Endless Belt Or Rotary Work Carriers Patents (Class 134/48)
  • Patent number: 11161139
    Abstract: A method of applying a treatment to a surface of an open body having a volume within an interior of the open body comprises; providing an inner structure (110) shaped to complement the shape of the interior of the open body and to fill a major portion of the volume or a major portion of a width of the interior of the open body; positioning the inner structure (110) within the open body in order to form a treatment fluid inner volume comprising an inner space (150) confronting an inner surface within the interior of the open body; and introducing a treatment fluid into the treatment fluid inner volume to thereby modify the inner surface of the open body by applying the treatment using the treatment fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Inventors: Aage Bjorn Andersen, Kingsley Iwu
  • Patent number: 9869941
    Abstract: A substrate cleaning method includes: a first step in which a cleaning liquid is ejected from a nozzle N2 to a central portion of a wafer W; a second step in which a dry gas is ejected from a nozzle N3 to the central portion of the wafer W to form a dry area; a third step in which the cleaning liquid is ejected from the nozzle N2 while the nozzle N2 is moved from a central side of the wafer W to a peripheral side thereof; a fourth step in which a width of an intermediate area generated between a wet area and the dry area is acquired; and a fifth step in which, when the width of the intermediate area exceeds a predetermined threshold value, a process parameter is changed such that the width of the intermediate area becomes the threshold value or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Ryoichi Uemura, Yasushi Takiguchi
  • Patent number: 8882960
    Abstract: An etchant is stored in a treating tank; a glass substrate is transported with transport rollers into the treating tank; the etchant is discharged from below the substrate to raise the substrate to a position above the transport rollers and below the surface of the etchant; the discharge of the etching liquid is stopped and the glass substrate is lowered to a position for contacting the transport rollers; the etchant is drained from the treating tank; and the glass substrate is unloaded with the transport rollers out of the treating tank. The disclosed method and apparatus can treat both front and back surfaces of the substrate uniformly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norio Yoshikawa, Kazuo Jodai, Yukio Tomifuji, Shigeki Minami, Kazuto Ozaki
  • Patent number: 8685337
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for sterilizing caps or the like closures for closing bottles or the like containers. Said device comprises a conveyor system conveying the caps in a direction of conveyance through a treatment section having a plurality of successive treatment stations in the direction of conveyance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Beckmann, Alfred Drenguis
  • Patent number: 8590547
    Abstract: A liquid processing apparatus processes a lower surface and a side surface of an object to be processed W. The liquid processing apparatus includes: a process-liquid supply mechanism configured to supply a process liquid to the object to be processed; a drain mechanism configured to drain the process liquid having processed the object to be processed W; a rotational cup disposed circumferentially outward the object to be processed W, the rotational cup being configured to guide the process liquid having processed the object to be processed W to the drain mechanism; and a driving part configured to rotate the rotational cup. The rotational cup is provided with a support part that projects circumferentially inward so as to support a circumferential part of the object to be processed W.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Jiro Higashijima, Hiromitsu Namba
  • Patent number: 8573234
    Abstract: Process and system for removing printing in metallic packages used in drinks, food and other applications in general, comprising the removal of ink before the cure thereof, by means of spray with ink remover liquid and non abrasive friction. Preferably, said liquid is an alkaline aqueous solution, which is sprayed onto the package surface simultaneously with the friction thereof with a soft and non abrasive element. In a preferred embodiment, said friction results in the rotation of the package around the longitudinal axis thereof, which is mounted on a rotative support, and the soft non abrasive element in contact with the surface thereof keeps motionless.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Crown Embalagens Metalicas da Amazonia S.A.
    Inventor: Valmir Zacarias De Souza
  • 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: 8342194
    Abstract: Conveyor ware washer comprising a water treatment device (70) for treating sprayed wash liquid in such manner that the treated liquid is of potable quality of water from the microbiological point of view and hence can be used as final rinse liquid or as part of a final rinse liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.
    Inventors: Dietrich Berner, Klaus Padtberg
  • Patent number: 8318104
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating waste comprises a gravity drop steam heating tower for heating the waste to the biological kill temperature using pressurized steam, a first feed member for feeding the waste to be sterilized to the gravity drop steam heating tower, and a vaporization system. The vaporization system includes a heating chamber for facilitating vaporization of liquids in the waste, a conveying member for conveying the waste from the lower end portion of the gravity drop steam heating tower into and through the heating chamber, and a vaporization chamber for receiving the waste from the heating chamber and for releasing vapor entrained in the waste into the vaporization chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventors: Robert W. Lewis, Timothy Barrett
  • Patent number: 8109281
    Abstract: A cleaning assembly for containers, particularly for bottles, having a conveying device on which the containers are arranged by means of a receptacle means. To economically and ecologically improve the cleaning assembly, the receptacle means contains a liquid-tight tubular for an individual cleaning of the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Heinz Humele, Franz Gmeiner, Kersten Thomas, Uerike Thoms, legal representative, Timm Kirchhoff, Bernd Hansen, Jan Momsen
  • Patent number: 7749434
    Abstract: The invention refers to a device (1) and method for sterilizing partly formed packages (6) in a packaging machine. The device (1) comprises an inner chamber (2) and an outer chamber (3), the inner chamber (2) being provided with a sterilization unit (5). Further, it comprises a carrier unit (10), comprising a separating member (11) and a package carrying member (12), which is being adapted to rotate between a first position in which the package carrying member (12) is located in the outer chamber (3), and in which the separating member (11) separates the inner chamber (2) from the outer chamber (3), and a second position in which the carrier unit (10) has rotated a package (6) into the inner chamber (2) and in which the separating member (11) separates the inner chamber (2) from the outer chamber (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Lars Ake Naslund, Goran Hermodsson, Lars Martensson, Arun Deivasigamani, Paul Anderson
  • Publication number: 20100018557
    Abstract: A liquid processing apparatus processes a lower surface and a side surface of an object to be processed W. The liquid processing apparatus includes: a process-liquid supply mechanism 37 and 29 configured to supply a process liquid to the object to be processed; a drain mechanism 20 and 21 configured to drain the process liquid having processed the object to be processed W; a rotational cup 10 disposed circumferentially outward the object to be processed W, the rotational cup 10 being configured to guide the process liquid having processed the object to be processed W to the drain mechanism 20 and 21; and a driving part 60 configured to rotate the rotational cup 10. The rotational cup 10 is provided with a support part 15 that projects circumferentially inward so as to support a circumferential part of the object to be processed W.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Jiro Higashijima, Hiromitsu Namba
  • Publication number: 20090277477
    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: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: PREMARK FEG L.L.C.
    Inventors: Dietrich Berner, Klaus Padtberg, Harald Disch
  • Publication number: 20090250079
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a substrate cleaning method for cleaning a substrate whose static contact angle with respect to water is 85 degrees or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kousuke YOSHIHARA, Yuichi YOSHIDA, Taro YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20090211611
    Abstract: Conveyor ware washer comprising a water treatment device (70) for treating sprayed wash liquid in such manner that the treated liquid is of potable quality of water from the microbiological point of view and hence can be used as final rinse liquid or as part of a final rinse liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: PREMARK FEG L.L.C.
    Inventors: Dietrich Berner, Klaus Padtberg
  • Publication number: 20090205682
    Abstract: A support removal apparatus is disclosed for removing water-soluble support material from rapid prototype parts, substantially comprising a retention tank for holding an aqueous cleaning solution; a box manifold hydraulically coupled to the retention tank and equipped with nozzle heads in hydraulic communication with a pump's discharge; a heat chamber for housing a heating element to heat the aqueous cleaning solution to a predetermined temperature range; a drain box hydraulically coupled to the retention tank and a pump's intake to convey the aqueous cleaning solution into and through the box manifold; a thermocouple for maintaining the temperature within an optimal range; a level indicator for measuring the solution level in the retention tank for safe operability of the pump and heating element; a cabinet for housing select components of the support removal apparatus and having an integral work platform, accessible compartments, and a localized water supply; and a microprocessor having communicative capabi
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventor: David Jonathan Tafoya
  • Patent number: 7229656
    Abstract: A counter-top appliance has a food container with internal fins extending inward from the outer wall at an angle offset from radial. The food container is coupled to a motor for rotation in either of two directions. One direction of rotation produces a scooping, elevating and subsequent discharge of liquid and fluent materials such as might be useful for washing or breading, while the second direction of rotation presents a surface adapted for massaging meat during marinating. The food container is preferably sealed through vacuum, and has a simple geometry which greatly facilitates thorough cleaning of the container. Meats, produce, pasta, and other diverse foods are processed using the counter-top appliance, and a method for processing one or a sequential set of foods is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Paumen, deceased, Joyce C. Paumen, legal representative, Mark D. Solvie
  • Patent number: 6827092
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a wafer is provided. The apparatus includes a wafer backside plate and a central shaft. The wafer backside plate has a top surface that includes a cylindrical edge lip, which defines a central aperture. The central shaft is designed to fit within the central aperture. The wafer backside plate is designed to automatically slide between an up position during rotational wager processing and a down position when the wafer is not in rotational wafer processing. A gap defined between the top surface of the wafer backside plate and the wafer is less when the wafer backside plate is in the up position than when the wafer backside plate is in the down position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen M. Smith, Randolph E. Treur
  • Patent number: 6727494
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting contaminating species such as metal particles on a wafer edge from a semiconductor fabrication process are disclosed. In the method, a wafer is suspended and rotated in a container with a volume of solvent at a bottom portion of the container such that only an edge portion of the wafer is exposed to the solvent. After the wafer is turned in the solvent such that the entire edge portion of the wafer has been exposed to the solvent, the solvent may be removed for analyzing in an electronic instrument for detecting the species of contaminating particles. The apparatus further includes a wafer mounting device for supporting the wafer which can be adjusted in height to suit wafers of different diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ying-Chuan Lin
  • Patent number: 6613156
    Abstract: A photoresist stripping apparatus and a corresponding method for removing photoresist layers after a patterned polyimide layer is developed. The photoresist-stripping apparatus includes a transporting unit, a stripping unit, a washing unit, a drying unit and a control unit. The transporting unit connects the stripping unit, the washing unit and the drying unit. The control unit is responsible for controlling the transport sequence and timing of the transporting unit. The method of stripping the photoresist layer off the OLED panel includes providing a stripping solution to the stripping unit to remove photoresist layers. The OLED panel is jet-cleaned with a washing solution in the washing unit so that any residual stripping agent is removed. Finally, the surface of the OLED panel is blown dry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Ritek Display Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yih Chang, Tien-Rong Lu
  • Patent number: 6468397
    Abstract: A system and process for removing unwanted fibers from a forming fabric during a wet papermaking process is disclosed. The system includes a scarfing shower configured to emit a cleaning fluid that contacts the forming fabric. In particular, the cleaning fluid tangentially contacts the forming fabric while the forming fabric is being guided around a turning roll. Preferably, the cleaning fluid is emitted in a direction that is opposite to the direction at which the forming fabric is moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Strong C. Chuang
  • Patent number: 6007675
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for stripping the photoresist from a wafer while in a substantially parallel manner, another wafer is being transferred between a load lock chamber and a transfer chamber, where the processing occurs. Further, a system is described whereby two load lock chambers are employed so that processing of wafers can continue uninterrupted by a delay caused by the need to open, empty, reload and re-equilibrate a single load lock chamber. Still further, a system is described for performing multi-step dry-stripping applications requiring different conditions for two or more of the steps wherein the steps may be performed simultaneously or sequentially. Finally, a system combining a dry-stripping module and a wet-cleaning module is described which combination system permits the continuous, fully-automated dry-stripping and wet-cleaning of wafers and, upon completion of the entire processing cycle, returning wafers to their original wafer cassettes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Gamma Precision Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Masato Toshima
  • Patent number: 5887602
    Abstract: A cleaning machine comprises a loader section for transferring a to-be-processed object, an unloader section for transferring a processed object, a chemical liquid bath for cleaning the to-be-processed object with chemical liquid, a plurality of cleaning units, sequentially arrayed at a lower stream of the chemical liquid bath in a direction from the loader section to the unloader section, having a water cleaning bath for cleaning the to-be-processed object with pure water, a plurality of transfer machines for transferring the to-be-processed object between the loader section and the cleaning unit adjacent to the loader section, between the adjacent cleaning units, and between the unloader section and the cleaning unit adjacent to the unloader section, sequentially, a plurality of sensors, provided in the chemical liquid bath and the cleaning units, for detecting a chemical liquid state and a cleaning operation state, and control means for executing a process for measurement against abnormality in response to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Tatsuyuki Iwama
  • Patent number: 5846339
    Abstract: A machine dishwashing process for cleaning soiled crockery is provided. The process comprises: (1) optionally prewashing the crockery in a prewash zone; (2) washing the crockery in a wash zone with washing liquor; (3) spraying the crockery from the wash zone with a spraying solution; and (4) rinsing the crockery in a clear washing zone. The washing liquor includes used spraying solution from step (3). The spraying solution has an alkali content of at least 0.8 % by weight. An additive which is substantially free of alkali is supplied to the washing liquor to give a concentration in the washing liquor in the presence of the used spraying solution of at least 0.004 % by weight of complexing agent(s) and/or sequestering agent(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Diversey Lever, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans Wilhelm Masshoff, Udo Fritz Walter Praeckel
  • Patent number: 5626042
    Abstract: A device for the processing of a barrel of which the upper side comprises a filling hole situated in a standardized position, this device comprising a processing enclosure fitted with a supporting structure bearing a rotary annular part on which the barrel can be disposed, centered and pivoted about its vertical axis of symmetry, and with a purging device comprising a purging rod that is vertically translatable, this rod being disposed to come into line with the axis of the hole subsequent to a rotation of the barrel and to then be inserted inside the barrel by translational motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Vasseur
  • Patent number: 5507877
    Abstract: A dishwashing machine is proposed which is considerably shorter in design than the previously used, continuously operated transport-dishwashers. In order permanently to reduce the consumption of water, energy and rinsing agent, the crockery in the individual crockery baskets is washed cyclical operation, the circuits of the rinsing apparatus being started up only in their respective time span within the wash program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Winterhalter Gastronom GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Magsig, Reiner Muensterer
  • Patent number: 5437733
    Abstract: A plane of a treatment liquid holder having a number of through holes faces a treatment surface of a substrate. A treatment liquid is held between the treatment surface and the liquid holder by utilizing a surface tension of the treatment liquid. Since the treatment liquid is applied only to the treatment surface, an extremely small amount of treatment liquid suffices for the treatment. In addition, since a fresh treatment liquid can be used in every treatment, cross-contamination is suppressed and the treatment can be performed with safety at a low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Katsuya Okumura
  • Patent number: 5425385
    Abstract: A control system for a high-speed rotary washer spraying system designed particularly for plastic returnable bottles automatically regulates each process of the wash spraying system, namely, sequentially feeding bottles from an infeed conveyor means, inverting them by a worm/inverter means, receiving and simultaneously rotating each bottle in an inverted position through a plurality of washing, neutralizing and sanitizing treatment zones, and inverting each bottle to its original neck-up orientation for further processing. During the entire process, a programmable logic controller maintains, manages, and controls all pumps, valves, solenoids, and drive motor speeds as required by the process, and also provides for monitoring and adjusting fluid levels, alkalinity/acidity concentrations, and temperatures of the wash and neutralizing solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: PepsiCo. Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Kuta, Antonio Fernandez
  • Patent number: 5072747
    Abstract: A pre-soak station, a washing station, and a drying station are arranged in an in-line manner so that a multiplicity or group of mold support units or workpiece holders arranged single file may be moved sequentially from station to station. A first group of such units after being submersed in a hot water/detergent bath at the pre-soak station is placed on an open rail support or trackway for conveyance to the washing station where nozzles supported on corresponding manifolds surrounding the trackway direct pressurized streams of hot water against the individual units for a predetermined interval or washing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: Avon Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. McCoy, Wayne Steenrod
  • Patent number: 4963335
    Abstract: A sterilizing apparatus for sterilizing a hollow prism-shaped carton open at both ends includes a sterilizing station, a drying station, and a solution-removing station located between the sterilizing station and the drying station. The solution-removing station has a solution-removing device which rotates intermittently in synchronism with carton conveyers. The solution-removing device includes a plurality of thin and long mandrels extending in a radial direction and spaced apart from each other at regular intervals. Each mandrel supports a carton and has a nozzle which supplies the aseptic air from an aseptic air source into the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Adachi, Sukenori Ito, Akihiro Shiosaka, Atsushi Yuzawa, Masaaki Takada, Kiichiro Okano, Masaru Kurihara, Hiromitsu Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 4803055
    Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing containers comprises a closed sterilized chamber having a container inlet and a container outlet, an antiseptic vessel and a rinse vessel arranged within the sterilized chamber, and a group of container transport devices for transporting each container within the sterilized chamber from the inlet to the outlet by way of the vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: Shikoku Kakoki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michio Ueda
  • Patent number: 4357176
    Abstract: In an electrically energized commercial dishwasher machine having at least one washing section followed by a rinse section and having a conveyor for conveying dishes through the various sections in sequence, a timing element is set to cause the machine to automatically shut off after running for a predetermined time period slightly longer than the time required for the conveyor to convey dishes through all the various sections of the machine. The timing element is reset to cause the machine to continue to run for a new such predetermined time period whenever a signal from a sensor indicates the presence of dishes in the rinse section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1982
    Inventor: John A. Anthony
  • Patent number: 4285352
    Abstract: A chemically sanitizing rinse solution is prepared in batches of variable sizes, but with a preselected substantially constant proportion of water and chemical sanitizing agent, in a rinse solution mixing tank, for demand consumption on a continuous duty basis, by delivering the sanitizing agent to, and by admitting fresh water into, the mixing tank in response to predetermined level changes of the solution therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1981
    Assignee: Hobart Corporation
    Inventors: William H. McMahon, Louis F. Fraula, Stuart E. Athey, Thomas M. Johnson, Terrence W. Moore
  • Patent number: 4191592
    Abstract: The invention relates to a compact glasswasher having wash and rinse tanks and a circular glass conveyor located thereabove, rotation of the conveyor controlling emptying and re-filling of the rinse tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1980
    Inventors: William A. Hansen, William A. Conly
  • Patent number: 4152173
    Abstract: Apparatus for treating open-mouthed cylindrical containers with a fluid adapted to coat, clean or react chemically with the surface of the containers, comprises a turret fitted with pot assemblies spaced around its periphery, each pot assembly having an internal cavity for reception of a container and a lid for closing the cavity, conduit means for passing fluid through the cavity of each pot assembly, a first pump operable to circulate the fluid in a liquid phase from a reservoir through the conduit means and each cavity so that the liquid flows along the surfaces of a container in the cavity and effects treatment of the surfaces, a second pump operable to circulate the fluid in a gaseous phase from a source thereof through the conduit means and each cavity so as to purge liquid from the cavity, a third pump operable to extract fluid in the gaseous phase from each cavity through the conduit means and thereby reduce the pressure therein so as to effect drying of the container and cavity by vaporization of any
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1979
    Assignee: Cleamay Ltd.
    Inventors: John M. Jackson, Roger Wilkins
  • Patent number: 4026311
    Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning open-mouthed cylindrical containers has a plurality of pot assemblies mounted on a turntable rotatable to move each pot assembly past an unloading station for discharge of containers from the pot assemblies and a loading station for insertion of containers into the pot assemblies. Each pot assembly comprises a body co-operating with a lid to define a cavity for reception of a container, the cavity having a shape corresponding approximately to that of the container and having a size such that the container subdivides the cavity into two chambers in which the walls of the cavity are spaced close to the inside and outside surfaces of the container. Cam rollers on each pot assembly co-operate with cam tracks, upon rotation of the turntable, to open the lid immediately prior to passage past the unloading station and to close the lid immediately after passage past the loading station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1977
    Assignee: Cleamax Limited
    Inventor: John Maxwell Jackson
  • Patent number: 4017330
    Abstract: The present invention applies pressurized air and vacuum to container interiors as they are being conveyed through the cleaning station in the course of their forward travel. Cleaning according to the invention occurs through the combined action of a plurality of air jets which dislodge any foreign matter from the container interior and a vacuum drawn through an arcuate slot evacuates and draws out the dislodged contaminents. The aforementioned operation taking place as containers continuously advance in a circular conveyor in the opening down position. After this operation, the containers are urged to assume a horizontal position and are subsequently oriented into the opening up position for travel to a new work station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1977
    Inventors: Samuel S. Aidlin, Stephen H. Aidlin
  • Patent number: 4000002
    Abstract: A container washing system comprises a container washing zone, a rinsing zone and a deionized rinsing zone through which containers are conveyed. At each of the zones, spray nozzles direct washing and rinsing liquids at the containers. In order to prevent the etching of stationary containers when the conveyor is interrupted, the spray nozzles in the washing and deionized rinsing zones are deactivated. In order to prevent the oxidation or rusting of the stationary containers in the absence of the washing and deionized rinsing liquids, the containers are maintained in the moist condition by fogging nozzles located within the washing and deionized rinsing zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1976
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph J. Olson
  • Patent number: 3969136
    Abstract: Apparatus for treating cup-shaped workpieces in which the workpieces are positioned within a shape-conforming chamber formed with an outlet port in the base thereof and a conforming nozzle is positioned within the interior of the workpiece in close clearance-spaced relationship. The nozzle is provided with an axial port for discharging a high-pressure treating fluid against the central portion of the interior bottom surface of the workpiece, causing a high-speed radial outward flow therealong and thence axially outwardly along the interior wall surfaces of the workpiece. Upon reaching the open end of the workpiece, the direction of flow is reversed and is directed axially along the exterior wall surface of the workpiece, and upon passing the bottom edge thereof, the fluid is deflected in impinging relationship against the outer bottom surface, whereafter it is discharged through the outlet port and is recovered for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1976
    Assignee: Oxy Metal Industries Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Miskech
  • Patent number: RE31203
    Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning open-mouthed cylindrical containers has a plurality of pot assemblies mounted on a turntable rotatable to move each pot assembly past an unloading station for discharge of containers from the pot assemblies and a loading station for insertion of containers into the pot assemblies. Each pot assembly comprises a body co-operating with a lid to define a cavity for reception of a container, the cavity having a shape corresponding approximately to that of the container and having a size such that the container subdivides the cavity into two chambers in which the walls of the cavity are spaced close to the inside and outside surfaces of the container. Cam rollers on each pot assembly co-operate with cam tracks, upon rotation of the turntable, to open the lid immediately prior to passage past the unloading station and to close the lid immediately after passage past the loading station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1983
    Assignee: Cleamax Limited
    Inventor: John M. Jackson