Device and method for cleaning containers

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for cleaning containers, in particular reusable containers, comprising introducing at least one container into a cleaning area, which is in particular filled with a cleaning medium, and cleaning the container by means of electrodynamic fragmentation. The invention further relates to a device for cleaning containers, in particular reusable containers, comprising a cleaning area, in particular a housing filled with a cleaning medium, a container conveyor for introducing containers into the cleaning area, at least one electrode for cleaning the containers by electrodynamic fragmentation, and systems comprising this device.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a device for cleaning containers as well as a system with a device for cleaning containers.

[0002] Containers for storing liquids, such as beverages, can be divided into single-use and reusable containers. Reusable containers are typically returned to the beverage producer / bottling plant after being emptied by the consumer. There, they are cleaned and then refilled. This cycle can be repeated many times. The cleaning of containers (primarily made of glass and PET) is carried out as follows.

[0003] The soiled containers are cleaned of germs and contamination in a state-of-the-art cleaning machine, primarily using a variety of spray nozzles and immersion baths with water and cleaning medium (e.g., lye). The cleaning process also removes the labels affixed to the containers.

[0004] There are numerous different adhesives on the market used to attach labels to containers. Likewise, many different label materials are used. Furthermore, each container undergoes different treatment by the consumer. Some containers, for example, are left outdoors for extended periods, where weathering and UV radiation cause various changes to the label and adhesive. Additional soiling can result from paints, concrete, and contaminants that cannot be removed by conventional cleaning processes. This makes cleaning containers, especially reusable bottles, a complex process that must be designed to reliably remove even stubborn soiling.

[0005] The invention is therefore based on the objective of developing a cleaning method or cleaning device for containers that removes foreign bodies, such as dirt and labels, faster, more gently and with less energy and chemical input compared to the prior art.

[0006] The problem is solved by a method or device for cleaning containers according to independent claims 1 and 7.

[0007] The inventive method / device improves the cleaning process of containers. Electrodynamic fragmentation utilizes the principle that electric current follows the path of least resistance. The electrical breakdown strength is reduced at grain and phase boundaries. Therefore, an electrical breakdown occurs at these boundaries. This electrical breakdown (spark discharge) generates pressure waves. These pressure waves separate foreign matter from the container by disrupting the grain and phase boundaries between the container and the foreign matter. Compared to chemical cleaning, the long exposure times and energy-intensive spraying are significantly reduced or even eliminated. This results in substantial energy savings and a reduction in treatment time.Furthermore, the contact time of the container being cleaned with the aggressive cleaning solution is reduced, thus extending its lifespan. This allows each container to be reused more frequently. The cycle rate is therefore increased, saving both material and energy. In addition, electrodynamic fragmentation gently removes even stubborn dirt and foreign matter. Consequently, the reliability of the cleaning process increases, reducing the number of containers that cannot be thoroughly cleaned for reuse.

[0008] In one embodiment, the container can be subjected to pulsed current surges during electrodynamic fragmentation. The dielectric strength of the individual materials depends on the pulse duration of the current surge. The pulsed current surges can be used to control where the breakdown occurs, for example, at the container and foreign matter or in an surrounding medium, such as a cleaning medium.

[0009] In another embodiment, the pulsed current pulses can have a pulse duration of 0.001 × 1 -6 up to 1 × 1 -6 exhibiting certain characteristics. In this range, the dielectric strength of some non-conductive solid materials is lower than that of fluids, especially typical cleaning media, particularly aqueous solutions. Therefore, such pulse durations ensure that the electric current breaks down in a container.

[0010] In another embodiment, the container can be subjected to 1 to 1000, preferably 1 to 100, electric shocks in the cleaning area. This ensures that the pressure waves gradually separate even solid foreign objects from the container.

[0011] In another embodiment, foreign matter, in particular dirt and / or labels, can be separated from the container in the cleaning area by electrodynamic fragmentation. This allows reusable containers in particular to be reused, thus saving material and energy.

[0012] In a further embodiment, the device according to the invention can further comprise a control unit configured to supply the electrode with pulsed current such that the containers are subjected to pulsed electric shocks, in particular with a pulse duration of 0.001 × 1 -6 up to 1 × 1 -6The pulsed current pulses can be used to control where the breakdown occurs, for example at the container and foreign object or in an surrounding medium, such as a cleaning medium.

[0013] In a further embodiment, the container conveyor can extend along the cleaning area and be configured to move the containers into the cleaning area in a first section, and in particular to move them through the cleaning area in a second section, and to move them out of the cleaning area (5) in a third section. This allows the cleaning area to be efficiently supplied with contaminated containers while the cleaned containers can be moved out of the cleaning area. The movement of the containers within the cleaning area results in a uniform application of electrical pulses, thereby improving the cleaning performance.

[0014] The problem is also solved by a system with a device according to the invention and an additional upstream station, in particular an additional cleaning station or sorting station. The additional cleaning station or sorting station allows the containers to be pre-cleaned or pre-sorted. In the device according to the invention, the containers can then be cleaned even more thoroughly and in a more targeted manner, according to the degree of contamination, using electrodynamic fragmentation.

[0015] The problem is also solved by a system with a device according to the invention and an additional downstream station, in particular an additional cleaning station, filling station, and / or packaging station. The additional downstream cleaning station allows the containers to be cleaned even more thoroughly. The cleaned containers can then be prepared for reuse in a single system using the additional filling and packaging station. Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a system and a device for cleaning containers.

[0016] Fig.Figure 1 shows a system 100 comprising an upstream station 8, a device for cleaning containers 1, and a downstream station 9. The upstream station can, in particular, be a sorter and / or a (pre-)cleaning station. The downstream station 9 can be a cleaning, filling, and / or packaging station to prepare the container for reuse within the stream after cleaning.

[0017] The device for cleaning containers 1 comprises a cleaning area 5 and a container conveyor 7. The cleaning area can include two opposing electrodes 3 and 4. However, configurations with single electrodes, for example in rod form, are also conceivable. The cleaning area 5 can include a housing 5a, which can be at least partially filled with a cleaning medium 6. The electrodes 3 and 4 can be controlled by a control unit 10. The pulse duration of the current pulses can be selected such that an electrical breakdown occurs at the container 2, in particular between the container 2 and the foreign body (not shown). The breakdown occurs particularly at the phase and grain boundaries of the foreign body and the container. The pressure waves generated thereby can break the connection between the foreign body and the container without destroying the container 2.

[0018] For this purpose, a pulse duration of 0.001 × 1 is particularly required. -6 up to 1 × 1 -6 This is advantageous because the dielectric strength of typical container materials (plastic or glass) is lower than that of various liquids that can be used as cleaning medium 6. This ensures that even stubborn soiling can be removed without causing, or only minimally causing, damage to the containers. The number of pulses can range from 1 to 1000, preferably from 1 to 100, so that the soiling can be gradually separated from the container 2 by sufficient number of recurring pressure waves.

[0019] The containers 2 can be moved by means of container conveyor 7 from the upstream station to cleaning area 2 in the second section 7b. Within cleaning area 2, the containers can be moved further depending on the degree of soiling. A pause in cleaning area 5 is also possible in cases of heavy soiling. Subsequently, in a third section, the containers 2 can be moved by container conveyor 7 out of cleaning area 5 and, if necessary, to the downstream station 9.

[0020] Particularly heavy soiling, for example from label or adhesive residue, can be gently and effectively separated from the containers 2 using electrodynamic fragmentation. This allows a larger proportion of the containers 2 to be reused more frequently, thereby reducing material and energy consumption.

Claims

[1] Method for cleaning containers (2), in particular reusable containers, comprising the following steps: Introducing at least one container (2) into a cleaning area (5), which is in particular filled with a cleaning medium (6), Cleaning the container (2) using electrodynamic fragmentation. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the container (2) is subjected to pulsed current pulses during electrodynamic fragmentation. [3] Method according to claim 2, wherein the pulsed current pulses have a pulse duration of 0.001 × 1 -6 up to 1 × 1 -6 exhibit s. [4] Method according to one of claims 2 to 3, wherein the container (2) is subjected to 1 to 1000, preferably 1 to 100, electric shocks in the cleaning area (5). [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein foreign bodies, in particular dirt and / or labels, are separated from the container in the cleaning area by electrodynamic fragmentation. [6] Device (2) for cleaning containers (2), in particular reusable containers, comprising: a cleaning area (5), in particular comprising a housing (5a) filled with a cleaning medium (6), a container conveyor (7) for introducing containers (2) into the cleaning area (5), at least one electrode (3, 4) for cleaning the containers (2) by electrodynamic fragmentation. [7] Device according to claim 6, further comprising: a control unit (10) configured to supply the electrode (3, 4) with pulsed current such that the containers (2) are subjected to pulsed electric shocks, in particular with a pulse duration of 0.001 × 1 -6 up to 1 × 1 -6 s, be charged. [8] Device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the container conveyor (7) extends along the cleaning area (5) and is configured to move the containers (1) into the cleaning area (5) in a first section (7A), and in particular to move them through the cleaning area (5) in a second section (7B), and to move them out of the cleaning area (5) in a third section (7C). [9] System with a device (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8, which additionally comprises an upstream station (8), in particular an additional cleaning station and / or sorting station. [10] System with a device (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8, which additionally comprises a downstream station (9), in particular an additional cleaning station, filling station and / or packaging station.

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