WO2021197887A1

WO2021197887A1 - Spraying apparatus for a spraying station of a container cleaning machine and method for spraying out and/or spraying off containers

Info

Publication number: WO2021197887A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/057240
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marco TAYLOR
Original assignee: Khs Gmbh
Priority date: 2020-04-03
Filing date: 2021-03-22
Publication date: 2021-10-07
Also published as: DE102020109354B4; DE102020109354A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a spraying apparatus (1) for a spraying station (20) of a container cleaning machine (30), having a spray nozzle arrangement (3) which comprises at least one rotatably drivable spray pipe (4) having openings (6, 6', 6", 6"') provided in a pipe wall of the spray pipe (4) and at least one nozzle line body (7) which interacts with the openings (6, 6', 6", 6"'). The spraying apparatus contains, in the nozzle line body (7), at least one receiving chamber for rotatingly mounting the spray pipe (4), wherein, when the spray pipe (4) rotates in a rotation direction (R), a fluid connection between the fluid-conducting interior chamber (17) of the spray pipe (4) and a first fluid channel (9.1) is established in a first rotational position by means of the openings (6, 6', 6", 6"') and wherein a fluid connection between the fluid-conducting interior chamber (17) of the spray pipe (4) and the additional fluid channel (9.n) is established in a further rotational position of the spray pipe (4) by means of the openings (6, 6', 6", 6"').

Description

Spray device for a spray station of a container cleaning machine and method for spraying out and / or spraying containers

The invention relates to a spray device for a spray station of a loading container cleaning machine, a nozzle guide body and a method for internal spraying and / or external spraying of containers.

Cleaning machines for containers, especially in the beverage industry used container cleaning machines for bottles, are well known. For example, a not inconsiderable proportion of the beverages on the market are offered in reusable containers made of glass or plastic, which is why the bottles and similar containers must be cleaned before each use cycle. To clean these containers for their reuse, the cleaning machines mentioned at the outset are used within the Abfüllbe operations, which are known to those skilled in the most varied of designs.

Such container cleaning machines have a plurality of treatment zones between a container task and a container discharge, through which the bottles or containers are moved with a machine-internal conveyor. Embodiments are widespread here in which the containers are received individually during the cleaning phase in so-called container cells or bottle cells or bottle baskets of the machine-internal conveyor, several of these container cells or bottle cells being arranged in a row. For example, the bottle cells are held on endlessly circulating transport chains, by which they are guided through several treatment zones or treatment stations following one another in the transport direction. As a rule, these transport chains are permanently driven.

The containers received individually in the bottle baskets or bottle cells and conveyed through the cleaning machine in the transport direction pass through several treatment zones during treatment.

Some treatment zones are each designed as a spray zone or spray station in which the bottle or container mouth is oriented downwards Bottles or containers treated inside with exiting from spray nozzles jets of a liquid spray or cleaning medium and sprayed and / or hosed on the outside. For example, within these spray zones or spray stations, among other things, the interior of the corresponding container accommodated in the container basket is sprayed out in order to completely remove foreign bodies or lye residues from the interior of the container. Sufficiently long periods of time are required both for the alkali treatment and, in particular, for the spraying within the spraying zones or spraying stations for effective and complete cleaning of the containers.

Since the containers are moved past above the spray nozzle or spray device during the movement through the spray station and are therefore only briefly above or above the nozzle outlet in such a way that the spray jet reaches the interior of the container, with a rigid arrangement of the spray nozzles the Time span of the ejection, in particular the duration of the injection very short. Particularly in the case of a continuously driven machine-internal conveyor, it is therefore customary to design spray nozzles in such a way that the exiting spray jets are moved along with the containers by pivoting in order to achieve a sufficiently long treatment time, the spray nozzles being opened and closed in a controlled manner.

Spraying stations with spray pipes or spray nozzle arrangements of the type mentioned, namely spray nozzle arrangements for rotating spraying, in which the nozzles also rotate, are known, for example, from the publications EP 2 162 241 A1 and WO 2010/045990 A1. A disadvantage of such rotating spray nozzles, however, is that the spray jet impinges on the container moving past at a changing angle. The spray jet sprays only in a very specific movement position of the container and therefore only for a very short time vertically into the container, which limits the effectiveness of the cleaning process, as the cleaning effect is best when a vertical spray jet is used for as long as possible the inside of the container arrives.

Therefore, there is still a need for improved spraying stations and spraying devices for container cleaning machines. The object of the present invention is to provide a spray device which eliminates the disadvantages of the solutions known from the prior art and which, with a prolonged cleaning effect, allows the containers to be effectively sprayed out and washed off.

To solve this problem, a spray device according to the features of claim 1 is designed. Furthermore, to solve the problem, a nozzle body produced by means of additive manufacturing is specified according to claim 15, a container cleaning machine with such a spray device and / or nozzle body is specified according to claim 19, as well as a method for internal spraying and / or external spraying of containers according to claim 20. Advantageous further developments of the invention are given in the dependent claims. Since all of the features described are individually or in any combination fundamentally the subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their back-reference. Furthermore, the disclosure content of the claims is declared to be part of the description.

The present invention provides a spray device for a spray station of a container cleaning machine for cleaning containers, which has at least one feed for a spray medium and a spray nozzle arrangement that can be fluidly connected to the feed. The spray nozzle arrangement comprises at least one rotatably drivable spray tube with a fluid-carrying interior space and with openings provided in a tube wall of the spray tube. Furthermore, the spray nozzle arrangement comprises at least one nozzle line body cooperating with the openings in the pipe wall of the spray tube, the nozzle line body forming at least one spray nozzle unit for generating at least one spray jet in cooperation with the openings of the spray tube. The invention is particularly characterized in that at least one receiving space for the rotating mounting of the spray tube is formed in the nozzle line body and the spray tube is mounted rotating in the receiving space and that in the nozzle line body also a first and at least one further fluid channel, each with its own Inlet opening and outlet opening are formed. The central supply of the spray medium can take place at will and does not have to be with the Be coupled nozzle guide body. When the spray tube rotates in a direction of rotation, a fluid connection between the fluid-carrying interior of the spray tube and the first fluid channel is established in at least one first rotational position by means of the openings, and a fluid connection between the spray tube is established by means of the openings in at least one further rotational position of the spray tube fluidfüh-generating interior of the spray tube and the other fluid channel produced.

The spray device according to the invention, which according to the present understanding can also be referred to as a spray tube arrangement, spray system or spray nozzle system of a spray station for a container cleaning machine, is designed and directed in particular for internal spraying and / or external spraying of containers. The spray device comprises a drivable, rotatably mounted spray tube, which is rotated synchronously with the movement of the container being transported in a conveying direction, with the spray tube, in particular in a longitudinal section of the spray tube in which the openings in the tube wall are provided, the nozzle line body is arranged, in the receiving space of which the spray tube is rotatably mounted and which can interact with the openings in the spray tube in such a way that a spray jet is generated.

In particular, the fluid connection between the fluid-carrying interior of the spray tube and at least one fluid channel is established in that the opening in the tube wall of the spray tube overlaps the inlet opening of the fluid channel during rotation. For example, cross-sectional shapes and cross-sectional sizes of the openings and inlet opening are matched to one another, in particular in such a way that the inlet opening can be completely covered by the opening. A cross-section or cross-sectional diameter of the opening in the pipe wall of the spray pipe is preferably at least as large as the mean cross-sectional diameter of the inlet openings.

With the present spray device, the spray medium or cleaning medium, which can be, for example, water, a cleaning solution, a water-alkali mixture or the like cleaning agent, is fed into the fluid-carrying interior of the spray tube by means of the feed. For this purpose, a fluid connection is established between one of the openings in the pipe wall of the spray pipe the feed and the interior of the spray tube, at least in an angular range of a rotational movement of the spray tube, in particular in a rotational position of the spray tube. For example, a fluid space is formed for this in the nozzle line body as part or section of the receiving space, which is sealingly connected to the feed via a feed opening and into which the spray medium is introduced. At least one of the openings in the pipe wall of the spray pipe is in contact with the fluid space in which the spray medium is placed in an angular range during the rotary movement, so that the fluid connection between the feed and the interior of the spray pipe is established. The application or charging of the fluid-carrying interior of the spray tube with spray medium can alternatively or additionally also take place by means of a direct connection of the feed. A possible central, fluid connection between the supply that supplies the spray medium and the fluid-carrying interior of the spray tube is known in the prior art and is not explained further in detail, such as one or two central supplies via the tube ends of the respective spray tube .

According to the invention, the nozzle line body is designed in such a way that it has at least two fluid channels which, depending on the rotational position of the spray tube, are acted upon by spray media. As a result, a spray jet is generated and emitted at the respective outlet opening of the currently acted upon fluid channel. The exposure of the fluid channel with spray medium takes place in such a way that, due to the rotation of the spray tube, an opening in the pipe wall of the spray tube comes into overlapping, for example congruent, arrangement with the inlet opening of the fluid channel and thus a fluid connection between the fluid-carrying interior of the spray tube and the Fluid channel is established. For example, in the section of the spray pipe surrounded by the nozzle line body, four openings are formed in the pipe wall, the openings being arranged at equal angular intervals of about 90 ° over the circumference of the spray pipe and in a common, imaginary sectional plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the spray pipe come to rest. The nozzle line body thus preferably acts together with a set of four openings distributed over the circumference of the spray tube in order to form a spray nozzle unit. Because the spray tube rotates synchronously with the movement of the container, the spray jet is advantageously always generated at the outlet opening of the fluid channel over which the container transported past, in particular the container opening or mouth, is currently located. The outlet openings of the fluid channels are preferably arranged in series one behind the other along the conveying direction of the container to be cleaned, so that the container is successively moved over the successive outlet openings during the transport.

With the present spray device, it is particularly advantageous that the spray pipe, which according to the present understanding can also be referred to as a rotating distribution pipe or a rotating conduit pipe, conveys and guides the spray medium or cleaning medium and only ever releases that fluid channel and applied, which is currently under half of the container received in a container cell and transported past be. In the present case, the fluid channels can also be understood as nozzle channels or spray channels.

Thus, on the linear conveying path of the container in the conveying direction, the container is sprayed in a targeted manner, in particular several times and preferably with a spray jet oriented in the vertical direction, which preferably enters the interior of the container perpendicularly through the container opening. In particular, the longer spray duration and spray effect due to the multiple delivery of a spray jet and especially also the perpendicular spray jet, a significantly improved cleaning performance is achieved. The cleaning effect of the spray device according to the invention is advantageously very high and significantly improved.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, three, four or more fluid channels are formed in the nozzle line, each with its own outlet opening, with a fluid connection between the fluid-carrying interior of the spray tube and a fluid connection when the spray tube rotates in the direction of rotation, depending on the rotational position of the spray tube at least one of the plurality of fluid ducts can be produced by means of the openings. As a result, the spray duration and spray effect can continue to be and additionally extended and the number of spray jets emitted one after the other, which enter the inside of the container on the conveyor line through the spray station, can additionally be increased, which leads to an even further improved cleaning performance.

The nozzle line body also advantageously has an upper surface extending in a horizontal plane, the outlet openings opening outwards on the upper surface and wherein a respective outlet section of the fluid channels adjoining the outlet openings is designed like a nozzle and / or has a cross-section widened towards the outlet opening. With a suitable design of the outlet section, which, for example, can expand steadily or gradually, stepwise in its cross-section towards the surface or, in alternative variants, can also taper, certain properties or parameters of the spray jet can be influenced and / or adapted, such as the Beam shape of the spray jet, the bundling, the spray pressure, the speed and amount of the exiting spray medium, and the like.

Embodiments are particularly preferred in which each outlet section of the fluid channels has an outlet axis, the outlet axes running perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the surface of the nozzle line body. Several or all of the outlet axes of the several successive fluid channels arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction can be arranged parallel to one another or run obliquely to one another. For example, if the outlet axes are oriented perpendicular to the surface, the spray jet reaches the inside of the container in a vertical direction, the spray jet then bouncing off the bottom of the container or breaking there and the spraying medium running off the inside wall of the container, whereby a particularly effective cleaning performance is achieved.

If all outlet sections are now arranged in such a way that their outlet axes are all perpendicular to the surface and parallel to one another, it is ensured that the container is treated, in particular injected, on its transport path through the spraying station with a series of vertically entering spray jets. According to alternative embodiments, the outlet sections can be arranged in such a way that their outlet axes do not run parallel to one another, see above that, for example, the angle of incidence of the spray jets changes in the conveying direction or in the direction of travel of the container, which means that spray jets with a changing angle of incidence enter the interior of the container, whereby all areas of the container can be effectively hit and, in particular, a particularly effective spraying of the inner wall can be achieved. Outlet sections running obliquely to the surface are also preferred for external spraying.

In an improved embodiment of the spray devices mentioned here, at least one of the openings in the pipe wall of the spray pipe is designed as an elongated hole which extends lengthwise along a circumferential direction of the spray pipe. In this way, on the one hand, the duration of the spray from an outlet opening of a respective fluid channel can be lengthened and, on the other hand, it can also be achieved that in an angular range during the rotational movement of the spray tube at least two adjacent fluid channels simultaneously come into fluid contact with the fluid-carrying interior of the spray tube and thereby at the same time tig be acted upon with spray medium.

The length or the extent of the one or more opening (s) formed as an elongated hole in the pipe wall in the circumferential direction is to be understood as the opening length, which is increased compared to an opening width in the axial direction of the spray pipe res. The length or opening length is preferably greater than an average cross-section or cross-sectional diameter of the inlet openings of the fluid channels and particularly preferably corresponds to at least the value of the sum of the average cross-sectional diameter of the inlet openings of the fluid channels and an average distance between the respective inlet openings of adjacent fluid channels. Ideally, the opening length of at least one opening extends in the circumferential direction at the outermost, complete overlap of a first inlet opening of a first fluid channel, which, when the flow tube rotates, is just about overlapping with the opening of the pipeline with its largest possible flow cross section, up to the first contact point the edge of the subsequent inlet opening of the next, adjacent fluid channel.

According to preferred embodiments, the nozzle line body can be formed in one piece and can be pushed or clipped onto the spray tube. Alternatively can the nozzle line body can also be formed in several parts, in particular in two parts, wherein in multi-part design variants, preferably connecting and fastening means for connecting the parts and for fastening to the spray tube are provided. The connecting and fastening means can be, for example, screw connections, clamping means or bracket-like or clamp-like means.

In the case of a multi-part embodiment, for example, a lower and an upper section of the nozzle line body can be produced as separate parts, whereby the spray tube can simply be inserted and then the two parts placed on the spray tube are connected to the nozzle line body via suitable connecting means. A two-part design can also be such that the nozzle line body is divided vertically in the middle and is made in the form of two half-shells, the fluid channels in the respective parts being located as a half-channel on each half-shell. In all two-part or multi-part variants, seals that are customary in the technical field and known to the person skilled in the art are provided in order to connect the parts to form the nozzle line body in a sealing manner.

According to advantageous design variants, the nozzle line body is made from at least one plastic. As plastic materials, for example, those plastic materials commonly used in the field of technology are suitable, which have a sufficiently high resistance and resistance to water, acidic and alkaline cleaning agents, to disinfectants and to heat. When using plastics, the nozzle line bodies can preferably be produced using an injection molding process, which is particularly suitable for two-part or multi-part design variants.

In particular, in one-piece variants of the nozzle line body, this can be produced by means of an additive manufacturing process, in particular by means of a 3D printing process. Particular advantages result from the fact that different materials can be combined in a simple manner for production. Depending on the requirement, certain, for example "only" holding or structure or shaping sections of the nozzle line body can be made from a cheap plastic material and sections that serve as a contact or sliding surface for the rotating spray tube can be made from one as required very high quality Plastic material can be manufactured with low coefficients of friction. In the case of one-piece production using additive manufacturing processes, seals within the nozzle line body, in particular in the area of the fluid channels, can advantageously be saved.

A contact surface for contacting the spray tube is particularly advantageous in the receiving space of the nozzle line body. The contact surface can be formed by the nozzle line body itself, in particular by the material of the nozzle line body, or alternatively by a sliding sleeve placed in the receiving space. Such a sliding sleeve, which in the present case is also referred to as a sliding bearing or sliding bush and is used to reduce the friction between moving components and to protect them from wear, is made of a particularly high-quality, sliding material with low coefficients of friction. When using such a sliding sleeve placed in the receiving space of the nozzle line body, an inexpensive plastic material can advantageously be used to manufacture the nozzle line body, which does not have to meet any special requirements with regard to the sliding or frictional properties. The sliding sleeves used consist, for example, of specially developed plastics which, thanks to their extremely low coefficients of friction, can slide even without lubrication. In particular, commercially available sliding sleeves or sliding bushings made of iglidur®, for example from IGUS, can be used.

Connection elements for a sealing connection with the feed, in particular for a sealing reception of the feed, can particularly preferably be provided on the nozzle line body.

Advantages result in particular from the fact that several nozzle line bodies are arranged on the spray tube extending along a longitudinal axis, which together with the spray tube form several spray nozzle units regularly distributed along the longitudinal axis for the simultaneous generation of several spray jets. For example, several sets of four openings each distributed over the circumference of the spray tube are provided in the pipe wall of the spray tube, which sets are distributed along the longitudinal axis, with one set of openings together with a respective one Nozzle line body forms a respective spray nozzle unit. In this way, several containers, which are arranged side by side, can be moved past as a row above the spray nozzle arrangement, treated simultaneously and sprayed out by means of the spray device.

Particular advantages also result from the fact that a support structure is provided in order to hold the nozzle line bodies in position relative to the spray tube, specifically in relation to the longitudinal axis.

The present invention also relates to a container cleaning machine with a spraying station for internal spraying and / or external spraying of the container, which is characterized in particular by the fact that the spraying station comprises a spraying device as described above.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for internal spraying and / or external spraying of containers in a spraying station of a container cleaning machine by means of a spraying device, the spraying device comprising at least one feed for a spray medium and a spray nozzle arrangement that can be fluidly connected to the feed. The spray nozzle arrangement comprises at least one rotatably drivable spray tube and at least one nozzle line body cooperating with openings provided in the tube wall of the spray tube with a first and at least one further fluid channel each with its own inlet opening and outlet opening. The spray tube is mounted so as to be drivable and rotating in a receiving space of the nozzle line body. In the process, the containers are transported in a conveying direction through the spraying station with the container opening pointing downwards by means of a transport provided in the container cleaning machine above the spray nozzle arrangement in such a way that each container is via the outlets of the fluid channels of a corresponding nozzle line body arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction is moved. The spray tube is rotated synchronously with the movement of the container in one direction of rotation and a spray jet is generated at exactly the outlet of that fluid channel over which a container is currently moving. In particular, there is an advantage in producing the nozzle guide body for a spray device described here by means of an additive manufacturing process. 3D printing processes are particularly advantageous. In this way, any optimized geometries of the fluid channels and, in particular, nozzle-like outlet geometries can be generated without limitation due to mechanical manufacturing processes.

The nozzle guide body has at least one lower section and one upper section, with at least two of the fluid channels in the installed state being arranged in the upper section and these on their course from the inlet opening, which is in fluidic contact with the spray tube, to the outlet opening min at least have a radius for changing the direction of an internal flow. As a rule, the majority of the fluid channels will have one or more radii in order to ensure an optimal, low-drag flow course. The water upper section and thus the material surrounding the fluid channels is formed in one piece as a monolith.

As already stated above, the flow tube is received and rotatably mounted between the lower section and the upper section. The rest of the structure is analogous to the explanations above or to those from the figures.

This also applies to the type of reception of the flow tube, which is mounted between the lower and upper section and can be fixed and detached from one another by means of at least one connecting means arranged there. All non-positive or positive connection means can be used sensibly here.

In the context of the invention, the expression “essentially” or “approximately” means deviations from the exact value in each case by up to +/- 10%, preferably by +/- 5%, and / o the deviations in the form of for the function insignificant changes.

The invention is explained in the following on the basis of the figures of exemplary embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a roughly schematically sketched representation of a spray station having a container cleaning machine an embodiment of a spray device according to the inven tion,

2 shows a schematic sectional view of a spray nozzle arrangement of an embodiment variant of the spray device according to the invention in two different working positions,

3 shows, greatly enlarged, a detail of the spray nozzle arrangement in FIG

Figure 2 in two different working positions,

4 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a spray nozzle arrangement of a further embodiment variant of the spray device according to the invention in two different working positions,

Fig. 5 roughly schematically shows a section of a spray station with spray nozzle arrangement in a perspective view,

FIG. 6 shows, in an enlarged representation, the partial section X of FIG. 5,

7 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a spray nozzle arrangement with an alternative embodiment variant of a nozzle line body and FIG

Fig. 8 shows in the form of a flow diagram different positions of an opening formed as an elongated hole in the rotating spray tube relative to the inlet openings of the fluid channels of the nozzle line body in a preferred variant of the spray tube.

The spray device generally designated 1 in the figures is for example

Part of a spray station 20 of a cleaning machine, e.g. a bottle or container cleaning machine 30 for cleaning containers or bottles.

An exemplary container cleaning machine 30 comprising a spray station 20 with a spray device 1 is shown roughly schematically in FIG. In an interior of the container cleaning machine 30 formed by a closed housing, a machine-internal conveyor (not shown in detail in FIG. 1) is provided, with which the container B to be cleaned (only indicated at one position in FIG a transport path in a conveying direction F (see Figures 2 to 5) are moved through. In the illustration of FIG. 1, the conveying direction F runs into the plane of the drawing (plane of the paper). The containers B are taken during the cleaning phase, in particular while passing through the spraying station 20 individually and with their container opening facing downward in container cells 10, several of these container cells 10 are net angeord next to each other in series.

The spray device 1 is arranged in the container cleaning machine 30 or in the spray station 20 there, in particular as a stationary machine component or machine unit that does not move linearly with the machine-internal conveyor for the container B in the conveying direction F, but which, however, is complete and fully functional Unit is formed and can be mounted as such in the spraying station 20 of the container cleaning machine 30. The spray device 1 is arranged in particular below the transport path on which the containers B are moved past.

The spray device 1 comprises a feed 2 for a suitable spray medium or cleaning medium used when cleaning the container B, which can be, for example, water, a cleaning solution, a water-lye mixture or the same cleaning agent, e.g. also an acidic cleaning agent.

The feed 2 can for example be designed as a feed line as a feed pipe, in particular pipe-like or hose-like. The spray device 1 furthermore comprises a spray nozzle arrangement 3 which is sealingly connected to the feed line 2 and is in fluid connection, via which the spray medium can be emitted or sprayed out as a spray jet S. The spray jet S is oriented essentially upwards, namely in the direction of the container B transported past above and also reaches the interior of the respective container B through the container openings pointing downwards, whereby it is sprayed out. The spray nozzle arrangement 3 of the spray device 1 extends along a main axis HA, which runs essentially perpendicular to the conveying direction F of the container B and, in the example shown in FIG. 1, is oriented in a transverse direction of the container cleaning machine 30, i.e. parallel to a transverse axis of the container cleaning machine 30 runs.

The spray nozzle arrangement 3 of the spray device 1 comprises an essentially circular cylindrical spray tube 4 designed as a fluid-carrying tube, which extends its longitudinal extent along a longitudinal axis LA which, in the example of FIG. 1, coincides with the main axis HA. A pipe wall of the spray pipe 4 runs concentrically around the longitudinal axis LA and forms a circumferential surface in a circumferential direction U. The spray tube 4 is designed to be rotationally movable in such a way that it can be drivably pivoted or rotated in a direction of rotation R about the longitudinal axis LA.

The spray tube 4 is for example rotatably or pivotably mounted on a Tragrah men or support element of the spray device 1 or the spraying station 20 and is preferably provided at least at one end with an actuator via which the spray tube 4 passes synchronously with the transport movement of the above ported container cells 10 is rotated or pivoted. Such an actuator can be designed, for example, as a drive star or star element, in particular as a four-ray star element, with correspondingly assigned driver rollers. The synchronous rotation of the spray tube 4 with the movement of the conveyor and thus with the movement of the container transported past in the conveying direction F is conveyed or driven via the actuator and corresponding driver elements on the machine internal conveyor.

The spray nozzle arrangement 3 further comprises at least one nozzle line body 7 (see FIGS. 2 to 7) which, together with the spray tube 4, in particular in conjunction with openings 6, 6 ', 6 ", 6""(see FIGS. 2 to 7) provided in the spray tube. a spray nozzle unit 5 for generating the at least one spray jet S. In the example of FIG A spray jet S emerges in each case from locations arranged next to one another. The number of ten spray nozzle units 5 shown in FIG. 1 is purely exemplary; it goes without saying that the most varied of embodiments with the most varied of numbers of spray nozzle units 5 are possible.

The multiple spray nozzle units 5 are arranged distributed along the main axis HA in such a way that each of the containers B arranged in a row next to one another in the container cells 10 of the conveyor arranged above the spray device 1 is assigned a spray nozzle unit 5. The container cells 10 and the associated spray nozzle units 5 are thus received in several parallel running vertical planes, with the main axis HA intersecting each of the planes perpendicularly and each container cell 10 with its associated spray nozzle unit 5 lying in a common vertical plane comes. Each loading container cell 10 forms, as it were, in the spraying station 20 together with the spray nozzle unit 5 assigned to it, one of several juxtaposed treatment points or positions, which can also be referred to as spray points or positions who can.

Each nozzle line body 7 surrounding the spray tube 4, which together with the openings 6, 6 ', 6 ", 6'" forms a respective spray nozzle unit 5, is so effectively connected to the spray tube 4 that in at least one working position or in at least an angular range of the rotary or pivoting movement of the spray tube 4 in the direction of rotation R about the longitudinal axis LA a fluid connection between the spray medium supplying feed 2, a fluid-carrying interior 17 of the spray tube 4 and fluid channels 9.1 - 9.n in the nozzle line body 7 is established in a manner is that a spray jet S is specifically generated and sprayed by means of the spray nozzle unit 5 via an outlet opening or nozzle opening, which outlet opening is formed in particular by an outlet opening 13 of one of the fluid channels 9.1 - 9.n (not visible from Figure 1, see e.g. Figure 3).

The central, fluid connection between the feed 2 supplying the spray medium and the fluid-carrying interior 17 of the spray tube 4 is known in the prior art and is not explained or illustrated in any further detail. The spray nozzle arrangement 3 will now be described in more detail below in connection with FIGS. 2 to 6. In the following, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6, in particular the special design of the nozzle line body 7 and the spray tube 4 is explained, as well as the functional interaction of these components.

As mentioned above, the spray tube 4 and the nozzle line body 7 cooperate to form the spray nozzle unit 5 in such a way that a spray jet S is emitted in a targeted or controlled manner in the direction of the container B moving past above. For this purpose, the spray tube 4 in the nozzle line body 7 is rotating Gela Gert. For this purpose, a receiving space for the spray tube 4 is formed in the nozzle line body 7, the receiving space providing a curved contact surface 11 which is used for tight contact with the spray tube 4 and for this purpose is concave about an axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis LA. The contact surface 11 has an arcuate or partially circular cross section and thus forms a contact surface 11 complementary to the jacket surface of the spray tube 4, as is illustrated in particular in FIGS. 2 to 4. In the illustrated examples of Figures 2 to 4, the spray tube 4 is approximately over an angle range of around 255 ° of its circumference with its outer surface against the contact surface 11 at.

The contact surface 11 is designed in such a way that the spray tube 4 admittedly comes into sealing contact with the nozzle line body 7, that is, the jacket surface of the spray tube 4 and the contact surface 11 of the nozzle line body 7 abut against one another in a sealing manner, but a rotation of the bearing received in the nozzle line body 7 Spray tube 4 in the direction of rotation R, in particular a rotating sliding of the man center surface of the spray tube 4 along the contact surface 11 with the lowest possible Rei environment, preferably unhindered. This is effected, for example, in that the nozzle line body 7 is made of a very high quality plastic material with extremely low coefficients of friction, in particular in the area of the contact surface 11.

The nozzle line body 7 engages around the spray tube 4 which is accommodated in the receiving space and is supported along a longitudinal section of the spray tube 4. For example, this encompassing can also be understood as clasping or enclosing the spray tube 4 by the nozzle line body 7, with of course a system which is sealed or sealed off from the outside is realized. Along this longitudinal section of the spray tube 4, the nozzle line 7 in the examples of FIGS. 2 to 4 encompasses the spray tube 4 completely, based on its circumference, namely over the entire angular range of 360 °. The complementary contact surface 11 is, as described above, only partially in close contact with the spray tube 4 in relation to the circumference of the spray tube 4. In egg nem lower section 7.1 of the nozzle line body 7, the receiving space of the nozzle line body 7 also forms a fluid space 14, which is connected on an underside via a feed opening 15 to the feed 2 for the spray medium and which receives the spray medium supplied by means of the feed opening 15. The fluid space 14 is thus delimited below and laterally by an inner fluid guide surface 16 of the lower section 7.1 of the nozzle line body 7 and on the upper side by the spray tube 4, in particular by a lateral surface section of the spray tube 4.

Overall, this central feed for the spray medium can take place in any way and does not have to be coupled to the nozzle guide body or arranged in it, as was shown by way of example by means of feed 2 and feed opening 15.

The central supply of the spray medium can take place on at least any axial section of the spray pipe 4 and / or, for example, also via one or both ends of the spray pipe 4.

The nozzle line body 7 also has an upper section 7.2, which can also be referred to as a line section, nozzle section or distributor section and in which at least two fluid channels 9.1, 9.2 - 9.n are formed. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the nozzle line body 7 has ten fluid channels 9.1-9.n and in the example in FIG. 4 19 fluid channels 9.1-9.n are formed in the nozzle line body 7. Each fluid channel 9.1-9.n has an inlet opening 12 which breaks through the abutment surface 11 and which opens the fluid channel 9.1-9.n to the receiving space of the nozzle line body 7 and thus a connection into the The receiving space of the nozzle line body 7 forms. Furthermore, each fluid channel 9.1 - 9.n has an outlet opening 13 which opens the fluid channel 9.1 - 9.n on a surface 8 of the nozzle line body 7 to the outside. The outlet opening 13 can also be understood as a nozzle opening in the present case.

Furthermore, openings 6, 6 ‘, 6 ″, 6 ″ are provided in a tube wall in the spray tube 4, specifically in the longitudinal section of the spray tube 4 in which the nozzle line body 7 engages around the spray tube 4. For example, four openings 6, 6 ', 6 ", 6'" are formed in the pipe wall, the openings 6, 6 ', 6 ", 6"' being arranged at equal angular distances of about 90 ° over the circumference of the spray pipe 4 are. The openings 6, 6 ', 6 ", 6'" have a common, imaginary section plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA and thus lie on perpendicularly intersecting radial straight lines through whose intersection the longitudinal axis LA runs, the longitudinal axis LA also being perpendicular to the radial straight line is oriented. This can be seen particularly clearly from the enlarged illustration in FIG. Both the openings 6, 6 ', 6 ", 6'" and the inlet openings 12 each essentially have a circular shape in the example shown, with a diameter of the openings 6, 6 ', 6 ", 6'" being at least as large , such as a diameter of the inlet openings 12. It goes without saying that other cross-sectional shapes and proportions are possible.

By means of the openings 6, 6 ', 6 ", 6'" in the pipe wall of the spray pipe 4, depending on the rotational position of the spray pipe 4 assumed during the rotation in the direction of rotation R, namely in a predetermined angular range of the rotational movement, a fluid Connection established between the fluid space 14 formed in the nozzle line body 7, the fluid-carrying interior 17 of the spray tube 4 and a respective, specific fluid channel 9.1-9.n. This is illustrated by the spray nozzle unit 5 shown in section in FIGS occupies. It should be pointed out here that, in particular, depending on the application, for example on the spray pressure required, the application or charging of the fluid-carrying inner space 17 of the spray tube 4 with spray medium also alternatively or additionally by means of a direct connection of the feed 2 to the fluid-carrying interior space 17 he can follow. A possible central, fluid connection between the feed 2 supplying the Spritzme medium and the fluid-carrying interior 17 of the Spritzroh res 4 is known in the prior art and will not be explained in further detail.

In the first position shown in section A, the container B received in the container cell 10 and transported by the machine-internal conveyor in the conveying direction F enters the spray device 1 and reaches the action area of the spray nozzle unit 5. In the example in FIG first position of the fluid-carrying interior 17 of the spray tube 4 due to the given rotary position and the associated arrangement of the openings 6 and 6 'connected to the fluid space 14, the fluid connection being established via the openings 6 and 6' (indicated by arrows) . As can be seen in particular from the associated enlarged detail of FIG is made between the interior 17 of the spray tube 4 and the first fluid channel 9.1. As a result, a spray jet S is generated at the outlet opening 13 of the first fluid channel 9.1 and sprayed from there. The opening 6 ″ is sealed off in this first position due to the tight contact against the contact surface 11 and is thus closed.

The spray tube 4 is now rotated in the direction of rotation R synchronously with the movement of the container B transported past above. Such a further position is shown by way of example in the respective section B of FIGS. 2 and 3. In this rotational position of the spray tube 4, the fluid connection between the interior 17 of the spray tube 4 and the fluid space 14 is established through the opening 6 ′ and the opening 6 ′ ″ is arranged congruently with the inlet opening 12 of the further fluid channel 9.5, so that in this position a fluid connection is established between the inner space 17 of the spray tube 4 and the further fluid channel 9.5 and thereby the spray jet S at the outlet opening 13 of the further fluid channel 9.5 is generated and sprayed out. Both openings 6 and 6 ″ are sealed in this further position due to the tight contact against the contact surface 11 and thus closed. The upper surface 8 of the nozzle line body 7, on which the fluid channels 9.1 - 9.n with their respective outlet openings 13 open outwards, extends in a horizontal plane. The outlet openings 13 are each adjoined by an outlet section 18 which extends along a respective outlet axis AA. In the example of FIGS. 2 and 3, the outlet sections 18 are each oriented in such a way that the respective outlet axes AA run perpendicular to the surface 8 and a perpendicular spray jet S is thereby sprayed from each of the fluid channels 9.1-9.n. Alternatively, the outlet sections 18 can also be oriented such that their outlet axes AA run obliquely to the surface 8. It is also conceivable that the outlet axes AA of the outlet sections 18 are not oriented parallel to one another and therefore the “spray angles” in adjacent fluid channels 9.1 - 9.n change.

The example shown in FIG. 4 differs from that of FIGS. 2 and 3 essentially only in that a larger number of fluid channels 9.1-9.n are formed in the nozzle line body 7 in the upper section 7.2.

In Figure 5, a section of the spraying station 20 with spray nozzle arrangement 3 is shown in a perspective view and Figure 6 shows a greatly enlarged partial section X of Figure 5. In the spray nozzle arrangement 3 of Figures 5 and 6, which we sentlichen the embodiment according to 3 and 3, a plurality of spray nozzle units 5 are arranged along the main axis HA, each spray nozzle unit 5 comprising a nozzle line body 7 in which ten fluid channels 9.1-9.n are formed. The respective outlet openings 13 of the fluid channels 9.1 - 9.n, arranged in series one behind the other, of a respective nozzle line body 7 come to lie along a line running in the direction of the conveying direction F and perpendicular to the main axis HA. The outlet openings 13 of the fluid channels 9.1 - 9.n of the plurality of nozzle line bodies 7 distributed along the main axis HA thus describe a plurality of rows of outlet openings 13 running parallel to one another, perpendicular to the main axis HA.

As can also be seen from FIGS. 5 and 6, the openings 6, 6 ′, 5 ″, 6 ′ ″ in the tube wall of the spray tube 4 are designed in the form of elongated holes, whereby the elongated holes along their length along the coincident with the main axis HA of the spray nozzle assembly 3 longitudinal axis LA of the spray tube 4 he stretch.

FIG. 7 shows, in a schematic sectional illustration, a spray nozzle arrangement 3 with an alternative embodiment variant of a nozzle line body 7 which is constructed in two parts. A lower and an upper section 7.1, 7.2 of the nozzle line body 7 are produced as two separate parts, which can simply be placed on the spray tube 4 and connected to the spray tube 4 via suitable connecting means 19. A particularly tight connection of the two parts is possible by means of suitable seals.

FIG. 8 shows, in a schematic representation, an opening 6 designed as an elongated hole which, by rotating the spray tube 4 (not shown) in the direction of rotation R, releases and passes over the inlet openings 12. The direction of rotation R of the spray tube 4 is shown in Figure 8 as a spanned, linear movement line with a direction of travel D, which corresponds to the direction of rotation R of the spray tube 4 ent in the present case. The opening 6 designed as an elongated hole extends along its length I along the circumferential direction U of the spray tube 4, the length I of the opening 6 designed as an elongated hole being greater than an average cross-sectional diameter d of the inlet openings 12 of the fluid channels 9.1-9.n. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the length I corresponds to the value of the sum of the mean cross-sectional diameter d of the inlet openings 12 of the fluid channels 9.1-9.n and a mean distance a between the inlet openings 12 of the respective adjacent fluid channels 9.1, 9.2.

In the illustration under section I. of Figure 8, the moment is shown in which the length or opening length I of the opening 6 in the circumferential direction U of the spray pipe res 4 at the outermost, complete coverage of the inlet opening 12 of the first fluid channel 9.1, the During the rotation of the spray tube 4, its largest possible flow cross-section is still in overlap with the opening 6 of the spray tube 4, up to the first contact point of the edge of the subsequent inlet opening 12 of the next, adjacent fluid channel 9.2. The illustration under Section II. Shows an intermediate position in which the as an elongated hole Executed opening 6 partially covers two inlet openings 12, so that the spray medium can flow in the associated fluid channels 9.1, 9.2.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS Spraying device supply spray nozzle arrangement spray pipe spray nozzle unit - 6 ‘" openings nozzle line body .1, 7.2 lower and upper section of the nozzle line body upper surface of the nozzle line body .1 - 9.n fluid channels 0 container cells 1 contact surface 2 inlet opening 3 outlet opening 4 fluid space 5 supply opening

16 fluid guide surface

17 fluid-carrying interior of the spray tube

18 outlet section

19 Lanyards

20 spray station

30 container cleaning machine a medium distance

AA exhaust axis

B container d cross-section diameter

D direction of rotation

F direction of conveyance

FIA main axle

I opening length

LA longitudinal axis R direction of rotation

S spray jet

U circumferential direction

Claims

1. Spray device (1) for a spray station (20) of a container cleaning machine (30) for cleaning containers (B) having at least one feed (2) for a spray medium and a spray nozzle arrangement (3) that can be fluidly connected to the feed (2), wherein the spray nozzle arrangement (3) comprises at least one rotatably drivable spray tube (4) with a fluid-carrying interior (17) and with openings (6, 6 ', 6 ", 6'") provided in a pipe wall of the spray tube (4), the Spray nozzle arrangement (3) further comprises at least one nozzle line body (7) which interacts with the openings (6, 6 ', 6 ", 6'") in the pipe wall of the spray tube (4), the nozzle line body (7) interacting with the openings (6, 6 ', 6 ", 6'") of the spray tube (4) forms at least one spray nozzle unit (5) for generating at least one spray jet (S), characterized in that in the nozzle line body (7) at least one receiving space for rotating Storage of the spray raw res (4) is formed and the spray tube (4) is rotatably mounted in the receiving space, and that in the nozzle line body (7) also a first and at least one further fluid channel (9.1 - 9.n) each with its own inlet opening (12 ) and outlet opening (13) are formed, with a fluid connection between the openings (6, 6 ', 6 ", 6'") when the spray tube (4) rotates in a direction of rotation (R) in at least one first rotational position by means of the openings (6, 6 ', 6 ", 6'") the fluid-carrying interior (17) of the spray tube (4) and the first fluid channel (9.1) is made and where in at least one further rotational position of the spray tube (4) by means of the openings (6, 6 ', 6 ", 6'") a fluid connection between the fluid-carrying interior space (17) of the spray tube (4) and the further fluid channel (9.n) is established.

2. Spray device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the outlet openings (13) of the fluid channels (9.1 - 9.n) are arranged in series one behind the other along a conveying direction (F) of the container (B) to be cleaned.

3. Spray device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the nozzle line body (7) three, four or more fluid channels (9.1 - 9.n) are formed, each with its own outlet opening (13), wherein when the Spray tube (4) in the direction of rotation (R) depending on the rotational position of the spray tube (4) a fluid connection between the fluid-carrying interior (17) of the spray tube (4) and at least one of the plurality of fluid channels (9.1 - 9.n) by means of the Openings (6, 6 ', 6 ", 6'") can be produced.

4. Spray device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nozzle line body (7) has an upper surface (8) extending in a horizontal plane, the outlet openings (13) on the upper surface (8) open to the outside and wherein a respective outlet section (18) of the fluid channels (9.1-9.n) adjoining the outlet openings (13) is designed like a nozzle and / or widens in cross-section towards the outlet opening (13).

5. Spray device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that each outlet section (18) of the fluid channels (9.1 - 9.n) has an outlet axis (AA), the outlet axes (AA) of the respective outlet sections (18) being perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the upper surface (8) of the nozzle line body (7).

6. Spray device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nozzle line body (7) is formed in one piece and can be pushed or clipped onto the spray tube (4).

7. Spray device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the nozzle line body (7) is designed in two parts and that connecting and fastening means for connecting the parts and for fastening to the spray tube (4) are provided.

8. Injection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nozzle line body (7) is made of at least one plastic.

9. Injection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nozzle line body (7) is produced by means of an additive manufacturing process, in particular by means of a 3D printing process.

10. Spray device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a contact surface (11) for contact against the spray tube (4) is formed in the receiving space of the nozzle line body (7), the contact surface (11) being formed by the material of the Nozzle line body (7) or is formed by a sliding sleeve inserted into the receiving space.

11. Spray device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the nozzle line body (7) connecting elements for a sealing connection with the feed (2), in particular for a sealing reception of the feed (2), are provided.

12. Spray device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the spray tube (4) extending along a longitudinal axis (LA) several nozzle line bodies (7) are arranged, which together with the spray tube (4) several along the longitudinal axis (LA) regularly distributed arranged spray nozzle units (5) for generating several spray jets (S).

13. Spray device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a support structure is provided, which is directed to the nozzle line body (7) on the spray tube (4) to keep th in position.

14. Injection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the openings (6, 6 ', 6 ", 6'") in the pipe wall of the spray pipe (4) is designed as an elongated hole, the opening (6, 6 ', 6 ", 6'") extending its length (I) along a circumferential direction (U) of the spray tube (4) , the length (I) of the opening (6, 6 ', 6 ", 6'") designed as an elongated hole being greater than an average cross-sectional diameter (d) of the inlet openings (12) of the fluid channels (9.1 - 9.n) and where the length (I) preferably at least the value of the sum of the mean cross-sectional diameter (d) of the inlet openings (12) of the fluid channels (9.1 - 9.n) and a mean distance (a) between respective adjacent inlet openings (12) of the fluid channels (9.1 - 9.n) corresponds, in particular, to the fact that the opening (6, 6 ', 6 ", 6'") formed as an elongated hole, with complete coverage of an inlet opening (12) of a fluid channel (9.1) up to an edge of the adjacent, subsequent The inlet opening (12) of the adjacent fluid channel (9.2) is sufficient.

15. Nozzle guide body (7) for a spray device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the nozzle guide body (7) was produced by means of an additive manufacturing process, in particular by a 3D printing process.

16. Nozzle guide body (7) according to claim 15, characterized in that it has at least one lower section (7.1) and an upper section (7.2), the fluid channels (9.1 - 9.n) being arranged in the upper section (7.2) and along their course from the inlet opening (12) to the outlet opening (13) they have at least one radius for changing the direction of an internal flow, and at least the upper section (7.2) surrounding the fluid channels (9.1-9.n) formed in one piece as a monolith is.

17. nozzle guide body (7) according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the flow tube (4) between the lower section (7.1) and the upper section (7.2) is received and rotatably mounted.

18. Nozzle guide body (7) according to claim 17, characterized in that the sections (7.1, 7.2) receiving the flow tube (4) can be fixed and detached from one another by means of at least one connecting means (19) arranged there.

19. Container cleaning machine (30) with a spraying station (20) for internal spraying and / or external spraying of the container (B), characterized in that the spraying station (20) comprises a spraying device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14 and / or nozzle guide body (7) according to one of claims 15 to 18.

20. A method for internal spraying and / or external spraying of containers (B) in a spraying station (20) of a container cleaning machine (30) by means of a spraying device (1), the spraying device (1) having at least one feed (2) for a spraying medium and one with the feed (2) comprises fluidly connectable spray nozzle assembly (3), the spray nozzle assembly (3) having at least one rotatably drivable spray tube (4) and at least one with provided openings (6, 6 ', 6 ", 6'") in the The pipe wall of the spray tube (4) comprises a nozzle line body (7) that interacts with one another and has a first and at least one wider fluid channel (9.1 - 9.n) each with its own inlet opening (12) and outlet opening (13), and the spray tube (4) rotatably driven in egg nem receiving space of the nozzle line body (7), wherein in the method, the container (B) in a conveying direction (F) through the spraying station (20) with the container opening facing downwards by means of a s in the container cleaning machine (30) provided conveyor above the spray nozzle arrangement (3) are transported in such a way that each container (B) via the outlets (13) of the fluid channels (9.1-9 .n) of a respective nozzle line body (7) is moved, wherein the spray tube (4) is rotated synchronously with the movement of the container (B) in a direction of rotation (R) and a spray jet (S) each at exactly the outlet (13) the fluid channels (9.1 - 9.n) is generated, above which there is a container (B) moving past.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that at least one spray device (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 14 is used and / or at least one nozzle guide body (7) according to one of claims 15 to 18 is used.