Surge Device for Removing Stubborn Labels in Beverage Bottle Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bottle cleaning machines often fail to completely remove labels, especially those designed to withstand ice water storage, leading to malfunctions and inefficiencies in the cleaning process due to residual labels entering the after-treatment area.
Innovation Solution
A surge device is placed in the after-treatment area with nozzles aligned to create a directed flow of liquid below the liquid level in the post-caustic or water bath, extending exposure time for cleaning liquids and allowing for reliable removal of stubborn labels and other foreign substances without lengthening the cleaning device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If labels are removed in the main treatment area, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but labels designed to withstand ice water storage may not be completely removed, leading to residual labels entering the after-treatment area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing label removal in the main treatment area before the containers enter the after-treatment area. The main lye treatment is designed to detach labels early in the process, preparing them for subsequent removal in the after-treatment area. This staged approach ensures that labels are addressed systematically without compromising the integrity of the container during critical cleaning phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining label removal operations across multiple treatment areas. The main treatment area detaches labels, and the after-treatment area completes their removal, ensuring that the label removal process continues without interruption throughout the entire cleaning cycle. This continuous action prevents residual labels from entering subsequent processing stages.
2Reliability
If the cleaning device is lengthened to extend exposure time for label removal, then label removal completeness is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cleaning process into distinct functional areas: main treatment area for initial label detachment and after-treatment area for complete label removal. This segmentation allows each area to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining a compact overall structure. The container cells are divided into multiple compartments that can be independently treated, enabling extended exposure time without proportionally increasing the overall device length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes vertical stacking of container cells and multiple treatment zones to extend the cleaning process in the time dimension rather than solely in the spatial dimension. By arranging treatment areas vertically and using multiple container cells in sequence, the system achieves extended label removal exposure time without significantly increasing the horizontal footprint or overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If containers pass through multiple treatment areas, then cleaning thoroughness is improved, but throughput time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing initial cleaning and label detachment in the main treatment area before containers enter the after-treatment area. This preliminary treatment reduces the complexity of subsequent cleaning operations, allowing the after-treatment area to focus specifically on completing label removal and final rinsing. This staged approach maintains cleaning thoroughness while minimizing the total time required through efficient task distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining continuous container movement through treatment areas without unnecessary delays. Container cells are designed to move seamlessly from the main treatment area to the after-treatment area, and treatment operations are overlapped with container transport. This continuous operation ensures that cleaning actions are always underway without creating bottlenecks that would extend throughput time.
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
This solution ensures efficient removal of difficult-to-remove labels and other contaminants, reducing system costs, operating costs, and throughput time, while maintaining a compact device design and minimizing re-contamination in subsequent processing stages.
Implementation Method 1
at least one nozzle of the surge device is aligned in such a way that it creates a directed flow of liquid below the liquid level of the water or post-caustic bath
Implementation Method 2
the containers are cleaned by means are treated with a main lye, with repeated immersion in the main lye taking place and with meandering guidance of the containers after the containers have been completely filled with the main lye, so that the main lye completely flows out of the container
Implementation Method 3
the containers are sprayed with water or preliminary caustic and the containers are heated or preheated
Implementation Method 4
the containers are post-treated in an after-treatment area, in which case they usually first run through a so-called post-caustic solution, which is used for rinsing, and the containers are then rinsed with pure water, whereby they are also cooled down again
Data Source
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AI summary
Device (1) for cleaning containers, preferably for cleaning reusable bottles in a beverage filling plant, comprising a main treatment area (12) in which the containers are treated by means of a main caustic solution, and a post-treatment area (14) in which the containers are treated with a water or post-caustic bath and rinsed with water, wherein a splash device (5) for removing labels and/or label residues is provided in the post-treatment area (14).