CAN CLEANING AND DELIVERY APPARATUS

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning and delivering cans to a can filling machine comprises a track (10) for the cans, means (16, 18) for conveying cans along the track, ionisation means (20) for introducing ionised air into the cans and means (24, 26) for extracting air from the cans.

Description: TITLE: Can cleaning and delivery apparatus DESCRIPTION This invention concerns apparatus for cleaning and delivering cans to a can filling machine. Before cans are filled with, for example, food items, they have to be cleaned. Conventionally, cans are washed with water. However, because of water shortages and increasing costs, there is a demand for water cleaning and recycling equipment to enable the cleaning water to be re-used possibly in other plant areas. There is a need, therefore, for can cleaning and delivery apparatus that does not use water for cleaning. However, it is to be noted the cleaning water does act as a lubricant that facilitates can movement through parts of the apparatus. An object of this invention is to provide a can cleaning and delivery apparatus that does not require use of water. According to this invention there is provided apparatus for cleaning and delivering cans to a can filling machine, the apparatus comprising a track for the cans, means for conveying cans along the track, ionisation means for introducing ionised air into the cans and means for extracting air from the cans. The track preferably comprises a pair of spaced parallel rails between which cans can travel in an orientation transverse to their direction of travel. The track preferably includes twists for reorientating the cans as necessary for carrying out cleaning and delivery functions. The track is preferably inclined downwards from a can receiving section to a can delivery section. At the can receiving section, the cans are usually upright. Therefore, a first twist of the track is preferably provided to turn the can through 90 ° to travel down the track. The means for introducing ionised air preferably comprises a plurality of corona discharge emitters to direct ionised air into the open ends of the cans as they travel past. The main purpose of this treatment is to neutralise static charge on the cans, so that dust particles do not adhere to the inside of the cans. During this treatment the cans are preferably on their side. The means for conveying cans along the track preferably includes air blowing means, whereby air is blown onto the cans in their intended direction of travel. In a preferred embodiment air is delivered under pressure to directional openings, such as may be provided between louvres or vanes, or by nozzles onto one side and preferably onto both sides of the cans. Preferably blown air is provided in more than one region of the apparatus. The means for extracting air from the cans preferably comprises a vacuum chamber with means for pumping air therefrom. Prior to the vacuum chamber the cans are preferably orientated so that they are at least inclined with their open ends downmost and ideally so that they are upside down. The track, therefore, preferably includes a 90 ° twist between the ionisation means and the air extraction means. The apparatus of the invention preferably further includes means for collecting debris falling from cans when upside down or at least inclined with their open ends downwards. Such means may comprise a tray and may be situated in the vacuum chamber. After leaving the air extraction means the track is preferably arranged to orient the cans to be upright, i.e. with their open ends uppermost, for delivery to a can filling machine. This invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a can cleaning and delivery apparatus. Referring to the accompanying drawing, a can cleaning and delivery apparatus for coupling to a can filling machine comprises a track 10 which takes empty cans at its top and delivers them via a lowerator to the can filling machine at its bottom end. During travel along the track the empty cans are subjected to ionisation and compressed air rinsing. The track 10 comprises a pair of spaced, parallel rails 11A and 11B. The empty cans are transported to the top of the track 10 by an air conveyor. At the top of the track the cans are upright. The track includes a twist 12 to turn the can through 90 ° , in which orientation they travel down a lowerator 14. The cans are kept moving down the lowerator by air blown through forwardly directed louvres (not shown) above and below the track. The air is supplied by a blower 16 via a pipe 18. At a lower part of the lowerator 14 is an ionisation zone 20, where an ioniser bar having a plurality of corona discharge needles direct ionised air into the open ends of the cans. The ionised air neutralises static electricity on the inside surface of the cans, which releases dust particles that would otherwise adhere to the insides of the cans. After the ionisation zone 20, the track has a further twist 22 to turn the cans again through 90 ° so that their open ends are directed downwards, so that any dust and debris in the cans can fall out under gravity. In this orientation the cans enter a vacuum chamber 24. The vacuum zone 24 is sealed apart from its can inlet and outlet. The vacuum chamber 24 has a vacuum pump 26 connected thereto to remove air borne particles from the cans. Furthermore at its lower end the vacuum chamber 24 has a tray 26 for collecting large debris items falling from the cans. The cans are kept moving through the vacuum zone 24 by air blown into the vacuum zone through forwardly directed louvres (not shown) along two opposite sides of the vacuum chamber 24. The air is supplied from the blower 16 via a downward continuation of the pip 18. On leaving the vacuum chamber 24 the track 10 includes further twists 28 and 30 to turn the cans through 180 ° so that they are upright and ready for filling and sealing in a filling machine (not shown). It is important to keep the cans moving at a constant speed through the cleaning system, typically at a rate of 1000 to 2000 cans per minute, in concert with the filling machine. The air blower used in the system of the invention can provide the required can movement along with waterless cleaning and rinsing of the cans. Because the system is waterless, there are savings in costs not only from non-use of water but also from the omission of a drying zone hitherto required for can delivery systems using water. Furthermore, no lubrication is needed to facilitate can movement.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for cleaning and delivering cans to a can filling machine, the apparatus comprising a track for the cans, means for conveying cans along the track, ionisation means for introducing ionised air into the cans and means for extracting air from the cans. 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the track comprises a pair of spaced parallel rails between which cans can travel in an orientation transverse to their direction of travel. 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the track includes twists for reorientating the cans as necessary for carrying out cleaning and delivery functions. 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein the track is inclined downwardly from a can receiving section to a can delivery section. 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the track is arranged whereby at the can receiving section the cans are upright. 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein a first twist of the track turns the cans through 90 ° relative to their orientation at the can receiving section to travel down the track. 7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the means for introducing ionised air comprises a plurality of corona discharge emitters arranged to direct ionised air into open ends of the cans as they travel past on the track. 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the cans receiving ionisation treatment are on their side. 9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the means for conveying cans along the track includes air blowing means, whereby air is blown onto the cans in their intended direction of travel. 10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein air is delivered under pressure to directional openings. 11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the directional openings are provided by louvres, vanes or nozzles. 12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, 10 or 11 , wherein air is blown onto one side of the cans. 13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, 10 or 11 , wherein air is blown onto opposing sides of the cans. 14. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the means for extracting air from the cans comprises a vacuum chamber with means for purifying air therefrom. 15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein prior to the vacuum chamber the cans are orientated so that their open ends are generally downmost. 16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the track prior to the vacuum chamber includes a 90 ° twist between the ionisation means and the vacuum chamber. 17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 or 16 further comprising means for collecting debris from the cans when their open ends are downmost. 18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said debris collecting means comprises a tray. 19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein debris collecting means is in the vacuum chamber. 20. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein after the air extraction means the track is arranged to orient the cans to be upright for delivery to a can filling machine. 21. Apparatus for leaning and delivering cans to a can filling machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

Inventors: HODGKINSON WILLIAM, WORTHINGTON THOMAS ARTHUR, HODGKINSON, WILLIAM, WORTHINGTON, THOMAS, ARTHUR
Applicants: HODGKINSON WILLIAM, WORTHINGTON THOMAS ARTHUR, HODGKINSON, WILLIAM, WORTHINGTON, THOMAS, ARTHUR
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B08B5
IPC codes: B08B5, B08B6, B65B35, B65B43, B65B55