Beverage post-packaging equipment

Abstract

The utility model discloses beverage post-packaging equipment which comprises at least three disinfection units, at least two disinfection units are linearly arranged in the left-right direction to form a disinfection mechanism, each disinfection unit comprises a rack, a heating device, an internal conveying device and a control device, a heating cavity is formed in the rack, the internal conveying device is arranged in the heating cavity, and the control device is arranged in the heating cavity. The heating devices are arranged on the cavity walls of the heating cavities, the internal conveying devices of every two adjacent disinfection units are correspondingly matched, the internal conveying devices can stretch out and draw back left and right, the cavity walls of the heating cavities can stretch out and draw back left and right, and therefore the cavity walls of the heating cavities of every two adjacent disinfection units can be in butt joint and attached. According to the beverage post-packaging equipment provided by the utility model, the sterilizing mechanism can be formed by the at least two sterilizing units so as to perform sectional heating on the beverage bottle, and the sterilizing unit which breaks down can be directly replaced by the standby sterilizing unit, so that the maintenance is more convenient and quicker.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of beverage production technology, and in particular to a beverage post-packaging device. Background Technology

[0002] There is a wide variety of beverages on the market, such as coconut or other fruit and plant protein drinks, whole grain drinks, fruit vinegar drinks such as plum or apple, and soft drinks such as soda or cola. These beverages are usually bottled or canned. For bottled beverages, before leaving the factory, they need to undergo post-packaging processes such as sterilization and labeling. Existing post-packaging equipment generally includes a sterilization machine, a cooling mechanism, and a labeling mechanism connected in sequence. The sterilization machine has multiple heating devices arranged linearly in its sterilization chamber. The beverage bottles are heated in stages by multiple heating devices to achieve high-temperature sterilization. However, since these heating devices are all located in the same sterilization chamber of the sterilization machine, if one heating device malfunctions, the entire sterilization machine needs to be repaired. Repair is inconvenient and time-consuming, resulting in long downtime for the post-packaging equipment and affecting production. Utility Model Content

[0003] This invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention proposes a beverage post-packaging device that can form a sterilization mechanism with at least two sterilization units to perform segmented heating of beverage bottles. Each sterilization unit can be independently maintained and installed, and a faulty sterilization unit can be directly replaced with a spare. This makes maintenance of the beverage post-packaging device more convenient and faster, effectively reducing downtime for maintenance and ensuring production efficiency.

[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a beverage post-packaging device includes at least three sterilization units for sterilizing beverage bottles, wherein at least one of the sterilization units is reserved, and at least two of the sterilization units are arranged in a straight line along the left and right direction to form a sterilization mechanism. Each sterilization unit includes a frame, a heating device, an internal conveying device, and a control device. A heating chamber is provided in the frame, and the internal conveying device is disposed in the heating chamber. The heating device is disposed on the cavity wall of the heating chamber. The control device is disposed in the frame and is electrically connected to the heating device and the internal conveying device. The internal conveying devices of two adjacent sterilization units are correspondingly matched, and the internal conveying device is laterally extendable, allowing the cavity walls of the heating chambers of two adjacent sterilization units to be aligned and fitted together.

[0005] The beverage post-packaging equipment according to the embodiments of this utility model has at least the following beneficial effects: In the entire beverage post-packaging equipment, at least two disinfection units can constitute a disinfection mechanism to perform segmented heating of beverage bottles to achieve high-temperature sterilization. At the same time, the beverage post-packaging equipment has at least one disinfection unit as a backup. When the heating device or other components of a certain disinfection unit malfunction, the malfunctioning disinfection unit can be directly replaced by the backup disinfection unit, making the maintenance of the beverage post-packaging equipment more convenient and faster, effectively reducing the downtime of the post-packaging equipment for maintenance, and ensuring production efficiency. The malfunctioning disinfection unit can be repaired during the operation of the post-packaging equipment as a backup. The cavity wall of the heating chamber can extend and retract left and right, which can compensate for the assembly error and processing error of the disinfection unit, so that the cavity walls of the heating chambers of two adjacent disinfection units can fit together to avoid heat leakage, and make the replacement of the disinfection unit more convenient and easier. The internal conveying device can extend and retract left and right, thereby adjusting the gap between the internal conveying devices of two adjacent disinfection units to ensure that beverage bottles can be transported normally between the two adjacent internal conveying devices.

[0006] According to some embodiments of the present invention, in each of the disinfection units, the heating chamber has corrugated sections at both ends of its cavity wall, and the corrugated sections are elastically extendable and retractable.

[0007] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the internal conveying device includes a bracket, two rollers, a conveyor belt, and a tensioning assembly. The bracket is mounted on the frame and can extend and retract to the left and right. The two rollers are rotatably mounted on the left and right ends of the bracket in a corresponding manner. The conveyor belt is mounted on the two rollers. The tensioning assembly is used to tension the conveyor belt.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the bracket includes a fixed frame and two adjusting frames. The fixed frame is fixedly installed on the machine frame, and the two adjusting frames are slidably installed on the left and right ends of the fixed frame in a one-to-one correspondence. The two rollers are installed on the two adjusting frames in a one-to-one correspondence. A telescopic drive structure is provided between the adjusting frames and the fixed frame, and the telescopic drive structure is used to drive the adjusting frames to slide relative to the fixed frame.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the telescopic drive structure is configured as a cylinder, and a sensing element is provided at one end of the adjusting frame away from the fixed frame. The cylinder and the sensing element are electrically connected to a control device. The two sensing elements opposite each other between two adjacent internal conveying devices cooperate with each other to generate a signal, and then the control device can control the cylinder to work according to the signal fed back by the sensing element.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the tensioning assembly includes a tensioning wheel, a tensioning arm, and a tensioning elastic element. One end of the tensioning arm is rotatably mounted on the bracket, and the other end of the tensioning arm is rotatably mounted on the tensioning wheel. The tensioning wheel abuts against the conveyor belt, and the tensioning elastic element is disposed between the tensioning arm and the bracket.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the heating device includes an electric heater or a sprayer capable of spraying hot steam.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the beverage post-packaging equipment includes a labeling mechanism, which is connected to the disinfection unit located on the far right, and the labeling mechanism is used to put a label on the beverage bottle.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a transition conveying device is provided between the labeling mechanism and the disinfection unit located on the far right.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the beverage post-packaging equipment includes a feeding conveying mechanism, which is connected to the internal conveying device of the disinfection unit located on the far left, and the feeding conveying mechanism is used to feed beverage bottles.

[0015] Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this utility model will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a disinfection mechanism consisting of multiple disinfection units in a beverage post-packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the internal conveying device in a beverage post-packaging system is shown.

[0019] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the overall layout of the beverage post-packaging equipment according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0021] Figure label:

[0022] Disinfection mechanism 1, disinfection unit 100, frame 110, heating chamber 111, corrugated pipe section 112, heating device 120, internal conveying device 130, bracket 131, fixed frame 1311, adjusting frame 1312, telescopic drive structure 1313, roller 132, conveyor belt 133, tensioning assembly 134, tensioning wheel 1341, tensioning arm 1342, tensioning elastic element 1343, control device 140, sensing element 150, labeling mechanism 200, transition conveying device 300, feeding conveying mechanism 400. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.

[0024] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the directional descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicate the directional or positional relationship based on the directional or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0025] In the description of this utility model, "several" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. If "first" or "second" is used in the description, it is only for the purpose of distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.

[0026] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "setting," "installation," and "connection" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0027] Reference Figures 1 to 4According to an embodiment of the present invention, a beverage post-packaging device includes at least three disinfection units 100 for sterilizing beverage bottles. At least one disinfection unit 100 is reserved, and at least two disinfection units 100 are arranged in a straight line along the left and right directions to form a disinfection mechanism 1. Each disinfection unit 100 includes a frame 110, a heating device 120, an internal conveying device 130, and a control device 140. A heating chamber 111 is provided inside the frame 110, and the internal conveying device 130 is disposed inside the heating chamber 111. The heating device 120 is disposed on the cavity wall of the heating chamber 111. The control device 140 is disposed on the frame 110 and is electrically connected to the heating device 120 and the internal conveying device 130. The internal conveying devices 130 of two adjacent disinfection units 100 are correspondingly matched, and the internal conveying devices 130 can extend and retract left and right. The cavity wall of the heating chamber 111 can also extend and retract left and right so that the cavity walls of the heating chambers 111 of two adjacent disinfection units 100 can be aligned and fitted together.

[0028] In the entire beverage post-packaging equipment, at least two sterilization units 100 can constitute a sterilization mechanism 1 to perform segmented heating of beverage bottles to achieve high-temperature sterilization. Simultaneously, the beverage post-packaging equipment has at least one sterilization unit 100 as a backup. When the heating device 120 or other components of a certain sterilization unit 100 malfunction, the malfunctioning sterilization unit 100 can be directly replaced by the backup sterilization unit 100, making maintenance of the beverage post-packaging equipment more convenient and faster, effectively reducing downtime for maintenance and ensuring production efficiency. The malfunctioning sterilization unit 100 can be repaired during the operation of the post-packaging equipment as a backup. The heating chamber 111's cavity wall can be left... The right extension / retraction mechanism can compensate for assembly and processing errors in the sterilization unit 100, ensuring that the heating chamber walls of two adjacent sterilization units 100 can fit together, preventing heat leakage and making the replacement of the sterilization unit 100 more convenient and easier. The internal conveying device 130 can extend / retract left and right, thereby adjusting the gap between the internal conveying devices 130 of two adjacent sterilization units 100. This ensures that beverage bottles can be transported normally between the two internal conveying devices 130, avoiding interference between the two internal conveying devices 130 due to errors, and also preventing the gap between the two internal conveying devices 130 from being too large due to errors, which would affect the transfer of beverage bottles.

[0029] In addition, the number of disinfection units 100 constituting the disinfection mechanism 1 can be increased or decreased according to actual needs, making the beverage post-packaging equipment more flexible in use. Among them, when the number of disinfection units 100 is increased, the speed of conveying beverage bottles by the internal conveying device 130 can be increased while ensuring sufficient disinfection time for beverage bottles, thereby improving the production efficiency of the beverage post-packaging equipment.

[0030] In the specific implementation process, along the direction of beverage bottle conveying, the heating temperature of each disinfection unit 100 of the disinfection mechanism 1 is gradually increased to the disinfection temperature, which is usually 75℃-85℃. This achieves segmented heating of the beverage bottle, avoiding the beverage bottle with a lower temperature from directly entering the disinfection environment with a higher temperature, thereby avoiding the risk of severe deformation or even explosion of the beverage bottle.

[0031] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3 According to some embodiments of this utility model, in each disinfection unit 100, the heating chamber 111 has corrugated sections 112 at both ends of its cavity wall, and the corrugated sections 112 can elastically extend and retract left and right. With the above arrangement, the cavity wall of the heating chamber 111 can extend and retract left and right while ensuring that the structure of the heating chamber 111 is simple and easy to implement.

[0032] Reference Figures 1 to 3 According to some embodiments of this utility model, the internal conveying device 130 includes a bracket 131, two rollers 132, a conveyor belt 133, and a tensioning assembly 134. The bracket 131 is mounted on the frame 110 and is extendable left and right. The two rollers 132 are rotatably mounted on the left and right ends of the bracket 131 in a corresponding manner. The conveyor belt 133 is mounted on the two rollers 132. The tensioning assembly 134 is used to tension the conveyor belt 133. With the above configuration, the distance between the two rollers 132 can be adjusted by extending and retracting the bracket 131 left and right, while the tensioning assembly 134 is used to tension the conveyor belt 133, so that the conveyor belt 133 can maintain sufficient tension to meet the working requirements. Thus, the internal conveying device 130 can extend and retract left and right, and its structure is simple and easy to implement.

[0033] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 According to some embodiments of the present invention, the bracket 131 includes a fixed frame 1311 and two adjusting frames 1312. The fixed frame 1311 is fixedly installed on the frame 110. The two adjusting frames 1312 are slidably installed on the left and right ends of the fixed frame 1311 in a one-to-one correspondence. Two rollers 132 are installed on the two adjusting frames 1312 in a one-to-one correspondence. A telescopic drive structure 1313 is provided between the adjusting frame 1312 and the fixed frame 1311. The telescopic drive structure 1313 is used to drive the adjusting frame 1312 to slide relative to the fixed frame 1311. Thus, the adjusting frame 1312 can be driven to slide relative to the fixed frame 1311 by the telescopic drive structure 1313, thereby causing the entire bracket 131 to extend and retract left and right.

[0034] To prevent beverage bottles from tipping over or getting stuck in the gap between the two internal conveying devices 130, on the one hand, the diameter of the roller 132 can be controlled to be smaller than the radius of the beverage bottle. On the other hand, a row of support rollers can be installed on the adjusting frame 1312. The support rollers are located on the side of the roller 132 away from the fixed frame 1311. The diameter of the support rollers can be much smaller than the radius of the beverage bottle. The upper apex of all the support rollers is flush with the upper surface of the conveyor belt 133. The support rollers provide transitional support for the beverage bottle between the two internal conveying devices 130.

[0035] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 According to some embodiments of this utility model, the telescopic drive structure 1313 is configured as a cylinder, and a sensing element 150 is provided at one end of the adjusting frame 1312 opposite to the fixed frame 1311. The cylinder and the sensing element 150 are electrically connected to the control device 140. Two opposing sensing elements 150 between two adjacent internal conveying devices 130 cooperate to generate signals, and the control device 140 can then control the cylinder to operate based on the signals fed back by the sensing elements 150. With the above configuration, the telescopic movement of the internal conveying devices 130 can be controlled by the control device 140.

[0036] In practice, the sensing element 150 can be configured as a contact switch, a pressure sensor, or a light sensor.

[0037] It is conceivable that in other embodiments, the telescopic drive structure 1313 may also adopt other configurations. For example, the telescopic drive structure 1313 may include an elastic drive member disposed between the adjusting frame 1312 and the fixed frame 1311. The elastic force of the elastic drive member can drive the adjusting frame 1312 to slide out relative to the fixed frame 1311. The adjusting frame 1312 is provided with a limiting part at one end away from the fixed frame 1311. The limiting part protrudes relative to the roller 132. Thus, the two limiting parts of the two adjacent internal conveying devices 130 can abut against each other. At this time, there is a certain gap between the conveyor belts 133 of the two adjacent internal conveying devices 130 to avoid interference between the internal conveying devices 130.

[0038] It is conceivable that in other embodiments, the bracket 131 may also adopt other configurations. For example, the bracket 131 may only be provided with the two adjustment brackets 1312 mentioned above, and the two adjustment brackets 1312 are slidably mounted on the frame 110.

[0039] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3According to some embodiments of this utility model, the tensioning assembly 134 includes a tensioning wheel 1341, a tensioning arm 1342, and a tensioning elastic element 1343. One end of the tensioning arm 1342 is rotatably mounted on the bracket 131, and the other end of the tensioning arm 1342 is rotatably mounted on the tensioning wheel 1341. The tensioning wheel 1341 abuts against the conveyor belt 133, and the tensioning elastic element 1343 is disposed between the tensioning arm 1342 and the bracket 131. With the above arrangement, the tensioning assembly 134 can automatically tension the conveyor belt 133 during the left and right extension and retraction of the internal conveying device 130. The structure is simple and easy to use.

[0040] Of course, it is conceivable that in other embodiments, the tensioning assembly 134 may also adopt other configurations. For example, the tensioning assembly 134 may include a tensioning cylinder, on which a tensioning wheel 1341 is rotatably mounted. The tensioning wheel 1341 abuts against the conveyor belt 133. The tensioning cylinder is electrically connected to the control device 140. The tensioning cylinder is equipped with a pressure sensor, which is electrically connected to the control device 140. Thus, the control device 140 can control the operation of the tensioning cylinder according to the signal fed back by the pressure sensor, thereby controlling the tension of the conveyor belt 133. This is convenient to use and the tension of the conveyor belt 133 can be adjusted at any time.

[0041] According to some embodiments of this utility model, the heating device 120 includes an electric heater, which can be an infrared heater or an ultraviolet heater, etc. The electric heater heats the beverage bottle through radiation. The electric heater has low requirements for the factory environment and has a low impact on the factory environment.

[0042] In other embodiments, the heating device 120 may also include a sprayer capable of spraying hot steam. The hot steam is then used to heat and sterilize the beverage bottles. The hot steam may carry disinfectant, improving sterilization efficiency and quality, thus achieving highly efficient sterilization. However, the hot steam sprayed by the sprayer has a significant impact on the factory environment, requiring the factory to have a complete exhaust system.

[0043] Bottled beverages typically require label sleeves to be placed on the beverage bottles. Therefore, according to some embodiments of this utility model, the beverage post-packaging equipment also includes a labeling mechanism 200, which is connected to the disinfection unit 100 located on the far right. The labeling mechanism 200 is used to put label sleeves on the beverage bottles. Thus, after the beverage bottles are disinfected, the labeling mechanism 200 can put labels on the beverage bottles.

[0044] The labeling mechanism 200 may include various robotic arms or other specialized automated devices, which are commonly used equipment in this technical field and will not be described in detail here.

[0045] It is conceivable that in some other embodiments, if a process of printing labels directly on beverage bottles is adopted, the labeling mechanism 200 described above can be replaced with a label printer.

[0046] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a transition conveying device 300 is provided between the labeling mechanism 200 and the disinfection unit 100 located on the far right. Thus, the disinfected beverage bottle needs to spend a period of time at the transition conveying device 300 so that the beverage bottle can be naturally cooled in the air.

[0047] Of course, in other embodiments, the transition conveyor 300 can be replaced with a cooling mechanism to actively cool the beverage bottles, thereby increasing the cooling speed and thus improving the production efficiency of the beverage post-packaging equipment.

[0048] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the beverage post-packaging equipment includes a feeding conveyor 400, which is connected to the internal conveying device 130 of the disinfection unit 100 located on the far left. The feeding conveyor 400 is used to feed beverage bottles, thereby realizing automated feeding of beverage bottles and further improving the automation level of the beverage post-packaging equipment.

[0049] In practice, the transition conveyor 300 and the feeding conveyor 400 can be configured as belt conveyors or roller conveyors, etc.

[0050] In some embodiments, the beverage post-packaging equipment may further include a packing mechanism, which packs the labeled beverage bottles into boxes, cartons, or bags for packaging. The packing mechanism may include a robotic arm or other specialized automated packing device; packing mechanisms are commonly used in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0051] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0052] The embodiments of the present utility model have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A beverage post-packaging apparatus, characterized in that, The application relates to a disinfection device for beverage bottles, comprising: at least three disinfection units for sterilizing and disinfecting beverage bottles, at least one of which is standby, at least two of which are arranged in a straight line along a left-right direction to form a disinfection mechanism, each of the disinfection units comprising a rack, a heating device, an internal conveying device and a control device, the rack being provided with a heating cavity, the internal conveying device being arranged in the heating cavity, the heating device being arranged on the cavity wall of the heating cavity, and the control device being arranged on the rack and being electrically connected with the heating device and the internal conveying device, wherein the internal conveying device can be extended and retracted leftward and rightward, the internal conveying devices of two adjacent disinfection units are correspondingly matched, and the cavity walls of the heating cavities can be extended and retracted leftward and rightward so that the cavity walls of the two adjacent disinfection units can be abutted and attached.

2. A beverage after-pack apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, In each of the disinfection units, the cavity walls of the heating cavities are provided with bellows at the left and right ends, which can be elastically extended and retracted leftward and rightward.

3. A beverage after-pack apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The internal conveying device comprises a support, two rollers, a conveying belt and a tensioning assembly, the support is arranged on the rack and can be extended and retracted leftward and rightward, the two rollers are correspondingly and rotatably arranged at the left and right ends of the support, the conveying belt is arranged on the two rollers, and the tensioning assembly is used for tensioning the conveying belt.

4. A beverage after-pack apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The support comprises a fixed frame and two adjusting frames, the fixed frame is fixedly arranged on the rack, the two adjusting frames are correspondingly and slidably arranged at the left and right ends of the fixed frame, and the two rollers are correspondingly arranged on the two adjusting frames, wherein a telescopic driving structure is arranged between the adjusting frame and the fixed frame, and the telescopic driving structure is used for driving the adjusting frame to slide relative to the fixed frame.

5. A beverage after-pack apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, The telescopic driving structure is a gas cylinder, one end of the adjusting frame away from the fixed frame is provided with a sensing element, the gas cylinder and the sensing element are electrically connected with the control device, wherein the two sensing elements opposite to each other between the two adjacent internal conveying devices are matched with each other so that the sensing elements generate signals, and then the control device can control the gas cylinder to work according to the signals fed back by the sensing elements.

6. A beverage after-pack apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The tensioning assembly comprises a tensioning roller, a tensioning arm and a tensioning elastic element, one end of the tensioning arm is rotatably arranged on the support, the other end of the tensioning arm is rotatably arranged on the tensioning roller, the tensioning roller abuts against the conveying belt, and the tensioning elastic element is arranged between the tensioning arm and the support.

7. A beverage after-pack apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The heating device comprises an electric heater or a sprayer capable of spraying hot steam.

8. A beverage after-pack apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The disinfection device comprises an upper label mechanism, the upper label mechanism is abutted with the disinfection unit located at the most right side, and the upper label mechanism is used for sleeving a label sleeve on the beverage bottle.

9. A beverage after-pack apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, A transition conveying device is arranged between the upper label mechanism and the disinfection unit located at the most right side.

10. A beverage after-pack apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, The disinfection device comprises an upper conveying mechanism, the upper conveying mechanism is abutted with the internal conveying device of the disinfection unit located at the most left side, and the upper conveying mechanism is used for feeding beverage bottles.

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