Drying spinner for containers

Abstract

Drying centrifuge for individual containers with fixed or open or closed hinged side walls or for stacks of containers (10, 10a) whose height is not greater than the maximum height of the individual containers that can be processed, which are fed (H) to the drying centrifuge via a feed conveyor (4x) and a subsequent conveyor (4) in order to then bring them horizontally, by means of conveyor belts (4a) or transfer devices which act laterally on the containers, into an area above the centrifuge cage (2), which is rotatably (2s) mounted (2s) on a frame (1) within a fixed encompassing structure for collecting and draining the centrifuge water by means of a shaft (2y) according to a vertical axis (2r) and is driven by a motor (2m), wherein the cage has a horizontal floor (2a) from which, in the direction of the loading / unloading opening of the cage (2), rungs (2b, 2c) project, between which the containers (10, 10a) are placed during the Spin cycle,between a loading / unloading platform (2t) and a retaining / pressure plate (3a), both of which act vertically and coaxially to the axis of rotation of the cage (2) (3w, 2v), wherein the cage (2) is arranged below the plane for the transfer of the containers (10, 10a), which are fed in by means of conveyor belts (4a) with their bottoms (10, 10a) facing upwards, wherein the loading / unloading opening of the cage (2) is oriented upwards, wherein the loading / unloading platform (2t) together with the shaft (2u) inside the cage (2) acts vertically and rotates together with it (2r), and wherein the retaining / pressure plate (3a), which is rotatably mounted (3r) on a rod (3f) when idling, acts vertically (3v) to hold the individual container (10, 10a), or the stack of containers, inside the cage (2) during centrifugal force application. Loading / unloading platform (2t) adjacent, to be kept back.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a spin dryer with a vertical rotation axis for containers with a rectangular prismatic shape, of various sizes, which are used, for example, as deposit containers for the transport of fruit, vegetables, beverages, with fixed or foldable side walls in the open or closed position and for relatively low stacked containers, wherein the stack height is equal to or slightly smaller than the height of the spin-drying containers with non-foldable side walls.

[0002] EP 1191292 A1 by the same applicant discloses a spin-dryer with a vertical rotation axis for pallet-stacked crates with foldable side walls. This high-performance spin-dryer is only suitable for large crate washing systems and requires an efficient feed and discharge system.

[0003] EP 1154214 A1 discloses a dry centrifuge with a vertical rotation axis for stacked crates of the same size. This centrifuge is not suitable for crates of different sizes and must be equipped with a stacking device at the inlet to the centrifuge. The stacked crates are fed laterally into a centrifuge cage that can be opened and closed from the side. This opening and closing before and after the centrifuge process significantly extends the production cycle.

[0004] DE 4140989 A1 discloses a spin-dryer with a vertical rotation axis for stacked crates. During the spinning process, the stack of crates is pressed against the rotating lower surface by a vertical hold-down device. This device also requires a stacking device arranged in front of the spin-dryer, and the stacked crates must all have the same dimensions.

[0005] EP 3392585 B1 by the same applicant discloses a centrifuge with a vertical rotation axis for rectangular prismatic trays with hinged side walls, where the side walls can be folded open or closed, or for trays of different sizes with fixed side walls. The centrifugation cage of this machine is arranged above the horizontal transfer devices for the incoming trays, at a distance slightly greater than the maximum height of the trays that can be processed. The trays are fed with the bottom facing the conveyor belts or transfer devices; the side walls can be folded open or closed, or they can be fixed and point upwards, toward the centrifuge cage.The centrifuge cage is open at the bottom and has at least one row of rungs projecting downwards from the floor of the cage, which are dimensioned according to the internal dimensions of the crate to be spun, so that the crate, inserted into the cage by means of a lifting table, is secured in a central position. To process crates of different dimensions, one or more rows of downward-projecting rungs can be provided, which are arranged concentrically to the first row, inside or outside of it. During centrifugation, the crate is held inside the cage between the lifting table acting vertically from below and a pressure plate acting from above, both acting coaxially to the axis of rotation of the cage.This centrifuge has the disadvantage that, in particular, the travel of the lifting table, regardless of the height of the crates' sides or whether they are folded or unfolded, during insertion of the crates into the cage or removal from the cage must always be greater than the maximum height of the crates that can be processed, with fixed or unfolded sides, because the cage, with its lower edge, must be spaced from the crates' support surface by more than the maximum height of the crates that can be processed during their insertion. This means that the times for loading and unloading the cage are long, even for crates with folded sides, which have a very modest height, and for those with low sides.Furthermore, the arrangement of the centrifuge cage above the transfer belts or transfer devices makes it more difficult to effectively collect and drain the water and to carry out cleaning and maintenance work on the cage itself and the corresponding collection and drainage devices.

[0006] JP 2002206857A discloses a spin-dryer for pallets of various types, in which a pallet retaining element, together with the pallet, can be separated from the rotating shaft of said retaining element and transported onto a conveyor belt by means of a lifting device to be removed from the spin chamber. A retaining element, together with a pallet of a different shape, is fed into the spin chamber. The spin cycle takes place above the transfer level of the pallets and the corresponding retaining element, which exposes the transfer media to the water and dirt particles that are washed off the pallets during the spin cycle.

[0007] The invention has for its object to provide a spin dryer as described above, which is suitable for the efficient drying of individual containers with fixed or foldable side walls in the open or closed position or of stacks of containers which have a modest height, in very short times, wherein the containers fed to the spin dryer can also have different dimensions and an efficient drainage of the water as well as convenient access to the spin cage and to its external and internal components for the purpose of cleaning and maintenance work is ensured.

[0008] To achieve this object, the invention proposes a dry centrifuge with a vertical rotation axis of the centrifuge cage, which can be loaded from above by means of a horizontal loading / unloading platform which is attached to the upper end of a shaft which projects from the bottom of the cage and is mounted so as to be vertically displaceable, coaxial with the cage's rotation axis. This loading / unloading platform is loaded with individual containers or a container stack of modest height by means of a transfer device which extends in a horizontal plane parallel to the plane in which the upper edge of the loading / unloading opening of the centrifuge cage is located. Provided above the centrifuge cage and coaxial with it is a retaining / pressure plate which is rotatably mounted coaxially with the cage's rotation axis on a first vertically movable rod.This bar can itself be mounted vertically movable, or a second vertically movable bar can be mounted on this first bar, which has a sliding element for a cover plate or cover grid at its lower end. This non-rotating plate closes the cage's loading / unloading opening during the centrifuging process by resting, slightly spaced from the upper edge of the cage, on fixed parts of the machine frame, the frame of the transfer equipment, or the upper edge of the container surrounding the centrifuge cage to collect and drain the water.In the event that the rod for the closing plate is mounted on the rod for the vertical actuation of the retaining / pressure plate, part of the lowering and lifting travel for the aforementioned plates is carried out by actuating the rod which holds the retaining / pressure plate, whereby the closing plate is additionally moved vertically by the corresponding rod in order to achieve the necessary lowering travel towards the closed position for the centrifuge cage during the contact phase, or an additional lifting travel during the lifting.

[0009] According to a further development of the invention, the rods for actuating the retaining / pressure plate or the closure plate can be actuated pneumatically or hydraulically by means of a cylinder with a piston, or mechanically by means of a rack, toothed belt, chain, or electric actuator. Said actuating devices can be equipped with known devices for detecting the target position of said plates in order to indicate any malfunctions caused by damaged containers or improperly closed side walls. These detection devices can be, for example, a pressure sensor in the case of hydraulic or pneumatic actuation or, in the case of mechanical actuation, a linear detection probe, and can be mounted on one of the mechanical actuating elements or on the plate itself.The aforementioned irregularities during the loading phase of the centrifuge cage cause the ejection of the damaged or poorly positioned container from the cage to be removed as rejects after the drying process.

[0010] According to a further development of the invention, the vertical actuation of the loading / unloading platform, which acts vertically inside the centrifuge cage, and its positioning can be detected, for example, by a magnetic linear detector or a reader for a mark applied to the actuating rod or to the platform itself, in order to continuously monitor the movement and position of the platform inside the centrifuge cage, indicating possible inhibitions and malfunctions in the event of the presence of faulty / deformed or incorrectly positioned containers which cause malfunctions during the loading and / or unloading phase of the containers.

[0011] The arrangement of the dryer below the feeding and discharge level of the individual cans, or of the stacks of cans of modest height, and the introduction of the cans from above into the centrifuge cage with the bottom of the cans facing upwards, make it possible to adapt the stroke of the loading / unloading platform and the retaining / pressure plate to the effective height of the individual can or stack of cans to be processed and to simplify the water collection and drainage structure, which is therefore easily accessible for all monitoring, cleaning, maintenance and replacement operations. The centrifuge cage, the loading / unloading platform and the enclosing water collection structure, together with the drains, are all directly accessible from above, through the loading opening of the centrifuge cage and the free opening of the water collection structure, which has larger dimensions than the largest diagonal of the centrifuge cage opening.

[0012] The invention does not exclude that certain container models with foldable side walls, which are fed individually or stacked, are fed with the bottom downwards in order to prevent any opening movement (downwards) of the folded side walls during the loading phase of the centrifuge cage.

[0013] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment of a centrifuge dryer according to the invention for containers, including the specific feeding and discharging devices, which are schematically illustrated in the accompanying drawings; these serve a purely explanatory, non-limiting purpose.

[0014] The Fig. 1 shows a sectional view according to a vertical section plane which runs through the axis of rotation of the drying centrifuge according to the invention and through the horizontal center line of the transfer devices for the supply and removal of the containers, with a "full-size" crate with folded side walls and bottom facing upwards, lying on the loading / unloading platform during the loading phase.

[0015] The Fig. 1a shows the same sectional view through the Fig. 1 The illustrated dryer and its spin cage with the full-size tray inside the spin cage, held between the loading / unloading platform and the retaining / pressure plate, with the closure plate lowered, while a container with rigid sides waits for the dry spin on the infeed conveyor.

[0016] The Fig. 2 shows the same sectional view through the Fig. 1 and Fig. 1a shown dryer and its centrifuge cage with the centrifuged "full size" crate on the conveyor belt in the discharge phase and the container with fixed side walls in the dryer.

[0017] The Fig. 2a shows the same sectional view through the Fig. 1 , 1a and 2 The dryer and its centrifuge cage shown with the container with fixed sides inside the centrifuge cage, held between the loading / unloading platform and the retaining / pressure plate, with the lowered closure plate, while a full-size crate with folded side walls is in waiting position on the infeed conveyor.

[0018] The Fig. 3 shows a sectional view through a centrifugal cage according to the invention, according to a vertical sectional plane which runs through the rotation axis of the cage including the loading / unloading platform in the lowered position and the raised retaining / pressure plate.

[0019] The Fig. 3a shows a sectional view according to a vertical section plane through the rotation axis of the retaining / pressure plate, the holder for said plate and through the closure plate.

[0020] The Fig. 3b shows the perspective view of the retaining / pressure plate, together with the closure plate of the centrifugal cage according to the invention and the corresponding vertical actuating elements, seen from below.

[0021] The Fig. 3c shows the perspective view of the centrifuge cage according to the invention including the loading / unloading platform in lowered position, seen from above.

[0022] The spin dryer according to the invention for individual or moderately high stacked containers 10, 10a of different dimensions, with fixed or foldable side walls, in an open or closed state, which are fed according to the invention, generally folded with the bottom facing upwards and, in the case of certain models, with folded side walls facing downwards, essentially consists of: a frame 1 which is horizontally traversed by at least one feed conveyor belt or a feed conveyor device 4, 4a and a discharge belt 4b for the transfer of the containers 10, 10a, - a waiting station B, - a spinning station C with enclosing structure for collecting the water with (not shown) closing, inspection and safety hatches.

[0023] In order to accelerate the spinning process, the containers 10, 10a fed to the spinning station C in a known manner, but generally with the bottom facing upwards, are removed individually from the outer horizontal, known, continuously running feed conveyor belt 4x, from a horizontal loading conveyor belt 4 which operates with running pauses and at a higher speed than the aforementioned outer feed conveyor belt 4x, for the purpose of spacing between the removed container and the containers brought in on the outer feed conveyor belt 4x, and are fed to the spinning cage equipped with a pressure and closing device 3. fig 2 fed, whereby in the area of ​​the transfer between the two aforementioned belts a known mechanism with a vertically movable 6v retaining element 6a from below acts to hold back the row of the following containers brought forward on the outer feed conveyor belt 4x.

[0024] The first H container 10, 10a brought by the outer feed conveyor belt 4x is held back 6a in the known detection station A for the purpose of recording the dimensions, the pattern of any damage and / or the open / closed position of the side walls by means of a photo camera 5. Of course, if the spin dryer is used in a plant that only processes a single model of containers, no photographic recording is required; only the recording of the regular opening or closing position of the side walls is carried out, e.g., by means of a light barrier or laser. In the case of detection of defects, of only partially opened or closed side walls, or of dimensions or models that are not intended for the subsequent spinning, the container is released in a known manner by pushing, transversely to the feed direction H, or by free fall, e.g.with feed belts which grip the containers laterally and can be spaced apart from one another, are ejected. In the case of a model of a container 10, 10a which is centrifugal, has no defects and whose side walls are all opened or closed, this container 10, 10a is conveyed horizontally into the centrifugal station C by changing from the feed and waiting conveyor belt 4, by means of which non-spin-able or defective containers can also be ejected, to a parallel conveyor belt 4a acting laterally on the container 10, 10a, in order to move one position above the open side of the centrifugal cage according to the invention. figs 2 This has a base 2a and upwardly projecting rungs 2b, 2c and is arranged below the support or transfer level of the H containers 10, 10a, which are brought on conveyor belts 4, 4a. By spacing the laterally acting belts 4a, the container 10, 10a rests on the raised loading / unloading platform 2t, in order to then be placed between the corresponding rungs 2b, 2c of the cage. figs 2 to be lowered 2v and then held back in the lowered position by the retaining / pressure plate 3a. This plate 3a, which is rotatably mounted 3r at the lower end of the vertical rod 3f, is driven 3w by a motor 3m via a toothed belt 3n, in a first moment together with the closure plate 3b mounted at the end of the rod 3c, whereby this rod is connected 3k to the rod 3f. The rod 3c, which is moved vertically 3v in a second moment by means of a pneumatic cylinder 3d, is connected 3k to the aforementioned rod 3f and acts on the closure plate 3b to close the opening of the centrifuge cage. figs 2 to close / open. The said 2t loading / unloading platform has a coaxial to the rotation axis of the centrifugal cage figs 2 , by means of a 2x pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 2w connected to a pressure source, vertically actuated 2v, shaft 2u. The rungs 2b, 2c of the cage figs 2 can be connected to each other at the extreme area, opposite the ends fixed to the ground 2a, by rigid elements 2q, 2z. The centrifugal cage fig 2 has a shaft 2y on the lower side which is rotatably mounted 2r in the bearing 2s attached to the frame1 of the machine. The shaft 2y of the centrifuge cage figs 2 has a pulley 2p at the lower end, on which the belt 2n or another transmission device driven by a motor 2m acts. In order to determine the position of the loading / unloading platform 2t along its vertical path, a probe can be provided, e.g., for the magnetic linear elevation 2e, e.g., near the sliding area of ​​the shaft 2u, which is triggered by a magnet 2d attached to the lower end of said shaft. This elevation is important so that the loading / unloading platform 2t, depending on the dimensions of the container or stack of containers to be loaded, assumes the lowered position depending on the height of the containers or stack of containers to be processed, or, in the subsequent unloading phase, assumes the raised position suitable for the transfer of the centrifuged container or stack of containers to the conveyor belt 4b or to another known discharge device. Above and adjacent to the centrifuge cage fig 2 a pressure and closure device 3 is provided which comprises a retaining / pressure plate 3a and a possible closure plate 3b. Said retaining / pressure plate 3a is attached by means of a support element 3g and a sliding element 3y to the lower part of the vertical rod 3f, which is guided vertically 3h with respect to the frame 1 and is moved 3w by a motor 3m by means of a belt or chain 3n. The same rod 3f has, at its upper end, a support 3k for the actuation and monitoring device for the rod 3c, which consists of a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 3d which moves the rod 3c vertically 3v and a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 3e equipped with a pressure probe or with a device for detecting the position of the piston of the cylinder 2d.Said support element 3g is, on one side, rigidly connected to the closure plate 3b, while the other part is connected to the sliding element 3y, which slides along the lower part of the rod 3f. The connection between the end of the rod 3c and the support part 3g is made by a cross pin 3x. The closure plate 3b, together with said monitoring devices, enable the detection of minimal protrusions on the packages loaded into the centrifuge cage that protrude beyond the upper edge of said cage, for the purpose of safety monitoring during the centrifuge process. The arrangement between the pivoting 3r retaining / pressure plate 3a and the vertically adjustable 3v, but non-rotating, closure plate 3b, allows the pivoting 3r retaining plate 3b, together with the retaining / pressure plate 3c, to be moved towards the centrifuge cage. fig 2 to be lowered 3w until this last holds the container 10, 10a, or the stack of containers, in the direction of the loading / unloading platform 2t. Subsequently, the non-rotatable closing plate 3b is lowered further 3v by actuating the cylinder until it rests on the stops provided for this purpose, which are mounted, for example, on the vertical walls of the enclosing structure for collecting the water, on the fixed structure of the conveyor belts 4a or the transfer device for loading the cage or on the frame 1 of the machine in such a way as not to come into contact with the cage. fig 2 Both the device for actuating the rod 3f with the retaining / pressure plate 3a and the actuating device for the closure plate 3b have a probe or device for detecting the target position of contact with the bottom of the container being processed or its contact with the support seat during the closing of the centrifuge cage. fig 2 In case of an abnormal position being indicated, or a target position not being reached, by one of the said detection probes, the closure plate 3b together with the retaining / pressure plate 3a is raised 3w and the loading / unloading platform 2t is raised 2v in order to remove the damaged or badly positioned container from the cage. fig 2 to unload and excrete.

[0025] The movements 3w and 3v of the retaining / pressure plate 3a and the closure plate 3b can be carried out depending on the dimensions (height) of the individual or stacked containers or the containers during lifting by the loading / unloading platform 2t.

[0026] The invention does not exclude the loading of the containers 10, 10a, or the stack of containers, into the centrifuge fig 2by gravity, possibly by free fall, and that, during spinning, the individual or stacked containers are not held back by the retaining / pressure plate 3a.

Claims

1. Dryer for individual containers with fixed or open or closed foldable side walls or for container stacks (10, 10a) whose height is not greater than the maximum height of the individual containers that can be processed, which are fed (H) to the dryer via a feed conveyor belt (4x) and a subsequent conveyor belt (4) in order to then bring them horizontally, by means of conveyor belts (4a) or transfer devices which act laterally on the containers, into an area above the centrifuge cage (2), which is mounted (2s) by means of a shaft (2y) on a frame (1), within a fixed comprehensive structure for collecting and draining the centrifuge water, rotatable (2r) along a vertical axis and driven by a motor (2m), wherein the cage has a horizontal base (2a) from which, in the direction of the loading / unloading opening of the cage (2), rungs (2b, 2c) protrude, between which the containers (10, 10a), during the spin cycle,between a loading / unloading platform (2t) and a retaining / pressure plate (3a), both of which act vertically and coaxially to the axis of rotation of the cage (2) (3w, 2v), characterized in that the cage (2) is arranged below the level for the transfer of the containers (10, 10a) which are fed by means of conveyor belts (4a) with the bottom (10, 10a) facing upwards, that the loading / unloading opening of the cage (2) is directed upwards, that the loading / unloading platform (2t) together with the shaft (2u) acts vertically inside the cage (2) and rotates together with it (2r) and that the retaining / pressure plate (3a), which is rotatably mounted (3r) on a rod (3f) when idle, acts vertically (3v) in order to hold back the individual container (10, 10a) or the stack of containers inside the cage (2) against the loading / unloading platform (2t) during the centrifuge.

2. Dryer according to claim 1, characterized in thatFor safety reasons, in order to avoid damage to the machine, a non-rotating closing plate (3b) is provided on the retaining / pressure plate (3a) in the upper position parallel to the retaining / pressure plate, which can be moved vertically (3v) during the rotation (2r) of the cage (2) and the retaining / pressure plate (3a) in order to close the centrifuge cage (2), and in that the said closing plate, in the lowered closing position, rests slightly spaced from the upper edge of the cage (2), directly on parts of the frame (1) of the machine, on fixed parts of the transfer belts (4a) or elements, on the upper edge of the structure enclosing the cage (2) for collecting the centrifuge water or on corresponding stops provided on these said fixed parts.

3. Dryer according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in thatthe rod (3f) is connected to the pneumatic or hydraulic device (3m, 3n) for the vertical movement (3w) of the retaining / pressure plate (3a) by means of a holder (3k) to the rod (3c) for the vertical movement (3v) of the closure plate (3b), which is moved by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder (3d), mechanically or by means of an electric actuator mounted on the rod (3f) or on the retaining / pressure plate (3a) for the vertical movement.

4. Dryer according to claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that the hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder (3d) or the electric actuator for the vertical movement (3v) of the closure plate (3b) is mounted on the fixed frame (1) of the machine separately from the rod (3f) for the actuation (3w) of the retaining / pressure plate (3a).

5. Dryer according to claim 1 e 2, characterized in thatthe vertical movement (3v) of the closure plate (3b) is monitored by a device for measuring the position of the closure plate (3b) relative to the upper edge of the centrifuge cage (2).

6. Dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that the loading / unloading platform (2t) is fixedly supported at the upper end of a shaft (2u) which is slidably mounted inside the shaft (2y) of the cage (2), coaxially therewith, that said shaft (2u) is moved (2v) vertically by means of hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders (2w), or mechanically by a rack, a chain, a toothed belt or an electric actuator acting on the lower end of the shaft protruding from the shaft (2y) of the cage (2).

7. Dryer according to claim 1 e 3, characterized in thatthe device for the vertical movement (3w) of the retaining / pressure plate (3a) is equipped with a probe suitable for detecting any failure to reach the target position which may occur during the lowering of the retaining / pressure plate (3a) in the case of a damaged container (10, 10a), with improperly closed side walls or in the case of its poor positioning inside the centrifuge cage (2).

8. Dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that the device for moving (2v) the loading / unloading platform (2t) is equipped with a probe for detecting the target position that may not have been reached due to a defective, deformed or poorly positioned container inside the cage (2).

9. Dryer according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe vertical movement (2v) of the loading / unloading platform (2t) and the positioning of the latter inside the centrifuge cage (2) by a linear magnetic probe (2e), by a reading device capable of detecting the position and the change in position of a collation mark applied to the shaft (2u) of the loading / unloading platform (2t) or to the latter itself.

10. Dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that the loading of the individual or stacked containers (10, 10a) into the cage (2) is carried out by gravity and that the centrifuging takes place without the use of a retaining / pressure plate (3a), by the progressive lowering (2v) of the loading / unloading platform (2t) together with the individual container or the stack of containers or, in free fall with the loading / unloading platform (2t), at the moment of release of the container or the stack of containers by the transfer elements (4) acting above the centrifuge cage (2), in an already lowered position.

11. Dryer according to claim 1, characterized in thata collection station (A) is arranged at the inlet of the containers (10, 10a) into the spin-dryer for the purpose of detecting the container model, the dimensions and the opening or closing position of the side walls of the containers (10, 10) to be dried, that this is provided in the area of ​​the transfer from the feed conveyor belt (4x) to the subsequent conveyor belt (4), that in the same area, at the outlet of the feed conveyor belt (4x), a retention mechanism (6) is provided for the purpose of retaining the containers, that the subsequent conveyor belt (4) can be used as a waiting station (B), which may act as a collection section before the subsequent spin-drying station (C) and which is suitable or equipped for separating out any defective or non-spin-dryable containers, that the feed conveyor belt (4x), the subsequent conveyor belt (4),The belts (4a) or transfer elements acting laterally on the containers and any discharge belt (4b) or transfer element for removing the centrifuged containers from the machine are located in a common horizontal plane, and the loading / unloading opening of the centrifuge cage (2) is also located in this plane or slightly lower. Bolzano, 28.09.2023 order:,

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