US4826539A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cleaning apparatus and method
Assignee: HARCO GRAPHIC PRODUCTS Inc 1514 JEFFERSON AVE SE GRAND RAPIDS MI 49507 A CORP OF MI
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Filing: 1987-06-18
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Granted: 1989-05-02
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Expires: 2007-06-18
Abstract
Abstract The specification discloses an apparatus and method for cleaning printing screens or the like work surfaces in which solvent is pumped from a reservoir to the surface to be cleaned at a point closely adjacent a vacuum cleaning tool. The vacuum cleaning tool is connected by a vacuum line to the reservoir and vacuum means are provided to draw a vacuum on the reservoir whereby solvent is delivered to the surface to be cleaned and residue laden solvent is vacuumed off the surface to be cleaned through the vacuum tool and vacuum line. A clean up tray and light panel are provided to facilitate the clean up operation. A control assembly comprising independently or simultaneously actionable foot pedals for control solvent feed and vacuum is provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles W. Harpold
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:21
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41F; B41F35/00; B41F35/003; B08; B08B; B08B3/00; B08B3/006; B08B5/00; B08B5/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
293 words
A compact, self-contained cleaning apparatus for solvent cleaning printing ink from a printing screen comprising: a solvent reservoir for holding organic solvent; a clean up tray for catching solvent and ink from a printing screen; vacuum means operably connected to said reservoir for drawing a vacuum on said reservoir, said vacuum means being operably connected to said reservoir near the top thereof and above the level to which the reservoir is to be filled with solvent; a vacuum hose extending from said reservoir and including a cleaning tool mounted on an end thereof remote from said reservoir said cleaning tool having brush means for loosening ink from the screen and means for defining a vacuum opening in said cleaning tool connected to said vacuum hose such that a vacuum is drawn on said vacuum opening to remove loosened ink from said screen; solvent pump means operably connected at an inlet of said pump to said reservoir for pumping solvent out of said reservoir at an outlet of said pump; a solvent feed line extending from said outlet of said solvent pump to a terminal end located adjacent said brush means on said cleaning tool whereby solvent is pumped by said solvent pump means from said solvent reservoir, through said feed line and onto a work surface to be cleaned adjacent said brush means on said cleaning tool to wet the brush means with solvent, and whereby solvent containing cleaned up printing ink is drawn through said vacuum opening by vacuum back through said vacuum line and back into said solvent reservoir such that the solvent in said reservoir is continuously recycled to the work surface to cooperate with the scrubbing action of said brush means to loosen and remove ink from a screen.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
293 words
A compact, self-contained cleaning apparatus for solvent cleaning printing ink from a printing screen comprising: a solvent reservoir for holding organic solvent; a clean up tray for catching solvent and ink from a printing screen; vacuum means operably connected to said reservoir for drawing a vacuum on said reservoir, said vacuum means being operably connected to said reservoir near the top thereof and above the level to which the reservoir is to be filled with solvent; a vacuum hose extending from said reservoir and including a cleaning tool mounted on an end thereof remote from said reservoir said cleaning tool having brush means for loosening ink from the screen and means for defining a vacuum opening in said cleaning tool connected to said vacuum hose such that a vacuum is drawn on said vacuum opening to remove loosened ink from said screen; solvent pump means operably connected at an inlet of said pump to said reservoir for pumping solvent out of said reservoir at an outlet of said pump; a solvent feed line extending from said outlet of said solvent pump to a terminal end located adjacent said brush means on said cleaning tool whereby solvent is pumped by said solvent pump means from said solvent reservoir, through said feed line and onto a work surface to be cleaned adjacent said brush means on said cleaning tool to wet the brush means with solvent, and whereby solvent containing cleaned up printing ink is drawn through said vacuum opening by vacuum back through said vacuum line and back into said solvent reservoir such that the solvent in said reservoir is continuously recycled to the work surface to cooperate with the scrubbing action of said brush means to loosen and remove ink from a screen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 1 which additionally includes a generally vertical to slightly inclined light panel and light means positioned behind said light panel for illuminating said light panel; clean up tray positioned in front of said light panel whereby one can position the object to be cleaned in front of said light panel to thereby illuminate the object during cleaning.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 2 which includes a drip pan including mounting means facilitating releasably mounting said drip pan adjacent said clean up tray.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 3 in which said clean up tray includes an upwardly and laterally outwardly projecting catch lip near an edge thereof spaced from said light panel, said drip pan including a downwardly and then laterally projecting catch flange which fits under and engages said catch lip on said clean up tray to thereby facilitate said releasable mounting of said drip pan on said clean up tray.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 4 in which said clean up tray includes a generally flat bottom sloping downwardly toward a solvent return pipe connecting said tray to said reservoir.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which said solvent reservoir is located within a housing, said light panel and said clean up tray being positioned on top of said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 6 in which said housing includes a generally vertical wall extending upwardly above the level of said reservoir, said light panel being supported by said upwardly extending generally vertical wall.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
94 words
The apparatus of claim 6 in which said light means is mounted in said generally vertical wall extending upwardly above the level of said tank, in a position so as to shine not only upwardly onto said light panel but also downwardly into said housing; said reservoir being located within said housing below said light means and being made of translucent material whereby light shines through said reservoir; said housing including a viewing port opening in one wall which enables one to see light shining through said reservoir and judge the level of solvent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 7 including a handle positioned at the top of said upwardly extending vertical wall to facilitate maneuvering said apparatus and to facilitate hanging accessories on said apparatus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 9 including casters at the bottom thereof to facilitate movement thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 2 which includes baffle means positioned within said solvent reservoir thereby minimizing the flow of solvent out of said reservoir through said vacuum means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus of claim 11 in which said baffle means comprises a vacuum and solvent inlet pipe extending from one end wall of said reservoir a substantial distance towards the opposite end wall of said reservoir and a vacuum outlet pipe extending from said opposite end wall a substantial distance towards said first end wall whereby the possibility of solvent flowing directly from said inlet pipe into the opening of said vacuum outlet pipe is minimized.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 12 in which said solvent feed line extends through the interior of said vacuum line and terminates at the interior of said cleaning tool.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 13 in which said solvent line terminates in a flexible discharge portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which said solvent feed line extends through the interior of said vacuum line and terminates at the interior of said cleaning tool.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 15 in which said solvent line terminates in a flexible discharge portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 2 including control means comprising a pump pedal for activating said solvent pump when depressed and a vacuum pedal for activating said vacuum means when depressed, said pedals being closely adjacent whereby they can be depressed independently of one another or injunction with one another.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 17 in which said solvent reservoir is located within a housing, said light panel and said clean up tray being positioned on top of said housing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 18 which includes baffle means positioned within said solvent reservoir thereby minimizing the flow of solvent out of said reservoir through said vacuum means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 19 in which said solvent feed line extends through the interior of said vacuum line and terminates at the inteior of said cleaning tool.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including control means comprising a pump pedal for activating said solvent pump when depressed and a vacuum pedal for activating said vacuum means when depressed, said pedals being closely adjacent whereby they can be depressed independently of one another or injunction with one another.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 21 in which said solvent feed line extends through the interior of said vacuum line and terminates at the interior of said cleaning tool.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 22 in which said solvent line terminates in a flexible discharge portion.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said solvent pump is submersible and is positioned within said reservoir.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 24 in which said solvent pump has a fluid inlet assembly and said solvent pump is mounted to a bottom of said reservoir by said inlet assembly.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for cleaning printing ink from a printing screen comprising: providing an organic solvent reservoir; pumping organic solvent from said reservoir to said work surface to be cleaned at a point directly adjacent a cleaning tool having brush means thereon; brushing the surface to be cleaned with said cleaning tool brush means to loosen ink on the surface to be cleaned; and drawing a vacuum on said solvent reservoir and connecting a vacuum opening on said cleaning tool to said solvent reservoir via a vacuum line whereby solvent applied to the surface to be cleaned is immediately picked up along with loosened ink by said cleaning tool and drawn by said vacuum back into said solvent reservoir.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for cleaning printing ink from a printing screen comprising: providing an organic solvent reservoir; pumping organic solvent from said reservoir to said work surface to be cleaned at a point directly adjacent a cleaning tool having brush means thereon; brushing the surface to be cleaned with said cleaning tool brush means to loosen ink on the surface to be cleaned; and drawing a vacuum on said solvent reservoir and connecting a vacuum opening on said cleaning tool to said solvent reservoir via a vacuum line whereby solvent applied to the surface to be cleaned is immediately picked up along with loosened ink by said cleaning tool and drawn by said vacuum back into said solvent reservoir.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 26 which includes the use of a water soluble, biodegradable organic solvent which will dissolve said non-water soluble residue; disposing of said residue laden solvent by adding water thereto, thereby dissolving said water soluble solvent and forcing said non-water soluble residue to precipitate out; and separating said residue from said water and water soluble solvent.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 27 which additionally includes introducing said residue laden solvent into a container lined with plastic, whereby when water is introduced, said non-water soluble residue tends to separate out and collect on said plastic liner; disposing of said residue coated plastic liner after said water and water soluble solvent have been decanted out of said container.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 28 which additionally includes filtering said water and solvent through a filter to facilitate separation of said residue from said water and solvent.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 27 which additionally includes filtering said water and solvent through a filter to facilitate separation of said residue from said water and solvent.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 26 which includes providing means for drawing said vacuum and pumping said organic solvent either independently of one another or simultaneously to thereby facilitate directing more solvent on the work surface to be cleaned initially and drawing more vacuum towards the end of the operation to facilitate final clean up.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 31 which includes filling said organic solvent reservoir by independently drawing a vacuum on said solvent reservoir while locating said cleaning tool within a source of solvent, and refraining from pumping organic solvent from said reservoir while said reservoir is filling.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 31 which includes emptying said reservoir by pumping organic solvent from said reservoir without drawing a vacuum on said solvent reservoir while holding said cleaning tool adjacent a container into which solvent from said reservoir is to be pumped.
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) | 1992-05-01 | 1992-10-31 | 1993-05-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-05-01 | 1996-10-31 | 1997-05-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-05-01 | 2000-10-31 | 2001-05-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |