Container Washing Tank Label Extraction With Ultrasonic Prewash

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing washing machines for empty containers struggle with efficient removal of labels during the cleaning process, leading to potential inefficiencies in energy consumption and cleaning time.

Innovation Solution

The washing machine incorporates a pair of extraction devices positioned at the bottom section of the cleaning tank, utilizing high-pressure removing fluid and ultrasonic waves to detach and remove labels from containers, along with a hollow passage for easy maintenance and inspection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional cleaning methods are used in cleaning zones, then containers can be effectively cleaned from encrusted dirt, but energy consumption increases and cleaning time extends

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The ultrasonic prewash zone applies ultrasonic waves before the main cleaning zones to pre-loosen and disaggregate encrusted dirt from containers. This preliminary action reduces the energy and time required in subsequent cleaning zones by preparing the dirt for easier removal, thereby resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces part of the mechanical cleaning system with an ultrasonic cleaning system in the prewash zone. Instead of relying solely on mechanical agitation and high-temperature cleaning, ultrasonic waves are used to cavitate and disaggregate dirt, reducing the mechanical energy and time needed for effective cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If conventional cleaning methods are used in cleaning zones, then containers can be effectively cleaned from encrusted dirt, but cleaning time extends

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidcleaning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The ultrasonic prewash zone applies ultrasonic waves before the main cleaning zones to pre-loosen and disaggregate encrusted dirt from containers. This preliminary action reduces the energy and time required in subsequent cleaning zones by preparing the dirt for easier removal, thereby resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces part of the mechanical cleaning system with an ultrasonic cleaning system in the prewash zone. Instead of relying solely on mechanical agitation and high-temperature cleaning, ultrasonic waves are used to cavitate and disaggregate dirt, reducing the mechanical energy and time needed for effective cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If suction apparatuses are positioned at the bottom of the tank, then labels can be removed during cleaning, but the structure becomes more complex and maintenance becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelabel removal efficiencyVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The washing machine is divided into modular zones including a prewash zone with ultrasonic waves, cleaning zones with suction apparatuses, and rinsing zones. This segmentation allows the suction apparatuses to be positioned at strategic locations (bottom and sides of tanks) to effectively remove labels while maintaining accessible positions for maintenance, resolving the contradiction between label removal efficiency and maintenance accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If multiple extraction devices are added to improve label removal, then label removal efficiency increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelabel removal efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The washing machine is divided into modular zones including a prewash zone with ultrasonic waves, cleaning zones with suction apparatuses, and rinsing zones. This segmentation allows the suction apparatuses to be positioned at strategic locations (bottom and sides of tanks) to effectively remove labels while maintaining accessible positions for maintenance, resolving the contradiction between label removal efficiency and maintenance accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The suction apparatuses are designed to perform multiple functions: removing detached labels from container surfaces and extracting them from the cleaning bath. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized devices, thereby increasing label removal efficiency without proportionally increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures thorough label removal with reduced energy consumption and cleaning time, while maintaining a compact and ergonomic design for maintenance access.

Implementation Method 1

The use of ultrasonic waves has been proposed, such as in WO-A-2020119958 in the name of the same Applicant, for aiding the cleaning process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic waves: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 2

During the depressurized state, air dissolved within the medium tends to form many microbubbles, which implode when pressure increases so as to release energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic cavitation: Acoustic Cavitation

Implementation Method 3

The washing machine incorporates a pair of extraction devices positioned at the bottom section of the cleaning tank, utilizing high-pressure removing fluid and ultrasonic waves to detach and remove labels from containers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHigh-pressure fluid flow: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 4

which are detached from the containers during the cleaning bath in the first or second cleaning zone and which precipitate to the bottom of the tank due to gravity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4286067B1Washing machine for washing empty containers adapted to be filled with a pourable product

Publication Date: 2026.01.28 SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS SAS

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AI summary

There is described a washing machine (1) configured to wash empty containers (2) adapted to be filled with a pourable product, the washing machine (1) comprises: a conveyor device (4) configured to convey a plurality of containers (2) along a washing path (P) in an advancement direction; at least one tank (7) for holding a cleaning medium, the washing path (P) extending within and along the tank (7); and a hollow passage (11) which extends through the tank (7) and which is fluidly isolated from the tank (7); the washing machine (1) further comprises a pair of extraction devices (12a, 12b) arranged in fluid communication with the tank (7), fluidly isolated from the hollow passage (11), and configured for detaching/removing labels from the containers (2) advanced in the tank (7) and for receiving the detached/removed labels, thereby extracting such labels from the tank (7).