JP2007082747A - Game ball washing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game ball washing apparatus which can efficiently wash and sterilize game balls such as a pachinko ball or the like. <P>SOLUTION: The game ball washing apparatus 1 is constituted by erecting a hollow cylinder 2, arranging a game ball feeding route 6 having an open internal side along an inner periphery of the cylinder and by disposing a game ball cleaning means at the center of the cylinder. The cleaning means comprises a cylindrical ultraviolet irradiation apparatus 10 and/or a grinding means 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball cleaning device, and more particularly to a game ball cleaning device in a lifting device in a pachinko game ball circulation device.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the device for supplying game balls such as pachinko balls while circulating them collects the game balls P used on the island 41 made up of a plurality of game machines 40 in the lower pitching path 42. It is sent to the replenishment tank 44 through the lifting device 43, and further flows down from the replenishment tank 44 with a natural slope 45 to be supplied to the gaming machines 40 on each island again.

  The game balls are subject to various kinds of dirt as they are circulated, causing the player's hands to become dirty, the pachinko board surface to become dirty, and the flow of pachinko balls to stagnate.

  Therefore, as a countermeasure for removing dirt from the pachinko balls, a pachinko ball cleaning device is usually provided in the lifting device of the pachinko ball circulation supply device. Examples of the prior art using a belt type lift and a brush include Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 08-289967 and 9-66162. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-182973 is a cleaning device in which the lifting screw also serves as a brush. In this case, a screw brush is inserted into a long tubular body, and the screw brush is rotated by a motor so as to polish the game ball and transport it from below to above.

  In any of the above devices, since the game ball is pushed up while being polished on the spiral brush surface, the brush is easily painful. In addition, there is a problem that dirt scraped off from the game ball easily reattaches.

  Ultraviolet rays are known to have an organic substance decomposing action, and examples of using this for a game ball cleaning device include Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 59-38985 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-207015. The pachinko ball cleaning apparatus disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 59-38985 includes a pachinko ball position regulating member and an ultraviolet lamp that irradiates ultraviolet rays to the pachinko ball whose position is regulated thereby.

The game ball returning device described in JP-A-11-207015 is a method of irradiating ultraviolet rays by belt type lifting. The apparatus includes a leather belt that is circulated, an ultraviolet lamp, and a fixed cloth belt that carries a titanium oxide photocatalyst. While a game ball is sandwiched and transported between the leather belt and the cloth belt, Dirt on the surface of the game ball is decomposed and removed by the action of ultraviolet rays and photocatalyst by the lamp.
Shokai 59-38985 JP-A-11-207015

  The present inventors have previously proposed a pachinko ball cleaning device using ultraviolet cleaning means in JP-A-2005-080806-080808. A pachinko ball cleaning device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-080807 includes an ultraviolet irradiation mechanism for decomposing and sterilizing organic matter on the surface of the pachinko ball, and a pachinko ball that is installed at the front stage or the rear stage in the ultraviolet irradiation mechanism. And a mechanism for polishing the deposits on the surface of the pachinko ball by contacting the surface. Even with this apparatus, game balls such as pachinko balls can be cleaned and sterilized.

  The present inventors have found that game balls such as pachinko balls can be efficiently cleaned and sterilized by a mechanism different from the previously proposed pachinko ball cleaning device. That is, the present invention provides a game ball cleaning device in which game ball transport paths whose inner sides are released are arranged on the inner periphery of the cylindrical body, and a game ball cleaning means is arranged at the center of the cylindrical body. And the 1st embodiment of the said game ball washing | cleaning apparatus is the structure which used the said cleaning means as the column-shaped ultraviolet irradiation means.

  In the second embodiment of the game ball, the cleaning means employs a polishing means on the outer periphery of a mandrel that is rotated by a rotation driving means, and the outer periphery of the polishing means is lifted in the conveyance path. It is the structure which contacts.

  In the third embodiment, the cleaning unit includes a columnar ultraviolet irradiation unit, and a polishing unit positioned on the upper and / or lower stage of the ultraviolet unit and rotated on the outer periphery of a mandrel that is rotated by a rotation driving unit. Adopted, the outer periphery of the polishing means is in contact with a game ball being lifted in the conveyance path.

  According to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning means has a polishing means disposed on an outer periphery of a mandrel that is rotated by a rotation driving means, and the outer periphery of the polishing means is a game ball that is lifted in the conveyance path. It is configured to abut and to make the mandrel transparent to ultraviolet rays and to insert ultraviolet irradiation means.

  The polishing means used in the second to fourth embodiments is preferably a polishing brush implanted in a spiral around the mandrel.

  In any of the above embodiments, it is preferable that a part of the back surface of the hollow cylindrical body is openable. Further, it is preferable that a cross section of the game ball transport path is substantially rectangular or rectangular, and a space for discharging dust is provided between the game ball and the transport path when the game ball is transported. Furthermore, it is preferable to install an ozone generating means for supplying ozone to the inner cylinder of the cleaning device.

  According to the gaming ball cleaning device of the first aspect, the hollow cylindrical body is erected, and the gaming ball conveyance paths whose inner sides are released are arranged on the inner circumference of the cylindrical body, and the cylindrical body is formed at the center of the cylindrical body. A game ball cleaning means was arranged. That is, since the conveyance path is opposed to the periphery of the cleaning means, the cleaning device can be constructed compactly in a limited space, and efficient cleaning can be performed. In particular, since it can be installed in an existing pachinko ball lifting device (43 in FIG. 9), it can be replaced with a conventional belt-type lifting cleaning machine or a poly-polishing lifting cleaning machine.

  According to the game ball cleaning device of the second aspect, since the game ball transport path is arranged around the columnar ultraviolet irradiation means, the game ball can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays efficiently. In addition, troublesome maintenance work that is inevitable with the conventional lift cleaning apparatus is greatly reduced.

  According to the game ball cleaning device of the third aspect, since the game ball transport path is provided on the outer periphery of the polishing member that rotates, the cleaning using the polishing means can be performed more efficiently.

  According to the game ball cleaning device of the fourth aspect, cleaning by ultraviolet irradiation and cleaning by polishing can be performed by a single device. Since the polishing means can remove large dirt and inorganic dirt, it complements ultraviolet irradiation cleaning which is good at removing organic substances.

  The game ball cleaning device according to claim 5, wherein the polishing means is disposed on the outer periphery of the mandrel rotated by the rotation driving means, the outer periphery of the polishing means is in contact with the game ball being lifted in the conveyance path, and Since the mandrel is made transparent to ultraviolet rays and the ultraviolet irradiation means is inserted, it is possible to perform simultaneous cleaning with the ultraviolet irradiation and the polishing means. By rubbing the surface of the game ball with the polishing means and promoting rotation, irradiation of the entire circumference of the game ball is promoted. The polishing means stirs the air in the apparatus, and as a result, ozone generated by ultraviolet rays can be distributed in the apparatus. In addition, since the cylindrical ultraviolet irradiation means is provided inside the mandrel, the space can be used more efficiently.

  According to the game ball cleaning device of the sixth aspect, since the polishing brush is implanted in a spiral shape (that is, in a state where it is not densely planted) around the mandrel, dust is easily discharged from the space, and the generated ozone is removed. Easy to get inside the device.

  By controlling the rotation direction of the spiral polishing brush, the following effects can be expected. When the rotation direction of the spiral polishing brush is the same as the direction of transport of the game ball (down → upward), the transport of the game ball can be promoted, which contributes to the prevention and release of the ball clogging. When the direction of rotation of the spiral polishing brush is reversed (upward to downward), ozone that is going to rise due to the heat of the ultraviolet irradiation means (ultraviolet lamp) can be guided downward.

  According to the game ball cleaning device of the seventh aspect, the cross section of the game ball transport path is substantially square, and when the game ball is transported, a space for discharging dust is provided between the game ball and the transport path. Therefore, it becomes easy to discharge the dust removed from the game ball.

  According to the game ball cleaning device of the eighth aspect, since a part of the game ball transport path is configured to be openable, maintenance work is facilitated such as easy replacement of the ultraviolet irradiation means or the polishing brush.

  According to the game ball cleaning device of claim 9, since the ozone generating means is provided, the embodiment having the ultraviolet cleaning means increases the effectiveness of the ultraviolet cleaning, and in the embodiment having no ultraviolet cleaning means, cleaning with ozone is performed. Can be added.

  Embodiments of a game ball cleaning device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a game ball cleaning device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a cleaning device body, which has a structure in which a long hollow cylindrical body 2 is erected on a game ball lifting mechanism 3.

  The game ball lifting mechanism 3 has a lifting mechanism inlet 4 for receiving the game ball P conveyed from the gaming machine island on its side wall, and lifts the received game ball P to the hollow cylindrical body 2 by the lifting mechanism. A lifting mechanism outlet 5 for The lift mechanism outlet 5 communicates with the lift cleaning apparatus 1 of the present invention. The lifting mechanism is not particularly limited as long as the received game balls P are pushed up one by one through the conveyance path 6 of the hollow cylindrical body 2.

  At the upper part of the hollow cylindrical body 2, there is an inclined lift cleaning device outlet 7 for guiding the pumped game ball P to a supply tank (44 in FIG. 9).

  An opening / closing portion 8 is provided on the side surface of the hollow cylindrical body 2 over almost the entire length thereof. The opening / closing part 8 is formed so as to be detachable with a screw-type lid or the like, thereby facilitating access to the inside of the hollow cylindrical body 2 and simplifying maintenance work such as replacement of ultraviolet irradiation means.

  On the inner periphery of the hollow cylindrical body 2, a plurality of transport paths 6 for game balls P are arranged in parallel with the axis of the cylindrical body 2 (17 in FIG. 2) at intervals. The shape of the conveyance path 6 has a bowl shape in which the open portion faces the axial center over the entire width in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical body. By releasing the basket in the axial direction of the hollow cylindrical body, the game ball P in the transport path 6 is exposed to the cleaning means, and can be engaged with the cleaning means described later. . The cross section of the conveyance path 6 may be U-shaped, but is preferably substantially square or rectangular, that is, a U-shaped cross section as shown in FIG. The U-shaped cross section secures a space for discharging dust between the game ball and the transfer path when the game ball is transferred, and facilitates the discharge of dust removed from the game ball P.

  The inner width of each transport path 6 is such that one game ball can pass in the width direction without obstruction, and the inner width in the axial direction is slightly smaller than the diameter of the game ball. As a result, the game ball P can be lifted while being held in the transport path 6. In addition, the game ball may be held more reliably by making the wall 6 </ b> A forming each row of the conveyance path 6 into a T shape. The game ball P held in the lifting path is lifted while rolling by being pushed up from the lower lifting mechanism 3.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the height of the wall 6A forming each conveyance path is slightly shorter than the diameter of the game ball. By causing the game ball P to protrude from the transport path 6, the cleaning means can be easily entered.

  In the first embodiment, the ultraviolet irradiation means 10 is employed as the cleaning means. Therefore, the ultraviolet means 10 is disposed on the axial center of the hollow cylinder 2 over almost the entire length of the hollow cylinder 2. The ultraviolet irradiation means 10 can be inserted from the opening / closing part 8 of the hollow cylindrical body 2 and is held by an appropriate holding means (not shown). Since the game balls P that are lifted in the transport path are rolled in the process, they are uniformly irradiated by the ultraviolet irradiation means 10 over the entire game balls.

  The ultraviolet irradiation means 10 preferably has an emission spectrum in a wavelength range of 130 to 240 nm and a wavelength range of 200 to 300 nm. The first wavelength region and the second wavelength region of the light source overlap, but when using the overlapping wavelength region, one type of spectrum may be used, and when using a non-overlapping wavelength region This means that two types of spectra are used. Ultraviolet rays photodecompose organic matter including human sebum, machine oil, nicotine tar, plastics, bacteria, fungi and other odor components. At the same time, ozone is generated, and active oxygen generated by the decomposition of the ozone also decomposes organic matter.

The ultraviolet irradiation means 10 is preferably a light source that emits 200 mW · sec / cm ² or more, preferably 450 mWsec / cm ² or more. Examples thereof include a low-pressure mercury lamp, a high-pressure mercury lamp, a metal halide lamp, an excimer lamp, and a pulsed xenon lamp, and a low-pressure mercury lamp is particularly preferable.

  In FIG. 2, one ultraviolet irradiation means 10 (lamp) is installed at the axial center of the hollow cylindrical body 2. However, a plurality of ultraviolet irradiation means are arranged around the axial center according to the diameter of the cylindrical body. May be.

  Since the ultraviolet rays generated from the ultraviolet irradiation means are easily absorbed into the atmosphere, the shorter the distance between the ultraviolet irradiation means 10 and the game ball 3 exposed from the transport path 17, the more advantageous. Usually, it is 50 mm or less, and 20 mm or less is preferable.

  A dust collection mechanism (not shown) communicating with the cylindrical body is installed outside the hollow cylindrical body 2. The dust collection mechanism usually includes an intake duct, a dust collection filter, a suction fan, and the like.

  The game ball cleaning device of the present invention may be provided with ozone generating means (not shown) as appropriate. The ozone generating means assists the generation of ozone by ultraviolet rays. The ozone generating means may be a general purpose one.

  FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a game ball cleaning device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view thereof. This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the polishing means 20 is employed as the cleaning means. The different parts are described below.

  The polishing means 20 is installed on the outer periphery of the mandrel 9 that is rotatably connected to the rotation driving means 22. In FIG. 3, the driving sprocket is fixed to the rotating shaft of the motor constituting the rotation driving means 22, while the driven sprocket is fixed to the core shaft 9, and an endless belt is stretched between the driving and driven sprockets. ing.

  The outer periphery of the polishing means abuts on the game ball P lifted in the conveyance path. Since the polishing means does not have a game ball transfer function, excessive wear as in the conventional case does not occur. 3 and 4, the polishing means 20 is a polishing brush 21 that is implanted in a spiral around the mandrel 9. Since the brush body is not densely planted, the spiral brush has an advantage of being easily discharged from a space in which dust is vacant. The material of the brush is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include plastics and metals, but metals that are UV-resistant materials are preferred at locations exposed to UV rays.

  The outer periphery of the rotating polishing brush touches the game ball being lifted to physically remove the dirt adhering to the game ball surface. In addition to the polishing brush 21, the polishing means may be a semi-cylindrical sponge as shown in FIG. 5 or a cloth buff.

  FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the game ball cleaning device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the apparatus according to the first embodiment and the apparatus according to the second embodiment are connected vertically and coaxially. The structure and function of each part are the same as described above. According to this embodiment, since the ultraviolet irradiation and the cleaning of the polishing brush can be performed simultaneously, the ultraviolet irradiation and the cleaning of the polishing brush have both advantages.

  In FIG. 6, when the rotation direction of the spiral polishing brush 21 is the same as the transport direction of the game ball P (that is, downward → upward), the transport of the game ball P can be promoted, preventing the ball clogging and Contributes to the release. When the rotation direction of the spiral polishing brush 21 is reversed (that is, upward → downward), ozone that is going to rise due to the heat of the ultraviolet irradiation means 10 (lamp) can be guided downward.

  FIG. 7 is a game ball cleaning device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view thereof. In this embodiment, the ultraviolet irradiation means 10 is inserted into the polishing means 20, and the ultraviolet irradiation and the cleaning of the polishing brush can be performed simultaneously as in the third embodiment. Since the ultraviolet irradiation means is installed inside the mandrel, the space can be used more efficiently. Further, the polishing means 20 rubs the surface of the game ball P and at the same time promotes rotation, so that the entire circumference of the game ball is also accelerated. Further, the air in the apparatus 1 can be agitated by the polishing means 20, and as a result, ozone produced by ultraviolet rays can be distributed throughout the apparatus 1.

  7 and 8, the mandrel 9 is made UV transmissive. In order to transmit ultraviolet rays, for example, a cylindrical cylinder with a mandrel may be employed. The ultraviolet irradiation means 10 is inserted into the mandrel 9 and is gripped by appropriate gripping means.

  In the above embodiment, the transport path 6 for the game ball P is provided around the ultraviolet irradiation means 10 in parallel with the ultraviolet irradiation means 10, but as a modification, it may be provided spirally around the ultraviolet irradiation means 10. By making the conveyance path spiral, the time for irradiating the game ball P with ultraviolet light and the polishing time by the polishing means 20 can be extended.

  The game ball cleaning device of the present invention is particularly useful as a lift cleaning device installed in a pachinko ball game hall.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the washing | cleaning apparatus of the 1st embodiment of this invention. It is AA arrow cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the washing | cleaning apparatus of the 2nd embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. It is a cross-sectional view which shows the modification of the grinding | polishing means installed in the washing | cleaning apparatus of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the washing | cleaning apparatus of the 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the washing | cleaning apparatus of the 4th embodiment of this invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the installation aspect of the lift cleaning apparatus of a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

P Game ball 1 Game ball cleaning device 2 Hollow cylindrical body 3 Lifting mechanism 4 Lifting mechanism inlet 5 Lifting mechanism outlet 6 Game ball transport path 6A Wall 7 Cleaning device outlet 8 Opening / closing part 9 Axle 10 Ultraviolet irradiation means 20 Polishing means 21 Abrasive brush 22 Rotation drive means 23 Sponge 40 Game machine 41 Game machine island 42 Pitch path 43 Lifting device 44 Supply tank 45 樋

Claims (9)

  A gaming ball cleaning device in which a hollow cylindrical body is erected, a gaming ball conveyance path whose inside is released is lined up on the inner periphery of the cylindrical body, and a gaming ball cleaning means is arranged at the center of the cylindrical body.   2. The game ball cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning means is a columnar ultraviolet irradiation means.   The cleaning means is characterized in that a polishing means is provided on the outer periphery of a mandrel that is rotated by a rotation driving means, and the outer periphery of the polishing means is in contact with a game ball that is lifted in the transport path, The game ball cleaning device according to claim 1.   The cleaning means comprises a columnar ultraviolet irradiation means and a polishing means positioned on the upper and / or lower stage of the ultraviolet light means and disposed on the outer periphery of a mandrel that is rotated by a rotation driving means. 2. The game ball cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein an outer periphery of the game ball abuts on a game ball lifted in the transport path.   The cleaning means arranges polishing means on the outer periphery of a mandrel that is rotated by a rotation drive means so that the outer periphery of the polishing means abuts on a game ball that is lifted in the conveyance path, and the mandrel is 2. The game ball cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet irradiating means is inserted so as to be ultraviolet transmissive.   6. The game ball cleaning device according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the polishing means is a polishing brush implanted in a spiral shape around the mandrel.   The cross section of the game ball transport path is substantially rectangular, and a space for discharging dust is provided between the game ball and the transport path when the game ball is transported. The game ball cleaning device according to claim 1.   The game ball cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein a part of the hollow cylindrical body is configured to be openable.   The game ball cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising ozone generating means for supplying ozone into the inner cylinder.

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