US5038809A — High pressure solventless mask washer

Claim 1

Independent Claim 170 words

A high-pressure, solventless mask washer comprising: a vessel including a door through which masks to be washed may be inserted and withdrawn; rack means mounted in said vessel and operable to removably hold masks being washed in the vessel; reservoir means for holding washing liquid; pump means operable to circulate liquid from said reservoir means through said vessel and back to said reservoir means; filter means disposed between said reservoir means and said vessel and operable to filter liquid moving therebetween and remove solid material from said liquid and to accumulate said solid material separate from the liquid; a liquid emitter connected to said pump means to direct washing liquid onto said masks; drive means having an output extending into said vessel, said output having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable thereon but longitudinally stationary; and, movement means located entirely within said vessel and connected between said output and said rack means being operable to both rotate and longitudinally move said rack means with said masks past said liquid emitter.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 170 words

A high-pressure, solventless mask washer comprising: a vessel including a door through which masks to be washed may be inserted and withdrawn; rack means mounted in said vessel and operable to removably hold masks being washed in the vessel; reservoir means for holding washing liquid; pump means operable to circulate liquid from said reservoir means through said vessel and back to said reservoir means; filter means disposed between said reservoir means and said vessel and operable to filter liquid moving therebetween and remove solid material from said liquid and to accumulate said solid material separate from the liquid; a liquid emitter connected to said pump means to direct washing liquid onto said masks; drive means having an output extending into said vessel, said output having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable thereon but longitudinally stationary; and, movement means located entirely within said vessel and connected between said output and said rack means being operable to both rotate and longitudinally move said rack means with said masks past said liquid emitter.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 15 words

The washer of claim 1 wherein: said liquid emitter is stationary relative to said vessel.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 34 words

The washer of claim 2 wherein: said movement means includes first structure operable to direct rotation of said rack means and further includes second structure operable to direct vertical movement of said rack means.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 43 words

The washer of claim 3 and further comprising: an upright shaft with an longitudinal axis connected to said pump means and having a hollow interior to receive washing liquid, said shaft having said liquid emitter thereon in fluid communication with said hollow interior.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 67 words

The washer of claim 4 and further comprising: motor means mounted externally relative to said vessel and connected to said movement means; and wherein: said rack means is slidably mounted on said shaft which is stationary, said movement means operable with said first structure directing rotation of said rack means on said shaft with said second structure directing reciprocation of said rack means along said longitudinal axis.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 77 words

The washer of claim 5 wherein: said motor means has a rotatable output connected to said movement means, said first structure includes a linkage connected between said output and said rack means to rotate said rack means with said output, said second structure includes a spline positioned between said shaft and said rotatable output and associated with said rack means to vertically move said rack means relative to said shaft as said output rotates said rack means.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 86 words

The washer of claim 6 wherein: said linkage includes a telescopically constructed slide with opposite ends pivotally connected respectively to said output and said rack means, said second structure includes a rod mounted to and between said output and said shaft, said spline includes a keyway and a interacting key formed on said rack means and said rod causing said rack means to move vertically along said axis as said rack means rotates about said axis and relative motion occurs between said key and said keyway.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 67 words

The washer of claim 1 wherein: said filter means includes a rotatable slotted drum and a doctor blade mounted adjacent and in contact with said drum, said drum positioned to receive from said vessel washing liquid with solid materials with said liquid flowing through said drum while said solid material is deposited onto said slotted drum and wiped off by said doctor blade as said drum rotates.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 47 words

The washer of claim 8 wherein: solid material waste receiving means positioned to receive and hold solid material from said doctor blade; and, secondary pump means operable to withdraw any liquid within said receiving means within said receiver means and direct same to said drum for re-filtering.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 134 words

A washer comprising: a vessel including a door through which items to be washed may be inserted and withdrawn; rack means mounted in said vessel and operable to removably hold items being washed in the vessel; reservoir means for holding washing liquid; circulating pump means operable to circulate liquid from said reservoir means through said vessel and back to said reservoir means; filter means disposed between said reservoir means and said vessel and operable to filter liquid moving therebetween and remove solid material from said liquid and to accumulate said solid material separate from the liquid; solid material waste receiving means positioned to receive and hold said solid material; and, secondary pump means extending into said receiving means and operable to withdraw any liquid therein and direct same to said filter means for filtering.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 134 words

A washer comprising: a vessel including a door through which items to be washed may be inserted and withdrawn; rack means mounted in said vessel and operable to removably hold items being washed in the vessel; reservoir means for holding washing liquid; circulating pump means operable to circulate liquid from said reservoir means through said vessel and back to said reservoir means; filter means disposed between said reservoir means and said vessel and operable to filter liquid moving therebetween and remove solid material from said liquid and to accumulate said solid material separate from the liquid; solid material waste receiving means positioned to receive and hold said solid material; and, secondary pump means extending into said receiving means and operable to withdraw any liquid therein and direct same to said filter means for filtering.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 27 words

The washer of claim 10 and further comprising: movement means located entirely within said vessel and operable to direct rotation and vertical movement of said rack means.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 62 words

The washer of claim 11 and further comprising: an upright shaft with an longitudinal axis connected to said circulating pump means and having a hollow interior to receive washing liquid and a plurality of holes to allow said liquid to spray outwardly onto said items held by said rack means, said rack means being slidably mounted on said shaft which is stationary.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 78 words

The washer of claim 12 and further comprising: motor means with a rotatable output connected to said movement means, said movement means having a linkage connected between said output and said rack means to rotate said rack means with said output, said movement means including a spline positioned between said shaft and said rotatable output and associated with said rack means to vertically move said rack means relative to said shaft as said output rotates said rack means.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 131 words

A mask washer comprising: a vessel for insertion of masks to be washed; a holder for holding said masks, said holder being rotatably and vertically movably mounted in said vessel; a motor with a rotatable output extending into said vessel and vertically immovable therein, said output connected to said holder; movement control means associated with said output and said holder, said control means being located entirely within said vessel for controlling and causing simultaneous rotation and vertical movement of said holder when said output rotates, said control means being operable for reversing vertical motion of said holder when said rotation of said output is reversed; reservoir means for holding washing liquid; and, first pump means for forcing said washing liquid from said reservoir means into said vessel and against said masks.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 131 words

A mask washer comprising: a vessel for insertion of masks to be washed; a holder for holding said masks, said holder being rotatably and vertically movably mounted in said vessel; a motor with a rotatable output extending into said vessel and vertically immovable therein, said output connected to said holder; movement control means associated with said output and said holder, said control means being located entirely within said vessel for controlling and causing simultaneous rotation and vertical movement of said holder when said output rotates, said control means being operable for reversing vertical motion of said holder when said rotation of said output is reversed; reservoir means for holding washing liquid; and, first pump means for forcing said washing liquid from said reservoir means into said vessel and against said masks.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 42 words

The washer of claim 14 and further comprising: filter means positioned to receive washing liquid from said vessel after said liquid has washed said masks carrying solid material therefrom; and, a waste reservoir to receive said solid materials from said filter means.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 28 words

The washer of claim 15 and further comprising: a secondary pump means operable to force any liquid from said waste reservoir to said filter means for filtering thereof.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 22 words

The washer of claim 15 wherein: said vessel has a sloping bottom floor directing liquid from said masks to said reservoir means.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1994-08-12	1995-02-11	1995-08-13	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1998-08-12	1999-02-11	1999-08-13	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2002-08-12	2003-02-11	2003-08-13	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

High pressure solventless mask washer

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