Abstract: A contact lens cleaning device provides a mechanical apparatus for the thorough agitation and cleaning of contact lenses immersed in a disinfecting solution. The device comprises a base portion bearing a reservoir for containing a measured amount of disinfecting solution, and a main housing portion including a lens holder portion for releasable capture of the contact lenses to be cleaned. The lens holder is connected to rotating crankshafts by connecting rods, and the crankshafts are connected to a knob on the outside of the main housing, so that rotary motion of the crankshafts is translated to reciprocating motion of the lens holder.

Abstract: Known methods of remaining flux from printed circuit boards include spraying jets of solvent onto the board and/or immersing the board in solvent. However, these techniques are not effective when applied to ceramic boards comprising ceramic chip carries as the spacing between the board and the carries is much smaller than with printed circuit boards. Described herein is apparatus for effecting the removal of flux by immersing the boards in solvent and agitating them in the solvent so that the solvent can penetrate the spaces between the components or carriers and the board.

Abstract: A carrier for dual-in-line packages to be wave soldered, comprises a frame with tracks into which the packages can be slid. The tracks are defined by aligned upper and lower "U"-shaped channel members providing rails. Each track is defined between adjacent pairs of upper and lower members. Gates at either end of the tracks control movement of the packages into or out of the carrier. The carrier can be loaded and unloaded by means of apparatus including an inclined ramp on which the carrier can be releasably located, the packages being fed into the top of the ramp to fill the carrier, and sliding to the bottom of the ramp to empty the carrier of soldered packages prior to re-filling. Movement of the packages down the ramp is controlled by gates.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the care of contact lenses in which the process comprises supporting contact lenses on a lens holder within a treatment container provided with a motor-driven stirrer and introducing into the container a liquid, e.g.

Abstract: A contact lens washer having a plurality of disposable solution containers for sequential cleaning cycles using daily cleaning solution, enzymatic, solution, disinfecting solution and saline/neutralizing solution. The containers are inserted into the contact lens washer in an inverted condition. A plurality of liquid released solenoids cause the solution containers to inject liquid into a cleaning chamber having a pair of contact lenses to be cleaned. The contact lenses are encased in a lens-encasing member which is agitated to enhance the cleaning capabilities of the contact lens washer. A timing cycle module provides sequential fluid supply both to and from the cleaning chamber and controls agitation of the lens-encasing member.

Abstract: A contact lens washing apparatus includes a body, a container mounted detachably on the body for receiving a washing liquid therein, and a porous basket mounted rotatably in the container for retaining a contact lens therein. A small motor in the body has a shaft which is connected to a speed reduction transmission. A rotational direction change mechanism interconnects with the speed reduction transmission and the basket for changing the unidirectional rotation output of the speed reduction transmission into the rotational reciprocating motion of the basket. That is, the basket will reciprocate alternately clockwise and counterclockwise to rinse the contact lens.

Abstract: A workpiece carrier for holding workpieces through a plurality of liquid immersion stations including, a framework structure defining an interior space, a self-contained tiltable basket module having article compartments defined therein disposed within the interior space of the frame, a pivot member connecting the basket to the frame at a point offset from the central depth of the basket to cause the basket to normally tilt towards its front, a buoyant tank connected to the basket on the side remote from the a pivot member to tilt the basket towards its rear when the workpiece carrier is immersed in a liquid solution, effectively dissipating any air or gas pockets which might have formed in the hollow areas of the workpiece being treated.

Abstract: An automatic contact lens cleaner, generally shaped in an inverted U, comprises a battery holder, an electric motor, a speed reduction gear, an intermittent reversing gear using levers which engage a boss on the drive gear, and a pair of contact lens holders suspended from the reversing gear into a dish containing cleaning fluid. The bottom of the dish (one end of the U) is level with the bottom of the motor/battery-holder housing (the other end of the U), allowing the cleaner to rest upon any convenient supporting surface.

Abstract: A work processing system comprising: a plurality of work processing stations or tanks arranged in a predefined manner; superstructure means suspended above the process stations; a programmable controller situated remote from said processing stations for generating command signals; crane means suspended on and translatable relative to the superstructure and to the processing stations in response to said command signals; work carrier means carried by the crane means and adapted to be suspended and supported by a respective one of the processing stations; the work carrier unit comprising a work carrier member or platform adapted to support a workpiece and further including means for rotating the work carrier member or platform about a predetermined axis thereof in response to command signals.

Abstract: This invention relates to a golf club cleaning machine characterized by a compartmented carousel having an annular tray-forming basket suspended therebeneath which holds several clubs in side-by-side upstanding circular relation for rotation therewith one-at-a-time past one or more nozzles which spray a high-pressure jet of cleaning fluid at least against the hitting face and sole of each club as it passes. An internal baffle having a concave undersurface redirects any cleaning fluid directed or splashing upwardly thereagainst back down onto the exposed portions of the club shafts and the club heads before it can reach the handgrips or otherwise escape from the machine through the opening in the lid. This baffle has inwardly-extending radially-directed slots that divide same into a plurality of individual flaps which deflect as needed to pass the club heads as they are inserted and removed from the tray.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing semiconductor substrates (i.e., wafers) or the like by rotation of the same. The apparatus includes: a housing which defines a processing chamber therein; and an exhaust duct connected to the lower side portion of the chamber. A rotary member is rotatably mounted in the chamber, on which a plurality of wafers to be processed are held. At the upper side portion within the chamber an auxiliary chamber is provided. Undesired objects, such as water remaining on the wafers and vapor and dirts sprung from the wafers, are effectively expelled from the chamber, through both the exhaust duct and the auxiliary chamber.

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 contact lens cleaning system having a chamber and a pump for generating streams of cleaning fluid within the chamber. The lenses are carried in lens retainers which rotate within the chamber and are exposed to the streams of cleaning fluid. The lens retainers are mounted on a single spindle held at both ends. The rotatable disposition of the lens retainers allow the lens to rotate and thus a greater extent if not essentially all of the surface area of the lens experiences the enhanced cleaning effect of the streams of cleaning fluid. The holding of the spindle at both ends insures that a uniform distribution of the impingement of cleaning fluid across the lens may be effected.

Abstract: A rinsing apparatus is provided for a contact lens cleaning system. This rinsing apparatus comprises a container for receiving a quantity of rinsing fluid, receptacles for receiving contact lenses and an agitator mounted in the container for a compound agitating motion and coupled to the receptacles for agitating the receptacles. A base unit includes a platform for mounting the container in a stationary position and a drive assembly for driving the agitator to achieve the desired compound agitating motion. Advantageously, this drive assembly is operatively coupled with the agitator only by a magnetic coupling arrangement, obviating the need for any mechanical connection or coupling therebetween, or for extending any rotating members through the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning and sterilizing soft contact lenses comprises a disinfection unit and a control unit. The disinfection unit comprises a receptacle for selectively containing a cleaning liquid and a sterilizing liquid, and a lens holder having perforate lens compartments. The lens holder is removably mounted in the receptacle and rotatable therein. The rotation of the lens holder effects enhanced cleansing action by turbulent flow of the cleaning liquid over the lenses. A heater is preferably mounted on the control unit in intimate heat transfer relation with the disinfection unit when the units are secured together (e.g. with permanent magnets) for heating the sterilizing liquid in the receptacle. The control unit controls the heater for providing alternating high temperature periods (not greater than about 60.degree. C.) and lower temperature periods for sterilizing the cleaned lenses.

Abstract: A cleaning tub having therein a holding basket mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. The basket has a lower section with circumferentially aligned holding and partition members to contain tubular-like members to be cleaned in circumferential alignment. There is also an upper section having radial partitions to contain other objects to be cleaned. During a first washing and rinsing cycle, the basket is caused to oscillate throughout the filling period, the washing period, the emptying period, and also through a final "shake-off" period. There is also a transfer tub to hold either a pasteurizing liquid (i.e. hot water) or a disinfect liquid. Subsequent to the washing cycle, the liquid in the transfer tub can be moved over to the cleaning tub either to pasteurize or disinfect the articles in the basket. Heat control means are provided to bring the transfer liquid to the proper temperature in the transfer tub, and also to maintain this proper temperature in the cleaning tub.

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: 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: There is disclosed an apparatus for washing vegetables, fruits and the like foodstuffs. It is formed of a vessel and a basket, within the vessel, for containing the foodstuffs. The basket is mounted in the vessel for rotation about the vertical axis of the latter and a flexible band is fixed, at one end, to the rotation bearing of the basket and extends outside the vessel to cause rotation, when pulled, of the foodstuffs containing basket. The vessel has a cover which is formed with a chamber apertured at the bottom and the basket has a disc at the top with a series of holes registering, during rotation, with the apertured bottom of the chamber so that water poured in the chamber may flow into the basket through such holes during rotation of the said basket.