Container cleaning unit

Abstract

Container cleaning unit, in particular for keg containers, comprising a rinsing unit and a container receiving unit (3), wherein the container receiving unit (3) has at least one processing station (4) for a container, wherein the processing station (4) has two mutually parallel support profiles (5) for the container and at least two support bodies (6), wherein the support profiles (5) have a first profile section (7) and a second profile section (8), wherein a distance (a) between the two support profiles (5) is selected such that a container is in contact with at least two support bodies (6) located on the support profiles (5) at least at one point each, characterized in that at least one support body (6) is detachably connected to a support profile (5), wherein the first profile section (7) is at least partially received in the support body (6).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a container cleaning unit, in particular for KEG containers, comprising a rinsing unit and a container receiving unit, wherein the container receiving unit has at least one processing station for a container.

[0002] During the cleaning of containers, especially KEG containers, they are placed upside down on a container support unit, and a rinsing unit is inserted into the opening of a container from below. The cleaning fluid can thus flow out without reorienting the container. The rinsing unit has a riser pipe through which cleaning fluid is introduced into the container. The cleaning steps include cleaning with an alkaline cleaning fluid, an intermediate rinse, and an acidic cleaning fluid. The pressure of the supplied cleaning fluid is usually adjustable via a throttle on a supply line of the riser pipe in order to clean all areas of the container and the riser pipe itself.The containers are usually transported via a transport unit that can be moved laterally along the container receiving unit and can hold the containers at three different heights in order to make the container accessible to a user or the corresponding part of the container cleaning unit during all processing steps.

[0003] Conventional container support units have rubber-coated profiles on which the containers are placed during cleaning. Due to the mechanical stress caused by KEG containers weighing up to 80 kg, as well as contact with aggressive cleaning fluids, this rubber coating wears out and is damaged after only a short period of use, and must be replaced.

[0004] This requires the removal of the container support unit's profiles, resulting in extended downtime of the container cleaning unit and thus reduced efficiency and increased costs. For this reason, the renewal or repair of the coating is often postponed as long as possible. This, however, leads to problems, as the roughened or partially damaged coating no longer presents a smooth and easy-to-clean surface, and residues that have penetrated into or under the coating are often impossible to remove or can only be removed with considerable effort. Furthermore, the secure stability of the containers is no longer guaranteed.

[0005] DE 89 14 691 U1 describes a bottle cell consisting of a metallic cell shell and a head made of an elastic plastic, thus reducing the shock and impact load on the treated bottles. The elastic plastic is attached to locking surfaces on the cell shell by means of locking elements and is thus replaceable, extending over part of the interior of the bottle cell. Disadvantages of this prior art are the low strength of the elastic plastic and thus its rapid wear and tear or damage, as well as its low rigidity, which precludes placing a container on it without an additional support structure.

[0006] DE 475 423 A discloses a container cleaning unit with all features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0007] DE 10 2010 044 354 A1 discloses a substantially cylindrical support mandrel for positioning on a workpiece support for holding a sheet-shaped workpiece in a laser processing system. The support mandrel has a point- or surface-shaped support formed by intersecting recesses outside a longitudinal center axis. The mandrel is placed onto web areas of the workpiece support via its recesses.

[0008] The present invention therefore has the object of proposing a container cleaning unit, in particular for KEG containers, in which the units that come into contact with the container can be quickly and easily replaced and cleaned, and in which the containers can be laid down without a support structure.

[0009] This object is achieved by a container cleaning unit, in particular for KEG containers, comprising a rinsing unit and a container receiving unit, wherein the container receiving unit has at least one processing station for a container, wherein the processing station has two mutually parallel support profiles for the containers and at least two support bodies, wherein the support profiles have a first profile section and a second profile section, wherein a distance between the two support profiles is selected such that a container touches at least two support bodies located on the support profiles at least at one point each, wherein at least one support body is detachably connected to a support profile, wherein the first profile section is at least partially received in the support body.

[0010] The inventive combination of a support profile with an associated support body particularly advantageously enables a simple, robust, and easy-to-clean construction of the container receiving unit, wherein at least one support body is detachably connected to a support profile. The container advantageously contacts at least two support bodies and is arranged at a distance from the support profile via these. The support profile and support body each have a surface that is as smooth as possible. The support body is particularly designed with a substantially circular, oval, or polygonal cross-section. In this case, the container and support body contact each other at least point-like, but preferably linear or even planar. The contact surface should be reduced as much as possible to reduce the adhesion of dirt or cleaning fluid residues.On the other hand, the larger the contact surface, the more securely the container rests on the support body.

[0011] In a further development of the invention, it is provided that the at least two support bodies have a polygonal cross-section, wherein in each case one support surface of the support body for supporting at least one container is arranged essentially orthogonally to the second profile section. Such a support surface is particularly advantageous because it ensures that the container stands securely and reliably on the support body. A support body with a polygonal cross-section is advantageous because it avoids larger surfaces to which residues could adhere. Furthermore, a polygonal cross-section ensures greater internal stability of the support body, which can easily withstand the loads caused by empty or full containers of greater weight resting on it during use, as well as the force peaks that arise when the containers are placed on it. The polygonal cross-section advantageously combines high strength and high hygiene.

[0012] In an embodiment of the invention, it is advantageously provided that the at least two support bodies each have a groove along the axial extent of the support body, wherein a groove width corresponds at most to the width of the first profile section. This creates a secure positive and / or non-positive connection between the support profile and the support body. If the groove corresponds to the width of the first profile section, a positive connection is formed when the first profile section is inserted into the groove. If the groove is less wide than the width of the first profile section, a press fit is created which has an additional non-positive connection. This avoids fastening means between the support profile and the support body which are disadvantageous in terms of design and hinder quick replacement. The support body can therefore be replaced by simply pulling it off the support profile.The weight of the container presses the support body onto the support profile and holds it in position. The groove width is less than or equal to 20 mm, advantageously less than or equal to 15 mm, and particularly advantageously less than or equal to 10 mm.

[0013] In one embodiment of the invention, the first profile section comprises at least two stops for axially positioning the support body. The length between the stops is essentially equal to the length of a support body, thus advantageously preventing axial slippage. The stops are advantageously formed integrally with the support profile, thus eliminating any gap into which residues could penetrate during operation of the device. Alternatively, the invention provides for the stops to be detachable from the support profile in order to keep their dimensions and spacing adaptable to different support bodies. The stops can therefore be connected to the support profile in a materially bonded, positively bonded, or non-positively bonded manner.

[0014] In a further development of the invention, the container cleaning unit comprises a plurality of processing stations, in particular arranged in at least one row, wherein the two mutually parallel support profiles of the at least one processing station each extend over a plurality of processing stations in a row of processing stations. Advantageously, a plurality of support profile pairs can be arranged next to one another in order to enable as many processing stations as possible and thus simultaneous cleaning of a large number of containers. The provision of a plurality of support profiles next to one another is advantageous because, in the event of damage, only individual parts need to be replaced, rendering individual processing stations inoperable. A flexible arrangement of a plurality of processing stations is also possible and can be individually adapted to the space available.

[0015] In a further development of the invention, at least two support bodies arranged on a support profile are spaced apart from one another along the axial extent of the support profile. Advantageously, the distance between two support bodies corresponds to the length of a stop. The stops are long enough to allow cleaning fluid and dirt to drain reliably alongside the support body along the stops and the first profile section. This allows individual support bodies to be replaced in the event of damage without having to take several processing stations out of operation. The support bodies advantageously have different sizes so that their spacing can be individually adjusted to the container to be placed on them.

[0016] In an embodiment of the invention, the at least two support profiles arranged parallel to one another have an axially symmetrical cross-section, with an axis of symmetry arranged parallel to the second profile section. The distance between the two support profiles arranged parallel to one another is at least large enough to ensure that the support body can be attached to and removed from the support profile in any case. The opposing first profile sections are directed toward one another so that the obtuse angle α is aligned with the axis of symmetry.

[0017] In a further development of the invention, the first and second profile sections form an obtuse angle α. Due to the angle between the first and second profile sections of the support profile, only a very small surface is available for dirt or cleaning fluid residues to settle or adhere, which is advantageous even with high mechanical load-bearing capacity. Cleaning fluid or contaminants will instead slide off the support profile surface due to the inclination of the surface facing the support side of the support body.Depending on the level of mechanical stress caused by KEGs, the obtuse angle α between the first and second profile sections can be selected, so that by using shorter or longer first profile sections, a distance between two mutually parallel support bodies, each arranged on the associated support profile, can be adapted to the dimensions of the container, thus always ensuring reliable support of the container.

[0018] Finally, in a further development of the invention, it is provided that the at least two support profiles are made of a metal and the at least two support bodies are made of a plastic, in particular of a rubber with a high Shore hardness. Particularly advantageously, the support profiles are made of stainless steel and the support bodies of EPDM or comparable rubber. The support profiles therefore have high mechanical strength and are less susceptible to corrosion, even in damp and dirty environments. The design of the support bodies as a rubber body with a high Shore hardness combines the properties of high shock resistance and damping to protect against damage to the container or the support profile. Nevertheless, the support body has sufficient rigidity to at least not plastically deform even when loaded by placing at least one container on it.According to the invention, rubber is understood to mean all elastomeric plastics, in particular rubbers of any kind.

[0019] The invention will be explained in more detail below using an embodiment example with the aid of the figures, in which Fig. 1 a perspective view of a container receiving unit, Fig. 2 a side sectional view of a container receiving unit and Fig. 3 shows a perspective exploded view of a support profile with support bodies.

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a container receiving unit 3, wherein the container receiving unit 3 has two support profiles 5 arranged parallel to one another. Two support profiles 13 and a holding profile 14 are arranged on each of the support profiles 5, which ensure the stability of the container receiving unit 3. The support profile 13 has lugs 15 for attachment to the support profile 5. In addition, the height of the container receiving unit 3 is decisively defined by the holding profile 14; it connects the support profiles 5 by screw connections and thus defines their distance a from one another. On a side of the support profiles 5 remote from the support profiles 13 and the holding profile 14, ten support bodies 6 are arranged in each case, wherein the support bodies 6 are spaced from one another along the axial extent of the support profile 5.By means of the two support profiles 5 and the plurality of support bodies 6, a plurality of processing stations 4 arranged next to one another in a row are formed on the container receiving unit 3, wherein one processing station 4 has at least two support bodies 6.

[0021] Fig. 2 shows a side sectional view of a container receiving unit 3, wherein the support profile 5 has a first profile section 7 and a second profile section 8, wherein an obtuse angle α is formed between the first and second profile sections 7, 8. The first profile section 7 is at least partially received in the support body 6, which has a polygonal cross-section and whose support surface 9 is arranged perpendicular to the second profile section 8. The support surface 9 is designed to receive and deposit the containers to be cleaned and has a chamfer 16 to prevent damage to a container or injuries to a user. The distance a between the support profiles 5 is selected such that a container contacts the support bodies 6 in point, line, or surface contact, but the support bodies 6 can be easily removed from the support profiles 5 without abutting against one another.A nose 15 of the support profile 13 is arranged on the second profile section 8 by means of a screw connection. The support profile 13 is designed as a hollow profile with two partial support profiles 17, wherein the second profile section 8 is arranged between the two partial support profiles 17. The partial support profiles 17 are non-positively connected to one another at the nose 15 via a screw 18, wherein the screw 18 penetrates the second profile section 8. Accordingly, the second profile section 8 is connected to the support profile 13 both positively by the screw 18 and non-positively by the clamping between the partial support profiles 17. The support profiles 13, the support profiles 5 and the support bodies 6 are arranged axially symmetrically to an axis of symmetry 12, wherein the axis of symmetry 12 is arranged parallel to the second profile section 8.

[0022] Fig.3 shows a perspective exploded view of a support profile 5 with support bodies 6, wherein only a first profile section 7 of the support profile 5 is shown. The support profile 5 has through-openings 19 through which a screw 18 (not shown) can be guided and the support profile 5 can be arranged on a support profile 13. The first profile section 7 has spaced-apart stops 11, wherein the distance between the stops 11 essentially corresponds to a length of a support body 6, which can be pushed through a formed groove 10 onto the first profile section 7 between two stops 11. The width of the groove 10 corresponds at most to the width of the first profile section 7, so that the support body 6 is connected to the first profile section 7 in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 3 Container receiving unit 4 processing stations 5 Support profile 6 support bodies 7 first profile section 8 second profile section 9 Support surface 10 grooves 11 stop 12 axis of symmetry 13 Support profile 14 Holding profile 15 Nose 16 chamfer 17 Partial support profile 18 Screw 19 through openings a distance

Claims

[1] Container cleaning unit, in particular for KEG containers, comprising a rinsing unit and a container receiving unit (3), wherein the container receiving unit (3) has at least one processing station (4) for a container, wherein the processing station (4) has two mutually parallel support profiles (5) for the container and at least two support bodies (6), wherein the support profiles (5) have a first profile section (7) and a second profile section (8), wherein a distance (a) between the two support profiles (5) is selected such that a container touches at least two support bodies (6) located on the support profiles (5) at least at one point each, characterized by that at least one support body (6) is detachably connected to a support profile (5), wherein the first profile section (7) is at least partially received in the support body (6). [2] Container cleaning unit according to claim 1, characterized bythat the at least two support bodies (6) have a polygonal cross-section, wherein in each case a support surface (9) of the support body (6) for supporting at least one container is arranged substantially orthogonally to the second profile section (8). [3] Container cleaning unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the at least two support bodies (6) each have a groove (10) along the axial extent of the support body (6), wherein a groove width corresponds at most to a width of the first profile section (7). [4] Container cleaning unit according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized by that the first profile section (7) has at least two stops (11) for the axial positioning of the support body (6). [5] Container cleaning unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that it has a plurality of processing stations (4), in particular arranged in at least one row, wherein the two mutually parallel support profiles (5) of the at least one processing station (4) each extend over a plurality of processing stations (4) of a row of processing stations (4). [6] Container cleaning unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least two support bodies (6) arranged on a support profile (5) are spaced apart from one another along the axial extent of the support profile (5). [7] Container cleaning unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least two support profiles (5) arranged parallel to one another have an axially symmetrical cross-section, wherein an axis of symmetry (12) is arranged parallel to the second profile section (8). [8] Container cleaning unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the first and second profile sections (7, 8) enclose an obtuse angle α. [9] Container cleaning unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least two support profiles (5) are made of a metal and the at least two support bodies (6) are made of a plastic, in particular of a rubber with high Shore hardness.

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