MXPA06007451A - Container cleaning device - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for cleaning the inside of a container includes a base carrying a tube. A hose connects the tube to a water source via a quick disconnect assembly. A spray head houses a plunger. A spring urges the nose of the plunger out through the spray head. A washer seal has a majority of its surface on a shelf formed in the spray head. Ribs on the shelf engage the seal on one side, and a rim on the base of the plunger engages the seal's other side. The quick disconnect assembly includes a valve which is maintained closed by a spring so that when the hose is disconnected from the water source backflow is prevented. When a container is pushed down on the plunger nose, the plunger base moves away from the seal to allow water to flow from axial and radial apertures in the spray head.

Description

DEVICE FOR CLEANING CONTAINER TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a device for cleaning a container. More particularly, this invention relates to a device which can emit a high pressure spray to clean the interior of a liquid food container such as a jar or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many liquid food containers, such as jars and the like, are difficult to clean, mainly because of their depth. In addition, these types of containers often need frequent cleaning, for example, in commercial environments, such as in restaurants or cocktails, where the component of the jar of a mixer can be used continuously for different beverage mixes. One possible way to clean those deep containers is to provide a device similar to a nozzle at the end of a hose. That, however, requires a lot of attention from the user who must hold the container with one hand and the mouthpiece with the other while directing the spray to several places in the container.

In an alternative solution to the problem, a low profile platform has been provided with an upwardly directed nozzle, which is in communication with a water source. A container to be cleaned is inverted and when its edge is coupled to the platform, a spray is emitted from the nozzle. However, that device does not ensure complete cleaning of the entire container, particularly those that are very deep. In addition, the low profile unit is particularly inefficient to clean the bottom of a container and when the bottom of the container includes blades, as would be found in a container of a mixer, the bottom of the blades is particularly difficult to clean. As a result, a device has been developed where the nozzle is positioned at the top of a vertically oriented tower which extends upwards from a base. The tower can be placed in communication with water under pressure. When the bottom of an inverted container is pressed against the top of the tower, a spray is emitted at that location, a problem with this type of device, however, is related to the seal that must be provided at the top of the tower. the tower, problem which is complicated in the conditions of low water pressure. The seal on this device was formed by means of a conical surface that is forced against a face of a flat washer. There was a large amount of surface contact which, therefore, required a relatively high amount of force to maintain the seal. As a result, low water pressure conditions could also cause leaks. Thus, there is a need for a device that cleans containers of all reasonable sizes without the problems of the prior art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a device that can be easily used to clean a wide variety of food and beverage containers. Another object of the present invention is to provide a device, such as the above, which is provided with an improved seal in the area of the nozzle. A further object of the present invention is to provide a device, such as the above, that operates satisfactorily at low water pressure conditions. A further objective of the present invention is to provide a device, such as the above, that can be connected to and disconnected from a quick and easily water source such as a faucet. Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a device, such as the previous one, that does not leak when disconnected from a tap. These and other objects of the present invention, as well as the advantages thereof as the existing prior art forms, which will become apparent from the following description, are achieved through the improvements here described and claimed later. In general, a device for emitting water into a container made in accordance with an aspect of the present invention includes a tube having an end adapted to be connected to a water source. A spray head is supported by the other end of the tube, and a piston typically has an end extending outwardly from the spray head. The seal is provided in the spray head, and the piston includes an edge to press toward the seal. According to another aspect of the invention, the device includes a tube having an end adapted to be connected to a water source. A spray head is supported by the other end of the tube, and a piston typically has an end extending outwardly from the spray head. A protrusion is formed in the spray head to receive the seal with the majority of the surface of the seal being placed on the projection. In still another aspect of the invention, the device includes a tube having an end adapted to be connected to a water source with a spray head that is supported by the other end of the tube. A piston is placed in the spray head, and a spring in the spray head pushes one end of the piston out of the spray head. According to a further aspect of the present invention, the device includes a tube with an end of a hose connected to one end of the tube. A spray head is supported by the other end of the tube. The other end of the hose includes a connecting device adapted to be connected to a water source. The connection device includes a valve, and a spring keeps the valve closed when the connection device is disconnected from the water source to maintain any water in the hose. A preferred exemplary device for cleaning a container incorporating the concepts of the present invention is shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings without attempting to show all the different forms and modifications in which the invention can be made, the invention being measured by the appended claims and not for the specifics of the specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device for cleaning a container made in accordance with the concepts of the present invention. Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of the device of Figure 1. Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the nozzle area of the device of Figure 1, showing the nozzle in the closed condition . Figure 4 is a view similar to that of the Figure 3, but showing the nozzle in the open condition. Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the improved seal of the device of the present invention. Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the nozzle area of the device of Figure 1. Figure 7 is a partial sectional view substantially along line 7-7 of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a view similar to that of Figure 3, showing an alternative embodiment of a piston of the present invention.

PREFERRED MOLDS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A device for cleaning the interior of a container is indicated, generally, by the number 10, most of the components thereof being preferably molded of a suitable plastic material such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) or a similar material. The device 10 includes a generally cylindrical plastic base 11 which preferably integrally supports a vertical plastic tube 12 which is open at its bottom in the base 11. A plurality of conical fins 13 can be provided between the outer wall of the tube 12 and the base 11 to provide resistance to the tube 12. The base 11 can be provided with a plurality of slots 14, one of which is shown in Figure 2, each of which receives a rod 15 of a leg similar to a sucker 16. Legs 16 thus allow device 10 to be securely placed on a surface, usually a manifold or other surface that communicates with a fluid drain.

A nozzle assembly, indicated generally by the numeral 20, is supported on the upper part of the tube 12. The nozzle assembly 20 includes a plastic spray head generally indicated by the numeral 21. The dew head 21 it generally takes an inverted cup configuration having a generally cylindrical external surface 22 and a generally planar top surface 23. The underside of the surface 22 is threaded, at 24, to engage the threads 25 formed in the upper part of the wall external, of the tube 12 so that the nozzle assembly 20 can be connected to the tube 12. A groove 26 can be formed in the outer wall of the tube 12 adjacent the threads 25 to receive an annular seal 27 to provide a seal to the fluids between the tube 12 and the nozzle assembly 20. The outer surface 22 of the spray head 21 is also shown as having a plurality of ridges 28 which help to tighten the head to 21 on the threads 24 of the tube 12. The nozzle assembly 20 also includes a plastic piston generally indicated by the number 30. The piston 30 includes a generally cylindrical base 31 having an elongate, generally cylindrical tip 32 which it extends upwards thereof, and a generally cylindrical rod 33 extends downwardly thereof. A slot 34 may be formed in at least a portion of the piston 30 to facilitate the molding of this plastic part, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art. A plurality of wings 35 (Figure 6) extend radially outwardly from the base 31 of the piston 30 to keep the piston 30 centered in relation to the inner wall 36 of the spray head 21. The upper part of a coil spring 37 is received. around the rod 33 of the base 31 and rests against the lower side of the base 31. The other end of the spring 37 rests against the rod 38 formed on the inner surface 39 of the tube 12. The spring 37 thus pushes the piston 30 upwards, so that its tip 32 normally extends through an opening 40 formed in the upper surface 23 of the spray head 21, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. The spring 37 is particularly useful for holding the tip 32 extended through opening 40 during potential conditions of low water pressure. A projection 41 is formed in the spray head 21 to receive a flat washer seal 42 thereon. As best seen in Figure 5, the projection 41 includes two projecting ridges 43 which can press toward the seal 42 to create a better seal. Up to that point, seal 42 is preferably made of a material that can be produced in a 70-75 durometer such as neoprene or an ethyl-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM). It should also be noted that the vast majority of the surface of the seal of the washer 42 is received on the projection 41. Thus, at least 80%, and preferably approximately 90%, of the surface of the seal 42 is received on the projection 41. As will become apparent hereinafter, that avoids the "blowing of the seal" 42 under conditions of high pressure and / or high temperature. As also best seen in Figure 5, the base 31 of the piston 30 is provided with a vertical circumferential edge 45 that can press towards the lower surface of the washer seal 42 to provide a better seal when the device 10 is in the closed position shown in Figure 3. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a hose 50 may be used to allow the tube 12 to communicate with a source of water under pressure, such as a tap. The hose 50 can be received through a hose 51 formed in the periphery of the base 11 and then empirically connected to the bottom of the tube 12 in a conventional manner. For example, an adapter 52 may be fixed to the hose 50 by means of radially projecting beards, outwardly to engage the interior of the hose 50. That adapter is readily available from John Guest USA, Inc. of Pine Brook, New Jersey, part no. P12516125. A clamp 53 can receive at the junction of the hose 50 and the adapter 52 to better secure the connection. The other end of the adapter 52 can be received by one end of an elbow 54 which is also a conventional element purchased from John Guest USA, Inc., part no. P12216165. The elbow 54 is secured to the adapter 52 by a sleeve 55, and an annular seal 56 seals the joint. The other end of the elbow 54 is received within the lower part of the tube 12 and is secured thereto by a sleeve 57 having a metal closing ring that exerts a radial force inward of the elbow with the increase in water pressure. That device can also be purchased at John Guest USA Inc., as part no. P128165. The other end of the hose 50 is provided with a quick disconnect assembly, indicated generally by the number 60. The quick disconnect assembly 60 includes a standard male connector 61 which is threaded to be connected to a faucet. Typically that connector 61 is part no. 9400400 that can be compared in Colder Products Company of St. Paul, Minnesota.

The connector 61 is received within the female portion, generally indicated by number 62, of the quick disconnect assembly 60. As best seen in Figure 7, the male portion 62 includes a conventional pushbutton release mechanism 63 in a end and is provided with a hose flange 64 at the other end for coupling to the hose 50. The male portion 62 of the quick disconnect assembly 60 includes a housing 65 which is provided with a valve 66 and an annular seal 67. low force helical spring 68 keeps valve 66 closed. In this way, when water is received under pressure by the female portion, the valve 66 will open to allow water to be received by the hose 50, with the water pressure being the only force that opens the valve 66. Then when there is no water pressure acting on the valve 66, the spring 68 will keep the valve 66 closed to prevent backflow out of the stub 60. In this way, when the push button 63 is depressed to remove the female portion 62 of the male connector 61, and thus removing the device 10 from its water source, counterflow or leakage of water from the hose 50 is avoided. The backflow is also avoided if the pressure of the water supply is lost. Therefore, contaminants that may be in the device 10 can not return to the water supply and contaminate the drinking water. In the operation of the device 10, when the hose 50 is connected to a tap or other source of water under pressure, and when the tap is opened, the water is received in the tube 12. The combination of water pressure and springs 37 maintains the assembly of the piston 30 above, and the device 10 in this manner in the closed position shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. Therefore, the edge 44 of the base 31 of the piston assembly 30 is pressed towards a seal of flat washer 42 for maintaining a fluidic seal above the base of the piston 31. In this position, the device 10 is in condition for immediate activation. In doing so, a container or other product to be cleaned is inverted and telescopically placed on tube 12 until its bottom engages the top of the tip of the piston 32. At this point, further downward movement of the container presses the piston 30 against the water pressure and compresses the spring 37 from the position of Figure 3 to the position of Figure 4. Therefore, as shown in Figure 4, water under pressure is allowed to pass around the base 31 of the piston 30 between the wings 35 thereof, between the tip 32 and the seal of the flat 42, and outwardly of a nozzle assembly 20 through the axial spray openings 70 formed in the upper surface 23 of the head spray 21 adjacent to the opening 40. Water under pressure can also be emitted through the radial spray openings 71 formed in the spray head bird 21. Therefore, both the bottom and the sides of the container receive a spray from to The pressure up until the downward force on the piston 30 ends, at which time the device returns to the interruption position of Figure 3. At this time, it is desirable to activate the quick disconnect assembly 60 to remove the portion 62 of the same connector 61 and therefore disconnect the hose 50 from the water source, the backflow of water out of the hose 50 is avoided because the spring 67 will keep the valve 66 closed. If any of the nozzle mounting components 20 need to be replaced, the spray head 21 only needs to be unscrewed the tube 12 to have access to the nozzle assembly components 20. However, because the component with the highest wear of the piston 30 and in particular tip 32 thereof, in an alternative embodiment thereof, shown in Figure 8, the tip of the piston can be replaced without removing the spray head 21 from the tube 12.

Thus, as shown in Figure 8, the base of the piston and the tip of the piston are shown as if they were two separate pieces, 31A and 32A, respectively. All other components of the nozzle assembly 20 are the same as in Figure 8 as the other figures, and therefore they have been given the same reference numbers. The base of the piston 31A includes an upwardly extending rod 80, and a piston tip 32A including a hollow area 81 that is adapted to be slidably positioned on the rod 80. The outer wall 82 of the piston tip 32A is provided with a slight inclination or abatement which makes the bottom of the wall 82 slightly larger than the top of the wall 82. The difference in the diameters can preferably be of the order of 0.127 millimeters (5 mils) , and for the length of the wall 82, its diameter is smaller than that of the opening 40 than of the spray head 21, so that the piston will operate as described above. However, its lower end diameter is slightly larger than the size of the opening 40 to prevent the nozzle 32A from jumping out of the spray head 21. But if sufficient force is applied, the tip 32A can be removed in the rod 82 and of the spray head 21 for its potential replacement without removing the head 21 of the tube 12.

In view of the above, it will be evident that a device 10 constructed as described herein, fulfills the objectives of the invention and in other circumstances substantially improves the technique.

Claims (36)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following: CLAIMS 1. A device for emitting water into a container, characterized in that it comprises a tube having an end adapted to be connected to a water source, such as a spray head supported by the other end of the tube, a piston that normally it has one end extending outward from the spray head, and a seal in the spray head, the piston including an edge placed to press toward the seal. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a projection formed on the spray head, the seal having a surface like most of which is received on the projection. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that it also comprises at least one flange on the projection to press towards the seal. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises a spring in the spray head that pushes one end of the piston out of the spray head. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that it further comprises a hose having an end attached to one end of the tube, a device at the other end of the hose and adapted to be connected to a water source, including the device a spring to keep the valve closed when the device is disconnected from the water source to keep any water in the hose. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises a hose having an end connected to one end of the tube, a device at the other end of the hose and adapted to be connected to a water source including the device a valve and a spring to keep the valve closed when the device is disconnected from the water source to maintain any of the hose. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a spring in the spray head that pushes one end of the piston outwardly in the spray head. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises a hose having an end attached to one end of the tube, a device at the other end of the hose and adapted to be connected to a water source, including the device a spring and a valve, to keep the valve closed when the device is disconnected from the water source to keep any water in the hose. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a hose having an end connected to one end of the tube, a device at the other end of the hose and adapted to be connected to a water source including the device a valve and a spring to keep the valve closed when the device is disconnected from the water source to maintain any of the hose. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a second seal placed between the tube and the spray head. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the piston includes a tip at one end, and a base at the other end and, the base having an edge. 12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the base has wings extending radially outwardly thereof. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the base includes a rod and also comprises a spring between the tube and the base, and received around the rod, to push the tip out of the spray head. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the spray head has a top surface with an opening in it, the piston extending through the opening. 15. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that it further comprises spray openings adjacent the aperture adapted to allow water to pass therethrough. 16. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that it also comprises spray openings directed generally radially in the spray head. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the piston includes a base having a rod that extends upwards thereof, and a tip received on the rod, the removable tip of the base therefore being. 18. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tip has an external inclined wall. The device according to claim 18, characterized in that the spray head has an upper surface with an opening therein, with the majority of the tip being freely movable through the opening, but without a portion of the wall of the opening. tip larger than the opening. 20. A device for emitting water into the container, characterized in that it comprises a tube having an end adapted to be connected to a water source, the spray head supported by the end of the tube, a piston that normally has one end which extends outwardly from the spray head, a projection formed in the spray head, and a seal having a surface, the majority of which is received on the projection. 21. The device according to claim 20, characterized in that it further comprises a spring in the spray head that pushes one end of the piston out of the spray head. The device according to claim 21, characterized in that it further comprises a hose having an end connected to one end of the tube, a device at the other end of the hose and adapted to be connected to a water source, the device it includes a valve and a spring to keep the valve closed when the device is disconnected from the water source to keep any water in the hose. The device according to claim 20, characterized in that it further comprises a hose having an end connected to one end of the tube, a device at the other end of the hose and adapted to be connected to a water source, the device it includes a valve and a spring to keep the valve closed when the device is disconnected from the water source to keep any water in the hose. 24. The device according to claim 20, characterized in that it also comprises at least one flange on the projection to press towards the seal. 25. The device according to claim 20, characterized in that the piston includes a tip at one end, and a base at the other end, the base having an edge to press toward the seal. 26. The device according to claim 25, characterized in that the base includes a rod and also comprises a spring between the tube and the base, and received around the rod, to push the tip out of the spray head. 27. The device according to claim 20, characterized in that at least 80% of the surface of the seal is received on the projection. 28. A device for emitting water into a container, characterized in that it comprises a tube having an end adapted to be connected to a water source, a spray head supported by the other end of the tube, a piston in the head of spray, and a spring in the spray head that pushes one end of the piston out of the spray head. 29. The device according to claim 28, characterized in that it further comprises a hose having an end connected to one end of the tube, a device at the other end of the hose and adapted to be connected to a water source, the device it includes a valve and a spring to keep the valve closed when the device is disconnected from the water source to keep any water in the hose. 30. The device according to claim 28, characterized in that the piston includes a tip at one end and a base attached to the tip, the base including a rod, coupling the spring to the rod. 31. • A device for emitting water into a container, characterized in that it comprises a tube, a hose having an end connected to one end of the tube, a spray head supported by the other end of the tube, a connection device at the other end of the hose and adapted to be connected to a water source, and the connection device including a valve and a spring to maintain the valve closed when the connection device is disconnected from the water source to keep any water in the hose. 32. The device according to claim 31, characterized in that the connection device includes a connector adapted to be coupled to a faucet and a portion supported by the hose and adapted to be coupled to the connector, including the valve portion and the spring. 33. The device according to claim 32, characterized in that the portion includes a push button to release the connector portion. 34. The device according to claim 31, characterized in that it further comprises a base supporting the tube, the hose being received in the base and being connected to the tube. 35. The device according to claim 34, characterized in that it further comprises a leg at the base, so that the base can be joined to a surface. 36. A device for emitting water into a container, characterized in that it comprises a tube, a hose having an end connected to one end of the tube, a spray head supported by the other end of the tube, a piston in the head of spray, a spring in the spray head that pushes one end of the piston out of the spray head, a protrusion formed in the spray head, a seal having a surface, the majority of which is received on the projection, the piston including an edge for pressing toward the seal, and a connecting device at the other end of the hose and adapted to be attached to a source of water, the connecting device including a valve and a spring to keep the valve closed when The connection device is disconnected from the water source to keep any water in the hose.