US3737941A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for cleaning film
Assignee: GRACEY J
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Filing: 1969-07-03
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Granted: 1973-06-12
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Expires: 1989-07-03
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasonic film cleaner has an enclosed shell within which is provided an internal solvent recovery system for recapturing solvent stripped from the ultrasonically cleaned film. The recovered solvent is recirculated to fluid nozzles which add solvent to a cleaning tank to skim dirty solvent over a spillway into an offset boiling tank, where contaminates precipitated to avoid build up of contamination in the solvent bath. An air filtration and recirculation system is provided to maintain a dust free environment within the shell. The film transport mechanism preferably has rolls with snap-on mountings for ease in adapting the cleaner for various width films.
Inventors
- 👤 H Sullivan
- 👤 A Miller
- 👤 R Perkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:17
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D15/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said means for forcing a flow of heated filtered air through said drying chamber and means for forcing a flow of filtered air over said feed reel and take-up reel comprise: an air blower mounted within said shell to circulate air therethrough; a filter; conduit means for directing air from the pressure side of said blower to said filter; a heating chamber opening into said drying chamber; means for directing a portion of said filtered air to said heating chamber; means for directing the remainder of said filtered air over said take-up and feed reels; a return duct interconnecting the outlet of said solvent recovering chamber with the suction side of said blower to recirculate said drying air; and a return duct adapted to direct the air flowing over said reels to the suction side of said blower for recirculation, whereby a substantially dust-free environment is maintained within said shell by an internally contained air recirculation system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 1 in which said means for removing contaminants from said solvent bath comprises: an offset boiling tank; and one wall of said cleaning chamber having an aperture therein which is in fluid communication with said boiling tank, the lower edge of said aperture defining a spillway for said solvent bath to allow contaminated solvent to continuously spill over into said boiling tank as clean solvent is added to said solvent bath, whereby contaminants may be continuously precipitated from said solvent as the solvent is vaporized in said boiling tank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus of claim 3 in which said uLtrasonic cleaning unit further includes: a chilling chamber positioned above said cleaning chamber; refrigerating means secured within said chilling chamber to condense vapor emitted by said boiling tank; a solvent collecting trough positioned within said chilling chamber below said refrigerating means to collect condensed solvent; a reservoir secured to the exterior of said cleaning tank; and a conduit interconnecting said collecting trough and said reservoir.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
The apparatus of claim 4 in which said solvent recovery chamber is secured to the exterior of at least one wall of said chilling chamber, said separated solvent recirculating means comprising: a conduit interconnecting said solvent recovery chamber and said reservoir; a conduit interconnecting said reservoir and said boiling tank; a pump; a conduit interconnecting said reservoir and the suction side of said pump; and a conduit interconnecting the pressure side of said pump with said nozzle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said drying chamber is positioned above said cleaning chamber which further includes mechanical stripping means mounted in said drying chamber for mechanically stripping liquid solvent from said film, said mechanically stripped solvent falling back into said ultrasonic cleaning unit for recirculation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
120 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said strip transport mechanism includes a plurality of rolls, each said roll having a detachable roll mounting assembly comprising: a ball resiliently secured to the central bore of said roll assembly, said ball extending into said bore in its rest position; a shaft having a cross-section complementary to said bore, said shaft having a longitudinal ball guiding groove formed therein extending from its terminal end inward to a recessed nest having a configuration complementary to said ball, whereby said roll may be mounted on said shaft by relative movement between said shaft and roll wherein said ball is guided axially along said ball guiding groove until it is resiliently urged into said nest.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
142 words
In an apparatus for cleaning strip material having a cleaning chamber containing an ultrasonically agitated solvent bath, an evaporative drying chamber, and means for sequentially passing the strip therethrough, means for forcing a flow of filtered air heated to a temperature greater than the boiling point of said solvent through said drying chamber, means for continuously removing contaminants from said solvent bath which comprises: an offset boiling tank; one wall of said cleaning chamber having an aperture which is in fluid communication with said boiling tank, the lower edge of said aperture defining a spillway for said solvent bath to allow contaminated solvent rinsed from the film to continuously spill over into said boiling tank as solvent is added to said solvent bath, whereby said contaminants may be continuously precipitated from said solvent as the solvent is vaporized in said boiling tank.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
In an apparatus for cleaning strip material having a cleaning chamber containing an ultrasonically agitated solvent bath, an evaporative drying chamber for stripping solvent from the strip, and means for sequentially passing the strip therethrough, a chilling chamber positioned between the cleaning chamber and drying chamber having refrigerating means for condensing solvent vapor in said chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 9 in which said apparatus further includes a solvent boiling tank, and means providing a passageway for permitting solvent from the cleaning chamber to flow to the boiling tank and permitting vaporized solvent from the boiling tank to flow into the chilling chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 9 in which said refrigerating means is disposed along the interior surface of the chilling chamber and a trough extends along the bottom end of the chilling chamber for collecting condensed solvent.
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) | 1976-06-11 | 1976-12-11 | 1977-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-11 | 1980-12-11 | 1981-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-11 | 1984-12-11 | 1985-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |