US3570505A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for cleaning articles of manufacture
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-06-06
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Granted: 1971-03-16
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Expires: 1989-06-06
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure is directed to an apparatus for cleaning articles of manufacture, e.g., cans which are carried or resting freely in quantity on a conveyor belt moving at a high rate of production through a zone of high-pressure sprays up to 60 p.s.i. To maintain the articles in position on the conveyor a traveling holddown means is moved in synchronization with the conveyor to contain the discrete articles between the moving conveyor and traveling holddown means. The arrangement is such that the holddown elements or means are rendered individually selfadjusting to the size of the particular articles being transported on the conveyor and/or rendered adjustable as a unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Max Randall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 12:11
CPC Classifications
B; B08; B08B; B08B9/00; B08B9/08; B08B9/20; B08B9/28; B08B9/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus for working, cleaning or degreasing articles of manufacture comprising: an enclosed housing; a traveling conveyor disposed in said housing for transporting therethrough a plurality of discrete articles at a relatively high rate of production; high-pressure spray means disposed within said housing for directing a spray of cleansing fluid on the article being transported through said housing; a holddown means disposed within said housing for maintaining said article in position on said traveling conveyor; said holddown means including an endless carrier means; a plurality of holding grid means connected to said carrier means; and connecting means for securing said holding grids for limited free vertical movement with respect to said carrier means so that said holding grids are rendered self-adjusting to a particular size article being carried on said conveyor.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus for working, cleaning or degreasing articles of manufacture comprising: an enclosed housing; a traveling conveyor disposed in said housing for transporting therethrough a plurality of discrete articles at a relatively high rate of production; high-pressure spray means disposed within said housing for directing a spray of cleansing fluid on the article being transported through said housing; a holddown means disposed within said housing for maintaining said article in position on said traveling conveyor; said holddown means including an endless carrier means; a plurality of holding grid means connected to said carrier means; and connecting means for securing said holding grids for limited free vertical movement with respect to said carrier means so that said holding grids are rendered self-adjusting to a particular size article being carried on said conveyor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 and including means for effecting vertical adjustment between said holddown means and said conveyor to accommodate varying classes of article sizes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said holddown means includes: a frame, and said carrier means includes a pair of spaced transversely extending shafts rotatably journaled on said frame; a pair of spaced sprockets mounted on each of said shafts; an endless chain threaded over corresponding sprockets, each of said chains having corresponding upper and lower flight portions; and said holding grid means being connected transversely between corresponding flight portions of said chains.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention defined in claim 3 and including means for driving said conveyor and said chain at substantially the same rate of speed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said holding grid means includes: a transversely extending grid; end brackets connected to the opposed ends of said grid; said end bracket having a bifurcated end portion; a stop eXtending transversely of said bifurcated end portion; said connecting means including a guide bar carried on said chain and extending laterally thereof; and said guide bar having an extended portion adapted to be received within the bifurcated end portions of said holding grid means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
The invention as defined in claim 5 and wherein said chain comprises: a plurality of connected links; a roller bearing spaced between the adjacent end of the connected link; a link pin securing said bearing between the adjacent end of the connected link; said link pin extending laterally beyond said chain; and said guide bar having an opening formed in the end thereof for receiving the extended portion of said link pin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention as defined in claim 3 and including opposed guide rails connected to said frame adjacent the upper and lower flight portions of said chain for supporting a longitudinal extent thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 5 and including means for pivotally connecting said guide bar on said carrier.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
180 words
An apparatus for cleaning articles of manufacture comprising: an enclosed housing; a traveling endless conveyor disposed within said housing for rapidly transporting therethrough a plurality of articles to be cleaned; spray means disposed within said housing for spraying the articles transported therethrough; means disposed within said housing for maintaining the article in upright position on said conveyor; said latter means including a frame supported within said housing above the conveyor; a pair of spaced transversely extending shafts journaled on said frame adjacent the opposed ends of said frame; corresponding sprocket means mounted on each of said shafts; an endless chain threaded over corresponding sprockets, said chains having spaced corresponding upper and lower flight portions; holding means extended transversely between said chains at spaced intervals said holding means including a grid; end brackets connected to the opposed ends of said grid; means for connecting said end brackets to said chains whereby said grids are rendered self-adjusting to hold the article in position on said belt; and means for driving said conveyor and carrier chain at substantially the same rate of speed.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
180 words
An apparatus for cleaning articles of manufacture comprising: an enclosed housing; a traveling endless conveyor disposed within said housing for rapidly transporting therethrough a plurality of articles to be cleaned; spray means disposed within said housing for spraying the articles transported therethrough; means disposed within said housing for maintaining the article in upright position on said conveyor; said latter means including a frame supported within said housing above the conveyor; a pair of spaced transversely extending shafts journaled on said frame adjacent the opposed ends of said frame; corresponding sprocket means mounted on each of said shafts; an endless chain threaded over corresponding sprockets, said chains having spaced corresponding upper and lower flight portions; holding means extended transversely between said chains at spaced intervals said holding means including a grid; end brackets connected to the opposed ends of said grid; means for connecting said end brackets to said chains whereby said grids are rendered self-adjusting to hold the article in position on said belt; and means for driving said conveyor and carrier chain at substantially the same rate of speed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention as defined in claim 9 and including means for adjusting the distance between said frame and said conveyor for slightly spacing said holding means from the top of said article.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
83 words
An apparatus for cleaning a plurality of articles comprising: a housing; a traveling conveyor disposed within said housing for transporting therethrough a plurality of articles in freestanding position thereon; means disposed above the conveyor for holding said articles in their respective freestanding position on said traveling conveyor; means for driving said traveling conveyor and said holding means at substantially the same rate of speed; and means for rendering said holding means self-adjusting to variable sized articles adapted to be transported on said conveyor.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
83 words
An apparatus for cleaning a plurality of articles comprising: a housing; a traveling conveyor disposed within said housing for transporting therethrough a plurality of articles in freestanding position thereon; means disposed above the conveyor for holding said articles in their respective freestanding position on said traveling conveyor; means for driving said traveling conveyor and said holding means at substantially the same rate of speed; and means for rendering said holding means self-adjusting to variable sized articles adapted to be transported on said conveyor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
The invention as defined in claim 11 wherein said holding means comprises: a pair of opposed endless carrier means having corresponding flight portions; a plurality of holding grid means interconnected between said corresponding flight portions; and means for pivotally connecting said holding grid means to said flight portions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention as defined in claim 12 where said holding grid means comprises: a pair of end brackets; each of said end brackets having a longitudinal slot formed therein for accommodating said pivot means; a grid interconnected between said end brackets; and means for limiting the adjustment of said end brackets relative to said pivot means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 13 wherein said limiting means is rendered vertically adjustable relative to said slot.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defIned in claim 12 and including means for effecting vertical adjustment of said carrier means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
58 words
The invention as defined in claim 12 wherein said carriers comprise: a pair of endless chains laterally spaced, said chains including a plurality of connected links; and link pins for pivotally connecting the end portions of adjacent links, said link pins having an extended portion whereby said extended pin portion defines the pivotal connection for said end brackets.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 and including: an air blowoff means disposed down streamwise from said holddown means; said air blowoff means having a nozzle extending transversely of said conveyor; means for generating an airflow; and means disposed in said nozzle to result a laminar airflow emanating therefrom.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention as defined in claim 17 said nozzle including: a plurality of parallel slot openings; said laminar flow means being disposed in said slot opening; and said latter means including a zigzag baffling plate extending longitudinally of the respective slot openings.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention as defined in claim 17 said nozzle including laterally flanges along the opposed ends thereof, said flanges being located at substantially the level of said holddown means to stabilize the movement of said articles in transcending from the holddown to the air blowoff means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
88 words
An air blowoff means comprising: a hood; a fan disposed within said hood; a conduit connecting in communication with the outlet of said fan; means defining a nozzle connected to the outlet of said conduit; said nozzle means having a plurality of spaced parallel slotted orifices; flow straighteners disposed in each of said slotted orifices; said straighteners comprising a corrugated baffle having the opposed crest portion thereof disposed contiguous the opposed wall portions of said slots; and outwardly extending flanges connected to the opposed edges of said nozzles.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
88 words
An air blowoff means comprising: a hood; a fan disposed within said hood; a conduit connecting in communication with the outlet of said fan; means defining a nozzle connected to the outlet of said conduit; said nozzle means having a plurality of spaced parallel slotted orifices; flow straighteners disposed in each of said slotted orifices; said straighteners comprising a corrugated baffle having the opposed crest portion thereof disposed contiguous the opposed wall portions of said slots; and outwardly extending flanges connected to the opposed edges of said nozzles.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as defined in claim 20 wherein said air blower is adapted to be disposed between a pair of consecutive holddown means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-15 | 1974-09-14 | 1975-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-15 | 1978-09-14 | 1979-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-15 | 1982-09-14 | 1983-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |