Hollow Work Internal Cleaning, E.g., Bag And/or Bottle Cleaners Patents (Class 15/304)
  • Patent number: 5279017
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting particles from containers. The method comprises the steps of conducting high pressure air from a source thereof and into the containers to loosen the particles from the containers, and connecting the containers to a low pressure source to withdraw air and loose particles from containers. The apparatus comprises a source of pressurized air, and a high pressure line connected to that source to conduct the pressurized air to the containers to loosen the particles from the containers. The apparatus further comprises a low pressure source, and a low pressure line to connect the containers to the low pressure source to withdraw air and the particles from the containers. Preferably, in both the method and apparatus, the containers are moved beneath one or more caps that are used to generally close the tops of the containers, and each cap is connect to both the high and low pressure sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Limited
    Inventor: Alan L. Foreshew
  • Patent number: 5273088
    Abstract: A vapor reduction system for a solvent bottle (12) which is performed in an enclosure (11). A timer (23) controls events during a purge cycle. A vent (14) removes vapors from the enclosure to a vapor treatment system. Pressurized gas is forced through the solvent bottle (12) which vaporizes solvent liquid. A receptacle (16) receives solvent liquid and vapor forced from solvent bottle (12). A line (17) removes to solvent liquid from the receptacle (16) to an environmentally safe container. A second line (18) removes solvent vapor from the receptacle (16) to the vapor treatment system. A fire extinguishing system (31) senses and extinguishes any fire which may develop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry D. Cripe, Michael P. Menchio
  • Patent number: 5271505
    Abstract: A sorting machine comprising a transparent tube (16); a material supply member (15) from which material, which is to be sorted into desired and undesired portions, may pass through the transparent tube (16); a light-detector (20) disposed externally of the transparent tube (16) for receiving light from material passing through the latter; a discriminator (21), controlled by the light-detector (20), for discriminating between the desired and undesired portions; a separator (22), controlled by the discriminator (21), for separating the material which has been passed through the transparent tube (16) into the desired and undesired portions; a cleaning member (32); and a movement effecting device (36) for moving the cleaning member (32) against the wall of the transparent tube (16) characterized in that the cleaning member (16) forms part of a cleaning-calibration member (31) which is used in the calibration of the discriminator (21); and there is an actuator (30) operable so that each one of the material supply
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Sortex Limited
    Inventor: John M. Low
  • Patent number: 5271164
    Abstract: A drying arrangement includes transport device which uses suction or magnetism to produce an attractive force via which containers can be picked up by their bottom wall after they have come out of a washing station, and carried with an open end thereof oriented downwardly, over a nozzle arrangement which suctions off water in liquid form from the containers and over an arrangement which uses hot air to dry off the remaining water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Daiwa Can Company
    Inventors: Takayuki Yoshimura, Yoshiteru Kondoh, Yoshimasa Matsumura, Kiyoaki Inoue
  • Patent number: 5265298
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning dust particles from open-ended cans and the like in an automated container filling assembly line. The apparatus utilizes an ionized air injector with a nozzle and a vacuum source having an inlet positioned in close proximity thereto. Both the injector nozzle and the inlet are situated so that the containers can be made to move with their open ends crossing the paths of air flows directed from the nozzle and into the inlet. By means of the injector, an ionized air stream is directed into each empty container to dislodge any dust particles there and to neutralize electrostatic charges causing the particles to adhere to the container walls. Suction, acting through the vacuum source inlet immediately downstream of the ionized air flow, removes any dislodged dust particles before electrostatic charges can build up again between them and the container. The apparatus further includes an enclosure surrounding the injector nozzle and vacuum source inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Inventor: Raymond Young
  • Patent number: 5238503
    Abstract: A decontamination device for a wafer container having a chamber for storing semiconductor wafers and inner surfaces surrounding such chamber is provided. The device includes a support/containment assembly for providing a substantially sealed containment compartment and a gas flow assembly, mounted on the support/containment means, for supplying and filtering a substantially continuous flow of circulation gas throughout the containment compartment. Additionally, the gas flow assembly periodically directs a flow of blow-off gas towards the inner surfaces of the wafer container whereby particles adhered to such surfaces will be released and entrained by the continuous flow of circulation gas. Manipulating assemblies, also mounted on the support/containment means manipulate the wafer container whereby such chamber is in communication with the containment compartment. The assemblies also position the gas flow assembly within the chamber of the container and in close proximity to its inner surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert B. Phenix, Winfield T. Tandy
  • Patent number: 5210901
    Abstract: There is provided a relatively simple and inexpensive combination cylinder inverter and cleansing apparatus. A cradle for the cylinder is rotatably mounted for inversion on a frame. An adjustable head plate is mounted on the cradle to both support the cylinder on the cradle when inverted and insert a nozzle for the cleansing and drying fluid. A flexible pressure hose and fittings are provided to allow filling the cylinder with water for washing and supplying air for the drying operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Inventor: Jay Cooper
  • Patent number: 5201951
    Abstract: A plate making device for a plate roll that is to be made into a printing plate in which a pretreatment assembly, a photosensitive film coating assembly, and a protective film coating assembly are respectively installed on three separate tables that can be raised and lowered relative to the plate roll. The three separate tables are provided on a common table that is slidable along the axis of the plate roll. The three separate tables and the common table are moved so that a pretreatment assembly, a photosensitive film coating assembly and a protective film coating assembly are successively come into contact with the plate roll, and a pretreatment, a photosensitive film coating and a protective film coating are successively performed on the plate roll by the pretreatment assembly, the photosensitive film coating assembly and the protective film coating assembly. Thus, the entire plate making processes is performed by a single device, occupying lesser spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Think Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuo Shigeta
  • Patent number: 5197520
    Abstract: An airjet loom is cleaned by periodically passing a cleaning fluid through the airjet nozzles. For this purpose, the solenoid valves each include an additional hook-up by means of which the airjet nozzles can communicate with a source of cleaning liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Picanol, n.v.
    Inventor: Heinz Reimertz
  • Patent number: 5197159
    Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning a viewing surface of a product sorter viewer, the apparatus, in one embodiment, having a movable body for supplying air under pressure to the surface to remove debris or dust; and, in another embodiment, a viewer cleaning aparatus having a movable body with a cleaning element for contactingly cleaning a viewer surface such as a viewer window or optical fiber end. In one aspect a device according to this invention has a cleaning element that conforms in shape to the shape of a viewing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Delta Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Thuan V. Truong
  • Patent number: 5182832
    Abstract: An inlet tube has a connector at one end for coupling to an air supply hose, and a rotary head is rotatably mounted on the other end of the inlet tube. The rotary head has an internal air distribution chamber connected to the inlet tube and small outlet openings in its outer peripheral wall for spraying air from the chamber towards an air filter unit. Rotor or spin outlet passageways in the peripheral wall are arranged at an angle to cause the head to spin in a turbine-like fashion when air flow is directed from the chamber and out through the passageways. The rotating head sprays air outwardly across the surface of an air filter unit to dislodge dirt from filter paper in a filter unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Inventor: Michael R. McMahon
  • Patent number: 5163201
    Abstract: A method for cleaning the measuring chamber of a contactlessly operating scanner head of an apparatus for monitoring yarns on a textile machine includes bringing a cleaning tool formed of an elastic material from a waiting position into an operating position. The cleaning tool is mechanically brought to walls of the measuring chamber for a cleaning operation. The elastic material cleaning tool is adapted to the contour of the measuring chamber during the cleaning operation by positioning the cleaning tool. The measuring chamber is mechanically cleaned without yarn being disposed in the measuring chamber. The cleaning tool is taken out of operation and returned to the waiting position after the cleaning operation. An apparatus for cleaning the measuring chamber includes a mechanically operating cleaning tool being formed of an elastic material and having a contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: W. Schlafhorst Ag & Co.
    Inventors: Hans Raasch, Wilhelm Oehrl
  • Patent number: 5131497
    Abstract: The invention is a mechanism for removing a liquid such as oil or transmission fluid from an enclosed cavity of a motor vehicle. The invention includes a tube slidable through the sealing plug of the compartment and a flexible bladder into which one end of the tube can be fit. A shut-off valve in the tube controls the flow of liquid from the compartment to the bladder. The invention optionally includes a simple hand operated pump in the tube and a device to prevent the tube from unintentionally being removed from the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Inventor: Roy K. Rogers
  • Patent number: 5078763
    Abstract: A device for cleaning air filters, either annular or rectangular in configuration, including a bottom plate member having a flat upper surface, an apertured vertical column connected to a high pressure air hose, and a top plate member, removable from the vertical column, having a flat bottom surface, where an annular filter is placed around the vertical column and top plate member is placed onto the vertical column, sealing the filter between the top plate member and the bottom plate member. Air is then forced into the vertical column, exiting through the apertures and through the filter itself, forcing any accumulated particles off the surface of the filter. Secondary air distributor apertures, connected to a secondary pressure hose fitting, are positioned on the upper surface of the bottom plate member for use with square or rectangular filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Inventor: James E. Blount-Gillette
  • Patent number: 5072487
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning the interior of ductwork or similar conduit from within, the apparatus comprising a small, pneumatically powered and controlled carriage of a size maneuverable inside the duct, with nozzle means provided for directing cleaning and disinfecting fluids, under pressure, at the walls of the duct, to execute a method of cleaning and disinfecting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: J. F. Walton & Co., Inc.
    Inventor: James F. Walton
  • Patent number: 5071487
    Abstract: Metals castings, having a number of internal passageways which open at different surface portions of the castings, are mounted upon a horizontally axised wheel-like frame. The frame is intermittently rotated and momentarily stopped so that castings are rotated at times and stationary at times. During the times that the castings are stationary, they are simultaneously subjected to either an externally applied vibration or to a momentary, several millisecond long, high pressure burst of air through their respective passageways. The alternating vibrations and momentary bursts of air loosen and remove the sand and other casting debris contained within the passageways. Additionally, the changing angularity of the castings, due to the rotation, coupled with the vibrations and bursts of air, dislodge such sand and debris from the walls and, also, downwardly out of the passageways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: CMI International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. McKibben, Thomas E. Wuepper
  • Patent number: 5054155
    Abstract: Metal castings, having a number of internal passageways which open at different surface portions of the castings, are mounted upon a horizontal axis wheel-like frame. The frame is intermittently rotated and momentarily stopped so that castings are rotated at times and stationary at times. During the times that the castings are stationary, they are simultaneously subjected to either an externally applied vibration or to a momentary, several millisecond long, high pressure burst of air through their respective passageways. The alternating vibrations and momentary bursts of air loosen and remove the sand and other casting debris contained within the passageways. Additionally, the changing angularity of the castings, due to the rotation, coupled with the vibrations and bursts of air, dislodge such sand and debris from the walls and, also, downwardly out of the passageways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: CMI International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. McKibben, Thomas E. Wuepper
  • Patent number: 5020188
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning the interior of ductwork or similar conduit from within, the apparatus comprising a small, pneumatically powered and controlled sled of a size maneuverable inside the duct, with nozzle means provided for directing cleaning and disinfecting fluids, under pressure, at the walls of the duct, to execute a method of cleaning and disinfecting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: J. F. Walton & Co., Inc.
    Inventor: James Walton
  • Patent number: 5012547
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a system for removing fluid particles retained on containers, each having an open end and a closed end, after they exit from a washing operation wherein the containers are transferred from the washing operation to a drying operation with the open ends thereof facing in a downward direction and wherein the fluid particles are removed from the containers as they are transferred from the washing operation to the drying operation by passing air at relatively high velocities over at least the portion of the containers next adjacent to the open ends thereof wherein the flow of the high velocity air is generated by a vacuum source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Adolph Coors Company
    Inventor: Ralph Z. Marsh
  • Patent number: 5001805
    Abstract: A method for removing lubricant grease from enclosed gear train housings of motor operated valves, having one or more ports. First, bulk lubricant grease in the housing is removed by suction through an evacuation wand inserted into the housing. Second, remaining lubricant grease in the housing is mechanically dislodged and physically dissolved by flushing the housing with a solvent for the lubricant grease delivered through a fluid lance inserted into the housing. Third, any lubricant grease/solvent residue in the housing is removed by evacuation through one or more ports in the housing. The method can include rinsing the housing interior and partially drying the housing interior prior to any relubrication. The method can optionally include measuring and analyzing quantities of lubricant grease removed from the housing. A variety of flexible evacuation wands for use in the method can be easily attached to the source of the suction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Apex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Jon Stouky, John T. Hayhurst
  • Patent number: 4976002
    Abstract: The present invention overcomes the aforementioned difficulties by providing a vacuum device to clean the interior surface of particle tubes used in the manufacture of semiconductor wafers. The vacuum device consists of a head which is designed to closely fit with the interior surface of the particle tube to be cleaned. Guide wheels are provided to align the head with the particle tube and to allow the vacuum device to easily roll in and out of the particle tube. The wheels are made of material which does not scratch the interior surface of the particle tube. The head is attached to vacuum tubing by means of flexible bellows. The vacuum tubing and head may be rotated to allow the head to clean the entire interior surface of the particle tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Leonov, Roy de Groot
  • Patent number: 4964921
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning chimneys. The method comprises the step of exhausting air up the chimney at a predetermined rate, brushing the flue from the top of the chimney down, loosening dust and both fine and larger particles, exhausting the dust and fine particles with the air, dropping the larger particles into the lower portion of the chimney, and removing the larger particles from the lower chimney portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Inventor: Kerry W. Lloyd
  • Patent number: 4962566
    Abstract: A machine (3) for cleaning tapped holes (2) distributed around the periphery of an opening (1), e.g., those tapped holes used for peripherally bolting on a cover for an armhole or an eyehole in a steam generator of a nuclear power station. The machine comprises a grip (4) for centering and clamping the machine on the opening, thereby enabling it to be positioned on the axis (12) of the opening and to be held in position by abutment against the wall (10) of the opening; and a brush (13) disposed at a fixed radial distance from the axis of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Electricite de France (Service National)
    Inventor: Antoine Gemma
  • Patent number: 4879431
    Abstract: A multi-layered cell harvester having a multi-layered top section and multi-layered bottom section with holes and channels formed in the multiple layers along with vacuum and wash manifolds is provided for removing, filtering and washing the contents from test tubes in a standard test tube rack. The novel multi-layered cell harvester precisely controls an equal volume of wash fluid or reagent to the test tubes and each of the filter areas on a sheet of filter paper areas on a sheet of filter paper by utilizing a wash fluid or reagent reservoir having a purge means and wash channels of equal length formed in the multi layers from the reservoir to the tip of each wash needle where the diameter of each wash channel is the same, or by increasing the diameter of some of the wash channels or a combination thereof. The multi-layered cell harvester can include provisions for separately handling radioactive materials and saving the mother liquid and wash fluids or reagents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: Biomedical Research and Development Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Bertoncini
  • Patent number: 4854004
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for clearing the hole blockage of a liquid resist substrate. The liquid resist substrate has a substrate formed with holes and coated on its upper surface with a liquid resist. The device has a blowing-off means which is intended to blow off the portions of the liquid resist in the holes from the same to an upper surface side of the substrate, and a sucking-in means which is intended to suck in the portions of the liquid resist in the holes of the substrate, whereby the portions of the liquid resist in the holes of the substrate can be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: ORC Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadao Omata, Naoshi Kozu
  • Patent number: 4834123
    Abstract: A bottle washer removing bottles from a conveyor, rotating them about 360 degrees, and using paddles of extended length and a stationary guide to replace the bottles on the conveyor. The washer may sit over the conveyor transporting the bottles. The conveyor moves the bottles between paddles which will rotate them through a circle of 360 degrees. At the very end of that arc, however, an obstructing guide rail directs the bottles out of the rotational plane to avoid their colliding with the entering bottles. The paddles that move the bottles about the arc have extensions lying in the direction that the conveyor moves. These extensions control the motion of the bottles as they move out of their plane of rotation so that they will return to the conveyor. The bottle washer, to work at greater length upon the bottles, may in fact move the bottles about two circles of approximately 360 degrees each. As the bottles complete the first rotation, the obstructing guide moves them out of the plane of the first rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Inventor: William J. McBrady
  • Patent number: 4820351
    Abstract: A method for washing and vacuum drying long necked laboratory flasks. The apparatus includes a cabinet which presents a washing and drying compartment and a pump and rotary spray arm. A special rack which can be rolled into and out of the compartment includes a central manifold and a plurality of distribution arms extending radially from the manifold. Upright spindle tubes extend from the distribution arms to receive the inverted flasks such at that the tubes extend through the narrow necks of the flasks with the open ends of the tubes located within the bodies of the flasks. A diaphragm coupling allows water to be pumped to the manifold for delivery to the spindle tubes during washing and rinsing cycles. The tubes spray the water directly inside of the flask bodies for thorough washing and rinsing. A vacuum conduit extending from the manifold carries a seat which engages a gasket to couple the manifold with a vacuum blower when the rack is moved into the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Labconco Corporation
    Inventors: Larry G. Hambleton, Claude L. Sears, Elmer B. Offutt
  • Patent number: 4783877
    Abstract: A hand-held washer having an upper wall and a lower wall in substantially parallel alignment. Portions of a first sidewall and a second sidewall are tapered toward each other from the upper wall to the lower wall. A first end wall and a second end wall are in substantially parallel alignment. The upper and lower walls and the first and second sidewalls, and the first and second end walls together define a washer body. The washer body is made of a transparent material. An inlet channel is positioned within the washer body for carrying fluid from a source. An outlet channel is positioned within the washer body for applying a vacuum. A plurality of wash tubes descend from the inlet channel through the lower wall. A plurality of aspirator tubes descend from the outlet channel through the lower wall. A valve means connected to the inlet channel controls the flow of fluid through the inlet channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: INTI Corp.
    Inventor: Paul W. Vince
  • Patent number: 4765016
    Abstract: A chip removing device for removing foreign matter such as chips from a groove defined circumferentially on an inner peripheral surface of a cylindrical workpiece, which includes a blowhead that is fittable into the cylindrical workpiece, a shaft for supporting the blowhead and a motor for rotating the blowhead and a motor for rotating the blowhead. A movable member having a scraper defined on one end thereof is mounted for movement within the blowhead and has a passage defined therein for supplying compressed air to a nozzle adjacent to the scraper. In operation, the blowhead is inserted into an interior cavity of a workpiece, the movable member is extended outwardly and the blowhead is rotated to cause the scraper to remove foreign matter from a groove that is defined in a inner peripheral surface of the workpiece, while compressed air is simultaneously applied to help loosen the foreign matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: Akebono Brake Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukio Iwata
  • Patent number: 4733428
    Abstract: A cleaning tool for an optical surface, particularly well adapted to the cleaning of optical surfaces which access is difficult.The cleaning tool includes an injector (8) which can send a cleaning liquid, and then a drying gas, under pressure onto the optical surface (2), and a jacket (9) for the evacuation of the cleaning and drying fluids. The tool has a neck (13) to fit onto an optical tip associated with an optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Amphenol Corporation
    Inventors: Jean L. Malinge, Roger Collignon, Rene Dousset
  • Patent number: 4727619
    Abstract: The cleaning of old grease and accumulated impurities from wheel bearings as well as the repacking of such bearings with clean grease is accomplished by mounting bearings to be cleaned in a special manner in conjunction with an appropriate brush and in such manner as to be rotatable by rotating the rotor and further in conjunction with fluid flowing through and about such wheel bearings until the old grease and impurities are removed and the subsequent repacking of the wheel bearings with fresh grease by a pressure packing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Inventor: Robin S. Robbins
  • Patent number: 4715838
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering the luminescent material from a mercury vapor electric discharge lamp, or like lamps, in which the ends of the lamp bulb or tube are separated from the intermediate bulb part (22) subsequent to equalizing the pressure in the lamp. The luminescent material (30) is loosened from the inner wall surface of the bulb part (22) with the aid of a stripping device (27) which is arranged to be inserted into the bulb part (22) from one end (26) thereof, and in which the loosened material is collected with the aid of a suction device (25) connected to the other end (23) of the bulb part. The stripping device (27) comprises a stripping head (29) mounted on one end of a rod (28). The rod (28) is arranged to move the stripping head (29) backwards and forwards in the bulb part (22), the stripping head (29) being guided in a manner to form an annular gap between the head and the wall of the bulb part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: MRT System Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Hans Kulander
  • Patent number: 4685480
    Abstract: An improved combined washer and aspirator device comprises improved tips, tip seals, reaction well seals and a frame. The improved device reduces the amount of manual dexterity required of a laboratory technologist to wash beads in reaction wells used in diagnostic immunoassays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventor: Paul L. Eck
  • Patent number: 4659391
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing flash and other excess material from sand cores in which the cores are showered with impact particles of relatively soft material and contained in moving air streams issuing from a plurality of nozzles directed against opposite sides of cores being cleaned. Low pressure air from a blower is used at the nozzles to obtain a high density of particles in the moving air stream and provide for engagement of the particles in a gentle manner with the sand cores so as to minimize surface erosion of the cores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: B & U Corporation
    Inventor: Udo Kuehn
  • Patent number: 4644896
    Abstract: A lower roll apparatus for a single facer includes a nozzle-equipped scraper constituted by a scraper and a nozzle which are integrated with each other. The nozzle-equipped scraper is inerted into a circumferential groove formed on a lower roll and is disposed at the position closest to a suction bore formed in the lower roll. The apparatus is further provided with a steam or compressed air source for supplying the nozzle with steam or compressed air. The nozzle-equipped scraper is arranged such as to be pivotal so that the nozzle is separated from the circumferential groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadashi Hirakawa, Hiroaki Sasashige, Haruo Okawa
  • Patent number: 4639968
    Abstract: A machine for automatically blowing debris, such as sand, out of cavities within engine block and similar type castings which have side openings connected to end openings to form internal cavities. The machine has a ferris-wheel-like frame arranged to rotate around a horizontal axis. The frame is divided into a number of horizontally opening compartments, each arranged to receive and hold a single casting. A dirty casting is loaded, horizontally endwise, while the frame is momentarily stationary, into the compartment which is then located in the lowermost position. Thereafter, the frame is rotated until the next compartment is located in the lowermost position, at which point the rotation is stopped so that the clean casting in the now lowermost compartment is horizontally removed endwise and is replaced with the next dirty casting. The stop, followed by the rotation, sequence is repeated so that each casting, within each compartment, is indexably rotated around the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: Seaton SSK Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. McKibben, Alan P. Gould, Craig J. Groh, Thomas E. Wuepper
  • Patent number: 4635314
    Abstract: An arrangement for introducing an auxiliary gaseous medium into the interior of an exhaust tube that is joined to a downstream end of a substrate tube from which a primary gaseous medium carrying glass soot particles during a chemical vapor deposition phase of an optical preform fabrication process emerges into the exhaust tube comprises a gas injection tube which is partly received in the exhaust tube with radial spacing therefrom except at a contact zone and having a free end disposed at the region of joinder of the exhaust tube with the substrate tube. The auxiliary gaseous medium flows through the gas injection tube into the joinder region for mixing thereat with the emerging flow of the primary gaseous medium. Relative circumferential movement is effected between the contact zone and at least the exhaust tube to release any soot present at the contact zone for entrainment in the mixed flow through the spacing and out of the exhaust tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Peckman, Kamran Karbassiyoon
  • Patent number: 4559664
    Abstract: An apparatus for washing and rinsing a titration plate having a plurality of cavities includes a treatment station for supporting and retaining a titration plate to be washed and rinsed. A washing plate has a lower surface and is positioned above the treatment station. A titration plate to be washed and rinsed is supplied to the treatment station below the washing plate, with the cavities of the titration plate directed upwardly. The lower surface of the washing plate and the upper surface of the titration plate are brought into sealing contact. A plurality of nozzles are at the lower surface of the washing plate and extend into respective cavities of the titration plate. The washing plate has formed therein a plurality of bores surrounding respective nozzles, thereby defining respective annular gaps. At least one discharge channel is formed in the washing plate and is connected to the annular gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Prolic AG
    Inventors: Eike Bohme, Peter Rubenzer
  • Patent number: 4542620
    Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning the rotor of the spinning unit for the open-end spinning of yarn. The apparatus has a cleaning head with cleaning elements arranged in the form of a rotary brush mounted upon a rotatably driven shaft. In the cleaning head, at the rear side of the brush, there is provided at least one projection which deflects or bends the bristle of the brush axially outwardly at intermediate portions thereof so as to reduce their effective diameter so as to enable them to penetrate into the inlet opening of the spinning rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Assignee: ELITEX, koncern textilniho strojirenstvi
    Inventors: Oldrich Kase, Stanislav Loucansky
  • Patent number: 4520528
    Abstract: A vacuum nozzle draws off foam from the headspace of filled containers as they approach container closers. The nozzle has a substantially rectangular head at its lower end, preferably turned at an angle to the path of the containers. From the head depends a pair of parallel scraper-like blades of rubber-like material. Spaced slits extend upward from the bottom edges of the blades. The upper end of the nozzle leads to a source of vacuum which includes means for salvaging the liquid content of the foam for re-use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Assignee: James Dole Corporation
    Inventor: Geza J. Grof
  • Patent number: 4473921
    Abstract: Cleaning device for the internal peripheral surfaces of pipelines or hollow cylindrical vessels, including instrument carriers having at least one working head being fixable in a working position and being movable along defined feed paths through the interior of the pipelines or vessels which are invisible from the outside, and instruments mounted on the at least one working head, the instruments including rotatable brushes being mounted on said working head and being pressable against inner wall surfaces to be cleaned, at least one suction nozzle being mounted on the working head and being movable into alignment with a given brush engagement region of a pipeline or vessel, an injector having a suction side connected to the suction nozzle, a discharge side and a propulsion nozzle, a propellant line feeding the propulsion nozzle of the injector from outside the pipeline or vessel, and a dust collecting bag connected downstream of the discharge side of the injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Assignee: Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Robert Weber, Siegfried Forner
  • Patent number: 4461054
    Abstract: To provide for fully or partly automatic cleaning and to avoid pollution of the air in the surrounding room, a cleaning device for cleaning the inner surface of containers (7, 8) is arranged so that an upwardly open jacket (1, 2) may be moved upwards to enclose a container. A nozzle (21, 22) is fitted in the jacket for ejecting a granulate and a scavenging medium, respectively. At the upper part of the jacket (1, 2) there is mounted a ring-shaped brush (29, 30) to prevent dust from escaping. The containers (7, 8) are so journalled in this suspension that they can be rotated during the cleaning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1984
    Assignee: AO-Engineering A/S
    Inventors: Adam A. Oehlenschlager, Baldvin Einarsson
  • Patent number: 4423622
    Abstract: Method of an apparatus for pressure testing and cleaning pipe in which one or more pipes are secured to a treatment manifold (31). The or each pipe is then filled through one end with low pressure water via an inlet (40) in the manifold (31), the other end of the or each pipe including a self-bleeding valve (52) which closes once the air within the pipes has been evacuated. The pressure is held for a predetermined time and the pressure sensed by a visual gauge (14) and a paper read-out (16) so that any pressure drop indicative of failure is noted. The pressure is then released, the valve (52) removed and the high pressure water at a pressure between 500-8000 psi introduced through jets (35) to wash the pipes which are then dried with compressed air before removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1984
    Assignee: Elan Pressure Clean Limited
    Inventor: John M. Bartlett
  • Patent number: 4422210
    Abstract: With the object of reducing handling time in connection with the internal cleaning of recently drawn metal tubes and with the further object to reduce consumption of cleaning agents and obtaining a well cleaned internal surface a number of tubes (14) is gathered immediately after the drawing installation and they are connected to connecting means (16, 17) for cleaning fluids. The installation comprises a container (22) for chlorinated hydrocarbon and a container (31) for alkali solution with complex formers as additives, a steam generator (28) and preferably also a container (37) for de-ionized water.A control device (21) is programmed to arrange that the tubes are first flushed with chlorinated hydrocarbon, whereafter the tubes are blown clean with steam. The tubes are flushed with alkali solution after the blowing operation. The tubes are finally submitted to flushing with deionized water and drying with compressed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1983
    Assignee: Goteborgs Maskinkonsult Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Arne Bergsand, Henryk Marsland
  • Patent number: 4416702
    Abstract: Improved apparatus for cleaning generally cylindrical articles of irregular configuration and, particularly, for cleaning straps of the type used to hold magnetic tape and supplied by manufacturers for use with magnetic tapes. The apparatus comprises a porous cleaning element comprised of multiple felt-cleaning faces resiliently mounted for contact with the inside of the cylinder, or ring, of the strap. The porous elements form means to remove dirt from the article being cleaned without any accumulation of excess dirt on the cleaning head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1983
    Assignee: Graham Magnetics, Incorporated
    Inventor: James E. Jackman
  • Patent number: 4416577
    Abstract: A robot hand provided for an industrial robot used in association with a machine tool for carrying out a manipulating operation of attaching a workpiece to and detaching a workpiece from a workpiece chucking means of the machine tool, said robot hand being characterized by including means for removing chips and other foreign materials attached to the workpiece holding means during the manipulating operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1983
    Assignee: Fujitsu Fanuc Limited
    Inventors: Hajimu Inaba, Ryo Nihei
  • Patent number: 4403369
    Abstract: The walls of a video disc caddy are vibrated at or near their resonant frequency to dislodge foreign matter adhering to the inside surfaces of the walls. The separated foreign matter is collected by the pressurized air circulating inside the caddy enclosure, and removed therefrom by means of a vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1983
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Peter T. Lin
  • Patent number: 4381577
    Abstract: A mechanism for removing particulate material from the passages through an article or the cavities in an article such as a turbine blade or vane or other mechanical part that involves vibrating the part while simultaneously blowing air through the part with the part so supported as to cause no bending stresses within the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1983
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: David W. Boye, Neil M. Crockett
  • Patent number: 4380842
    Abstract: Tool support apparatus having a frame mounted on wheels and motors for driving the wheels to move the frame. A ram tube carrying different tools at its lower end supported in a cylinder mounted on an oscillator bracket which cooperates with an oscillator slide carriage slidably mounted on shafts supported on the frame and a hydraulic cylinder mounted on the frame for moving the oscillator slide carriage along the shafts. An electric motor for moving the lower end of the ram tube in a first arcuate direction and another electric motor for moving the lower end of the ram tube in a second arcuate direction in a plane perpendicular to the plane of movement in the first arcuate direction. A hydraulic cylinder attached to the ram tube for moving it vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1983
    Assignee: Shenango Incorporated
    Inventor: John W. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4377880
    Abstract: A new automatable cleaning apparatus which makes use of a method of very thoroughly and quickly cleaning a gauze electrode used in chemical analyses is given. The method generates very little waste solution, and this is very important in analyzing radioactive materials, especially in aqueous solutions. The cleaning apparatus can be used in a larger, fully automated controlled potential coulometric apparatus. About 99.98% of a 5 mg. plutonium sample was removed in less than 3 minutes, using only about 60 ml. of rinse solution and two main rinse steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1983
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Darryl D. Jackson, Robert M. Hollen