Cleaning and liquid contact with solids – Processes – Including application of electrical radiant or wave energy...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-29
2001-08-28
Coe, Philip R. (Department: 1746)
Cleaning and liquid contact with solids
Processes
Including application of electrical radiant or wave energy...
C134S002000, C134S013000, C134S030000, C134S034000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279584
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus and in particular to such an apparatus and a method of using same for the bulk cleaning of a chlorinated drawing compound from an elongated metallic object such as tubing or wire, with only a minimal amount of non-aqueous cleaning agent.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Certain elongated steel parts, such as small diameter tubes, are cold worked to precision tolerances by a process known as drawing. The drawing process involves pulling the elongated part through a die or series of drawings dies wherein its diameter is reduced to a desired dimension. In order to facilitate the drawing process, the parts are coated with a lubricant to prevent binding and wear in the drawing die. Because many drawing lubricants do not adhere well to the metal surface of the parts to be drawn, it is sometimes necessary to apply a coating to the surface of the steel part which acts as a carrier for the drawing lubricant. One such coating is chlorinated rubber and another is chlorinated paraffin. Such compounds are applied to the metal parts in solution form using an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent such as toluene. The chlorinated rubber or chlorinated paraffin coatings adhere tenaciously to the surface of the metal parts and must be removed after the drawing process is completed.
Hitherto, a chlorinated solvent such as trichloroethylene (TCE) was used to remove the chlorinated rubber and chlorinated paraffin coatings from the elongated metal parts. Chlorinated solvents such as TCE are highly toxic are very difficult to dispose of in an environmentally safe manner. Consequently, it has become highly desirable to have an environmentally safe and easy to use method for cleaning chlorinated rubber or chlorinated paraffin coatings from elongated metal parts after they have been drawn to a desired size. Moreover, since such parts are usually handled in bundles, any such process should be capable of performing such cleaning on a substantial number of pieces in bundles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of this invention, there is provided a system for removing a coating from an elongated metal part or a bundle of such parts. The system according to this aspect of the invention includes a soaking vessel that contains a solution suitable for degreasing and softening the coating on the metal part. The system also includes an ultrasonic cleaning vessel containing an aqueous cleaning solution for effectively cleaning the coating off of the metal part by ultrasonic agitation. The system further includes at least one rinsing vessel for rinsing the cleaning solution of the cleaned part, and a drying vessel for rapidly and thoroughly drying the part after it has been rinsed.
In accordance with another aspect of this invention, there is provided a method for removing a coating from the surface of an elongated metal part. In the process according to this invention, the elongated metal part, or a bundle of such parts are first soaked in a solution that is maintained at an elevated temperature for a time sufficient to soften the coating. The elongated metal part is then immersed in an aqueous cleaning solution bath at an elevated temperature. The cleaning solution bath is agitated, preferably by ultrasonic vibration, for a time sufficient to loosen and dislodge the coating from the elongated metal part. The elongated metal part is then rinsed to remove any residue and rapidly dried.
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Coe Philip R.
CRS Holdings, Inc.
Dann Dorfman Herrell and Skillman, P.C.
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