Cleaning and liquid contact with solids – Apparatus – Automatic controls
Patent
1994-06-06
1996-01-09
Coe, Philip R.
Cleaning and liquid contact with solids
Apparatus
Automatic controls
134 93, 134 981, 134 991, 134112, 134138, 134143, 134146, 134153, 134177, 134199, 134200, B08B 302
Patent
active
054820642
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus and, in particular, but not exclusively, to a cleaning apparatus for cleaning articles covered with an oil-based product.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There has always been the need in industries such as for example, the automotive, oil and mining industries to clean mechanical parts covered with grease and grime. For example, when servicing or repairing an internal combustion engine, components such as nuts, bolts, washers, seals, bearings, engine blocks, crank shafts etc., must be thoroughly cleaned prior to reassembly in order to remove all oil, grease and foreign bodies. Foreign bodies such as grit or metal shavings can block cooling or lubrication ducts as well as increase engine wear. Various parts for example, brake shoes or pads and rubber seals must be free of grease or oil to ensure correct operation or prevent premature deterioration.
A "solvent sink" is presently used to clean mechanical parts comprising a large sink and pump for pumping a petroleum based solvent from a separate drum to a dispensing hand piece. The article to be cleaned is held in or above the sink and solvent is pumped from the drum through the hand piece in order to clean the part. While the solvent sink is relatively effective in cleaning, it has a number of inherent deficiencies. It is particularly inefficient as it requires an operator to stand at the sink and manually clean even the smallest of parts. In addition, it is unable to effectively and efficiently clean parts which are too large to fit within the sink. For this reason, it is common to purchase a separate steam cleaning apparatus to clean the "larger" parts. Furthermore, the use of petroleum based solvents creates a fire hazard, is a health hazard to the operator by virtue of vapours given off by the solvent, and is environmentally damaging by virtue of either damaging the earth's ozone layer or contaminating water supplies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning apparatus that attempts to alleviate at least one of the above described deficiencies.
According to the present invention there is provided a cleaning apparatus for cleaning articles, said apparatus comprising: covering said trough and an opened position to allow access to said trough; second portable cleaning fluid dispensing means; receptacle communicating with said dispensing means and said trough so that cleaning fluid can be recirculated through said apparatus; and, cleaning fluid dispensing means, wherein said lid operatively cooperates with said pumping means in a manner such that when the lid is in the closed position, the pumping means can pump the cleaning fluid to said first cleaning fluid dispensing means, and when the lid is in the opened position, the pumping means can pump the cleaning fluid to the second portable cleaning fluid dispensing means. cleaning fluid to said first or second dispensing means wherein said valve is operated by moving said lid between the closed and opened positions.
Preferably said lid is connected to said valve by a lever for operating said valve.
Alternatively, said apparatus may further comprise electrical control means for operating said valve, said electrical control means including an associated switch, wherein said associated switch activates said electric control means to cause said valve to direct cleaning fluid to the first dispensing means when the lid is in the closed position, and to cause the valve to direct cleaning fluid to the second dispensing means when the lid is in the opened position.
Alternately said pumping means comprises a first pump in communication with said receptacle for pumping said cleaning fluid to said first cleaning fluid dispensing means and a second pump in communication with said receptacle for pumping said cleaning fluid through said second portable cleaning fluid dispensing means, whereby, said lid when in said closed position enables said first pump to pump cleaning fluid through said first clea
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Coe Philip R.
Robowash Pty Ltd.
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