Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A sonic treating apparatus for sheet material comprising: (A) a shallow tank of treating liquid having parallel sidewalls, (B) a plurality of sonic vibrators mounted on and outside said parallel sidewalls to produce a horizontally vibrating liquid in said tank, and (C) a plastic sprocket chain conveyor resistant to said treating liquid for moving and supporting continuously the sheet material to be treated in said tank horizontally through and transversely to said horizontally vibrating liquid in said tank between said sonic vibrators, with opposite edges of said sheet being adjacent said parallel sidewalls and said vibrators.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A sonic treating apparatus for sheet material comprising: (A) a shallow tank of treating liquid having parallel sidewalls, (B) a plurality of sonic vibrators mounted on and outside said parallel sidewalls to produce a horizontally vibrating liquid in said tank, and (C) a plastic sprocket chain conveyor resistant to said treating liquid for moving and supporting continuously the sheet material to be treated in said tank horizontally through and transversely to said horizontally vibrating liquid in said tank between said sonic vibrators, with opposite edges of said sheet being adjacent said parallel sidewalls and said vibrators.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said tank is rectangular.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said treating liquid is an acid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said acid is hydrochloric acid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said treating apparatus is a pickling apparatus and said liquid is hydrochloric acid in a concentration between about 6% and 12% by weight at a temperature between about 110° and 170° F.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A pickling apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said hydrochloric acid has a concentration of about 8% by weight and the temperature of said acid in said tank is between about 150° and 165° F.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said tank is lined with a corrosive-resistant material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said tank is rubber-lined.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sidewalls are provided with apertures and wherein said apertures are covered by corrosive-resistant metal plates integrally mounting said sonic vibrators.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said metal plates are Monel metal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of vibrators and their electrical connections are mounted outside said tank.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said conveyor comprises a plurality of plastic sprocket chains for supporting and moving said sheet material through said liquid in said tank.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the inside bottom of said tank has low coefficient of friction means for supporting said chains.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said chains are driven by sprocket wheels of a diameter greater than the depth of the tank so that the return flights of the chains pass under said tank.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said conveyor is driven by a variable-speed motor drive.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said variable-speed motor drive comprises a hydraulic motor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sonic vibrators vibrate at a frequency between about 20 and 27 kilohertz.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said sonic vibrations vibrate at a frequency of about 25 kilohertz.