Abstract: What is contemplated is a printing cylinder washer having a removable or portable drive assembly, or a series of portable drive assemblies of different lengths to accommodate different sizes of print rollers. The drive assemblies have a drive mechanism enabled by a dynamic flow of cleaning solution within the washer reservoir. What is also contemplated is the use of an elevation system, an agitation platform, under-immersion spray bars, an ultrasonic wave cleaning system, and a hatch or door equipped with a thermal breaker in conjunction with the hydro-driven portable drive assembly. What is also contemplated is a method of washing printing rollers within the above-described printing cylinder washer by aligning a nozzle with the drive assembly.

Abstract: A visual comparator for use in evaluating the nature and extent of contamination in a solvent used for cleaning mechanical parts. The comparator comprises an opaque frame, and an array of viewing apertures is formed in the frame. Each of said apertures is covered by a translucent viewing panel, with certain of the viewing panels comprising a first array having a graduated sequence of predetermined colors and optical densities, each indicative of a given level of soluble liquid contamination. The remainder of the viewing panels comprises a second array having a graduated sequence of graduated optical densities, each indicative of a given level of contamination by suspended particles.

Abstract: A recirculating type cleaner for paint spray guns. The apparatus includes a cabinet supporting a sink and a pair of solvent receptacles each containing a pump and motor for circulating solvent from the receptacles through outlet nozzles and into the sink. In use, the gun is given one or more initial rinses with solvent, from one receptacle, after which a final cleaning rinse is made with new solvent from another receptacle. The sink drain is arranged so that all of the solvent is returned to a single container. Clean solvent passes in use from the clean solvent receptacle to the used or dirty solvent receptacle, leaving fresh solvent uncontaminated, while the contaminated solvent is used repeatedly. The sink includes a fire safety cover secured over the sink opening by a fusible link, and the solvent receptacles are positioned for ready removal to facilitate periodic servicing.

Abstract: A method of handling materials requiring controlled handling and storage using a storage and transport drum assembly. The storage and transport drum includes a removable cover and a liner bag assembly. The liner bag includes bottom, side and top walls and a collar surrounding an opening in the top wall. The collar includes a groove for receiving a retainer ring that fits within a groove in the side all of a drum cover fitting. An exterior plug is provided for the drum cover fitting and an interior plug for the bag collar. The fitting, the collar, and the retainer ring are arranged such that the retainer ring retains the collar against unintentional separation relative to the fitting, but the bag and collar may be intentionally separated by pushing the bag into the drum when desired. The liner bag is assembled with the drum prior to filling. After the contents have been used the initial filler is notified and the bag is recycled.

Abstract: A recirculating type cleaner for paint spray guns. The apparatus includes a cabinet supporting a sink and a pair of solvent receptacles each containing a pump and motor for circulating solvent from the receptacles through outlet nozzles and into the sink. In use, the gun is given one or more initial rinses with solvent, from one receptacle, after which a final cleaning rinse is made with new solvent from another receptacle. The sink drain is arranged so that all of the solvent is returned to a single container. Clean solvent passes in use from the clean solvent receptacle to the used or dirty solvent receptacle, leaving fresh solvent uncontaminated, while the contaminated solvent is used repeatedly. The sink includes a fire safety cover secured over the sink opening by a fusible link, and the solvent receptacles are positioned for ready removal to facilitate periodic servicing.

Abstract: A storage and transport drum including a removable cover and a liner bag assembly. The liner bag includes bottom, side, and top walls and a collar surrounding an opening in the top wall. The collar includes a groove for receiving a retainer ring that fits within a groove in the side wall of a drum cover fitting. An exterior plug is provided for the drum cover fitting and an interior plug for the bag collar. The fitting, the collar, and the retainer ring are arranged such that the retainer ring retains the collar against unintentional separation relative to the fitting, but the bag and collar may be intentionally separated by pushing the bag into the drum when desired.

Abstract: A buffing pad attachment system including a buffing pad and a drive element for use with a power buffer. The drive element has a threaded insert permitting attachment to a power buffer drive spindle and further includes a resilient body with a radial flange for supporting an associated buffing pad. The drive element also has a center body portion with a flexible wall collar with at least one screw threaded surface. The buffing pad includes a radial flange with one surface covered with buffing material, the other surface engaging the drive element support surface and a center portion having a screw threaded cylindrical collar for engagement with the collar on the drive element. Both the pad and the drive element are made from elastomeric materials and may thus be nondestructively separated from each other by unscrewing or, in the alternate, by intentional or unintentional deformation of the collar walls sufficient to disconnect the engaged collars.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for supply and collection of cleaning fluids used in field cleaning of pipe threads preparatory to oil field drilling operations is described. The apparatus includes a moveable cart structure defined by a chassis with wheels. An upper frame member is connected to the chassis by a plurality of scissor jack assemblies which may be independently extended or contracted to raise and lower the upper frame with respect to the chassis. A basin for receiving pipe thread cleaning solution is affixed to the movable upper frame member and depends therefrom. A flow control cover including a pair of pivotable panels interleaved at their inner ends over the central portion of the basin is provided to substantially cover the basin. The panels are movable to an inwardly sloping position to collect and funnel cleaning fluid back into the basin for periods of active use.

Abstract: An air operated pump and motor unit with a rotor head assembly, an impeller head assembly, and a spacer tube unit disposed between these assemblies. The impeller head includes a pumping chamber and a liquid impeller assembly, and the rotor head includes a rotor housing, a cover assembly, and a rotor element. The rotor has a hub carrying a drive shaft and the rotor includes a plurality of radially extending blades and a spider unit joining the rotor hub to the blade carrier. The rotor hub and the spider lie adjacent the inner end of the housing and the carrier lies adjacent the cover, so that the rotor subdivides the rotor chamber into upstream and downstream chambers communicating with each other through passages in the spider. In use, the air passes from the upstream chamber to the downstream chamber through the openings in the spider and from the downstream chamber to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A low profile parts washer with a central solvent storage well, a pair of side walls subdivided into upper and lower portions, intermediate wall supporting wheels with the wheel axle lined above the well bottom, a safety cover positioned by a pair of supports and held above the well by fusible link means, a solvent pump and motor and a parts retainer screen covering the opening formed by the intermediate walls and the center solvent well.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for cleaning the surface of aluminum articles encrusted with cooked-on grease, oil and protein residues. The method includes immersing aluminum cookware in a solution of about 50 to about 75 parts by weight of water, about 2 to about 5 parts by weight of a strong alkali metal hydroxide, from about 1/2 to about 2 parts by weight of calcium chloride, from about 2 to about 4 parts by weight of sucrose, from about 0.05 to about 0.2 parts by weight of a non-ionic surface active agent and from about 0.2 to about 0.5 parts of an anti-foaming agent. The articles may be soaked for 12 to 24 hours without damage.

Abstract: An easy-to-service parts washer unit having separable components, including a cleaning fluid storage and transport receptacle, a sink unit and a fluid circulating unit. The receptacle is adapted to lie flat on a work bench or the like, and to lie beneath and support a sink disposed thereover. The fluid circulating unit includes a pump and motor, a filter, a dip tube which extends in use into the receptacle and a hose or the like portion which extends into the sink for directing fluid over parts to be washed. Preferably, the sink includes a closable safety cover, the movement of which is controlled by a fusible link. The lower surface of the sink and the upper surface of the receptacle when it is in position of use are contoured for mutual engagement and support, and the fluid circulating assembly includes a housing which is also held in place by contoured engagement portions.

Abstract: An accessory adapted to be attached to the drain opening of a sink of a parts washer including an upright tubular housing, having a plurality of drain ports at a lower end thereof. A stopper is selectively movable in said housing from a first position above the drain ports to a second position below the ports by the application of force to a shaft operatively coupled thereto. In the first position of the stopper, drainage of fluid from the sink occurs through the drainage port and the drain outlet. In the second position, fluid is blocked from egress through the drain port and the drain opening of the sink and collects in the sink to a predetermined level whereby a series of overflow drain ports drain excess fluid to maintain a constant level of solvent. The shaft is coupled to a spring urging the stopper to the first position when a force is removed from the shaft.

Abstract: An immersion cleaner for parts and other articles. The cleaner includes a receptacle for articles, a cover unit for a container of cleaning liquid, a cam plate unit disposed on the cover and including a circumferentially extending cam track surface having axially undulating portions, and a combination receptacle support and cam follower unit. The follower rotates about a vertical axis and is disposed in the use above the cam plate. The receptacle support unit includes means adapted to engage the cam track and to ride thereover upon oscillation of said support unit about its axis. A rod is attached to a portion of the support unit and forms an operative connection between the receptacle and the support unit. The support unit is driven in an oscillating mode. This causes the receptacle to swing through an arc and to rise and fall simultaneously.

Abstract: A safety device for open receptacles adapted for use with flammable solvents and the like. The safety device comprises a unitary piece adapted to be received within the drain opening of a sink or other receptacle in which parts and mechanical components are temporarily received for cleaning by passage of solvent thereover. The device includes a locating flange, and a wall which subdivides the receptacle drain opening into an ordinary flow path and a second opening. The wall also defines an alternate drain flow path between other portions of the receptacle interior and the drain opening. The alternate flow path to the secondary drain is preferably defined by a contoured wall which cooperates with the interior surfaces of the receptacle to define a drain path for solvent which can flow through the principal drain path. This wall contains a large number of openings so that accidental or even intentional blockage of the drain path cannot be readily accomplished.

Abstract: A disposable filter unit for use with a parts washer or the like. The filter consists of a body in the general form of a bag, made from a softenable but substantially solvent-impermeable thermoplastic material having a neck portion attached to a mounting collar. The mounting collar is a stiff but resilient element suitable for being positioned and retained within the drain opening of the parts washer, being constantly held in place by a cup or screen. The filter body has large by-pass openings in the neck, smaller openings in the upper body portion and still smaller openings in the lowermost portion. The filter acts by trapping sharp-edged or jagged particles such as slivers and filings, both on the interior surface of the bag and within the openings. Entrapment of the filtered material effectively creates a finer mesh filter, and the graduated opening sizes provide a combination filtration and settling action.