GB1331108A - Barrel apparatus for electroplating or otherwise treating workpieces - Google Patents

Abstract

1331108 Barrel apparatus for electrolytic treatment UDYLITE CORP 29 Dec 1970 [9 Feb 1970] 61628/70 Heading C7B [Also in Division F4] Articles are treated in bulk (e.g. electro-plated or, in sequence, cleaned, rinsed, plated, coated and/or dried) within a substantially cylindrical perforated barrel supported with its axis horizontal and while given an oscillating rotary motion about its axis. The barrel has a longitudinally extending slot-like opening 2 of a width less than 1/6 the circumference of the barrel's treating zone and, opposite the slot, at least one tumbling rib 6 or wall surface disposed to extend inwardly of the otherwise regular cylindrical shape of the barrel's interior. The barrel's rotary motion is limited so that the articles do not fall out of the slot, the total rotary movement being 180 degrees to 220 degrees. Stop means may be provided for this purpose which may be adjustable to allow complete rotation of the barrel for unloading Fig. 15 (not shown). The barrel may have circumferential ribs or corrugations and may have partitions along its length dividing the barrel into separate compartments. As shown in Fig. 1, the barrel is rotated and periodically reversed by a periodically reversed motor 18 through gear and an overide clutch and gear mechanism 14. Alternative means for oscillating the barrel are described with reference to Figs. 7-11, (not shown). Cathodes 21 are supplied with current through connections 19 and lugs 15 of the barrel supporting frame 9, 11, 15. Anodes may be provided within the barrel and/or within a plating tank so as to at least partially surround the barrel. A barrel for an electrolytic process may be of synthetic or natural hard rubbers, polyvinyl chloride resins, poly methyl methacrylate resins, phenol formaldehyde resins or polypropylene, but for non- electrolytic processes may be of metal. Articles may be subjected to treating sprays or drying gases, e.g. hot air, injected through the open mouth of the barrel Fig. 14, (not shown). Barrels with their frames may be conveyed through loading, treating and unloading stations Fig. 12, (not shown), or loading and unloading may be at a single-station.