JPS5962492A - Washing method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

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

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a cleaning method and apparatus, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning using a high-pressure jet sprayer for stirring a cleaning liquid in an immersion tank. The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for automatically washing dirt off the surface of a dirty object by using a cleaning device.

[Prior art]

People are becoming increasingly concerned about waste and its impact on our environment. As a result, several states have enacted laws prohibiting the use of single-use plastic, glass, and metal beverage containers. Recent studies have shown that this ordinance reduces pollution on our highways and other public facilities. However, because of moths, this ordinance has also created other unforeseen problems in the collection and storage of collectible beverage containers.

The use of plastic containers to transport glass, plastic and metal beverage containers is common practice in the beverage industry.

These plastic containers typically have multiple hardened flanges and lips, creating numerous crevices where dust can easily become trapped. In some cases, the plastic container is made of a composite material with a removable second cover. For reasons of hygiene and aesthetics, it is desirable that these containers be cleaned each time they are returned to the bottling plant.

Cleaning methods are well known in which the object to be cleaned is immersed in acidic or basic cleaning solutions and the surfaces are cleaned with these chemical solutions. This method is economical and requires only the simplest equipment. However, it is also time consuming and does not always clean the cracks and holes in the object being treated, and furthermore, the cleaning solution often attacks the body itself, requiring multiple cleaning cycles. Later on, this may have an undesirable effect on its surface appearance.

A cleaning method in which an object to be cleaned is placed in a liquid tank and ultrasonic waves are propagated through the liquid in the tank so as to appear on the surface of the object is also well known. An example of this ultrasonic cleaning device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 57-141603 filed by the present applicant. This ultrasonic cleaning device is effective in removing dirt even if the object is simply placed in a chemical tank. Unfortunately, as the time an object remains in the bath decreases, the number of transducers required to properly clean the object with ultrasonic effects increases, with at least one transducer per gallon of cleaning fluid. There must be. A method using a cleaning tank using ultrasonic waves is well known, but if ultrasonic cleaning is used to thoroughly clean large-volume items lined up side by side, it can be extremely expensive. Furthermore, the ultrasonic transducer merely releases the caked-on dirt and does not remove it unless the exposure time and the amount of ultrasonic energy are sufficient. Therefore, rinsing is always necessary to remove dirt from objects. Finally, no ultrasonic cleaner can remove large debris from the crevices and cavities of the object 24 to be cleaned. When the plastic containers are returned to the bottling plant, it is common to find debris such as straws, broken glass and bottle caps in the plastic containers used in the beverage industry. It is.

One method that has been used to increase the efficiency of ultrasonic cleaning equipment is to provide a pre-cleaning station where objects are scraped prior to being immersed in the ultrasonic immersion bath. In this pre-cleaning station, for example, the object is subjected to a scraping action by a high-pressure spray of cleaning liquid. A disadvantage of using a pre-wash station is that the cleaning liquid from this pre-wash station cannot flow into the immersion tank. The efficiency of the ultrasonic transducer would be greatly increased if the cleaning liquid from the pre-clean tank could flow into the immersion tank and mix with the cleaning liquid therein.

Japanese Patent Application No. 57-141603 proposes a cleaning device equipped with an immersion tank that combines chemical and mechanical cleaning actions. Chemical cleaning occurs by using a cleaning fluid that reduces the surface tension of the soiled object and the soil itself, whereas mechanical cleaning occurs by using a series of high-pressure sprays or transducers that agitate the liquid in a bath. This is caused by Although this device yields the desired results in reducing the number of transducers required to remove a given amount of soil, the device still requires the use of higher than desired levels of alkaline chemicals in the cleaning solution. be. Further, the particular disclosed apparatus provides that the liquid from the pre-wash station is
There is no suggestion that it can be mixed with the liquid in the immersion tank.

[Summary of the invention]

The present invention provides a novel method for cleaning soiled objects and an apparatus using the method. In the method of the invention, a soiled object is first pre-cleaned by applying a high pressure jet directly to the surface of the soiled object to remove some of the soil from the surface. The object is then immersed for a period of time in an immersion tank containing a heated cleaning solution. After the object is immersed in the cleaning liquid in the immersion tank for a certain period of time, the cleaning liquid is agitated by a high-pressure jet. This high-pressure jet creates high turbulence in the cleaning solution, liberating residual dirt and dislodging it from the object, allowing large debris to rise from the object, and finally removing the object from the immersion bath and removing it from the object. A high-pressure spray of rinsing liquid directly onto the surface of an object removes the cleaning liquid from the object and removes dirt.

In a preferred embodiment, the method of the invention is applied in a continuous process for cleaning a plurality of soiled objects. Therefore, the dirty objects first pass through a pre-cleaning tank where they are subjected to the scraping action of several high-pressure jets of cleaning liquid. This initial scraping action removes or releases some of the dirt. The object then passes through a vertically extending immersion tank having a soaking station and a scraping station. At the infiltration station in the immersion bath, other dirt is released and removed from the object by the strong mechanical scraping action 27- of the turbulent flow produced by the high-pressure liquid distributor. Finally, the dirt on the saw is removed by passing the object through a rinse bath. In this rinse bath, a rinse solution or surfactant is sprayed at high pressure onto the surface of the object, thereby removing dirt from the object and also speeding up the drying of the object.

The device of the invention is characterized by no-using. A pre-cleaning tank is provided at the inlet end of this housing. The pre-cleaning tank contains a first spray tunnel that sprays the cleaning solution directly onto the surface of the dirty object. A rinsing tank is provided at the discharge end of the no-washing. The rinsing tank incorporates a second spray tunnel that sprays the rinsing solution directly onto the surface of the soiled object. The immersion tank is provided in the housing between the pre-cleaning tank and the rinsing tank. A high pressure liquid distributor is attached to the immersion seed section closest to the rinse basin. A transfer device is provided for moving objects linearly 7 through the pre-wash tank, the immersion tank and the rinse cypress. Scheme 28 - A cape for continuously guiding objects through the washing, immersion and rinsing baths is mounted in the housing.

Furthermore, the cleaning device is provided with filter devices connected to each other in the part of the immersion tank closest to the pre-cleaning tank in order to remove part of the dirt dissolved in the cleaning liquid. A first high pressure pump is provided for drawing cleaning fluid from the filter device, pressurizing the cleaning fluid to a predetermined pressure level, and delivering the pressurized cleaning fluid to the first spray tunnel. A second high pressure pump is provided for drawing cleaning fluid from the filter reservoir, pressurizing the cleaning fluid to a predetermined pressure level, and delivering the pressurized cleaning fluid to the high pressure fluid distributor.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a cleaning device which removes dirt from a soiled object and cleans it effectively in a single passage through the device. To achieve this, the surface tension of the objects and dirt is reduced by the action of the cleaning liquid in the penetration station of the immersion tank. Further dirt is loosened and removed by the strong scraping action of the cleaning fluid in the scraping station of the immersion bath. Residual dirt and residual cleaning fluid are removed from the object by the strong mechanical scraping action of the rinsing fluid from the high pressure fluid distributor.

Another object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive cleaning device suitable for high volume batch operations.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a high pressure liquid cleaning apparatus having a device for driving a plurality of objects through the apparatus while holding the soiled objects in spaced relationship in a subordinate direction. The goal is to provide the following.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide mechanical and chemical cleaning methods that minimize the amount of alkaline chemicals required to satisfactorily clean soiled objects.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method for cleaning objects.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for mechanically and chemically removing soil from soiled objects in a single passage. To this end, part of the dirt is released and removed by the chemical action of the cleaning liquid from the high-pressure jets of the first spray tunnel and by a strong mechanical scraping action. Another portion of the dirt is released by immersing the article in a heated cleaning solution in the soak station of the immersion tank. Further parts of the dirt are released and removed by the turbulent flow in the scraping station of the immersion bath and the strong scraping action of the agitated cleaning liquid. Any remaining dirt and residual cleaning fluid is removed by the strong mechanical scraping action of the rinsing fluid from the high pressure jets of the second spray tunnel.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for mechanically and chemically removing soil from soiled objects and for mechanically removing large debris from objects. This is achieved by the turbulent flow in the infiltration station of the immersion tank and the strong action of the agitated cleaning liquid.

Yet another object of the invention is a device for mechanically and chemically removing dirt from soiled objects, the transfer device being installed in a pre-cleaning tank, an immersion tank and a rinsing tank. It is to provide. The transfer device drives soiled objects in longitudinally spaced relationship through the device.

The entire external surface of the soiled object is therefore subjected to the action of a high-pressure jet in the pre-wash tank, the turbulent action of the cleaning liquid in the scraping station, and the scraping action of a high-pressure jet in the rinse tank.

Yet another object of the invention is to combine the mechanical and chemical cleaning methods of using high-pressure jets with the mechanical cleaning methods of using immersion baths containing heated and agitated chemical liquids. , to provide an alternative method for cleaning objects. Additionally, this method uses high pressure jets in the rinse bath to thoroughly clean the object.

The numerous objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed table description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

〔Example〕

Reference is now made to the drawings, particularly FIGS. 1-4. An example of a device for cleaning dirty objects is generally represented by the reference numeral 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the object to be cleaned is a plastic container 12 for soft drinks. This plastic container 12 has a bottom wall 14. It has four side walls 168-16d and two handles 18a and 18b. Container 12 has an internal compartment 20 for accommodating a soft drink bottle. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the cleaning device 10 can also be applied to cleaning other dirty objects such as plastic, wood, metal or other containers used in the dairy, meat, confectionery, bakery and other food industries. You will realize that you can do it. The invention can also be applied to cleaning plastic parts 1 imitation parts and similar dirty objects.

As shown in FIG. 1, this cleaning device 10 includes a top wall 22. It is housed in two longitudinally extending side walls 24m and 24b and two end walls 26a and 26b. One of the end walls, the end wall 26λ, is provided with an inlet passage 28m for introducing the container 12 into the housing 11. The other end wall, end wall 26b, is provided with an exit passage 28b through which the container 12 exits the housing 11 after being cleaned. The housing 11 of the cleaning device 10 is further provided with a bottom wall or floor 29, which will be described below. The walls of the housing 11 are insulated to reduce heat loss from the liquid in the bath, and thereby minimize the energy costs associated with maintaining the liquid at the desired temperature.

Inside the housing of the cleaning device 10, a pre-cleaning tank 30 is arranged continuously between the inlet passage 2B and the outlet passage 28b.
．． It is divided into an immersion tank 32 and a rinse tank 34. The details and functions of each of the tanks 30 to 34 in the cleaning device 10 will be described in detail below.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the floor 29 is connected to the immersion tank 3.
It has a horizontal central part 36 in the central part of 2. this floor 2
9 further has horizontal end portions 39a and 38b arranged in the pre-wash and rinse baths, respectively. The horizontal end portions 38a and 38b are each located in a plane above the central portion 36. Intermediate sloped floor sections 40 and 40b are provided in the immersion tank 32 between the end sections 38a and 38b, respectively, and the central section 36. An additional vertical wall 42 is provided between the immersion tank 32 and the rinse tank 34. A passage 43 is provided through the wall 42 for the container 12.

Details of the pre-cleaning tank 30 are shown in FIGS. 3-5. Pre-clean tank 30 includes a first spray device or tunnel 44 . The first spray device 44 includes a pair of open rectangular end frame members 46a and 46b. The first spray device 44 is fed by a high pressure pump (FIGS. 2 and 3) 50 which receives cleaning fluid drawn from a cleaning fluid recirculation device 66, which will be described in detail below.

The pump 50 pumps cleaning fluid at 70 to 90 pslg (4,76 pslg).
to 5.44 atmospheres) to the spray device 44. The preferred feed pressure is 75 ps i g (5
, 1-minded. A spray nozzle 52 is attached to the tubular cross member 48 to direct several jets of cleaning liquid into the interior of the spray device and directly onto the surface of the container 12. The spray nozzle 52 is selected to maintain high pressure over long distances, and in the preferred embodiment is approximately 8/1000
It has a 0 inch (2.03 mm') hole.

The high pressure jet generated by this nozzle 52 creates a high velocity stream that mechanically scrapes dirt from the soiled object, lifting or dislodging some of the dirt from the container. By combining the scraping action of the liquid jet and the chemical action of the cleaning liquid, some of the soil can be released or removed from the soiled container. Front cleaning tank 30
The cleaning liquid inside can freely flow from the pre-cleaning tank to the immersion tank.

Details of the immersion tank 32 are best shown in FIGS. 2-4. The immersion tank 32 is filled to a predetermined level with a chemical, ie, a cleaning liquid, preferably containing a non-foaming agent. The type and density of the cleaning fluid depends on the nature of the soil to be removed and the degree of cleaning required. Many suitable cleaning fluids are well known in the art and available on the market. In the illustrated embodiment, 1
It has been found that inclusion of 36- to 2-ch detergent makes it acceptable.

The immersion tank is functionally divided into an infiltration station 60 for infiltrating the container 12 with a front plate, and a scraping station 62 for applying a scraping action to the container 12. The infiltration station 60 of the immersion tank 32 is located near the pre-cleaning tank 30. The infiltration station 60 is provided to allow the cleaning fluid to reduce the surface tension of the container 12 and the dirt on the container. Exhaust pipe 64 in side wall 24b of the housing
is provided to allow a portion of the cleaning fluid to be withdrawn from this infiltration station 60 to a cleaning fluid recirculation device 66. This drain pipe 64 is preferably provided at the first point 3 of the immersion tank 32, so as to avoid reducing the turbulence of the liquid in the immersion tank by %.

Liquid recirculation device 66 has a housing 68 that defines a liquid tank 70 . A filter device (not shown) is provided in the liquid tank 70 to remove dirt from the cleaning liquid.

The scraping station 62 of the immersion tank 32 is the same as the rinsing tank 3.
It is located near 4. The scraping station 62 is provided with a high pressure liquid distributor 74 or 74' for stirring the cleaning liquid in the remaining portion of the immersion tank 32. The structure of the high pressure liquid distributor T4 or 74' is shown on two sides, one example shown in FIGS. 2-11 and the other example shown in FIGS. 12-13.

In the first example, best shown in FIGS. 2 and 10, the liquid distributor 74 consists of an elongated main pipe element 76 connected at its end to a high pressure pump 78. The high pressure pump γ8 recirculates the cleaning liquid from the liquid recirculation device 66 and pressurizes this liquid to a pressure of 45 to 5 Qplsg (3.06 to 3.40 atmospheres).

Liquid distributor 74 further includes a series of spray nozzles 80 that pressurize the liquid in tubular element 76 so that it can be discharged from this element 16 in several high-pressure streams.
have. The spray nozzle 80 is selected to deliver a jet of high pressure cleaning liquid into the immersion tank.

In the preferred embodiment, the nozzle is approximately 1 inch V4.
It has a hole of (6, as). Additionally, liquid distributor γ4 has a number of tubular arms 82a-82d connected to and radially extending from the main element 76. An additional spray nozzle 80 is provided at the end of each arm 82a-82d. The cleaning liquid from the distributor T4 thus agitates the cleaning liquid in the immersion tank 32. The agitated cleaning liquid scrubs the surface of the container 120 to remove dirt from the surface.

A second configuration of distributor 74' is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. Similar to the distributors described above, the distributor 74' includes several radial arms 8 connected to a long main element 76'.
2'a to 82'd. Each of the arms 82' to 82'd is provided with a spray nozzle 80' for stirring the cleaning liquid. Furthermore, the distributor 74'
It has several LjF39-shaped arms 83a-83d connected to element 76' and each provided with a spray nozzle 80'. The various positions and orientations of the nozzles are determined by the shape and dimensions of the object to be cleaned and the surface that requires scraping. Container 1
20 Most of the dirt is on its side walls 16a-16d. However, the most difficult part to remove dirt is the bottom wall 14. Therefore, a considerable number of nozzles 80'
is arranged below the container 12. The spray nozzles 80' facing the bottom wall 14t of the receptacle 12 from the distributor 74' are upstream of the spray nozzles 80' on the arms 838-83d and therefore have a greater pressure; Greater turbulence can be created.

A heating device (not shown) is also provided in the immersion tank 30 to heat the cleaning liquid to a predetermined temperature, preferably in the range of 150-160° C. (65.6-71.1° C.). . Suitable heating devices are commercially available and well known to those skilled in the art.

Details of the rinse tank 34 are best shown in FIGS. 1.3.4 and 6. As shown in FIG. 4, the rinse tank 34 includes a second spray tunnel or device 84 similar to the spray device 44 described in the pre-wash tank 30. As shown in FIG. 6, this spray device 84 consists of a pair of tubular end frame members 86 arranged to form an open rectangle and a number of tubular end frame members 86 installed longitudinally between the tubular end frame members. Horizontal member 8
7.

The second spray device 84 receives a liquid supply by a high pressure pump 88 which receives rinse water drawn from a tank 90. A plurality of spray nozzles are mounted on the transverse member BT to direct a plurality of high pressure jets of spray liquid to a second spray device 84. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the rinse water in tank 90 must be separated from the cleaning liquid in tank 90 by a wall. The rinse fluid from the second spray device 84 is used to remove dirt and residual cleaning fluid from the object.
70 to 80 psig (4,7
It is injected at a pressure of 6 to 5.44 atmospheres).

The preferred pressure is 75 psig (5.10 atmospheres). In this way, the high-pressure rinse liquid jet creates a high velocity flow that can mechanically scrape the residual dirt from the object and wash away the residual cleaning liquid adhering to the object. The liquid in tank 90 is heated by conventionally available heating elements. Removal of liquid from the object after the object has passed through the rinse tank 34 is accomplished by
This is done by means of a fan 94 (FIGS. 3 and 4) which blows air (shown only in FIG. 3) and optionally heats the air.

The container 12 to be cleaned is completely immersed in the cleaning liquid in the immersion tank in order to release all dirt from its surface. To do this, if the dirty object, such as the plastic container 12, has a lower density than water,
A mechanical guidance system is provided to keep the object completely below the surface of the cleaning liquid while it passes through the immersion bath 32. Containers can pass through the device 10 along this guide device 96 (best shown in FIG. 2). The guide device 96 extends continuously through the pre-cleaning tank 30, the immersion tank 32 and the rinsing tank 34.

The guide device 96 has two low rails 98a and 98b spaced apart from each other and arranged adjacent to each other on opposite sides of the guide device 96 (see Figures 2 and 4).
8m and 98b initially extend horizontally through the pre-cleaning tank 30 and then descend to the inlet of the immersion tank 32 to remove objects from the immersion tank 32.
Aim below the level of the cleaning solution inside. Adjacent to the bottom of the immersion tank 32 is a lower guide rail 98. and 98b rise initially horizontally and then through passages in wall 42. Finally, the lower rails 98a and 98b extend horizontally through the rinse basin 34.

The guide device 96 also includes two side support rails 100a and 100b arranged in opposite directions above each guide rail 9Lt, 98b and on opposite sides of the container 12. These side support rails 100s and 100
b extends through the pre-cleaning tank 30, the immersion tank 32 and the rinsing tank 34, as do the lower guide rails 98& and 98b. This guide device 96 also includes side support rails 100
a and 100b 43- and a pair of top guide rails 102a and 10 arranged in opposite directions to each other in opposite parts of the guide device 96;
Contains 2b. Top guide rail 102m and 102
b is similar to side support rails 102a and 102b,
It extends through the pre-cleaning tank 30, the immersion tank 32, and the rinsing tank 34.

A conveyor device 54 is mounted within the housing;
This conveyor device 54 is horizontal and the pre-cleaning tank 30. It extends through the immersion tank 32 and the rinse tank 34. The guide device 96 can be operated by an operator or another conveyor (not shown).
The dirty container 12 placed on it is accepted. Conveyor device 54 pushes each container 12 along guide device 96 and holds the containers 12 longitudinally spaced apart from one another. Since the containers 12 are spaced apart in the vertical direction, the high-pressure jets of the cleaning liquid in the pre-cleaning tank 30 and the rinsing liquid in the rinsing tank 34 are directed to the leading and rear side walls 16a and 16a of each container. 16b. Additionally, adjacent items pass through the scraping station at an open angle (see Figure 4), and the turbulent cleaning fluid thereby cleans the leading and trailing side walls 16M and 16b. It is designed so that it can be scraped off.

Details of the conveyor device 54 can be seen in FIGS. 1-3. The conveyor device 54 shown in the drawings is
It is well known and available on the market. Although other means for transporting the contents 12 through the 7% welding can be used, the conveyor device 54
is preferred. The conveyor device 54 has two tracks (running paths) 55a and 55b, each of which has a guide device 9.
On the opposite side of 6 is the pre-cleaning tank 30. Immersion tank 32. and extends through the rinse tank 34. The conveyor device 54 also has two consecutive chains 56, one for each track 55a and 55b.

Each chain 56 (only one of which is partially shown in the drawings) extends through the housing onto a track 55a.
or a drive mechanism (not shown) along one length of 55b.
and, although not shown, return to the drive mechanism in a manner well known in the art.

The conveyor device 54 further has a number of push rods 58 extending between the two chain devices 56. This stick 58
are arranged at intervals beyond the length of the container 12 by a predetermined distance. The containers 12 are arranged such that one container is provided between adjacent push rods 58 and the push rods 58 can
It is fed to the conveyor device 54 so that it is pressed along the guide device 96 adjacent the leading side wall 16b of the container.

In operation, a group of dirty containers 12 are fed into the inlet passage 28a of the cleaning device 1°. The conveyor device 54 is capable of applying the high pressure spray of the first spray device 44 directly to the entire surface of each container 12, including the leading side wall (wall 16a in FIG. 2) and the rear side wall (wall 16c in FIG. 2). It acts to place dirty containers away from each other so that they can be cleaned. In this way, by combining the scraping action of the high-pressure jet hitting the surface of the container with the chemical action of the cleaning solution,
Some of the dirt can be released or removed from the container.

The containers 12 are conveyed from the prewash tank 30 to the immersion tank 32 by a conveyor device 54 and guided throughout by a guide device 96. Infiltration station 60 of immersion tank 32
Inside, the heated cleaning solution reduces the surface tension of the soiled contents and dirt. The cleaning liquid in the portion of the immersion tank 32 is not agitated for reasons that will become clear below.

Container 12 is conveyed by conveyor device 52 from soaking station 60 of immersion tank 32 to scraping station 62 . In this scraping station 62, the cleaning liquid is agitated to scrape the surface of the container 12. The cleaning solution is a straw.

The mixture is stirred to such an extent that large pieces such as broken glass and caps can be removed from the container.

Preferably, the liquid distributor nozzle 80 in the scraping station of the immersion tank 32 is adapted to agitate only the last half or third of the immersion tank.

=47- The reason is that the scraping action of the turbulent flow of the cleaning liquid in the first part of the immersion tank 32 is less efficient than the scraping action of the turbulent liquid in the last part of the immersion tank. . When the container 12 is in the infiltration station of the immersion bath, the cleaning fluid acts to reduce the surface tension that holds dirt to the container.

As already mentioned, by heating the cleaning liquid by a heating device in the immersion tank 32, this professional top tension is reduced and the turbulent cleaning liquid quickly and effectively releases dirt from the contents. Therefore, even if the pressure and flow rate supplied by pump 78 are the same, better cleaning results are obtained by providing the spoon nozzle 80 only in the last part of the immersion bath 32.

The container 12 is finally transferred to the immersion tank 3 by a conveyor device 54.
2 to a rinsing tank 34 where the entire surface of each container 12 is rinsed by a high pressure jet from a second spray device 84.

48- It will therefore be readily apparent that the present invention provides an economical cleaning method and apparatus for cleaning soiled objects.

The method and apparatus described above are particularly useful in stations with large volumes where a significant number of soiled objects must be cleaned quickly, reliably and economically. This method and apparatus, which effectively combines chemical and mechanical cleaning techniques, minimizes the amount of alkaline chemicals that must be used to clean objects. The method and apparatus are therefore suitable for cleaning soiled objects containing materials that cannot withstand the use of harsh cleaning fluids. Finally, the method and apparatus provide a means by which all surfaces of a soiled object can be reliably cleaned and debris removed from within the object.

The above description of the preferred embodiments is intended to be illustrative, not limiting. The above description includes the best mode contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention at the time this application was filed. Various modifications of the above description will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are intended to be within the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the patents appended hereto.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a cleaning device of the present invention having a pre-cleaning tank, an immersion tank, and a rinsing tank, and FIG. 2 shows a cutaway part of the immersion tank of the cleaning device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing internal elements of the cleaning device and dirty objects that can be cleaned by the cleaning device; FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway view of the top of the cleaning device of FIG. Figure 4 is the first
5 is a partially cutaway side view of the cleaning device shown in FIG. The figure is a side perspective view of the spray tunnel provided in the cleaning tank of the cleaning device in Figure 1, and Figures 7 to 11 are the respective side views of Figure 4.
12 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2, and shows a modified cleaning device of the present invention; FIG. 13 is a diagram of FIG. 10; Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view similar to that shown in Figure 12 and depicting the high pressure spray jet in the immersion 11 of the cleaning device of Figure 12; 10...Cleaning device, 11...Housing, 12
...Entrance, 16...Side wall, 28...Passway,
30...Pre-cleaning tank, 32...Liquid immersion tank, 34...
... Rinse tank, 44... Spray assembly, 46...
...Frame member, 50...High pressure pump, 66...
・・Cleaning liquid recirculation device, 70 ・・・Liquid tank, 80
...Spray nozzle, 96...Guiding device.

Claims (9)

[Claims] (1) Spraying the dirty object with a cleaning liquid from a high-pressure sprayer to remove part of the dirt from the object; and immersing the dirty object in an immersion tank containing the cleaning liquid. a process of releasing another part of the dirt from the soiled object by the action of the immersion tank; and agitating the cleaning liquid in the immersion tank to remove the part of the dirt released by the action of the cleaning liquid; the process of releasing and removing other parts of the soil by the mechanical action of the cleaning solution, and rinsing the soiled object with a rinsing fluid to remove the remaining soil from the soiled object and removing the cleaning fluid adhering to the object. A cleaning method in which dirt is removed from a dirty object using a cleaning solution and a cleaning solution, which are performed in succession. (2) spraying the dirty object with a cleaning liquid from a high-pressure sprayer to remove part of the dirt from the dirty object; heating the cleaning liquid to raise its temperature; The process of maintaining the temperature at an elevated level during the immersion and spraying processes, and the process of immersing the soiled object in an immersion bath containing a cleaning liquid and releasing other parts of the soil from the soiled object by the action of the cleaning liquid. and stirring the cleaning liquid in the immersion tank to remove a part of the dirt released by the action of the cleaning liquid, and releasing and removing another part of the dirt by the mechanical action of the stirred washing liquid. With the process of removing. Dirty objects using a cleaning solution and a rinsing solution, in which the steps of rinsing the dirty object with a rinsing solution to remove remaining dirt from the dirty object and removing the cleaning solution attached to the object are successively performed. A cleaning method to remove dirt from. (3) Continuously moving the soiled objects into the first spray tunnel; and continuously spraying the soiled objects in the first spray tunnel, respectively, by a stream of high-pressure cleaning liquid, thereby causing the soil to become contaminated. a step of releasing and removing a portion of the soil from the soiled object and continuously advancing the soiled object from said spray tunnel into an infiltration station of an immersion tank containing said cleaning solution to remove a portion of the soil from said soil. continuously advancing the soiled object through said immersion tank from its infiltration station to its scraping station; and discharging cleaning liquid in said scraping station of said immersion tank with a high-pressure fluid jet. mechanically releasing and removing a portion of the soil from each soiled object in said scraping station by stirring and scraping action of said agitated liquid; continuously advancing the immersion bath from the scraping station to a second high pressure spray tunnel; and continuously injecting a high pressure stream of cleaning liquid into the second spray tunnel;
A cleaning solution comprising the steps of mechanically removing dirt residue from the soiled object and cleaning fluid adhering to the soiled object, and continuously advancing the soiled object from the second spray tunnel. A cleaning method for removing dirt from a series of dirty objects using a rinsing solution. (4) Approximately V3 of the total time that the dirty object is in the immersion tank.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the soiled object is in a scraping station of the immersion bath. (5) continuously moving the soiled objects into a first spray tunnel; and continuously spraying each of the soiled objects in the first spray tunnel with a stream of high-pressure cleaning liquid;
a process whereby a portion of the soil is released and removed from the soiled object; and a step of continuously advancing the soiled object from said spray tunnel into an infiltration station of an immersion tank containing said cleaning solution to remove a portion of the soil. continuously advancing the soiled object through the immersion tank from the infiltration station to the scraping station; and discharging the cleaning solution in the scraping station of the immersion tank. mechanically releasing and removing a portion of the soil from each soiled object in the scraping station by the scraping action of the agitated liquid as agitated by a high-pressure fluid jet; continuously advancing the object from the scraping station of the immersion tank to a second high-pressure spray tunnel;
A high-pressure stream of cleaning fluid is continuously injected into the play tunnel.
mechanically removing dirt from the saw from the soiled object and cleaning solution adhering to the soiled object, continuously advancing the soiled object from said second spray tunnel, and cleaning fluid adhering to the soiled object. from the infiltration station of the immersion tank to a filtration tank; and filtering the dirt removed from the soiled object from the cleaning liquid in the filtration tank. A cleaning method comprising the step of re-supplying at least a portion of the filtered cleaning liquid from the filtration tank to the immersion tank. (6) Continuously moving the soiled objects into the first spray tunnel, and continuously spraying the soiled objects in the first spray tunnel, respectively, by a stream of high-pressure cleaning liquid, thereby removing the dirt. releasing and removing a portion of the soil from the soiled object; and continuously advancing the soiled object from said spray tunnel into an infiltration station of an immersion tank containing said cleaning solution to remove a portion of the soil from said soiled object. The process of releasing from. Continuously advancing the soiled object through said immersion tank from its infiltration stage to its scraping station, and agitating the cleaning liquid in said scraping station of said immersion tank by means of a high pressure fluid jet. mechanically releasing and removing a portion of the dirt from each soiled object in the scraping station by the scraping action of the agitated liquid; successively advancing the vessel from said scraping station to a second high-pressure spray tunnel and continuously injecting a high-pressure stream of cleaning fluid into said second spray tunnel, thereby removing scraping from soiled objects; mechanically removing the dirt and the cleaning liquid adhering to the dirty object; continuously advancing the dirty object from the second spray tunnel; and transferring a portion of the cleaning liquid to the immersion tank. feeding from an infiltration station to a filtration tank; filtering dirt removed from said soiled object from a cleaning liquid in said filtration tank; and refeeding said portion of said filtered cleaning liquid to said immersion tank. sending the cleaning liquid from the filtration tank to a high-pressure pump that pressurizes the cleaning liquid; supplying the cleaning liquid from the pump to the high-pressure liquid injector in the scraping station of the immersion tank; and at least a portion of the filtered cleaning liquid. A cleaning method comprising the step of re-supplying water from the filtration tank to the immersion tank. (7) It is filled with cleaning liquid and has an inlet at one end for putting in dirty objects and an outlet at the other end for taking out dirty objects. In the immersion tank, when a dirty object passes through the immersion tank, it is completely immersed in the cleaning liquid, and the cleaning liquid acts on the dirt and the surface of the dirty object, removing some of the dirt. a vertically extending immersion tank adapted to release a portion of the soil and a reservoir inlet adjacent to the reservoir for spraying the cleaning liquid directly onto the surface of the soiled object to release and remove some of the soil from the object; a first high-pressure spray means installed in the liquid immersion tank; and a means installed in the liquid immersion tank for spraying into the tank so as to agitate the cleaning liquid in the tank; The cleaning liquid acts on the surface of the soiled object, further releasing the soiled parts as the soiled object passes through the immersion bath, and removing some of the other dirt released from the soiled object. After the soiled object has passed through the immersion tank, a second high-pressure spray means is used to remove the remaining dirt by spraying the rinse liquid directly onto the surface of the soiled object. and a third high-pressure spray means mounted adjacent to said outlet for removing cleaning liquid adhering to said object therefrom; A cleaning device for removing dirt from a soiled object using a cleaning liquid and a rinsing liquid, the cleaning liquid comprising the liquid dispensing liquid, the outlet, and a transfer means for moving the liquid sequentially through the third high-pressure means. (8) The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the second high pressure means is installed in the immersion tank at a predetermined distance from the inlet. 9. The device of claim 7, wherein said predetermined distance is at least two thirds of the distance between said inlet and outlet. (IO the transfer means includes the first high-pressure spray means,
penetrating the immersion tank and the second high pressure spray means;
and continuously driving a plurality of dirty objects along it,
8. Apparatus according to claim 7, and including conveyor means for holding the soiled objects longitudinally spaced apart. αυ The first high-pressure spray means is a pre-cleaning tank. the spray tunnel installed in the pre-cleaning tank and having a plurality of spray nozzles;
a liquid transfer means for supplying the cleaning liquid from the pre-cleaning tank to the immersion tank; and a high-pressure pump connected to the spray tunnel for fluid connection therebetween, which draws the cleaning liquid from the immersion tank and directs the cleaning liquid to a predetermined amount. Pressurize to the level of
and supplying a pressurized cleaning liquid to said spray nozzle so that said spray nozzle directs several high-pressure jets of cleaning liquid onto the surface of the soiled object and mechanically scraping off the soiled object with said cleaning fluid 17; 8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a pump adapted to remove a portion of dirt from a soiled object. (L) A patent claim characterized in that the first high-pressure spray means includes a filter means inserted between the liquid immersion tank and the high-pressure pump and for removing dirt from the cleaning liquid. (+31) A device filled with cleaning liquid and provided at one end thereof with an inlet portion for receiving dirty objects and at the other end thereof with an inlet portion for discharging dirty objects. A liquid immersion tank is provided with a take-out port, and when a dirty object passes through the liquid immersion tank, it is completely immersed in the cleaning liquid and the cleaning liquid is applied to the dirt and the surface of the dirty object. a vertically extending immersion bath which acts to release a portion of the dirt from the object; a first high-pressure spray means installed adjacent to the inlet for removing the cleaning liquid; and a first high-pressure spray means installed in the liquid immersion tank and spraying into the tank so as to stir the cleaning liquid in the tank. means for further releasing the soiled parts by the agitated cleaning liquid acting on the surface of the soiled object as the soiled object passes through the immersion tank; a means of a second high-pressure spray adapted to remove some of the other soils released from the object and applying a rinsing liquid to the surface of the soiled object after it has passed through the immersion bath; a third high-pressure spray means installed adjacent to said outlet, adapted to remove residual dirt and cleaning liquid adhering to said object from said object by directly spraying said object; a first high-pressure means, the inlet section; a transfer means for sequentially moving the liquid through the immersion tank, the outlet and the third high-pressure means, and heating the cleaning liquid to a predetermined temperature; A cleaning device for removing dirt from a soiled object using a cleaning liquid and a rinsing liquid, the cleaning device comprising: a cleaning liquid and a rinsing liquid; and guiding means mounted in two high-pressure spraying means for successively guiding several soiled objects therethrough. (151) said immersion tank is arranged in a plane below said first high pressure spraying means and said third high pressure spraying means; A first high-pressure spray extends horizontally through one means, then descends along an inclined plane through a first part of said immersion tank, then extends horizontally through a last intermediate part of said immersion tank and finally extending horizontally through said outlet so that as a soiled object passes through said immersion tank, an angular displacement occurs between the leading and trailing surfaces of adjacent soiled objects from its leading and trailing surfaces. 8. A device according to claim 7, characterized in that the scraping effect of the agitated liquid is increased by the presence of K. (IQ) the first high-pressure spray means and the immersion tank such that the cleaning liquid sprayed by the first high-pressure spray means at the dirty object can flow into the immersion tank; 16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a fluid passageway located between said second high-pressure spray means and said second high-pressure spray means disposed in said immersion tank. an attached high-pressure liquid distributor, the distributor having at least one fluid passageway having apertures for spraying;
Draw cleaning liquid from the immersion tank, pressurize the liquid, and supply the pressurized liquid to the passageway of the spray tunnel, whereby the pressurized liquid agitates the liquid in the immersion tank through the holes. 8. The device according to claim 7, further comprising a high-pressure pump for producing a plurality of high-pressure jets. Frame a: The second high-pressure spray means includes a filter installed between the cleaning tank and the high-pressure pump to remove dirt removed from the dirty object from the cleaning solution. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, characterized in that: Each of the holes is disposed at least the predetermined distance from the inlet, and further, the high pressure pump is connected between the inlet and the hole to form a part of the immersion tank. 18. A device according to claim 17, characterized in that the device is adapted to draw cleaning liquid from the section.翰 characterized in that the second spraying means is installed in the rinse tank and includes a rinse tank with several spray nozzles and a pressurized supply of rinse liquid for the spray tunnel. An apparatus according to claim 7. Qυ A first spray tunnel and a small hole provided in the first spray tunnel for mechanically scraping off the dirty object together with the cleaning liquid as the dirty object passes through the first spray tunnel. a first liquid supply means for supplying pressurized cleaning liquid to said spray nozzle of said first spray tunnel; a vertical immersion tank connected to and extending from the first spray tunnel, the immersion tank containing a cleaning solution for immersing soiled objects as they pass through the immersion tank; a tank, an agitation member disposed along the immersion tank at a distance from the first spray tunnel, and agitating the cleaning liquid in a portion of the immersion tank a predetermined distance from the first spray tunnel. at least one spray nozzle provided on the agitation member, a second liquid supply means for supplying pressurized cleaning liquid to the spray nozzle of the agitation member, and the other end of the immersion member. a second spray tunnel connected to the second spray tunnel; and a second spray tunnel connected to the second spray tunnel in order to scrape off the dirty object with a scrubbing liquid when the dirty object passes through the second spray tunnel. at least one spray nozzle provided, third liquid supply means for supplying pressurized rinsing liquid to the spray in the second spray tunnel, and a third liquid supply means for supplying pressurized rinsing liquid to the spray in the second spray tunnel; , the above immersion tank. and - F. A cleaning device for removing dirt from soiled objects using a cleaning and rinsing solution, comprising a transport means for continuously moving the reservoir through a second spray tunnel. (2) The first spray tunnel and the second spray tunnel are arranged in a plane above the liquid immersion tank, and the cleaning liquid in the first spray tunnel is transferred from the first spray tunnel to the liquid immersion tank. The device according to claim 21, characterized in that the liquid is allowed to flow into the tank.(c) The first liquid supply means is connected to one end of the liquid immersion tank and a pushing member. a high-pressure pump connected to a portion of the immersion tank between the immersion tank and the immersion tank; It is characterized in that the pressurized liquid is supplied to the nozzle of the first spray tunnel.
The apparatus according to paragraph 0 further includes a filter inserted between the immersion tank and the high-pressure pump to remove from the cleaning liquid at least a portion of the dirt removed from the dirty object. 23. The device according to claim 22, characterized in that: Q5) To mechanically scrape off the dirty object together with the cleaning liquid when the dirty object passes through the first spray tunnel. at least one spray nozzle disposed in said first spray tunnel; a first fluid supply means for supplying pressurized cleaning liquid to said spray nozzle of said first spray tunnel; and connected at one of its ends to and extending from said first spray tunnel, said longitudinal immersion tank having a longitudinal immersion tank having a longitudinal immersion tank connected at one of its ends to said first spray tunnel and extending therefrom; The cleaning liquid for immersing objects is supplied to the liquid immersion tank, an agitation member disposed along the liquid immersion tank at a distance from the first spray tunnel, and a stirring member arranged at a predetermined distance from the first spray tunnel. at least one spray nozzle provided on the agitation member to agitate the cleaning liquid in a portion of the immersion tank; and a second spray nozzle for supplying pressurized cleaning liquid to the spray nozzle of the agitation member. a liquid supply means, a second spray tunnel connected to the other end of the immersion member; and a dirty object being scraped off by the dirty scrubbing liquid as it passes through the second spray tunnel. at least one spray nozzle disposed in said second spray tunnel; and third liquid supply means for supplying pressurized rinse liquid to said spray of said second spray tunnel;
transport means for continuously moving soiled objects through the first spray tunnel, the immersion tank and the second spray tunnel; and increasing the temperature of the cleaning liquid to a predetermined level; A cleaning device comprising liquid heating means provided in the liquid immersion tank to maintain the temperature at the predetermined level. (c) The second liquid supply means comprises a high-pressure pump connected to a part of the liquid immersion tank between one end and the pushing device, and the high-pressure pump is connected to the part of the liquid immersion tank 22. Apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the cleaning liquid is drawn from the nozzle, the cleaning liquid is pressurized to a predetermined pressure level, and the pressurized liquid is supplied to the nozzle. A first spray tunnel is provided in the first spray tunnel to mechanically scrape off the dirty object together with a cleaning solution when the dirty object passes through the first spray tunnel. at least one spray nozzle; a first liquid supply means for supplying pressurized cleaning liquid to the -E spray nozzle of said first spray tunnel; a vertical immersion tank connected to and extending from the first spray tunnel on one side of the spray tunnel for applying a cleaning solution to soak soiled objects as they pass through the immersion tank; the immersion tank, a pushing member disposed along the immersion tank and away from the first spray tunnel;
At least one spray nozzle provided on the agitation member is configured to agitate the cleaning liquid in a portion of the immersion tank a predetermined distance from the first spray tunnel; a second liquid supply means for supplying said spray nozzle of the member, a second spray tunnel connected to the other end of the immersion member; In order to scrape off the object with the rinsing liquid, at least one spray nozzle is provided in the second spray tunnel, and the pressurized rinsing liquid is applied to the spray in the second spray tunnel. a third liquid supply means for a sump for supplying a sump; a transport means for a sump for continuously moving soiled objects through the first spray tunnel, the immersion tank and the second spray tunnel; A cleaning device comprising a filter interposed between a tank and a high-pressure pump to remove dirt removed from a dirty object from a cleaning liquid. (c) A first spray tunnel and a first spray tunnel provided in the first spray tunnel to mechanically scrape off the dirty object together with the cleaning liquid when the dirty object passes through the first spray tunnel. at least one spray nozzle, a first fluid supply means for supplying pressurized cleaning liquid to the spray nozzle of the first spray tunnel, and having two ends, one of the ends; a vertical immersion tank connected to and extending from said first spray tunnel at said immersion tank for containing a cleaning solution for soaking soiled objects as they pass through said immersion 19-cypress; the immersion tank comprising: a pushing member disposed along the immersion tank at a distance from the first spray tunnel; At least one spray nozzle provided on the agitation member to agitate the cleaning liquid, a second liquid supply means for supplying pressurized cleaning liquid to the spray nozzle of the agitation member, and a liquid immersion member. a second spray tunnel connected to the other end; and a second sprayer for scraping off the dirty object with a scrubbing liquid when the dirty object passes through the second spray tunnel. at least one spray nozzle disposed in the tunnel; and third liquid supply means for supplying pressurized rinsing liquid to the spray of the second spray tunnel;
Place the dirty objects above the first spray tunnel and above the immersion tank. and a transfer means for continuous movement through said second spray tunnel, and a reservoir for heating the liquid to raise the temperature of the liquid supplied to said second spray means to a predetermined value of 20-Bels. A cleaning device comprising means. (c) the transfer means extends through the spray tunnel, the immersion tank, and the second spray tunnel, and continuously drives the soiled object therealong, and transports the soiled object in a longitudinal direction. and a guide means mounted in said first spray tunnel, said immersion tank and said second spray tunnel for guiding soiled objects therethrough. An apparatus according to claim 21. 22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the predetermined distance is five times the length of the immersion tank. C11) the pushing member comprises high-pressure liquid distribution means mounted in the immersion tank, the liquid distribution means having several liquid passages each having at least one spray nozzle; 22. The device according to claim 21, characterized in that: