US 12,329,340 B2
High speed reusable beverage container washing system with spinning beverage container holder
Daniel J. Trice, Louisville, KY (US); and Robert M. Digman, Goshen, KY (US)
Assigned to MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD., Guangdong (CN)
Filed by Midea Group Co., Ltd., Foshan (CN)
Filed on Sep. 30, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/957,868.
Prior Publication US 2024/0108191 A1, Apr. 4, 2024
Int. Cl. A47L 15/00 (2006.01); A47L 15/42 (2006.01); A47L 15/50 (2006.01); A61L 2/10 (2006.01); B65G 47/52 (2006.01)
CPC A47L 15/0071 (2013.01) [A47L 15/0076 (2013.01); A47L 15/4242 (2013.01); A47L 15/50 (2013.01); A61L 2/10 (2013.01); B65G 47/52 (2013.01); A61L 2202/11 (2013.01); A61L 2202/17 (2013.01); A61L 2202/23 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for washing a beverage container, comprising:
a housing;
a holder disposed within the housing and configured to hold a beverage container during a wash cycle;
a plurality of stations disposed within the housing, the plurality of stations including a first station for loading the beverage container into the holder and a second station configured to perform an operation on the beverage container during the wash cycle; and
a holder transfer assembly supporting the holder and configured to transfer the holder between the plurality of stations, wherein the holder transfer assembly is further configured to spin the holder and thereby spin the beverage container during at least a portion of the transfer of the holder between the plurality of stations. wherein the holder transfer assembly includes:
a holder support configured to rotatably support the holder;
a holder support drive configured to move the holder support along a path extending between the plurality of stations;
a pinion gear operably coupled to the holder to rotate with the holder; and
a rack gear extending along at least a portion of the path extending between the plurality of stations and positioned to engage the pinion gear such that movement of the holder support along the path while the pinion gear engages the rack gear additionally rotates the holder.