Abrading – Machine – Tumbling device
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-16
2001-07-03
Hail, III, Joseph J. (Department: 3723)
Abrading
Machine
Tumbling device
C451S104000, C451S032000, C451S030000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254466
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of tumblers or rumbles for abrading and/or polishing small parts or rocks, and more particularly to improved tumbler barrels and sealing closures therefor.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
In the abrading and polishing of rough stones and certain small parts, it is common practice to seal the objects into a cylindrical drum or barrel along with a grinding medium and liquid. The barrel, or tumble, is then laid on its side on rollers. The tumble is then slowly rotated for many hours, or overnight. The devices described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,553,902 and 3,765,131, issued to Christensen, have been in popular use for many years. Although they have been very effective, there have been certain problems associated with their use. The closure is well sealed to prevent even a small leak, because of the long rotation times. Even with the tight seal, they do occasionally leak. Another problem is that it is often difficult to open the closure at the end of the polishing period. The barrel must be made of rubber, or similar material, which is expensive to fabricate. The seal is achieved by a closure having an outer flange that forces the outer end of the barrel inwardly against a rubber coated disc inside the barrel. When a vacuum forms inside the barrel, pulling the closure off is very difficult.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a tumble apparatus that will not leak, that is less expensive to manufacture, and that is easy to open. It is another object that the barrel be manufacturable of a less expensive rigid material, such as an injection moldable plastic.
The tumbler apparatus of the invention comprises a cylindrical barrel with a body portion having a closed end face, an open opposite end having a circular inner sealing edge, and a resealable closure for the open end comprising a first rigid disc having a smaller diameter than the inner sealing edge, and a second rigid disc having a diameter at least as great as the first disc. Translating means are provided for forcing the two discs toward one another. Interposed between the two discs is a resilient band having a smaller diameter than the inner edge and arranged to be squeezed between the two discs as they are forced together in such fashion that the band bulges outwardly.
When the first disc is positioned within the inner sealing edge at the time that the two discs are forced together, the resilient band will be pressed against the circular inner sealing edge as it bulges outwardly, thereby tightly sealing the contents within the barrel. When the two discs are no longer forced together, the resilient band returns to its original shape, releasing any vacuum, and the closure is freely removable from the barrel. The reason the Christensen closure leaks may be because pressure builds up in the barrel. Because the leak is at the perimeter of the closure, fluid will drain out. The closure of the instant invention is provided with a pressure relief valve located at the axis of rotation, where there will be minimal leakage, even if the relief valve is forced open by internal pressure.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent when the detailed description is studied in conjunction with the drawings in which like elements are designated by like reference characters in the various drawing figures.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2912803 (1959-11-01), Simjian
patent: 3326404 (1967-06-01), Gardner
patent: 3553902 (1971-01-01), Christensen
patent: 3579921 (1971-05-01), Bobo
patent: 3765131 (1973-10-01), Christensen
patent: 4021971 (1977-05-01), McFadden
patent: 4045918 (1977-09-01), Freedman
patent: 4232486 (1980-11-01), Rampe
patent: 4380302 (1983-04-01), Broad
patent: 5486135 (1996-01-01), Arpaio
patent: 6170690 (2001-01-01), Hosoi
Blum Alvin S.
Mucciacciaro Domenic
Blum Alvin S.
Hail III Joseph J.
Mucciacciaro Domenic
Nguyen G.
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