Abstract: An improved ultrasonic cleaning system employs a plurality of electroacoustic transducers located at different positions on the wall surfaces of a tank containing a cleaning liquid in combination with a source of electrical power and a selective switching system. The switching system applies the electrical power selectively, sequentially and intermittently to any specified one or more of said plurality of electroacoustic transducers to achieve substantially increased cavitation intensity levels in the cleaning liquid and thereby greatly improves the cleaning efficiency of the inventive system as compared to the conventional ultrasonic cleaners which are in widespread use.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement of ultrasonic washing apparatus comprising at least one washing vessel, an ultrasonic vibrator for radiating ultrasonic wave into the washing bath, an oscillator for operating the ultrasonic vibrator and degassing means for removing dissolved air and other gases from the washing liquid, thereby enhancing cavitation in the washing bath when the ultrasonic wave is radiated therein, said degassing means including gas separating means and barrier means for preventing surrounding air from dissolving into the washing liquid while it is degassed. Thanks to deaeration in the washing bath cavitation can be used to its full extent in removing soil from a soiled object in the washing bath.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cleaning apparatus for cleaning workpieces such as semiconductors and other electronic devices by using chloro-fluoro-carbon solvent such as R113. Chloro-fluoro-carbon vapor is drawn from a lateral position of a layer of chloro-fluoro-carbon vapor through a suction duct and is cooled and liquefied in a collecting tank. The resulting liquid is returned to a cleaning tank through a return duct. This feature allows the gas generated from the chloro-fluoro-carbon vapor to be collected for repeated use, reduces the amount of chloro-fluoro-carbon solvent consumption, and prevents air pollution by the chloro-flouoro-carbon gas. Further, the entire apparatus may readily be constructed as a unit, thus at low manufacturing cost.

Abstract: Time periods required for dipping semiconductor wafers in a treatment liquid in a treatment bath and for replacing the treatment liquid etc. are previously stored in a memory. Based on these data, the expected clock time when the semiconductor wafers reach each treatment bath is calculated and the replacement of the treatment liquid and transporation of the wafers are controlled on the basis of these data and the expected clock time.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus which includes an ultrasonic cleaning tank, a rinse cleaning tank, a vapor cleaning tank and a distilling tank. The distilling tank has, at its inner lower portion, a heater. Means are provided for directing the flow of the cleaning liquid in each of the ultrasonic, vapor and rinse cleaning tanks into the distilling tank. Cooling means are disposed above the level of the cleaning liquid in each of the tanks to condense rinsing cleaning liquid vapors. Supply means supply a cleaning liquid cooled by the cooling means into the rinse cleaning tank and the vapor cleaning tank.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement of ultrasonic cleaning system equipped with degassing means or boiling vessel to remove gases from cleaning liquid for activating the formation of cavitation in the cleaning bath. The ultrasonic cleaning system is improved according to the present invention in that the boiling vessel is used to supply the degassed liquid to the cleaning vessel to form a high-temperature zone on the cleaning bath, and that a circulation conduit is provided to supply the cleaning liquid from the high-temperature zone to the bottom of the cleaning vessel. The improved structure permits the creation of a high-temperature zone and a low-temperature or cleaning zone in one cleaning vessel, thereby preventing the dissolution of surrounding gases into the cleaning liquid, and at the same time, subjecting objects to ultrasonic-cleaning at a controlled temperature which is appropriate for ultrasonic cleaning, thereby improving the cleaning effect, and hence the cleaning efficiency.

Abstract: Treatment baths for surface treatment of semiconductor wafers by dipping thereof into a treatment liquid are arranged in a treatment bath train.One or more selected treatment baths among these treatment baths are constructed to have a plurality of unit treatment vessels. The treatment liquid in these treatment vessels is replaced successively one by one of the unit treatment vessels. The semiconductor wafers are dipped in the treatment liquid contained in that unit treatment vessel that is not being subjected at that moment to the replacement of the treatment liquid.

Abstract: A multiple gel destaining apparatus is disclosd, in which the gels are laid out horizontally in a series of trays arranged in a stack. Each tray accommodates either one slab gel or one layer of tube gels. The trays are of interchangeable construction, and designed with appropriately placed openings for fluid passage so that destaining fluid flows through the tray stack in a serpentine path, sweeping one tray then sweeping the next in the opposite direction. The tray stack is submerged in a tank with continuous circulation of destaining fluid, arranged to draw the fluid downward through the stack, outward through a filter at the bottom of the tank, and upward along the sides of the tank to the top of the stack.

Abstract: A multiple gel destainiing apparatus is disclosed, in which the gels are laid out horizontally in a series of trays arranged in a stack. Ech tray accomodates either one slab gel or one layer of tube gels. The trays are of interchangeable construction, and designed with appropriately placed openings for fluid passage so that destaining fluid flows through the tray stack in a serpentine path, sweeping one tray then sweeping the next in the opposited direction. The tray stack is submerged in a tank with continuous circulation of destaining fluid, arranged to draw the fluid downward through the stack, outward through a filter at the bottom of the tank, and upward along the sides of the tank to the top of the stack.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for washing, sanitizing and drying stacks of flats used for carrying various items, particularly eggs. The apparatus includes a dual station defining dual processing chambers. Since the flats are washed while in stacks, the capacity for this apparatus and method is quite high. Also one or several stacks of flats is constantly being processed within one of the two processing chambers while the other processing chamber is being set up for the next step. A stack of flats is initially placed within the first processing chamber and is then flooded with cleaning solution. The stack of flats is rotationally moved for cleaning. During this washing operation another stack of dirty flats is placed within the second processing station. When the washing within the first processing station is completed, the cleaning solution therein is pumped into the second processing station.

Abstract: A method and container cleaning machine for reducing the harmful materials which pass into the waste water from a bottle cleaning machine which includes a preliminary soaking tank, a subsequently arranged soaking and washing solution bath which includes at least one bath, and spraying sections which are arranged after the soaking and washing solution bath. Soaking solution is used as the bath solution for the preliminary soaking tank. At least a partial flow of the soaking solution is removed from the preliminary soaking tank, is cleaned, and is returned to a soaking bath of comparable wash solution concentration for further bottle handling while observing the bath solution levels which are to be maintained and while observing a sufficient wash solution regeneration. The used spray water from the spraying sections is withdrawn from the container cleaning machine while bypassing the preliminary soaking tank.

Abstract: A flatware pre-cleaner is disclosed which includes an elongated, inclined tray or tank divided into a plurality of open-topped compartments for receiving flatware. The tank is provided with water inlets and water outlets with a baffle provided at one inlet to distribute the water flow and a spray nozzle in the several compartments connected to the other inlet. The water outlets drain food particles therefrom and maintain a desired water level in the tank so that water discharged from the inlets agitates the water in which the food engaging ends of the flatware are immersed. The compartments are formed by screen partitions spaced above the bottom of the tank to enable gravity flow of food particles and the like to the outlet. Control valves, additive siphons and supporting structure are provided to render the pre-cleaner effective in pre-cleaning flatware.

Abstract: In order to wash inert materials, even of a large size, with a limited amount of washing liquid and with a lesser consumption of energy and without moving metal parts, apparatus having a plurality of tubular rotors (1) which are in side-by-side relation but spaced a distance from each other and are rigidly locked with a common shaft (13) which is horizontal or at an angle with respect to the horizontal, in which each rotor (1) has a plurality of transverse annular baffle plates (2) adapted to delimit corresponding annular channels (3) and having in each channel (3) a plurality of peripheral boxes (15). As the rotors (1) revolve, the washing liquid overflows to the outside over the lower baffle plate (2) of each rotor (1) and the material being washed, which is introduced through the mouth of the rotor (1) located at one end of the apparatus, advances against the current through all the rotors (1) until it is discharged from the mouth of the rotor (1) located at the other end.

Abstract: A system for recovery and recycling of a washing liquid and heat contained in the washings discharged from a metal surface treatment process comprises a hot water washing tank with an associated cushion tank, a cold water washing tank with an associated cushion tank, a heat exchanger, an ion exchanger and a filter. The second-mentioned cushion tank is in communication with the hot water washing tank through the heat exchanger, while the first-mentioned cushion tank is in communication with the cold water washing tank through the filter, the heat exchanger and the ion exchanger.

Abstract: A system and method for washing flexible strip material using low amounts of fresh rinse water. The system comprises a wash tank having cascaded compartments and means for passing strip material into the tank and in serpentine fashion through the compartments. In the method the strip material in passing from one compartment to the next is raised above the wash liquid permitting wash liquid to drain back into the wash compartment from which it emerged.

Abstract: This printed circuit plate washing apparatus is used for effectively washing the openings of printed circuit plates, eliminating a cleaning water after etching printed circuit plates or nameplates, degreasing aluminum plates before printing and number plates before painting and washing iron, plastic or glass plates. For these purposes, said apparatus is divided into three sections (or chambers) such as a bring-in chamber, a washing chamber, and a wash-out/finishing chamber. Further, this washing line of said apparatus is so composed that a plate to be washed may be elevated in slope with a certain fixed angle for the level line from said bring-in chamber toward said wash-out/finishing chamber, thereby a washing water being overflown to said washing chamber and to said bring-in chamber in this order through respective partition plate. And a carrying means is provided in every chamber by means of belt, chain or wire net.

Abstract: In an apparatus for cleaning recorded discs wherein the discs are immersed into and removed from a cleaning liquid in a container, a flow of the liquid is provided substantially parallel to and slightly below the level of the liquid in the container across the area of the surface of the liquid through which the discs pass as they are removed from the liquid. The flow is provided by a plurality of nozzles located in the container slightly below the level of the liquid through which relatively clean liquid from the container is pumped. This flow is at a rate such as to remove from the area of the surface through which the discs are to pass contaminants which may float to the surface of the liquid.

Abstract: In bottle transporting apparatus, noise resulting from bottles colliding with each other and noise emitted by the transport mechanism is suppressed by moving the bottles in a water bath which immerses the mechanism and at least partially immerses the bottles so the sound is absorbed and attenuated by the water. Means are provided for partially filling the bottles with liquid before they reach locations where noise would be generated and this further suppresses noise. Water jets are used to assist bottle movement where the bottles are transported on conveyors and the jets may be used as the sole propulsion force in apparatus wherein the bottles are simply pushed along smooth support surfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning system in which, during the cleaning procedure, the articles have to pass a plurality of treatment stations in a direction which is opposite to that in which the flow of the cleaning liquid is established. From the first and most contaminated of the treatment stations, the cleaning liquid is removed and supplied to an ultrafilter. At least part of the outflow from this filter is returned to one of the latest or to the last treatment station. Ultrasonic energy is used to increase the efficiency of at least one of the stations. Ambient heat and vapor loss are recaptured.

Abstract: Apparatus for washing baking pans or the like comprises a pair of side-by-side hot washing solution tanks with a hot spray chamber mounted above each tank and with an endless belt conveyor which passes the articles successively through the spray chambers and from thence on to a dryer. A heat exchanger submerged in one of the tanks heats the water in that tank, some of which overvlows into the other tank. The same heat exchanger supplies hot air to both spray chambers by a flue riser outlet above the level of both tanks. Thus the heating equipment in one tank heats both tanks, and both spray chambers: thus saving the additional energy that would be required to separately heat such tank and each spray chamber.

Abstract: In a multi-stage washing system comprising a plurality of washing tanks, fresh liquid is applied over a treated material at a front position in the zone of a furthermost tank, whereas in the tanks excluding a nearest tank, washing liquid is pumped from the individual washing tanks in an amount of more than that of the applied fresh liquid and applied over the treated material at a front position in the zones of individual adjacent washing tanks placed after said individual washing tanks in an amount of the applied fresh liquid and a rear position in the zones of said individual washing tanks in the remaining amount.

Abstract: A liquid collection pan in the wash compartment below the opening thereinto from the prewash compartment has a shielded slot directed toward the opening which captures and returns liquid entering the wash compartment from the prewash compartment.

Abstract: An improved electroplating apparatus comprises a nonlinear array of treating tanks having a central rinse tank. A hoist motor is located on a fixed support structure above the rinse tank. A traversing guide engages a hoist cable to move the cable around the array of treating tanks. An insulating canopy surrounds the array to conserve waste heat given off by any heated treating tanks. A plurality of shower nozzles is located around the rinse tank for rinsing off any articles carried thereto by the hoist cable. The rinse water is heated by the waste heat conserved by the insulating canopy. The rinse discharge from the rinse tank can be conducted to a concentrating device for concentrating any contaminants contained in the rinse discharge.

Abstract: A spray washing system for garments including at least three spray stations for spraying garments passing through the spray stations. Each spray station has a liquid tank and a pump which has an inlet located in the associated tank. Liquid is introduced into the tank of the first spray station. Pipes interconnect the tanks of the first spray station and the second spray station, and the tanks of the second spray station and the third spray station for feeding liquid sequentially from the first spray station to the third spray station. The sequential flow of liquid between the tanks of the spray stations is opposite to the sequence of passage of the garments through the spray stations. Liquid is introduced continuously in the tank of the first spray station, and liquid is fed continuously to the sequentially interconnected spray stations. The pipes interconnecting the spray stations are overflow pipes.

Abstract: A low temperature conveyor rack-type dishwasher in which the ware-carrying racks are step-wise advanced through a scrapper module, a ware washing module and a rinsing and sanitizing module. The rinsing module has two compartments. In the first compartment fresh hot water at 140.degree. F., is sprayed onto the ware to wash off the detergent from the wash water. In the second rinsing compartment a predetermined volume of sodium hypochlorite is mixed with fresh hot water at 140.degree. F., for rinsing and sanitizing the ware. A tank is provided under each rinse compartment and the overflow from the second compartment is fed into the tank of the first compartment and the overflow from this tank is conveyed back to the scrapper to remove food soil from the screens in that module and to add fresh hot water to the tank underlying the scrapper.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating bean sprouts to remove hulls, cut-off roots from the sprouts, and to wash them. The apparatus comprises essentially an open-top tank having a chute at one end for receiving sprouts to be cleaned, and a plurality of jets adjacent to the chute which delivers water thereto to agitate the sprouts. A source of water under pressure includes spray nozzles for filling the tank and further agitation. A conduit extends to a low pressure screen drum. From the latter, another conduit extends to a pump. A discharge chute communicates with the screen drum. Between the screen drum and the feed chute is a cylindrical screen which rotates in unison with the screen drum. A motor-driven drive belt rotates the screen drum and the cylindrical screen in unison. The cylindrical screen enhances the agitation and partially removes foreign material from the cylindrical member. The screen drum also has a plurality of radially extending blades which not only further the agitation, but also pick up foreign matter.

Abstract: A container cleaning machine using hot caustic solution for cleaning containers and detaching labels in which the residual heat usually lost in the discharge end portion of the machine is conserved and put to use in the loading end portion of the machine by being released in a cascading film over the carriers and the containers for the purpose of prewarming the same whereby there is a significant reduction in the steam requirement and substantial quantities of heat usually lost to the sewer system are usefully employed.

Abstract: A can washer for washing newly formed cans. The washing components are mounted within a housing, and following each wash or rinse stage there is a blow-off stage wherein air is directed against the wet can to dry the same. Air for the blow-off stages is withdrawn from within the interior of the can washer and in order to prevent the drawing in of air from the wash stage special baffling and ducting is provided so that in each instance air is drawn in for the blow-off stage from the clean water area of an adjacent rinse stage.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating grease-covered rolling mill scale, according to which the rolling mill scale to be treated is weighed, thoroughly mixed with from 10 to 20% by weight of a solvent e.g. a fluorized chlorohydrocarbon, while finely distributing the greases in the thus obtained mixture. The mixture is then added in a continuous manner to a bath containing such solvent, and is distributed therein. The rolling mill scale is then slowly moved out of the solvent containing bath while mixing the rolling mill scale with an oil-free solvent of the above mentioned type passed in counter-current flow to the last mentioned mill scale. The movement of the thus obtained last mentioned mixture is continued while causing the solvent to drip off out of the grease-free rolling mill scale. The rolling mill scale is then heated, and the residual solvent is driven out of the rolling mill scale.

Abstract: A cleaning machine for containers, especially bottles, which includes an endless transporting system for transporting containers to be cleaned through the machine, and which also includes a water pre-softening arrangement comprising at least two softening baths arranged one behind the other when viewed in the container transporting direction of the transporting system with the respective front bath having a lower temperature than the respective succeeding bath. The transporting system is over a considerable portion of its transporting path passed through the softening baths in submerged condition so as to also submerge therein the containers being transported by the transporting system.

Abstract: A method and a device for recovering the various materials of a composite body having a restricted circumference as compared with its length, for example, cables; the object of the invention is to provide a possibility of recovering separately the constituents, particularly the metals, so that these metals maintain a high degree of purity and their original properties; the method is characterized by cutting the composite body along at least one transverse plane and at least one longitudinal plane and by subsequently sorting out the portions of materials reduced in size and separated from one another by the cutting operation; the device is characterized by a clipping apparatus for shortening the body into portions, by a splitting apparatus for cutting through each shortened portion at least along the longitudinal plane and by a sorting system, in which a degreasing section may be provided between the clipping section and the sorting section.

Abstract: A rinsing tank constructed to allow low volume water flow from an ingress point at one end of the tank to an outlet. Weirs are provided in the path of water flow to normally dam scum driven by the water flow yet allow passage of water. The rinsing water is, therefore, free of scum over a major part of its surface to permit immersion into and withdrawal from clear water of parts to be rinsed. Immersion of parts raises the water level in the tanks whereby scum dammed by the weirs can rise and pass over the weirs to the tank outlet.

Abstract: Endless, movable, horizontal conveyor moves containers successively past sprays in treatment zones comprising pre-wash, wash, pre-rinse, primary rinse, and final or secondary rinse zones, between adjacent loading and unloading zones. Fresh water is sprayed in the final rinse zone and collected in a rinse liquid reservoir with liquid sprayed in the primary rinse zone. Used rinse liquid from the rinse liquid reservoir is reused in the primary rinse zone where it is recycled back to the rinse liquid reservoir, after which it is reused still again in both the pre-wash and pre-rinse zones before being drained from the machine. Hot sanitizing caustic solution is recycled between a sanitizing solution reservoir and the wash zone. Make-up liquid for the sanitizing solution reservoir is provided from the rinse liquid reservoir through a level responsive valve.

Abstract: A rinsing machine suitable for rinsing a washable dust mat is provided with first squeeze means, pressure means downstream of the first squeeze means and at least one intermediate squeeze means between the first squeeze means and the pressure means. Rinsing water is applied onto the mat between the pressure means and the last intermediate squeeze means, part of the rinsing water being allowed to pass upstream of each intermediate squeeze means in turn whereby the mat is rinsed at least twice from the single supply of rinsing water. The means which allow part of the rinsing water to pass upstream of each intermediate squeeze means is disposed within the length of the respective intermediate squeeze means. A washing machine comprises the rinsing machine and discharge means upstream of the first squeeze means for flushing a mat with a washing liquid.

Abstract: A cost monitoring system for a dishwashing operation is disclosed. The pumps and/or valves through which the water flows in a dishwashing operation are monitored. Monitoring devices provide outputs on identical cost basis. These outputs are combined and a visual display provided of the cost attendant to the dishwashing operation.

Abstract: For automatic bacteriological cleaning and disinfection of objects there is provided a series of treatment compartments which can be closed individually. The objects are fed sequentially into the compartments. They are treated with fluid therein in a predetermined cycle of operations. Liquid used in one compartment is recovered and collected for use in another compartment in a following cycle of operations. In one operation, objects are moved from a first compartment to a second compartment, fresh treating liquid is pumped from a tank associated with the second compartment into that compartment, and then this liquid is discharged directly to another tank associated with the first compartment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for the countercurrent washing of particulate solids, especially nuclear fuel particles, in a washing tower including a sequential series of washing sections each having a recirculation loop for drawing fluid from an upper portion of the washing section and introducing it adjacent a restricted opening in the bottom of the same washing section in order to control the downward flow of solids from the section, an outlet section of the washing tower being arranged beneath the lowermost washing section and including a restricted passage for regulating flow of washing fluid in the washing tower, additional fluid being introduced into the outlet section of the tower in order to minimize the flow of washing solution through the restricted passage of the outlet section.

Abstract: The carbon-wax coating is removed from carbon paper by sequentially immersing the coated paper in hot aqueous baths, the paper being squeeze-dried prior to immersion in each bath after the first. Ultrasonic vibrations are applied to the first bath to mutually separate the individual pieces of the paper.

Abstract: The efficiency of a multi-stage rinsing operation is improved by routing a substantial portion or all of the overflow rinse liquor from the collecting tank of one stage directly to the spray rinse of the next succeeding stage along with rinse liquor from said succeeding stage. Improved cleanliness of the rinse liquor at each rinse stage is thereby attained while maintaining a self-regulating rinse system.

Abstract: An automatic cleaning machine for cleaning reusable foodstuff containers, such as bottles, cans or boxes, wherein the machine is of the type containing successive liquid cleaning and rinsing baths or stages, and is characterized by apparatus for supplying and circulating liquid in the machine which improves waste water composition. Steam derived from an evaporator holding soft water is passed through a heat exchanger to heat washing liquid in the machine. The condensate from the heat exchanger is supplied to a first rinse water tank or container for use as rinsing water immediately following the last cleaning solution stage and before the final fresh water rinse. Preferably the first rinse water container has two chambers, a second chamber receiving the condensate and storing the excess, and a first chamber receiving overflow from the second chamber.

Abstract: A commercial dishwasher comprising two or more modulars connected together through which dish-carrying baskets are moved for washing and rinsing the dishes, one or more of the modulars being arcuate-shaped so as to alter a straight line movement of the baskets into one where they are swung through a 90.degree. angle. By connecting two of the arcuate-shaped modulars together, it is possible to swing the dish-carrying baskets through an arc of 180.degree.. Therefore the dishwasher can be positioned in the corner of a room and thus make use of space that would otherwise not be used.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting a counterflow liquid treatment of workpieces and particularly an aqueous rinsing of workpieces during an electrochemical treating sequence, such as, for example, an electroplating cycle or the like. The workpieces are subjected to a sequentially-phased treatment with a plurality of solutions while disposed at a treating station, and the individual treating liquids are collected and returned to their respective reservoirs, and the individual reservoirs are counterflowed in a direction opposite to the order of application of liquids to the workpieces.

Abstract: A rinsing system for steel strip after acid pickling comprises a plurality of consecutive adjacent rinse compartments, each of which contains a bath of rinse solution which is sprayed onto the strip as it passes through the compartment. Fresh water is added to the last compartment and a volume of solution equivalent to the added fresh water is continuously transferred from each compartment to an adjacent compartment. A concentrated waste rinse effluent is removed from the first compartment.