With Spray Or Jet Applying Conduits Or Nozzles Patents (Class 134/131)
  • Patent number: 11944252
    Abstract: A cleaning system (110) and a method for cleaning items to be cleaned (112) are proposed. The cleaning system (110) comprises: a) at least one cleaning apparatus (114), having at least one at least partially closed cleaning chamber (116) with at least one loading apparatus (118) for loading the items to be cleaned (112) with at least one cleaning liquid; and b) at least one transport system (144) for the automatic transport of the items to be cleaned (112), the transport system (144) comprising: a. at least one first conveying apparatus (146) for the delivery of dirty items to be cleaned (112); b. at least one second conveying apparatus (148) for the transport of the dirty items to be cleaned (112) to the cleaning apparatus (114); c. at least one transfer apparatus (150) for the transfer of at least one part of the dirty items to be cleaned (112) from the first conveying apparatus (146) onto the second conveying apparatus (148); and d.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: MEIKO Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bruno Gaus
  • Patent number: 11794128
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method of reducing contamination from plastics. The resulting purer plastic can be used in demanding applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Norman Scott Broyles, Dimitris Ioannis Collias
  • Patent number: 11628379
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method of reducing contamination from plastics. The resulting purer plastic can be used in demanding applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Norman Scott Broyles, Dimitris Ioannis Collias, Anthony Frederick Cappel
  • Patent number: 11617386
    Abstract: Provided is a bubble sterilizing cleaner capable of automatically sterilizing and objects to be cleaned to be cleaned, such as fruits and vegetables. The bubble sterilizing cleaner includes a bubble supply unit for spraying microbubbles into a cleaning tank and an aeration unit for discharging water or air to the cleaning tank to improve sterilizing and cleaning efficiency and reduce cleaning time, and includes a fluid supply means connected with a water inlet of the cleaning tank and the aeration unit to supply a fluid so that the water supply rate is adjustable in accordance with a condition of an installation location thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignees: EHYGIENE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chae Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 11479454
    Abstract: The water, cleaner, and wipe supply station includes multiple, related functions. Specifically: cleaning and refilling bottles with drinking water; cleaning and refilling cleaning product containers; and cleaning and refilling containers with pre-moistened wipes. The result is a reduction of waste introduced into landfills, and a means of centrally distributing clean water, cleaning products, and wipes without the need for additional containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Inventor: John Wink
  • Patent number: 11234444
    Abstract: The continuous pasteurization system (100) that pasteurizes raw food products (104) while substantially maintaining the raw state of the raw food products includes a conveyor (102) on which the raw food products (104) are loaded for delivery to a pasteurization apparatus 36, wherein the raw food products are quickly heated so that the temperature of the outer surface of the raw food products is raised sufficiently to achieve a desired pathogen kill level. Thereafter, the raw food products (104) are immediately cooled in a cooling apparatus (110) to remove the heat applied to the raw food product and maintain the substantial raw state of the raw food product. A control system (24) is connected to a processor (30) as well as various measuring devices and instruments, including temperature measurement devices (T1-T5) to control the operation of the pasteurization system (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: John Bean Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ramesh M. Gunawardena, Owen Eugene Morey
  • Patent number: 11013242
    Abstract: An apparatus for disinfecting products is disclosed herein. The apparatus comprises a tank for holding a liquid for receiving microorganisms from the products. The tank comprises a barrier separating the tank to provide two regions of liquid, the two regions of liquid comprising a first region and a second region, wherein the first region is arranged to provide an open channel for the liquid through the tank to enable a product to be carried into, along, and out of a flowpath through the channel; and the second region holds liquid adjacent to at least one ultrasonic transducer for providing ultrasonic energy to the product via the liquid in the second region and through the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: ULTRA BIOTECS LIMITED
    Inventor: Malcolm Robert Snowball
  • Patent number: 10518295
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the disclosed apparatus features a conveyor belt though an agitated reservoir of cleaning solution that is pooled by a flood box defined by sidewalls along the sides of the conveyor belt and opposing jets of water dubbed water curtains at the entrance and exit of the conveyor belt to and from the flood box, and, agitated by a plurality of spray nozzles shooting high flows of cleaning solution into the reservoir from above or within the flood box. The conveyor belt may be horizontal or slightly angled from the horizontal relative to the flood box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Technical Devices Company
    Inventors: Douglas Norman Winter, Julio Montjoy, Primitivo Trinidad, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10240412
    Abstract: A reclamation unit including a frame and a settling tank. The settling tank being pivotably mounted to the frame, the settling tank being pivotable between a first position and a second position. The settling tank defining at least a partially open top, the at least partially open top being configured and arranged to receive a fluid when the settling tank is in the first position. The settling tank also being configured to promote emptying of the fluid from the at least partially open top when the settling tank is pivoted into a given second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James Brian Tooley, Brent Svenby
  • Patent number: 9032976
    Abstract: A conveyor belt washer/dryer that includes a housing, which encloses a washing station separated by one or more spray barriers from a drying station. The housing has a passage that is sized and configured to allow the conveyor belt to successively pass through the washing station and the drying station. The washing station includes one or more washing heads, a splash plate and a reservoir. The washing heads discharge a wash liquid onto the top surface of the conveyor belt and the splash plate redirects the wash liquid onto the bottom surface. The reservoir collects the spent wash liquid. The drying station includes one or more air knife/knives that discharge(s) pressurized air onto the conveyor belt to dry the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Tarpaulin.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Berntsen, Niv Eldor
  • Patent number: 8746262
    Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor dishwasher (2) comprising a conveyor apparatus (4) for conveying washware (6) through a final rinse zone (18), with the conveyor apparatus (4) having a large number of compartments (38) for accommodating washware (6). A washware sensor apparatus (42) is provided in order to detect empty compartments (38). In order to be able to reduce the consumption of fresh water, chemicals and energy during operation of the conveyor dishwasher (2), the invention provides a control apparatus (44) which is designed to automatically set the quantity of final rinse liquid supplied to the spray nozzles (20, 22, 24) of the final rinse zone (18) per unit time as a function of the detection of empty compartments (38). The invention also relates to a method for operating a conveyor dishwasher (2) of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Premark FEG LLC
    Inventors: Harald Disch, Martin Schrempp
  • Patent number: 8701256
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for removing condensed metal from the surfaces of metal processing chambers, such as, vacuum induction melting (VIM) furnaces having, for example, condensed Mg or Ti, are disclosed. The methods and apparatus provide a robotic arm end positioned in the furnace having a nozzle operatively connected to a source of dry ice. The robotic arm end directs a stream of dry ice particles against the surface of the furnace to displace condensed metal. The displaced metal is collected for reuse or disposal. Aspects of the invention provide a safe and automated process for cleaning process chambers and recovering metal that can typically be dangerous when performed by conventional methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Mars Metals, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron P. Mars
  • Publication number: 20140034088
    Abstract: A conveyor dishwasher has at least one wash zone, at least one final rinse zone, and conveyor apparatus. In order to reduce the consumption of disinfection chemical and energy, but to nevertheless maintain a desired final rinse result, the final rinse liquid which is sprayed in the final rinse zone has a metered disinfection chemical, and at least one additional final rinse zone arranged downstream of the final rinse zone provided for spraying fresh water without a disinfection chemical onto the washware to be treated. The at least one additional final rinse zone has an associated collection device for collecting liquid which is sprayed in the additional final rinse zone. Furthermore, a liquid transfer system is provided, it being possible to supply the liquid which is collected in the collection device directly to the wash zone by means of said liquid transfer system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: PREMARK FEG L.L.C.
    Inventors: Klaus Padtberg, Harald Disch
  • Patent number: 8621892
    Abstract: A cloth treating apparatus is disclosed, including a cabinet having a housing space for housing cloth, a water supply unit for supplying steam to the housing space selectively, and a water spray unit movably provided to one side of the cabinet to be connected to the water supply unit selectively for supplying the steam from the water supply unit to the cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Taechul Moon, Kayeon Kim, Ayeong Lee, Sogkie Hong, Junghwan Lee
  • Patent number: 8574492
    Abstract: Provided is a chute-type cap sterilization-cleaning device which transfers caps and performs sterilization-cleaning by injecting sterilization-cleaning liquid from a propulsion nozzle, wherein a controller (11) and a solenoid valve for controlling a plurality of reverse propulsion nozzles (2e) are provided, and wherein when sterilization and cleaning of a cap (C) is continued at a chute portion for sterilization-cleaning while cap transfer is stopped by a dividing device, in order to relax the accumulated pressure on the cap (C) at the downstream side, the reverse propulsion nozzles (2e) performing straight injection of the sterilization-cleaning liquid toward the reverse side with respect to the transfer direction of the cap (C) are arranged along the chute portion for sterilization-cleaning so that the injected flows are in contact with the inner surfaces of several caps (C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyo Seikan Kaisha, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Morita, Yoshinao Yamada
  • Patent number: 8573235
    Abstract: A method for cleaning dinnerware includes the steps of aligning and/or registering items to be cleaned from a standby zone, moving the items continuously from the standby zone one by one into a wash zone in a way that the items each have a cleaning posture relative to a path along which the items march, washing the items processionally by using cleaning fluid, and sorting or collecting the items in order for reuse by diners directly. The dishwasher employing the aforesaid method has functions of auto-collecting and washing the to-be-cleaned dinnerware and sorting or collecting thus obtained dinnerware, and is compact in size such that the dishwasher can be directly installed at a location in proximity to a dining area for enabling the diners to conveniently take out the newly cleaned dinnerware at any time. The dishwasher has a good cleaning efficiency and a low operating cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Inventor: Shane Y. Hong
  • Patent number: 8480948
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing iron sinter is provided. A cooling system is arranged downstream of a furnace for cooling the iron sinter. The cooling system includes a convective cooling system for forcing air into the iron sinter and an evaporative cooling system for directing fluid into the hot sinter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Spraying Systems Co.
    Inventors: Edson Rocha, Marcos Torres
  • Patent number: 8440876
    Abstract: A chemical decontamination apparatus of the present invention chemically dissolves radioactive substance-containing oxide films formed or adhering on the surface of a decontamination object by using ozone water to conduct decontamination. The chemical decontamination apparatus includes an ozone generating unit for generating ozone gas, an ozone supplying device for supplying the generated ozone gas to an ozone supplying unit in water, and a sintered metal element 37 which is disposed in the ozone supplying unit and to which ozone gas is supplied from the ozone supplying device. The ozone gas supplied to a sintered metal element interior from the ozone supplying device is allowed to flow out of the element into water so as to generate ozone water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masami Enda, Nagayoshi Ichikawa, Masayuki Kaneda, Takeshi Kanasaki, Toshihiro Yoshii, Yumi Yaita, Ichiro Inami
  • Patent number: 8435358
    Abstract: A conveyor dishwasher (2) has a control apparatus (50) for automatically setting the quantity of final rinse liquid sprayed in the final rinse zone (18) per unit time as a function of the conveying speed and/or as a function of the type of washware conveyed through the final rinse zone (18). A rinse aid metering apparatus (57) is also provided which is designed to add in a metered fashion a constant quantity of rinse aid per unit time to the fresh water provided for final rinsing purposes independently of the quantity of final rinse liquid sprayed in the final rinse zone (18) per unit time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.
    Inventors: Harald Disch, Martin Schrempp, Norbert Litterst
  • Patent number: 8388764
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for handling an artificial turf arranged on a base. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus includes a removing station for lifting from the base a strip of the artificial turf extending in a longitudinal direction, a separating station for separating filling material from the strip and a winding station for winding the strip onto a shaft. A method is disclosed for handling an artificial turf arranged on a base. In at least one embodiment, the method includes lifting a strip of the artificial turf extending in a longitudinal direction from the base, separating infill material from the strip and winding the strip onto a shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: SYDVAC
    Inventor: Ingemar Jonsson
  • Patent number: 8388800
    Abstract: An exemplary wet processing apparatus includes a conveyor, a spraying system, and a suction system. The conveyor is configured for conveying a substrate. The spraying system includes an upper spraying conduit above the conveyor and an upper spraying nozzle mounted on the upper spraying conduit. The suction system includes a suction conduit and a suction nozzle connected to the suction conduit. The suction nozzle is adjacent to the conveyor and configured for suction the wet processing liquid sprayed on the substrate. The suction conduit is connected to the spraying conduit in such a manner that the flowing of the wet processing liquid in the upper spraying conduit can create a negative pressure in the suction conduit to enable the suction nozzle to suck the wet processing liquid on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignees: FuKui Precision Component (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Zhen Ding Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yao-Wen Bai, Pan Tang, Xiao-Ping Li
  • Patent number: 8336564
    Abstract: An apparatus serves for cleaning a coating machine for coating confectionery products with a coating mass. The apparatus is designed to be arranged in the coating machine which includes a rotatingly driven grating belt. The grating belt is designed and arranged to support confectionery products to be coated. The grating belt defines a grating belt plane. The apparatus includes a cart. The cart is designed to be moved back and forth in the coating machine above the grating belt plane in the mounted position of said cart in the coating machine. The cart includes a plurality of spraying nozzles. The spraying nozzles are designed and arranged to spray pressurized hot water onto the coating machine in an automatically controlled way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Sollich KG
    Inventor: Thomas Sollich
  • Patent number: 8241431
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for applying a fluid (32) to items (14) to be cleaned, which items are continuously or intermittently transported in the conveying direction (12) in an automatic cleaning machine, preferably an automatic pass-through dishwasher. At least two, preferably tubular, spray bodies (26.1, 26.2, 26.3, . . . 26.n) which are spaced apart from one another are arranged in at least one spray plane (22, 24) which is oriented parallel to the conveying direction (12) of the items (14) to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Meiko Maschinenbau GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Stefan Scheringer, Michael Streb, Engelbert Ecker, Thomas Peukert, Bruno Gaus, Joachim Kupetz, Wendelin Hils, Denis Lehmann, Thomas Roederer
  • Patent number: 8079376
    Abstract: A bottle cleaner that inverts the bottles to spray solutions into them. The bottles invert and receive, for example, a spray of a cleaning solution. The cleaner then returns the bottles to the upright orientation. Each pass of the bottles utilizes two sets of linked grippers arranged as a chain. One chain contacts the bottles on one side while the second chain contacts them on the other side. The two chains squeeze the bottles between them to firmly hold them. A single adjustment sets a uniform distance between the two chains of each path through the cleaner at four different locations, and the same adjustment equalizes the distances between the two chains of the two paths so that they will effectively retain the same bottles through two passes through the machine. Four motors running at the same speed keep the chains moving together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: McBrady Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Julian P. Avelis, Garrett McBrady
  • Patent number: 8062590
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the sanitization, detoxification, disinfection, high level disinfection, or sterilization of both the interior and exterior surfaces of at least one object, including interior lumens, channels and cavities within the object. A coupler and interface may be secured to an object to disinfect the inner channels or cavities therein. An object support device may be used to support the object. The pair of support devices may include outlets for deploying aerosols for the application of applied agent. The applied agent may be in the form of any gas, vapor, plasma, aerosol, or other form. The temperature of the object may be lowered to condensate applied agent thereupon. The object may also be washed. Complete sanitization, disinfection, or sterilization of objects in a simple chamber, or in more complex configurations that include, glove box units, processors with built in interfaces for specialty applications, and other application specific designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Ricciardi, Carl L. Ricciardi, Howard J. Swidler
  • Patent number: 8042557
    Abstract: Multitank conveyor-type dishwasher (2) for washing items (10) to be washed, comprising at least two wash zones (6, 8) which are arranged in succession in the conveying direction (4); a liquid forward-flow apparatus (26) between in each case two successive wash zones (6, 8) for transferring liquid between these wash zones (6, 8) in a forward-flow direction (28) counter to the conveying direction (4); characterized in that a liquid recirculation apparatus (60) is provided for transferring sprayed liquid of a front wash zone (8), as seen in the conveying direction (4), into a rear wash zone (6) which is arranged downstream of the front wash zone (8), as seen in the conveying direction (4), counter to the forward-flow direction (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.
    Inventors: Dietrich Berner, Klaus Padtberg, Harald Disch
  • Patent number: 8042558
    Abstract: A high-pressure water cleaning system includes a cleaning main body, a support frame member having a length which is larger than a width of an object, the support frame member being supported at extended end portions thereof at both sides by bearing units and eccentric rotational shafts such that the support frame member is eccentrically rotatable, the eccentric rotatable shafts being configured to rotate to cause the support frame member to perform rotational motion, a plurality of high-pressure water ejecting nozzles which are arranged on the surface of the support frame member to be equally spaced apart from each other and are directed to face the object, and a drive device configured to cause the eccentric rotational shafts to rotate. The high-pressure water ejecting nozzles are supplied with the high-pressure water and eject the high-pressure water to the object being moved at the constant speed while performing the rotational motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Morimasa Kuge, Keiji Tsujita, Eiji Noutomi, Hideyuki Tanaka, Mitsuru Nomura
  • Patent number: 7988792
    Abstract: A method for automatically washing eggs by (a) dispensing a detergent-wetting agent mixture having a detergent concentration onto the eggs; (b) determining if the detergent concentration is at least a pre-set minimum, and going to step (a) if it is; (c) activating a detergent pump pumping at a rate; (d) activating a wetting-agent pump at 1/Nth the rate of the detergent pump, to form the detergent-wetting agent mixture; (e) determining if a pre-set interval has expired, and going to step (b) if it has not; otherwise (f) stopping the detergent pump and the wetting agent pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: CM Quantum Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Cavallaro, Stephen A. Morganson
  • Patent number: 7968044
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing iron sinter is provided. A cooling system is arranged downstream of a furnace for cooling the iron sinter. The cooling system includes a convective cooling system for forcing air into the iron sinter and an evaporative cooling system for directing fluid into the hot sinter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Spraying Systems Co.
    Inventors: Edson Rocha, Marcos Torres
  • Publication number: 20110139186
    Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor dishwasher (2) comprising a conveyor apparatus (4) for conveying washware (6) through a final rinse zone (18), with the conveyor apparatus (4) having a large number of compartments (38) for accommodating washware (6). A washware sensor apparatus (42) is provided in order to detect empty compartments (38). In order to be able to reduce the consumption of fresh water, chemicals and energy during operation of the conveyor dishwasher (2), the invention provides a control apparatus (44) which is designed to automatically set the quantity of final rinse liquid supplied to the spray nozzles (20, 22, 24) of the final rinse zone (18) per unit time as a function of the detection of empty compartments (38). The invention also relates to a method for operating a conveyor dishwasher (2) of this type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: PREMARK FEG L.L.C.
    Inventors: Harald Disch, Martin Schrempp
  • Patent number: 7946302
    Abstract: A parts immersion system and method includes a trough through which a conveyor belt carries the parts. A chemical solution is introduced into the trough through an opening in the bottom of the trough, from above the trough, and/or from the sides of the trough. The parts on the conveyor belt in the trough have a tendency to retard liquid movement out of the open ends of the trough thereby allowing the chemical solution to accumulate in the trough resulting in a greater immersion of the parts in the chemical solution. A gate may be provided near one or both ends of the trough to further enhance the accumulation of the chemical solution in the trough. Flights may extend upwardly from the conveyor belt to further enhance liquid retention in the trough between the flights. Flexible seals at the ends of the flights may contact sidewalls of the trough. One or more vibrators may be provided to enhance drainage of the chemical solution from the parts as the parts exit the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: George Koch Sons LLC
    Inventors: Gregory M. Wallace, Timothy L. Schultz, James M. Gleason, David W. Carl
  • Patent number: 7938913
    Abstract: A conveyor dishwasher includes a storage tank for holding sprayed final rinse liquid and a controllable liquid transfer device for transferring liquid from the storage tank to at least one wash zone as a function of a liquid demand in at least one of the wash zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.
    Inventors: Dietrich Berner, Klaus Padtberg, Harald Disch, Jürgen Litterst
  • Patent number: 7856995
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus for applying a solution to a product. The apparatus may include a moving conveyor in part forming at least one pocket for receiving product, such as fruit and vegetables. The conveyor may be configured to move the product from a first position to a second position. The apparatus may also include at least one nozzle positioned between the first position and the second position. The at least one nozzle may be configured to deliver the solution into the pocket such that the product is immersed in and sprayed with the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: FreshExpress Incorporated
    Inventor: David K. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20100275955
    Abstract: A chute type sterilizing and washing device for a cap, in which deformation of a cap is prevented by relaxing integral pressure acting on a synthetic resin cap in the chute, and sterilization and washing can be carried out efficiently by reducing the impact of hot water on germ-free water jetted at the upstream side on the hot water or germ-free water at the downstream side. The chute (5) has ascending chute portions (7, 9), a hot water pipe having a plurality of nozzles for jetting out hot water as a sterilizing and washing medium is arranged along the ascending chute portion, hot water is jetted to a cap fed to the ascending chute portion, the cap (35) receives a thrust for ascending the ascending shoot portion by the jet pressure of the hot water thus sterilizing and washing the cap with the sterilizing and washing medium and conveying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Ueda, Satoshi Uehara, Kenichi Kominami, Yuusuke Suda
  • Patent number: 7784474
    Abstract: The present invention describes an undercarriage washer including a stabilizing skid plate and an outlet that permits non-vertical fluid discharge. The washer is adapted for use with a high-pressure washing fluid. The undercarriage washer includes a rigid tube and an angled inlet and an outlet. A skid plate is fixedly secured to the tube proximate to the outlet. The skid plate provides sufficient lateral support so that a high-pressure discharge does not rotate the washer stream. A non-vertical discharge angle permits cleaning of large undercarriage parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: Stephen Kondos
  • Patent number: 7758716
    Abstract: An apparatus (100) for spraying an etchant solution on a preformed printed circuit board (30) includes a number of feed pipes (40) for supplying the etchant solution and a number of nozzles (45) mounted on the feed pipes. Each of the feed pipes has a middle portion (402) and two end portions (401). The middle portions of the feed pipes are located on a first plane and the end portions of the feed pipes are located on a second plane parallel to the first plane. The number of nozzles are mounted on the middle portion and the two end portions of each feed pipe. The number of nozzles are in fluid communication with the feed pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Foxconn Advanced Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Wen-Chin Lee, Cheng-Hsien Lin
  • Patent number: 7754623
    Abstract: An exemplary film hole forming apparatus (400) includes a chemical etching system (410) and a driving system (420). The driving system includes a transmission belt, which passes through the chemical etching system. A material of the transmission belt is polytetrafluoroethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene-containing material, polyvinylidene fluoride, metal, or metal-sandwiched composite. An exemplary method for forming film holes includes the following steps: providing a flexible printed circuit board (300) to be etched, with copper holes (321) pre-formed thereat and the copper holes exposing a base film (310) at corresponding positions; and transporting the flexible printed circuit board into a chemical etching system by a transmission belt to form film holes in the base film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Foxconn Advanced Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Chia-Shuo Hsu
  • Publication number: 20100116295
    Abstract: A method of introducing treatment fluid into containers to remove contaminants therefrom in a container filling plant, and an arrangement therefor. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Bernd MOLITOR, Ulrich WIEDEMANN, Falk DITTRICH
  • Patent number: 7621286
    Abstract: Spray pipe of a conveyor ware washer for spraying items to be washed with liquid, comprising a plurality of nozzles, which are arranged one behind another in the longitudinal direction of the pipe, and an inlet, from which liquid can flow in the longitudinal direction of the pipe to the nozzles, characterized in that, at least in the case of two nozzles one following another in the liquid supply direction, the nozzle located closer to the inlet has a nozzle opening with a larger opening cross section than the nozzle adjacent to it further away from the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gerhard Frei, Harald Disch, Werner Neumaier, Jürgen Litterst
  • Patent number: 7484515
    Abstract: A combination sink and jet parts washer for cleaning mechanical parts of oil, grease and contaminants. The washer has a cabinet which has a jet cleaning section and a reservoir. A parts receptacle in the jet cleaning section receives the parts which are cleaned by a spray from a spray manifold. The manifold is connected to a fluid pump which has its inlet communicating with the reservoir. A sink is positioned on the top of the cabinet and opens to access the jet washer and reservoir. In the closed position, the sink covers the top of the cabinet and may be used as a sink washer using the attached brush. In a preferred embodiment, the sink is hinged to the cabinet but may be a lift-off sink or may be on a track. The jet parts washer provides convenience, economy and the features of a sink and jet washer in a single, compact, mobile unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Inventors: Ronald H. Bluestone, Ryan J. Bluestone
  • Patent number: 7481231
    Abstract: Ware washing installation, containing at least one conveyor-type ware washer. The conveyor-type ware washer contains at least one wash zone (8, 10, 12) with spray nozzles (20, 28), a first rinse zone (14) with spray nozzles (21, 29) and a final rinse zone (16) with spray nozzles (23, 31). Additional spray nozzles (22, 30) are arranged between the spray nozzles (21, 29) of the first rinse zone (14) and the spray nozzles (23, 31) of the final rinse zone (16). Rinse water which is pre-used and then filtered through a microfiltration device or a ultrafiltration device (58) is supplied to the additional spray nozzles (22, 30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.
    Inventors: Juêrgen Litterst, Udo Erb
  • Patent number: 7407051
    Abstract: A nozzleless belt-cleaning sprocket support shaft for cleaning endless conveyor belts has a first end, a second end, a central portion of generally square transverse cross section with a plurality of elongate narrow slits in each of the side walls in longitudinally spaced apart relation along its length, and a plurality of sprockets mounted thereon. Cleaning fluid is simultaneously discharged through the slits in a fan spray pattern onto the inside surface of the conveyor, through crevasses, joints, hinges, interfaces and openings in the belt to effect cleaning of the belt, and between the exterior surfaces of the shaft and interior surfaces of the bores of the sprockets and the bearings that support the shaft to effect cleaning of the overlapping surfaces, during rotation of the belt. The cleaning shaft may be used with various types of conveyor belts and the ends may be mounted in conventional bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Inventors: Mike Farris, Douglas I. Manchester
  • Patent number: 7278433
    Abstract: A produce washer includes a holder to position a single piece of produce and a nozzle disposed at a horizontal distance adjacent to the holder. When the produce is a cored lettuce head, the cored lettuce head is positioned in the holder with the cored portion facing the nozzle disposed across the horizontal distance. When the cored lettuce head is positioned in the holder, the nozzle directs a stream of cleansing liquid across the horizontal distance into the cored portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc.
    Inventors: John Y. Bryce, Rafael Garibay
  • Patent number: 7258125
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a system and method for removing contaminates from the surface of a shopping cart such as a grocery cart. The system includes subjecting the cart to multiple stages of disinfection, including washing, sanitizing, and drying stages. A shopping cart is subjected to these stages by conveying the cart on a conveyor system past a plurality of nozzles, which are configured to provide a disinfecting fluid such as water, sanitizer or air. The invention uses sensors to detect the location of a shopping cart during the sanitizing process. The sensors provide indications of the cart's location which may be used to control the operation of the disinfecting stages on the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: RSANECR, Inc.
    Inventor: Rhonda Holbrook
  • Patent number: 7165564
    Abstract: A device having at least one cleaning unit for cleaning installations, especially for the production and/or processing of food stuffs or pharmaceuticals is provided. The device may include a cleaning unit that is configured to move within the installation to be cleaned. The cleaning unit may also be provided with one or more nozzles with rotatable nozzle tips configured to rotate as cleaning agent flows through the nozzle tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Volker Kamm
  • Patent number: 7146991
    Abstract: An industrial parts washer system includes washing fluid, an assembly operable to apply the washing fluid to the part, a turbidity sensor coupled to the assembly operable to sense a condition of the washing fluid after the fluid washes the part, and a control unit connected to the sensor that compares the sensed condition of the washing fluid to a value and thereby determines whether the part should be washed further.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Cinetic Automation Corporation
    Inventor: David L Stockert
  • Patent number: 7021322
    Abstract: A warewash machine includes a multi-position splash guard enabling multiple machine configurations in which undesired overspray is reduced or eliminated. A drip flange may also be provided to increase the amount of water that impinges upon wares.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.
    Inventors: Steven Henry Kramer, Thomas Alan Grueser
  • Patent number: 6926015
    Abstract: A produce washing method, which permits the washing of produce from both above and below in the field. The produce washing takes produce along a conveyor belt, from a loading section, to a washing section on which is located a washing unit, upward along an ascending section, and from there the produce travels along a dumping section and into a receptacle. The washing unit features spray nozzles located above and below the washing section, so as to direct spray from above and below the produce so as to more effectively wash it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventors: Jose Luis Garcia, Jr., Carlos Alberto Alonzo
  • Publication number: 20040238017
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for washing of eggs including a housing with a first feed conveyor for receiving eggs through the housing inlet and conveying these eggs to a second conveyor. The second conveyor transports the eggs through an intermediate egg washing means which can include cylindrical brushes, flat brushes or end brushes for cleaning of eggs therebelow and includes a means dispensing cleaning solution onto the egg surfaces. The eggs are then transferred from the second conveying means to a third conveying means which are transported through a brush and cleaning solution lower washing station for final cleaning thereof. The eggs then exit through an outlet for sanitizing and/or drying as may be necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Kuhl
  • Patent number: 6740172
    Abstract: A modular conveyor belt passes over and around at least one sprocket carried on a non-rotating hollow shaft and causes rotation of the sprocket. The sprocket includes a first pair of diametrically opposed sectors and a second pair of diametrically opposed sectors that are laterally staggered in relation to the first pair of sectors. Each sprocket is flanked by a pair of nozzles, each of which produces a fan-shaped spray. The fan-shaped sprays overlap one another across the lateral extent of the belt so that the entire breadth of the belt is cleaned. Adjacent fan-shaped sprays are angled relative to one another so that their respective sprays do not interfere with one another. The staggered sector design ensures that all sections of the belt are exposed to the spray. The nozzles are positioned to clean hinges of the belt when the hinges are open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Inventors: Terry Cemlyn Griffiths, Braiden Thomas Griffiths