Sluicing device for use in an apparatus for cleaning of containers

Abstract

 A sluicing device (16) for an apparatus primarily for cleaning the inner of containers is disclosed. The sluicing device (16) is provided with cleaning agents in the form of adjustable and displaceable high pressure nozzles (19) for cleaning the inner of the containers. The sluicing device (16) is moved forward by means of wheels (3) mounted on the sluicing device. Holding of the sluicing device (16) in an initial direction takes place by means of jawtongs mechanisms (2) extending behind the sluicing device in a vertical plane and which are preferably supported by wheels (13). The possibility of displacing the high pressure nozzles (19) ensures reduction of the number of nozzles used and of water consumption.

Description

[0001] The present invention concerns a sluicing device for use in an apparatus for cleaning containers and other tanks and transport boxes, where the sluicing device may be displaced along a longitudinal axis of the container from an initial position outside the container and inwards through an opening in the container, the sluicing device being intended for being displaced forwards inward through the container and subsequently rearwards out of the container, and which sluicing device is provided with washing means in the shape of nozzles and drying means for washing and drying the container as it is displaced forwards or backwards in the container, whereat the nozzles of the washing means are adjustable high pressure nozzles mounted in rails which are arranged in the sluicing device approximately in parallel with the walls of the container.

[0002] Container is used as a term for all kinds of containers in transport or storage containers. Container may thus be both actual transport containers, may be freight compartments on lorries or on trailers for lorries, may be independent tanks or tanks on lorries or the trailers of these, or may be completely other kinds of containers.

[0003] US 3,543,746 describes a sluicing device for internal cleaning of a lorry container. The device is displaced from a rear opening inward through the container and then rearward in the container. Adjustable nozzles are mounted on pipes which are approximately in parallel with the container wall. The nozzles are fixed on the pipes and may only be adjusted for acquiring a desired angle relative to the container wall.

[0004] EP 940 192 describes an apparatus of this kind for cleaning the inner of freight compartments on e.g. lorries or on trailers for lorries. The apparatus comprises a carriage with a washing device mounted on a transport device in the shape of a jawtongs mechanism which is mounted on a fixed structure in relation to the carriage.

[0005] The present invention may be said to be a further development of this known apparatus. Fields of application and modes of operation which are described in connection with the known apparatus may thus also be used in connection with the sluicing device.

[0006] The known construction has appeared to function satisfactorily but there has been a desire for improving the system. Attempts have been made to use high pressure sluicing. However, it has appeared difficult to maintain a sufficient pressure in the used nozzles, and at the same time the water consumption has been appreciable. Furthermore, the large number of nozzles increase the risk of one or more nozzles being clogged and providing insufficient cleaning, why there is a need for frequent inspection of the nozzles. Also, it has appeared to, be difficult or almost impossible to perform an effective cleaning of certain types of containers with are dirty from fat and proteins.

[0007] It is the purpose with the present invention to provide an effective sluicing device for an apparatus for washing the inner of freight compartments, tanks, containers and the like, and where there is possibility of reducing the number of nozzles and at the same time reducing the amount of liquid used compared with the known system.

[0008] This purpose is achieved with a sluicing device being peculiar in that the nozzles are mounted displaceably as each rail supports an electric, hydraulic, mechanical or pneumatic motor and a toothed belt on which one or more nozzles are mounted.

[0009] By providing high pressure nozzles which are adjustable and displaceable it is possible to perform a considerable limitation in the number of nozzles as overlap between the water jets of the nozzles does not need to occur. Furthermore, a sufficient high pressure may be achieved in all the nozzles for a thorough and optimal cleaning while at the same time the water consumption is reduced. In practice, it has surprisingly appeared possible to reduce the water consumption up to 75%.

[0010] Furthermore, by the high pressure nozzles it is possible to perform admixing of cleaning agent in a cleaning process and/or foam laying with a subsequent clean sluicing. Hereby is achieved a substantial advantage by enabling cleaning containers dirty from fat and proteins with warm water, as for example feedstuff containers.

[0011] By adjusting the nozzles, it has furthermore been possible to wash an end wall in the container and not only side walls and ceiling/floor. When a sluicing device is in an outer position, the nozzles used for side walls and floor/ceiling are adjusted for sluicing end walls. When the nozzles are displaceable along the rails, washing of the end walls may be established effectively with the same nozzles.

[0012] The nozzles may be adjusted for a pressure range between 20 an 1000 bar, alternatively between 20 and 200 bar. This may occur by regulating the nozzles and/or the capacity of the pumps. Hereby it is possible to provide a correct pressure for achieving an optimal cleaning, depending on type of container and type of contamination. Furthermore, there may be performed angular adjustment so that the nozzles are directed with a desired angle relative to the wall, preferably an angle between 5 and 15°, preferably an angle of about 10°. The angle may have an arbitrary spatial orientation relative to the wall. Hereby the jets may be directed forward or rearward in relation to the passing of the nozzles by the wall in order to achieve cleaning of surfaces that could be "hidden".

[0013] Alternatively, the nozzles may be pivotable so that hereby is achieved an effective covering when the rotation of the nozzles is superposed by their translational displacement past the wall. The pivoting may occur along an axis largely in parallel with the jets, whereby a spray fan performs a circular movement over the wall. Alternatively, the pivoting may occur as a reciprocating pivoting about an axis perpendicular to the jets, whereby the spray fan will hit both front and back sides of protruding parts on the container wall. Also, it has appeared that this movement ensures an effective cleaning of holes, slots and the like in the container wall.

[0014] According to a further embodiment, the sluicing device is peculiar in that the nozzles are mounted for sluicing washing agent forwards and sidewards, that the nozzles are formed on at least two largely vertical, opposite rails and at least one upwardly directed, largely horizontal rail as each of the rails are capable of being displaced in against and away from the walls of the container at a distance perpendicular to the walls. Such an embodiment is particularly suited for standard containers where side walls as well as ceiling and floor are to be cleaned.

[0015] When each rail supports an electric, hydraulic, mechanical or pneumatic motor and a toothed belt on which one or more nozzles are mounted, there may be established an individual displacement of one or more nozzles mounted on the toothed belt for displacing along the rail with a speed that may be varied in each of the rails at wall, ceiling or floor.

[0016] In the sluicing device, the high pressure nozzles may be provided under a skirt which together with a part of a container wall form a largely closed chamber in which the high pressure sluicing occurs. Hereby is achieved an effective sluicing with the area delimited by the skirt, and the splashing of contaminated washing agent in the form of water, cleaning liquids or mixtures thereof outside the intended area of the container wall is avoided. This may be applied when only there may be performed a cleaning of a part of the inner of a container, for example walls and floor.

[0017] The sluicing device according to the invention is particularly suitable for internal cleaning of freight container for conveying by rail, ship or lorry.

[0018] The invention will now be described more closely with reference to the accompanying drawing, where:

Fig. 1

is a perspective view of an embodiment of a known apparatus with a known sluicing device,

Fig. 2

is a side view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

is a front view of a sluicing device according to the invention,

Fig. 4

is a partial view of a nozzle beam where displaceable nozzles are mounted,

Fig. 5

is a partial view of a detail of a nozzle beam, and

Fig. 6

is a schematic view of washing of a transport container performed with an apparatus having a sluicing device according to the invention.

[0019] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of an apparatus described in EP 940 192. The apparatus comprises a carriage 1 with cleaning devices (see Fig. 2) and two jawtongs mechanisms 2 disposed behind the carriage. As alternative to two jawtongs mechanisms, another number, e.g. a single jawtongs mechanism, may be provided behind the carriage. The carriage 1 runs on wheels 3 mounted under and at the front of the carriage. Rotating brushes 4 are mounted lowermost and forward and outward toward the side of the carriage 1 at each side of the wheels 3. Spraying pipes 5,6 with nozzles (see Fig. 5) for sluicing with a fluid washing agent are mounted on top and along the sides of the carriage.

[0020] The lateral spray pipes 5 are mounted on members 7 which are pivotable about vertical axes relative to the carriage 1. The lateral spray pipes 5 can be pivoted sidewards inwards and outwards by rotating the members 7 about the vertical axes. The upper nozzle beam 6 is mounted on vertical telescoping guides 8 (see Fig. 2). The upper nozzle beam 6 may thus be displaced upwards and downwards by displacing the vertical telescoping guides 8.

[0021] At the rear, the carriage 1 is fitted to the front member 10 on the two jawtongs mechanisms 2. The jawtongs mechanisms 2 extend, as mentioned, rearward relative to the carriage 1. The rearmost part of the jawtongs mechanisms 2 is intended for being fixed in relation to a fixed starting point (not shown) for advancing the carriage 1. The jawtongs mechanisms 2 are provided in parallel at a mutual distance A, and both jawtongs mechanisms 2 extend in a largely vertical plane P. Between fittings 11 on the two jawtongs mechanisms 2 are mounted transverse rods 12. The carriage is advanced by at least the wheels 3 on the carriage being driven by a motor (not shown). The motor may be driven electrically, hydraulically, pneumatically or in other ways.

[0022] A preferred way of driving the motor for the wheels 3 on the carriage 1 is by means of water or another fluid washing agent which is conducted to the motor via hoses (not shown) and where the water or other washing agent subsequently is led to the rotating brushes 4 and to the spray pipes 5,6 for cleaning the container. In an alternative embodiment, one or more wheel sets 13 on the jawtongs mechanisms 2 may be driven simultaneously with or instead of the wheels 3 on the carriage 1.

[0023] Fig. 2 shows the apparatus from the side. The carriage comprises a chassis and is provided with the wheels 3 driving the car forward. Besides, the carriage is provided with the rotating brushes 4, the lateral, vertical spray pipes 5, and the horizontal spray pipe 6. The vertical spray pipes 5 are, as mentioned, mounted on members 7 that are pivotable about vertical axes.

[0024] The rear end of the carriage 1 is connected with the jawtongs mechanisms 2. The jawtongs mechanisms 2 constitute semi-jawtongs mechanisms with legs 14,15 which are mutually connected with the fittings 11. A first leg 14 and a second leg 15 constitute a front member on the jawtongs mechanisms 2. Other members 10 on the jawtongs mechanisms 2 also consist of a first leg 14 and a second leg 15. The wheels 13 are mounted on lower fitting 11 of the jawtongs mechanisms 2 so that the jawtongs mechanisms are supported when the jawtongs mechanisms are advanced simultaneously with the carriage 1 being moved forward.

[0025] When the jawtongs mechanisms 2 are displaced forwards, the legs 14,15 in each member 10 will be advanced, either by the front member 10 being moved completely forward before displacement of one or more of the succeeding members 10 is initiated, or by each member 10 being displaced forward relatively just as much simultaneously (see Fig. 6). In an alternative embodiment, one or more of the legs in each member is provided with a knee joint (not shown) so that each legs may bend in knee joints between the lower fittings 11 and the upper fittings 11. Thereby the jawtongs mechanisms 2 may be displaced into containers which are lower.

[0026] Fig. 3 shows a sluicing device 16 according to the invention seen from the front. This device corresponds in principle to the carriage 1 and is arranged for being mounted on the jawtongs mechanism 2. The jawtongs mechanisms 2 behind the sluicing device 16 are not shown. The sluicing device 16 also comprises a chassis 9 and is provided with two front wheels 3. Use of rotating brushes 4 is indicated which are mounted at each side of the wheels 3. These may, however, be omitted.

[0027] The sluicing device comprises vertical lateral rails 17 which are pivoted outwards on the displaceable members 7 and two horizontal rails 18 where the upper horizontal rail 18 is displaced upwards to a level with the upper side of the lateral rails 17. Behind the carriage 1, only few parts of the jawtongs mechanisms 2 are shown for the sake of clarity of the drawing.

[0028] Fig. 4 shows a partial view of a vertical rail with a pivotable high pressure nozzle 19 at the bottom and the top. Each nozzle is mounted in a holder 20 which is supported by a toothed belt 21 driving the nozzles to and fro along the rail 17 as it is driven by a motor 22. The nozzles 19 are mounted in the holder for pivoting about an axis 23 in the direction of the liquid jet. The liquid jet forms a spray fan 24 of washing agent.

[0029] If fixed nozzles had been used, the spray fans 24 from respective nozzles 19 would overlap so that a complete covering with washing agent along the extent of the spray pipe is achieved. Since displaceable nozzles 19 are used, no overlap have to occur, and it is thereby possible to use a relatively small number of nozzles 19. These are supplied with washing agent from high pressure pumps (not shown) which conducts the washing agent via hoses (not shown) mounted on the rails 17,18.

[0030] By the lateral vertical rails 17 being capable of being displaced outwards and by the horizontal rails 18 being capable of being displaced upwards and downwards, respectively, it is possible to move the nozzles 19 so close to the sides, the ceiling and the bottom, respectively, of the container, that the spray fans 24 of washing agent is capable of completely washing and sluicing the sides, the floor and the ceiling of the container when the nozzles are displaced along the rails 17,18 simultaneously with the displacement through the container of the sluicing device 16.

[0031] Fig. 5 shows an embodiment where a skirt 25 has been provided containing the nozzle 19 and which forms a closed chamber 27 together with a part of the inner wall 26 of the container in which a spray fan is active.

[0032] Fig. 6 shows the use of an apparatus as described above for washing the inner of a transport container. The apparatus is provided on a platform 28 which is mounted on a slide 29 with wheels 30. The platform 28 may be displaced upwards and downwards relative to the slide 29 in order that the apparatus with the sluicing device 16 according to the invention may be brought to level with the bottom of the transport container. The wheels 30 on the slide 29 run on rails 31 that extend perpendicularly to the plane of the paper.

[0033] With the slide it is thus possible to move the apparatus laterally relative to plural transport containers that are placed side by side (not shown) out of or into the plane of the paper. It is also possible with the slide to move the apparatus upward or downward in relation to several transport containers that are stacked upon each other (not shown). With the apparatus disposed on a slide as shown, it will thus be possible to wash the inner of any transport container having an opening in largely the same plane perpendicular to the plane of the paper, but which may be placed arbitrarily side by side or upon and below, respectively, each other.

[0034] When the inner of the transport container is to be washed, the carriage constituting a part of the apparatus is advanced toward still closed doors on the transport container. The carriage is provided with sensors which at a given distance from the still closed doors on the container opens up for water or other washing agent to the nozzles 19 while simultaneously the rails are displaced forwards or rearwards before the doors. In this way, the doors are cleaned externally at the beginning. Thereafter, the doors on the containers are opened, and the carriage is moved in through the opening at the first end of the transport container.

[0035] When the carriage for the apparatus is moved forward, the jawtongs mechanisms are simultaneously unfolded by each member in the jawtongs mechanisms being advanced simultaneously. The jawtongs mechanisms have a sufficient number of links with sufficient length for the carriage of the apparatus to be moved completely forward to the second end of the transport container. When the carriage is moved into and forward in the inner of the transport container, spray of washing agent from the nozzles will wash the inner of the container. The horizontal rails are provided with sensors so that if there is mounted e.g. a refrigerating unit in the ceiling of the container, then the horizontal rail will be moved downward immediately before the refrigerating unit by means of the telescoping guides in order not to hit the refrigerating unit mounted in the ceiling. Correspondingly, the vertical lateral rails may be provided with corresponding means. As the nozzles 19 are adjustable, by passing such elements they may be swung so that sluicing of front and back side is performed, as well as slots and holes are also sluiced.

[0036] The apparatus is preferably intended for performing all cleaning operations by a small number of conveyings through the container, typically between one and three conveyings, depending on what the container has contained and depending on the desired extent of the cleaning of the container. Particularly, it will be possible to perform one type of cleaning operation by conveying the carriage from a first end to a second end of the container, and to perform another type of cleaning operation by retracting the carriage from the second end to the first end of the container. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus may be provided with devices for drying the inner of the container so that the apparatus may dry the inner of the container when the carriage is moved back again towards the first end of the container after the carriage having been moved completely forward to the second end of the container and thus cleaned the whole transport container in its entire length.

Claims

1. A sluicing device for use in an apparatus for cleaning containers and other tanks and transport boxes, where the sluicing device may be displaced along a longitudinal axis of the container from an initial position outside the container and inwards through an opening in the container, the sluicing device being intended for being displaced forwards inward through the container and subsequently rearwards out of the container, and which sluicing device is provided with washing means in the shape of nozzles and drying means for washing and drying the container as it is displaced forwards or backwards in the container, whereat the nozzles of the washing means are adjustable high pressure nozzles mounted in rails which are arranged in the sluicing device approximately in parallel with the walls of the container, characterised in that the nozzles are mounted displaceably as each rail supports an electric, hydraulic, mechanical or pneumatic motor and a toothed belt on which one or more nozzles are mounted.

2. A sluicing device according to claim 1, characterised in that the nozzles are connected with one or more high pressure pumps having a pressure range between 20 and 1000 bar.

3. A sluicing device according to claim 1 and 2, characterised in that the nozzles are provided with liquid in a pressure range between 20 and 200 bar.

4. A sluicing device according to claim 3, characterised in that the pressure range in the nozzles may be regulated by controlling the capacity of the pumps.

5. A sluicing device according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the nozzles are mounted in holders with orientation between 5 and 15°, preferably about 10° relative to the wall of the container to be treated by the nozzles in question.

6. A sluicing device according to claim 5, characterised in that the nozzles are mounted pivotably in the holder.

7. A sluicing device according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the nozzles are mounted for sluicing washing agent forwards and sidewards, that the nozzles are formed on at least two largely vertical, opposite rails and at least one upwardly directed, largely horizontal rail as each of the rails are capable of being displaced in against and away from the walls of the container.

8. A sluicing device according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the high pressure nozzles are provided under a skirt which together with a part of a container wall form a largely closed chamber in which the high pressure sluicing occurs.

Drawing