Pulsed Rinsing Nozzle for Container Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rinsing machines for containers used in packaging pourable carbonated food products do not achieve an optimal rinsing effect, necessitating an enhancement in the rinsing performance while also being easy and economical to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A rotary rinsing machine with multiple rinsing units, each equipped with a nozzle that alternates between active and inactive conditions to deliver a pulsed rinsing mixture, improving the rinsing effect by creating multiple peaks of flow rate and varying the degree of penetration within the container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If continuous rinsing is applied, then the rinsing process is simple, but the rinsing effect is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by switching the nozzle between active and inactive conditions in pulsed cycles. Each pulse creates a peak flow rate that enhances rinsing effectiveness. The nozzle operates in cycles of dispensing rinsing mixture followed by interruption, creating periodic peaks that improve cleaning along the longitudinal extension of the container while managing complexity through timed control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the nozzle penetration depth variable rather than fixed. The degree of penetration Z follows a time trend with upward and downward stretches, allowing the nozzle to dynamically adjust its position within the container during the rinsing process. This dynamic adjustment enhances rinsing uniformity along the container length.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple peaks of flow rate are created, then the rinsing effect is improved, but the consumption of rinsing mixture increases
Solution Approach 1:
The periodic pulsing creates multiple flow rate peaks that improve rinsing uniformity by ensuring the rinsing mixture reaches different sections of the container at optimal moments. The intermittent switching between active and inactive conditions allows the mixture to penetrate and drain effectively, achieving uniform rinsing without requiring continuous high-volume dispensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The variable penetration depth dynamically optimizes rinsing coverage. During upward stretch, the nozzle penetrates deeper to reach bottom sections; during downward stretch, it reduces penetration for top sections. This dynamic adjustment ensures efficient rinsing of the entire container longitudinal extension while minimizing excessive mixture consumption.
3Manufacturing precision
If the nozzle penetrates deeply into the container, then the rinsing coverage is improved, but the stress on machine components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts nozzle penetration depth rather than maintaining constant deep penetration. The degree of penetration Z varies over time with controlled upward and downward stretches, allowing deep penetration when needed for coverage while reducing penetration during other phases. This dynamic variation maintains effective rinsing coverage while reducing sustained stress on the nozzle and supporting components.
Solution Approach 2:
The periodic switching between active and inactive conditions intersperses deep penetration phases with recovery phases. During inactive periods, the nozzle can retract or maintain position without dispensing under pressure, allowing stress relief on mechanical components while still achieving thorough rinsing coverage during active pulses.
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
The pulsed rinsing treatment enhances the rinsing effect by ensuring a more uniform and improved cleaning along the longitudinal extension of the container, while also optimizing the consumption of rinsing mixture and reducing stress on machine components.
Implementation Method 1
Each time the nozzle (14) adopts the active condition, there is at least one respective peak of flow rate of the rinsing mixture
Implementation Method 2
The rinsing machine (1) is configured so that the degree of penetration Z follows a time trend TT during the rinsing treatment comprising an upward stretch US, during which the degree of penetration Z increases, and a downward stretch DS, during which the degree of penetration Z decreases
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
It is described a rinsing machine (1) for rinsing containers (2), comprising a plurality of rinsing units (5), the rinsing machine (1) is configured so that the containers (2) are sequentially rinsed by means of respective rinsing units (5); wherein each rinsing unit (5) is configured for internally rinsing the container (2) by means of a nozzle (14), configured to adopt an active condition, in which it dispenses a rinsing mixture, and an inactive condition, in which it does not dispense any rinsing mixture, each rinsing unit (5) comprising the respective nozzle (14); and wherein the rinsing machine (1) is configured so that each container (2) is rinsed by at least automatically and intermittently switching the respective nozzle (14) between said active condition and said inactive condition.