How to clean the container

Abstract

To provide a new washing method capable of achieving both the reduction of an amount of water used for washing and washing effect.SOLUTION: A method for washing container has a synchronous washing step for performing washing by matching an outlet for gas-liquid mixed fluid with a position of a mouth of a container 2 in an internal washing section of the container 2 conveyed with a handstand, and a return washing step for performing washing by shifting the fluid outlet from the position of the mouth of the container 2. In the method for washing the container 2, the synchronous washing step is to move the outlet for the gas-liquid mixed fluid in synchronization with the conveyance of the container 2 while matching the outlet for the gas-liquid mixed fluid with the position of the mouth of the container 2, and the return washing step for performing washing is to move the fluid outlet to return to a reference position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for cleaning containers, in which containers such as bottles filled with beverages or the like are continuously conveyed and cleaned. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, a cleaning device is known which stores bottles in a holder (also called a bottle cage), transports the holder on a carrier, and cleans used bottles by immersing them in warm water or a chemical solution and cleaning them with a cleaning solution.

[0003] In this type of cleaning device (also known as a bottle washer), multiple internal cleaning sections are provided for cleaning the inside of bottles, and in each internal cleaning section, the inside of the bottle is cleaned by ejecting a line of fluid from a nozzle toward the inside of the bottle.

[0004] In each internal washing section, multiple nozzles are arranged in the bottle conveying direction, and each bottle is washed in turn by the fluid discharged from each nozzle. For example, if there are 10 rows of nozzles arranged in the bottle conveying direction, 10 washings are performed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-51939 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] A large amount of water is used in the above-mentioned internal cleaning, and there is a demand to reduce the amount of water used from environmental and cost perspectives.

[0007] Furthermore, there was a need to efficiently clean not only the inside of the container but also the outside of the container.

[0008] In view of the above problems, the present invention proposes a novel cleaning method that can achieve both a reduction in the amount of water used for cleaning and an effective cleaning effect. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The problem to be solved by the present invention has been described above, and the means for solving this problem will now be described.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, In the internal cleaning section of containers transported upside down a synchronous cleaning process in which a nozzle for blowing the gas-liquid mixture is aligned with the position of the mouth of the container for cleaning; a return cleaning process in which the fluid outlet is shifted from the position of the mouth of the container and cleaned; having The synchronous cleaning step is a step of moving an outlet of the gas-liquid mixture fluid in synchronization with the transport of the container while aligning the outlet with the position of the container mouth, The return cleaning step is a method for cleaning a container, in which the fluid outlet is moved back to a reference position.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, The synchronous cleaning step is a step of moving from the upstream side to the downstream side in synchronization with the transport of the container, The return cleaning step is to move the outlet of the fluid that has moved downstream to a reference position on the upstream side.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, The synchronous cleaning step and the return cleaning step are repeated, Cleaning will be performed on containers that are transported continuously.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, In the return washing step, the outer surface of the container is washed by misaligning the container and the blowing outlet.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, the gas-liquid mixed fluid is discharged so as to be sprayed against the inner wall of the container from multiple directions.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, In the synchronous cleaning process, the gas-liquid mixed fluid is The liquid is ejected in a direction toward the center of the bottom of the container, and in a direction toward a plurality of positions on a concentric circle on the bottom of the container with respect to the center of the bottom.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, The container is stored in a holder and transported.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, The liquid used in the internal washing section is to be caustic water containing caustic soda or rinsing water without caustic soda.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, The maximum diameter of the upper surface of the nozzle where the blowing outlet is formed is smaller than the inner diameter of the container mouth. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view of a portion of a container cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a carrier as viewed from the direction of an arrow Y1 in the internal cleaning area of ​​FIG. 1. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a first jet type cleaning device. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a second jet type cleaning device. [Diagram 5]13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating the operation of a nozzle carrier in the third jet type cleaning device. [Figure 6] 1A is a schematic diagram for explaining the state in the synchronous cleaning step, and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram for explaining the state in the return cleaning step. [Figure 7] 1A is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the diameter of the container mouth and the upper surface of the nozzle, etc. FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram for explaining the position at the bottom of the container where the fluid reaches. [Figure 8] 1A is a diagram for explaining cleaning of the outer surface of a container, and FIG. 1B is a diagram for explaining cleaning of the outer surface of a container. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a container cleaning device 1. The container cleaning device 1 is configured to continuously transport glass containers 2 (bottles) in a transport direction F1 while cleaning them with a cleaning liquid such as water or a chemical solution.

[0021] In addition, containers to be cleaned may include glass bottles, as well as plastic bottles such as PET bottles and cans.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the container cleaning apparatus 1 has a configuration including a pre-washing area A, a first tank B1 to a sixth tank B6, inner cleaning areas C1 and C2, and a rinsing area D, in that order.

[0023] 2 shows the configuration of the carrier 4 as viewed from the direction of the arrow Y1 in the internal cleaning area C1 in FIG. 1, and multiple holders 3 are attached along the longitudinal direction of multiple long carriers 4. Both ends of each carrier 4 are connected to a carrier chain 5, and each carrier 4 moves in a transport direction F1 by being driven by the carrier chain 5.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 2, insertion holes 4a are formed at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of each carrier 4, and a holder 3 is inserted into each insertion hole 4a to be attached. As shown in Fig. 6(A), the holder 3 is a cylindrical member that is perforated from top to bottom, and the container mouth 2a is supported by a rib 3a protruding from the inner wall of the lower part. Fig. 2 shows a state in which the holder 3 and the container 2 are partially omitted.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, in the pre-washing area A, the inside and outside of a container 2 are washed with liquid sprayed from a nozzle (not shown).

[0026] In the first tank B1 to the sixth tank B6, the container 2 is repeatedly immersed in warm water or a heated chemical solution and washed. For example, caustic water containing caustic soda (aqueous sodium hydroxide solution) is used as the chemical solution.

[0027] A first jet type cleaning device 11 is disposed in the internal cleaning area C1 between the fourth tank B4 and the fifth tank B5. A second jet type cleaning device 12 is disposed in the internal cleaning area C2 between the fifth tank B5 and the sixth tank B6. A third jet type cleaning device 13 is disposed in the rinsing area D. In the internal cleaning areas C1 and C2, cleaning is performed using caustic water containing caustic soda, and in the rinsing area D, rinsing is performed using water.

[0028] 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the first jet type cleaning device 11. The second jet type cleaning device 12 (FIG. 1) can also have a similar configuration. In addition, this schematic diagram also shows the arrival position of the liquid as viewed from above to show the spray direction of each nozzle.

[0029] The jet type cleaning device 11 is provided with a first jet nozzle 21 to an eighth jet nozzle 28 for cleaning the inside of the container 2. The jet nozzles 21 to 28 are arranged at intervals equal to the intervals between the holders 3 in the transport direction F1 of the container 2, and are also arranged at intervals equal to the intervals between the holders 3 in the depth direction D (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 3) as shown in FIG. 2.

[0030] 3, the jet nozzles 21 to 28 are attached to a nozzle carrier 51. The nozzle carrier 51 is configured to move in parallel to the upstream side and downstream side in the transport direction F1 by a drive mechanism (not shown).

[0031] 3, the first jet nozzle 21 to the sixth jet nozzle 26 are designed so that their jet directions are inclined from the vertical direction and so that they spray a linear liquid (caustic water containing caustic soda) toward the inner wall of the container 2. The section washed by the first jet nozzle 21 to the sixth jet nozzle 26 is designated as the pre-washing section K1.

[0032] 3, the first jet nozzle 21 to the sixth jet nozzle 26 are configured such that their jet directions are offset by 60 degrees each in a plan view. Specifically, the first jet nozzle 21 and the second jet nozzle 22 are offset by 60 degrees in the counterclockwise direction, and the third jet nozzle 23 is further offset by 60 degrees in the counterclockwise direction from the second jet nozzle 22. Similarly, the first jet nozzle 21 and the sixth jet nozzle 26 are offset by 300 degrees in the counterclockwise direction.

[0033] 3, the seventh jet nozzle 27 and the eighth jet nozzle 28 are designed to have a vertical jet direction, so that a gas-liquid mixed fluid (gas-liquid mixed fluid) is jetted toward the bottom of the container 2. The section cleaned by the seventh jet nozzle 27 and the eighth jet nozzle 28 is set as the post-cleaning section K2.

[0034] Here, the gas-liquid mixture fluid is a gas-liquid mixture fluid obtained by mixing a liquid (caustic water containing caustic soda) with a gas, and the liquid is atomized by the gas flow and ejected.

[0035] It is preferable to provide a narrowed section (orifice) in the nozzle body of each injection nozzle or in the liquid passage of the piping leading to the nozzle body, and to provide an air passage that opens downstream of the narrowed section and leads to the outside, thereby sucking in surrounding air due to the negative pressure of the flow rate when the liquid flows through the narrowed section of the liquid passage, and creating a gas-liquid mixed fluid in which the liquid and air are mixed.

[0036] Also, for example, the flow rate (L / min) per unit time of the liquid portion of the gas-liquid mixture fluid is 0.5 (L / min) to 15 (L / min), preferably 1 L / min or more, and the preferred upper limit is 10 L / min or less. Also, for example, it is preferable that the flow rate per unit time (L / min) of the liquid portion of the gas-liquid mixture fluid has the following relationship with the volume (L) of the bottle to be washed: Flow rate of the liquid portion (L / min)÷container volume (L)=3 to 55, with a preferred lower limit of 5 or more and a preferred upper limit of 50 or less and 45 or less. The container volume here refers to the volume when the container is filled up to the mouth. For example, the time for the synchronous cleaning step can be 1 second or more, preferably 1.5 seconds or more, 2 seconds or more, and the upper limit can be 10 seconds or less, further 5 seconds or less, or 3 seconds or less.

[0037] The seventh injection nozzle 27 and the eighth injection nozzle 28 may have one nozzle hole or multiple nozzle holes. The nozzle holes may be angled so that the injection direction is tilted from the vertical direction.

[0038] The fluid ejection hole of the gas-liquid mixture fluid outlet may have one hole toward the center of the bottle bottom and multiple holes (eg, 2 to 5 holes) inclined outward toward the inner wall of the bottle bottom.

[0039] The angle of inclination from the vertical direction is 3 degrees to 10 degrees, with a preferred lower limit of 4 degrees, and more preferably 5 degrees. A preferred upper limit is 8 degrees, and even more preferably 6 degrees or less. If the outwardly inclined holes are provided on the inclined part of the outlet, they are not affected by the liquid flowing down from the container mouth, which is preferable.

[0040] The hole of the blowing port may have a diameter of 1 to 5 mm.

[0041] The fluid outlet is preferably located 5 to 50 mm away from the container mouth.

[0042] The outlet for the gas-liquid mixture is preferably smaller than the inner diameter of the container mouth, so that the outlet for the gas-liquid mixture does not come into contact with the liquid flowing down from the container mouth and does not hinder the projection of the gas-liquid mixture.

[0043] In the seventh jet nozzle 27 and the eighth jet nozzle 28, the inside of the container 2 is cleaned with the liquid atomized by the two fluids, thereby performing a different type of cleaning from the cleaning with the liquid of the upstream first jet nozzle 21 to the sixth jet nozzle 26. In other words, by using a different type of cleaning, it becomes possible to clean areas that could not be sufficiently cleaned by the upstream first jet nozzle 21 to the sixth jet nozzle 26 and to remove dirt that could not be removed, and a high cleaning effect can be expected.

[0044] 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the third jet type cleaning device 13 arranged in the rinsing area D (FIG. 1). In this schematic diagram, the arrival position of the liquid as viewed from above is also shown to show the jetting direction of each nozzle.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 4, the third jet type cleaning device 13 is provided with a first jet nozzle 31 to a tenth jet nozzle 40 for cleaning the inside of the container 2. The jet nozzles 31 to 40 are arranged at intervals equal to the intervals between the holders 3 in the transport direction F1 of the container 2, and are also arranged at intervals equal to the intervals between the holders 3 in the depth direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of Fig. 3). The configuration of the jet nozzles 31 to 40 can be the same as that employed in the first jet type cleaning device 12 described above.

[0046] 4, the jet nozzles 31 to 40 are attached to a nozzle carrier 53. The nozzle carrier 53 is configured to move in parallel to the upstream side and downstream side in the transport direction F1 by a drive mechanism (not shown).

[0047] As shown in FIG. 4, the first spray nozzle 31 to the sixth spray nozzle 36 are designed so that their spray directions are inclined from the vertical direction and so that a linear spray of liquid (rinse water) is ejected toward the inner wall of the container 2.

[0048] 4, the first jet nozzle 31 to the sixth jet nozzle 36 are configured such that their jet directions are offset by 60 degrees each in a plan view. Specifically, the first jet nozzle 31 and the second jet nozzle 32 are offset by 60 degrees in the counterclockwise direction, and the third jet nozzle 33 is further offset by 60 degrees in the counterclockwise direction from the second jet nozzle 32. Similarly, the first jet nozzle 31 and the sixth jet nozzle 36 are offset by 300 degrees in the counterclockwise direction.

[0049] 4, the seventh jet nozzle 37 and the eighth jet nozzle 38 have nozzle holes from which the jetted fluid is discharged in a fan shape and are designed so that the jet direction spreads out in a fan shape, so that the liquid (rinse water) is jetted toward a plurality of locations inside the container 2. The seventh jet nozzle 37 and the eighth jet nozzle 38 may be additionally provided in the first jet type cleaning device or the second jet type cleaning device.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 4, the section cleaned by the first jet nozzle 31 to the eighth jet nozzle 38 is set as a pre-cleaning section K3.

[0051] 4, the ninth jet nozzle 39 and the tenth jet nozzle 40 are designed to have a vertical jet direction, so that the two fluids are jetted toward the bottom of the container 2. The section cleaned by the ninth jet nozzle 39 and the tenth jet nozzle 40 is designated as the post-cleaning section K4.

[0052] The ninth injection nozzle 39 and the tenth injection nozzle 40 may have one or more nozzle holes. The nozzle holes may be angled so that the injection direction is tilted from the vertical direction.

[0053] In the ninth jet nozzle 39 and the tenth jet nozzle 40, the inside of the container 2 is rinsed with the liquid (rinsing water) atomized by the two fluids, thereby performing a type of rinsing different from the rinsing performed by the liquid of the upstream first jet nozzle 31 to the eighth jet nozzle 38. In other words, by using a different type of rinsing, it becomes possible to rinse areas that could not be sufficiently rinsed by the upstream first jet nozzle 31 to the eighth jet nozzle 38 and to remove dirt that could not be removed, and a high rinsing effect can be expected.

[0054] 5(A) to 5(C) are diagrams for explaining the operation of the nozzle carrier 53 in the third jet type cleaning device 13 arranged in the rinsing area D (FIG. 1). The operation of the nozzle carrier 53 is the same in the nozzle carriers provided in the jet type cleaning devices 11 and 12 arranged in the internal cleaning areas C1 and C2 (FIG. 1).

[0055] 5(A), the nozzle carrier 53 is positioned so that the center of each of the injection nozzles 31-40 (the center position in the transport direction F1) approximately coincides with the center (the center of the container mouth) of each container 2. The position of the nozzle carrier 53 in this case is set as the reference position, and at this reference position, the nozzle carrier 53 is positioned on the most upstream side.

[0056] Figure 5(B) shows the state after the nozzle carrier 53 has moved downstream a half pitch P / 2, which is half the nozzle pitch P in the transport direction, while maintaining the relative positions of each injection nozzle 31-40 and each container 2 shown in Figure 5(A).

[0057] 5(A) toward downstream in the transport direction F1 by half a pitch P / 2, and during this movement, each of the jet nozzles 31-40 moves in synchronization with the transport of each container 2. In other words, each of the jet nozzles 31-40 moves at the same speed while maintaining a relative position with each container 2. Note that the nozzle pitch P in the transport direction and the interval between the containers 2 in the transport direction are approximately the same.

[0058] When the jet nozzles 31 to 40 move in synchronism with the transport of the containers 2 in this manner, rinsing with rinsing water is performed with the jet nozzles 31 to 40 and the centers of the containers 2 aligned.

[0059] Fig. 5(C) shows the state where the nozzle carrier 53, which was moved to Fig. 5(B), has been returned to the reference position. In this state, for example, the most downstream container 2 (#1) has left the most downstream tenth jet nozzle 40, and the container 2 (#2) has aligned with the position of the tenth jet nozzle 40. Also shown is the state where the container 2 (#11) to be newly rinsed and the first jet nozzle 31 have aligned with each other.

[0060] By repeating the above, each container 2 is washed in sequence by each of the spray nozzles 31 to 40. That is, the bottle 10 (#10) located most upstream in Fig. 5(A) is rinsed by each of the spray nozzles 31 to 40, and rinsed a total of 10 times.

[0061] The process shown in FIG. 5(A) to FIG. 5(B) is a synchronous cleaning process, and the process shown in FIG. 5(B) to FIG. 5(C) is a return cleaning process.

[0062] 6(A), the spray nozzle 31 and the container mouth 2a of the container 2 move in synchronous with each other in the conveying direction F1 while being aligned with each other, so that the rinsing water S sprayed from the spray nozzle 31 reliably enters the inside of the container 2. This ensures that the inside of the bottle is rinsed and cleaned.

[0063] On the other hand, in the return washing step, as shown in Fig. 6(B), the spray nozzle 31 moves in a direction F2 opposite to the conveying direction F1 and returns to the reference position, while the container 2 moves in the conveying direction F1. At this time, the spray nozzle 31 and the container 2 pass each other, and in the process of passing each other, the rinsing water S sprayed from the spray nozzle 31 hits the outer surface 2g of the container 2, thereby cleaning the outer surface 2g of the container 2.

[0064] 6(B), a plurality of ribs 3a are provided protruding from the inner wall of the holder 3 near the opening at the lower end of the holder 3, and the ribs 3a hold the container mouth 2a of the container 2 from below. Gaps 3b are formed between the ribs 3a, and the rinsing water S passes through the rib gaps 3b and enters the gaps 3s between the container 2 and the holder 3, and the rinsing water S is applied to the outer surface 2g of the container 2, cleaning the outer surface 2g.

[0065] <Cleaning test 1> Tests were conducted to examine the effects of different nozzle shapes and cleaning with gas-liquid mixture fluids. Cleaning target: Commercially available 200ml glass beverage bottles (bottle bottom outer diameter 54.5mm, height 185mm, 220ml when filled to the mouth) were used. Soil: 1.2 ml of a liquid containing simulated soil (10% isomerized liquid sugar) was applied to the entire inside of the bottle and allowed to dry completely. Cleaning fluid: In the first embodiment, a gas-liquid mixture of air and water was used, and in the first comparative embodiment, only water was used as the cleaning fluid. The cleaning was performed for 2 seconds of jet cleaning > 1 second pause > 2 seconds of jet cleaning. Effect measurement: After cleaning the nozzle, 10 ml of water was poured into the bottle to completely dissolve the dirt remaining in the bottle, and the Bx in the remaining dissolved solution was measured. Other: The distance from the container mouth to the blowing port was set to 15 mm. In the first embodiment, the air was made into a gas-liquid mixture by sucking in the surrounding uncompressed air due to the flow velocity negative pressure when flowing through the narrowed part of the liquid passage. <Embodiment 1> Nozzle structure: one central hole (one hole facing the center of the bottom of the container: hole diameter 2.5 mm) and four holes spraying at an outward inclination of 5 degrees from the vertical direction (directions toward multiple positions on a concentric circle from the center of the bottom: 1.3 mm): the gas-liquid mixture is sprayed from a nozzle with a total of five spray holes. The flow rate of the liquid portion of the gas-liquid mixture was set to 1.2 L / min. The distance from the container mouth to the spray outlet was set to 15 mm. <Comparative form 1> Nozzle structure: Single-hole nozzle (hole diameter 2.5 mm toward the center of the bottom of the container), liquid only was sprayed at a liquid flow rate of 2.2 L / min. The distance from the container mouth to the spray outlet was 15 mm. <Result> The Bx of the remaining solution was as follows: Nozzle cleaning in the embodiment: Bx0.2 Comparison type nozzle cleaning: Bx0.4 From the above, it was found that the cleaning using the gas-liquid mixture fluid according to the above embodiment showed the same cleaning performance as cleaning using only water at a low liquid flow rate. Therefore, it was found that the use of the gas-liquid mixture fluid can significantly save water while maintaining the cleaning effect.

[0066] <Cleaning test 2> Tests were conducted to examine the effects of different nozzle shapes and cleaning with gas-liquid mixture fluids. Cleaning target: Commercially available 200ml glass beverage bottles (bottle bottom outer diameter 54.5mm, height 185mm, 220ml when filled to the mouth) were used. Soil: 5 ml of simulated soil liquid (10% isomerized liquid sugar) was applied to the entire inside of the bottle and allowed to dry completely. Cleaning fluid: In the second embodiment, a gas-liquid mixture of air and water was used, and in the second comparative embodiment, only water was used as the cleaning fluid. Jet cleaning was performed for 2 seconds > 1 second pause > 2 seconds. Effect measurement: After cleaning the nozzle, 100 ml of water was poured into the bottle to completely dissolve the dirt remaining in the bottle, and the Bx in the remaining solution was measured. Other: The distance from the container mouth to the outlet was 15 mm. When the air flows through the narrowed part of the liquid passage, the negative pressure of the flow rate causes it to suck in the surrounding uncompressed air, creating a gas-liquid mixture. <Embodiment 2> Nozzle structure: one central hole (one hole facing the center of the bottom of the container: hole diameter 3 mm) and four holes spraying at an outward inclination of 5 degrees from the vertical direction (directions toward multiple positions on a concentric circle with the center of the bottom of the container: hole diameter 3 mm): the gas-liquid mixture is sprayed from a nozzle with a total of five spray holes. The flow rate of the liquid portion of the gas-liquid mixture was set to 9.6 L / min. The distance from the container mouth to the spray outlet was set to 15 mm. <Comparative form 2> Nozzle structure: Single-hole nozzle (hole diameter 3 mm toward the center of the bottom of the container), liquid only was sprayed at a liquid flow rate of 9.6 L / min. The distance from the container mouth to the spray outlet was 15 mm. <Result> The Bx of the remaining solution was as follows: Nozzle cleaning in the embodiment: Bx0.15 Comparison nozzle cleaning: Bx0.3 From the above, it was found that cleaning using a gas-liquid mixed fluid according to the above embodiment exhibited cleaning performance equivalent to that of cleaning using only water at the same liquid flow rate. From the above Cleaning Test 1 and Cleaning Test 2, it was found that by using a gas-liquid mixed fluid, it is possible to significantly save water while maintaining the cleaning effect, and also to improve the cleaning capacity.

[0067] In the above configuration, the following characteristic techniques are realized. First, as shown in Figure 3, A method for cleaning a container, comprising the steps of: injecting a fluid into an internal cleaning section multiple times to clean the inside of the same container that is transported in an inverted state; The internal cleaning section comprises: A pre-cleaning section where only liquid flows in to perform cleaning; and a final post-cleaning section downstream of the pre-cleaning section, in which a gas-liquid mixed fluid is introduced to perform cleaning.

[0068] This allows two different types of cleaning to be performed on the same container 2, and the cleaning effect can be improved by cleaning areas that cannot be cleaned by simply repeating the same type of cleaning multiple times. In addition, the amount of liquid used per unit time can be reduced by using a gas-liquid mixture fluid.

[0069] In the pre-cleaning section, Cleaning is performed by pouring liquid in a line and / or fan shape.

[0070] This allows cleaning to be performed using only liquid in the pre-cleaning section.

[0071] Also, as shown in Figure 3, In the pre-cleaning section K1, at least two cleanings are performed on the same container 2, In the post-cleaning section K2, cleaning is carried out for the same container 2 at least twice.

[0072] This allows two different types of cleaning to be performed multiple times on the same container 2, cleaning areas that cannot be cleaned by simply repeating the same type of cleaning multiple times, thereby improving the cleaning effect.

[0073] Also, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the liquid used in the internal cleaning section is caustic water containing caustic soda or rinsing water not containing caustic soda.

[0074] This allows cleaning with caustic water and rinsing with rinsing water to be performed.

[0075] In the post-cleaning section K2, the gas-liquid mixed fluid is discharged so as to be sprayed against the inner wall of the container 2 from multiple directions.

[0076] This makes it possible to further improve the cleaning of the inner wall of the container 2. Specifically, for example, a plurality of nozzle holes are provided in a nozzle that ejects a gas-liquid mixed fluid, and the nozzle holes are each set at a different angle.

[0077] Also, as shown in Fig. 6(A)(B), In the pre-cleaning section K1 and the post-cleaning section K2, a synchronous cleaning process in which the fluid outlet is aligned with the position of the mouth of the container 2 and moved from the upstream side to the downstream side in synchronization with the transportation of the container 2; A return cleaning process is a process of returning the fluid outlet that has moved downstream to the reference position on the upstream side. In the return washing step, the mouth of the container 2 and the blowing outlet pass each other, so that the outer surface of the container 2 is washed.

[0078] As a result, in the synchronous cleaning process, the position of the liquid outlet and the mouth of the container 2 match, so that the liquid can reliably enter the inside of the container 2 and clean the inside of the container 2. Also, in the return cleaning process, the rinsing water S sprayed from the spray nozzle 31 hits the outer surface 2g of the container 2 during the passing process, and the outer surface of the container 2 is cleaned.

[0079] Also, as shown in FIGS. 5(A) to 5(C), In the internal cleaning section of the container 2 that is transported upside down a synchronous cleaning process in which the outlet of the gas-liquid mixture is aligned with the position of the mouth of the container 2 for cleaning; a return cleaning process in which the fluid outlet is shifted from the position of the mouth of the container 2 and cleaned; The synchronous cleaning process is a process in which the outlet of the gas-liquid mixture is moved in synchronization with the transportation of the container 2 while being aligned with the position of the mouth of the container 2, The return cleaning process is a method for cleaning the container 2, in which the fluid outlet is moved back to the reference position.

[0080] In addition, the synchronous cleaning process involves moving from the upstream side to the downstream side in synchronization with the transport of the container 2, and the return cleaning process involves moving the outlet of the fluid that has moved downstream to a reference position on the upstream side.

[0081] In addition, the synchronous cleaning process and the return cleaning process are repeated, The containers 2 that are continuously transported are to be cleaned.

[0082] In addition, in the return washing process, the outer surface of the container 2 is washed by misaligning the container 2 and the blowing outlet.

[0083] As a result, in the synchronous cleaning process, the position of the liquid outlet and the mouth of the container 2 match, so that the liquid can reliably enter the inside of the container 2 and clean the inside of the container 2. Also, in the return cleaning process, the rinsing water S sprayed from the spray nozzle 31 hits the outer surface 2g of the container 2 during the passing process, and the outer surface of the container 2 is cleaned.

[0084] The gas-liquid mixed fluid is discharged so as to be sprayed against the inner wall of the container 2 from multiple directions.

[0085] This makes it possible to further improve the cleaning of the inner wall of the container 2. Specifically, for example, a plurality of nozzle holes are provided in a nozzle that ejects a gas-liquid mixed fluid, and the nozzle holes are each set at a different angle.

[0086] In addition, in the synchronous cleaning process, the gas-liquid mixed fluid is The liquid is ejected in a blowing manner in a direction toward the center of the bottom of the container 2 and in a direction toward a plurality of positions on a concentric circle at the bottom of the container with respect to the center of the bottom.

[0087] This ensures that the bottom and inner wall of the container 2 are cleaned.

[0088] Moreover, the container 2 is stored in a holder 3 and transported.

[0089] This allows the liquid to be applied to the outer surface 2g of the container 2 through the gap 3s between the container 2 and the holder 3 all the way to the top (bottom) of the container 2, and the liquid can remain in the gap 3s for a long time without leaking to the outside, ensuring a long cleaning time, so that the entire outer surface 2g of the container 2 can be efficiently cleaned.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 6(A), the maximum diameter d1 of the upper surface of the nozzle (tenth injection nozzle 40) where the blowout port is formed is smaller than the inner diameter d2 of the container mouth 2a.

[0091] This allows the post-cleaning wastewater falling from the container mouth 2a to fall as it is without hitting the upper surface of the nozzle, and prevents the new gas-liquid mixed fluid from being blown out from the outlet from being impeded.

[0092] Note that Figure 7(A) shows a schematic diagram of the 10th injection nozzle 40 when the above-mentioned embodiment 1 is adopted, and indicates that by making the maximum diameter d1 of the upper surface of the nozzle smaller than the inner diameter d2 of the container mouth 2a, the post-cleaning wastewater H falling from the container mouth 2a falls directly without hitting the upper surface of the nozzle.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 7(A), the nozzle holes 40a, 40b of the 10th injection nozzle 40 are arranged so that the gas-liquid mixed fluid is sprayed not only in a direction toward the center of the bottom of the container, but also in a direction inclined outward from the vertical direction toward a plurality of positions on a concentric circle at the center of the bottom of the container. This allows the gas-liquid mixed fluid (rinsing water S) to reach the center Sc of the bottom 2d of the container 2 and position S1 near the inner wall N of the bottom 2d of the container 2, as shown in Figure 7 (B), thereby enabling more effective cleaning. The "direction toward a plurality of positions on a concentric circle around the center of the bottom of the container" refers to a direction in which the fluid ejected from the outwardly inclined nozzle hole reaches a position on the bottom 2d as close to the inner wall of the container as possible. In FIG. 7(B), the fluid ejected from the outwardly inclined nozzle hole reaches position S1. Thus, position S1 in FIG. 7(B) is an example of "a plurality of positions on a concentric circle around the center of the bottom of the container." At the bottom 2d, how close position S1 can be to the inner wall N of the container can be determined by appropriately setting the outward inclination of the nozzle hole based on the height of the container, the width of the bottom 2d of the container, the width of the container mouth, the distance between the container and the nozzle, etc.

[0094] Furthermore, by providing nozzle holes 40a, 40b as shown in FIG. 8(A), even in a situation where the center of the 10th injection nozzle 40 is shifted from the container mouth 2a during the passing process in the return cleaning process, cleaning can be performed with fluid 40m sprayed from the angled nozzle hole 40b, and the cleaning time for the outer surface 2g of the container 2 can be extended.

[0095] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8(B), by providing nozzle holes 40a, 40b in the 10th injection nozzle 40 so that the gas-liquid mixture fluid is sprayed at an angle outward from the vertical direction, the fluid 40m sprayed from the angled nozzle hole 40b can efficiently enter the gap 3S between the container 2 and the holder 3 during the passing process in the return cleaning process, and the fluid 40m can reach the upper part of the outer surface of the container 2, thereby enabling efficient cleaning. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 1 Container cleaning equipment 2 containers (bottles) 2a Container mouth 2g outer surface 3 Holder 3a Rib 3b Gap 3s Gap 4. Career 4a Insertion hole 5 Carrier Chain 11 Jet cleaning device 12 Jet cleaning device 13 Jet cleaning device 21 Injection nozzle 22 Injection nozzle 23 Injection nozzle 26 Injection Nozzle 27 Injection Nozzle 28 Injection Nozzle 31 Injection nozzle 32 Injection nozzle 33 Injection nozzle 36 Injection Nozzle 37 Injection Nozzle 38 Injection Nozzle 39 Injection Nozzle 40 Injection Nozzle 51 Nozzle Carrier 53 Nozzle Carrier C1 Internal cleaning area C2 Internal cleaning area D Rinse Area d1 Maximum diameter d2 Container mouth inner diameter F1 Conveying direction F2 Reverse direction K1 Pre-cleaning section K2 Post-cleaning section K3 Pre-cleaning section K4 Post-cleaning section P Nozzle pitch

Claims

1. In the internal cleaning section of containers transported upside down a synchronous cleaning process in which a nozzle for blowing the gas-liquid mixture is aligned with the position of the mouth of the container for cleaning; a return cleaning process in which the outlet of the gas-liquid mixed fluid is shifted from the position of the mouth of the container and cleaned; having The synchronous cleaning step is a step of moving an outlet of the gas-liquid mixture fluid in synchronization with the transport of the container while aligning the outlet with the position of the container mouth, The return cleaning step is a step of moving the outlet of the gas-liquid mixture fluid back to a reference position, In the return cleaning step, the container and the outlet are misaligned, so that a gas-liquid mixture enters the gap between the container and the holder, cleaning the outer surface of the container; The container is stored in a holder and transported, The maximum diameter of the upper surface of the nozzle where the blowing outlet is formed is smaller than the inner diameter of the container mouth, The outlet includes one fluid outlet toward the center of the bottom of the container, and at least two fluid outlets inclined outward toward the wall of the bottom of the container; The outwardly inclined fluid ejection holes are provided so as to be inclined at an angle of 3 degrees to 10 degrees from the vertical direction, How to clean containers.

2. The synchronous cleaning step is a step of moving from the upstream side to the downstream side in synchronization with the transport of the container, The return cleaning step moves the outlet of the fluid that has moved downstream to a reference position on the upstream side.

2. The method for cleaning a container according to claim 1.

3. The synchronous cleaning step and the return cleaning step are repeated, Cleaning the containers that are continuously transported; 3. The method for cleaning a container according to claim 1 or 2.

4. In the synchronous cleaning process, the gas-liquid mixed fluid is The liquid is sprayed in a direction toward the center of the bottom of the container and in a direction toward a plurality of positions on a concentric circle around the center of the bottom of the container. The method for cleaning a container according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The liquid used in the internal cleaning section is caustic water containing caustic soda or rinsing water without caustic soda. The method for cleaning a container according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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