Washing machine for plastic crates for fruit and vegetables

Abstract

 A longitudinal sliding plane (42) is defined on a framework (20) along which the crates are slidably arranged upside down. A truck is slidable in a direction parallel to the plane (42) under control of a pneumatic cylinder (40), and is provided with pushers (52, 56) for pushing the crates. An inside washing device (68) comprises a first delivery member which is pivotally supported below the sliding plane, is provided with nozzles (80, 82) shooting upward water jets, and is driven to rotate by the cylinder via trasmission means (58, 77) which turn the motion of translation of the truck (38) into a rotary motion. An outside washing device (102) comprises a delivery member supported above the sliding plane and provided with nozzles (116, 118) shooting lateral water jets. A hydraulic circuit (CI) connectable to pressurized fluid supplying means (P) supplies both the washing devices.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine for plastics crates for fruit and vegetables, more particularlycrates for grapes.

[0002] As known, grapes during vintage are stored in plastics crates, which then are stacked for the conveyance. Such crates generally have a rectangular profile but may vary in dimensions and sizes depending on the specific application. The everyday use of the crates causes mud, leaves, earth, insects, and other pollutants on the ground to enter the crate and to mix with the residual must, thereby forming deposits and bacterial sediments.

[0003] In order to prevent the above sediments from contaminating the must, the crates should be washed after each emptying. To this purpose, automatized washing apparatuses are known, which however are very cumbersome and expensive because intended for large-scale productions of wine in industrial plants. In case of middle/small-scale productions in small farms, usually no washing is provided for the crates, or a rough handwashing on the outside at most. However, such handwashing is quite insufficient to remove the deposits nested within the crates, where the cleanliness is mainly required, particularly in the critical areas such as the corners between the bottom and the side walls of the crate.

[0004] Moreover, the handwashing of the crates is rarely practised both because it is not effective owing to the above-mentioned considerations, and because it is a tiring, time-consuming work for the operator.

[0005] Therefore, it is a main object of the present invention to provide a machine for automatically washing crates for fruit and vegetables, in particular crates for grapes, which is small-sized and has low costs in order to be particularly suitable to middle/small-scale productions, and which is capable of strongly washing both the outside and the inside of the crate, with a washing action concentrated on the most critical areas.

[0006] It is another object of the invention to provide a machine driven by non-electrical driving means, thereby providing a high degree of reliability and safety in relation to the damp environment in which it has to operate.

[0007] The above objects and other advantages of the invention, which will better appear from the following description, are achieved by the washing machine having the features recited in claim 1, while the dependent claims state other advantageous, though secondary, features of the invention.

[0008] The invention will be now described in more detail with reference to a few preferred, non-exclusive embodiments, shown by way of non-limiting example in the attached drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows a conventional plastics crate for fruit and vegetables;

Fig. 2 is a broken-away, side view of a washing machine for plastics crates according to the invention;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machine of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a broken-away, front view of the machine of Fig.2;

Fig. 5 shows a detail of Fig. 2 to an enlarged scale;

Fig. 6 shows a detail of Fig. 4 to an enlarged scale;

Fig. 7 is a diagram of a pneumatic circuit controlling the machine according to the invention;

Figs. 8-12 are diagrammatical view showing the machine according to the invention in five subsequent operative steps;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing a washing machine according to an alternative embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 14 is a plan view of the machine of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a view in cross-section of Fig. 14 along line XV-XV.

[0009] Fig. 1 shows a plastics crate 10 of the type for storing grapes during vintage. Crate 10 generally has a rectangular profile with perforated side walls 14, 16 stiffened with beads. However, the crates may extensively vary in dimensions and sizes depending on the specific application.

[0010] Figs. 2-6 show a washing machine 18 for plastics crates of the type shown in Fig. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Machine 18 comprises a box-shaped framework 20, with uprights 22 interconnected via longitudinal members 24 and cross members 26. Machine 18 receives crates 10 (only the contour of which is shown in Figs. 2-15) from a chute 28 attached to the rear end of framework 20, on which the crates are arranged in line and upside-down. Chute 28 is provided with overhanging lateral guides 30 supported on brakets 32 of a conventional type, in which the overhang is adjustable in order to vary the distance between the guides depending on the crate size. A shelf 34 is attached to the front end of framework 20, on which the crates are unloaded after washing.

[0011] Framework 20 supports a pair of longitudinal rails 36 on which a truck 38 is slidable under control of a pneumatic cylinder 40 that is attached to the frame and is driven by a pneumatic circuit CP (only diagrammatically shown in Fig. 1) which is described in more detail below. A pair of longitudinal slide bars 42 are supported on frame 20 above rails 36 for receiving the crates unloaded from chute 28. Therefore, slide bars 42 define a sliding plane for the crates.

[0012] Truck 38 comprises a rectangular, horizontal frame 44 supported on four wheels 46 lying on rails 36, and is provided with a connection member 48 to which the driving rod 50 of cylinder 40 is connected. A first pair of swinging pushers 52 are hinged to the opposite sides of frame 44 about a first transverse axis A near the forward end of truck 38. The pushers each consist of a plate having a middle portion 52a hinged to the truck and provided with a forward contact projection 52b for engaging the inside of the crate, as well as with a rear return projection 52c acting as a counter-weight. The plate is normally biased by its return end 52c toward a vertically hanging position in which its contact end 52b emerges obliquely from the sliding plane defined by longitudinal slide bars 42. The emerging rotation of the pusher is delimited by a stop pin 54 integral with frame 44, against which the plate abuts at a recess area defined between middle portion 52a and rear return end 52c. A second pair of swinging pushers 56 are hinged to the opposite sides of frame 44 about a second transverse axis B near the rear end of truck 38. Rear pushers 56 are identical to forward pushers 52, therefore no further description will be given about them. A steel rope 58 pulling on the opposite longitudinal ends of frame 44 has its ends anchored to respective anchor members 60, 62 projecting downwards from frame 44 by means of adjustable, elastically yelding turnbukles 64, 66 of a type known per se and shown in more detail in Fig. 5 with reference to turnbukle 66. Such turnbukles generally comprise a threaded rod 66a having an eyelet 66b at one end for anchoring the rope. The opposite end of threaded rod 66a is inserted in a hole of anchor member 62 and has nuts 66c screwed thereto, with interposition of a spring 66d between nuts 66b and anchor member 62. With this connection system, the rope is constantly subjected to an elastic tension, the tension of the rope can be adjusted, and any loosening of the rope due to wear can be remedied by tightening nuts 66c. A rotating device 68 for washing the inside of the crate (shown in detail in Fig. 6) is arranged between slide bars 42. Device 68 is provided with a rotating delivery member comprising a hollow vertical shaft 70 which is pivotally supported on a structure 72 integral with framework 20 via a pair of self-lubricating bushes 74, 76. A pulley 77 is keyed to shaft 70. Rope 58 is wound around pulley 77.

[0013] A horizontal tube 78 is connected to the upper end of shaft 70 by means of a union tee 79 through which tube 78 communicates with the inside of hollow shaft 70.

[0014] A first pair of nozzles 80, 82 are mounted to the opposite ends of tube 78, each of which nozzles being arranged such as to shoot a sheet-shaped water jet lying on the plane defined by the axes of shaft 70 and tube 78. In particular, nozzles 80, 82 are respectively arranged such as to shoot an upward vertical jet and an oblique jet directed outwards. A hydraulic joint 84 is mounted to the lower end of shaft and connects pivoting device 68 to a hydraulic circuit CI (shown diagrammatically in Fig. 2) which is suppliable by a conventional high pressure cleaner P.

[0015] A overhanging lateral guide 86 is supported by side of one of slide bars 42 on brakets 88 of the adjustable type already described with reference to lateral guides 30 of chute 28. Guide 86 extends along the overall lenght of sliding guides 42. A pair of overhanging, lateral counter-guides 90, 92 are supported in line by side of the other slide bar on respective supports 94 which are elastically yelding in a transversal direction. Supports 94 each comprise a rod 96 inserted in a hole of the framework. The counter-guide is attached to the inner end of rod 96, with a compression spring 100 arranged between the counter-guide and framework 20. The outer end of bar 96 is threaded and has a thightening knob 101 screwed thereto, which is operatable for adjusting the overhang of the counter-guide. In particular, a first counter-guide 90 adjacent to the chute is arranged such that the crate coming from the chute is free to slide between counter-guide 90 and lateral guide 86, while the second counter-guide 92 is arranged such that the crate is elastically clamped between 92 counter-guide and lateral guide 86.

[0016] Machine 18 is also provided with a device 102 for washing the outside of the crate, which is provided with a second delivery member comprising a hollow transversal bar 103 which is pivotally supported at its opposite ends on a pair of slides 104, 106 that are slidable along respective vertical guides 108, 110 attached to the upside of the framework, the position of the slides being lockable by means of a locking screw (not shown). A lever 112 projects radially from bar 103 and is operatively connected to a pneumatic actuator 114 also operated by pneumatic circuit CP. A second pair of nozzles 116, 118 are mounted to the opposite ends of bar 103, are in fluid communication with the inside of the bar and are connected to hydraulic circuit CI via a hose 120 (Fig. 2). Nozzles 116, 118 are arranged such as to shoot respective symmetrical sheet-shaped jets obliquely directed inwards.

[0017] Hydraulic circuit CI substantially has two circuit branches R1, R2, which respectively supply outside washing device 68 and inside washing device 102 and are alternatively operatable by opening/closing respective valves V1, V2 controlled by pneumatic circuit CP.

[0018] Pneumatic circuit CP (shown in Fig. 7) comprises a first distributor DC which controls pneumatic cylinder 40, and a second distributor DA which controls pneumatic actuator 114. A cycle-start sensor SP is provided for detecting the presence of a crate entering the machine and is connected for sending a cycle-start pilot signal, when a crate is detected, which switches both distributor DC to operate the extension of pneumatic cylinder 40, and a third distributor DV1 which controls valve V1. A fourth distributor DV2 controls valve V2. Three position sensors S1, S2, S3 are arranged in line along the extension stroke of rod 50 of pneumatic cylinder 40. First sensor S1 is arranged for sending a pilot signal with rod 50 at its innermost position, which signal switches both distributor DA to operate the withdrawing of pneumatic actuator 114, and distributor DC, if cycle-start sensor SP detects the presence of a crate. Second position sensor S2 is arranged for sending a pilot signal with rod 50 at an intermediate position, which signal switches distributor DA to operate the extension of pneumatic actuator 114. Third position signal S3 is arranged for sending a pilot signal with rod 50 at its outermost position, which signal signal switches distributors DV1 and DV2 to close valve V1 and to open valve V2 respectively. Pneumatic circuit CP also comprises a safety circuit CE that is manually operatable for immediately stopping the machine in case of emergency.

[0019] The operation of the machine will be now described with particular reference to Figs. 8-12. Truck 38 is initially at its rearmost position as shown in Fig. 2, with rear pushers 56 engaging the inside of the first crate 10a, which is arranged between lateral guide 86 and first counter-guide 90. At this step, sensor S1 is active and distributor DA is configured such as to maintain pneumatic actuator 114 at its withdrawn position. When cycle-start sensor SP detects the presence of crate 10a, the pilot signal from sensor S1 operates the extension of pneumatic cylinder 40, thereby causing truck 48 to move forward. The signal from sensor S1 also switches both distributor DV1, which opens valve V1 supplying the outside washing device, and distributor DV2, which closes valve V2 supplying the inside washing device. During the forward stroke of the truck, rear pushers 56 push crate 10a against the friction force generated by the elastic pressure applied upon crate 10a by lateral guide 86 and second counter-guide 92. Pulley 77, which is pivotally supported about a stationary axis, is driven to rotate by rope 58, which is wound on it and is attached to truck 38. Therefore, the inside washing device rotates but it is disabled because valve V2 is closed. With pneumatic actuator 114 in its withdrawn configuration, nozzles 116, 118 shoot jets slanting at an angle with respect to a transversal, vertical plane in a direction opposed to the direction of motion of the crates, so that they hit the forward wall of the crate, as well as its side walls and its bottom. After a first stroke T1 (Fig. 7), sensor S2 sends a pilot signal which switches distributor DA such as to operate the extension of pneumatic actuator 114. This causes bar 102 to rotate to a position in which nozzles 116, 118 shoot jets slanting at an angle with respect to a transversal, vertical plane in the direction of motion of the crates, whereby they hit the rear wall of the crate, as well as its side walls and its bottom. At the and of the forward stroke, sensor S3 sends a pilot signal which switches distributor DC such as to operate the withdrawing of pneumatic cylinder 40, thereby causing the truck to move back. Simultaneously, signal from S3 switches both distributor DV2 to open valve V2, thereby enabling the inside washing device, and distributor DV1 to close valve V1, thereby disabling the outside washing device. Therefore, during the return stroke of truck 38, the inside washing device rotates and is active, while the outside washing device is disabled. At this stage, crate 10a does not move, being clamped between lateral guide 86 and second counter-guide 92, and is internally washed by the rotating jets delivered by nozzles 80, 82. In particular, the vertical jet from nozzle 80 mainly hits the bottom of crate 10a, while the oblique jet from nozzle 82 mainly hits the inside of the side walls of crate 10a, as well as the edge of the next crate 10b. During the return stroke, pushers 56 disengage crate 10a and, when the truck is back to its starting position, they hook the next crate 10b, while forward pushers 52 engage the crate 10a just washed. Now machine 18 is ready to start a new washing cycle upon crate 10b. The moving forward of truck 38 causes both the crate that must be washed 10b to be pushed by rear pushers 56, and the crate 10a just washed to be pushed by forward pushers 52 onto shelf 34.

[0020] Figs. 13-15 show an alternative embodiment of the machine according to the invention, which comprises a more sophisticated inside washing device. In this second embodiment, truck 150 has a rectangular frame 152 having a crosspiece 154 at an intermediate position to which the rod 50 of pneumatic cylinder 40 is attached.

[0021] In the inside washing device 156 of this second embodiment, which is shown in detail in Fig. 15, the pulley 160 keyed to hollow vertical shaft 158 is larger in diameter than the pulley of the previous embodiment. Rope 162 has one end anchored to the rear end of truck 150 and describes a S-shaped path along which it is first wound around pulley 160, then around a counter-wheel 164 that is pivotally supported at the rear end of the framework, and finally is anchored with its opposite end to crosspiece 154. Shaft 158 coaxially supports a disc 166 having a radial groove 168 with a slide 170 that is slidably received therein. Slide 170 supports a pair of nozzles 172, 174 each arranged to shoot a sheet-shaped water jet lying on the plane defined by the axis of shaft 158 and by the radial sliding direction of slide 170. In particular, nozzles 172, 174 are respectively arranged such as to shoot an upward vertical jet and an oblique jet directed inwards. Nozzles 172, 174 are open to a conduit 176 formed within slide 170, which is operatively connected to the inside of shaft 158 via a hose 178. A pin 180 projects downwards from slide 170 and engages a closed track 182 formed on a plate 184 supported on truck 150 below disc 166, with a camming action.

[0022] In the operation, the forward moving of truck 150 causes disc 166 to rotate by mutual engagement of rope 162 with pulley 160. The rotation of disc 166 causes slide 170 to radially reciprocate by mutual engagement of pin 180 with track 182. Therefore, during the inside washing of the crate, nozzles 172, 174 follow the inner profile of the crate, so that the washing action is very effective because the outlet of the nozzles is always near the walls of the crate.

[0023] A few preferred embodiments of the invention have been described herein, but of course many changes may be made by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the inventive concept. For example, the trasmission systems of the first embodiment for turning the motion of translation of the truck into a rotary motion of the inside washing device, can be easily used in the second embodiment, and vice versa. Moreover, the pneumatic driving means for moving the truck and the outside washing device, can be easily replaced by other types of driving means, for example, hydraulic cylinders controlled by a hydraulic circuit similar to the pneumatic circuit of Fig. 7.

Claims

1. A washing machine for plastics crates for fruit and vegetables, characterized in that it comprises:

- a framework (20) having a longitudinal sliding plane (42) defined thereon, along which the crates arranged upside-down are slidable,

- a truck which is slidably supported in a direction parallel to the sliding plane (42) under control of first driving means (40), and is provided with pushers (52, 56) for pushing the crates along the sliding plane (42),

- an inside washing device (68) comprising a first delivery member which is pivotally supported on the framework (20) below said sliding plane, is provided with first nozzles (80, 82) arranged for shooting upward water jets, and is driven to rotate by said first driving means (40) via a trasmission system (58, 77) arranged for turning the motion of translation of the truck (38) into a rotary motion of the first delivery member,

- an outside washing device (102), comprising a second delivery member supported on the framework (20) above said sliding plane and provided with second nozzles (116, 118) for shooting lateral water jets, and

- a hydraulic circuit (CI) connectable to pressurized fluid supplying means (P) and operatively connected to the inside washing device (68) and to the outside washing device (102).

2. The washing machine of claim 1, characterized in that said trasmission system comprises a pulley (77) attached to said first delivery member coaxially with its axis of rotation, and a rope (58) pulling on the opposite longitudinal ends of the frame (44) and wound around said pulley (77).

3. The washing machine of claim 1, characterized in that said trasmission system comprises a pulley (160) attached said first delivery member coaxially to its axis of rotation, and a rope (162) having one end anchored to truck (150) and describing a S-shaped path along which it is first wound around pulley (160), then around a counter-wheel (164) pivotally supported on the framework, and finally is anchored with its opposite end to the truck (154).

4. The washing machine of any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said first delivery member comprises a horizontal tube (78) having a pair of said first nozzles (80, 82) mounted to its opposite ends and

5. The washing machine of claim 1, characterized in that said second delivery member comprises a pair of said second nozzles (116, 118) supported at the opposite sides of said sliding plane.

6. The washing machine of claim 5, characterized in that said second nozzles are pivotally supported on the framework (20) about a transversal axis under control of second driving means (114) operable for changing the angular position of the nozzles on the basis of the position of the truck on the framework.

7. The washing machine of claim 1, characterized in that said pushers (52, 56) are movably supported between an operative position, in which they emerge from the sliding plane defined on the framework (20) for pushing a crate when the track moves forward in a first direction, and a passive position in which they are dropped at the level of the sliding plane for not interfering with the crate when the truck moves back in a direction opposite to said first direction.

8. The washing machine of claim 7, characterized in that said pushers each comprise a plate having a middle portion (52a) hinged to the truck about a first transverse axis (A), and provided with a forward contact projection (52b) for engaging the inside of the crate, and with a rear return projection (52c) acting as a counter-weight.

9. The washing machine of any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said truck comprises at least one pusher (52) near the forward end of the truck (38) and at least one pusher (56) near the rear end of the truck (38).

10. The washing machine of any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a lateral guide (86) and a lateral counter-guide (92) are supported at the opposite sides of the sliding plane for elastically clamping the crate in a transversal direction.

11. The washing machine of claim 1, characterized in that said hydraulic

- a second position sensor (S2) arranged for sending a second pilot signal with the pneumatic cylinder (40) at an intermediate position, which second signal switches the second distributor (DA) for moving the pneumatic actuator (114) to a second operative position in which the second nozzles (116, 118) shoot jets slanting at an angle with respect to a transversal, vertical plane in the direction of motion of the crates , and

- a third position signal (S3) arranged for sending a third pilot signal with the pneumatic cylinder (40) at its its outermost position, which third signal switches distributors (DV1) and (DV2) to close the first valve (V1) and to open the second valve (V2) respectively.

circuit (CI) has two circuit branches (R1, R2) which are alternatively operatable via a first valve (V1) and a second valve (V2) for supplying the outside washing device (68) or the inside washing device (102).

12. The washing machine of claim 1, characterized in that said first delivery member comprises a disc (166) having a radial groove (168) with a slide (170) received therein, which slide supports at least one of said first nozzles (172, 174) and is provided with a pin (180) engaging a track (182) integral with truck (150) and shaped such that the rotation of the disc (166) causes the slide (170) to radially reciprocate along the groove by mutual engagement of the pin (180) with the track (182).

13. The washing machine of claim 6 and 11, characterized in that said first driving means and second driving means are a pneumatic cylinder (40) and a pneumatic actuator (114) respectively, which are driven by a pneumatic circuit (CP) comprising:

- a first distributor (DC) which controls the pneumatic cylinder (40),

- a second distributor (DA) which controls the pneumatic actuator (114),

- a third distributor (DV1) which controls the first valve (V1),

- a fourth distributor (DV2) which controls the second valve (V2),

- a cycle-start sensor (SP) for detecting the presence of a crate entering the machine, which is connected for sending a cycle-start pilot signal, when a crate is detected, which switches both the first distributor (DC) to operate the extension of the pneumatic cylinder (40), and the third distributor (DV1) to open the first valve (V1),

- a first position sensor (S1) arranged for sending a first pilot signal with the pneumatic cylinder (40) at its innermost position, which first signal switches the second distributor (DA) for moving the pneumatic actuator (114) to a first operative position in which the second nozzles (116, 118) shoot jets slanting at an angle with respect to a transversal, vertical plane in a direction opposed to the direction of motion of the crates, as well as the first distributor (DC) if the cycle-start sensor (SP) detects the presence of a crate,

Drawing