AU2008202762A1

AU2008202762A1 - Tank with Lift Assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2008202762A1
Application number: AU2008202762A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Denton Roberts
Original assignee: SIROVALE Pty Ltd
Current assignee: SIROVALE Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2007-06-22
Filing date: 2008-06-23
Publication date: 2009-01-15

Description

P100/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for service is: Sirovale Pty Ltd as trustee for DNA Roberts Family Trust Denton Roberts

WRAYS

Ground Floor, 56 Ord Street West Perth WA 6005 Attorney code: WR Invention Title: Tank with Lift Assembly The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- -2- 00

O

Tank with Lift assembly Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to a tank used for cleaning purposes. In particular this invention relates to a tank with a lift assembly whereby when the tank is in an open condition an operator can easily access a basket therein.

00 Background Art Currently tanks are used as soak tanks for cleaning items such as cookware and food preparation equipment. These tanks typically require an operator to fill a basket with items to be cleaned before manually lowering the basket into the tank. When the cleaning process is complete the operator must then lift the basket from the tank. Due to the weight of the items in the basket the process of filling and emptying the tank can cause strain on the operator and can easily lead to injury.

The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended only to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

It is an object of this invention to provide a tank which allows an operator to more easily fill and empty a tank.

Summary of Invention The present invention provides a tank for cleaning objects for example cookware, the tank comprises a lift assembly and a body adapted to contain a fluid, having an opening which is covered by a lid; the lift assembly comprises a basket into which the objects may be placed, and a lifting means to move the lid between a closed position, wherein the basket is in a lowered position relative to the -3- 00 opening, and an open position, wherein the basket is in close proximity to the Nopening such that it is easily accessed.

In contrast to the prior art, as the lid of the present invention moves to an open position the basket, and therefore the objects in the basket, are raised to a position wherein the objects may be removed from the tank without the operator Ineeding to lift the basket or the objects from the lower parts of the tank.

0 The lifting means may be in the form of at least one linear actuator assembly connected to the lid. Preferably the at least one linear actuator assembly comprises a linear actuator and a telescopic element whereupon action of the actuator cause the telescopic element to extend or retract according to the movement of the actuator.

Preferably the linear actuator assembly is connected to the tank. Preferably there are two linear actuators. Preferably where there is more than one linear actuator assembly the actuators are synchronised such that they travel the same distance at the same time thereby ensuring the lift assembly is raised smoothly and at an even level.

When lifting the lid from a closed position to an open position the lid may tilt upwardly. This will then move the lid further away from the opening of the tank and hence out of the way of the operator who may be filling or emptying the basket. Preferably during the first movement of the lid from the closed position the lid tilts upwardly.

The basket may be connected to the lid. The basket may be connected by steel rods connected to the underside of the lid.

When the lid is in the open position the basket is substantially level with a top edge of the tank body.

00

O

The present invention provides a tank for cleaning objects including cookware, the tank comprises a lift assembly and a body adapted to contain a fluid, the body having an opening which is covered by a lid; the lift assembly comprises a N basket, into which the objects may be placed, and a lifting means to move the lid between a closed position and an open position, whereby in the open position the basket is easily accessed through the opening.

The present invention provides a tank for cleaning objects, the tank comprises a 0lift assembly and a body adapted to contain a fluid; the lift assembly comprises a basket into which the objects may be placed, and a lifting means to move the tank between a closed condition, wherein the basket is in a lowered position within the tank, and an open condition, wherein the basket is in close proximity to an opening such that it is easily accessed.

The present invention provides a tank for cleaning objects including cookware, the tank comprises a lift assembly and a body having an opening, the body being adapted to contain a fluid, the lift assembly comprises a basket, into which the objects may be placed, and a lifting means to move the basket between a lowered position relative to the opening, and an upper position wherein the basket is in close proximity to the opening such that it is easily accessed.

The tank may also comprise a lid to cover the opening.

The lifting means may move the lid whilst lifting the basket such that when the basket is in close proximity to the opening the lid does not inhibit the operator.

The lifting means may cause the lid to close as the basket is lowered to the lowermost position.

The present invention provides a tank for cleaning objects including cookware, the tank comprises a lift assembly and a body adapted to contain a fluid, having an opening which is covered by a lid, the lift assembly comprises a basket, into which the objects may be placed, and a lifting means to move the basket from a 00oo lowered position relative to the opening, and an upper position wherein the basket is in close proximity to the opening such that it is easily accessed.

;Z

SThe present invention further provides a lift assembly for closing an opening, the lift assembly comprising a lid, a basket, into which objects may be placed, and a lifting means to move the lid between a closed position, wherein the basket is in a lowered position relative to the opening, and an open position, wherein the basket is positioned relative to the opening such that the objects therein can be o00 easily accessed.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of a specific embodiment thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a photo showing a front perspective view of a tank in an open condition according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a side perspective view of figure 1; and Figure 3 is a view similar to figure 2 but with the tank in a closed condition.

Best Mode(s) for Carrying out the Invention Referring to figures 1, 2 and 3, the invention according to an embodiment is used in relation to a cleaning tank 11. The tank 11 comprises a body 13 adapted to contain a cleaning fluid. The body 13 has an opening 15 through which cookware and other objects which require cleaning may be placed into the tank 11.

A lid 17 is used to cover the tank 11 during the cleaning process and when the tank 11 is not in use.

-6- 00oo As the tank 11 is deep, objects are placed in a basket 19 which is then lowered into the tank.

t' The invention according to the present embodiment takes the form of a lifting apparatus 21. The lifting apparatus 21 comprises the basket 19 and lifting means 23.

According to the current embodiment the lifting means 23 comprises two actuator 00 assemblies 25 disposed in side by side relationship on a sidewall 14 of the body 13. The two actuator assemblies 25 are synchronised such that when activated they rise and fall at the same rate for reasons which will become apparent below.

Each actuator assembly 25 comprises an actuator 27 (not shown), and a telescopic element in the form of a telescopic arm 29, a portion of which is secured to the sidewall 14. An end 31 of the telescopic arm 29 remote from the portion secured to the sidewall 14 has a support arm 33 extending therefrom.

The support arm 35 has a distal end 35 pivotally connected to the lid 17.

The basket 19 is connected to the underside of the lid 17 such that it is spaced a distance therefrom to ensure the objects in the basket 19 are immersed in the cleaning fluid when the lid 17 is closed. The basket 17 is connected to the lid at a position between a rear edge 37 of the lid, and the point at which the lid 17 is connected to the support arm 33 for reasons described below.

When cleaning objects, the lid 17 is obviously in a closed position with the basket 19 in a lower position such that the objects are immersed in the cleaning fluid.

Once the cleaning cycle is complete the actuator assemblies 25 are activated such that each telescopic arm 29 extends at the same time and rate. Owing to the position of the attachment of the basket 19 on the underside of the lid 17, the lid 17 tilts upwardly until link 39 supports a portion of the weight of the basket 19, as best shown in figure 2. This will provide better access to the basket 19 to the operator, as the lid 17 will not inhibit their access to the objects in the basket 19.

-7o00 SThe lid 17 continues in its upward movement until the basket 19 is in proximity to Sthe opening 15 of the body 13, as shown in figure 1 and 2. In this position the objects in the basket 19 can be easily removed without the operator requiring to C lift the basket 19 or to reach into the body 13 to remove the objects and/or basket 19.

Obviously when filling the tank with objects the reverse process takes place.

0 The present invention negates the need for the operator to bend down to fill or Sempty the tank of what can often be heavy objects, and hence does not expose the operator to any unnecessary strain.

Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims

2. The tank according to claim 1 wherein the lifting means is in the form of at least one linear actuator assembly connected to the lid.
3. The tank according to claim 2 wherein the at least one linear actuator assembly comprises a linear actuator and a telescopic element whereupon action of the actuator causes the telescopic element to extend or retract according to the movement of the actuator.
4. The tank according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the linear actuator assembly is connected to the tank. The tank according to claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein there are two linear actuators.
6. The tank according to claim 5 wherein the actuators are synchronised such that they travel the same distance at the same time.
7. The tank according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the lid tilts upwardly during the first movement of the lid from the closed position.
8. The tank according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the basket is connected to the lid.
9. The tank according to claim 8 wherein the basket is connected by steel rods connected to the underside of the lid. -9- 00 O S10.The tank according to any one of the preceding claims wherein when the lid is in the open position the basket is substantially level with a top edge of the ;tank body.
11.A tank for cleaning objects including cookware, the tank comprises a lift assembly and a body adapted to contain a fluid, the body having an opening ID which is covered by a lid, the lift assembly comprises a basket, into which the Sobjects are placed, and a lifting means to move the lid between a closed o00 position and an open position, whereby in the open position the basket is Seasily accessed through the opening.
12.A tank for cleaning objects, the tank comprises a lift assembly and a body adapted to contain a fluid, the lift assembly comprises a basket into which the objects are placed, and a lifting means to move the tank between a closed condition, wherein the basket is in a lowered position within the tank, and an open condition, wherein the basket is in close proximity to an opening such that it is easily accessed.
13.A tank for cleaning objects including cookware, the tank comprises a lift assembly and a body having an opening, the body being adapted to contain a fluid, the lift assembly comprises a basket, into which the objects are placed, and a lifting means to move the basket between a lowered position relative to the opening, and an upper position wherein the basket is in close proximity to the opening such that it is easily accessed.
14.The tank according to claim 13 wherein the tank comprises a lid to cover the opening. tank according to claim 14 wherein the lifting means moves the lid whilst lifting the basket such that when the basket is in close proximity to the opening the lid does not inhibit the operator.
16. The tank according to claim 14 or 15 wherein the lifting means causes the lid to close as the basket is lowered to the lowermost position. 00
17.A tank for cleaning objects including cookware, the tank comprises a lift assembly and a body adapted to contain a fluid, having an opening which is ;Zcovered by a lid, the lift assembly comprises a basket, into which the objects Sare placed, and a lifting means to move the basket from a lowered position relative to the opening, and an upper position wherein the basket is in close c proximity to the opening such that it is easily accessed. IND
18.A lift assembly for closing an opening, the lift assembly comprising a lid, a 00oo basket, into which objects are placed, and a lifting means to move the lid 0between a closed position, wherein the basket is in a lowered position relative to the opening, and an open position, wherein the basket is positioned relative to the opening such that the objects therein can be easily accessed.
19.A tank as substantially herein described with reference to the drawings. lift assembly as substantially herein described with reference to the drawings.