Tumbling Device Patents (Class 451/326)
  • Publication number: 20030027509
    Abstract: The invention proposes a device for grinding or polishing workpieces by means of an abrasive, having a container and a rotary disk located therein and rotatable relative thereto, in which the rotary disk is made from elastic material, is provided with an upwardly directed rim and said rim has a finite spacing from the adjacent inner wall of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Helmut Gegenheimer
  • Patent number: 6464565
    Abstract: The present invention provides a new and improved method for differentially polishing the surface of metallic materials in a dry tumbling operation. The process involves providing a finish of a first type on a metallic object. A protective coating is then placed over the first area. The object is then placed into a tumbling drum with a dry polishing media and tumbled to provide a polished finish on the unprotected surface. A secondary feature of the present invention provides the ability to flash off the polishing compounds between polishing batches to prevent build up of polishing residue and provide more consistent results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Inventor: Edward A. Audet
  • Patent number: 6431955
    Abstract: A method, a device and a plant for cleaning irregular pieces consisting of different materials, for example cast iron pieces with parts of compressed coal dust sticking thereon and coal pieces made of compressed coal dust with parts of a contaminating film adhering thereon, wherein the cleaning of both materials is carried out in only one cleaning device comprising a cleaning jacket which has a substantially horizontal longitudinal axis, is rotatable in both directions of rotation, is pivoted in order to swing in the vertical longitudinal plane, and is provided with cleaning tools which are fastened to the cleaning jacket along jacket generating lines or helicoidal lines. The cleaning tools have two geometrical different operative sides in order to form an active side for each of both materials to be cleaned when rotating in an associated direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Pescale S.p.A.
    Inventor: Angelo Toschi
  • Publication number: 20020077047
    Abstract: A barrel polishing apparatus which can easily hold a work having a large mass and detach therefrom. The barrel polishing apparatus includes a polishing medium receiving container having a polishing medium received therein and a work supporting arm for holding the work. The work supporting arm is shifted from the center of the polishing medium receiving container. The polishing medium receiving container rotates about a vertical axis to form a continuous circumferential flow of polishing medium therein and includes an upper end opening for receiving the work supported at an end of the work supporting arm. The work supporting arm is oriented diagonally toward a direction of the continuous circumferential flow of polishing medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Shuji Kawasaki, Akitaka Matsushita
  • Publication number: 20020077032
    Abstract: A method for polishing and chamfering a rare earth alloy including the steps of: preparing rare earth alloy work, feeding the rare earth alloy work, ball media, a liquid medium, and spacer particles (in an amount of 0.1% to 10% by volume of the liquid medium) into a container, and subjecting the rare earth work to polishing by vibrating the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Sadahiko Kondo, Toshiaki Sasaki, Toshifumi Hiyoke
  • Publication number: 20020072306
    Abstract: A process and apparatus wherein a bulk quantity of parts is positioned in a channel-like treating chamber which is subjected to vibration to cause the flowable mass of parts to slowly undergo a corkscrew-like tumbling movement. One or more nozzle arrangements are positioned adjacent the treating chamber so that each nozzle has its discharge orifice position closely adjacent the flowing bulk mass in the chamber to effect high-velocity blasting of a selected region of the flowing mass. The nozzle emits a high-velocity spray which is defined by a carrier medium such as air having small abrasive particles or grit embedded therein. The abrasive spray contacts a concentrated area which has relatively small transverse and longitudinal extent over the flowing mass in the chamber. Due to its high-velocity discharge, the spray is effective in penetrating at least partway into the depth of the flowing mass to abrade the parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventor: Steven J. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 6379233
    Abstract: A spiral-flow barrel finishing machine having a cylindrical stationary barrel and a rotary barrel closed at the bottom thereof includes an escape layer or air layer provided between an inner side of a metallic wall of the stationary barrel and an outer side of a lining layer being formed thereon for allowing for outward thermal expansion of the lining layer. The escape layer is provided over a specific area between the inner side of the metallic wall of the stationary barrel and the outer side of the lining layer formed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Tipton Corp.
    Inventors: Fumiaki Kobayashi, Katsuhiro Izuhara, Akihito Fujishiro
  • Publication number: 20020037690
    Abstract: A machine for finishing automotive wheels having a rotatable turret, a plurality of containers or barrel cages journaled on the turret capable of selective rotation independent of the turret, with cartridges loaded into said containers or cages from the end through openings in the turret and fixtures in the containers that stably hold automotive wheels in said containers for selective reception of said media. The wheels are held in stable position by a fixture that comprises two part cushioned supports for permitting selective reception of media about the surface of the wheel that requires finishing. The cartridges may be loaded in and out of the barrel cages by means of a conveyor system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventor: Ken L. Bagdasarian
  • Publication number: 20020028631
    Abstract: A dry surface treating apparatus of the present invention comprises, within a treating chamber, a surface-treating material supply section and a tubular barrel having a porous peripheral surface for accommodating a work piece, to treat a surface of the work piece while rotating the tubular barrel horizontally arranged about a horizontal rotational axis, wherein the tubular barrel has a slide stop for stopping a slide of the accommodated work piece along an inner peripheral surface of the tubular barrel due to rotation of the tubular barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Applicant: Sumitomo Special Metal Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Takeshi Nishiuchi, Ikuo Shimamoto, Nobuhiro Misumi, Yoshimi Tochishita
  • Patent number: 6350189
    Abstract: An object of this invention is to increase strength of the turret plate and to disclose new constitution of a cover portion, a grinding device is constituted of a rotate fly-wheel; a turret plate which is located face to face with the fly-wheel and rotates in synchronization with said fly-wheel, said turret plates being formed in a cross shape with a plurality of leg portions extending in a radial direction thereof; a plurality of grind tubs located rotatably or oscillatably between said fly-wheel and vicinities of front ends of said leg portions of said turret plate, each of which has an opening portion above thereof, a periphery portion of said opening portion in said grind tub provided on said leg portion at a position ending horizontally positioning above said leg portion at a horizontally extending position; a cover portion installable to said opening portion of said grind tub by sliding; a fix means provided between the cover portion and the grind tub; and a reinforcement means provided on the turret pl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Nippon Dia Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Minoru Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20020013125
    Abstract: A barrel container for a dry barrel polishing machine includes a container body made of an elastic material and having an access opening through which polishing chips and workpieces are put into the container body, the container body having a wall with a through hole providing communication between an exterior and an interior of the container body, and a lid opening and closing the access opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventor: Akihito Fujishiro
  • Publication number: 20010055935
    Abstract: There are disclosed a polishing method and a polishing device in which cleaning of a glass substrate surface can be achieved to a high level. A glass substrate (MD substrate 1) in the shape of a circular disc having a circular hole in a center portion is immersed in an abrasive liquid 50 containing free abrasive grains, and an inner peripheral end surface of the glass substrate is polished using the abrasive liquid containing the free abrasive grains by rotating a rotary brush 4 or a polishing pad in contact with the inner peripheral end surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Applicant: Hoya Corporation.
    Inventor: Takemi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 6328639
    Abstract: A system for abrasively cleaning small parts, and a container for holding small parts undergoing abrasive cleaning. An abrasive cleaning cabinet has a bottom member and a cover hingedly connected to the bottom member. The cover is pivotable between a closed position in which the cover is closed against the bottom member to define a cleaning chamber therewithin and an open position permitting access into the cleaning chamber. The cover has a viewing window and a pair of arm apertures through it, with a glove attached to each arm aperture and extending into the cleaning chamber to permit insertion of a person's hands through the arm apertures and into the gloves in the cleaning chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Marlon Pujol
  • Patent number: 6299509
    Abstract: A tumble medium for surface treatment of an article having a first radiographic signature comprises material having a second radiographic signature different from the first radiographic signature sufficient to enable radiographic detection of the material as distinct from the article. The tumble medium is used in a method for treatment of a surface of an article including there through openings communicating with an interior of the article. After tumbling, the article is inspected by radiography to detect any tumble medium within the interior of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gary E. Wheat, Robert K. Patterson, Linda R. Crenshaw, Jon C. Schaeffer
  • Patent number: 6296556
    Abstract: The invention is a centrifugal grinder. The grinder contains a rotary receptacle lower part and a stationary receptacle upper part, wherein the receptacle lower part and the receptacle upper part each have a ceramic part on opposing faces defining an opening into the grinder between the receptacle parts, and an adjustable straight gap which includes the opening provided between the ceramic parts extending radially relative to an axis of rotation of the rotary receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Inventor: Helmut Gegenheimer
  • Publication number: 20010016467
    Abstract: In a method for ultrafine grinding of solid particulate material to mean particle sizes far below 1 micrometer and/or for mixing of powder and agglomerate material with mean particle sizes in the range of nanometers, the material to be ground and/or mixed and an grinding/mixing additive are filled into a cooled grinding chamber containing loose grinding media. By motion of the grinding media relative to adjacent media and to the walls of the grinding chamber the material is ground to the desired particle size and/or is finely mixed. Subsequently the additive is removed from said material. For the production of particle sizes in the range of nanometers and/or for mixing particles of this size range, the method comprises that grinding and/or mixing is carried out in a cooled atmosphere in the presence of a fine grained solidified additive which is chemically inert to said material, preferably water ice or solid carbon dioxide, at temperatures below their melting or sublimation temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventor: Reiner Weichert
  • Patent number: 6277011
    Abstract: A deburring, burnishing and polishing machine using a grinding or polishing medium rotating on an endless conveyor belt, especially for noble metals, with a service-friendly, at any time integratable collection device for the products to be polished and the polishing medium by means of a basket or a cage with holes, and with the inside of the machine being accessible at any time through a panshaped polishing trough, which on the one side is connected with the pipe frame and on the front sides exhibits a carrier profile for the storage of the conveyor rollers rotating on the backing side of the conveyor belt, whereby polishing dust or polishing solution is collected in a collection pan that can be pulled out below the polishing trough, and in the wet process the solution is transported by means of a rotating pump back into the polishing trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Adrien Moreillon
  • Patent number: 6270398
    Abstract: A vibrational magnetic polishing machine comprises a machine frame on which a workpiece container, an action device and a rotary alternating magnetic field generator are mounted such that the workpiece container is vibrated by the action device, thereby causing the workpiece and the polishing media to jump in the container. The polishing media arc induced by the alternating magnetic field to jump so as to smooth the surface of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Inventor: Lu-Jung Liao
  • Patent number: 6261154
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method are disclosed for finishing the surfaces of workpieces, and that is particularly suitable for metal workpieces. The apparatus includes a tub, finishing media in the tub, means for moving the media in the tub in a generally revolving motion in the tub, and means for positioning and rotating a workpiece to be polished in the media about an axis that is oblique to the axis about which the media revolves and without moving the position of the workpiece with respect to the tub as the workpiece rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Jeffrey William McEneny
  • Patent number: 6231426
    Abstract: A magnetic polishing machine comprises a polishing tub and an alternating magnetic field generator for producing a magnetic field effect to induce a number of magnetic media to travel at a high speed to polish by rubbing a workpiece contained in the polishing tub. The magnetic polishing machine further comprises a built-in separation tub and a homomagnetic field generator for generating a unidirectional magnetic field effect to separate the cohered magnetic media from the workpiece which is transferred from the polishing tub to the separation tub upon completion of the polishing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Lu-Jung Liao
  • Patent number: 6220947
    Abstract: A tumble medium for surface treatment of an article having a first radiographic signature comprises material having a second radiographic signature different from the first radiographic signature sufficient to enable radiographic detection of the material as distinct from the article. The tumble medium is used in a method for treatment of a surface of an article including there through openings communicating with an interior of the article. After tumbling, the article is inspected by radiography to detect any tumble medium within the interior of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gary E. Wheat, Robert K. Patterson, Linda R. Crenshaw, Jon C. Schaeffer
  • Patent number: 6213854
    Abstract: A centrifugal force sliding grinding machine comprising a stationary container part and a rotary-mounted base part driven with a drive motor and positioned below the stationary container part, as well as an arrangement for adjusting the gap width between the stationary container part and the base part is characterized in that the stationary container part has at least one expansion element preferably located in an elastic container lining for adjusting the gap width. The centrifugal force sliding grinding machine according to the invention can in particular be provided externally of the base part with a storage area for receiving a working fluid introduceable under a predetermined pressure into the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventor: Helmut Gegenheimer
  • Patent number: 6210258
    Abstract: A finishing assembly for vibratory finishing of workpieces in loose finishing media includes at least one generally annular finishing chamber which is driven by a drive assembly and supported by a support housing. The drive assembly consists of a crank shaft and a drive shaft which are rigidly connected to each other through a wedge-shaped gasket and oriented such that the rotary axis of the crank shaft and the rotary axis of the drive shaft intersect with one another at a predetermined angle. The crank shaft rotates within a first bearing hub which is rigidly mounted within the chamber and the drive shaft rotates within a second bearing hub which is rigidly secured to the assembly housing and which is actuated by an electric motor. The spatial vibration of the finishing assembly can be adjusted using a wedge-shaped gasket and/or by providing for horizontal displacement of the first bearing hub from the second bearing hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Vibro Finish Tech Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Malkin, Lev Malkin
  • Patent number: 6165059
    Abstract: The hard coated abrasive medium is formed by providing a hollow body with abrasive deposit on the outer surface. The buoyancy is provided by the enclosed air space, and the weight is defined by the weight of the body plus the hard plating or the abrasive grit deposited thereon. The density is selected in accordance to the character of the workpiece with which it is to be used in order to optimize the abrading action by interacting with the workpiece in the optimum fashion. In one embodiment, the abrasive grit is bonded to the exterior surface of the abrasive medium in a spiral shape to accelerate the abrading action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventor: Joon Park
  • Patent number: 6095901
    Abstract: A method for polishing articles comprising soft acrylic materials is disclosed. The method includes a polishing step and a cleaning step. In the polishing step, a receptacle is charged with polishing beads of various sizes, alumina, a swelling agent and the articles to be polished, and agitated for a period of time and at a speed sufficient to remove surface irregularities. Following the polishing step, the polished articles are cleaned by agitating them with a cleaning slurry comprising cleaning beads of various sizes, alumina, a solvent and a surfactant for a period of time and at a speed sufficient to clean the surface of the polished articles. Agitation is preferably accomplished by a tumbling machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephanie Robinson, Kevin Lewellen
  • Patent number: 6080052
    Abstract: On a conventional chassis (10) forming a rigid structure there is mounted an electromotor (12) whose rotary shaft is coupled to a reducer (13) whose output end (14) is secured via suitable means to a flat (23); on this chassis (10) there is a stationary cylinder (15) on whose lateral surface (15a) there are magnets (16-17); inside (15) there is tank (18) which rotates through the action of the shaft of the reducer (13), small flanges (30) being located on the end wall (18a) of (18), a support (25) with arms (24), from which iron chains (32) hang, being arranged on the threaded column (27), the machine being intended for the polishing and cleaning of nonmagnetic materials of the type used in jewelry, such as gold, silver, alloys thereof and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Juan Gaig Renter
    Inventors: Juan Gaig Renter, Jose Gimenez Vidal, Javier Gaig Gomez
  • Patent number: 5989109
    Abstract: Any part of an abrasive media in a solid particle or liquid form is prevented from entering a seal and/or the area where a rotary shaft bearing for a rotating barrel is sealed, thereby protecting the bearing and/or its seal against any possible damage that may be caused by abrasive media. A the barrel finishing operation performed by rotating a rotating barrel rotatably mounted inside a cylindrical stationary barrel on a lower portion thereof in a spaced relationship to the stationary barrel. The stationary barrel has an outer bottom plate at the bottom end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Tipton Corp
    Inventors: Hisamine Kobayashi, Katsuhiro Izuhara
  • Patent number: 5873770
    Abstract: A workpiece has at least one exterior surface with an initial average surface roughness (Ir). The profile of the exterior surface is derived by conventional manufacturing processes, some of which leave the exterior surface with irregularities having directional orientation. The workpiece is subjected to a controlled vibratory finishing process such that the exterior surface has a desired average surface roughness (Ar) after exposure to the finishing process for a predetermine period of time (T.sub.opt). This predetermined period of time is based upon the initial average surface roughness (Ir), the desired average surface roughness (Ar) and a minimum average surface roughness obtainable through the vibratory finishing process (Dr).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: The Timken Company
    Inventor: Fukuo Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 5823861
    Abstract: This invention relates to a spiral-flow barrel finishing machine having a cylindrical stationary metallic barrel equipped with a lining layer at a lower inside portion. A rotating barrel is equipped with a lining layer on a metallic rotational body and is loosely engaged with the lower part inside of the cylindrical stationary barrel so as to rotate freely. A constant clearance is kept between the inner wall of the stationary barrel and the outer wall of the rotating barrel, regardless of the temperature change and the moisture content change. A measure to allow for thermal expansion having a specific vertical width, properly corresponding to the vertical width of the clearance, is circularly arranged between the inner wall of the metallic stationary barrel and the outer wall of the lining layer on the metallic stationary barrel. This makes an allowance for thermal expansion of the lining layer on the stationary barrel toward wall side of the metallic stationary barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Tipton Corp.
    Inventors: Hisamine Kobayashi, Katsuhiro Izuhara, Akihito Fujishiro
  • Patent number: 5803800
    Abstract: A vibratory finishing machine includes a base having an upper face, coil springs mounted on the upper face of the base, a vibrator having an outer peripheral face and mounted on the base via the coil springs for vibration, a vibrating motor mounted on the vibrator, and a helical tubular container into which an admixture of workpieces to be finished and finishing media are loaded. The container has upper and lower flat superposed faces extending lengthwise and is helically wound on the outer peripheral face of the vibrator at a plurality of turns so that the upper and/or lower superposed faces of each turn of the container are superposed on the lower and/or upper superposed faces of the adjacent turn or turns respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Tipton Corp.
    Inventors: Hisamine Kobayashi, Katsuhiro Izuhara
  • Patent number: 5779527
    Abstract: A stone bevelling machine serves to round corners of bevelling stone. The machine comprises: a cylinder 2 rotating, and having a charge port on one end and a discharge port on the other end; a partition 3 separating the space within the cylinder 2 into a charge port side zone 2a and a discharge port side zone 2b, having a size-regulator gate 32 that selectively allows stones of the specified diameter or smaller to pass through the partition 3; and feeder vanes 24 being fixed at least to the inner wall of the charge port side zone 2a and protruding inward. During rotation, stone is cleared of corners thereof to be rounded when small stone, stone powder and stone chips pass through the size-regulator gate 32, so that the processing is enhanced in efficiency. If a trommel 9 is linked to the discharge port of the cylinder 2, it becomes possible to select stone or the like having passed through the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Maehashi Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tooru Maebashi
  • Patent number: 5743790
    Abstract: This invention relates to a vibrating abrasive cleaning apparatus and method which is powered by a hydraulic drive motor mounted to a square tubing frame which is housed within an enclosure that is vibrated by an eccentric shaft assembly directly coupled to the hydraulic drive motor and square tubing frame. The container assembly is mounted on the rigid square tubing frame, on one side by compression springs, on the opposite side by tension springs. The compression springs and tension springs have a different spring rate which produces better rolling of the media and therefore, faster parts circulation and cleaning. To further give flexibility to the cleaning process the hydraulic power supply is equipped with the variable volume piston pump to give infinite speed settings. The eccentric shaft assembly with the eccentric weight positions set at different relative positions to one another gives the operator the ability to adjust the machine to produce optimum results with all parts, sizes, and weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Drilltech Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Joe O. Trahan
  • Patent number: 5733172
    Abstract: A dry barrel finishing machine is disclosed. The machine includes a device to drip or spray water to wet the surface of media. The faucet of the device is located adjacent or in the barrel or barrels of the finishing machine so that it can spray water on media in the barrel or barrels. The media is cooled by the sprayed water. Since the sprayed water wets and softens the surface of the media, attrition dust on the surface of the media is easily removed during attrition. Also, since the wetted surface of the media tends to peel, it is self-sharpened. Thus the media always keeps its abrasive ability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Sintobrator, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Nishimura, Masatomo Watanabe, Takao Ishida, Satoshi Niwa, Mikitoshi Hiraga
  • Patent number: 5730645
    Abstract: The hard coated abrasive medium is formed by providing a hollow body with abrasive deposit on the outer surface. The buoyancy is provided by the enclosed space, and the weight is defined by the weight of the body plus the abrasive grit deposited thereon. The density is selected to be less than 1 so that the hard coated abrasive medium in a process which includes the abrasive medium plus water and plus the work-piece(s) upon which the abrasive medium is acting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Inventor: Joon Park
  • Patent number: 5704823
    Abstract: Method for removing at least one coating from metal scrap parts covered with a coating. The scrap parts are brought into motion in a vessel containing abrasive elements in such a way that multiple collisions occur within the vessel. In further embodiments a liquid, and a metal powder are added to the scrap parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Hoogovens Staal BV
    Inventor: Adrianus Jacobus Wittebrood
  • Patent number: 5662516
    Abstract: A magnetic barrel tumbler for polishing precious metal articles, including a motor case adapted to firmly support a motor therein, an outer housing mounted to an upper portion of the motor case, a magnetic disc placed in a space defined by both the outer housing and the motor case, the magnetic disc including a disc plate coupled to a shaft of the motor, and a plurality of magnets attached to an upper surface of the disc plate, the magnets being arranged in a fashion that those having opposite polarities face each other diametrically so that variations in magnetic field are induced during a rotation of the disc plate, a fixed plate spaced from an upper surface of the magnetic disc and fixedly mounted at an outer edge thereof to an inner surface of the outer housing, the fixed plate being made of a nonmetallic material, a polishing barrel laid on the fixed plate, the polishing barrel being provided with a protrusion at the central portion of an inner bottom surface thereof and with a chamber for containing art
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Inventor: Jae Hyun You
  • Patent number: 5653625
    Abstract: A new Star Shot Wave Tumbler System for polishing objects such as jewelry or coins with a simple water, soap and scrubbing tumbler shot solution in a short period of time with a quality polish. The inventive device includes a circular tumbler drum to retain the objects being polished, a stability means preventing undue vibration of the circular tumbler drum, a tumbler rotation means rotating the circular tumbler drum, at least one scrubbing tumbler shot for every two jewelry pieces or every two charms or any combination of two thereof, to polish the object and a wave tumbler member to agitate the objects during polishing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Inventors: John Pierce, John R. Pierce
  • Patent number: 5613902
    Abstract: A tumbling mill includes an inlet area, an outlet area, and a tumbling area between the inlet and outlet areas. The mill is formed as a tri-cyclical member having an outer cylinder extending along the tumbling and outlet areas, and an inner cylinder concentric with the outer cylinder and extending through the inlet, outlet and tumbling areas. The inner and outer cylinders define a space therebetween. The inner cylinder is perforated to allow sand to fall into the space between the inner and outer cylinders. The inner cylinder includes an inner helical vane to urge sand, media, and castings toward the outlet area, and an outer helical vane to urge sand and media toward the inlet area. A reclassifying screen is provided in the inlet area to classify sand. Sand particles that are sufficiently small passes through the screen and out a chute. Sand particles that are not small enough are recirculated through the tumbling mill to be further broken down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Didion Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael S. Didion, Charles J. Didion
  • Patent number: 5611725
    Abstract: A magnetic barrel finishing machine causes multiple different flows or motions of the abrasive media and workpieces by varying magnetic fields, thereby freeing the workpieces from the abrasive media and subjecting the workpieces to finishing action by the abrasive media. The machine includes a rotator made of magnetic material and a plurality of permanent magnets rigidly mounted on the rotator. A container is located above the rotator with a small gap therebetween, and contains workpieces to be finished and an abrasive medium of magnetic material, or workpieces to be finished and an abrasive medium including a magnetic material. The permanent magnets are arranged irregularly in such a way that they provide magnetic lines of force acting in the circumferential direction as well as the radial direction of the rotator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Imahashi Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Imahashi
  • Patent number: 5580300
    Abstract: A washing liquid and a granular substance in the quantity equivalent to or more than the liquid in the specific gravity are accommodated in a barrel in a manner to position the surface of the liquid above the top surface of a granular substance layer at a stationary state of the barrel, and the barrel is swung with an object to be washed which is accommodated therein to wash away stains firmly stuck.In the same manner, various treatment liquid such as a plating liquid and a granular substance which possess conductivity or without conductivity are accommodated in the barrel with an object to be treated. By swinging the barrel, the treatment liquid and the granular substance are stirred and flow in the barrel so that the fluidity of the treatment liquid and granular substance relative to the object to be treated is improved to raise treatment effect and uniformity in the process. Thus, high quality surface treatment can be accomplished in high productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Inventor: Katsuji Tsutsumi
  • Patent number: 5556320
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mobile vibratory abrasive cleaning apparatus that includes a flatbed having wheels upon which are mounted the other components of the apparatus which include a cleaning tank, a vibrator for vibrating the tank, a loop system for circulating the abrasive cleaner through the tank, control panel and power generator supplying electricity for running the apparatus. The loop system for circulating abrasive cleaner through the tank includes sprayers in the tank, an abrasive cleaner surge tank, filter system and drain system. In operation, the abrasive cleaner is pumped from the cleaner surge tank to the sprayers in the cleaning tank, and after contacting the articles to be cleaned, the abrasive cleaner drains from the cleaning tank and is pumped back to the cleaner surge tank. Contaminants are removed via a filter provided in the surge tank and/or the drain system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Drilltec Patents & Technologies Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan C. Baker
  • Patent number: 5536203
    Abstract: A vibratory drum machine for treating articles includes a cylindrical drum body supported resiliently by springs; and a circular or elliptic vibratory force generating mechanism fixed on the peripheral wall of the cylindrical drum body above the horizontal line passing perpendicularly through the central axis of the cylindrical drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nonaka Takeyoshi, Hashimoto Keiji, Maze Masayuki, Horiuchi Teruo, Sonobe Kazuki, Ikeda Masahiro
  • Patent number: 5486135
    Abstract: Accressory burnishing-treatment apparatus for treatment, namely deburring, turning corners, polishing or cleaning of elements, namely metal, plastic, or ceramic (typically glass) elements. The apparatus is a self-contained hollow sphere, preferably made from substantially abrasion-resistant plastic, that works in conjunction with typically any traditional vibratory tumbling machine. The apparatus preferably has a screw-in port lid or closure member which opens to spherical inner space allowing insertion and later removal from the spherical inner space each of elements after treatment thereof, and removal of that was media necessary for the treatment. Liquid and/or dry or wet media may be used with the elements in combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Inventor: Jerry Arpaio
  • Patent number: 5476415
    Abstract: An improved dry barrel finishing machine is described, in which a mass consisting of media and workpieces is flowed in the barrel of the machine for abrasive finishing of the workpieces and in which air suction is used to remove dust resulting from the finishing operation and to cool the barrel and the mass. The mass is flowed by rotation of the barrel by a motor or through the vibration of the barrel by a driving mechanism. Air inlets and outlets are provided in the barrel. An air suction device draws air through the barrel and around the workpieces and media during the finishing operation. The drawn out air picks up dust and media particles resulting from the abrasive finishing operation and cools the media and the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Sintobrator, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Nishimura, Yoshinori Kohketsu, Takao Ishida
  • Patent number: 5460566
    Abstract: This invention relates to a vibrating abrasive cleaning apparatus and method which is powered by a hydraulic drive motor mounted to a square tubing frame which is housed within an enclosure that is vibrated by an eccentric shaft assembly directly coupled to the hydraulic drive motor and square tubing frame. The container assembly is mounted on the rigid square tubing frame, on one side by compression springs, on the opposite side by tension springs. The compression springs and tension springs have a different spring rate which produces better rolling of the media and therefore, faster parts circulation and cleaning. To further give flexibility to the cleaning process the hydraulic power supply is equipped with the variable volume piston pump to give infinite speed settings. The eccentric shaft assembly with the eccentric weight positions set at different relative positions to one another gives the operator the ability to adjust the machine to produce optimum results with all parts, sizes, and weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Drilltech Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Joe O. Trahan
  • Patent number: 5453039
    Abstract: A small parts abrasion cleaning basket having a tubular neck portion and a tubular main body housing. The bottom end of the neck portion has an outlet port that is in communication with the top end of the main body housing. A wire screen having a concave top surface has its outer edges secured to the inner wall surface of the main body housing. The area between the top edge of the main body housing and the top surface of the wire screen forms an abrasion chamber for cleaning small parts preparatory to painting, coating, etc. The small parts abrasion cleaning basket would be used inside an abrasive blast cleaning cabinet where it would be held by a person's hand inserted into rubber or plastic gloves within the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Inventor: Peter Weintraub
  • Patent number: 5447465
    Abstract: A process for tumbling needle blanks either before or after suture holes have been drilled into the respective needle blanks preferably tumbling occurs with smooth, e.g. ceramic or glass spherical media, or soft media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Samsel, Marcellino Munoz
  • Patent number: 5405284
    Abstract: The drum (2) of a centrifugal jet machine is swivelable in an oscillating manner between two angular positions. The drum (2) has a curved base part (8) with plate-shaped parts (9, 10) which are fastened at both sides of the latter so as to be swivelable. These parts (9, 10) are guided in guide rails (15) by means of rollers (13). Depending on the swiveling movement of the drum (2), these parts (9, 10) are swiveled out so that, at a swivel angle of at least 180.degree., the casing opening (3) also changes in such a way that the centrifugal jets strike the goods to be cleaned also in the extreme outer angular positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Giessereianlagen AG
    Inventors: Peter Brenner, Dieter Dettwiler
  • Patent number: 5401206
    Abstract: A surface finishing vibratory apparatus and method for using such to simultaneously surface finish a plurality of elongated parts with loose particulate finishing media. The apparatus includes a single tub having a plurality of transversely disposed longitudinally extending troughs wherein the troughs are isolated from each other such that finishing media and the workpieces placed in each trough cannot move to another trough during the surface finishing process. The troughs mat use fixed or removable compartment walls that divide one or more of the troughs into separate isolated compartments to use for shorter workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Rosemont Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Curtis O. Majors
  • Patent number: 5375377
    Abstract: A vibratory mill includes a retractable separator basket for removing work parts from the work media after processing of parts has been completed. The basket is concentric with the work chamber bowl and is fitted around and supported by the upturn center portion of the bottom of the bowl. The separator basket comprises a circular frame and a replaceable screen of desired mesh size. This screen is in the shape of a flat ring placed on the frame to form a separating bed of substantially horizontal orientation when in use. The bed of the separator is positioned below the turnpoint of the material flow inside the work chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Nova Finishing Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony F. Kenton