Rotating Container Cleaning Device for Multi-Zone Stain Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for cleaning drinking containers, such as beer mugs and wine glasses, often have complex rinsing processes and insufficient cleaning quality, particularly in removing tough stains like lipstick.

Innovation Solution

A device that transports containers along a predetermined path, applies a first cleaning medium for thorough cleaning, and includes a rotating mechanism to facilitate relative rotation between the containers and cleaning devices, using different cleaning media, including cold temperatures for efficient dirt removal, and a drying device for complete cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If containers are transported through multiple cleaning zones with different cleaning media, then cleaning quality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning qualityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device is divided into multiple independent cleaning zones (first cleaning zone with first cleaning medium, second cleaning zone with second cleaning medium) that can be separately configured and operated. Each zone handles specific cleaning tasks, allowing complex cleaning requirements to be met while maintaining modular simplicity in each individual zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transport device serves multiple functions: it transports containers through the cleaning zones, rotates containers to expose all surfaces to cleaning media, and coordinates the sequential application of different cleaning media. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated devices for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If containers are rotated during cleaning, then all surfaces including edges are cleaned effectively, but the complexity of the cleaning device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning completenessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation function is merged with the transport function by integrating the rotation mechanism into the transport device structure. The transport device simultaneously performs linear transport and rotational movement, eliminating the need for a separate rotation device and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The container positioning and rotation are made dynamic rather than static. Containers are continuously rotated during transport through the cleaning zones, ensuring that all surfaces including vertical edges are exposed to cleaning media. This dynamic approach improves cleaning completeness without requiring complex fixed positioning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If different cleaning media are applied in sequence, then tough stains are removed effectively, but the cleaning process time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestain removal efficiencyVSAvoidcleaning process time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning process is made continuous rather than sequential with idle transitions. Containers move continuously through multiple cleaning zones where different cleaning media are applied in sequence without stopping. The transport device maintains constant motion, and cleaning media are applied continuously, eliminating idle time between cleaning stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The first cleaning zone performs preliminary cleaning with a first cleaning medium to remove loose dirt and prepare the surface. This preliminary action reduces the burden on subsequent cleaning zones, allowing tougher stains to be removed more efficiently in later zones without requiring excessive time in each individual zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 device achieves thorough and efficient cleaning of containers by rotating them during the process, using varying temperatures and media to remove tough stains, and ensures effective cleaning of both inner and outer surfaces, including edges, while also being mobile and suitable for diverse container shapes.

Implementation Method 1

the device has at least one rotating device, which rotates the drinking containers during transport and in particular also during their cleaning with respect to a longitudinal direction of the drinking containers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical rotation:

Implementation Method 2

the device has a first cleaning device, which applies a first free-flowing (cleaning) medium to the drinking containers in order to clean them

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow cleaning: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 3

the device has a second cleaning device, which is arranged after the first cleaning device in the transport direction of the drinking containers and which applies a flowable medium to the drinking containers in order to clean them

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow cleaning: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentEP3015043B1Device and method for cleaning drink containers
Publication Date: 2021.12.15 KOCAK MURAT
  • EP3015043B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3015043B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A device (1) for cleaning drinking containers, with a transport device (2) which transports the drinking containers (10) along a predetermined transport path (P), with a first cleaning device (4) which carries the drinking containers (10) along for cleaning them a first flowable medium, with a second cleaning device (6) which is arranged after the first cleaning device (4) in the transport direction of the drinking containers (10) and which applies a second flowable medium to the drinking containers to clean them. According to the invention, the device has at least one rotating device (8) which rotates the drinking containers during their transport and in particular also during their cleaning with respect to a longitudinal direction of the drinking containers (10) relative to at least one cleaning device (4, 6).