ZARDINI, Fabio (Via Steffani 27, Castelfranco Veneto, I-31033, IT)
| CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for treating containers (12) of liquids comprising: - a frame (13) defining at least a washing chamber (14) for a plurality of containers (12); - a positioning member (19) provided inside said washing chamber (14) and able to keep said containers (12) positioned inside said washing chamber (14) and selectively drivable to upend the containers (12) inside the washing chamber (H); - at least a washing circuit (26) provided with a plurality of washing nozzles (30) disposed inside said washing chamber (14) and facing toward said positioning member (19) in order to direct a determinate washing liquid toward said containers (12); and - at least a rinsing circuit (27) provided with a plurality of rinsing nozzles (31) in order to direct a determinate rinsing liquid toward said containers (12), characterized in that it also comprises a filling circuit (29) provided with a plurality of filling nozzles (32) disposed inside the same washing chamber (14), on the opposite side to the rinsing nozzles (31) with respect to the positioning member (19), in combination with at least said washing nozzles (30), to fill the washed and rinsed containers (12) with a determinate filling liquid. 2. Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that the filling nozzles (32) are disposed inside the washing chamber (14) in a position and number substantially corresponding to the position and number of the containers (12). 3. Apparatus as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the positioning member (19) comprises at least a basket (21) provided with a plurality of cells (25) each conformed to accommodate a relative container (12). 4. Apparatus as in claim 3, characterized in that the cells (25) are distributed so as to define a desired disposition of the containers (12) in rows and columns. 5. Apparatus as in claim 4, characterized in that the filling nozzles (32) are disposed in rows and columns according to the number and pattern provided by the cells (25). 6. Apparatus as in claim 5, characterized in that the rinsing nozzles (31) are disposed in rows and columns according to the number and pattern provided by the cells (25). 7. Apparatus as in any claim from 3 to 6, characterized in that the positioning member (19) comprises a rotation mechanism (20) disposed inside the washing chamber (14) and to which the basket (21) is able to be removably constrained, said rotation mechanism (20) being conformed to make said basket (21) rotate at least between a first upward position, at least used for filling, in which the containers (12) are with the relative apertures open upward, and a second downward position, at least used for rinsing, in which the containers (12) are with the relative apertures open downward. 8. Apparatus as in any claim from 3 to 7, characterized in that the rinsing nozzles (31) are disposed on the lower side of the washing chamber (14) with respect to the basket (21), and the filling nozzles (32) are disposed on the upper side of the washing chamber (14) with respect to the basket (21). 9. Apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that the frame (13) comprises at least a base (16) resting on the ground and a lid (17) selectively movable with respect to said base (16) between a closed and lowered position near to the base (16), in which it defines the washing chamber (14), and a second open position, raised and separated from the base (16). 10. Method to treat containers (12) of liquids by means of an apparatus comprising a frame (13) defining at least a washing chamber (14) conformed to accommodate inside it a plurality of containers (12) and a positioning member (19) provided inside said washing chamber (14) and able to keep said containers (12) positioned inside said washing chamber (14), and to selectively upend the containers (12) inside the washing chamber (14), said method comprising at least a washing step, in which by means of a washing circuit (26) provided with a plurality of washing nozzles (30) disposed inside said washing chamber (14) and facing toward said positioning member (19), a determinate washing liquid is directed toward said containers (12), and at least a rinsing step in which by means of a rinsing circuit (27) provided with a plurality of rinsing nozzles (31) a determinate rinsing liquid is directed toward said containers (12) disposed with the aperture toward the bottom, characterized in that after said washing step it also comprises a filling step in which by means of a filling circuit (29) provided with a plurality of filling nozzles (32) disposed inside the same washing chamber (14), on the -opposite side to the rinsing nozzles (31), with respect to the positioning member (19), the washed and rinsed containers (12) are filled with a determinate filling liquid. 11. Method as in claim 10, characterized in that it also comprises at least a rotation step, in which by means of a rotation mechanism (20) the containers (12) are rotated between two positions upended with respect to each other by about 180°. |
LIQUIDS"
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention concerns an apparatus and method for treating containers of liquids, for example, but not exclusively, drinking bottles, feeders, drinking troughs or other containers or receptacles, to give water to animals. In particular, with the present invention it is possible to wash, rinse and fill the containers, substantially at a single operating station or in a single operating step BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Apparatuses are known for washing containers for liquids, for example, but not only, for drinking bottles, feeders, troughs or others, used to give water to animals, such as rodents in laboratories or others.
It is known that such apparatuses are structured with a support frame provided with a base resting on the ground, and a lid that can be moved with respect to the base, so as to define, when the lid is coupled with the base, a substantially closed washing chamber.
Two distinct units of nozzles are provided inside the washing chamber, a first unit to wash the containers, which delivers a liquid detergent, and a second unit to rinse the containers, which promotes the discharge of the residual detergent.
It is also known to dispose and group a plurality of containers in suitable washing baskets, so as to position the containers inside the washing chamber with a desired disposition.
It is also known to provide that the baskets define a plurality of containing cells for the containers, conformed to prevent the containers from accidentally coming out of the basket, so as to provide the upending of the basket inside the washing chamber, for example to promote dripping.
In all the known solutions, however, it is necessary to have an exit plane, immediately downstream of the washing chamber, dedicated to positioning the baskets and to filling the containers with a new drinking liquid to give to the animals.
However, the need to provide this auxiliary filling station determines both an increase in the overall bulk of the apparatus and also a slowing down of production time needed for the washing operations, with a consequent increase in management costs of the apparatus.
Moreover, with the known solutions it is necessary to provide a specific plant for filling the containers in correspondence with the exit plane, with consequent need to plan and make dedicated controls, electronics, outlets and safety devices. Purpose of the present invention is to make an apparatus and perfect a method which allows to wash and fill containers in a simple, economic and efficient way, reducing the overall bulk of the apparatus.
The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.
In accordance with the above purpose, an apparatus for treating containers of liquids according to the present invention comprises a frame defining at least a washing chamber, which is conformed to accommodate inside it a plurality of containers. The treatment apparatus according to the present invention also comprises a positioning member provided inside the washing chamber and able to keep the containers positioned, and possibly upended, inside the washing chamber.
The treatment apparatus according to the present invention also comprises a washing circuit provided with a plurality of washing nozzles disposed inside the washing chamber and facing toward the positioning member in order to direct a determinate washing liquid toward the containers.
The apparatus possibly comprises a rinsing circuit provided with a plurality of rinsing nozzles disposed inside the washing chamber, at least on one side with respect to the positioning member, in order to direct a determinate rinsing liquid toward the containers after they have been washed.
According to a characteristic feature of the present invention, the apparatus also comprises at least a filling circuit provided with a plurality of filling nozzles disposed inside the washing chamber, in combination with the washing nozzles and the possible rinsing nozzles, to fill the washed and rinsed containers with a determinate filling liquid.
Advantageously, the filling nozzles are disposed on the opposite side to the rinsing nozzles, with respect to the positioning members, and therefore with respect to the containers.
With the present invention, inside the washing chamber, and exploiting the positioning and possible upending actuated by the positioning members, it is also possible to provide filling nozzles as well as those for washing and possibly rinsing the containers. In this way, by filling the containers inside the washing chamber, the disadvantages found in the state of the art are substantially obviated.
Indeed, the solution according to the present invention allows, principally, to reduce the overall bulk of the apparatus, and is able to exploit the possible exit plane in order to carry out further operations, for example to close the containers, which are normally carried out in other operating stations.
Moreover, by filling the containers directly inside the washing chamber, the down times normally needed to reposition the containers before discharge from the chamber are used.
This determines a reduction in the overall times for the operations of washing and filling the containers, with a consequent economic saving.
A further advantage is given by the fact that, as the filling nozzles are provided directly inside the washing chamber, the various control, electronic, discharge and safety devices and others can be at least partly in common with the other plants and washing nozzles and possible rinsing nozzles provided in the washing chamber.
According to a variant, the filling nozzles are disposed inside the washing chamber, in a position and number, so as to substantially correspond to the position and number of the containers, in order to direct the filling liquid accurately into the relative container. According to a variant, the positioning member comprises at least a basket provided with a plurality of cells, each conformed to house a relative container, preventing its accidental exit even when upended at 180°.
Advantageously, the cells are distributed in the basket so as to define the desired disposition of the containers, for example in rows and columns. In this advantageous embodiment, the filling nozzles are also disposed in rows and columns according to the number and pattern provided by the cells.
According to another variant, the rinsing nozzles are also disposed in rows and columns according to the number and pattern provided by the cells.
According to a further variant, the positioning member comprises a rotation mechanism disposed inside the washing chamber and to which the basket is able to be removably constrained.
The rotation mechanism is conformed to make the basket rotate at least between a first upward position, in which the containers are with the relative apertures open upward, that is substantially "standing", and a second downward position, in which the containers are with the relative apertures open downward, that is substantially "upended".
According to this variant, the rinsing nozzles are disposed on the lower side of the chamber with respect to the basket, so as to act from the bottom toward the inside of the containers, when these are in the second position. This solution also facilitates dripping due to gravity, both inside and outside the containers.
The filling nozzles are therefore disposed on the upper side of the chamber with respect to the basket, so as to fill the containers from above. According to another variant, the frame comprises at least a base, resting on the ground, and a lid which is selectively mobile with respect to the base between a closed and lowered position close to the base, and a second open position, raised and apart from the base.
The base and the lid are at least partially hollow inside so that in the closed position they define the washing chamber.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferential form of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein: - fig. l shows a three-dimensional view of an apparatus for treating containers of liquids according to the present invention;
- fig. 2 shows a front view, partly sectioned, of the apparatus in fig. 1 ;
- fig. 3 shows a partly sectioned lateral view of the apparatus in fig. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERENTIAL FORM OF
EMBODIMENT
With reference to the attached drawings, a treatment apparatus 10 according to the present invention can be used for washing and filling containers, in this case drinking bottles 12, to give water to small animals, such as mice, hamsters and others.
The treatment apparatus 10 comprises a frame 13, which defines inside it a washing chamber 14, conformed to contain a plurality of drinking bottles 12 at the same time. The frame 13 is provided with a base structure 16, resting on the ground, and a lid 17 movable with respect to the base structure 16.
In particular, the lid 17 is selectively movable with respect to the base structure 16 between a first closed and lowered position close to the base structure 16, and a second open position, raised and separated from the base structure 16.
The base structure 16 and the lid 17 are reciprocally conformed hollow inside, so as to define, in the first closed condition, the washing chamber 14.
The treatment apparatus 10 comprises a positioning mechanism 19 provided, in this case, with a rotator 20 and a containing basket 21 for the drinking bottles 12.
The rotator 20 is assembled on the base structure 16 inside the washing chamber 14, and is provided with two supporting brackets 22, to allow the selective disposition of the containing basket 21 inside the washing chamber 14.
Moreover, the rotator 20 is provided with a rotation motor 23 assembled on the base structure 16 externally to the washing chamber 14 and able to selectively make the containing basket 21 rotate when it is positioned on the supporting brackets 22.
During the steps of washing and filling the drinking bottles 12, the containing basket 21 is rotated, as will be explained in detail hereafter, between two positions, one rotated with respect to the other by 180°.
The containing basket 21 is typically provided with a plurality of cells 25, which have a desired ordered disposition, in this case in rows and columns. Each cell 25 is conformed to contain a relative drinking bottle 12 and to keep it in a determinate position inside the washing chamber 14.
In this case, as an upending of the containing basket 21 is provided, the cells 25 are conformed to allow the drinking bottles 12 to be inserted and to prevent them from accidentally coming out, in particular in the upended position of the containing basket 21.
The treatment apparatus 10 according to the invention also comprises a washing circuit 26, a rinsing circuit 27 and a filling circuit 29, independent with respect to each other.
The washing circuit 26 comprises a plurality of washing nozzles 30 disposed inside the washing chamber 14 in correspondence with the zone defined by the lid 17, that is, on the upper side with respect to the positioning mechanism 19.
The washing nozzles 30 are positioned so as to be able to deliver a determinate washing liquid, at least on the external surfaces of the drinking bottle 12.
The rinsing circuit 27 comprises a plurality of rinsing nozzles 31 disposed inside the washing chamber 14, mainly in correspondence with the zone defined by the base structure 16, that is, on the lower side with respect to the positioning mechanism 19.
In this case, two rows of rinsing nozzles 31 are also provided coupled to the washing nozzles 30, to discharge the residual washing liquid on the external surfaces of the drinking bottles 12.
Mainly, the rinsing nozzles 31 are disposed in rows and columns in a substantially equivalent way to the cells 25 of the containing basket 21.
In this way, in an upended condition of the containing basket 21, the rinsing nozzles 31 direct a determinate rinsing liquid inside each drinking bottle 12, to rinse the inside part.
The filling circuit 29 comprises a plurality of filling nozzles 32, which are also disposed inside the washing chamber 14 on the opposite side to the rising nozzles 31 with respect to the positioning mechanism 19, that is, in correspondence with the zone defined by the lid 17. In particular the filling circuit 29 is operatively associated to timer and/or flow control means, of a substantially known type and not shown in the drawings, which allow to fill the drinking bottles 12 with a predetermined amount of filling liquid. This solution allows to completely automate the filling steps, preventing any overflowing of the drinking bottles 12.
The filling nozzles 32 are disposed in rows and columns in a substantially equivalent way to the cells 25 of the containing basket 21.
In this way, in a non-upended condition of the containing basket 21, the rinsing nozzles 31 direct a determinate filling liquid inside each drinking bottle 12.
The treatment apparatus 10 for washing and filling containers of liquids according to the present invention functions as follows.
The drinking bottles 12 from which the animals drink are deprived upstream of their lid or capsule and are disposed inside the cells 25 with their aperture facing upward.
With the lid 17 in the open condition, the containing basket 21 with the drinking bottles 12 is positioned on the supporting brackets 22, and the lid 17 is brought into the closed position to define the washing chamber 14. Once loaded inside the washing chamber 14, the containing basket 21 is upended by about 180° by the positioning mechanism 19, to empty the drinking bottles 12 of the residual liquid still inside them.
The washing circuit 26 is then activated, so that the relative washing nozzles 30 deliver the relative washing liquid onto the drinking bottles 12. Subsequently the rinsing circuit 27 is activated, so that the relative rinsing nozzles 31 deliver the relative rinsing liquid onto the washed drinking bottles 12, discharging the residual washing liquid, and rinsing the inside of the drinking bottles 12.
In this step, the upended position promotes the dripping of the rinsing liquid from inside the drinking bottles 12.
Subsequently, the containing basket 21 is rotated again by 180° by the positioning mechanism 19, to bring it back into its initial position.
Then the filling circuit 29 is activated, so that the relative filling nozzles 32 fill the drinking bottles 12 with the relative filling liquid. It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts or steps may be made to the treatment apparatus 10 and method as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.
For example it comes within the field of the present invention to provide that inside the washing chamber 14 nozzles 30, 31 and 32 are provided, common for several circuits 26, 27 and 29, which, alternately and depending on the specific operating step, deliver one or other of the washing, rinsing and filling liquids.
According to a variant, instead of the rotation motor 23, the rotator 20 can be provided with manual actuation, for example by means of a rotation handle or other.
It also comes within the field of the present invention to provide that the sequence of activation of the circuits 26, 27 and 29, and of the positioning mechanism 19, are different from that so far described. For example some rotation steps of the containing basket 21 and activation of the circuits 26, 27 and 29 could be selectively inverted and/or simultaneous, depending on the different washing modes, the liquids used and/or the containers to be washed and filled.
It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of apparatus and method for treating containers for liquids, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.