Abstract: An automatic analyzer has a washing tank providing water for washing a reagent or sample probe is. The washing water from a washing nozzle spreads from a throttle portion and is divided into right and left flows after colliding with a vent plate provided in an overflow portion of the washing tank. The washing water flows between the vent plate and the inner wall of the overflow portion, and the flows join behind the vent plate. After joining, the washing water flows downward along the vent plate and the inner wall of the overflow portion and then is drained. Because a space is created between the washing water which has collided with the vent plate and the washing water joined behind the vent plate, the washing water is prevented from completely covering the overflow portion, and the airflow can be secured during the drainage.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for spraying wash water at an inside a washing tub and a dishwasher having the same, the nozzle assembly including a nozzle configured to rotate on a rotating axis thereof, an inside rotor having a shape of a cylinder and configured to rotate according to a rotation of the nozzle while coupled to the rotating axis, and an outside rotor case having a larger radius than a radius of the inside rotor to accommodate the inside rotor therein, and having an opening hole through which the rotating axis passes, and the rotating axis of the nozzle revolves around a circumference of the opening hole.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (10) by means of which pharmaceutical products (1) in the form of tablets, hard gelatin capsules or the like are retained, and positioned, in a packaging installation (100), having a carrier element (11) which has a multiplicity of format-dependent holders (27) for the products (1), wherein the carrier element (11) can be fastened, preferably in an interchangeable manner, on a conveying apparatus (12) of the packaging installation (100).

Abstract: A multi-chambered deposition pin wash station is provided. The wash station includes a lower chamber and an upper drain basin connected by a plurality of wash tubes. Cleaning fluid is provided to the lower chamber and passes through the cleaning tubes into the upper drain basin. The cleaning tubes are adapted to clean a single deposition pin with a single tube per wash cycle.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid processing apparatus in which a target substrate is horizontally held on a substrate holding unit and rotated around a vertical shaft, and the chemicals are supplied from a chemical supplying unit to the bottom surface of the target substrate that is rotating. In particular, the liquid processing apparatus performs a first step in which the chemicals are supplied to the target substrate while rotating the target substrate at a first rotation speed, a second step in which the supply of the chemicals is halted and the chemicals are thrown off by rotating the target substrate at a second rotation speed higher than the first rotation speed, and a third step in which the rinse liquid is supplied to the target substrate while rotating the target substrate at a third rotation speed equal to or lower than the first rotation speed.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate holding unit that horizontally holds a substrate in non-contact with a major surface of the substrate, a processing liquid supply unit that supplies a processing liquid to the major surface of the substrate held by the substrate holding unit, and a hydrophilic surface placing unit that places an annular hydrophilic surface along a peripheral portion of the major surface of the substrate held by the substrate holding unit such that the hydrophilic surface comes into contact with a liquid film of the processing liquid held on the major surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An etching apparatus for substrates includes an etching tank including an etching solution, a cassette having a plurality of substrates mounted therein and which is installed inside the etching tank, a porous plate installed on a lower surface of the cassette and a plurality of discharge sections provided in the porous plate corresponding to the substrates and each of the discharge sections having a plurality of discharge ports. The etching apparatus further includes a plurality of first lines connected to the discharge ports respectively, and supplied with a gas to provide bubbles to the substrates through the discharge ports. The first lines are divided into a plurality of groups, and at least one group is supplied with a gas having a pressure different from a pressure of a gas supplied to other groups.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for wet treatment of plate-like articles including: a first plate holding elements for holding a single plate-like article substantially parallel to the first plate, first dispensing elements for introducing liquid into a first gap between said first plate and a plate-like article when being treated, wherein the first plate is a silicon plate, which consists at least 99 wt % of silicon, the silicon plate being in contact with the treatment liquid, when the plate-like article is treated. Further disclosed is a method associated therewith.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of and arrangement for removing contaminants from a surface of a substrate by subjecting said substrate surface to an atmospheric pressure glow plasma. Said plasma is generated in a discharge space comprising a plurality of electrodes, by applying an alternating plasma energizing voltage to said electrodes causing a plasma current and a displacement current. Said plasma is stabilised by controlling said displacement current during plasma generation such that modification of properties of said substrate surface is prevented.

Abstract: A pad washing system is provided. This system includes a filter device that further includes: a filter component having a textured top surface and at least one baffle formed on the underside thereof; a filter support apparatus adapted to receive the filter device, wherein the filter support apparatus further includes: a base, a plurality of vertical support columns formed integrally with the base, a plurality of caps mounted on top of the vertical columns, and a plurality of biasing members disposed between the caps and the tops of the vertical columns; a bucket for receiving both the filter device and the filter support apparatus; a threaded rim attached to or formed integrally with the top edge the bucket; and a splash guard mountable within the threaded rim.

Abstract: A warewash machine includes a multi-position splash guard enabling multiple machine configurations in which undesired overspray is reduced or eliminated. A drip flange may also be provided to increase the amount of water that impinges upon wares.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes upper and lower nozzle assemblies supplying a cleaning liquid to edge and bottom sections of a semiconductor substrate. The upper nozzle assembly has a first nozzle supplying the cleaning liquid onto the edge section, and second and third nozzles supplying a nitrogen gas for preventing the cleaning liquid from moving into a center portion of the semiconductor substrate. The cleaning liquid supplied to the edge section flows from the edge section towards a side section of the semiconductor substrate due to the rotation of the semiconductor substrate. An ultrasonic wave generator is provided above the edge section for generating ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic waves are applied to the cleaning liquid supplied onto the edge and bottom sections, thereby improving the cleaning efficiency. The cleaning apparatus has a guide to guide the cleaning liquid supplied to the edge section toward the side section.

Abstract: A device for cleaning roller covers. A spray head has a fluid inlet with a fastener collar and a fluid collection chamber in communication with the fluid inlet defined by a retention wall. A plurality of spray apertures are radially spaced within the retention wall to be adjacent the nap of a roller cover during use. A sealing surface positioned within the radius of the spray apertures seals off an end of the roller cover. A housing having an inner cavity for receiving roller covers has a diameter sized to create cleansing fluid flow through the nap of a roller cover. A plurality of outlet apertures in communication with the inner cavity are radially spaced to be adjacent fibrous portions of a roller cover during use. A drain outlet in communication with the outlet apertures drains fluid from the housing. An outwardly protruding flange about the housing coacts with a fastening ring to tighten the housing against the spray head.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for medical and/or dental tool provides a possibility to clean the burrs and brushes (files) of the remained tooth material on them after operation on patient. An improved cleaning apparatus for medical and/or dental tool includes a container, comprising a neck with an opening and at least one of a plurality of apertures located in the lower part of the neck, a fluid stream reflector of a lid, which includes a connector comprising a fluid inlet pipe which is coupled by a tubular means with a fluid line via controllable valve, and a cylindrical stand connected to the base, providing a stable position of the container during cleaning process.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for drying washed objects being capable of drying the objects in a reduced period of time, effectively preventing contamination of the objects, and preventing energy loss are provided. The apparatus for drying washed objects includes a drying tank having an opening on the upper portion thereof so that the washed objects can be placed or taken out from above, and a rinsing tank formed integrally with the drying tank, and is capable of being sealed hermetically by closing the openable and closable lid. The drying tank includes a mist-straightening vane for supplying organic solvent mist at normal temperatures to the washed objects, so that the washed objects are dried by organic solvent mist emitted from the mist-straightening vane.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus capable of sufficiently removing foreign matters such as coating or labels from surfaces of crushed pieces of the collected polymeric mold product is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning bath provided with a rotary shaft extending in the longitudinal direction and having a water supply port, a drainage port as well as an introduction port and a discharging port for polymeric pieces, screw sections having a screw provided on the rotary shaft and flow-path restricting sections having stationary plates standing upright from the inner surface of the cleaning bath to restricting the advancement of water caused by the screw, wherein at least part of a surface of the stationary plate is roughened.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a semiconductor substrate is disclosed. The method comprises setting a substrate to-be-treated substantially in parallel to ends of multi-nozzles including an inner tube nozzle and an outer tube nozzle to oppose each other, cleaning the substrate by discharging, to the substrate, a chemical fluid, a combination of chemical fluid and a gas, pure water, or a combination of pure water and a gas through the outer tube nozzle and simultaneously discharging a chemical fluid, a combination of a chemical fluid and a gas, pure water, or a combination of pure water and a gas through the inner tube nozzle, and washing the substrate by discharging pure water to the substrate through at least one of the inner tube nozzle and the outer tube nozzle.

Abstract: An apparatus for exhausting coating materials used in the process of spin coating a top surface of a wafer, the wafer having an edge and a bottom surface that is supported and rotated by a rotatable chuck attached by a shaft to a spin motor. The apparatus includes a bowl having an exhausted drain configured to receive excess liquid and vapor from the spin coating and an assembly configured to maintain the drain at a negative pressure differential relative to the bowl. In a preferred embodiment, a baffle is attached to the bottom to limit the flow of the liquid and vapor into the drain to a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A new Nonsplashing Washing System for preventing splashing of a hazardous liquid when cleaning parts and for preventing the hazardous liquid from igniting by using a fire retarding screen. The inventive device includes a solvent container, a compression spring within the solvent container, a cleaning solvent partially filling the solvent container, and a fire retarding screen within the solvent container engaging the compression spring.

Abstract: An cleaning mechanism especially well suited for agricultural products in which the agricultural products are moved by a flow of water through a channel in which the water is agitated by vibration of the channel. The agitation of the water, together with contact with other products, dislodges dirt, rocks, and other debris from the products. The dislodged debris settles into troughs at the bottom of the channel. The washed agricultural products fall over a baffle at the end of the channel and are ready for packaging. In one embodiment of the invention, the cleaning system is conveyed through the agricultural field to clean the product immediately after harvest so that the agriculture product leaves the field in a wrapped or packaged state.

Abstract: A diverter member is installed in a dishwasher to reduce detergent consumption therein. The diverter member includes an upwardly disposed liquid receiving surface in fluid communication with a drain for receiving a portion of the rinse liquid sprayed on dishware in a rinse section of the dishwasher to increase the amount of rinse liquid communicated to the drain. A lesser amount of rinse liquid returns to the wash tank, thereby reducing dilution of the wash liquid and consumption of detergent.

Abstract: A portable parts washer flows a washing agent over an object to remove any contaminants. The washing agent and contaminants flow into a basin mounted below the object. The washing agent is drawn from the basin and used to wash the object to provide a closed-loop system. A venturi-type injector mixes ozone from an ozone generator with the washing agent. A pump draws the washing agent from a first inlet to the basin, forces the washing agent through the injector, and returns the washing agent through a first outlet to the basin. Various splash protection mechanisms are used to protect an operator from any substances that may splash off of the object.

Abstract: A baffle is placed in a position opposed to discharge openings of a treating solution supply nozzle and between the discharge openings and the surface of a substrate. The baffle intercepts a treating solution discharged from the discharge openings, whereby the treating solution is supplied evenly to the surface of the substrate by flowing over a surface of the baffle and falling from an edge of the baffle to the substrate, instead of falling from the discharge openings directly to the substrate. No microbubbles are formed in the treating solution on the substrate, which would cause an unevenness of treatment. The discharge openings may be defined by a plurality of circular bores formed in the supply nozzle. Each circular bore may have a diameter at least equal to a spacing between an adjacent pair of circular bores.

Abstract: Liquid feed section 2 and liquid discharge section 4 of a washing vessel 1 are formed in widths W2 and W4 which are broader than an intermediate washing section 3 with a width W3, and at the same time formed in a greater depth to have bottom surfaces sunken or stepped down from the bottom surface of the washing section 3. Regulator plate holder frames 14 and 20 of upstream and downstream flow regulator means 7 and 8 are located in position by abutting engagement with stepped portions 15 and 21 in such a way that only perforated portions of regulator plates 11, 12, 18 and 19 are disposed in the flow passage to and from the intermediate washing section, precluding flow disturbances which would otherwise be caused by the holder frame or unperforated peripheral portions of the regulator plates.

Abstract: A sample probe wash chamber for cleaning the exterior of a sample probe. The probe wash chamber includes an interior threaded passageway between a wash fluid inlet and outlet. The inlet tangentially opens into an annular chamber formed adjacent one end of the threaded passageway. The outlet opens into a second annular chamber formed adjacent the other end of the threaded passageway and has a vacuum applied to it. The outlet can open perpendicularly into the second annular chamber to remove any moisture from the end of the sample probe positioned at the outlet opening. The probe wash chamber and the sample probe are movable with respect to one another and preferably the probe wash chamber is movable over the sample probe for multiple sample aspiration and cleaning operations.

Abstract: An immersion cleaning device is provided with concave portions housing respective chemical baths into which a workpiece is selectively immersed. Any gas and mist generated from the chemical baths is exhausted from the concave portions. A transportation element has a portion to hold a workpiece with takes the workpiece into or out from the chemical bath. A controller is included to control operation of transportation means. An enclosure body moves with the holding portion and is moved with the workpiece to substantially enclose any gases and chemical mist generated during the transportation. Corrosion of the device and pollution which might be caused by leaks of gases and mist to the outside are thus prevented.

Abstract: A probe washing vessel for sucking in and dispensing blood plasma, blood cells, blood serum, or body fluid and the like comprises a washing reservoir, a washing chamber in a form of a hole which formed in the washing reservoir and in which a probe is inserted, and a bypass flow path formed in the washing reservoir and having one end communicating with the washing chamber and the other end opened to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A wafer processing apparatus including a head defining an etching chamber, the sidewall of the head being slidable along the base so that the sidewall and base will normally define an etch chamber; and the sidewall may be moved upwardly to open a discharge passage for rinsing water, and a deflecting surface for deflecting the rinsing water downwardly and draining the rinsing water from the passage. The housing is separable above the deflector ring to provide access to the wafer for inserting the wafer and replacing it.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for dentures has a container for holding cleaning fluid. Within the container there is rigidly attached a spacer which consists of a plurality of L-shaped thin baffles and a center. A basket for holding the denture has a vertical side wall with slots, each slot being provided with a vane. The bottom of the basket also has slots and vanes. The basket is attached to its cover which in turn is connected to the shaft of an electric motor, the basket then being immersed in the cleaning fluid in the container. The basket and its contents are spun rapidly in the cleaning fluid, causing turbulence in the cleaning fluid and circulation of the cleaning fluid through the slots of the basket, which clean the denture placed therein.

Abstract: Centrifugal treatment apparatus for mechanical treatment, e.g. grinding, polishing, cleaning and deburring of workpieces, including a workpiece receiving container, which has a mainly cylindrical casing (1) and a rotating base (2) in the form of a plate or similar, arranged coaxially thereto, whose circumferential rim abuts the cylindrical casing, the casing being removably attached to a support (3). The casing in accordance with the present invention is formed so that it can also be fixed in an inverted position with its upper rim on the support (3). In this way it is possible to use the container casing further in the inverted position after abrasion of its inner surface in the lower region, which results in the operating lifetime of the container casing being doubled or almost doubled.

Abstract: Centrifugal processing machine for spray processing wafers of silicon and the like the machine having a processing chamber closed by a door and having a generally horizontal orientation with the rotor also substantially horizontally oriented. The peripheral sidewall of the process chamber has an offset defined by overlapping edge portions defining a circumferentially facing drainage slot, facing in the same direction as the rotor revolves; the process chamber being maintained under slightly positive pressure above atmospheric pressure to the extent of about 10 to 12 inches of water; the transparent door panel having a groove at the inner face of the door panel and traversing of the transparent panel from its center in radial directions oblique to each other, and an adjoining dry nitrogen nozzle directing a spray of nitrogen across the inner face of the transparent door panel and across one end of the groove in the door panel.

Abstract: A heated bath of cleaning liquid is contained in an open top trough into which the bristles of a long handled car washing brush, having a nozzle enclosed within the bristles, are immersed. The edges along the top opening of the trough are provided with flow deflectors that are arranged to redirect liquid moving up the inside wall of the trough back into the bath. The handle is held in a stored position so that the nozzle directs cleaning fluid delivered thereto downwardly into the bath. Cleaning fluid is pulsed through the nozzle to produce heavy agitation in the bath to scrub soils from the brush bristles.

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: The device provides an arrangement of the input and output ends of the machine which is of light and cheap construction, smaller in size and allows an adaptation of the machine in accordance with the width of the product to be treated. The device comprises, for each end of the machine, at least one rigid closing shutter carried by one of the frames of the machine. Guiding devices carried by this frame ensure a displacement of the or each shutter in a direction roughly perpendicular to the plane of the sheet passing through the machine. Devices for shifting the or each shutter are provided. The or each shutter cooperates by its free edge with the other frame of the machine so as to close in a substantially sealed manner the input or output end of the machine.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cleaning material at the outer edge of an object by applying a fluid, which can be a solvent, for the material to a flat surface adjacent the edge by contact and moving the solvent onto the edge by centrifugal force. A slot is provided in a planar surface. The slot is filled with solvent for contact with the flat surface of the object.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cleaning material at the outer edge of an object by applying a fluid, which can be a solvent, for the material to a flat surface adjacent the edge by contact and moving the solvent onto the edge by centrifugal force. A slot is provided in a planar surface. The slot is filled with solvent for contact with the flat surface of the object. The slot is arcuate and elongated. The fluid is directed along the slot in the direction of rotation by a baffle. The slot has a bottom sloping upward toward the planar surface in the direction of rotation. A notch is provided between an edge of the planar surface and the slot to act as a spillway for excess solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed is the continuous processing of flat workpieces such as printed circuit boards which are suspended by a hanger conveyorized for continuous horizontal transport. More specifically, the conveyorizing passes the workpieces through a plurality of chambers having slotted-end members, one such chamber spraying to remove the photoresist, and another such chamber spraying etching solution to remove the copper cladding. Each station has a slotted cover, and the conveyor suspends a plurality of workpiece holders, each of the holders being joined by chain links of an inert material which overlie the slot in the covers for the chambers. The photoresist chamber is provided with a continuous filter for cntinuously removing and filtering the sludge, thereby reducing the tendency of the removal solution to dilute and become ineffective. All of the chambers are modularized, and the system is compatible with continuous processing for the plating of the printed circuit boards.

Abstract: An apparatus for taking a material to be treated into and out of a treating high pressure tank such as a heating sterilization tank comprises a conveyor passage interconnecting the high pressure tank and a water tank and constituted by two or more partially cylindrical casings connected in a side-by-side relation and each rotatably accomodating a rotary closure member having 2 to 6 blades adapted to make a sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the casing. Due to a specific phase difference between the blades of adjacent rotary closure members, the conveyor passage is always closed by some of the blades. A pair of endless conveyor chains, carrying a plurality of treating vessels accomodating the material, are adapted to run along both side surfaces of the conveyor passage through the high pressure tank and the water tank in a timed relation to the rotation of the rotary closure members. Means are provided for returning the leaked liquid back to the high pressure tank from the water tank.

Abstract: A suction arrangement for removing labels from bottles comprising a label-softening container adapted to contain a liquid, a plurality of elongated bottle-receiving cells having each an open end for insertion and withdrawal of bottles into and from the cell and provided at its opposite end with a plurality of openings, a conveyor for transporting the cells closely adjacent each other and closely past an opening in a bottom portion of a wall defining a suction compartment within the container while liquid is continuously sucked out of the suction compartment and returned into the container so that a stream of liquid passes from the container through that cell which is located at any instant adjacent the opening in the bottom portion of the wall defining the suction compartment to thus remove the labels from the bottles and transport the labels through the opening into the suction compartment while transversely spaced bars extend in the suction compartment over the opening to prevent the bottles to pass togethe

Abstract: Articles--e.g. foodstuffs wrapped in polyethylene bags--to be subjected to heat treatment in a bath of hot water are dropped from an input conveyor into an elongate tank at an inlet end for entrainment by a circulating flow toward an outlet end. A perforated extraction conveyor partly immersed in the water intercepts the entrained articles and lifts them out of the flow onto an output conveyor for drying and subsequent storage. The entering water may be set in vortical motion by convoluted baffles, converging in the flow direction, for insuring full submersion of the articles to be treated.

Abstract: In a dip treating apparatus for carrying out a multiple-step process, e.g. for film processing, the objects to be treated are transferred in separate groups step by step through a row of stations by means of a series of individually operatable conveyors, one for each adjacent pair of stations. Each such conveyor comprises a vertically extending guideway along which a slide member is reciprocatable by means of a working cylinder, the piston of which is pneumatically driven at an operating speed controlled by a flow of liquid through a variable restriction.

Abstract: Plural strands of wire emerging from the cooling tower of a galvanizing line are cooled from about an elevated temperature to ambient temperature by heat exchange apparatus in which the strands are passed through an agitated, flowing stream of cooling water. The apparatus is designed to accommodate knots that connect strands in end-to-end relation or other strand surface irregularities. It also permits disorientation of the strands from their respective pass lines without disrupting operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: The spray booth assembly of this invention is used for washing or chemically treating various kinds of objects in various industrial fields. The assembly is substantially characterized by providing a vacuum zone at or below a hanger path which allows the hangers suspended by the conveyor means to travel in a longitudinal direction in the open-type spray booth while carrying the objects to be sprayed. Whereby, the spray booth assembly can prevent the water or chemical moisture from flowing out through the hanger path toward the hanger conveying means.

Abstract: A self-aligning water jet receiver for a rotary spray arm rotatable about an axis of rotation on a dishwasher dish rack in which the rotatable spray arm is mounted on the dish rack and is rotated by the reaction force of water exiting through spray nozzles in the spray arm. An upwardly projected water jet supplies the water to the hollow spray arm. In this invention the liquid jet is received in a jet receiver that is mounted on the spray arm along the axis of rotation and is shiftable laterally by the force of the jet on the receiver to align the receiver coaxially with the jet.

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 upper spray arm is mounted to the underside of the upper dish rack of a dishwasher and rotates in response to a jet of water supplied through the lower spray arm. The upper spray arm mounting is provided with a self-aligning bearing which includes a stationary mounting platform attached to the upper dish rack and a flanged, cylindrical bearing connected to the spray arm. An enlarged bore in the mounting platform accommodates the bearing cylinder and permits radial movement of the bearing cylinder relative to the platform. The bearing flange transmits thrust forces to the stationary platform and slides radially relative to the platform to the extent the platform bore is larger than the bearing cylinder. Impetus for radial movement of the bearing and spray arm is produced by a bell shaped receiver located on the underside of the spray arm.

Abstract: A process and machine are disclosed for reflowing solder plated continuous flexible circuit webs. During reflow in a vapor environment, the flexible web is maintained in a planar orientation to produce a relatively uniform distribution of solder. Virtually all of the heat transfer fluid used in producing the vapor is recovered and retained.

Abstract: A barrier means for a parts washer apparatus including a fluid curtain (30, 32) generated at the entrance and exit of the wash zone (12) of the parts washer (10), said fluid curtain defined in a thin planar shape and substantially covering the opening to and exit from said wash zone. The fluid barrier (30, 32) is produced by the flowing of fluid over one or more edges (36, 46) of a reservoir (34) positioned at the top of said wash zone (12), said edge (36, 46) defined such that said fluid flows thereover in a uniform manner. Alternately, said fluid curtain is generated by fluid emanating from a plurality of nozzles (84), each nozzle defined with a fan-shaped opening such that a laminar flow of fluid (83) is generated thereby.

Abstract: The machine is designed mainly to effect an accelerated cooling of metal sheets and is improved in order to permit efficient operation with sheets of variable width. For this purpose, sets of elements forming baffles are disposed on each side of the longitudinal axis of the machine along edges of the latter. Depending on whether they are withdrawn into or not withdrawn into their housings, these elements modify the conditions of the flow of the cooling liquid in the machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously cleaning grossly soiled products of plastic material, such as sheets, bands, sacks or the like and for preparing the material for subsequent re-use, comprising an elongated container having at least one downwardly extended funnel-shaped portion closed by a valve, means for feeding soiled comminuted plastic material in the region of one end wall into the container in which a bath of washing solution is maintained, a partition adjacent the other end wall extending into the bath and dividing the interior of the container into a washing zone and a discharge zone, communicating with each other adjacent the bottom of the container, means for agitating the working solution and the comminuted plastic material in the washing zone, and a sieve conveyor for removing the comminuted and cleaned plastic material from the discharge zone.