DEVICE FOR CLEANING AN OBJECT

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of devices for cleaning objects. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Typically, an object cleaning device includes: A cleaning chamber arranged to hold several objects to be cleaned; at least one first fluid supply line opening into the cleaning chamber to supply it with fluid; at least one first fluid discharge line opening into the cleaning chamber to discharge fluid contained within the chamber. This cleaning chamber comprises at least first and second chamber sections, and the cleaning device is adapted to selectively adopt: a chamber opening configuration in which these first and second chamber sections are separated from each other to allow the insertion / or extraction of objects from the chamber; and a chamber closing configuration in which the first chamber section rests against the second chamber section to seal the chamber tightly.

[0003] Objects with one or more hollow areas are particularly difficult to clean because the hollow areas are poorly accessible to the cleaning fluid.

[0004] Thus, an object with a peripheral edge defining a tubular portion of the object, open at one end, is particularly difficult to clean. Devices for cleaning objects are also known from documents KR100686198B1, which discloses the preamble to claim 1, and KR20130005454U, WO2015 / 084904A1. SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0005] One objective of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device to improve the cleaning quality of such an object. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] For this purpose, according to the invention, a cleaning device is proposed according to claim 1.

[0007] For the purposes of understanding the invention, the expression "tubular part of an object" refers to a hollow part of that object delimited by the peripheral edge of the object closed on itself, this tubular part being open to the outside of the object at least at the level of a terminal end of the object.

[0008] This enclosure space is such that the central zone of the second enclosure section can extend inside the tubular section of the object, while this tubular section extends all around this central zone, between this central zone and the first enclosure section. A tubular section of the object may have a maximum width, measured in a cross-sectional plane of the object, that is greater than the length of the tubular section, or vice versa.

[0009] Thanks to the device according to the invention, the space for the object is made more compact around the object since the second part of the enclosure has a central area shaped to be able to extend inside the tubular part of the object.

[0010] Thus, when the device is in closed configuration and the object is placed in the enclosure, the tubular part extends around the central area, between the central area and the first part of the enclosure.

[0011] The fluid (vapor and / or liquid and / or gas) is thus guided by the central zone towards the inside of the tubular part of the object.

[0012] This allows us to improve the cleaning efficiency of the object.

[0013] This feature also helps to minimize the amount of fluid that needs to be injected into the chamber to clean the object.

[0014] Furthermore, because the space between the enclosure and the object's internal surface is minimized, the fluid flow velocity along the object's wall can be better controlled. According to another unclaimed aspect, this disclosure also relates to a set comprising: an object comprising a peripheral edge defining a tubular part of the object which is open at least at one of its ends, this tubular part having an internal surface; and a cleaning device conforming to any one of the embodiments of the cleaning device according to the invention, this cleaning device being placed in its enclosure closure configuration, said object being disposed inside said reception space and more than 90% of said internal surface being placed at a distance from said central zone of the second enclosure part which is between 0.1% and 10% of a maximum external dimension of said object.

[0015] This provides a central zone of the cleaning device that is adapted to the object to be cleaned.

[0016] This adaptation of the cleaning device is favorable to the quality of this cleaning and to the efficiency of the device according to the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the description given below, by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: there figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the cleaning device according to the invention and of an object to be cleaned, which in this case is a glass, this figure 1 comprising several longitudinal sections of the first and second parts of the enclosure; the figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosure of the cleaning device according to the invention and of an object to be cleaned placed inside the enclosure, on this figure 2 The cleaning device is in the enclosure closure configuration; the figure 3 is a schematic view of the cleaning device according to the invention; the figure 4 is a schematic view of a particular embodiment of the cleaning device according to the invention, with means for rotating the object to be cleaned, positioned within the enclosure, and at least two fluid supply lines opening into the enclosure, respectively towards an internal surface of the object and towards an external surface of the object; the figure 5 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the cleaning device according to the invention; this device is adapted here for cleaning an object larger than that of the embodiment of the figure 4 , for this purpose the device includes a third fluid supply line which opens into the enclosure, away from the other two fluid supply lines, this third line opening towards the internal surface of the object at the level of its peripheral edge. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The cleaning device 1 according to the invention is specifically adapted to clean an object 2, comprising a peripheral edge 20 defining a tubular part 21 of the object 2, this tubular part 21 being open to the outside of the object, at least at one of its ends 22.

[0019] This object can be open at both ends (in which case the object can be a tube, or a food straw), or it can be open at only one end (in which case the object is a container with a bottom).

[0020] In the embodiments illustrated on the figures 1 ,2 , 4 And 5 , object 2 is a container 2 whose wall is formed of a bottom 23 of the container and a peripheral edge 20 closed on itself and extending from this bottom 23 and all around this bottom 23.

[0021] In the various embodiments illustrated in figures 1 à 5 The cleaning device 1 comprises: a cleaning chamber 11 arranged to hold said object 2; at least one first fluid supply line 31 opening into the cleaning chamber 11 to supply it with fluid (in this case, this fluid is a cleaning fluid which may consist of liquid and / or vapor and may contain cleaning particles); at least one first fluid discharge line 41 opening into the cleaning chamber 11 to discharge fluid contained in the chamber 11; and said cleaning enclosure 11 comprises at least first and second enclosure parts 111, 112.

[0022] The cleaning device 1 is suitable for selective application: an enclosure opening configuration in which these first and second enclosure parts 111, 112 are separated from each other to allow extraction of said object out of the enclosure 11; and an enclosure closing configuration in which the first enclosure part 111 is pressed against the second enclosure part 112 to close the enclosure 11 in a sealed manner.

[0023] The cleaning device according to the invention is essentially characterized in that it comprises at least a central zone 1120 of said second enclosure part 112 which, when the cleaning device 1 is in the closed configuration, extends inside the first enclosure part 111 (along an inner face of this first enclosure part 111) to define, between the first enclosure part 111 and the central zone 1120 of the second enclosure part 112, a reception space 110 of said object 2 extending all around this central zone 1120.

[0024] This reception space 110 of said object 2 is such that said central zone 1120 of the second enclosure part 112 can extend inside the tubular part 21 of said object 2, while this tubular part 21 extends all around this central zone 1120, between this central zone 1120 and said first enclosure part 111. The conduits 31, 41 are arranged to open into said reception space 110 of object 2.

[0025] In other words, when the device is in closed configuration, the central area 1120 of the second enclosure part 112 extends inside said first enclosure part 111 while being at a distance from this first enclosure part 111 to create a reception space 110 of said object 2.

[0026] This reception area 110 extends all around the central area 1120 of the second part of the enclosure 112.

[0027] Thus, object 2 can be placed between the first part of the enclosure 111 and the central zone 1120, this central zone 1120 then extending into the tubular part 21 of object 2 while creating, all around the object, a passage for fluid circulation between the object and the enclosure.

[0028] As explained previously, the device 1 according to the invention allows for a particularly compact cleaning chamber 11 because it is formed to accommodate a single object 2 with a central zone 1120 of the second part of the chamber 112 which penetrates this object 2.

[0029] This reduces the volume between the enclosure and the object, which in turn reduces the amount of cleaning fluid required for cleaning.

[0030] The cost and time required to clean the object can thus be minimized.

[0031] Preferably, when the device 1 is in closed configuration, the central zone 1120 of the second enclosure part 112 penetrates inside the first enclosure part by at least 30%, preferably at least 50%, preferably at least 80% of the depth of this first enclosure part 111.

[0032] This central zone 1120 is a shape of revolution around an axis of symmetry of the central zone. In this case, this central zone 1120 is dome-shaped.

[0033] As can be seen on the figures 1 And 2 , the first enclosure part 111 has a peripheral edge 1111 and said second enclosure part has a peripheral edge 1121.

[0034] These peripheral edges 1111, 1121 of the first and second enclosure parts 111, 112 are arranged to come together against each other and to define a peripheral seal between these first and second enclosure parts 111, 112 when the cleaning device 1 is in its closed configuration.

[0035] The central zone 1120 of the second enclosure part 112 is at a distance from the peripheral edge 1121 of said second enclosure part.

[0036] Said first fluid supply conduit 31 is formed in a wall of said first enclosure part 111.

[0037] This first fluid supply conduit 31 being in communication with said reception space 110 of the object via at least one supply perforation 311, 312, 313 formed through this wall of said first enclosure part 111.

[0038] Device 1 also includes a second fluid supply line 32 opening into the cleaning chamber 11 to supply it with fluid.

[0039] This second conduit 32 is formed in a wall of said second enclosure part 112 and is in communication with said reception space 110 of object 2 via at least one supply perforation 321 formed through this wall of said second enclosure part 112.

[0040] Preferably, as illustrated on the figures 4 And 5 , device 1 also includes a third fluid supply line 33 which opens into the cleaning enclosure 11 at the level of a reception area 110b of one end of the tubular part of the peripheral edge 20 of the object.

[0041] This third conduit 33 allows cleaning fluid to be injected at the level of a terminal end of the tubular part of the object 2, which improves the cleaning of this area.

[0042] In the case where the object 2 to be cleaned is a glass, the fluid injected via this third conduit 33 is directed towards the lip of the glass (the lip is one of the most contaminated and difficult areas to clean of the glass).

[0043] This third conduit 33 opens into space 110 at the level of a perforation 331.

[0044] The fluid supply to the enclosure is as follows: via at least one supply perforation, in this case via three perforations 311, 312, 313, formed through the wall of said first enclosure part 111 which is above the second enclosure part 112; and via at least one supply perforation 321 formed through the wall of said second enclosure part 112 which is below the first enclosure part 111; and possibly via other perforations connected to other fluid supply lines such as the third line 33. The first supply line 31 is arranged to open opposite an external surface 221 of the object and the second supply line 32 is arranged to open opposite an internal surface 220 of the object.

[0045] The first enclosure part 111 has a main recess delimiting the reception space 110, this recess is delimited by a surface of revolution extending around a main axis of symmetry of this first enclosure part 111.

[0046] The first supply conduit 31 extends into the wall of the first enclosure part 111 and the first perforation 311 opens at the level of the reception space 110 at the bottom of the main recess.

[0047] This first conduit 31 has an arc shape extending along the main recess and the second and third perforations 312 and 313 which connect this first conduit 31 to the reception space 110 are formed on opposite sides of the main recess of the first enclosure part 111, in this case at the terminal ends of the arc shape of the first conduit 31.

[0048] Preferably, at least some of the perforations 311, 312, 313, 321 are oriented along a fluid outlet axis which forms, opposite a line tangent to the enclosure at the location of the perforation, a fluid supply angle which is less than 45°, preferably equal to 25° plus or minus 15°, with respect to the surface of the receiving space where the supply perforation is made.

[0049] The effect of this feed angle is to have a fluid inlet that is tangential to the object to be cleaned.

[0050] This promotes a homogeneous flow of fluid over the entire surface to be cleaned.

[0051] As illustrated in figures 3 , 4 And 5 , device 1 may also include a control unit 6 of device 1.

[0052] This control unit 6 is connected to a first solenoid valve V1 to control a change of state of this first solenoid valve V1 between a first state in which this first solenoid valve allows the passage of fluid to the enclosure via the first supply line 31 and a second state in which this first solenoid valve V1 prevents the passage of fluid to the enclosure 11 via the first supply line 31. In the embodiment of the figure 3 This first solenoid valve V1 is connected to both the first pipe 31 and the second pipe 32 in such a way that: when this first solenoid valve V1 is in its first state, it allows the passage of fluid to the enclosure via the first and second supply lines 31, 32; and when this first solenoid valve V1 is in its second state, it prohibits the passage of fluid to the enclosure via the first and second supply lines 31, 32.

[0053] On the contrary, in the method of implementation of figures 4 And 5 The device includes a second solenoid valve V2 connected to said control unit 6 to control a change of state of this second solenoid valve V2 between: a first state in which this second solenoid valve V2 allows the passage of fluid to the enclosure 11 via the second supply line 32; and a second state in which this second solenoid valve V2 prohibits the passage of fluid to the enclosure 11 via the second supply line V2.

[0054] As we understand from the modes represented in figures 4 And 5 , the first solenoid valve V1 allows a selective closure of said at least one first supply line 31, and the second solenoid valve V2 allows a selective closure of said at least one second supply line 32.

[0055] As the first and second supply lines 31, 32 open into the enclosure 11 at distant locations, the location for injecting fluid into the enclosure can be chosen according to the shape of the object to be cleaned and / or the cleaning cycle involving successive feeding via the first line 31 and feeding via the second line 32.

[0056] According to the invention, and depending on the shape and size of the enclosure 11 which is adapted to receive the object to be cleaned, there may be more than two supply lines, equipped or not with solenoid valves controlled by the control unit.

[0057] Thus, in accordance with the implementation methods of figures 4 And 5 , the control unit is also connected to a third solenoid valve V3 to control a change of state of this third solenoid valve V3 between a first state in which this third solenoid valve allows the passage of fluid to the enclosure via the third supply line 33 and a second state in which this third solenoid valve V3 prohibits the passage of fluid to the enclosure via the third supply line 33.

[0058] In the embodiment illustrated in the figure 5 , we have a fourth fluid supply line 34 which opens into the reception space 110 via at least one perforation 341 formed in the wall of the second part of the enclosure 112.

[0059] This perforation 341 is placed at a distance from the other perforations 311, 321, 331 which connect the other pipes to the enclosure 11.

[0060] This fourth conduit 34 allows for additional fluid intake into the chamber, which is particularly useful when the chamber is large. This chamber 11 of the figure 5 is adapted here to accommodate a container such as a carafe or a water bottle that is larger than the drinking glass of the figure 4 .

[0061] As illustrated in figures 1 à 5 The device may also include a first air intake duct 71 to the enclosure 11 which opens into this cleaning enclosure 11 to admit air.

[0062] This first air inlet duct 71 is equipped with a closing means 8 for the first air inlet duct (for example a check valve 8 or a solenoid valve controlled by the control unit 6) adapted to allow the passage of air to the enclosure and to prohibit the exit of fluid from the enclosure via this air inlet duct 71. The closing means 8 is preferably placed as close as possible to the enclosure, in this case less than 1 cm from the enclosure, preferably less than 2 mm from the enclosure.

[0063] The air inlet 71 is useful for drying the cleaned object, removing residual cleaning fluid, and cooling it. Cooling occurs through the removal of heat by the air circulating along the object and through evaporation. The latent heat of vaporization causes a loss of heat from the container.

[0064] Ideally, the air admitted should be at a temperature preferably between 10°C and 70°C, preferably between 10°C and 50°C, ideally equal to the ambient temperature around the device plus or minus 5°C.

[0065] Thanks to this embodiment, as soon as the pressure in the enclosure 11 increases, for example because fluid such as liquid or vapor is injected into it via the first and / or second and / or third supply line 31, 32, 33, this non-return valve 8 closes the air intake line 71.

[0066] On the other hand, this valve 8 allows air to pass through the first air intake duct 71 as soon as the pressure in the air intake duct 71 is greater, by at least a predetermined pressure difference value, than the pressure in the enclosure 11.

[0067] Alternatively, to this solution with a non-return valve 8, it is possible that this pipe 71 may be equipped with an air intake solenoid valve 8 connected to said control unit 6 to control a change of state of this air intake solenoid valve between: a first state in which this air intake solenoid valve allows air to pass through the first air intake duct 71; and a second state in which this air intake solenoid valve 8 prevents air from passing through this air intake duct 71.

[0068] In this embodiment illustrated in figures 3 , 4 And 5 , when fluid is injected via at least one of the supply lines 31, 32, 33, the air intake solenoid valve 8 is actuated in its second state to prevent the passage of fluid via the air intake line.

[0069] However, after this injection of cleaning fluid has been carried out, the object is to be dried and the air intake solenoid valve 8 is then activated to allow the passage of air via the air intake duct 71.

[0070] Device 1 also includes a heating element 9 adapted to heat a liquid.

[0071] In a particular mode, the heating element 9 is adapted to generate steam from this liquid.

[0072] This heating element 9 is fluidly connected to the set of fluid supply lines 31, 32, 33 in order to supply the cleaning chamber 11 with fluid heated by the heating element 9.

[0073] The device also includes a storage tank 10 of said liquid fluidly connected to said heating body 9 to supply it with liquid.

[0074] This device 1 also includes a pump 100 to force the admission of said liquid towards said heating body 9.

[0075] Ideally, the pump 100 and the heating element 9 are also connected to said control unit 6 which can control on the one hand the heating of the heating element 9 and on the other hand the pumping of liquid by the pump 100 according to a determined cycle.

[0076] In a particular mode, the storage tank 10 and the pump 100 could be replaced by a connection to a potable liquid supply network external to the device 1.

[0077] In the fashions of figures 1 à 5 , we observe that the first air intake duct 71 passes through the second part of the enclosure 112 and opens into the enclosure 11 at the level of this second part of the enclosure 112. This is interesting to facilitate the drying of the internal surface 220 of the object 2.

[0078] Preferably, as illustrated in these same methods of implementation of the figures 1 à 5 , this device includes a second air intake duct 710 which passes through the first part of enclosure 111 and opens into enclosure 11 at the level of this first part of enclosure 111.

[0079] This is useful for facilitating the drying of the external surface 220 of object 2.

[0080] In the same way as for the said first air intake duct 71, this second air intake duct 710 can be equipped with a non-return valve 80 adapted to allow the passage of air to the enclosure 11 and to prohibit the exit of fluid from the enclosure 11 via this second duct 710.

[0081] Alternatively, in the same way as for the said first air intake duct 71, this second air intake duct 710 can be equipped with a solenoid valve 80 connected to the control unit 6 to selectively allow the passage of air to the reception space 110 of the object.

[0082] Preferably, the device includes an air circulation turbine 72 fluidically connected to the first air intake duct 71 and / or the second air intake duct 710 and / or the first fluid discharge duct 41 in order to force an airflow through the enclosure all around the object 2.

[0083] This embodiment allows for the acceleration of the drying and cooling of object 2.

[0084] By connecting this turbine 72 to the exhaust pipe 41, it is possible, with a single turbine, to force the circulation of air from the inlet pipes 71, 710 towards the enclosure so that air flows pass along the internal 220 and external 221 surfaces of the object and then head towards the exhaust pipe 41. Drying is thus particularly efficient.

[0085] Ideally, this turbine 72 is preferentially connected to the control unit 6 to selectively circulate air in said enclosure 11 according to a cleaning cycle.

[0086] Preferably, the first fluid evacuation conduit 41 is formed in a wall of said second enclosure part 112, this first fluid evacuation conduit 41 being in communication with said object reception space 110 via at least one evacuation perforation formed through this wall of said second enclosure part 112.

[0087] Thus, the evacuation of fluid out of enclosure 11 is done via an evacuation perforation formed through this wall of said second part of enclosure 112 (the second part of enclosure 112 is preferentially under the first part of enclosure 111 which facilitates the gravity flow of the fluid out of enclosure 11).

[0088] This drainage perforation 41 formed through the wall of said second enclosure part 112 is preferably annular and formed opposite a portion of said reception space 110 which is adapted to receive the peripheral edge 20 of the object.

[0089] Thus, air and fluids tend to be evacuated opposite the peripheral edge 20 of the object.

[0090] Object support stops 410 can be arranged to extend across this drainage perforation, which is designed to receive the tubular part 21 of the object. These stops 410 support / secure the object when it is inserted into the space for the object 110.

[0091] Preferably, as illustrated on the figures 1 , 2 , 4 And 5 The second enclosure section 112 is formed by a lower piece having a central portion and a ring-shaped portion that is peripheral to the central portion. The support stops 410 form radii connecting the central portion to the ring-shaped portion.

[0092] The first air intake duct 71 which passes through the second part of the enclosure 112 can travel successively through the crown-shaped portion, one of its radii and the central portion where it opens into the space for receiving the object.

[0093] As can be seen in the illustrated embodiments in figures 4 And 5 , the device according to the invention may also include means for rotating 200 of the object 2.

[0094] These rotation means 200 are arranged to exert on said object 20 located in said object reception space 110 a tangential force tending to cause the object to rotate relative to said cleaning enclosure 11.

[0095] Rotating at 200 helps to ensure uniform cleaning and drying.

[0096] The means of rotation 200 can be implemented in different ways.

[0097] In the implementation of figures 4 And 5 , these means 200 comprise a plurality of drive rollers 201 placed in the enclosure 11 and at least one drive motor 202 of at least one of these drive rollers 201.

[0098] The connection between drive roller 201 and motor 202 is preferably made via rotation rods 203 passing through the wall of one of the parts of the enclosure 11.

[0099] Each given rod 203 passes through a perforation in the wall of the enclosure 11 which corresponds to it and is mounted to rotate about this perforation along an axis of symmetry of this given rod 203, a sealing gasket extending against the rod to oppose the passage of fluid along this given rod.

[0100] As an alternative to or in addition to the roller, the means for rotating 200 may include fluid injection nozzles inside the enclosure oriented tangentially with respect to an internal surface of the enclosure.

[0101] Thus, the fluid injected tangentially to the internal surface of the container exerts a tangential force on the container, which allows it to rotate.

[0102] This fluid can be liquid and / or vapor when cleaning the container or air when drying the container.

[0103] Thus, at least some of the fluid supply lines 31, 32 and / or at least some of the air intake lines 71, 710 may be equipped with such fluid injection nozzles oriented tangentially to an internal surface of the enclosure.

[0104] It is also possible that device 1 includes cleaning nozzles for the inside of the enclosure which are only intended to be used when the enclosure is released from object 2.

[0105] These cleaning nozzles can be used to clean the enclosure after removing the object from the enclosure.

[0106] Such cleaning nozzles open at different locations within the enclosure, and some may be opposite parts of the enclosure that are obscured when the object is inserted into the enclosure.

[0107] In a particular embodiment of the device according to the invention, at least one of the first and second enclosure parts 111, 112 can be deformable between a compacted form in which the volume of the reception space 110 of the object 2 is maximum and an expanded form in which the volume of the reception space 110 of the object 2 is minimum.

[0108] In this embodiment, the shape of the first enclosure part 111 and / or the second enclosure part 112 can be changed.

[0109] The deformable enclosure part is thus brought closer to the object when it is in its so-called expanded form and it is moved further away from the object when it is in its so-called compacted form.

[0110] This provides a shape adjustment capability that can be useful for adapting the enclosure to the shape of the object.

[0111] Thus, one can seek to increase the space for the object to facilitate its removal from the enclosure and, conversely, one can seek to reduce this space to minimize the volume of fluid that must circulate between the enclosure and the object to be cleaned.

[0112] This variation in shape can also be useful for adapting the shape of the enclosure to the shape of the object to be cleaned.

[0113] This is particularly useful for cleaning objects of different sizes and / or shapes with the same cleaning device. 1. To be deformable, the deformable enclosure part may include an elastically deformable membrane: under the effect of a pressurized fluid injected against a zone of the membrane to control its movement towards the object (the zone of the membrane subjected to the fluid pressure may be an internal fluid passage within the membrane or a face of the membrane subjected to the pressure of this fluid); and / or under the effect of a membrane thrust mechanism adapted to move this membrane towards the object. Said, at least one part of the enclosure, deformable or not, may also include bosses 5 arranged towards the object's reception space 110.

[0114] These bosses 5 are intended to come into contact with the object when it is placed in the enclosure and that this at least part of the enclosure in its expanded form while defining a fluid passage around these bosses, between the object and this at least part of the deformable enclosure.

[0115] As can be seen in the example illustrated in the figure 3 The device 1 comprises a storage tank 10 for the cleaning fluid, fluidly connected to the inlet of the heating element 9 via a pipe which passes successively through: an anti-limescale filter 102; a pump 100 to force the admission of said liquid towards said heating body 9; and a two-way valve 104 controlled by the control unit 6.

[0116] This two-way valve is movable between an open configuration in which it closes the pipe connecting the pump 100 to the pump body 9 and a closed configuration in which it allows the passage of liquid through this pipe.

[0117] A temperature probe 106 is arranged to measure the temperature of the fluid at the outlet of the heating body; this probe is connected to the control unit 6.

[0118] Thus, the control unit 6 can, by taking into account a temperature measurement taken with this probe 106, regulate the heating of the fluid by the heating element in order to reach a target temperature of the cleaning fluid. At the outlet, the heating element 9 is connected to the first port of a three-way solenoid valve 107 controlled by the control unit 6.

[0119] An effluent reservoir 112 is connected on the one hand to a second channel of this solenoid valve 107 and to the first fluid discharge line 41.

[0120] Thus, the effluent tank 112 allows for the collection of effluents from enclosure 11 and effluents from heating unit 9.

[0121] The first and second paths of the solenoid valve 107 are, for example, put into communication when it is desired to clean the heating element 9.

[0122] This solenoid valve 107 also has a third way which is connected to an inlet of a reservoir 108 which allows a volume of heated fluid to be stored which is to be injected into the enclosure.

[0123] The outlet of the reservoir 108 is connected to the first and second fluid supply lines 31 and 32 which open into the enclosure 11 via said first two-way solenoid valve V1.

[0124] The volume of this reservoir 108 is designed to accumulate and store fluid heated by the heating element 9, for example liquid and / or steam, and then to deliver it to the enclosure 111.

[0125] This reservoir 108 allows for a buffer stock of heated fluid placed between the heating element and the enclosure 11. This can be advantageous to benefit from an instantaneous heating power greater than that which can be generated instantaneously by the heating element.

[0126] This also allows the fluid to be heated using the heating element 9 while keeping it isolated from the enclosure 11. It is also possible that the device 1 does not have a reservoir 108. In this case, the third port of the three-way solenoid valve 107 is not connected to the inlet of the reservoir 108 but is directly connected to at least one of the pipes 31 and 32, the first valve V1 then being constituted by this solenoid valve 107.

[0127] Finally, as previously stated, this disclosure also relates to a set including: an object 2 having a peripheral edge 20 defining a tubular part 21 which is open at least at one of its ends 22, this tubular part having an internal surface 220; and a cleaning device 1 according to any one of the aforementioned embodiments taken alone or in combination, this device being placed in its enclosure closure configuration.

[0128] The object is arranged inside said reception space so that more than 90% of its internal surface 220 is placed at a distance from said central zone 1120 of the second enclosure part 112 which is between 0.1% and 10% of a maximum external dimension of said object 2.

[0129] With over 90% of the internal surface area 220 of the tubular section positioned at a distance from the central zone 1120 of the enclosure that is between 0.1% and 10% of a maximum dimension of said object, a limited volume of fluid circulation is generated along the internal wall 220 of the object 2. This limits fluid consumption during cleaning and results in a reduced fluid passage cross-section between the enclosure and the object wall.

[0130] This increases the speed of the fluid along the wall of the object to be cleaned.

[0131] By limiting the volume of fluid that needs to circulate in the enclosure, we reduce the consumption of fluid and energy needed to clean the object.

[0132] Indeed, the smaller the volume of fluid, the less energy is required to circulate and heat it. This increases the energy efficiency of the device according to the invention.

[0133] Similarly, the first enclosure part is such that when the object is placed in the enclosure and the device is in its closed configuration, then more than 90% of its external surface 221 of the object 2 is placed at a distance from the first enclosure part 111 which is between 0.1% and 10% of the maximum external dimension of said object 2.

[0134] Thus, for an object with a maximum external dimension of 10cm (this dimension can be the length of the object or its wingspan), more than 90% of the entire surface of the object's wall is placed between 0.1 mm and 1 cm, preferably 0.5 mm, with respect to the enclosure of the cleaning device in enclosure closure configuration.

[0135] Thanks to the invention, the object's housing space 110 is designed to closely match the object's shape. This optimizes the flow of cleaning fluid, thus improving cleaning performance.

Claims

1. A cleaning device (1) Of an object (2) having a peripheral edge (20) defining a tubular portion (21) of the object (2) that is open at at least one of its ends (22), the cleaning device (1) comprising: · a cleaning enclosure (11) arranged to have said object (2) placed therein; · at least one first fluid feed duct (31) opening out into the cleaning enclosure (11) for feeding it with fluid; · at least one first fluid discharge duct (41) opening out into the cleaning enclosure (11) in order to remove the fluid contained in the enclosure (11); said cleaning enclosure (11) comprises at least first and second enclosure portions (111, 112), and the cleaning device (1) being adapted to adopt selectively: · an enclosure-open configuration in which the first and second enclosure portions (111, 112) are spaced apart from each other to allow said object to be extracted from the enclosure (11); and · an enclosure closed configuration in which the first enclosure portion (111) bears against the second enclosure portion (112) in order to close the enclosure (11) in leaktight manner; the device (1) including at least one central zone (1120) of said second enclosure portion (112) that, when the cleaning device (1) is in its closed configuration, extends inside the first enclosure portion (111) in order to define a reception space (110) for receiving said object (2) between the first enclosure portion (111) and the central zone (1120) of the second enclosure portion (112), which reception space extends all around the central portion (1120), said feed ducts (31, 41) being arranged to open out into said reception space (110) for receiving the object (2), the assembly being characterized in that the cleaning device (1) further comprises a second fluid feed duct (32) opening out into the cleaning enclosure (11) in order to feed it with fluid; · said first fluid feed duct (31) being formed in a wall of said first enclosure portion (111), said first fluid feed duct (31) being in communication with said reception space (110) for receiving the object via at least one feed perforation (311, 312, 313) formed through said wall of said first enclosure portion (111); and · said second fluid feed duct (32) being formed in a wall of said second enclosure portion (112), said second fluid feed duct (32) being in communication with said reception space (110) for receiving the object (2) via at least one feed perforation (321) formed through said wall of said second enclosure portion (112).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said first enclosure portion (111) presents a peripheral edge (1111) and said second enclosure portion presents a peripheral edge (1121), the peripheral edges (1111, 1121) of the first and second enclosure portions (111, 112) being arranged to come to bear against each other and to define peripheral sealing between the first and second enclosure portions (111, 112) when the cleaning device (1) is in its closed configuration.

3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least one of the first and second enclosure portions (111, 112) is deformable between a first shape in which the volume of the reception space (110) for receiving the object (2) is at a maximum and a second shape in which the volume of the reception space (110) for receiving the object (2) is at a minimum.

4. Device (1) according to claim 3, wherein said at least one deformable enclosure portion includes projections (5) projecting into the reception space (110) for receiving the object (2).

5. Device according to anyone of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a third fluid feed duct (33) opening out into the cleaning enclosure (11) in a reception zone (110b) for receiving an end of the tubular portion of the peripheral edge (20) of the object.

6. Device according to anyone of claims 1 to 5, including a control unit (6) for controlling the device (1); · said control unit (6) being connected to a first solenoid valve (V1) for causing the first solenoid valve (V1) to change state between a first state in which the first solenoid valve allows fluid to pass to the enclosure via the first feed duct (31) and a second state in which the first solenoid valve (V1) prevents fluid from passing to the enclosure (11) via the first feed duct (31); and · said control unit (6) also being connected to a second solenoid valve (V2) for causing the second solenoid valve (V2) to change state between a first state in which the second solenoid valve (V2) allows fluid to pass to the enclosure (11) via the second feed duct (32) and a second state in which the second solenoid valve (V2) prevents fluid from passing to the enclosure (11) via the second feed duct (V2).

7. Device according to claim 6, including a first air admission duct (71) for admitting air to the enclosure, the first air admission duct (71) opening out into the cleaning enclosure (11) and being fitted with closure means (8) for closing the first admission duct and adapted to allow air to pass to the enclosure and to prevent fluid from leaving the enclosure via the air admission duct (71).

8. Device according to anyone of claims 1 to 7, including a heating body (9) adapted to heat a liquid, the heating body (9) being fluidically linked to said at least first fluid feed duct (31) for feeding the cleaning enclosure with the fluid heated by the heating body.

9. Device according to anyone of claims 7 or 7 and 8, wherein the first air admission duct (71) passes through the second enclosure portion (112) and opens out into the enclosure 11 through the second enclosure portion (112).

10. Device according to anyone of claims 7 or 9, wherein a second air admission duct (710) passes through the first enclosure portion (111) and opens out into the enclosure (11) through the first enclosure portion (111).

11. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said first fluid discharge duct (41) is formed in a wall of said second enclosure portion (112), said first fluid discharge duct (41) being in communication with said reception space (110) for receiving the object via at least one discharge perforation formed through said wall of said second enclosure portion (112).

12. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, including rotation means (200) for rotating the object, the rotation means (200) being arranged to be capable of exerting a tangential force on said object (20) located in said object-reception space (110), which tangential force tends to drive the object in rotation relative to said cleaning enclosure (11).

13. Device according to claim 12, including nozzles for cleaning the inside of the enclosure.