Apparatus for removal of surface films from non-absorbent articles

Claim 1

Apparatus for separating a less dense liquid from a relatively more dense liquid comprising: (a) walls and a bottom defining a tank for holding a liquid mixture of less dense liquid and relatively more dense liquid, (b) walls defining an overflow channel positioned to receive said liquid mixture by overflow from said tank, (c) walls and a bottom defining a separator chamber for receiving liquid from said overflow channel for allowing said mixture of less dense liquid and relatively more dense liquid to separate into a lower dense liquid phase and an upper less dense liquid phase respectively, which chamber contains an exit means in the upper portion thereof where said less dense liquid collects for continuously removing from the apparatus the upper phase of less dense liquid from said chamber, (d) an opening means in said overflow channel defining an exit channel for liquid from said overflow channel to said separator chamber which exit channel enters said separator chamber at an intermediate height below the exit means for the upper phase of less dense liquid in said separator chamber, and (e) an opening means in the lower portion of said separator chamber where relatively more dense liquid collects defining an underflow channel for continuously transferring the lower phase of relatively more dense liquid to walls and a bottom defining a holding chamber, which underflow channel is located below the exit channel for liquid from the overflow channel and which underflow channel has a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of said exit channel to prevent pressure build-up.