US3923071A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic liquid feed interlock with workload
Assignee: Henley Group Inc
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Filing: 1974-01-25
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Granted: 1975-12-02
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Expires: 1994-01-25
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for processing an article wherein processing liquid is added to a process tank by an adding means responsive to a metered filling power circuit which is activated by a sensing device for determining when processing of articles through the process tank has been completed.
Inventors
- 👤 George J Lada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 00:32
CPC Classifications
B; B08; B08B; B08B3/00; B08B3/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
An apparatus for Processing an article comprising: at least one process tank containing processing liquid; a conveyor for transporting the article to the tank, for immersing the article in the processing liquid, for removing the article from the processing liquid and for transporting the article away from the process tank; a sensing device for determining when processing of the article through the process tank has been completed; means for adding liquid to the process tank to replace liquid removed from the tank by the processed article; a conveyor travel power circuit for providing power for operating the conveyor; a metered filling power circuit for providing power to the adding means and for controlling the amount of liquid added to the process tank by the adding means; and a control circuit connected to the sensing device for activating the metered filling power circuit when the sensing device signals that processing of the article through the process tank has been completed thus causing the adding means to replace liquid removed from the process tank by the article; wherein the control circuit comprises a fast acting relay activated by the sensing device, and a metering relay connected with and activated by the fast acting relay which metering relay activates the metered filling power circuit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
211 words
An apparatus for Processing an article comprising: at least one process tank containing processing liquid; a conveyor for transporting the article to the tank, for immersing the article in the processing liquid, for removing the article from the processing liquid and for transporting the article away from the process tank; a sensing device for determining when processing of the article through the process tank has been completed; means for adding liquid to the process tank to replace liquid removed from the tank by the processed article; a conveyor travel power circuit for providing power for operating the conveyor; a metered filling power circuit for providing power to the adding means and for controlling the amount of liquid added to the process tank by the adding means; and a control circuit connected to the sensing device for activating the metered filling power circuit when the sensing device signals that processing of the article through the process tank has been completed thus causing the adding means to replace liquid removed from the process tank by the article; wherein the control circuit comprises a fast acting relay activated by the sensing device, and a metering relay connected with and activated by the fast acting relay which metering relay activates the metered filling power circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensing device determines when processing of the article by the apparatus has been completed and the control circuit further comprises a conveyor travel relay connected with and activated by the fast acting relay, which activated conveyor travel relay deactivates the conveyor travel circuit thus stopping movement of the conveyor until the processed article is removed from the apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the sensing device is a pressure sensitive switch activated by deposit of a carrier containing said processed article upon said switch by said conveyor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said pressure switch is deactivated by removing the carrier containing the article from the apparatus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one warning device for indicating that processing of the article by the apparatus is complete and wherein the warning device is activated by a warning device relay which is activated by said pressure sensitive switch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein both a warning light and an audio warning device are activated by the warning device relay.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the warning device relay is a time delay relay.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the adding means is a pump for transferring liquid from a reservoir to the process tank.
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) | 1978-12-01 | 1979-06-02 | 1979-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-01 | 1983-06-02 | 1983-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-01 | 1987-06-02 | 1987-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |