EP3388157A1

EP3388157A1 - An apparatus for automatic washing and drying of cargo boxes

Info

Publication number: EP3388157A1
Application number: EP17461521.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Piotr Lachecki; Jaroslaw Szulgo
Original assignee: Europa Systems Sp Z OO
Current assignee: Europa Systems Sp Z OO
Priority date: 2017-04-11
Filing date: 2017-04-11
Publication date: 2018-10-17

Abstract

Apparatus (1) for automatic washing and drying of cargo boxes (70), said apparatus comprising: at least one control module (10); at least one positioning module (20); at least one washing module (30); at least one drying module (40); a compressed air supply module (50); a supply module of water and detergent (60). The at least one washing module (30) comprises a plurality of washing nozzles configured to wash simultaneously an internal bottom box surface (701), an internal top box surface (702), internal side box surfaces (703), an internal rear box surface (704), an internal box door surface (705) of the at least one cargo box (70) and the drying module (40) comprises an industrial robot (405) equipped with a blowing nozzle (406) configured to dry all said surfaces (701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 706).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatic washing and drying of cargo boxes, in particular of refrigeration containers.

BACKGROUND

There are known various kinds of automated apparatus for washing and drying different types of containers and boxes. Such apparatus in general comprises transportation means such as a conveyor belt for transporting a washed container, one or more washing sections and one or more drying sections. In addition, the apparatus comprises a water and detergent supply and a source of compressed air.
An European patent EP2524738B1 discloses an automatic washing machine for a large-sized box, which comprises a supplying part supplying boxes one by one through a conveyor and a distributor; a washing part placed in an exit side of the supplying part and washing the box with a cleaning fluid; a fluid-removing part placed in an exit side of the washing part and removing the cleaning fluid from a surface of the box by high pressure air; a driving part placed in an exit side of the fluid-removing part and drying the box by high pressure air; a rotation part; and a controller connected to and transferring a command for operation to the supplying part, the washing part, the fluid-removing part the drying part, and the rotation part. The rotation part is provided between the supplying part and the washing part, said rotation part making the box conveyed from the supplying part be forward rotated 90° in one direction and conveying the rotated box to the washing part.
A US Patent US6129099 discloses a method and an apparatus for cleaning articles such as pallets, totes, containers, bins, trays, carts, and other like articles. The apparatus includes a main housing having a conveyor system on which articles are transported into and through a washing chamber. The apparatus is versatile and employs adjustable guide rails to hold in place a wide variety of different sizes and configurations of a wide assortment of articles. A plurality of high pressure, jet-stream spray nozzles rotating at high speeds are supplied with a high pressure wash fluid. The spray nozzles provide rapid, powerful, knife-like jet streams of wash fluid which impact the surfaces of the articles moving through the washing chamber repeatedly to lift and blast off contaminants adhered to the articles. The apparatus is portable and includes a closed-loop water reclamation system having a plurality filter assembly and is environmentally friendly. Contaminant-entrained wash fluid is collected in a collection tank, filtered and supplied back to a clean tank for reuse. The apparatus does not require heated water nor a constant supply of fresh water for operation and has an extremely high throughput capacity to clean large quantities of articles quickly and consistently in a limited time. Optionally, but preferably, a pair of blower assemblies are provided for delivering columns of air which remove liquid on the articles as the articles leave the washing chamber and pass through the drying chamber. In an alternative preferred embodiment the apparatus includes two pairs of air knives which deliver extremely powerful columns of air to dry articles passing through the apparatus.
A US patent US4104080 discloses an apparatus and a method for washing and drying reusable containers. The containers to be cleaned, after successively passing through washing and rinsing stations, are, thereafter, flipped by 180° before passing through a drying station. This flipping action, which abruptly turns the containers end over end, causes a significant amount of excess fluid to be shaken from the containers. As a result, drying of the containers when passing through the drying station is greatly facilitated. In a further aspect of the apparatus and method of the invention, the containers after flipping are initially moved at a faster speed than a first speed associated with their passage through the washing and rinsing stations and, thereafter, moved through the drying station at a speed between the aforesaid two speeds. In this manner, the rate at which containers can be delivered to the apparatus can be increased without any appreciable adverse effect on the flipping and drying operations.
The main drawback of prior art solutions is that they are not sufficiently adapted to wash and dry refrigerating containers, in particular refrigerating containers comprising closing means such as front doors. A typical refrigerating container has outside dimensions of: length = 800 mm, depth = 1200, height = 1750 - 2150 mm, +/-5mm. A container of such a large size is not convenient to rotate during the washing process. Washing nozzles of the prior art apparatus are not movable, which results in a limited surface of washing and limited range of washable shapes. The prior art solutions are also not adapted to effectively dry such containers, because their drying nozzles are not movable, which results in not effective drying when the size of the container varies. The drying process is improved in the prior art by rotating the dried containers or drying the containers repeatedly in a loop, but such methods are not suitable for typical refrigeration containers.
The aim of the present invention is an improved apparatus for automatic washing and drying of cargo boxes, in particular for automatic washing and drying of refrigeration containers which overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is an apparatus for automatic washing and drying of cargo boxes. The apparatus comprises at least one control module, at least one positioning module, at least one washing module, at least one drying module, a compressed air supply module, a supply module of water and detergent. The at least one washing module comprises a plurality of washing nozzles configured to wash simultaneously an internal bottom box surface, an internal top box surface, an internal side box surfaces, an internal rear box surface and an internal box door surface of at least one cargo box. The drying module comprises an industrial robot equipped with a blowing nozzle configured to dry all said surfaces. The invention solves the problem of effective washing and drying of cargo boxes, such as refrigerating containers without rotating them and only with moving them in one axis. The problem is solved by washing nozzles configured to wash simultaneously all the box surfaces.
Preferably the at least one washing module of the apparatus according to the invention comprises a first washing section equipped with rotating washing nozzles for washing the inside of the cargo box and a second washing section equipped with conical washing nozzles for washing the internal box door surface which comprises a module for protecting door against splashing.
It solves a problem of simultaneously washing the inside of the box and internal box door surface. It is realized by using different kinds of washing nozzles - the rotating washing nozzles for washing the inside of cargo box and the conical washing nozzles for washing the internal box door surface. The doors are also protected against splashing.
Preferably the at least one positioning module comprises a set of movable positioning bumpers and at least one non movable positioning bumper.
It solves a problem of keeping cargo box stable during washing and drying.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention is shown by means of example embodiments on a drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 presents an overall view of an apparatus;
Fig. 2 presents a general diagram of the apparatus;
Fig. 3 presents detailed diagram of a control module;
Fig. 4 presents detailed diagram of a positioning module;
Fig. 5 presents detailed diagram of a washing module;
Fig. 6 presents detailed diagram of a drying module;
Fig. 7 presents detailed diagram of a compressed air supply module;
Fig. 8 presents detailed diagram of a supply module of water and detergent;
Fig. 9 presents a cargo box to be washed using the apparatus.
Fig. 10 presents an industrial robot to be used in the drying module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An apparatus 1 for automatic washing and drying of cargo boxes 70 according to the invention comprises a control module 10, a positioning module 20, a washing module 30, a drying module 40, a compressed air supply module 50 and a supply module 60 of water and detergent. A standard version of the apparatus compromises one control module 10, one positioning module 20, one washing module 30 and one drying module 40. Extended versions of the apparatus may comprise more than one of the modules 10, 20, 30, 40 as illustrated on Fig 2. Each module and its function during the washing and drying process is described below.

The control module

The control module 10 comprises a supply module 102 connected to a power supply 103 and a programable controller 104 adapted to be connected to an input-output module 105. These elements are embedded in a control rack 101. The control module 10 further comprises sensors 106 and actuators 107 of the apparatus. The function of the control module 10 is to control the parameters of the washing and drying process using the programable controller 104.

The positioning module

The positioning module 20 comprises a chain conveyor 201 for transporting the cargo box 70 in a direction 203 of cargo box displacement. It further comprises a set of movable positioning bumpers 204, 205, 206 and one non movable positioning bumper 207. The function of the bumpers is to keep stability of cargo box during the washing and drying process. This allows to eliminate the risk of collision both during the washing process and during the drying process, during the insertion of a blowing nozzle 406 of an industrial robot 405 into the cargo box. The first movable positioning bumper 204 is adapted to keep the position of the cargo box according to x-axis when cargo box is washed in the washing module 30. The second movable positioning bumper 205 keeps the position of the cargo box during the drying process according to x-axis. During the drying process in the drying module 40, the position in the y-axis of the cargo box is kept by the third movable positioning bumper 206, using the non movable positioning bumper 207 as a support. The positioning module is adapted to have bidirectional communication with control module 202 which allows the module to be controlled during the washing and drying process.

The washing module and the washing process

The washing module 30 is configured to communicate bidirectionally with a control module 312 and comprises a water tank 301 for water and detergent to be kept and used for washing. The water tank is supplied by supply of water and detergent 308 from the supply module 60 of water and detergent. When the water tank is supplied by water and detergent, the cargo boxes are washed with this water for a predefined time period set by the control module in the closed cycle - the same water is used for several times. The water tank is equipped with a manual release 309 of dirty water for dirty water to be manually released when necessary. It is also equipped with an automatic release 310 of dirty water, which releases dirty water automatically in a constant or variable programable time periods set by the control module. After the automatic release of dirty water, the water tank is supplied by supply of water and detergent again.
The washing module further comprises a first washing section 305 for washing the inside of the box, wherein this section comprises rotating washing nozzles, and a second washing section 306 for washing the internal box door surface 705. The second washing section comprises a module for protecting door against splashing with conical washing nozzles placed inside the protection module.
The cargo box is based by the first positioning bumper 204 in the position to be washed, then the rotating washing nozzles are introduced into the interior of the box and the door protection module against splashing with the conical washing nozzles is fitted to an internal box door surface 705. A pressure pump 304 is being turned on and control valves (not shown) are opened. A mixture of water and detergent is taken from the water tank 301. As the water in water tank can be contaminated by solid fractions rinsed out of the box during the washing process, the water is drawn into the pump through a pre-filter of particulates 302, on which large particles (e.g. having a diameter above 5 mm) should be deposited. The clogging of the pre-filter of particulates is controlled by measuring differences in water pressure level before and after the filter.
Water under high pressure flows from the pressure pump 304 to the fine filter 303, where contaminations that could clog or damage the conical washing nozzles and rotating washing nozzles are removed, then said nozzles are supplied by filtered water to perform the washing process.
The stream of water flowing through the rotating washing nozzles causes the nozzle to rotate so that a semicircular sphere (180 degrees with an effective radius of about 2m) is produced. This results in a complete wash of the interior of the cargo box with low water consumption and short washing time.
When the module for protecting door against splashing is in the washing position, washing of the internal box door surface 705 is performed. The conical washing nozzles of the second washing section 306 are typically full-jaw nozzles with a working angle of about 120 degrees. They are placed in such a position that washing of the internal box door surface 705 is possible, typically in several row sections. Some sections could be disconnected, depending on the height of the cargo box when not needed to be used.
When the washing process is finished, said nozzles return to the position allowing the cargo box to be transported to the drying section 40. Water is used in a closed circuit, it is returned to the water tank by the release of washing sections 313.
The fine filter 303 has also the function of flushing, the flushing water of this filter is removed by release of the flushing of filter 307.
The water tank is also connected to a drip tank 401 of a drying module 40 by supply of water from the drip tank of drying module 311.

The drying module and the drying process

The drying module 40 comprises a drip tank 401 for the released water, a radial fan 402 and an industrial robot 405 equipped with a blowing nozzle 406. The blowing nozzle is connected to a radial fan by a blowing nozzle air supply system 403 comprising a self-winding elastic reel system 404.
The self-winding elastic reel system has a form of a load trolley which works by automatically winding the elastic hose during robot movements, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the hose in the limited working space.
The blowing nozzle is mounted on the industrial robot arm, which allows great swing and flexibility of movement, thus providing the opportunity to accommodate changes in shapes and dimensions of cargo boxes. By appropriate order of movement of the head of robot arm equipped by blowing nozzle, water is removed from the surfaces of the cargo box to the drip tank through release of the drying section 408.
From the dip tank, water flows to the water tank of washing module by the release of water to water tank 407.
The plane of motion 410, 411, 412 of the industrial robot is illustrated on Fig. 10. The drying section is configured to communicate bidirectionally with the control module 409.

Other modules

The compressed air supply module 50 comprises a compressor with a buffer air tank 501 equipped with an automatic release of buffer air tank 502 and an air preparatory module 503. It also comprises an air supply for a drying module 504 and it is configured to communicate bidirectionally with a control module 505. The purpose of the module is to produce and store the compressed air used in the system components.
The supply module of water and detergent 60 comprises a tank with a concentrated detergent 601 and a proportional dispenser 602. It is also equipped with a cold water supply installation 603.

Example of a cargo box

Fig. 9 shows an example of a cargo box 70 being a refrigerating box. All the surfaces to be washed, including an internal bottom box surface 701, an internal top box surface 702, an internal side box surfaces 703, an internal rear box surface 704 and an internal box door surface 705 are presented.

Claims

An apparatus (1) for automatic washing and drying of cargo boxes (70), said apparatus comprising:
- at least one control module (10);

- at least one positioning module (20);

- at least one washing module (30);

- at least one drying module (40);

- a compressed air supply module (50);

- a supply module of water and detergent (60),
characterised in that:
- the at least one washing module (30) comprises a plurality of washing nozzles configured to wash simultaneously an internal bottom box surface (701), an internal top box surface (702), internal side box surfaces (703), an internal rear box surface (704), an internal box door surface (705) of at least one cargo box (70);

- the drying module (40) comprises an industrial robot (405) equipped with a blowing nozzle (406) configured to dry all said surfaces (701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 706).
The apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one washing module (30) comprises:
- a first washing section (305) equipped with rotating washing nozzles for washing the inside of the cargo box (70);

- a second washing section (306) equipped with conical washing nozzles for washing the internal box door surface (705) comprising a module for protecting door against splashing.
The apparatus according to any previous claims, characterised in that at least one positioning module (20) comprises a set of movable positioning bumpers (204, 205, 206) and at least one non movable positioning bumper (207).