Washing device

Abstract

To provide a washing device capable of washing many containers while rotating them without increasing the size of the device.SOLUTION: A washing device 1 includes: a washing chamber R provided with an opening / closing door 21 that opens and closes an opening portion; a washing tank 61 provided in a lower portion of the washing chamber R, which collects washing water from the washing chamber R; a washing unit that injects the washing water in the washing tank 61 into the washing chamber R; a support frame 40 that holds a container 30 in a posture in which an opening surface stands vertically in the washing chamber R; and a rotation mechanism 50 that rotates the support frame 40 in a horizontal direction. The support frame 40 holds the container 30 in a posture in which the opening surface of the container is directed in the rotation direction. The washing unit includes a main washing water injection nozzle 72 for injecting washing water toward the opening surface of the rotating container 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning device that cleans a container while rotating it. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, cleaning devices have been proposed for cleaning tableware such as plates and trays, and cooking utensils such as hotel pans and sheet pans (hereinafter collectively referred to as "containers") (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 2 also discloses a cleaning device for cleaning article transport containers such as pallets and containers, although the object to be cleaned is not the above-mentioned containers. This cleaning device is configured to hold the article transport container in an upright position using a support frame, and by rotating the support frame, the article transport container is rotated while being cleaned. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-092903 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-062577 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As described above, in a cleaning device that cleans containers while rotating them, the nature of cleaning while rotating them tends to create blind spots on the opening surfaces of the containers where the cleaning water sprayed from the nozzles does not come into contact, which can easily result in uneven cleaning. For this reason, the cleaning device disclosed in Patent Document 2 is provided with a support mechanism that elastically urges the nozzles in a direction that keeps them close to the periphery of the support frame, and the support frame holds the opening surfaces of two item transport containers facing radially outward, thereby reducing uneven cleaning of the item transport containers.

[0005] On the other hand, the cleaning device disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a limit to the number of containers that can be arranged circumferentially in the holding position, making it difficult to clean many containers at once. If an attempt were made to clean many containers, the support frame would have to be larger, which would in turn lead to a larger cleaning device. Considering the environment in which the cleaning device will be used, it is not practical to configure the cleaning device disclosed in Patent Document 2 to clean three or more containers. Thus, with conventional cleaning devices, it has been difficult to rotate and clean many containers without increasing the size of the device.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device that can clean many containers while rotating them without increasing the size of the device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the cleaning device according to the present invention is characterized by the following [1] to [5]. [1] a cleaning chamber equipped with an opening / closing door for opening and closing an opening; a recovery tank provided at a lower portion of the cleaning chamber for recovering cleaning water from the cleaning chamber; a cleaning unit that sprays cleaning water from the recovery tank into the cleaning chamber, a support frame for holding a container in an upright position with its opening surface aligned vertically in the cleaning chamber; a rotation mechanism that rotates the support frame in a horizontal direction, the support frame holds the container in a position where the opening surface of the container faces a rotation direction, The cleaning unit has a cleaning nozzle that sprays cleaning water toward the opening surface of the rotating container. Cleaning equipment. [2] In the cleaning device described in [1] above, The cleaning nozzle is disposed at least to the side of the support frame. Cleaning equipment. [3] In the cleaning device according to the above [1] or [2], The container comprises: The opening surface is configured to be held by the support frame in a position along a direction inclined with respect to a radial direction. Cleaning equipment. [4] In the cleaning device according to any one of [1] to [3] above, The support frame includes: The device is configured to hold a plurality of the containers arranged in a substantially circular shape around a rotation center, and is configured to hold the containers in an orientation in which a radially inner end of one of the containers is located forward in the rotation direction of an imaginary line connecting the rotation center and a radially outer end of another container located forward in the rotation direction. Cleaning equipment. [5] In the cleaning device according to any one of [1] to [4] above, the rotation mechanism includes a rotation drive unit, a driven unit that rotatably supports the support frame, and a clutch unit; the driven part is indirectly connected to the rotation drive part by the clutch part, When the rotation drive unit is operating, the support frame is rotated; When the rotation drive unit is stopped, the support frame is configured to be freely rotatable. Cleaning equipment.

[0008] According to the cleaning device having the configuration [1] above, the support frame is rotated horizontally by the rotation mechanism while holding the containers in the cleaning chamber. In other words, the containers rotate horizontally while being held in an upright position with their openings facing the direction of rotation. Then, cleaning water collected by the collection tank is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle toward the openings of the containers rotating in this horizontal direction. This makes it possible to clean more containers than when the containers are held with their openings facing radially outward. In this way, the cleaning device can clean many containers while rotating them without increasing the size.

[0009] According to the cleaning device configured as [2] above, the cleaning nozzle that sprays cleaning water toward the opening of the rotating container is located at least on the side of the support frame. This allows the cleaning water to collide with the opening of the container more efficiently and effectively remove dirt from the container, compared to when cleaning water is sprayed from above the container.

[0010] According to the cleaning device having the configuration [3] above, the container is held in the support frame with the opening surface tilted relative to the radial direction. This increases the angle at which the container faces the cleaning nozzles on the side of the support frame compared to when the opening surface of the container is held in the radial direction, increasing the cleaning power of the collision of cleaning water and allowing the cleaning water to be distributed over the entire opening surface of the container. Furthermore, compared to when the opening surface of the container is held in the support frame with the opening surface aligned in the radial direction, the radial length of the support frame is shorter, and the outer dimensions of the support frame are smaller, allowing the cleaning chamber to be made more compact and space-saving for installation.

[0011] According to the cleaning device having the configuration [4] above, the support frame is configured to hold multiple containers arranged in a substantially circular pattern around the center of rotation, and each container is held in a position where its radially inner end is located forward of an imaginary line connecting the center of rotation and the radially outer end of the other container located forward in the direction of rotation. This reduces the spacing between containers 30 in the direction of rotation (circumferential direction), allowing more containers 30 to be held at one time, even with a support frame of the same size. As a result, more containers can be cleaned at one time, enabling more efficient cleaning.

[0012] According to the cleaning device having the configuration [5] above, the rotation mechanism that rotates the support frame horizontally has a rotation drive unit and a driven unit that is indirectly connected to the rotation drive unit by a clutch unit and rotatably supports the support frame. The rotation drive unit rotates the support frame when it is operating, and allows the support frame to rotate freely when it is stopped. This allows the support frame to rotate freely when holding a container on the support frame before cleaning or when removing a container from the support frame after cleaning, and allows containers to be stored and removed from the cleaning chamber without removing the support frame. This simplifies the work involved in cleaning the containers. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cleaning device that can clean many containers while rotating them, without increasing the size of the device.

[0014] The present invention has been briefly described above. The details of the present invention will become clearer by reading the following detailed description of the invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of the external structure of a cleaning device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing an outline of the internal structure of the cleaning device shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining the support frame. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a top view of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a top view for explaining the upper frame member shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an aspect in which one container is held by the support frame. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an embodiment in which a number of containers are held by a support frame. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a front view for explaining the rotation mechanism. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a top view for explaining the cleaning water supply system including the cleaning section. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a left side view of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] <Embodiment> A washing device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The washing device 1 shown in Fig. 1 is a device that washes, while rotating, a plurality of containers 30 inserted through an opening (not shown) provided in a housing 2. The containers 30 to be washed by the washing device 1 may be tableware such as plates and trays, or cooking utensils such as hotel pans and sheet pans.

[0017] In this example, a sheet pan shown in Fig. 6 is used as the container 30. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 6, the container 30 is a thin-bottomed metal container having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, which has a bottom plate 31 in the shape of a substantially rectangular flat plate having a longitudinal direction, side plates 32 in the shape of a substantially rectangular frame, and flanges 33 that extend outward from the peripheries of the protruding ends of the side plates 32 all the way around. The peripheries of the protruding ends of the side plates 32 define an "opening" of the container 30.

[0018] Hereinafter, the front surfaces of the bottom plate 31, side plate 32, and flange portion 33 of the container 30 may be collectively referred to as the "opening surface" of the container 30, and the back surfaces of the bottom plate 31, side plate 32, and flange portion 33 of the container 30 may be collectively referred to as the "rear surface" of the container 30.

[0019] For ease of explanation, the following definitions are used to refer to the "front-rear direction," "left-right direction," "up-down direction," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "up," and "down" as shown in Figure 1 etc. The "front-rear direction," "left-right direction," and "up-down direction" are perpendicular to each other.

[0020] [Overall configuration of cleaning device 1] First, we will explain the overall configuration of the cleaning device 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the cleaning device 1 has a housing 2 that is generally rectangular and elongated in the vertical direction. Most of the internal space of the housing 2 defines a cleaning chamber R.

[0021] An opening (not shown) for inserting and removing containers 30 into and from the cleaning chamber R is provided at the top of the front wall of the housing 2, and as shown in Fig. 1, the housing 2 has a pair of left and right doors 21, 21 for opening and closing this opening. Corresponding to the doors 21, 21, a pair of left and right door detection sensors 22, 22 for detecting the opening and closing of the doors 21, 21 are provided at the front end of the upper wall of the housing 2. As will be described later, when the door detection sensors 22, 22 detect that the doors 21, 21 are closed, the cleaning device 1 is activated.

[0022] A control unit 23 for controlling the operating state of each unit that needs to be controlled is provided on the right wall of the cleaning device 1. The control unit 23 controls the operating states of, for example, a rotary motor 51, a pump 63, a first solenoid valve 84, and a second solenoid valve 88, which will be described later. In addition, an exhaust pipe 24 for discharging steam from the cleaning chamber R to the outside is provided on the upper wall of the housing 2. The exhaust pipe 24 protrudes upward and penetrates in the vertical direction, and an opening / closing plate (not shown) for opening and closing the upper end opening of the exhaust pipe 24 is provided at the upper end of the exhaust pipe 24. The cleaning device 1 configured in this manner is supported on the floor via a plurality of legs 25 extending downward from the lower wall of the housing 2.

[0023] [Configuration of support frame 40] Next, the support frame 40 will be described. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the support frame 40 functions to hold the container 30 in the cleaning chamber R in a position where the container 30 stands upright with the longitudinal direction of the container 30 aligned along the vertical direction, but is tilted backward in the rotation direction, and the opening surface of the container 30 faces the rotation direction and is inclined relative to a reference radial direction (for example, symbol K).

[0024] 3 and 4, the support frame 40 is a frame-shaped member having an outer shape formed into a substantially cylindrical (columnar) shape extending in the vertical direction, and including an upper frame portion 41 having a circular outer shape, a lower frame portion 42 having the same outer shape (i.e., circular) as the upper frame portion 41, and a connecting portion 43 that connects the upper frame portion 41 and the lower frame portion 42 around the circumferential direction of the upper frame portion 41 and the lower frame portion 42. The axis of the support frame 40 coincides with the center of rotation O.

[0025] As shown in particular in Figure 5, the upper frame portion 41 is composed of an annular outer frame 41a, a central portion 41b located near the rotation center O, and multiple U-shaped frame portions 44 extending from the outer frame 41a to the central portion 41b.

[0026] The U-shaped frame portion 44 is composed of a pair of long portions 44a, 44b extending from the radially outer side toward the radially inner side, and a short portion 44c connecting the radially inner ends of the pair of long portions 44a, 44b. That is, the U-shaped frame portion 44 is formed in a generally U-shape that opens radially outward and extends radially inward. When the container 30 is held, the long portion 44a contacts and supports the back surface of the container 30 (corresponding to a "back surface support portion"; see Figures 6 and 7). A protrusion 45 that protrudes forward in the direction of rotation is provided at the open end of the long portion 44a. The length from the protruding end of this protrusion 45 to the radially outer end of the long portion 44b is the opening width of the U-shaped frame portion 44.

[0027] The opening width of the U-shaped frame portion 44 is formed to be larger than the thickness (height from the bottom plate 31) of the container 30. In addition, in order to hold the container 30, the U-shaped frame portion 44 is formed so that the lengths of the longitudinal portions 44a, 44b are larger than the length of the container 30 in the short direction.

[0028] The multiple U-shaped frame portions 44 each extend radially inward at an angle θ (approximately 40 degrees in this example) relative to a reference radial direction (e.g., reference symbol K passing through the center of the long portion 44b) and are arranged in a substantially circular pattern around the rotation center O. As shown in FIG. 5, the spacing between the multiple U-shaped frame portions 44 is formed so that the short portion 44c is located forward in the rotation direction of an imaginary line L connecting the rotation center O and the outer end of the long portion 44a of another U-shaped frame portion 44 located forward in the rotation direction. This means that when containers 30 are held by each U-shaped frame portion 44 as shown in FIG. 7, the containers 30 are arranged so that the radially inner end of the container 30 held by the support frame 40 is located forward in the rotation direction of an imaginary line L connecting the rotation center O and the radially outer end of the other container 30 located forward in the rotation direction, as shown in FIG. 9. With this configuration, ten U-shaped frame portions 44 are configured in this example.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6-7, the lower frame 42 is provided with a pair of support portions 46 (46a, 46b) extending generally parallel to the longitudinal portions 44a, 44b. The support portion 46 is formed in a generally N-shape rising from the lower frame 42, and the container 30 is inserted between the pair of support portions 46a, 46b (see FIGS. 6-7). When the container 30 is held, the support portion 46a contacts and supports the opening surface at the bottom of the container 30, and the support portion 46b contacts and supports the back surface at the bottom of the container 30 (corresponding to the "lower support portion"; see FIGS. 6-7). The distance between the support portions 46a, 46b is narrower than the distance between the longitudinal portions 44a, 44b, so that the lower portion of the container 30 can be held with minimal rattle, while the middle portion of the upper and lower portions of the container 30 is allowed to rattle to the extent that it leans backward in the rotation direction (the longitudinal portion 44a).

[0030] As long as the support frame 40 has at least a rear support portion and a lower support portion, it can stably hold the containers in an upright position without wobbling. In other words, the support frame 40 only needs to have a rear support portion and a lower support portion as a minimum configuration.

[0031] As shown in Figure 4, in the support frame 40, the support portion 46 is offset forward in the direction of rotation relative to the U-shaped frame portion 44 so that the support portion 46b is positioned forward in the direction of rotation relative to the longitudinal portion 44a. As a result, the container 30 inserted into the U-shaped frame portion 44 is held in the support frame 40 in an upright position while tilted backward in the direction of rotation. Furthermore, the position of the support portion 46a is the same as the longitudinal portion 44b in the direction of rotation, i.e., in a position with no offset. As a result, the container 30 can be inserted smoothly with its opening surface aligned vertically along the longitudinal portion 44b.

[0032] The offset length of the support portion 46 is approximately the same as the protruding length of the protrusion 45. In other words, the container 30 leans against the longitudinal portion 44a on the rear side in the rotation direction by the offset length of the support portion 46. In this leaning state, if the container 30 attempts to be removed from the U-shaped frame portion 44, the side plate 32 of the container 30 interferes with the protrusion 45, preventing the removal. In other words, the protrusion 45 functions to prevent the container 30 from being removed from the U-shaped frame portion 44.

[0033] 3 and 6-7, the connection portion 43 has a pair of connecting rods 43a, 43a extending in the vertical direction and a restricting rod 43b that connects the pair of connecting rods 43a, 43a in the rotational direction. The pair of connecting rods 43a, 43a are arranged to correspond to a pair of long portions 44a, 44b of the U-shaped frame portion 44. Therefore, when the container 30 is held in the support frame 40, if the container 30 attempts to be removed from the U-shaped frame portion 44, it interferes with the restricting rod 43b and restricts the removal. In other words, the restricting rod 43b functions to restrict the container 30 from being removed from the U-shaped frame portion 44.

[0034] The support frame 40 may be formed by assembling wire rods, for example.

[0035] When the container 30 is held by the support frame 40 having the above-described configuration, for example, the container 30 is inserted into the opening of the U-shaped frame portion 44 and between the pair of connecting rods 43a along the extension direction of the pair of longitudinal portions 44a, 44b with the container 30 in an upright position, and the lower part of the container 30 is positioned between the pair of support portions 46a, 46b. Then, the container 30 is tilted backward in the rotation direction while standing upright, and is held by the support frame 40 in an orientation along a direction inclined by angle θ with respect to a reference radial direction (for example, symbol K) while the open surface faces the rotation direction.

[0036] [Configuration of rotation mechanism 50] Next, the rotation mechanism 50 will be described. The rotation mechanism 50 is a mechanism that rotates the support frame 40 in the horizontal direction during a cleaning operation, which will be described later. As shown in Fig. 8, the rotation mechanism 50 is composed of a rotation drive unit 50a and a driven unit 50b that is indirectly connected to the rotation drive unit 50a via a clutch unit 50c.

[0037] 8, the rotary drive unit 50a is composed of a rotary motor 51, a drive shaft 52 extending upward from the rotary motor 51, and a drive-side joint 53 extending horizontally from the upper end of the drive shaft 52. As shown in FIG. 2, the rotary motor 51, drive shaft 52, and drive-side joint 53 that constitute the rotary drive unit 50a are located below and outside the cleaning chamber R.

[0038] The driven part 50b is composed of a turntable 54 that supports the support frame 40, a driven shaft 55 that extends downward from the turntable 54, and a driven-side joint 56 that extends horizontally from the lower end of the driven shaft 55, and a downwardly protruding power-transmitting projection 57 is provided at the free end (radially outer end) of the driven-side joint 56. As shown in FIG. 2, the turntable 54 and most of the driven shaft 55 (upper side) that constitute the driven part 50b are located inside the cleaning chamber R, and a part of the driven shaft 55 (lower side), the driven-side joint 56, and the driven projection 57 that constitute the driven part 50b are located outside and below the cleaning chamber R.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2, a support protrusion 54a protruding upward is provided on the upper end surface of the turntable 54, and the lower supported protrusion 40a provided on the lower frame portion 42 of the support frame 40 is engaged with the support protrusion 54a, thereby causing the follower portion 50b to support the support frame 40.

[0040] Furthermore, the drive shaft 52 and the driven shaft 55 are arranged concentrically and opposed to each other with a clutch portion 50c interposed therebetween. The clutch portion 50c is made up of a drive-side joint 53, a driven-side joint 56, and a power-transmitted protrusion 57 protruding from the tip of the driven joint. A slight gap is formed between the drive-side joint 53 and the driven-side joint 56. The power-transmitted protrusion 57 is long enough to abut against the opposing drive-side joint 53. When the drive-side joint 53 is rotated by the rotary motor 51 in this state, it abuts against the power-transmitted protrusion 57 and continues to press against the power-transmitted protrusion 57, causing the driven-side joint 56 to rotate in the same direction.

[0041] Therefore, when the rotary drive unit 50a is operating (i.e., when the rotary motor 51 is on), the rotary drive force of the rotary motor 51 is transmitted from the drive-side joint 53 to the power-transmitting projection 57 of the driven-side joint 56, causing the turntable 54 to rotate, which in turn causes the support frame 40 to rotate, and the container 30 held by the support frame 40 to also rotate. This allows the container 30 to rotate during the cleaning operation of the cleaning device 1, which will be described later.

[0042] On the other hand, when the rotary drive unit 50a is stopped (i.e., when the rotary motor 51 is off), the drive-side joint 53 is fixed and does not rotate, but the driven-side joint 56 is separated from the drive-side joint 53 and is able to rotate freely. In other words, the turntable 54, i.e., the support frame 40, can be rotated freely until the driven projection 57 abuts against the front side surface of the drive-side joint 53 in the rotational direction or the rear side surface of the drive-side joint 53 in the rotational direction. This allows the operator to insert and hold a container 30 in the support frame 40 or to remove a container 30 from the support frame 40 while rotating the support frame 40 to a position convenient for work before and after operation of the cleaning device 1, which will be described later.

[0043] [Configuration of cleaning water supply system] Next, the wash water supply system will be described. The wash water supply system is a system for spraying wash water used in the main wash step, which will be described later, towards the container 30 that rotates in the wash chamber R. The wash water is produced by mixing water and detergent. A low-foaming detergent that can withstand high temperatures and high concentrations is preferred.

[0044] 2, a cleaning tank 61 (corresponding to a "recovery tank") for storing cleaning water is provided in the lower part of the cleaning chamber R. The upper opening of the cleaning tank 61 is covered with a pair of flat tank strainers (not shown) made of, for example, a mesh (a mesh with many fine through-holes).

[0045] In the cleaning room R, the cleaning water used in the main cleaning step falls onto the tank strainer. The cleaning water that has moved onto the tank strainer is collected in the cleaning tank 61 through the mesh of the tank strainer. Foreign matter and the like (including dirt and the like that has adhered to the container 30) contained in the cleaning water that has moved onto the tank strainer is captured by the tank strainer. As a result, the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 61 is kept in a good condition with little dirt and able to fully exert its cleaning action. The cleaning water stored in the cleaning tank 61 is heated by a predetermined means and maintained at a high temperature of 60°C to 90°C. The cleaning water may be heated by a heater such as a steam heater or an electric heater, or by a water heater provided inside or outside the cleaning device 1.

[0046] A drain outlet 61a is provided in the cleaning tank 61 (see FIG. 2). Cleaning water stored in the cleaning tank 61 is drained through the drain outlet 61a at predetermined times.

[0047] 2, the cleaning tank 61 is connected to the suction side of a pump 63 via piping 62 at the lower outside of the cleaning chamber R. The discharge side of the pump 63 is connected via piping 64 to each of the header pipes 65, 66 located inside the cleaning chamber R. Thus, the pump 63 draws in high-temperature cleaning water stored in the cleaning tank 61 and discharges it toward each of the header pipes 65, 66 at a predetermined discharge pressure.

[0048] The header pipe 65 is arranged on the left side of the turntable 54, extending in the front-to-rear direction, and the center of the header pipe 65 is located on the left side of the rotation center O of the turntable 54. The header pipe 65 serves to supply high-temperature cleaning water to multiple main cleaning pipes 71 (main cleaning water jet nozzles 72, see Figure 10, etc.) used in the main cleaning process and to upper cleaning pipes 73 (upper cleaning water jet nozzles 74, see Figure 10, etc.).

[0049] The header pipe 65 has multiple (four in this example) downward-opening insertion ports (not shown) formed at equal intervals in the front-to-rear direction around the center, and the upper ends of main flushing pipes 71 (71a to 71d) extending in the vertical direction are inserted into and connected to each of these insertion ports. The main flushing pipes 71 are cylindrical pipes that extend in the vertical direction and are open at the top and closed at the bottom.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 9 or 10, the main washing pipe 71a is provided with main washing water jetting nozzles 72a that open diagonally rearward to the right at multiple locations (seven locations in this example) in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 9 or 10, the main washing pipe 71b is provided with main washing water jetting nozzles 72b that open to the right at multiple positions (seven positions in this example) in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 9 or 10, the main washing pipe 71c is provided with main washing water jetting nozzles 72b that open to the right at multiple positions (seven positions in this example) in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 9 or 10, the main washing pipe 71b is provided with main washing water jetting nozzles 72b that open diagonally forward to the right at multiple locations (seven locations in this example) in the vertical direction.

[0051] The header pipe 65 is also formed with an insertion port (not shown) that opens to the right at one location in the front-to-rear direction, and the left end of an upper cleaning pipe 73 that extends in the left-to-right direction is inserted into and connected to this insertion port. The upper cleaning pipe 73 is a cylindrical pipe that extends in the left-to-right direction and is open at its left end and closed at its right end.

[0052] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the upper cleaning pipe 73 is provided with first upper cleaning water jetting nozzles 74a that open diagonally downward and forward and second upper cleaning water jetting nozzles 74b that open diagonally downward and backward, arranged alternately at multiple locations (six locations in this example) in the left-right direction.

[0053] The header pipe 66 serves to supply high-temperature washing water to a lower washing pipe 75 (lower washing water jet nozzle 76, see FIG. 10, etc.) used in the main washing step.

[0054] The header pipe 66 is formed with an insertion port (not shown) that opens to the right, and the left end of a lower cleaning pipe 75 that extends in the left-right direction is inserted into and connected to this insertion port. The lower cleaning pipe 75 is a cylindrical pipe that extends in the left-right direction and is open at the left end and closed at the right end.

[0055] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the lower cleaning pipe 75 is provided with first lower cleaning water spray nozzles 76a that open diagonally upward and forward and second lower cleaning water spray nozzles 76b that open diagonally upward and backward, arranged alternately at multiple locations (six locations in this example) in the left-right direction.

[0056] The main cleaning water jet nozzle 72 of the main cleaning pipe 71 is located in the left region of the cleaning chamber R, and the upper cleaning water jet nozzle 74 is provided in the right region of the cleaning chamber R to avoid interference with the cleaning water jetted from the main cleaning water jet nozzle 72. Furthermore, the lower cleaning water jet nozzle 76 is provided in the left region of the lower cleaning pipe 75 so as to be located in the left region of the cleaning chamber R to avoid interference of the force of the cleaning water jetted from the lower cleaning water jet nozzle 76 with the cleaning water jetted from the upper cleaning water jet nozzle 74. Because the container 30 is slightly tilted backward in the direction of rotation, the cleaning water jetted from the lower cleaning water jet nozzle 76 often hits the back side of the container 30, and there is little interference with the cleaning water jetted from the main cleaning water jet nozzle 72.

[0057] In the configuration described above, cleaning water pumped from the pump 63 flows into each header pipe 65, 66 via piping 64. The cleaning water that flows into the header pipe 65 branches into the main cleaning pipes 71a to 71d and the upper cleaning pipe 73.

[0058] As shown in Figure 9, the wash water branched into the main wash pipes 71a to 71c is sprayed from main wash water jet nozzles 72a to 72c located on the left side of the rotating container 30, mainly toward the opening surface of the container 30 that is approaching (or passing in front of) the main wash water jet nozzles 72a to 72c. At this time, the wash water is sprayed from the main wash water jet nozzle 72a diagonally rearward to the right, mainly toward the front (radially outer) region of the opening surface of the container 30. Furthermore, the wash water is sprayed from the main wash water jet nozzle 72b mainly toward the central region of the opening surface of the container 30, mainly toward the right. Furthermore, the wash water is sprayed from the main wash water jet nozzle 72c mainly toward the far side (radially inner) region of the opening surface of the container 30, mainly toward the right.

[0059] Similarly, the cleaning water branched into the main cleaning pipe 71d is sprayed from the main cleaning water jetting nozzle 72d located on the left side of the rotating container 30, mainly toward the back surface of the container 30 that has passed in front of the main cleaning water jetting nozzle 72d, at the discharge pressure of the pump 63. At this time, cleaning water is sprayed from the main cleaning water jetting nozzle 72d mainly toward the back surface of the container 30, diagonally forward to the right.

[0060] Similarly, the cleaning water branched into the upper cleaning pipe 73 is sprayed toward the container 30 from an upper cleaning water spray nozzle 74 located above the rotating container 30. The cleaning water sprayed from the upper cleaning water spray nozzle 74 may be sprayed directly at the discharge pressure of the pump 63, or may be sprayed at a pressure reduced from the discharge pressure of the pump 63 by providing a pressure reducing means (such as a pressure reducing valve) in the header pipe 65 or the upper cleaning pipe 73.

[0061] Furthermore, the cleaning water that has flowed into the header pipe 66 flows into the lower cleaning pipe 75 and is sprayed towards the container 30 from a lower cleaning water spray nozzle 76 located below the rotating container 30. For example, by providing a pressure reducing means (such as a pressure reducing valve) in the header pipe 66 or the lower cleaning pipe 75, the cleaning water sprayed from the lower cleaning water spray nozzle 76 may be sprayed at a pressure reduced by the pressure reducing means from the discharge pressure of the pump 63.

[0062] When cleaning of the container 30 is completed, the pump 63 stops and the pumping of cleaning water is stopped. Cleaning water remaining in each main cleaning pipe 71, upper cleaning pipe 73, and lower cleaning pipe 75 is discharged from the main cleaning water jet nozzle 72, upper cleaning water jet nozzle 74, and lower cleaning water jet nozzle 76, respectively. Cleaning water remaining inside each header pipe 65, 66 flows into the piping 64 and is discharged into the cleaning tank 61 via the pump 63.

[0063] As explained above, the cleaning water supply system is made up of the cleaning tank 61, the pump 63, and the header pipes 65, 66. The cleaning water supply system has been explained above.

[0064] [Finishing water supply system configuration] Next, the finishing water supply system will be described. The finishing water supply system is a system for spraying water used in the finishing cleaning process toward the rotating container 30 in the cleaning chamber R, and a system for supplying water into the cleaning tank 61.

[0065] As shown in Fig. 2, a water supply port 81 is provided on the right wall of the housing 2. The water supply port 81 is connected to a water supplier (a waterworks pipe or the like, not shown) located outside the cleaning device 1, and water (tap water at room temperature) is supplied to the water supply port 81 from the water supplier. The water supply port 81 branches into a pipe 82 and a pipe 85 in a space separate from the cleaning chamber R. The destination of the room-temperature water supplied from the water supply port 81 is switched by opening and closing a first solenoid valve 84 provided midway along the pipe 82 and a second solenoid valve 88 provided midway along the pipe 85.

[0066] The branched pipe 82 extends downward and is connected to a supply port 83 arranged facing the inside of the cleaning tank 61 in the cleaning chamber R. Water at room temperature supplied from the water supply port 81 is supplied into the cleaning tank 61 via the supply port 83. The amount (flow rate) of water supplied from the supply port 83 to the cleaning tank 61 can be adjusted by controlling a first solenoid valve 84.

[0067] The branched piping 85 extends upward and is connected to a finish cleaning pipe 86 located inside the cleaning chamber R. Room temperature water supplied from the water supply port 81 is supplied to the finish cleaning pipe 86 via the piping 85.

[0068] The left end of the finish cleaning pipe 86 is connected to the piping 85 on the outside right side of the cleaning chamber R. The finish cleaning pipe 86 is a cylindrical pipe that extends in the left-right direction in the upper part of the cleaning chamber R, and is open at the right end and closed at the left end. The finish cleaning pipe 86 is provided with finish cleaning water jet nozzles 87 that open downward at multiple positions in the left-right direction (six positions in this example).

[0069] The room temperature water supplied to the finishing washing pipe 86 is sprayed downward toward the container 30 from a finishing washing water spray nozzle 87 located above the rotating container 30 in the washing chamber R.

[0070] As described above, the finishing water supply system is made up of the water supply port 81, the supply port 83, and the finishing washing water jet nozzle 87. The water supply system has been described above.

[0071] [Operation of cleaning device 1] Next, we will explain the operation of the cleaning device 1 configured as above. Throughout the operation of the cleaning device 1, the operating states of the rotary motor 51, the pump 63, the first solenoid valve 84, and the second solenoid valve 88 are appropriately adjusted automatically by the control unit 23 or manually by an operator.

[0072] An operator near the opening of the cleaning device 1 holds the containers 30 on the support frame 40 in the cleaning chamber R. At this time, the operator manually rotates the support frame 40 to sequentially hold the containers 30 on the support frame 40.

[0073] As a result, the multiple containers 30 are held by the support frame 40 so that they are arranged in a substantially circular shape around the rotation center O, with each container 30 standing upright but tilted backward in the rotation direction, and with the open faces of the containers 30 facing the rotation direction and aligned in a direction inclined by angle θ with respect to a reference radial direction (for example, symbol K). In this state, the radially inner end of each container 30 is located forward in the rotation direction of an imaginary line L that connects the rotation center O and the radially outer end of another container 30 located forward in the rotation direction (see FIG. 9).

[0074] After all of the containers 30 are held by the support frame 40, the doors 21, 21 are closed, and the door detection sensors 22, 22 detect that the doors 21, 21 have been closed, and the cleaning device 1 becomes operable.

[0075] This starts preparation for operation of the cleaning device 1, and first the first solenoid valve 84 is opened to start supplying water to the cleaning tank 61. Next, when water supply to the cleaning tank 61 has reached a predetermined water level as detected by a water level detection means or timer (not shown), the first solenoid valve is closed. Next, the cleaning water stored in the cleaning tank 61 is heated by a predetermined means. When this cleaning water reaches a predetermined temperature (60°C to 90°C), heating is stopped, and thus preparation for operation is completed.

[0076] When the preparation for operation is complete, the rotary motor 51 is switched on, and the pump 63 is also switched on to start the cleaning operation of the cleaning device 1. First, the main cleaning process is started, and the container 30 held as described above is cleaned with cleaning water sprayed from the main cleaning pipe 71, the upper cleaning pipe 73, and the lower cleaning pipe 75 for 5 to 8 minutes while rotating horizontally in the cleaning chamber R.

[0077] In the main washing step, high-temperature washing water is sprayed from main washing water jetting nozzles 72a to 72c located on the left side of the washing chamber R toward the opening face of the container 30 at the discharge pressure of the pump 63, and is also sprayed from main washing water jetting nozzle 72d located on the left side of the washing chamber R toward the back face of the container 30 at the discharge pressure of the pump 63. Similarly, high-temperature washing water is sprayed from upper washing water jetting nozzle 74 located on the upper right of the washing chamber R toward the container 30, and is also sprayed from lower washing water jetting nozzle 76 located on the lower left of the washing chamber R toward the container 30.

[0078] From the main cleaning water jetting nozzle 72a, cleaning water is jetted mainly toward the front side (radially outer side) area of ​​the opening surface of the container 30, from the main cleaning water jetting nozzle 72b, cleaning water is jetted mainly toward the central side area of ​​the opening surface of the container 30, and from the main cleaning water jetting nozzle 72c, cleaning water is jetted mainly toward the back side (radially inner side) area of ​​the opening surface of the container 30. This allows cleaning water to spread over the entire area of ​​the opening surface of the container 30.

[0079] Furthermore, from the main cleaning water jetting nozzle 72d, cleaning water is jetted mainly toward the back surface of the container 30. In addition, from the upper cleaning water jetting nozzle 74 and the lower cleaning water jetting nozzle 76, cleaning water is jetted from above and below toward the container 30, respectively. This allows cleaning water to spread over the entire back surface of the container 30.

[0080] As a result, the cleaning water spreads over the entire surface of each container 30, including the open surface and back surface, and dirt adhering to each container 30 can be washed over the entire surface of the container 30. After being used to clean the containers 30, the cleaning water sprayed in the main cleaning process is collected in the cleaning tank 61 and used again to be sprayed from each cleaning water spray nozzle.

[0081] In this way, in the main cleaning process, high-temperature, high-pressure cleaning water is sprayed onto the container 30 with strong impact force for 5 to 8 minutes, thereby washing away dirt from the container 30. When a predetermined time (5 to 8 minutes) has elapsed since the start of the main cleaning process, the main cleaning process ends and the pump 63 is turned off.

[0082] Subsequently, when the main washing step is completed, the second electromagnetic valve 88 is opened and a finishing washing step lasting from 1 to 3 minutes is started.

[0083] In the finish cleaning step, room temperature water is sprayed toward the container 30 from a finish cleaning water spray nozzle 87 located above the container 30. This washes away any cleaning water remaining on the surface of the container 30 after the main cleaning step, completing the cleaning operation of the container 30 by the cleaning device 1. The water sprayed in the finish cleaning step is used to clean the container 30, and then flows into the cleaning tank 61. For this reason, for example, during the finish cleaning step, the cleaning water stored in the cleaning tank 61 may be heated by a predetermined means.

[0084] When a predetermined time (1 to 3 minutes) has elapsed since the start of the finish cleaning process, the finish cleaning process ends, the second electromagnetic valve 88 is closed, and the rotary motor 51 is switched off, thereby ending the cleaning operation of the cleaning device 1.

[0085] When the cleaning operation of the cleaning device 1 is completed, the operation of the cleaning device 1 is also completed, and the worker opens the doors 21, 21 and removes the containers 30 from the opening of the housing 2. At this time, the worker manually rotates the support frame 40 while sequentially removing the containers 30 from the support frame 40. The operation of the cleaning device 1 has been described above.

[0086] [Actions and Effects] According to the cleaning device 1 of this embodiment, the multiple containers 30 are held by the support frame 40 so that they stand upright and are arranged in a substantially circular shape around the center of rotation O, with the open faces of the containers 30 facing the direction of rotation. This allows many containers 30 to be cleaned in one cleaning operation without increasing the size of the cleaning device 1.

[0087] Furthermore, according to the cleaning device 1 of this embodiment, the opening surface of the container 30 is held in a position along a direction inclined at an angle θ with respect to a reference radial direction (for example, symbol K). As a result, compared to when the opening surface of the container 30 is held in a position along the radial direction, the angle at which the container 30 faces the main cleaning water jetting nozzle 72a is larger, which not only increases the cleaning power due to the collision of the cleaning water but also makes it possible to spread the cleaning water over the entire opening surface of the container 30. Furthermore, compared to when the opening surface of the container 30 is held in the support frame in a position along the radial direction, the radial length of the support frame 40 is shorter and the outer shape of the support frame 40 is smaller, which makes it possible to make the cleaning chamber R more compact and install it in a space-saving manner.

[0088] Furthermore, according to the cleaning device 1 of this embodiment, the support frame 40 is arranged with the support portion 46 offset forward in the direction of rotation relative to the U-shaped frame portion 44 so that the support portion 46a is located forward in the direction of rotation relative to the longitudinal portion 44a. As a result, the container 30 is held in the support frame 40 in a position where it stands upright vertically but is tilted backward in the direction of rotation. As a result, compared to when the container is held in the support frame 40 in a position where it stands upright in the vertical direction, the opening surface of the container 30 faces the main cleaning water spray nozzles 72a to 72c, so cleaning water can be efficiently impinged against the opening surface of the container, effectively removing dirt from the container.

[0089] Furthermore, in the cleaning device 1 according to this embodiment, a protrusion 45 that protrudes forward in the direction of rotation is provided on the inside of the open end of the longitudinal portion 44a of each U-shaped frame portion 44, and further, a restricting rod 43b is provided on each of the pair of connecting rods 43a. Each of the multiple containers 30 is held by the support frame 40 in a position that stands upright but is tilted backward in the direction of rotation. As a result, even if a container 30 attempts to detach from the U-shaped frame portion 44, at least one of the restricting rod 43b and the protrusion 45 interferes with the container 30, allowing the support frame 40 to more appropriately hold the multiple containers 30.

[0090] Furthermore, according to the cleaning device 1 of this embodiment, the main cleaning water jetting nozzle 72a jets cleaning water mainly toward the front (radially outer) region of the opening surface of the container 30, the main cleaning water jetting nozzle 72b jets cleaning water mainly toward the central region of the opening surface of the container 30, and the main cleaning water jetting nozzle 72c jets cleaning water mainly toward the rear (radially inner) region of the opening surface of the container 30. This allows cleaning water to spread over the entire opening surface of the container 30. Furthermore, the main cleaning water jetting nozzle 72d jets cleaning water mainly toward the back surface of the container 30. In addition, the upper cleaning water jetting nozzle 74 and the lower cleaning water jetting nozzle 76 jet cleaning water from above and below the container 30, respectively. This allows cleaning water to spread over the entire back surface of the container 30. As a result, cleaning water spreads over the entire surface of each container 30, including the opening surface and back surface, and dirt adhering to each container 30 can be cleaned over the entire surface of the container 30. That is, while rotating many containers 30, each container 30 can be properly cleaned in its entirety.

[0091] Furthermore, according to the cleaning device 1 of this embodiment, the rotational driving force of the rotary motor 51 is transmitted from the driving-side joint 53 to the power-transmitted protrusion 57 of the driven-side joint 56 to rotate the turntable 54. This allows the turntable 54, i.e., the support frame 40, to rotate freely when the rotary motor 51 is off. This allows the support frame 40 to rotate freely when holding the container 30 on the support frame 40 before cleaning or when removing the container 30 from the support frame 40 after cleaning, making it possible to take the container 30 in and out of the cleaning chamber R without removing the support frame 40. As a result, the work involved in cleaning the container 30 is facilitated.

[0092] <Other forms> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified, improved, etc. Furthermore, the material, shape, size, number, location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary and not limited as long as they can achieve the present invention.

[0093] Here, the features of the above-described embodiments of the cleaning device according to the present invention will be briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [5]. [1] A cleaning chamber (e.g., R) equipped with an opening / closing door (e.g., 21) for opening and closing an opening; A recovery tank (e.g., 61) provided at the bottom of the cleaning chamber for recovering cleaning water from the cleaning chamber; A cleaning device (e.g., 1) including a cleaning unit (e.g., 71 to 76) that sprays cleaning water from the recovery tank into the cleaning chamber, A support frame (e.g., 40) for holding a container (e.g., 30) in an upright position with its opening surface aligned vertically in the cleaning chamber; Further provided with a rotation mechanism (e.g., 50) that rotates the support frame in a horizontal direction, the support frame holds the container in a position where the opening surface of the container faces a rotation direction, The cleaning unit has a cleaning nozzle (e.g., 71) that sprays cleaning water toward the opening surface of the rotating container. Cleaning equipment. [2] In the cleaning device described in [1] above, The cleaning nozzle is disposed at least to the side of the support frame. Cleaning equipment. [3] In the cleaning device according to the above [1] or [2], The container comprises: The opening surface is configured to be held by the support frame in a position along a direction inclined with respect to a radial direction. Cleaning equipment. [4] In the cleaning device according to any one of [1] to [3] above, The support frame includes: The device is configured to hold a plurality of the containers arranged in a substantially circular shape around a rotation center (e.g., O), and is configured to hold the containers in an orientation in which the radially inner end of one of the containers is located forward in the rotation direction of a virtual line (e.g., L) connecting the rotation center and the radially outer end of another container located forward in the rotation direction. Cleaning equipment. [5] In the cleaning device according to any one of [1] to [4] above, The rotation mechanism includes a rotation drive unit (e.g., 50a, 51 to 53), a driven unit (e.g., 50b, 54 to 57) that rotatably supports the support frame, and a clutch unit (e.g., 50c, 53, 56, 57), the driven part is indirectly connected to the rotation drive part by the clutch part, When the rotation drive unit is operating, the support frame is rotated; When the rotation drive unit is stopped, the support frame is configured to be freely rotatable. Cleaning equipment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1 Cleaning equipment 2. Case 21 Opening and closing doors 30 containers 40 Support Frame 44 U-shaped frame section 44a Long section 45 protrusion 46 Support part 46a Support part 50 Rotation mechanism 50a Rotation drive unit 50b Driven part 50c clutch part 61 Cleaning Tank 72 Main washing water injection nozzle 81 Water supply outlet L Imaginary line O Center of rotation R Cleaning Room

Claims

1. a cleaning chamber equipped with an opening / closing door for opening and closing an opening; a recovery tank provided at a lower portion of the cleaning chamber for recovering cleaning water from the cleaning chamber; a cleaning unit that sprays cleaning water from the recovery tank into the cleaning chamber, a support frame for holding a container in an upright position with its opening surface aligned vertically in the cleaning chamber; a rotation mechanism that rotates the support frame in a horizontal direction, the support frame holds the container in a position where the opening surface of the container faces a rotation direction, The cleaning unit has a cleaning nozzle that sprays cleaning water toward the opening surface of the rotating container. Cleaning equipment.

2. 2. The cleaning device according to claim 1, The cleaning nozzle is disposed at least to the side of the support frame. Cleaning equipment.

3. 2. The cleaning device according to claim 1, The container comprises: The opening surface is configured to be held by the support frame in a position along a direction inclined with respect to a radial direction. Cleaning equipment.

4. 2. The cleaning device according to claim 1, The support frame includes: The device is configured to hold a plurality of the containers arranged in a substantially circular shape around a rotation center, and is configured to hold the containers in an orientation in which a radially inner end of one of the containers is located forward in the rotation direction of an imaginary line connecting the rotation center and a radially outer end of another container located forward in the rotation direction. Cleaning equipment.

5. 2. The cleaning device according to claim 1, the rotation mechanism includes a rotation drive unit, a driven unit that rotatably supports the support frame, and a clutch unit; the driven part is indirectly connected to the rotation drive part by the clutch part, When the rotation drive unit is operating, the support frame is rotated; When the rotation drive unit is stopped, the support frame is configured to be freely rotatable. Cleaning equipment.

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