredient for washing). Dosing pump 211 has an inlet 231 connected to the chemical material/solution station 201 for conveying the chemical material/solution stored therein, and an outlet 221 for dispensing the chemical material solution. Dosing pump 212 has an inlet 232 connected to the chemical material/solution station 202 for conveying the chemical material/solution stored therein, and an outlet 222 for dispensing the chemical material/solution. Dosing pump 213 has an inlet 233 connected to the chemical material/solution station 203 for conveying the chemical material/solution stored therein, and an outlet 223 for dispensing the chemical

material/solution. Dosing pump 214 has an inlet 234 connected to the chemical

material/solution station 204 for conveying the chemical material/solution stored therein, and an outlet 224 for dispensing the chemical material/solution. Dosing pump 215 has an inlet 235 connected to the chemical material/solution station 205 for conveying the chemical material/solution stored therein, and an outlet 225 for dispensing the chemical

material/solution. Each of dosing pumps 211-215 is electronically connected to the central controller 110 and controlled by the same.

It is noted that, outlets 221-225 in this embodiment are separate outlets each dispensing independently into the cleaning machine. It is also possible that various pumps share a single outlet for dispensing. It is also noted that, although each of the chemical material/solution station 201-205 corresponds respectively to each one of the dosing pump 211-215 in this embodiment, it is also possible that more than one chemical material solution station share one dosing pump. In other words, one dosing pump may convey more than one chemical material solution from the stations. It is further noted that, dosing pumps 211-215 are used as delivery devices in this embodiment, but they are not limited thereto. Any devices being able to convey those chemical materials/solutions (such as a valve, or switch or etc.) can be used as the delivery device.

The outlets 221-225 can be directly connected to a container washing unit, which will be further explained hereinafter. Alternatively, the outlets 221-225 can be indirectly connected to the container washing unit via a mixing tank or mixer, for example, the outlets 221-225 first deliver respective chemical materials into the mixer and the mixer then delivers the mixed chemical materials into the downstream container washing unit

Figure 3 shows a flowchart of a process for delivering a plurality of chemical materials/solutions to a container washing unit of the first embodiment of the preset disclosure. The process starts at S301. In a following step S302, A user selects a preset formulation through the user interface 118, which sends a signal to the CPU 112 in turn. In a following step S303, the CPU loads a preset formulation data from memory 114 in accordance with the user selected formulation. In a following step S304, the CPU 112 processes the data loaded from the memory 114 and controls those delivery devices 211-215 electronically connected thereto to convey the chemical materials/solutions stored therein into the washing unit accordingly. In a following step S305, the monitor 113 monitors the volume of each of the chemical materials/solutions that are conveyed by the delivery devices and determines if the volume matches with the formulation. If in a following step S306 an abnormal volume is determined, the process proceeds to S307 in which the CPU 112 sends a signal to the alarm 119, which in turn alarms, to indicate the abnormal condition. If the volumes are determined to be normal in S306, the process proceeds to S308, in which the central controller further determines whether it is time for a next delivery is reached. If not, the process goes back to S306 to keep monitoring the volume of each of the chemical materials/solutions. If the time is reached and the next delivery is needed, the process goes to S304 to repeat the process.

It is noted that, in one formulation, less than all the chemical materials/solutions stored in the chemical material/solution stations might be applied, and therefore, only those delivery devices corresponding to the used chemical materials/solutions are operated. It is also noted that, in one embodiment, the time period in S308 is preset to 1 hour, but it can also be preset to a different time period or dynamically set in accordance with various implementations desired.

In the context, a "washing unit" can be any kind of container washing apparatus, especially the washing apparatus in which a liquid phase is used as a washing medium, i.e., wet washing apparatus. A typical container washing apparatus comprises bottle washer, in which the bottle can be a glass bottle, a ceramic jar or a plastic bottle, or any open containers made of other materials. According to the way that the bottles pass in and out, the bottle washer can be classified into one-end mode and two-end mode, etc.; or according to the different washing modes, the bottle washer can be classified into static immersion mode, mechanical brushing mode, power jet mode and ultrasonic mode, etc. Each aspects of the invention can be readily and conveniently combined with the various kinds of wet bottle washers, or directly or indirectly connected to one or more positions (for example, a pre-soak tank, an alkali tank, and / or sprinkler parts) of the wet bottle washer.

The bottle washers are commercially available with various modes from various manufacturers, for example, Series RME-C and Series B-XP from KHS Company (Germany), Series SXP from Guangdong No.2 Light Industrial Machinery Co., Ltd. (China), or Series YPXP from Nanjing Light Industrial Machinery Group Corp. (China).

Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a process for delivering a plurality of chemical materials/solutions to a container washing unit of the second embodiment of the present disclosure. The process starts in S401. In a following step S402, users can select a preset formulation through the user interface 118, which sends a signal to the CPU 112 in the central controller 110 in turn. In a following step S403, the central controller 110 controls a plurality of delivery devices 211-215 electronically connected thereto to convey the chemical materials/solutions stored therein into the washing unit according to the selected formulation. In a following step S404, washed bottles that are output from the bottle washing machine 150 connected to the supply apparatus 100 are inspected by the bottle inspector 160 in order to determine if they are cleaned properly. An index of cleanness indicating statistic data of cleaned bottles is generated and sent back to the central controller 110 of the supply apparatus 100. In one embodiment, the index of cleanness is presented in a percentage (%) form.

In a following step S405, the central controller 110 determines whether the index of cleanness of washed bottles is acceptable by comparing it with a first threshold (e.g. 98% in one embodiment) over a specific period of time. If it is determined that the index of cleanness of washed bottles is equal or greater than the first threshold, it indicates that the currently formulation is acceptable and the process proceed to S406, in which the currently formulation is remained, or in some cases, the volume of one or more of the chemical materials/solution being dispensed can be even reduced. If it is determined that the index of cleanness of washed bottles is less than a first threshold, the process proceeds to S407, in which the index of cleanness of washed bottles is further compared to a second threshold (e.g. 92% in one embodiment) which is less than the first threshold indicating a worse condition. If it is determined in S407 that the index of cleanness of washed bottles is equal or greater than the second threshold, the process proceeds to S409, in which the central controller SI 10 uses a preset heavy duty formulation to replace the currently used formulation. It is also possible in S409 that, instead of loading a heavy duty formulation, the central controller 110 increases the volume of one or more of the chemical materials/solutions being dispensed on top of the current formulation to increase the effectiveness of cleaning. The process proceeds to S410. If it is determined in S407 that the index of cleanness of washed bottles is less than the second threshold, the process proceeds to S408, in which the central controller indicates the result to the user. In addition to the indication, the process may also load the heavy duty formulation or increase the volume of one or more of the chemical materials/solutions being dispensed to obtain the maximum cleaning effects. In a following step S410, the central controller 110 determines if it is time for operating a next delivery. If not, the process goes back to S405 to keep monitoring the index of cleanness of washed bottles. If the time is reached (e.g. 1 hour), the process goes to S403 to repeat the process.

It is noted that, in one formulation, less than all the chemical materials/solutions stored in the chemical material/solutions stations might be applied, and therefore, only those delivery devices corresponding to the applied materials are operated. It is also noted that, although the first threshold and the second threshold are set to 98% and 92% in one embodiment, they are not limited thereto and can be adjusted according to different implementations desired. It is also noted that, in one embodiment, the time period in S410 is preset to 1 hour, but it can also be preset to a different time period or dynamically set in accordance with various implementations desired.

It is further noted that, the timing performed in S410 can be simply implemented by a timer 113 embedded in the CPU 110. It is further noted that, in S404, instead of sending an index of cleanness of washed bottles, a statistics data, in form of percentage for the bottle inspector 160 to the central controller 110, a direct pass/fail signal (e.g. a Boolean signal) can be sent to the central controller 110 alternatively, and the central controller 110 calculates the index of cleanness of washed bottles.

It is further noted that, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, if the index of cleanness of washed bottles is below the first threshold for a specific period of time (e.g. 2 hours), it indicates that using the heavy duty formulation or increasing the volume of one or more of the chemical materials/solutions dispensed does not sufficiently improve the effectiveness of cleaning, and the central controller also indicates the result to the user.

Figure 5 shows a flowchart of a process for delivering a plurality of the chemical materials/solutions to a washing unit of the second embodiment of the present disclosure. The process starts in S501. In a following step S502, users can select a preset formulation through the user interface 118, which sends a signal to the CPU 112 in the central controller 110 in turn. In a following step S503, the central controller 110 controls a plurality of delivery devices 211-215 electronically connected thereto to convey the chemical materials/solutions stored therein into the washing unit according to the selected formulation. In a following step S504, washed bottles that are output from the bottle washing machine 150 connected to the supply apparatus 100 are inspected by the bottle inspector 160 in order to determine if they are cleaned properly. The index of cleanness of washed bottles from the statistic data is generated and sent back to the central controller 110 of the supply apparatus 100. In one embodiment, the index of cleanness of washed bottles is presented in a percentage (%) form.

In a following step S505, the central controller 110 determines if the time for a next delivery is reached. If not, the process goes back to S504 to keep monitoring the index of cleanness of washed bottles. If the time is reached (e.g. 1 hour), the process goes to S506 to repeat the process. In one embodiment, the timing is implemented by a timer embedded in the central controller 110.

In a following step S506, the central controller 110 determines whether the index of cleanness of washed bottles is acceptable by comparing it with a first threshold (e.g. 98% in one embodiment) over a specific period of time. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, that specific time period is preset to 1 hour. If it is determined that the index of cleanness of washed bottles is equal or greater than the first threshold, it indicates that the currently formulation is acceptable and the process proceed to S507, in which the currently formulation is remained, or in some cases, the volume of one or more of the chemical materials/solutions dispensed can be even reduced. If it is determined that the index of cleanness of washed bottles is less than a first threshold, the process proceeds to S508, in which the index of cleanness of washed bottles is further compared to a second threshold (e.g. 92% in one embodiment) which is less than the first threshold indicating a worse condition. If it is determined in S508 that the index of cleanness of washed bottles is equal or greater than the second threshold, the process proceeds to S509, in which the central controller 110 uses a preset heavy duty formulation to replace the currently used formulation. It is also possible in S509 that, instead of loading a heavy duty formulation, the central controller 110 increases the volume of one or more of the chemical materials/solutions being dispensed on top of the current formulation. If it is determined in S508 that the index of cleanness of washed bottles is less than the second threshold, the process proceeds to S510, in which the central controller indicates the result to the user. In addition to the indication, the process may also load the heavy duty formulation or increase volume of one or more of the chemical

materials/solutions being dispensed to obtain the maximum cleaning effects. Following S507, S509 or S510, the process goes back to S503 to repeat.

The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment mainly in S505, in which the index of cleanness of washed bottles is calculated over a specific period of time. The process will not be proceeded to the following steps until a correct time point is met.

It is noted that, in one formulation, less than all the chemical materials/solutions stored in the chemical material/solution stations might be applied, and therefore, only those delivery devices corresponding to the applied materials are operated. It is also noted that, although the first threshold and the second threshold are set to 98% and 92% in one embodiment, they are not limited thereto and can be adjusted according to different implementations desired. It is also noted that, in one embodiment, the time period in S 505 is preset to 1 hour, but it can also be preset to a different time period or dynamically set in accordance with various implementations desired.

It is further noted that, in S504, instead of sending an index of cleanness of washed bottles from the statistics data in form of percentage for the bottle inspector 160 to the central controller 110, a direct pass/fail signal (e.g. a Boolean signal) can be sent to the central controller 110 alternatively, and the central controller 110 calculates the index of cleanness of washed bottles.

Figure 6 shows the user interface displaying a selection of the preset formulations corresponding to Steps S302, S402 and S502 in Figure 3-5. It can be seen from Figure 6 that six buttons 611-616, each corresponding to a dirt challenge, are displayed on a page 601. It is noted that, there could be more selections displayed on the page 601 by means of scrolls, next/previous buttons and etc. On this page 601, it is up to the user to select one formulation from a plurality of selections in view of his personal judgment for the dirt challenge of bottles. That judgment can be experiential made, or be made in accordance with the condition that bottles are stored and transported. For instance, bottles that are stored in humid condition for a long period of time before cleaning are more likely to be subject to mold contaminations.

The user interface is preferably implemented by a touch screen so users can select a formulation simply by pressing the correct button. However, the user interface can also be implemented by other means. It could be a screen without touch input function being used in cooperation with other input means such as a keyboard or a mouse to achieve the same or equivalent functions.

In some situations, it is preferable to manually modify the volume of one or more of the chemical materials/solutions that are delivered to the washing unit. It could be a situation when an on-site technician wants to set up the volumes of various chemical

materials/solutions and stores it as a preset formulation; and it could also be a situation when none of the present formulations work well and a user wants to adjust manually. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a mechanism to achieve the above modification is provided.

Figure 7 shows a user interface displaying a modification of the volume of one or more of the chemical materials/solutions that are delivered to a washing unit. In this embodiment, there are totally five chemical materials/solutions, namely "A" to "E", used for illustrative purposes. It should be understood that, depending on the practical applications, different number (such as two, three, four, six, seven or above) chemical materials/solutions can be used. These chemical materials/ solutions are each displayed on page 701 on the user interface. An up-arrow button 711 is displayed above each of the chemical

materials/solutions and a down-arrow button is displayed below each of the chemical materials/solutions. Current volumes 712 of each of the chemical materials/solutions are displayed below the chemical materials/solutions section. And an adjusted volume is display at the bottom. In the present embodiment, a user increases the volume of the

chemical/solution A by pressing the relevant up-arrow button 711, and the volume of A is increased accordingly in the adjusted volume section from 0.5kg to 0.7kg. The other chemical materials/solutions B-E are unchanged. After the adjustment, users can save the adjusted volume of the chemical material/solution by pressing the Save button 715. Otherwise, users can dismiss the adjustment by pressing the Cancel button 716 if the users do not want to save it.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is preferable to provide users with a status information reflecting correspondence of used formulations and chemical

materials/solutions, and modifications with time. It is also preferable to provide information about the costs of the chemical materials/solutions that have been used to give an overview of the operation.

Figure 8 shows a user interface screen displaying the status of the chemical material/solution supply apparatus. In the present embodiment, it can be seen that the supply apparatus has been operated for 41 hours and 34 minutes, and the delivery was composed of 92% Mud/Rust Ring formulation and 8% Heavy Duty I. The amounts of the chemical materials/solutions are displayed in the following section in kg. Modifications are displayed following the chemical materials/solutions and in the present embodiment, it shows none. In the last section, the total costs of the chemical materials/solutions are also displayed, which in the present embodiment, is 172 RMB Yuan.

An exemplary example for the five chemical materials/solutions in the embodiment is given as follows. In Table 1, a set of five specific chemicals, i.e, citric acid, gluconic acid, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, alkoxylated Alcohol and Plurafac LF-403, are given for each of A to E.

Table 1. Five chemical materials/solutions corresponding to their codes

Regarding the above chemicals given in Table 1 , several recommended preset formulations that can be used in the embodiment are shown in the following Table 2: Table 2. Some exemplary preset formulations

As mentioned above, various chemical materials/solutions can be selected and combined according to their respective properties and / or functions, which is known to a skilled artisan. For a certain combination of the selected chemical materials/solutions, various (preset) formulations can be determined by considering the resulting washing effects.

The embodiment of the disclosure being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A method for delivering a plurality of chemical materials/solutions to a washing unit for cleaning used food/beverage containers, said method comprising: selecting a preset formulation data corresponding to a dirt challenge of used food/beverage containers to be cleaned from a plurality of preset formulation data stored in a memory,

wherein said preset formulation data indicating a volume of each of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions to be dispensed;

loading said selected preset formulation from said memory to a central controller;

controlling one or more delivery devices by said central controller according to said preset formulation data to dispense said plurality of chemical

materials/solutions stored in a multiple chemical material/solution stations into the washing unit,

wherein each of said multiple chemical material/solution stations corresponds to each of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring by a monitor the volume of each of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions being dispensed by said delivery devices;

sending an alarming signal to said central controller when an abnormal volume of one or more of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions dispensed is detected; and

alarming when said alarming signal is received.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving by said central controller a feedback signal from an inspector monitoring washed containers in the washing unit , and modifying the volume of one or more of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions to be dispensed by said central controller according to said feedback signal,

wherein an index of cleanness of washed containers is indicated by said feedback signal or an index of cleanness of washed containers can be obtained from said feedback signal.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein when said index of cleanness of washed containers is equal or above a first threshold, the current volume of each of said chemical materials/solutions being dispensed is kept unchanged; or at least the volume of one of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions being dispensed is reduced.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein when said index of cleanness of the washed containers is below said first threshold,

at least the volume of one of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions being dispensed is increased, or

loading a preset heavy duty formulation data from said memory to said central controller; and

delivering to the washing unit said plurality of chemical materials/solutions according to said heavy duty formulation data.

6. The method of claims 4 or 5, wherein when said index of cleanness of the washed containers is below a second threshold or said index of cleanness of the washed containers is below said first threshold longer than a specific period of time, said central controller indicates a warning, wherein said second threshold is below said first threshold.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

modifying the control of said one or more delivery devices by said central controller according to a signal input through a user interface.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said modifying step further comprises at least one of the operations:

increasing the volume of one or more of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions being dispensed;

decreasing the volume of one or more of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions being dispensed;

adding one or more of the chemical materials/solutions that is not originally dispensed into said formulation data; and

removing one or more of the chemical materials/solutions being dispensed from said formulation data.

9. A system for delivering a plurality of chemical materials/solutions to a washing unit for cleaning used food/beverage containers, said system comprising: a central controller having a memory for storing a plurality of preset formulation data corresponding to a plurality of dirt challenges of used

food/beverage containers to be washed, and a CPU for processing a preset formulation data of said plurality of preset formulation data, wherein said preset formulation data indicates a volume of a plurality of chemical materials/solutions to be dispensed to the washing unit;

a plurality of chemical material/solution stations for storing said plurality of chemical materials/solutions; and

one ore more delivery devices having an inlet connected to said plurality of chemical material/solution stations, and an outlet connected to the washing unit, and said delivery devices being connected to said controller,

wherein said delivery devices being controlled by said central controller to convey one or more of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions to said outlet for dispensing.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said central controller further comprising:

a monitor for monitoring the volume of each of the chemical

materials/solutions that is dispensed by said delivery devices, and sending an alarming signal to said CPU when an abnormal volume of one or more of said of chemical materials/solutions dispensed is detected; and

an alarming unit for alarming when said alarming signal is received.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said central controller further comprises: an interface for inputting a feedback signal, said CPU processes said feedback signal so that said central controller modifies the control of said one or more delivery devices according to said feedback signal,

wherein an index of cleanness of the washed containers is indicated by said feedback signal or an index of cleanness of the washed containers can be obtained from said feedback signal.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein when said index of cleanness of the washed containers is equal or above a first threshold, the current volume of each of said chemical materials/solutions to be dispensed is kept unchanged; or at least the volume of one of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions being dispensed is reduced.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein when said index of cleanness of the washed containers is below said first threshold,

14. The system of claim 12, wherein when said index of cleanness of the washed containers is below a second threshold or said index of cleanness of the washed containers is below said first threshold longer than a specific period of time, said central controller indicates a warning, wherein said second threshold is below said first threshold.

15. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

a user interface, for inputting a selecting signal to said CPU for an operator to select said preset formulation data from said plurality of preset formulation data.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said user interface further inputs a modifying signal into said CPU to modify the control of said one or more delivery devices.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said user interface is operative to at least one of the operations:

adding one or more of chemical materials/solutions that is not originally dispensed into said formulation; and

removing one or more of chemical materials/solutions being dispensed from said formulation.

18. The system of any one of claims 9-17, wherein said central controller comprises a PLC.

19. A system for cleaning used food/beverage containers, comprising: a chemical material/solution delivery section, having

a central controller having a memory storing a plurality of preset formulation data corresponding to different dirt challenges of used food/beverage containers, and a CPU processing a preset formulation data of said plurality of preset formulation data, wherein said preset formulation data indicates a volume of a plurality of chemical materials/solutions, a plurality of chemical material/solution stations storing said plurality of chemical materials/solutions, and

one or more delivery devices, each having an inlet connected to said plurality of chemical material/solution stations, and each having an outlet, and said delivery devices being connected to said controller,

wherein each of said delivery devices is controlled by said central controller to convey one or more of said chemical materials/solutions to said outlet for dispensing; and

a container washing unit, having

an inlet for inputting said used containers, and

an outlet for outputting washed containers,

wherein the washing unit washes said used containers by using water and the chemical materials/solutions provided by the chemical material/solution delivery section.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprises: an inspecting section, having a sensor for inspecting washed containers and generating values indicting whether the containers being sensed are clean or not, and

a feedback unit for sending a feedback signal to said central controller of said chemical material/solution delivery section.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein said inspecting section further comprises an inspecting unit connected to said sensor and said feedback unit, for generating said feedback signal indicating an index of cleanness of washed containers based on a statistics of said values.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein said feedback signal is said values that are generated by said sensor.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein said central controller of said chemical material/solution delivery section further comprises: an interface for inputting said feedback signal sent by said inspecting unit, said CPU processes said feedback signal so that said central controller can send out instructions for the control of said one or more delivery devices according to said feedback signal.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein when said index of cleanness of washed containers is equal or above a first threshold, said central controller keeps a current volume of said chemical materials/solutions being dispensed unchanged, or reduces at least one volume of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions being dispensed; and when said index of cleanness of washed containers is below said first threshold, said central controller increases at least one volume of said chemical materials/solutions.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein when said index of cleanness of washed containers is below a first threshold, said central controller further loads a preset heavy duty formulation data from said memory to said central controller; and said chemical materials delivery section conveys into the washing unit the chemical materials/solutions according to said heavy duty formulation data.

26. The system of claims 24 or 25, wherein when said index of cleanness of washed containers is below a second threshold or said index of cleanness of washed containers is below said first threshold for longer than a specific period of time, said central controller alarms, wherein said second threshold is below said first threshold.

27. A method for cleaning used food/beverage containers, comprising:

loading dirt containers into a container washing unit through an inlet of the container washing unit;

washing said dirt containers by using water with a plurality of chemical materials/solutions; and

outputting said washed containers through an outlet of said container washing unit;

wherein the plurality of chemical materials/solutions are provided through selecting a preset formulation data corresponding to a dirt challenge of said dirt containers from a plurality of preset formulation data stored in a memory, said preset formulation data indicating a volume of each of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions ;

processing said selected preset formulation data loaded from said memory in a central controller;

controlling one or more delivery devices of said plurality of chemical materials/solutions by said central controller according to said preset formulation data to dispense one or more of said chemical materials/solutions stored in a plurality of chemical material/solution stations into the container washing unit.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprises:

inspecting washed containers and generating values indicting whether the containers being sensed are clean or not; and

sending a feedback signal to said central controller.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprises:

generating said feedback signal indicating an index of cleanness of washed containers based on a statistics of said values.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein said feedback signal is said values that are generated.

31. A system for managing delivery of a plurality of chemical

materials/solutions to a container washing unit for cleaning used food/beverage containers, said system comprising:

a central controller having a memory for storing a plurality of preset formulation data corresponding to a plurality of dirt challenges of used containers, and a CPU for processing a preset formulation data of said plurality of preset formulation data, wherein said preset formulation data indicates a volume of a plurality of chemical materials/solution to be dispensed into the container washing unit; an interface for inputting a feedback signal indicating an index of cleanness of washed containers, said CPU processes said feedback signal so that said central controller controls the volume one or more of the plurality of chemical materials/solutions according to said feedback signal; and

a user interface, for inputting a selecting signal to said CPU for an operator to select said preset formulation data from said plurality of preset formulation data, wherein, said central controller records the operations over time of at least one of a selected preset formulation data, said index of cleanness of washed containers, a modification made by said central controller, and the amount of the chemical materials/solutions used, and displaying said operations on said user interface.