GB2101475A

GB2101475A - Method for cleaning storage tanks

Info

Publication number: GB2101475A
Application number: GB08219177A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Fitt
Original assignee: BP PLC
Current assignee: BP PLC
Priority date: 1981-07-15
Filing date: 1982-07-02
Publication date: 1983-01-19
Also published as: GB2101475B

Abstract

A method for cleaning a storage tank containing oily sludge comprises the following stages: (a) heating the sludge by contacting it with circulating hot water, (b) pumping out all but a residual trace of the heated sludge, (c) draining off the hot water, (d) allowing the remaining sludge to settle, (e) heating the remaining sludge again by contacting it with circulating hot water, (f) increasing the supply of water so that the heated sludge remaining rises within the tank and is removed by flowing over a weir discharge, and (g) draining off the water. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Toothbrush with multi-positionable head Toothbrushes for cleaning teeth, with the bristle-carrying head, or cleaning head, aligned with the handle, are commonly known objects.

Though it is universally recognised that the most efficient way to clean the teeth is to move the brush up and down them, present toothbrushes on the market do not facilitate this movement being orthogonal to the line of the handle. Accordingly, the invention proposes a toothbrush having an elongate bristle (cleaning) head and a handle, wherein the longitudinal axis of the head can adopt a plurality of annular positions relative to that of the handle. The various angles given to the handle remain fixed by means of adequate friction between the revolving parts, or by means of suitable locking systems.

The angles at which the handle can be fixed are, especially at 00, at 450, at 900 and at 1 800.

In one type of execution, the handle can be given a fixed angle - in relation to the head, on its plane or on a plane parallel to it - between the values of 200 and 900, and in particular at 450.

Variations in the angle of the handle are obtained by means of a revolving joint comprising two counterposed supports, one being the back of the head and the other a tang practically parallel to the back of the head which it forms a continuation.

The top end of the handle fits in between these two supports and is prevented from accidently leaving them by groove and tongue joints.

The groove and tongue joints are formed by two aligned pins respectively fixed to the back and front of the handle top.

These pins fit into seats made for them one in the back of the head and the other in the tang.

The tang can be raised enabling the handle to be pulled off the head and therefore replacement of the latter.

The handle is fixed at various angles by means of projections on the handle itself place radially around the middle of the joint and fitting into radial depressions in the back of the head or on the inside of the tang, or else by means of projections on the head and corresponding depressions on the handle.

The surface of the handle is roughened sufficiently to prevent the fingers from slipping due to the combined effect of water, dentifrice and soap.

It is proposed to make this toothbrush in at least two sizes, respectively suitable for adults and for children. The characteristics and the purposes of the disclosure will be made even clearer by the following examples of its execution illustrated by drawings.

Fig. 1: Toothbrush with handle at 900, held in the hand and seen in perspective.

Fig. 2: Profile view of the toothbrush with handle at 900.

Fig. 3: Toothbrush with handle at 450, back view.

Fig. 4: Toothbrush with handle at 22.50, back view.

Fig. 5: Toothbrush with handle at 1800, back view.

Fig. 6: Head seen from the back.

Fig. 7: Top of the handle seen from the back.

Fig. 8: Head seen from the back with part of the tang cut away.

Fig. 9: Top of the handle seen from the front.

Fig. 10: Head with radially set locking teeth.

Fig. 11: Top of the handle seen from the front, with locking teeth.

Fig. 12: Head with locking ribs.

Fig. 1 3: Top of the handle with locking depressions. Practically speaking the toothbrush consists of the cleaning head (10) with its bristles (12) and of the handle (11). The handle and the head are held together by means of the sprung tang (13) forming part of the head.

The back (14) of the head (Fig. 2) and the inside surface (15) of the tang form a kind of reversed Ushaped fork which holds the top of the handle (16) firm. The top (see also Figs. 6,7,8,9) is fitted with a front pin (17), very wide and low, which sits in the cylindrical cavity (18) in the back of the head, and with a back pin (19), in line with the front one, which fits into hole (20) in the tang.

In this way a revolving joint is formed between the handle and the head: this joint not only enables the handle to be turned in relation to the head, and vice versa, but also makes it possible to detach the handle from the head due to the spring effect of the tang (13). By slightly pressing the tang outwards and widening the reversed "U", the handle can be released.

As clearly shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the handle can be set at angles of 450, 22.50, 1800 and any other in relation to the head.

The handle can be set at the preferred inclination in a number of ways. The very wide pin (17) occupies an extended counterposed surface consisting of the cavity (18) creating, under the action of the elastic force of the tang (13), an amount of friction sufficient to prevent casual or unintentional rotation of the head in relation to the handle.

Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate another method.

When the handle has been fitted in, the radial projections (22) in slot (23) of the head (24), lie in the intermediate grooves between the radial projections (25) on the pin (26) at the top (27) of the handle, while these latter projections simultaneously penetrate into the grooves between the projections (22).

The tang's yielding movement enables the preferred inclination to be given to the head.

In the same way the tang's flexible resistance prevents the head from undesired rotation.

Figs. 12 and 13 illustrate a method of stabilizing the parts realized by the diametral rib (28) on the bottom of the slot (29) of the head (30), which rib can penetrate into one of the diametral niches (31) at the top (32) of the handle, the rib and the niche being at 450 one from the other.

The advantages of the invention can be clearly seen. The fact that the handle can be orientated means that the most effective angle can be obtained for cleaning the teeth, especially for the up and down movement, as well as being able to adapt the toothbrush to the user's personal preferences and needs.

Interchangeability of the head aliows it to be easily replaced and a single handle, with change of head, can be used by all the members of the family.

By means of a combination of the various characteristics, such a variable inclination of the head, its short length, its rounded corners, the gradual thinning of the arm connecting the handle to the head as the latter is reached, the forward position given to the head in relation to the handle, easy access is ensured to the backs of even the innermost teeth.

Claims

1. A toothbrush having an elongate bristle (cleaning) head and a handle, wherein the longitudinal axis of the head can adopt a plurality of angular positions relative to that of the handle.

2. A toothbrush as in claim 1, characterized by the fact the variable angle is given to the handle by means of a revolving joint.

3. A toothbrush as in claim 1, characterized by the fact that the various inclinations given to the handle are maintained stable by means of adequate friction between the revolving parts or by suitable locking methods.

4. A toothbrush as in claim 2, characterized by the fact that the revolving joint comprises two counterposed supports, one formed by the back of the head and the other by a tang practically parallel to the back of the head and forming part of it, between which supports the upper end of the handle is pushed and which include means for preventing the handle from becoming detached.

5. A toothbrush as in claim 4, characterized by the fact that the means for preventing involuntary detachment of the handle consist of groove and tongue joints or an equivalent means.

6. A toothbrush as in claim 5, characterized by the fact that the groove and tongue joints consist of two firmly fixed and aligned pins, one to the back, and one to the front of the top of the handle, fitting into seats for them in the back of the head and of the tang.

7. A toothbrush as in claim 4, characterized by the fact that the tang is sprung so that the head can be pulled off the handle which therefore makes the head interchangeable.

8. A toothbrush as in claim 3, characterized by the fact that the handle is held in the various positions by means of raised projections, forming part of the handle and placed radially round the centre of the joint, counterposed to radial grooves cut into the back of the head or on the inside surface of the tang, or else by raised projections on the head and grooves cut into the handle.

9. A toothbrush as in claim 1, characterized by the fact that the surface of the handle is sufficiently rough to prevent the fingers from slipping especially on account of the combined action of the water, the toothpaste and the soap.

10. A toothbrush as in claim 1, characterized by the fact that, in some types of execution, the handle is set at a fixed angle, comprised within the values of 200 and 900, and particularly at 450, in relation to the head, on its plane or on a plane parallel to it.

11. A toothbrush substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.