Cup washing device

Abstract

To provide a cup washing device capable of suppressing, falling of a transported cup, and stably washing the cup.SOLUTION: There is provided a cup washing device 10 for washing, a bottomed and tapered cup P, the device comprises: a transport part 2 for transporting a plurality of cups P in a transport direction F in an inverted posture; and a washing part 11 for washing the cup P transported by the transport part 2. The transport part 2 comprises: a lower guide 21 for supporting from a lower side, an opening end of a trunk 100; and a transport screw 23 for rotating around a rotary axis O. The transport screw 23 comprises: a spiral groove 25 which extends spirally, toward the rotary axis O, as advancing to an axial direction where the rotary axis O extends. The spiral groove 25 guides the trunk 100 by the grooves 25a directed to a lower guide 21 side in a width direction in view from a top side. There is provided the plurality of grooves 25a at an interval in the transport direction F. By rotation of the transport screw 23 around the rotary axis O, the cups P are guided to the grooves 25a and are transported to the transport direction F.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cup cleaning device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, a can cleaning device described in Patent Document 1 is known. In this can cleaning device, bottomed cylindrical cans are densely arranged on a conveyor section of a conveyance path. The plurality of cans are cleaned and dried while being conveyed by the conveyor section. In recent years, there has been a demand for metal cups having a tapered body, as described in, for example, Patent Document 2.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When trying to clean a cup with a tapered body using a can cleaning device such as that in Patent Document 1, the cups being conveyed densely push against each other, the conveyance posture of the cups becomes unstable, and the cups are likely to fall over.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a cup cleaning device that can stably clean cups while suppressing the cups from falling over during conveyance.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a cup washing device for washing bottomed tapered cups having a tapered body and a bottom, comprising: a conveying unit that conveys a plurality of the cups in a conveying direction in an inverted position with the open end of the body facing downwards; and a washing unit that washes the cups conveyed in the conveying unit, wherein the conveying unit has a lower guide that extends in the conveying direction and supports the open end of the body from below, and a conveying screw that extends in the conveying direction and rotates around a rotation axis, the conveying screw has a helical groove that extends spirally around the rotation axis as it is directed in the axial direction from which the rotation axis extends, the helical groove guides the body with groove portions that face the lower guide side in the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction when viewed from above, and a plurality of groove portions are arranged at intervals from each other in the conveying direction. The conveying section has a transverse guide that extends in the conveying direction and guides the tapered body, and the transverse guide is positioned in the width direction on the opposite side of the conveying screw with the cup in between. As the conveying screw rotates around the rotation axis, the cup is guided into the groove and conveyed in the conveying direction.

[0007] In this invention, cups having a tapered body are guided in grooves that form part of the helical grooves of the conveying screw, and are conveyed in the conveying direction as the conveying screw rotates. The grooves of the conveying screw are spaced apart from each other in the conveying direction, so that the cups guided in these grooves do not push against each other. As a result, the conveying posture of the cups is kept stable and the cups do not tip over. In addition, since there can be space between the cups lined up in the conveying direction, the front and rear parts of the cups facing the conveying direction can be washed stably. Based on the above, the present invention allows for stable washing of cups while preventing them from tipping over during transport.

[0008] In the cup washing device described above, the lower guide has a conveyor on which the open end of the body is placed and which moves in the transport direction, and it is preferable that the first moving speed at which the spiral groove moves the cup in the transport direction and the second moving speed at which the conveyor moves the cup in the transport direction are different from each other.

[0009] In this case, because the first and second moving speeds are different, the cup is rotated around its axis while being transported in the transport direction. That is, as the cup is transported, the portion of the body guided by the grooves gradually changes in the circumferential direction of the cup. This allows the body to be stably cleaned around its entire circumference.

[0010] In the cup washing device 、 Preferably, the lateral guide has an anti-slip portion that contacts the body portion.

[0011] In this case, the body of the cup comes into contact with the anti-slip portion of the lateral guide, causing the cup to rotate around its axis while being transported in the transport direction. That is, as the cup is transported, the portion of the body guided by the groove gradually changes in the circumferential direction of the cup. This allows the body to be stably cleaned around its entire circumference around the cup axis.

[0012] Preferably, the cup washing device is positioned downstream of the washing unit in the conveying direction and includes a draining unit for draining water from the cups being conveyed to the conveying unit, and the draining unit has an outer surface draining nozzle for spraying air onto the outer surface of the cup and an inner surface draining nozzle for spraying air onto the inner surface of the cup.

[0013] In this case, the cleaning solution droplets (water droplets) adhering to the cups after washing can be blown off early, stabilizing subsequent processes such as drying. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress the remaining water droplet marks on the surface of the cups, maintaining good surface properties and stably improving the quality of the cups.

[0014] In the cup washing device described above, the washing section has an outer surface washing nozzle that sprays washing liquid onto the outer surface of the cup, and it is preferable that a gap is provided between the portion of the body facing the groove and the groove through which the washing liquid can pass.

[0015] In this case, the cleaning liquid jetted from the outer surface cleaning nozzle can pass through the portion of the outer surface of the body part that is guided by the groove part. Therefore, while guiding the body part in the groove part, the body part can be stably cleaned.

[0016] In the cup cleaning device, it is preferable that the cleaning part has an outer surface cleaning nozzle that jets cleaning liquid onto the outer surface of the cup, and the spiral groove has a recess arranged at least in the groove part facing the body part.

[0017] In this case, by passing the cleaning liquid jetted from the outer surface cleaning nozzle through the recess of the groove part, the outer surface part of the body part guided by the groove part can be cleaned. Therefore, while guiding the body part in the groove part, this body part can be stably cleaned.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] According to the cup cleaning device of the above aspect of the present invention, the cup can be stably cleaned while suppressing the conveyed cup from falling over.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view (half cross-sectional view) showing the cup of the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a top view showing the cup cleaning and drying system of the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a top view showing the cup cleaning device of the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing part IV of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing part V of FIG. 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a front view showing a part of the cup cleaning device of the present embodiment as seen from the downstream side in the conveying direction. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the conveying screw. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a front view showing a part of the cup cleaning device of the present embodiment as seen from the downstream side in the conveying direction. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a side view of a part of the cup washing device of this embodiment, viewed from the width direction. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the conveying screw, representing a first modified example of this embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the conveying screw, representing a second modified example of this embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a front view of a part of the cup washing device as seen from the downstream side in the conveying direction, and represents a third modified example of this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0020] A cup washing and drying system 1 and a cup washing device 10 comprising it, according to one embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 9. In this specification, the cup washing and drying system 1 may be simply referred to as the system, and the cup washing device 10 may be simply referred to as the device.

[0021] The cup washing and drying system 1 is a system for washing, draining, and drying a bottomed tapered cup P as shown in Figure 1. The cup P is made of metal, specifically aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The cup P is formed integrally from a single component.

[0022] Cup P is formed into a predetermined cup shape in a cup manufacturing device (can manufacturing device), such as a bottle necker (not shown), which is located prior to the cup washing and drying system 1. More specifically, the cup manufacturing apparatus manufactures cups P of a predetermined shape by applying multiple types of molding processes, including die processing and rotary processing, to a bottomed cylindrical DI can (intermediate molded can) not shown in the diagram. The DI can is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape by applying a cupping process (drawing process), DI process (drawing and ironing process), trimming process, printing process, painting process, etc., to a disc-shaped blank punched out from a sheet material such as aluminum or aluminum alloy in a process prior to the cup manufacturing apparatus.

[0023] First, let's explain cup P by referring to Figure 1. In this embodiment, the central axis of the cup P is referred to as the cup axis A. The cup P comprises a tapered body portion 100 and a bottom portion 110. The diameter dimension of the cup P is largest at the open end 100a of the body portion 100. In this embodiment, the diameter dimension of the open end 100a (the curled portion 105 described later) is, for example, about φ86 mm. In this embodiment, the height dimension of cup P along the cup axis A (cup height dimension) is, for example, about 146 mm. Although not specifically shown in the figures, in modified cup P of this embodiment, the cup height dimension may be, for example, about 116 mm or about 85 mm.

[0024] In this embodiment, the direction in which the cup axis A extends is called the cup axis direction. Within the cup axis direction, the direction from the bottom 110 toward the open end 100a of the body 100 is called the opening side, and the direction from the open end 100a toward the bottom 110 is called the bottom side. The direction perpendicular to the cup axis A is called the cup diameter direction. Within the cup diameter direction, the direction approaching the cup axis A is called the inside of the cup diameter direction, and the direction moving away from the cup axis A is called the outside of the cup diameter direction. The direction in which the cup rotates around the cup axis A is called the cup circumferential direction.

[0025] The body portion 100 is a roughly tapered cylindrical shape centered on the cup axis A. The diameter of the body portion 100 increases (expands) as it moves towards the opening side in the direction of the cup axis. The body portion 100 has a bottom cylindrical portion 101, a bottom stepped portion 102, an open cylindrical portion 103, an open stepped portion 104, a curled portion 105, and a tapered portion 106.

[0026] The bottom cylindrical portion 101 is located at the bottom end of the body portion 100 in the direction of the cup axis. The bottom cylindrical portion 101 is cylindrical with the cup axis A as its center. The bottom cylindrical portion 101 has the smallest diameter in the body portion 100.

[0027] The bottom step portion 102 is tapered cylindrical with respect to the cup axis A. The bottom step portion 102 expands in diameter towards the opening side in the cup axial direction. The bottom step portion 102 is positioned adjacent to the opening side in the cup axial direction of the bottom cylindrical portion 101. The bottom step portion 102 connects to the end of the bottom cylindrical portion 101 on the opening side in the cup axial direction.

[0028] The open-side cylindrical portion 103 is positioned at the open end 100a of the body portion 100. The open-side cylindrical portion 103 is cylindrical with the cup axis A as its center. The diameter of the open-side cylindrical portion 103 is larger than the diameter of the bottom-side cylindrical portion 101.

[0029] The opening-side stepped portion 104 is positioned at the opening end 100a of the body portion 100. The opening-side stepped portion 104 is tapered cylindrical with the cup axis A as its center. The diameter of the opening-side stepped portion 104 increases as it approaches the opening side in the cup axis direction. The opening-side stepped portion 104 is positioned adjacent to the bottom side in the cup axis direction of the opening-side cylindrical portion 103. The opening-side stepped portion 104 is connected to the bottom end of the opening-side cylindrical portion 103 in the cup axis direction.

[0030] The curled portion 105 is positioned at the open end 100a of the body portion 100. The curled portion 105 is formed projecting outward in the cup diameter direction from the open end 100a. The curled portion 105 is annular in shape with the cup axis A as its center. The curled portion 105 extends around the entire circumference of the cup. The curled portion 105 has the largest diameter in the body portion 100. The inner end of the curled portion 105 in the cup diameter direction is connected to the open end of the open side cylindrical portion 103 in the cup axial direction.

[0031] Specifically, the curled portion 105 protrudes outward in the cup diameter direction from the edge on the opening side in the cup axial direction at the opening end 100a, and is folded back inward in the cup diameter direction from the bottom side in the cup axial direction. The shape of the curled portion 105 in the longitudinal cross-section along the cup axis A is approximately circular ring-shaped. Of the circular ring shape represented in the longitudinal cross-section of the curled portion 105, a part of the circumference located at the inner end in the cup diameter direction is open, and the inside and outside of the curled portion 105 are in communication through this opening.

[0032] The tapered portion 106 is located in the intermediate part of the body portion 100, between the two ends in the cup axial direction. The tapered portion 106 is a tapered cylindrical shape centered on the cup axis A. The diameter of the tapered portion 106 increases towards the opening side in the cup axial direction. The tapered portion 106 is located between the bottom-side stepped portion 102 and the opening-side stepped portion 104 in the cup axial direction. The bottom-side end of the tapered portion 106 in the cup axial direction is connected to the opening-side end of the bottom-side stepped portion 102 in the cup axial direction. The opening-side end of the tapered portion 106 in the cup axial direction is connected to the bottom-side end of the opening-side stepped portion 104 in the cup axial direction.

[0033] In this embodiment, the amount of displacement of the tapered portion 106 in the cup diameter direction per unit length along the cup axis direction (i.e., the inclination with respect to the cup axis A) is smaller than the amount of displacement of the bottom side stepped portion 102 and the opening side stepped portion 104. The dimension of the tapered portion 106 in the cup axis direction is larger than the dimensions of the bottom side cylindrical portion 101, bottom side stepped portion 102, opening side cylindrical portion 103, opening side stepped portion 104, and curled portion 105 in the cup axis direction. The opening side stepped portion 104, opening side cylindrical portion 103, and curled portion 105, which are located at the opening end 100a of the body portion 100, protrude outward in the cup diameter direction from the tapered portion 106.

[0034] The base 110 is roughly disc-shaped with the cup axis A at its center. The bottom portion 110 has a dome portion 111 that bulges toward the opening side in the cup axial direction, and an annular projection (rim portion) 112 that is connected to the outer circumference of the dome portion 111, protrudes toward the bottom side in the cup axial direction, and extends in the circumferential direction of the cup.

[0035] The annular projection 112 is circular in shape with the cup axis A as its center. The annular projection 112 is positioned adjacent to the outer side of the dome portion 111 in the cup diameter direction. The annular projection 112 is positioned adjacent to the bottom side of the body portion 100 in the cup axis direction. The annular protrusion 112 has a contact portion (nose portion) 115, an inner circumferential wall (countersink) 113, and an outer circumferential wall (heel portion) 114.

[0036] The contact portion 115 is the part of the annular protrusion 112 that is located closest to the bottom in the cup axial direction. The contact portion 115 contacts the mounting surface when the cup P is placed on a mounting surface such as the top surface of a table in an upright position (with the open end 100a of the body portion 100 facing upward in the vertical direction). The diameter of the contact portion 115, i.e., the contact diameter, is, for example, about φ55 mm.

[0037] The inner circumferential wall 113 is positioned adjacent to the inner side of the ground contact portion 115 in the cup diameter direction. The inner circumferential wall 113 is tapered cylindrical with respect to the cup axis A. Specifically, the inner circumferential wall 113 is tapered, decreasing in diameter towards the opening side in the cup axial direction. The end of the inner circumferential wall 113 on the opening side in the cup axial direction is connected to the outer end of the dome portion 111 in the cup diameter direction.

[0038] The outer peripheral wall 114 is positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the ground contact portion 115 in the cup diameter direction. The outer peripheral wall 114 is tapered cylindrical with respect to the cup axis A. Specifically, the outer peripheral wall 114 is tapered, increasing in diameter towards the opening side in the cup axis direction. The end of the outer peripheral wall 114 on the opening side in the cup axis direction is connected to the end of the body portion 100 on the bottom side in the cup axis direction. That is, the outer peripheral wall 114 is connected to the end of the bottom cylindrical portion 101 on the bottom side in the cup axis direction.

[0039] Next, we will explain the cup washing and drying system 1. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cup washing and drying system 1 includes a conveying unit 2 that conveys a plurality of cups P in the conveying direction F, a cup washing device 10 that sprays washing liquid onto the cups P being conveyed to the conveying unit 2 to wash the cups P, a cup dewatering device 20 located downstream of the cup washing device 10 in the conveying direction F and that sprays air onto the cups P being conveyed to the conveying unit 2 to dewater the cups P, a cup drying device 30 located downstream of the cup dewatering device 20 in the conveying direction F and that supplies hot air to the cups P being conveyed to the conveying unit 2 to dry the cups P, and a cup stacking device 40 located downstream of the cup drying device 30 in the conveying direction F and that transports a plurality of cups P stacked on top of each other.

[0040] The conveying unit 2 extends across the cup washing device 10, the cup draining device 20, the cup drying device 30, and the cup stacking device 40. In this embodiment, the conveying unit 2 conveys multiple cups P in the conveying direction F across the cup washing device 10, the cup draining device 20, and the cup drying device 30 in an inverted position with the open end 100a of the body portion 100 facing downward in the vertical direction. The conveying unit 2 also conveys the multiple cups P in a single row.

[0041] As shown in Figure 6, the cup washing device 10 sprays washing liquid onto the cups P being transported to the transport unit 2, thereby washing the cups P. The washing capacity of the cup washing device 10 in this embodiment is, for example, 100 to 150 cpm. "cpm" is a unit that represents the number of cups processed per minute (in this embodiment, the number of cups washed) by the device.

[0042] As shown in Figures 3 to 9, the cup washing device 10 comprises a conveying unit 2, a washing unit 11, and a draining unit 12. The conveying unit 2 also includes a lower guide 21, an upper guide 22, a conveying screw 23 that rotates around a rotation axis O, and a lateral guide 24.

[0043] Here, we will explain the "definition of direction" in the cup washing device 10. In the description of the cup washing device 10 of this embodiment, the direction in which the rotation axis O, which is the central axis of the conveying screw 23, extends is referred to as the axial direction. As shown in Figure 4, the rotation axis O extends along the conveying direction F. One side of the axial direction corresponds to the downstream side of the conveying direction F, and the other side of the axial direction corresponds to the upstream side of the conveying direction F. Note that the axial direction and the conveying direction F may also be referred to as the front-rear direction. In this case, one side of the axial direction and the downstream side of the conveying direction F correspond to the front side. The other side of the axial direction and the upstream side of the conveying direction F correspond to the rear side.

[0044] The direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation O is called the radial direction. Within the radial direction, the direction approaching the axis of rotation O is called the radially inward direction, and the direction moving away from the axis of rotation O is called the radially outward direction. The direction of rotation around the axis of rotation O is called the circumferential direction. Of the circumferential directions, a predetermined direction of rotation is called the circumferential direction one side, and the opposite direction of rotation is called the circumferential direction other side. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, when viewing the cup washing device 10 from the downstream side of the transport direction F, the clockwise direction around the axis of rotation O is the circumferential direction one side, and the counterclockwise direction is the circumferential direction other side.

[0045] Furthermore, the Z-axis direction shown in each figure represents the vertical direction, or up and down direction. In each figure, the +Z side corresponds to the upper side, and the -Z side corresponds to the lower side.

[0046] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, in a top view of the device from above, the direction perpendicular to the transport direction F (rotation axis O) is called the width direction. The width direction can also be called the left-right direction. When viewing the device from the upstream side of the transport direction F, one side in the width direction corresponds to the left side, and the other side in the width direction corresponds to the right side.

[0047] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the lower guide 21 extends in the transport direction F and is positioned below the cup P which is transported in an inverted position. The lower guide 21 supports the open end 100a of the body 100 from below.

[0048] The lower guide 21 has a conveyor 21a on which the open end 100a of the body 100 rests and which moves in the transport direction F, and a pair of sprockets 21b around which the conveyor 21a is wound.

[0049] The conveyor 21a is made of, for example, resin or rubber, and has an endless ring shape. A pair of sprockets 21b are positioned apart from each other in the conveying direction F and move circulatingly along the conveyor 21a. The conveyor 21a moves the cup P placed on its upper surface in the conveying direction F. Specifically, the portion of the conveyor 21a located above the pair of sprockets 21b moves downstream in the conveying direction F. The portion of the conveyor 21a located below the pair of sprockets 21b moves upstream in the conveying direction F.

[0050] Multiple conveyors 21a are provided. The multiple conveyors 21a are arranged with spacing between them in the width direction. As shown in Figure 6, in this embodiment, a pair of conveyors 21a are arranged on one side (left) and the other side (right) in the width direction of the cup axis A of the cup P being conveyed.

[0051] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the upper guide 22 extends in the conveying direction F and is positioned above the cup P. The upper guide 22 is a rail formed by, for example, a shaft or pipe. The upper guide 22 faces the bottom 110 of the cup P from above, with a gap between them. The upper guide 22 guides the bottom 110 of the cup P.

[0052] As shown in Figure 4, the conveying screw 23 is columnar in shape and extends along the conveying direction F. The conveying screw 23 is positioned on one side (left side) in the width direction of the cup P which is placed on the lower guide 21. The outer diameter of the conveying screw 23 is, for example, about φ88 mm.

[0053] As shown in Figure 6, the rotation axis O of the conveying screw 23 is positioned below the vertical center of the cup P (towards the opening end 100a). In this embodiment, the vertical dimension between the rotation axis O of the conveying screw 23 and the upper surface of the lower guide 21 (upper surface of the conveyor 21a) is, for example, about 70 mm.

[0054] As shown in Figure 4, the conveying screw 23 has a helical groove 25 that extends spirally around the rotation axis O as it moves in the axial direction from which the rotation axis O extends. More specifically, the helical groove 25 is recessed radially inward from the outer circumferential surface of the conveying screw 23 and extends in one circumferential direction as it moves in one axial direction (conveying direction F). As shown in Figure 7, in a cross-sectional view along the axis of rotation O (a cross-sectional view including the axis of rotation O), the helical groove 25 has a concave curve shape that is recessed radially inward.

[0055] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the helical groove 25 guides the body 100 of the cup P with a groove portion 25a that faces the lower guide 21 side in the width direction when viewed from above (i.e., the other side in the width direction, which is the right side). The groove portion 25a constitutes a part of the helical groove 25 that extends continuously in a spiral shape. Of the conveying screw 23, the diameter dimension at the groove bottom that is located radially inward on the inner surface of the groove portion 25a is, for example, about φ40 mm.

[0056] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), the groove 25a is a concave curve that is recessed radially inward, specifically, it is a concave arc. The groove 25a guides the tapered portion 106 of the body 100 of the cup P.

[0057] In the cross-sectional view perpendicular to the vertical direction shown in Figure 7, the radius of curvature of the portion of the inner surface of the helical groove 25 facing the body portion 100 (i.e., the groove portion 25a) is different from the radius of curvature of the portion of the outer surface of the body portion 100 facing the groove portion 25a (a portion of the tapered portion 106 in the vertical direction).

[0058] In the example shown in Figure 7, in a cross-sectional view of the conveying screw 23, the radius of curvature of the groove portion 25a on the inner surface of the helical groove 25 that faces the body portion 100 is larger than the radius of curvature of the tapered portion 106 on the outer surface of the body portion 100 that faces the groove portion 25a. Specifically, in this embodiment, in the cross-sectional view shown in Figure 7, the radius of curvature of the groove portion 25a is, for example, about 37 mm, and the radius of curvature of the tapered portion 106 (a part of it in the vertical direction) that faces the groove portion 25a is, for example, about 35 to 36 mm.

[0059] However, this is not limited to this, and in a cross-sectional view of the conveying screw 23, the radius of curvature of the groove portion 25a on the inner surface of the helical groove 25 that faces the body portion 100 may be smaller than the radius of curvature of the tapered portion 106 on the outer surface of the body portion 100 that faces the groove portion 25a. In any of the above configurations, a gap is provided between the portion of the body 100 facing the groove 25a and the groove 25a through which the cleaning fluid can pass.

[0060] As shown in Figure 4, multiple grooves 25a are arranged at intervals from each other in the conveying direction F. The pitch (distance between centers along the axial direction) between pairs of adjacent grooves 25a in the helical groove 25 is, for example, about 100 mm. A cup P is placed in each groove 25a and guided by it. By being guided by pairs of adjacent grooves 25a in the axial direction, the pitch between pairs of adjacent cups P in the axial direction is also set to, for example, about 100 mm.

[0061] As the conveying screw 23 rotates around the rotation axis O, the cup P is guided into the groove 25a and conveyed in the conveying direction F. More specifically, as the conveying screw 23 rotates in the other direction circumferentially around the rotation axis O (the direction of rotation around the rotation axis O shown by the arrow in Figure 6), the cup P guided into the groove 25a moves along the spiral of the helical groove 25 in the conveying direction F.

[0062] In this embodiment, the first moving speed at which the spiral groove 25 moves the cup P in the conveying direction F and the second moving speed at which the conveyor 21a of the lower guide 21 moves the cup P in the conveying direction F are different from each other. The first moving speed may be faster or slower than the second moving speed.

[0063] As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the lateral guide 24 extends in the conveying direction F and is positioned adjacent to the cup P in the width direction. The lateral guide 24 is a rail formed by, for example, a shaft or pipe. The lateral guide 24 faces the body 100 of the cup P with a gap in the width direction. The lateral guide 24 guides the body 100 of the cup P. Specifically, the lateral guide 24 guides the tapered portion 106 of the body 100.

[0064] The lateral guide 24 is positioned in the width direction on the opposite side from the conveying screw 23, with the cup P in between. That is, the lateral guide 24 is positioned on the other side (right side) in the width direction of the cup P that is placed on the lower guide 21.

[0065] In this manner, the cups P transported by the transport unit 2 are positioned so as to be sandwiched between the lower guide 21 and the upper guide 22 in the vertical direction, and between the transport screw 23 and the horizontal guide 24 in the width direction.

[0066] As shown in Figure 6, the cleaning unit 11 sprays cleaning solution onto the cups P being transported by the transport unit 2, thereby cleaning the cups P. The cleaning solution is, for example, water. The temperature of the cleaning solution is, for example, 60-70°C.

[0067] The cleaning unit 11 includes an upper cleaning liquid supply pipe 13 positioned above the cup P that is transported to the transport unit 2, a lower cleaning liquid supply pipe 14 positioned below the cup P that is transported to the transport unit 2, an outer cleaning nozzle 15 that sprays cleaning liquid onto the outer surface of the cup P, and an inner cleaning nozzle 16 that sprays cleaning liquid onto the inner surface of the cup P.

[0068] The upper cleaning fluid supply pipe 13 is tubular and extends in the transport direction F. Cleaning fluid flows inside the upper cleaning fluid supply pipe 13. Multiple upper cleaning fluid supply pipes 13 are provided. The multiple upper cleaning fluid supply pipes 13 are arranged with spacing between them in the width direction. In this embodiment, a pair of upper cleaning fluid supply pipes 13 are arranged on one side (left) and the other side (right) of the width direction of the cup axis A of the cup P being transported.

[0069] The lower cleaning fluid supply pipe 14 is tubular and extends in the transport direction F. Cleaning fluid flows through the inside of the lower cleaning fluid supply pipe 14. In this embodiment, one lower cleaning fluid supply pipe 14 is provided. The lower cleaning fluid supply pipe 14 is positioned in the width direction at the same position as the cup axis A of the transported cup P.

[0070] The external cleaning nozzle 15 is connected to the upper cleaning fluid supply pipe 13. The external cleaning nozzle 15 sprays cleaning fluid onto the outer surfaces of the bottom 110 and body 100 of the inverted cup P. Multiple external cleaning nozzles 15 are positioned above the cup P being transported and are arranged in the transport direction F. In other words, the external cleaning nozzles 15 spray cleaning fluid onto the cup P from above.

[0071] Multiple external cleaning nozzles 15 are arranged in the transport direction F, forming a row of external cleaning nozzles 15. In this embodiment, multiple rows of external cleaning nozzles 15 are provided, spaced apart from each other in the width direction, and in the example shown in Figure 6, two rows are provided.

[0072] Of the two rows of external cleaning nozzles 15, the row of external cleaning nozzles 15 on one side in the width direction (left side) is connected to the upper cleaning fluid supply pipe 13 on the one side in the width direction. The row of external cleaning nozzles 15 on the one side in the width direction is positioned on one side in the width direction relative to the cup axis A of the cup P being conveyed. Of the two rows of external cleaning nozzles 15, the row of external cleaning nozzles 15 on the other side in the width direction (right side) is connected to the upper cleaning fluid supply pipe 13 on the other side in the width direction. The row of external cleaning nozzles 15 on the other side in the width direction is positioned on the other side in the width direction from the cup axis A of the cup P being conveyed.

[0073] Furthermore, among the multiple external cleaning nozzles 15 that make up the row of external cleaning nozzles 15, the upstream external cleaning nozzles 15 located on the upstream side in the conveying direction F spray a cleaning liquid such as tap water. Among the multiple external cleaning nozzles 15 that make up the row of external cleaning nozzles 15, the downstream external cleaning nozzles 15 located on the downstream side in the conveying direction F spray a cleaning liquid such as pure water.

[0074] The internal cleaning nozzle 16 is connected to the lower cleaning fluid supply pipe 14. The internal cleaning nozzle 16 sprays cleaning fluid onto the inner surfaces of the bottom 110 and body 100 of the inverted cup P. Multiple internal cleaning nozzles 16 are positioned below the cup P being transported and are arranged in the transport direction F. In other words, the internal cleaning nozzles 16 spray cleaning fluid onto the cup P from below.

[0075] Multiple internal cleaning nozzles 16 are arranged in the transport direction F, forming a row of internal cleaning nozzles 16. In this embodiment, one row of internal cleaning nozzles 16 is provided.

[0076] The row of internal cleaning nozzles 16 is positioned in the width direction at the same position as the cup axis A of the conveyed cup P. The row of internal cleaning nozzles 16 sprays cleaning liquid onto the inner surface of the cup P from below, passing between a pair of adjacent conveyors 21a in the width direction.

[0077] Furthermore, among the multiple internal cleaning nozzles 16 that make up the row of internal cleaning nozzles 16, the upstream internal cleaning nozzles 16 located on the upstream side in the conveying direction F spray a cleaning liquid such as tap water. Among the multiple internal cleaning nozzles 16 that make up the row of internal cleaning nozzles 16, the downstream internal cleaning nozzles 16 located on the downstream side in the conveying direction F spray a cleaning liquid such as pure water.

[0078] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the draining section 12 is positioned downstream of the washing section 11 in the conveying direction F, and drains water from the cups P being conveyed to the conveying section 2. Note that the specific shape of the draining section 12 is not shown in Figures 3 and 5. The draining section 12 removes droplets of washing liquid (water droplets) adhering to the cups P by spraying air onto the cups P, thereby draining the water.

[0079] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the drainage section 12 includes an external drainage nozzle 17 that sprays air onto the outer surface of the cup P, and an internal drainage nozzle 18 that sprays air onto the inner surface of the cup P. Compressed air is supplied to the external drainage nozzle 17 and the internal drainage nozzle 18, respectively, from an air supply source such as an air compressor (not shown) via piping or hose components.

[0080] The external water-draining nozzle 17 has a slit-shaped air injection port. The air injected from the external water-draining nozzle 17 is a high-speed, air curtain-like injection air, also known as an air knife. The air injected from the external water-draining nozzle 17 is increased in volume by drawing in ambient outside air as secondary air, and is supplied to the cup P while forming an airflow larger than the discharge volume from the air injection port.

[0081] As shown in Figure 9, the external drain nozzle 17 sprays air upstream and downward in the conveying direction F. Multiple external drain nozzles 17 are provided. The multiple external drain nozzles 17 include a body drain nozzle 17A that sprays air onto the body 100 of the cup P being conveyed, and a bottom drain nozzle 17B that sprays air onto the bottom 110 of the cup P being conveyed.

[0082] The air nozzle of the body drain nozzle 17A is slit-shaped and extends in the vertical direction. More specifically, the air nozzle of the body drain nozzle 17A extends downstream in the conveying direction F as it is directed downwards.

[0083] As shown in Figure 8, multiple body drain nozzles 17A are provided. The multiple body drain nozzles 17A are arranged with spacing between them in the width direction. In this embodiment, a pair of body drain nozzles 17A are arranged on one side (left) and the other side (right) in the width direction of the cup axis A of the cup P being conveyed.

[0084] The air nozzle of the bottom drain nozzle 17B is slit-shaped and extends in the width direction (left-right direction). One bottom drain nozzle 17B is provided, located above the cup P being transported. In the width direction, the bottom drain nozzle 17B is positioned at the same location as the cup axis A of the cup P being transported. The air sprayed from the bottom drain nozzle 17B blows away and removes the cleaning liquid accumulated in the dome portion 111 of the bottom 110.

[0085] The internal drain nozzle 18 has a perforated air injection port. One internal drain nozzle 18 is provided, located on the underside of the cup P being conveyed. In the example shown in Figure 8, the internal drain nozzle 18 is positioned between a pair of conveyors 21a aligned in the width direction. The internal drain nozzle 18 injects air upwards. Furthermore, because the body 100 of cup P is tapered, water droplets on the inside of cup P are easily and reliably removed by the air sprayed from the internal drainage nozzle 18.

[0086] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the cup draining device 20, which is located downstream of the cup washing device 10 in the transport direction F, removes water droplets from the curled portion 105 of the cup P that could not be completely removed by the aforementioned draining section 12. In Figure 5, the symbol C represents the turret axis C, which is the central axis of the turret 26 of the cup draining device 20.

[0087] In the cup washing device 10 of this embodiment described above, cups P having a tapered body 100 are guided in grooves 25a that constitute a part of the helical groove 25 of the conveying screw 23, and are conveyed in the conveying direction F as the conveying screw 23 rotates. The grooves 25a of the conveying screw 23 are spaced apart from each other in the conveying direction F, so that the cups P guided in these grooves 25a do not push against each other. As a result, the conveying posture of the cups P is kept from becoming unstable, and the cups P do not tip over. In addition, since there can be space between the cups P lined up in the conveying direction F, the front and rear parts of the cups P facing the conveying direction F can be washed stably. Based on the above, according to this embodiment, the cup P can be washed stably while preventing it from tipping over during transport.

[0088] In this embodiment, the lower guide 21 has a conveyor 21a that transports the cup P in the transport direction F, and the first moving speed at which the spiral groove 25 moves the cup P in the transport direction F and the second moving speed at which the conveyor 21a moves the cup P in the transport direction F are different from each other. In this case, because the first and second moving speeds are different, the cup P is transported in the transport direction F while being rotated around the cup axis A. That is, as the cup P is transported, the portion of the body 100 that is guided by the groove 25a gradually changes in the circumferential direction of the cup. This allows the body 100 to be stably cleaned over its entire circumference around the cup axis A.

[0089] Furthermore, the cup washing device 10 of this embodiment is equipped with a draining section 12 downstream of the washing section 11 in the conveying direction F, and the draining section 12 has an outer surface draining nozzle 17 that sprays air onto the outer surface of the cup P and an inner surface draining nozzle 18 that sprays air onto the inner surface of the cup P. In this case, the cleaning solution droplets (water droplets) adhering to the cup P after washing can be blown off early, stabilizing subsequent processes such as drying. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress the remaining water droplet marks on the surface of the cup P, maintaining good surface properties and stably improving the quality of the cup P.

[0090] In this embodiment, the cleaning unit 11 has an external cleaning nozzle 15 that sprays cleaning liquid onto the outer surface of the cup P, and a gap is provided between the portion of the body 100 facing the groove 25a and the groove 25a, through which the cleaning liquid can pass. In this case, the cleaning liquid sprayed from the outer surface cleaning nozzle 15 can pass through the portion of the outer surface of the body 100 that is guided by the groove 25a. Therefore, the body 100 can be guided by the groove 25a and cleaned stably.

[0091] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and modifications to the configuration, etc., are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention, as described below. In the illustrations of modified examples, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as in the embodiments described above, and the main differences will be described below.

[0092] Figure 10 shows a first modified example of the cup washing device 10 described in the above embodiment, and is specifically a cross-sectional view showing a part of the conveying screw 23. In this first modified example, the helical groove 25 has a recess 25b that is recessed radially inward from the inner surface of the helical groove 25. The recess 25b is located in the groove 25a that is at least opposite to the body portion 100. Specifically, this recess 25b is a groove that extends spirally along the direction in which the helical groove 25 extends. As shown in Figure 10, in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the vertical direction, the recess 25b has a concave curve shape that is recessed from the inner surface of the helical groove 25, and in the illustrated example, it has a concave arc shape.

[0093] According to this first modification, the cleaning liquid sprayed from the external cleaning nozzle 15 is passed through the recess 25b of the groove 25a, thereby cleaning the external portion of the body 100 that is guided by the groove 25a. Therefore, the body 100 can be guided by the groove 25a and cleaned stably.

[0094] Figure 11 shows a second modified example of the cup washing device 10 described in the above embodiment, and is specifically a cross-sectional view showing a part of the conveying screw 23. In this second modified example, the helical groove 25 also has a recess 25b that is recessed from the inner surface of the helical groove 25. Specifically, as shown in Figure 11, in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the vertical direction, the inner surface of the helical groove 25 has a plurality of concave curves with different radii of curvature, and a bent recess 25b is provided at the connection point between one concave curve and another. In the illustrated example, a plurality (a pair) of the recess 25b are provided, spaced apart from each other. This second modification yields the same effects as the first modification described above.

[0095] Furthermore, although not specifically shown in the figures, the spiral groove 25 may have a three-dimensional pattern on the groove portion 25a on its inner surface that faces the body portion 100. The three-dimensional pattern may include, for example, embossing (relief processing) or debossing (recessed processing). This configuration also provides the same effects as the first and second modified examples described above.

[0096] Figure 12 shows a third modified example of the cup washing device 10 described in the above embodiment, specifically a front view of a part of the cup washing device 10 as seen from the downstream side in the conveying direction F. In this third modification, the lateral guide 24 has an anti-slip portion 24a that contacts the body portion 100. The anti-slip portion 24a is made of a material that reduces (hinders) slippage with the body portion 100, and is formed of, for example, rubber.

[0097] According to this third modification, the body portion 100 comes into contact with the anti-slip portion 24a of the lateral guide 24, causing the cup P to be transported in the transport direction F while being rotated around the cup axis A. That is, as the cup P is transported, the portion of the body portion 100 that is guided by the groove portion 25a gradually changes in the circumferential direction of the cup. This allows the body portion 100 to be stably cleaned over its entire circumference around the cup axis A.

[0098] Furthermore, the rotation axis O of the conveying screw 23 may be located at the same position as the vertical center of the cup P, or higher (towards the bottom 110). However, as described in the above embodiment, it is preferable that the rotation axis O of the conveying screw 23 is positioned below the vertical center of the cup P (towards the open end 100a), as this makes the conveying posture of the cup P more stable.

[0099] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example was given in which the lower guide 21 has a conveyor 21a that moves the cup P in the transport direction F, but it is not limited to this. That is, the cup P may be moved in the transport direction F by only the helical groove 25 of the transport screw 23. In this case, the lower guide 21 may be, for example, a rail formed from a shaft or pipe and extending in the transport direction F. With the above configuration, the structure of the device can be further simplified.

[0100] The present invention may be combined in any way that does not depart from the spirit of the invention, as described in the above embodiments and modifications, and the configurations may be added, omitted, substituted, or otherwise modified. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited by the above embodiments, but is limited only by the claims. [Industrial applicability]

[0101] The cup washing apparatus of the present invention can stably wash cups while preventing them from tipping over during transport. Therefore, it has industrial applicability. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0102] 2...Conveying section, 10...Cup washing device, 11...Washing section, 12...Draining section, 15...External washing nozzle, 16...Internal washing nozzle, 17...External draining nozzle, 18...Internal draining nozzle, 21...Lower guide, 21a...Conveyor, 22...Upper guide, 23...Conveying screw, 24...Lateral guide, 24a...Anti-slip section, 25...Spiral groove, 25a...Groove section, 25b...Recess, 100...Body section, 100a...Opening end, 110...Bottom section, F...Conveying direction, O...Rotation axis, P...Cup

Claims

1. A cup washing device for washing a bottomed tapered cup having a tapered body and a bottom, A conveying unit that conveys multiple cups in an inverted position with the open end of the body facing downwards in the conveying direction, The system comprises a washing unit for washing the cups that are transported to the transport unit, The aforementioned transport unit is A lower guide extending in the transport direction and supporting the open end of the body from below, It has a conveying screw that extends in the conveying direction and rotates around a rotation axis, The conveying screw has a helical groove that extends spirally around the rotation axis as it extends in the axial direction from which the rotation axis extends. The helical groove guides the body portion with a groove portion facing the lower guide side in the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction when viewed from above, Multiple grooves are arranged at intervals from each other in the conveying direction. The conveying section has a transverse guide that extends in the conveying direction and guides the tapered body section, The lateral guide is positioned in the width direction on the opposite side of the conveying screw, with the cup in between. As the conveying screw rotates around the rotation axis, the cup is guided into the groove and conveyed in the conveying direction. Cup washing device.

2. The lower guide has a conveyor on which the open end of the body rests and which moves in the transport direction, The spiral groove moves the cup in the conveying direction at a first moving speed, The second moving speed at which the conveyor moves the cup in the transport direction is different from the second moving speed at which the conveyor moves the cup. The cup washing device according to claim 1.

3. The lateral guide has an anti-slip portion that contacts the body portion, The cup washing device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A draining section is provided, which is located downstream of the washing section in the conveying direction, and drains water from the cups that are being conveyed to the conveying section. The drainage section is, An external draining nozzle that sprays air onto the outer surface of the cup, The cup has an internal drain nozzle that sprays air onto the inner surface, A cup washing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The cleaning unit has an external cleaning nozzle that sprays cleaning liquid onto the outer surface of the cup, A gap is provided between the portion of the body facing the groove and the groove through which the cleaning fluid can pass. A cup washing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The cleaning unit has an external cleaning nozzle that sprays cleaning liquid onto the outer surface of the cup, The helical groove has a recess located in the groove portion that is at least opposite to the body portion. A cup washing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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