Conveyor Scrubbing System

Abstract

A conveyor guide cleaner for cleaning, scrubbing and rinsing the guide rails of a cleanable conveyor system. The cleaner includes cleaning units that are pivotally connected to allow the cleaner to make turns in the track. A position-adjustable scrubbing brush accommodates transitions between single-guide conveyor sections and double-guide sections at switching sections between separate adjacent conveyor tracks. The conveyor system includes a filling station for filling the cleaning units with cleaning agents and rinsing agents and for recharging the battery that powers the scrubbing brush motor.

Description

[0001] Background

[0002] The present invention generally relates to power-driven conveyors, and more particularly to a cleaning system for conveyor guide rails.

[0003] Conveyor systems with independently propelled transport units, such as pallets or pusher bars, are used to transport articles. In these conveyor systems, the transport units straddle guide rails that define a transport path. A simple configuration may be an oval track. However, more complex configurations involving transfer between multiple tracks are also possible. A linear motor conveyor is an example of a conveyor system in which each transport unit is driven along a track on a guide rail by a linear motor. An example of a linear motor conveyor with simple or complex tracks is the Flexible Transport System manufactured by B&R Automation GmbH of Eggelsberg, Austria. The coils in the tracks of this system form the linear motor stator. The electric field generated by the stator interacts with the magnetic field generated by magnets in the transport units on the guide rail to independently propel the units along the path defined by the guide rail.

[0004] In many industries, particularly in the food industry, public health is important. Dirt and other contaminants that accumulate on conveyor guide rails must be cleaned regularly. Typically, cleaning is a manual process performed with the conveyor stopped and the transport units removed. Thus, cleaning the conveyor interrupts production.

[0005] Summary

[0006] A conveyor guide rail cleaner embodying the features of the present invention includes a first cleaning unit and a second cleaning unit, each cleaning unit having a left side and a right side and a first end and a second end. The second ends of the cleaning units are pivotally connected together. The cleaning units have cleaning elements.

[0007] A cleanable conveyor system embodying the features of the present invention includes a conveyor guide rail and a conveyor guide rail cleaner. The conveyor guide rail cleaner includes one or more pusher bars movable along the conveyor guide rail and one or more cleaning units detachably connected to the one or more pusher bars. The cleaning units have cleaning elements arranged to clean the conveyor guide rail. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] Figure 1 is an isometric view of a version of a runway conveyor being cleaned by a conveyor guide rail cleaner embodying the features of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 2 is Figure 1 an enlarged isometric view of the cleaning portion of the conveyor guide rail cleaner.

[0010] Figure 3 is Figure 2 an exploded view of the cleaning section of

[0011] Figures 4A to 4D shows the sequence of steps followed by a crane to transfer the cleaning section of Figure 2 from the guide rail to a remote docking station for charging and refilling.

[0012] Figure 5 is Figure 2 an isometric view of the underside of the cleaning section of

[0013] Figure 6 an isometric view of a more complex version of a runway conveyor being cleaned by another version of a conveyor guide cleaner embodying the features of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 7 is Figure 6 an enlarged view of the conveyor guide cleaner of

[0015] Figure 8 is Figure 7 an isometric view of the articulated unit in the conveyor guide cleaner of

[0016] Figure 9 is Figure 8 an enlarged view of the top portion of the articulated unit of

[0017] Figure 10 is Figure 8 an exploded view of the articulated unit of

[0018] Figure 11 is Figure 7 a block diagram of one version of the electrical system of the conveyor guide cleaner of

[0019] Figure 12 is as positioned on the guide rail in Figure 6 and is a top plan view of the conveyor guide cleaner of Figure 7 showing the sequence of switching the conveyor guide cleaner of

[0020] Figures 13A to 13E from one track to another. Figure 7 is a top plan view of the conveyor guide cleaner of

[0021] Figure 14 in the position shown in Figure 13E and is of Figure 7 the conveyor guide cleaner.

[0022] Figure 15A and Figure 15B show the frame for the Figure 7The sequence of steps followed for charging and refilling the conveyor guide cleaner.

[0023] Figure 16 Is an isometric view of a vertical runway conveyor being cleaned by another version of the conveyor guide cleaner embodying the features of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 17 Is located on the upper running section of the conveyor guide Figure 16 Side elevation view of the conveyor guide cleaner.

[0025] Figure 18 Is Figure 16 Isometric view of the hinge unit of the conveyor guide cleaner.

[0026] Figure 19A And Figure 19B Is Figure 16 Isometric and side elevation views of the conveyor guide cleaner entering a bend in the conveyor track.

[0027] Figures 20A to 20C Shows the sequence of steps followed by the elevator to remove the cleaning section of the conveyor guide cleaner from the conveyor track. Figure 16 The sequence of steps followed for charging and refilling the conveyor guide cleaner.

[0028] Figure 21 Is Figure 16 Isometric view of the bottom of the fluid tank of the cleaning unit of the conveyor guide cleaner.

[0029] Figures 22A to 22C Is Figure 16 Cross-section of the fluid tank of the conveyor guide cleaner, showing the sequence of attaching the tank to the pusher. Detailed Description

[0030] Figure 1Shows a single-rail track conveyor being cleaned by a conveyor rail cleaner embodying the features of the present invention. The conveyor rail cleaner 30 straddles a closed-loop rail 32. In this example, the rail 32 houses a series of coils that form a linear motor stator that generates electromagnetic flux waves that propel a magnetic pusher 34 along the rail. An example of such a conveyor is described in U.S. Patent No. 10,370,195, "Method for Operating a Long Stator Linear Motor," issued to B&R Industrial Automation, GmbH on August 6, 2019. The disclosure of this patent is incorporated herein by reference. The cleaning portion 31 of the conveyor rail cleaner 30 is mounted above two pushers 34. Permanent magnets in the pushers generate a magnetic field that interacts with the electromagnetic flux waves of the rail stator to provide a propulsive force to the pushers. The conveyor rail cleaner 30 includes cleaning elements, such as scrubbing brushes 36 and fluid spray nozzles 38, that clean the top 40 and side surfaces 41, 42 of the rail 32.

[0031] In Figure 2 and Figure 3 is shown in more detail the cleaning portion 31 of the conveyor rail cleaner 30. The cleaning portion 31 includes two cleaning units 44A, 44B pivotally connected by a hinge unit 46. Each cleaning unit 44A, 44B has a first lateral side 48 and a second lateral side 49 and a first end 50 and a second end 51. The hinge unit 46 pivotally connects the second ends 51 of the two cleaning units 44A, 44B back-to-back to allow the conveyor rail cleaner to articulate in the middle to complete a turn in the conveyor rail track. A hole 61 through the hinge element 63 at the second end 51 of the cleaning units 44A, 44B is aligned with a hole through the staggered hinge element 65 in the hinge unit 46 to receive a hinge pin (not shown) to form a joint that enables the articulation.

[0032] Each cleaning unit 44A, 44B has cleaning elements, such as side fluid nozzles 38 and end fluid nozzles 38'. The nozzles 38, 38' are in fluid communication with a fluid tank 53 inside a housing 52 that also encloses a fluid pump, which is another cleaning element. The tank 53 supplies fluid to the fluid nozzles 38, 38'. The side nozzles 38 are attached to a curved conduit 54 that extends from the tank 53 through the sides 48, 49 of the housing 52. The curved conduit 54 directs the spray from the side nozzles onto the sides 41, 42 of the conveyor rail 32, as Figure 1As shown. The end nozzle 38’ is connected to the fluid tank 53 by a conduit 56 that extends through the first end 50 of the cleaning units 44A, 44B. The nozzle points downward to spray the top 40 of the guide rail 32, as Figure 1 shown. In this example, the two cleaning units 44A, 44B are constructed the same, but they can be different.

[0033] The scrubbing brushes 36, 36’ are cleaning elements on the articulated unit 46. The side brushes 36 are rotatably mounted to the inner distal ends of arms 56, 57 that extend downward from the central structure 58 of the articulated unit 46. The bristles 60 of the brushes face inward laterally to scrub the sides 41, 42 of the guide rail 32, as Figure 1 shown. The central brush 36’ is rotatably mounted to the central structure 58, where the bristles 60 of the brush face downward to scrub the top 40 of the guide rail. The side brushes 36 are driven by motors 62 that are coupled to the brushes via gearboxes, through the arms 56, 57 and attached to the outer distal ends of the arms. The central brush 36’ is driven by a motor (not shown) in the central structure 46. The brush motors are electrically connected to batteries (not shown) in the cleaning units 44A, 44B. The batteries also power the pump for the fluid tank. If the conveyor guide rail cleaner 30 advances in the direction 64 indicated by the arrow in Figure 2 then, in a typical application, the front cleaning unit 44A will dispense the cleaning agent and the rear cleaning unit 44B will dispense the rinsing agent.

[0034] The cleaning portion 31 of the conveyor guide rail cleaner 30 is removed from the pusher 34 by a separating tool in the form of a crane 66, as Figures 4A to 4D shown. The crane 66 has a horizontal boom 68 that projects cantileverly from a central vertical column 70. A crane motor 72 attached to the column 70 pays out and retracts a cable 74, from which a magnetic lifter 76 is suspended below the end of the boom 68. A pulley 78 at the end of the boom 68 guides the cable 74. The magnetic lifter 76 has a pair of electromagnets 80 suspended from opposite ends of a frame 82. The electromagnets 80 are spaced apart such that each can be attached to one of the cleaning units 44A, 44B by magnetic attraction. The cleaning units 44A, 44B include iron-containing material in or below the top 84, which is attracted by the electromagnets when the electromagnets are energized.

[0035] In Figures 4A to 4D is shown the sequence for removing the cleaning portion 31 from the rail conveyor. In the case where the conveyor guide rail cleaner 30 stops at the unloading point along the rail conveyor, the boom 68 is swung to a position above the guide rail cleaner 30 by rotating the vertical column 70, as Figure 4A shown. As Figure 4BAs shown, the crane motor 72 then pays out the cable 74 until the electromagnet 80 is on or directly above the top 84 of the cleaning units 44A, 44B. The electromagnet 80 is energized to separate the cleaning part 31 from the pusher 34. Then the boom 68 is swung away from the conveyor rail 32 by rotating the vertical column 70, as Figure 4C shown, until the cleaning part is directly above the connector 86 on the docking station 88. Then, as Figure 4D shown, the crane motor 72 pays out the cable 74 to lower the cleaning part onto the connector 86 (charging plug 90 and fluid injector 92) extending upward from the docking station 88. Then the electromagnet 80 is de-energized, and the magnetic lifter 76 is raised by the crane motor 72. Then, the battery in the cleaning part 31 is recharged and the fluid tank is refilled. The recharged and refilled cleaning part 31 is returned to the conveyor by reversing this sequence.

[0036] Figure 5 The filling ports 94, 96 in the bottoms of the cleaning units 44A, 44B are shown. The socket 94 receives the battery charging plug (90, Figure 4C ). The fitting 96 receives the fluid injector 92 to refill the fluid tank with cleaning fluid or rinsing fluid.

[0037] Figure 6 Shown are multiple single-rail conveyors having switching sections 100, such as in Figure 1 , where the pusher can be selectively switched from one rail section to another. The switching section 100 is a double-rail conveyor section. A conveyor rail cleaner 102 that can operate and clean on both the double-rail section and the single-rail section straddles the rail 104. The cleaner 102 is shown in more detail in Figure 7 . The design of this cleaner is similar to that of the conveyor rail cleaner 30 of Figure 1 , where the cleaning units 108A, 108B are pivotally joined by a hinge unit 109, but this cleaner has additional features that enable it to better clean the double-rail section 100.

[0038] The first end 106 of the cleaning units 108A, 108B has two downwardly directed fluid nozzles 110, and each rail 104 in the dual-rail section 100 can be served by one fluid nozzle. Each lateral side 112, 113 of the cleaning units 108A, 108B has two nozzles 114, 115. The inner nozzle 114 extends a shorter distance from the side 112 or 113 through a conduit compared to the outer nozzle 115. The inner nozzle 114 directs its fluid spray onto the side of the rail 104 in the single-rail section and onto the inner opposite side of the rail in the gap 116 in the dual-rail section 100. The outer nozzle 115 directs its fluid spray onto the other sides 117, 117' of the rail in the dual-rail switching section 100. The inner nozzle 114 and the outer nozzle 115 can operate together or independently. Just as Figure 1 the cleaning portion 31 of the conveyor rail cleaner 30 Figure 7 the cleaning portion of the dual-rail cleaner 102 is attached to the pusher 118.

[0039] In Figures 8 to 10 the articulation unit 109 is shown in more detail. The outer side rail brush 120 is coupled to the motor 122 by the shaft 124. The brush 120 hangs down from the arm 126, which also houses the brush motor 122. The arm 126 extends downward from the shoulder 128. The end of the shoulder opposite the arm 126 includes pivots 130, 131. The toroidal rotor coils 132, 133 reside in the pivots 130, 131. The central piston 134 extends through the tube 136 in the central structure 138 in the articulation unit 109. The swivel includes permanent magnets 140 at the top end of the piston 134, and these permanent magnets form the stator of the swivel motor for the side rail brush arms 126. The rotors 132, 133 of the swivel motor are independently energized to rotate the arm 126 about the pivots 130, 131 so that the side brush 120 is in position to scrub the side of the rail. The piston 134 is part of the lift actuator 142, which selectively extends the piston to raise the side brush 120 to clean obstructed rail portions. The lift actuator 142 extends the piston 134 to raise the side brush 120 to clean obstructed rail portions. The lift actuator 142 retracts the piston 134 to lower the side brush 120 to the scrubbing position. The scrubbing motor 144 for the gap scrubbing brush 146 is mounted in the central structure 138 below the lift actuator 142. The motor 144 rotates the gap brush 146 to scrub the sides of the gap in the dual-rail section of the conveyor. The rail top scrubbing brush 148 is rotated by the motor 150 hanging down from the central structure 138. The rail top brush 148 scrubs the top of the rail.

[0040] Figure 2 or Figure 7 each of the cleaning units ofFigure 11 is illustrated. The battery 152 powers a control device 154, such as a microcontroller or other programmable device. The control device 154 selectively controls a scrub brush motor (generally, 156), a lift actuator 142, a fluid pump 158, and other electric devices. The battery 152 is a rechargeable battery that is recharged at a docking station 88 as Figure 4D shown. The battery 152 is inductively charged via a coil 160 and a charging circuit 162. Alternatively, the battery 152 can be charged by a direct electrical connection instead of inductive charging. In this case, the coil 160 is not required, and the charging circuit can reside in the cleaning unit or the docking station.

[0041] In Figure 12 is shown the operation of the dual-rail cleaner 102 on a single-rail section of a conveyor track. In this case, an outer nozzle 115 on the left side surface 164 of the cleaner 102 is supplied with fluid by a pump to spray the left side surface of the rail 104. An inner nozzle 114 on the right side surface 165 of the cleaner 102 is also supplied with fluid to spray the right side surface of the rail 104. The pumps supplying other inner side surface nozzles and outer side surface nozzles are turned off. A nozzle 110 on the left side at the first end of the cleaning unit is supplied with fluid to wash the top of the rail 104. The pump for the nozzle 110 on the right side is disabled to conserve fluid. The side scrub brushes 120 are rotated to the shown positions to scrub both side surfaces of the rail 104. The left top rail brush 148 is also energized to scrub the top of the rail 104. The right top rail brush and the gap brush are de-energized.

[0042] Figures 13A to 13E depicts the sequence of steps taken by the dual-rail cleaner 102 just before and during encountering a switching section 100 of a conveyor track. As Figure 13A shown, just before entering the switching section 100, the brushes and nozzles of the rail cleaner operate as Figure 12 shown and described in the previous paragraph. As the cleaner 102 enters the switching section 100, as Figure 13B shown, the lift actuator extends the piston 134, thereby lifting the side brush 120 to clean the rail 104' of an adjacent rail-type conveyor. The right side brush 120 is also rotated outward to an appropriate position to scrub the inner side surface 117' of the rail 104' of the adjacent conveyor. As the rail cleaner 102 enters the dual-rail switching section 100, a right nozzle 110 on the front end of the cleaner sprays the top of the rail 104'. And the outer side surface nozzle 115 on the right side is opened to direct the spray to the inner side surface 117' of the rail 104'.

[0043] When the cleaner 102 is in the dual-rail switching section, the side brush 120 is in its lowered position to scrub the side surfaces of the rails 104, 104' opposite the inter-rail gap 116, asFigure 13C As shown, the top brushes 148 of the two guide rails rotate to scrub the tops of the two guide rails 104, 104'. The outer nozzles 115 spray the sides of the guide rails 104, 104', and the gap scrubbing brushes (not shown) rotate in the gap 116 to scrub the opposite sides of the guide rails. When the first guide rail 104 deviates from the second guide rail 104' to which the cleaner 102 is to switch in this example, the left nozzle 110 closes.

[0044] As Figure 13D shown, the side scrubbing brush 120 is raised by a lifting mechanism so that the left side brush can clean the turn in the first guide rail 104. Once the cleaner 102 has left the switching section, as Figure 13E and Figure 14 shown, the outer left side nozzle, the top brush of the left guide rail, and the gap brush are closed. The outer right side nozzle 115 and the inner left side nozzle 114 are opened to spray the left side and the right side of the guide rail 104'. The other side nozzles are closed. The left side brush 120 rotates to a position against the side of the guide rail 104', and the right side brush scrubs the other side of the guide rail 104'.

[0045] Figure 15A and Figure 15B depict the recharging of the battery and the fluid tank at the inline filling station 166. The frame 168 suspends two vertically movable legs 170 from a lifter driven by a motor 172. The fluid ejector 174 and the charging plug 176 at the bottom end of each leg 170 are received in the filling ports (fluid fitting 178 and charging jack 180) in the top side of each cleaning unit 108A, 108B. When it is time to recharge, the cleaner 102 turns to the inline filling station 166, where the jack 180 is vertically aligned with the plug 176 and the fitting 178 is aligned with the ejector 174. The frame 168 then lowers the fluid ejector 174 and the charging plug 176 to the charging and filling position, as Figure 15B shown. The battery and the fluid tank are recharged. The filling station 166 can be located on a dedicated spur track or a loop track.

[0046] Figure 16 and Figure 17Another version of the guide rail cleaner disposed on a conveyor guide rail loop in a vertical plane rather than a horizontal plane is shown. The guide rail cleaner 200 includes a first cleaning unit 202A and a second cleaning unit 202B pivotally joined by a hinge unit 204. Each cleaning unit 202A, 202B includes two housings: a fluid tank 206 and a battery and electronics housing 208. The two housings 206, 208 in each cleaning unit 202A, 202B are pivotally connected by a coupling 210. In a similar manner, the battery and electronics housing is joined to the hinge unit. Different from the previously described cleaner that hinges about a vertical axis, Figure 16 and Figure 17 the hinge of the vertical plane guide rail type conveyor is about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the vertical plane of the guide rail 212. Conduits 214 extend from both sides of the fluid tank 206, and these conduits terminate at nozzles 216 pointing to the lateral sides of the guide rail 212. The guide rail top nozzles 218 extend outward from the fluid tank 206 at the front and rear of the cleaner 200 to spray the top of the guide rail 212. Each of the housings 206, 208 is mounted to a pusher 220 that advances along the guide rail 212.

[0047] Also as Figure 18 shown, the hinge unit 204 has a U-shaped body 222 with two arms 224, 225. A scrubbing brush 226 with upward-facing bristles is mounted inside the lower arm 224. Another scrubbing brush 227 with downward-facing bristles is mounted inside the upper arm 225. Scrubbing motors 228 and gearboxes 229 mounted on the outside of the arms 224, 225 rotate the brushes 226, 227 to scrub the top and bottom surfaces of the guide rail. The side scrubbing brush 230 extends horizontally inward from the base 232 of the U-shaped body 222. The side brush 230 is rotated by a motor (not shown) in the base 232 to scrub the sides of the guide rail 212. A hinge element 234 joins the hinge unit 204 to the battery and electronics housing 208.

[0048] Figure 19A and Figure 19BIllustrated is the articulation of the housings 206, 208 in the front cleaning unit 202A when entering the vertical plane turn in the guide rail 212. When guiding the battery and electronics unit 208 into the turn, the fluid tank 206 pivots about a horizontal axis at the coupling 210. The side conduit 214 can rotate about an axis 207 perpendicular to the vertical plane and concentric with the conduit at the point where it enters the fluid tank. The conduit 214 is driven by a rotary actuator 215 such that the nozzle 216 points to the middle of the vertical face of the guide rail 212 and maintains the spraying direction at the guide rail as the guide rail cleaner articulates through the turn. A horizontal sensor in the housing 206 provides a conduit angle θ with a predefined setting of the rotary actuator 215 to adjust the conduit angle and the direction of the nozzle 216 in the turn.

[0049] Figures 20A to 20C Depicted is the sequence of removing the cleaning portion 243 of the conveyor guide rail cleaner 200 from the pusher 220. A separating tool in the form of a crane 236 pivots the extensible arm 238 about a vertical axis 240. The upper end of the arm engages one end of the telescopic boom 242. At the other end of the boom 242 is a fork-like member 244 having a plurality of teeth 246. When the conveyor guide rail cleaner 200 is in the unloading position as in Figure 20A , the boom 242 rotates to a position facing the cleaner 200. Then, as shown in Figure 20B , the telescopic boom 242 pushes the fork-like member 244 into a position between the pusher 220 and the cleaning portion 243 of the cleaner 200. As shown in Figure 20C , the arm 238 extends upward to lift the cleaning portion 243 from the pusher 220. Then, the arm 238 is rotated about its vertical axis 240 to swing the cleaning portion 243 away from the guide rail 212 to a loading station (not shown) for recharging and refilling.

[0050] Shown in Figure 21 is the attachment structure at the bottom of the fluid tank 206 as in Figure 19A . The attachment structure of the tank includes a slot 248 in the bottom side 250 of the tank 206. The slot 248 has an open end 252 leading to an opening on one lateral side 254 of the tank 206. The slot 248 terminates at a blind end 256 near the lateral center of the tank 206. Shown in Figures 22A to 22C is the connection of the tank 206 to the pusher 220. A pin 258 extends upward from the pusher 220. The shape of the slot 248 in the tank 206 is complementary to the shape of the pin 258. The pin 258 is aligned with the slot 248. The tank 206 is pushed in the direction of the arrow 260 such that the pin 258 straddles along the slot 248 until the pin is at the blind end 256 of the slot, as in Figure 22BInside. The ring 262 around the head of the pin 258 is received in the notch 264 in the side of the slot 248. Once the pin 258 is at the blind end 256 of the slot 248, the can 206 is lowered such that the head of the pin 258 is received in the cavity 266 that branches from the blind end 256 into the interior of the can housing, as Figure 22C shown. The cavity 266 is wide enough to accommodate the ring 262 of the pin. By reversing the Figures 22A to 22C order of the steps shown, the can 206 is released from the pusher 220. The same slot structure is formed in the housing for the battery and the electronic device.

[0051] Although the features of the present invention have been described in detail with respect to some specific versions, other versions are possible. For example, the permanent magnet in the pusher can be replaced with a conductive material to form a linear induction motor with a guide rail stator instead of the linear synchronous motor described. As another example, the guide rail cleaner can include more or fewer cans and housings than described. And, each of the cleaning units can include a plurality of fluid cans, such as one can for holding a cleaning agent solution and another can for holding a rinsing agent (such as water). In this way, the conveyor guide rail cleaner can operate in either direction, where the front cleaning unit sprays the cleaning agent and the rear unit sprays the rinsing agent. And, the pusher can be integrally formed with the cleaning unit. As another example, instead of a pump for each nozzle, a single pump with a plurality of valves can be used to individually open and close the nozzles. And, instead of or in addition to the spray nozzles, scrubbing brushes can be mounted on the cleaning unit as cleaning elements. Thus, as these several examples suggest, the claims are not meant to be limited to these details of the exemplary embodiments.

[0052] The present invention also provides the following clauses:

[0053] 1. A conveyor guide rail cleaner, comprising:

[0054] A first cleaning unit having a left side and a right side and a first end and a second end;

[0055] A second cleaning unit having a left side and a right side and a first end and a second end, the second end of the second cleaning unit being pivotally connected to the second end of the first cleaning unit;

[0056] Wherein the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit have cleaning elements.

[0057] 2. The conveyor guide cleaner as described in Clause 1 includes fluid tanks in each of the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit, and wherein the cleaning elements in each of the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit are nozzles that are in fluid communication with the fluid tank at the first end.

[0058] 3. The conveyor guide cleaner as described in Clause 2, wherein each of the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit includes a first lateral fluid nozzle at the left side face that is in fluid communication with the fluid tank and a second lateral fluid nozzle at the right side face that is in fluid communication with the fluid tank.

[0059] 4. The conveyor guide cleaner as described in Clause 3, wherein each of the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit includes:

[0060] A first conduit that is connected between the first lateral fluid nozzle and the fluid tank;

[0061] A second conduit that is connected between the second lateral fluid nozzle and the fluid tank;

[0062] A first rotary actuator that is coupled to the first conduit to adjust the angle of the first conduit when the first cleaning unit makes a turn in a vertical plane;

[0063] A second rotary actuator that is coupled to the second conduit to adjust the angle of the second conduit when the second cleaning unit makes a turn in a vertical plane.

[0064] 5. The conveyor guide cleaner as described in Clause 1 includes a hinge unit that is pivotally connected to the second end of the first cleaning unit and the second end of the second cleaning unit to provide a pivotable connection between the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit.

[0065] 6. The conveyor guide cleaner as described in Clause 5, wherein the hinge unit includes one or more scrubbing brushes.

[0066] 7. The conveyor guide cleaner as described in Clause 6, wherein the one or more scrubbing brushes in the hinge unit can be retracted from a cleaning position to a retracted position.

[0067] 8. The conveyor guide cleaner as described in clause 6 includes a battery in one or more of the first cleaning unit or the second cleaning unit, and wherein the articulation unit includes one or more motors, each motor being connected to one of the one or more scrubbing brushes and selectively coupled to the battery to rotate the one or more scrubbing brushes.

[0068] 9. The conveyor guide cleaner as described in clause 5, wherein the articulation unit includes:

[0069] A central structure;

[0070] A left arm and a right arm, the left arm and the right arm hanging down from the central structure;

[0071] Scrubbing brushes at the distal ends of each of the left arm and the right arm.

[0072] 10. The conveyor guide cleaner as described in clause 9, wherein the articulation unit includes a lifter that selectively raises and lowers the left arm and the right arm.

[0073] 11. The conveyor guide cleaner as described in clause 9, wherein the articulation unit includes: a first swivel that selectively rotates the left arm to move the scrubbing brush from a first left position to a second left position; and a second swivel that selectively rotates the right arm to move the scrubbing brush from a first right position to a second right position.

[0074] 12. The conveyor guide cleaner as described in clause 1, wherein the first cleaning unit includes two fluid tanks pivotally coupled together, and wherein the second cleaning unit includes two fluid tanks pivotally coupled together.

[0075] 13. The conveyor guide cleaner as described in clause 1 includes one or more conveyor guide pusher that advance along the conveyor guide, and wherein the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit each have a top side and a bottom side and an attachment structure in the bottom side for attachment to the one or more conveyor guide pusher.

[0076] 14. A cleanable conveyor system includes:

[0077] A conveyor guide;

[0078] A conveyor guide cleaner, the conveyor guide cleaner including:

[0079] One or more pusher that are movable along the conveyor guide;

[0080] One or more cleaning units, the one or more cleaning units being removably connected to the one or more pusher and having cleaning elements arranged to clean the conveyor guide rail.

[0081] 15. The cleanable conveyor system according to clause 14, wherein the cleaning element is a brush arranged to scrub the conveyor guide rail.

[0082] 16. The cleanable conveyor system according to clause 14, wherein the conveyor guide rail cleaner includes a fluid tank in each of the one or more cleaning units, and wherein the cleaning element in each of the one or more cleaning units is a nozzle that is in fluid communication with the fluid tank and is oriented to spray fluid from the fluid tank onto the conveyor guide rail.

[0083] 17. The cleanable conveyor system according to clause 16, including a filling station having an injector for dispensing fluid, and wherein the fluid tank in each of the one or more cleaning units has a fluid fitting that receives the injector to supply fluid to the fluid tank.

[0084] 18. The cleanable conveyor system according to clause 17, wherein the filling station includes a frame that inserts the injector into the fluid fitting when the conveyor guide rail cleaner is located on the conveyor guide rail.

[0085] 19. The cleanable conveyor system according to clause 17, including a separating tool for detaching the one or more cleaning units from the one or more pusher and moving the one or more cleaning units from the conveyor guide rail to the filling station, where the fluid fitting receives the injector to supply fluid to the fluid tank.

[0086] 20. The cleanable conveyor system according to clause 17, wherein the filling station includes a charging plug, and wherein the conveyor guide rail cleaner includes a rechargeable battery and a charging socket that receives the charging plug to charge the rechargeable battery.

[0087] 21. The cleanable conveyor system according to clause 14, wherein the conveyor guide rail includes a linear motor stator, and wherein the one or more pusher are advanced along the conveyor guide rail by the linear motor stator.

Claims

1. A conveyor guide cleaner, comprising: A first cleaning unit having a left side and a right side, and a first end and a second end; A second cleaning unit having a left side and a right side, and a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the second cleaning unit is pivotally connected to the second end of the first cleaning unit; A hinge unit pivotally connected to the second end of the first cleaning unit and the second end of the second cleaning unit to provide a pivotable connection between the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit; And A battery in one or more of the first cleaning unit or the second cleaning unit; Wherein the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit have cleaning elements; and Wherein the hinge unit includes one or more scrubbing brushes and also includes one or more motors, each motor connected to one of the one or more scrubbing brushes and selectively coupled to the battery to rotate the one or more scrubbing brushes.

2. The conveyor rail cleaner according to claim 1, including a fluid tank in each of the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit, and wherein, The cleaning element in each of the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit is a nozzle in fluid communication with the fluid tank at the first end.

3. The conveyor rail cleaner according to claim 2, wherein, Each of the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit includes a first lateral fluid nozzle in fluid communication with the fluid tank at the left side and a second lateral fluid nozzle in fluid communication with the fluid tank at the right side.

4. The conveyor rail cleaner according to claim 3, wherein, Each of the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit includes: A first conduit connecting the first lateral fluid nozzle and the fluid tank; A second conduit connecting the second lateral fluid nozzle and the fluid tank; A first rotary actuator coupled to the first conduit to adjust the angle of the first conduit when the first cleaning unit turns in a vertical plane; A second rotary actuator coupled to the second conduit to adjust the angle of the second conduit when the second cleaning unit turns in a vertical plane.

5. The conveyor guide cleaner according to claim 1, wherein, The one or more scrubbing brushes in the hinge unit are capable of retracting from a cleaning position to a retracted position.

6. The conveyor guide cleaner according to claim 1, wherein, The hinge unit includes: A central structure; A left arm and a right arm hanging down from the central structure; Scrubbing brushes at the distal ends of each of the left arm and the right arm.

7. The conveyor guide cleaner according to claim 6, wherein, The hinge unit includes a lifter that selectively raises and lowers the left arm and the right arm.

8. The conveyor guide cleaner according to claim 6, wherein, The hinge unit includes: a first swivel ring that selectively rotates the left arm to move the scrubbing brush from a first left position to a second left position; and a second swivel ring that selectively rotates the right arm to move the scrubbing brush from a first right position to a second right position.

9. The conveyor guide cleaner according to claim 1, wherein, The first cleaning unit includes two fluid tanks pivotally coupled together, and wherein the second cleaning unit includes two fluid tanks pivotally coupled together.

10. The conveyor guide cleaner as claimed in claim 1, comprising one or more conveyor guide pusher advancing along the conveyor guide, and wherein, The first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit each have a top side and a bottom side and an attachment structure in the bottom side for attachment to the one or more conveyor rail pusher.

11. A cleanable conveyor system, comprising: Conveyor rails; The conveyor rail cleaner according to claim 1, the conveyor rail cleaner further comprising: One or more pusher, the one or more pusher being movable along the conveyor rail; Wherein the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit are detachably connected to the one or more pusher.

12. The cleanable conveyor system according to claim 11, wherein, The conveyor rail cleaner includes a fluid tank in each of the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit, and wherein the cleaning element in each of the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit is a nozzle that is in fluid communication with the fluid tank and is oriented to spray fluid from the fluid tank onto the conveyor rail.

13. The cleanable conveyor system according to claim 12, including a filling station having an injector for dispensing a fluid, and wherein, The fluid tank in each of the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit has a fluid fitting that receives the injector to supply fluid to the fluid tank.

14. The cleanable conveyor system according to claim 13, wherein, The filling station includes a frame that inserts the injector into the fluid fitting when the conveyor rail cleaner is located on the conveyor rail.

15. The cleanable conveyor system according to claim 13, including a separation tool for detaching the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit from the one or more pusher and moving the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit from the conveyor rail to the filling station, where the fluid fitting receives the injector to supply fluid to the fluid tank.

16. The cleanable conveyor system according to claim 13, wherein, The filling station includes a charging plug, and wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery and wherein the conveyor rail cleaner includes a charging socket that receives the charging plug to charge the rechargeable battery.

17. The cleanable conveyor system according to claim 11, wherein, The conveyor rail includes a linear motor stator, and wherein the one or more pusher are propelled along the conveyor rail by the linear motor stator.

Images