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EP0996510B1 - Can cleaning and delivery apparatus - Google Patents

Can cleaning and delivery apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0996510B1
EP0996510B1 EP98933761A EP98933761A EP0996510B1 EP 0996510 B1 EP0996510 B1 EP 0996510B1 EP 98933761 A EP98933761 A EP 98933761A EP 98933761 A EP98933761 A EP 98933761A EP 0996510 B1 EP0996510 B1 EP 0996510B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cans
track
air
vacuum chamber
travel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP98933761A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0996510A1 (en
Inventor
William Hodgkinson
Thomas Arthur Worthington
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0996510A1 publication Critical patent/EP0996510A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0996510B1 publication Critical patent/EP0996510B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
    • B65B43/42—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B5/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use of air flow or gas flow
    • B08B5/02—Cleaning by the force of jets, e.g. blowing-out cavities
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B6/00—Cleaning by electrostatic means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/08—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks
    • B08B9/20—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans are brought
    • B08B9/28—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans are brought the apparatus cleaning by splash, spray, or jet application, with or without soaking
    • B08B9/283—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans are brought the apparatus cleaning by splash, spray, or jet application, with or without soaking by gas jets
    • B08B9/286—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans are brought the apparatus cleaning by splash, spray, or jet application, with or without soaking by gas jets the gas being ionized
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
    • B65B35/30—Arranging and feeding articles in groups
    • B65B35/48—Arranging and feeding articles in groups by pneumatic conveyors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B55/00—Preserving, protecting or purifying packages or package contents in association with packaging
    • B65B55/02—Sterilising, e.g. of complete packages
    • B65B55/04—Sterilising wrappers or receptacles prior to, or during, packaging
    • B65B55/08—Sterilising wrappers or receptacles prior to, or during, packaging by irradiation

Definitions

  • This invention concerns apparatus for cleaning and delivering cans to a can filling machine.
  • cans Before cans are filled with, for example, food items, they have to be cleaned. Conventionally, cans are washed with water. However, because of water shortages and increasing costs, there is a demand for water cleaning and recycling equipment to enable the cleaning water to be re-used possibly in other plant areas.
  • U.S. Patent No. 5,265,298 (Young) relates to a container cleaning system that uses an ionized air injection to dislodge dust particles and neutralize electrostatic charges that cause particles to adhere to the container walls.
  • the cans are transported through the clearing apparatus by means of a conveyor belt or gravity. Whilst relying on the influence of gravity to move cans down a steep incline is satisfactory for cans having a relatively small volume, handling problems are experienced with larger cans unless a lubricant such as water is employed.
  • An object of this invention is to provide a can cleaning and delivery apparatus that does not require use of water.
  • apparatus for cleaning and delivering cans to a can filling machine comprising a track for the cans, means for conveying cans along the track, ionisation means for introducing ionised air into the cans and means for extracting air from the cans, characterised in that the means for conveying cans along the track includes air blowing means, whereby air is blown against the cans in the direction of their intended direction of travel.
  • the track preferably comprises a pair of spaced parallel rails between which cans can travel in an orientation transverse to their direction of travel.
  • the track preferably includes twists for reorientating the cans as necessary for carrying out cleaning and delivery functions.
  • the track is preferably inclined downwards from a can receiving section to a can delivery section.
  • a first twist of the track is preferably provided to turn the can through 90° to travel down the track.
  • the means for introducing ionised air preferably comprises a plurality of corona discharge emitters to direct ionised air into the open ends of the cans as they travel past.
  • the main purpose of this treatment is to neutralise static charge on the cans, so that dust particles do not adhere to the inside of the cans.
  • the cans are preferably on their side.
  • air is delivered under pressure to directional openings, such both sides of the cans.
  • blown air is provided in more than one region of the apparatus.
  • the means for extracting air from the cans preferably comprises a vacuum chamber with means for pumping air therefrom.
  • the cans Prior to the vacuum chamber the cans are preferably orientated so that they are at least inclined with their open ends downmost and ideally so that they are upside down.
  • the track therefore, preferably includes a 90° twist between the ionisation means and the air extraction means.
  • the apparatus of the invention preferably further includes means for collecting debris falling from cans when upside down or at least inclined with their open ends downwards.
  • Such means may comprise a tray and may be situated in the vacuum chamber.
  • the track is preferably arranged to orient the cans to be upright, i.e. with their open ends uppermost, for delivery to a can filling machine.
  • a can cleaning and delivery apparatus for coupling to a can filling machine comprises a track 10 which takes empty cans at its top and delivers them via a lowerator to the can filling machine at its bottom end. During travel along the track the empty cans are subjected to ionisation and compressed air rinsing.
  • the track 10 comprises a pair of spaced, parallel rails 11A and 11B.
  • the empty cans are transported to the top of the track 10 by an air conveyor. At the top of the track the cans are upright.
  • the track includes a twist 12 to turn the can through 90°, in which orientation they travel down a lowerator 14.
  • the cans are kept moving down the lowerator by air blown through forwardly directed louvres (not shown) above and below the track.
  • the air is supplied by a blower 16 via a pipe 18.
  • an ionisation zone 20 At a lower part of the lowerator 14 is an ionisation zone 20, where an ioniser bar having a plurality of corona discharge needles direct ionised air into the open ends of the cans.
  • the ionised air neutralises static electricity on the inside surface of the cans, which releases dust particles that would otherwise adhere to the insides of the cans.
  • the track has a further twist 22 to turn the cans again through 90° so that their open ends are directed downwards, so that any dust and debris in the cans can fall out under gravity.
  • the cans enter a vacuum chamber 24.
  • the vacuum zone 24 is sealed apart from its can inlet and outlet.
  • the vacuum chamber 24 has a vacuum pump 26 connected thereto to remove air borne particles from the cans.
  • the vacuum chamber 24 has a tray 26 for collecting large debris items falling from the cans.
  • the cans are kept moving through the vacuum zone 24 by air blown into the vacuum zone through forwardly directed louvres (not shown) along two opposite sides of the vacuum chamber 24.
  • the air is supplied from the blower 16 via a downward continuation of the pip 18.
  • the track 10 On leaving the vacuum chamber 24 the track 10 includes further twists 28 and 30 to turn the cans through 180° so that they are upright and ready for filling and sealing in a filling machine (not shown).
  • the air blower used in the system of the invention can provide the required can movement along with waterless cleaning and rinsing of the cans. Because the system is waterless, there are savings in costs not only from non-use of water but also from the omission of a drying zone hitherto required for can delivery systems using water. Furthermore, no lubrication is needed to facilitate can movement.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)
  • Refuse Collection And Transfer (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)
  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)

Abstract

Apparatus for cleaning and delivering cans to a can filling machine comprises a track 10 for the cans, air from the air blower 16 for conveying cans along the track, an ionisation source 20 for introducing ionised air into the cans and a vacuum chamber and pump 24 for extracting air from the cans

Description

  • This invention concerns apparatus for cleaning and delivering cans to a can filling machine.
  • Before cans are filled with, for example, food items, they have to be cleaned. Conventionally, cans are washed with water. However, because of water shortages and increasing costs, there is a demand for water cleaning and recycling equipment to enable the cleaning water to be re-used possibly in other plant areas.
  • There is a need, therefore, for can cleaning and delivery apparatus that does not use water for cleaning. However, the cleaning water does act as a lubricant that facilitates can movement through parts of the apparatus and therefore is generally required.
  • U.S. Patent No. 5,265,298 (Young) relates to a container cleaning system that uses an ionized air injection to dislodge dust particles and neutralize electrostatic charges that cause particles to adhere to the container walls. The cans are transported through the clearing apparatus by means of a conveyor belt or gravity. Whilst relying on the influence of gravity to move cans down a steep incline is satisfactory for cans having a relatively small volume, handling problems are experienced with larger cans unless a lubricant such as water is employed.
  • An object of this invention is to provide a can cleaning and delivery apparatus that does not require use of water.
  • According to this invention there is provided apparatus for cleaning and delivering cans to a can filling machine, the apparatus comprising a track for the cans, means for conveying cans along the track, ionisation means for introducing ionised air into the cans and means for extracting air from the cans, characterised in that the means for conveying cans along the track includes air blowing means, whereby air is blown against the cans in the direction of their intended direction of travel.
  • The track preferably comprises a pair of spaced parallel rails between which cans can travel in an orientation transverse to their direction of travel. The track preferably includes twists for reorientating the cans as necessary for carrying out cleaning and delivery functions. The track is preferably inclined downwards from a can receiving section to a can delivery section.
  • At the can receiving section, the cans are usually upright Therefore, a first twist of the track is preferably provided to turn the can through 90° to travel down the track.
  • The means for introducing ionised air preferably comprises a plurality of corona discharge emitters to direct ionised air into the open ends of the cans as they travel past. The main purpose of this treatment is to neutralise static charge on the cans, so that dust particles do not adhere to the inside of the cans. During this treatment the cans are preferably on their side.
  • In a preferred embodiment air is delivered under pressure to directional openings, such both sides of the cans. Preferably blown air is provided in more than one region of the apparatus.
  • The means for extracting air from the cans preferably comprises a vacuum chamber with means for pumping air therefrom. Prior to the vacuum chamber the cans are preferably orientated so that they are at least inclined with their open ends downmost and ideally so that they are upside down. The track, therefore, preferably includes a 90° twist between the ionisation means and the air extraction means.
  • The apparatus of the invention preferably further includes means for collecting debris falling from cans when upside down or at least inclined with their open ends downwards. Such means may comprise a tray and may be situated in the vacuum chamber.
  • After leaving the air extraction means the track is preferably arranged to orient the cans to be upright, i.e. with their open ends uppermost, for delivery to a can filling machine.
  • This invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a can cleaning and delivery apparatus.
  • Referring to the accompanying drawing, a can cleaning and delivery apparatus for coupling to a can filling machine comprises a track 10 which takes empty cans at its top and delivers them via a lowerator to the can filling machine at its bottom end. During travel along the track the empty cans are subjected to ionisation and compressed air rinsing. The track 10 comprises a pair of spaced, parallel rails 11A and 11B.
  • The empty cans are transported to the top of the track 10 by an air conveyor. At the top of the track the cans are upright. The track includes a twist 12 to turn the can through 90°, in which orientation they travel down a lowerator 14. The cans are kept moving down the lowerator by air blown through forwardly directed louvres (not shown) above and below the track. The air is supplied by a blower 16 via a pipe 18.
  • At a lower part of the lowerator 14 is an ionisation zone 20, where an ioniser bar having a plurality of corona discharge needles direct ionised air into the open ends of the cans. The ionised air neutralises static electricity on the inside surface of the cans, which releases dust particles that would otherwise adhere to the insides of the cans.
  • After the ionisation zone 20, the track has a further twist 22 to turn the cans again through 90° so that their open ends are directed downwards, so that any dust and debris in the cans can fall out under gravity. In this orientation the cans enter a vacuum chamber 24. The vacuum zone 24 is sealed apart from its can inlet and outlet. The vacuum chamber 24 has a vacuum pump 26 connected thereto to remove air borne particles from the cans. Furthermore at its lower end the vacuum chamber 24 has a tray 26 for collecting large debris items falling from the cans.
  • The cans are kept moving through the vacuum zone 24 by air blown into the vacuum zone through forwardly directed louvres (not shown) along two opposite sides of the vacuum chamber 24. The air is supplied from the blower 16 via a downward continuation of the pip 18. On leaving the vacuum chamber 24 the track 10 includes further twists 28 and 30 to turn the cans through 180° so that they are upright and ready for filling and sealing in a filling machine (not shown).
  • It is important to keep the cans moving at a constant speed through the cleaning system, typically at a rate of 1000 to 2000 cans per minute, in concert with the filling machine. The air blower used in the system of the invention can provide the required can movement along with waterless cleaning and rinsing of the cans. Because the system is waterless, there are savings in costs not only from non-use of water but also from the omission of a drying zone hitherto required for can delivery systems using water. Furthermore, no lubrication is needed to facilitate can movement.

Claims (19)

  1. Apparatus for cleaning and delivering cans to a can filling machine, the apparatus comprising a track for the cans, means for conveying cans along the track, ionisation means for introducing ionised air into the cans and means for extracting air from the cans, characterised in that the means for conveying cans along the track includes air blowing means whereby air is blown against the cans in the direction of their intended direction of travel.
  2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the track comprises a pair of spaced parallel rails between which cans can travel in an orientation transverse to their direction of travel.
  3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the track includes twists for reorientating the cans as necessary for carrying out cleaning and delivery functions.
  4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the track is inclined downwardly from a can receiving section to a can delivery section.
  5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the track is arranged whereby at the can receiving section the cans are upright
  6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein a first twist of the track turns the cans through 90° relative to their orientation at the can receiving section to travel down the track.
  7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the means for introducing ionised air comprises a plurality of corona discharge emitters arranged to introduce ionised air into open ends of the cans as they travel past on the track.
  8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the cans receiving ionisation treatment are on their side.
  9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein air is delivered under pressure to directional openings.
  10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the directional openings are provided by louvres, vanes or nozzles.
  11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein air is blown onto one side of the cans.
  12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein air is blown onto opposing edges of one side of the cans.
  13. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the means for extracting air from the cans comprises a vacuum chamber with means for purifying air therefrom.
  14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein prior to the vacuum chamber the cans are orientated so that their open ends are generally downmost.
  15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the track prior to the vacuum chamber includes a 90° twist between the ionisation means and the vacuum chamber.
  16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 or 15 further comprising means for collecting debris from the cans when their open ends are downmost.
  17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein said debris collecting means comprises a tray.
  18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein debris collecting means is in the vacuum chamber.
  19. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein after the air extraction means the track is arranged to orient the cans to be upright for delivery to a can filling machine.
EP98933761A 1997-07-17 1998-07-17 Can cleaning and delivery apparatus Expired - Lifetime EP0996510B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9714917 1997-07-17
GBGB9714917.3A GB9714917D0 (en) 1997-07-17 1997-07-17 Can cleaning and delivery apparatus
PCT/GB1998/001922 WO1999003605A1 (en) 1997-07-17 1998-07-17 Can cleaning and delivery apparatus

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0996510A1 EP0996510A1 (en) 2000-05-03
EP0996510B1 true EP0996510B1 (en) 2002-06-19

Family

ID=10815903

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98933761A Expired - Lifetime EP0996510B1 (en) 1997-07-17 1998-07-17 Can cleaning and delivery apparatus

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0996510B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE219394T1 (en)
AU (1) AU8346798A (en)
DE (1) DE69806159T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2179519T3 (en)
GB (2) GB9714917D0 (en)
WO (1) WO1999003605A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3484772B1 (en) * 2016-07-18 2023-12-20 Azurity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Apparatus and method for filling bulk materials into a container

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2426696A (en) * 2005-06-01 2006-12-06 Mecatec Services Ltd Beverage can inverting and cleaning apparatus
CH705066A1 (en) * 2011-06-01 2012-12-14 M Tanner Ag Method and apparatus for blowing hollow bodies made of plastic.
US10174006B2 (en) 2013-06-06 2019-01-08 Novartis Ag Topical aqueous ophthalmic compositions containing a 1H-indole-1-carboxamide derivative and use thereof for treatment of ophthalmic disease
JP6860966B2 (en) * 2015-09-08 2021-04-21 サッポロビール株式会社 Foreign matter removal method and foreign matter removal device
CN109433734A (en) * 2018-12-25 2019-03-08 中国大冢制药有限公司 Soft bag fills mouth pipe burr processing unit

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB747140A (en) * 1954-03-10 1956-03-28 Graham Enock Mfg Company Ltd Improvements relating to bottle handling plant
US3443287A (en) * 1962-02-09 1969-05-13 Schubert & Salzer Maschinen Can changing in strand material handling
US3953076A (en) * 1974-07-23 1976-04-27 The Motch & Merryweather Machinery Company Bottle conveyor
US4313767A (en) * 1979-12-04 1982-02-02 American Can Company Method and apparatus for cleaning containers with an ionized gas blast
US4324265A (en) * 1980-02-22 1982-04-13 American Bottlers Equipment Company, Inc. Can end washer and dryer
DE8019194U1 (en) * 1980-07-17 1980-12-04 Ringler, Bernhard, 7076 Waldstetten DEVICE FOR CLEANING WORKPIECES
US4701973A (en) * 1984-08-27 1987-10-27 William J. McBrady Bottle duster
US5265298A (en) * 1992-02-25 1993-11-30 Raymond Young Container cleaning system using ionized air flow
US5487200A (en) * 1994-01-24 1996-01-30 Herzog; Kenneth J. Bottle cleaner

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3484772B1 (en) * 2016-07-18 2023-12-20 Azurity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Apparatus and method for filling bulk materials into a container

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU8346798A (en) 1999-02-10
ATE219394T1 (en) 2002-07-15
GB9714917D0 (en) 1997-09-17
DE69806159D1 (en) 2002-07-25
GB9815520D0 (en) 1998-09-16
WO1999003605A1 (en) 1999-01-28
DE69806159T2 (en) 2003-02-06
GB2327597A (en) 1999-02-03
GB2327597B (en) 2001-04-04
ES2179519T3 (en) 2003-01-16
EP0996510A1 (en) 2000-05-03

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