Patent US3699983A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3699983A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wet processing installation
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-06-15
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Granted: 1972-10-24
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Expires: 1991-06-15
Abstract
Abstract An installation for wet processing, such as electroplating, in which a plurality of wet processing tanks are arranged in a line and a single rinsing zone is arranged at one location in the line. A trolley is movable over the tanks and rinsing zone and includes lifting mechanism carried by the trolley to lift and lower a workpiece out of and into a tank beneath the trolley to and from a location above the level of the tops of the tanks. A drip tray is carried by the trolley for movement therewith and is movable between a first position permitting the lifting and lowering of a workpiece, and a second position beneath the lifted workpiece to catch any drips therefrom as the trolley moves over the various tanks.
Inventors
- 👤 Cyril William James Morley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:35
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G49/00; B65G49/02; B65G49/04; B65G49/0409; B65G49/0436; B65G49/044; B65G49/045; B65G49/0454; B65G49/0459
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A wet processing installation comprising, in combination: a. A plurality of wet processing tanks arranged in a line; b. a single rinsing zone arranged at one location in said line; c. a trolley movable over the tanks and the rinsing zone; d. lifting means carried by said trolley effective to lift and lower a workpiece out of and into the tank beneath the tRolley, to and from a location above the level of the tops of the tanks; e. a drip tray carried by the trolley for movement therewith; and f. means for moving said drip tray from a first position permitting the lifting and lowering of a workpiece to a second position beneath a lifted workpiece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A wet processing installation comprising, in combination: a. A plurality of wet processing tanks arranged in a line; b. a single rinsing zone arranged at one location in said line; c. a trolley movable over the tanks and the rinsing zone; d. lifting means carried by said trolley effective to lift and lower a workpiece out of and into the tank beneath the tRolley, to and from a location above the level of the tops of the tanks; e. a drip tray carried by the trolley for movement therewith; and f. means for moving said drip tray from a first position permitting the lifting and lowering of a workpiece to a second position beneath a lifted workpiece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
An installation as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drip tray is movable linearly in a direction parallel to the movement of said trolley over said tanks.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
An installation as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drip tray is open topped and comprises a bottom wall and peripheral walls, a drainpipe and means connecting said drainpipe to said tray at a location above said bottom wall and below the top of the peripheral wall, effective to drain excess liquid from the tray when the level thereof rises above said connecting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
83 words
An installation as claimed in claim 3, and further comprising ends to said drainpipe, a portion of said drainpipe at the end remote from the connection to said tray, said portion being pivotal from an upwardly directed position, with its free end above the connection to a downwardly directed position permitting liquid in the pipe to drain to waste, and means to pivot the end portion to the downwardly directed position, when said trolley reaches a particular location with respect to said tanks.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
An installation as claimed in claim 4, and further comprising an annular weir extending upwardly from the bottom wall, said annular weir forming said connecting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
An installation as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rinsing zone comprises a plurality of rinsing tanks.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
An installation as claimed in claim 6, and further comprising a transfer device movable along the line of rinsing tanks effective to move workpieces from one rinsing tank to another.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
An installation as claimed in claim 7, wherein said transfer device comprises a track beneath the rinsing tanks and a second trolley movable along said track, said second trolley being programmed so as not to interfere with the travel of said trolley movable over the wet processing tanks.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
An installation as claimed in claim 1, wherein said trolley is provided with an enclosed housing, into which the workpieces may be lifted, and further comprising spray devices within said housing effective o rinse the articles in the housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
An installation as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rinsing zone includes spray jets for rinsing the workpieces.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-24 | 1976-04-24 | 1976-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-24 | 1980-04-24 | 1980-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-24 | 1984-04-24 | 1984-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |