GB2141336A

GB2141336A - Cleansing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2141336A
Application number: GB08414964A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gordon Thompson
Original assignee: DEBIQUIP Ltd
Current assignee: DEBIQUIP Ltd
Priority date: 1983-06-15
Filing date: 1984-06-12
Publication date: 1984-12-19
Also published as: GB8414964D0; GB2141336B

Abstract

A cleaning or degreasing apparatus comprises an open topped bath (13) designed to operatively connect with a drum (23) of solvent whereby solvent can pass through a riser pipe into the bottom of the bath (13) or can be available from a brush assembly (6,7) or a nozzle (19). A cover (22) for the bath (13) is retained in an open position against a support pillar by means of a latch having a bar (30) projecting through the cover (22) and mounting a fusible pin (33). The cover (22) is hinged to the bath (13) and is retained in a non-vertical position so that when the pin (33) melts on the occurrence of a fire the cover (22) will fall by its own weight to the closed position. The cover (22) also closes a air-line so that the line is vented when vent hole of a by-pass valve for an the cover (22) falls to a closed position and air is no longer then available to pump solvent into the bath (13). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to cleansing apparatus This invention relates to cleansing apparatus, particularly of the type which is used in conjunction with drum containing degreasing solvent, the drum functioning as both a solvent reservoir and a stand for the apparatus.

It is an object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus designed for improved safety in the event for example of a fire.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided cleansing apparatus comprising means defining a space within which to locate an article to be cleansed, and a cover for the article locating means movable between a closed and an open position, means for retaining the cover in the open position, the cover retaining means including an automatically releasable latch and being adopted to so support the cover that, on release of the latch, the cover will move automatically to the closed position.

Preferably the cover is retained in the open position at an angle of less than 90 to the horizontal whereby, when the latch is released, the cover is moved by its own weight to the closed position. The latch preferably comprises a fusible member.

Preferably also the cover retaining means comprises a support pillar extending substantially vertically relative to the article locating means, the pillar mounting a first part of the latch which extends through the cover when the latter is in the open position and locates a second part which retains the cover in the open position.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided cleansing apparatus comprising means defining a space within which to locate an article to be cleansed, and a cover for the article locating means movable between a closed and an open position, means for retaining the cover in the open position, and means for delivering solvent from a reservoir, with which the article locating means is adapted to be connected, to the article locating means, the delivery means comprising a line through which can be passed a supply of pressurised gas, and valve means being provided in the line, the valve means being retained closed by the presence of the cover in the open position, but being opened to exhaust the gas when the cover moves away from the open position.

Preferably the cover mounts a pad, for example of foam, which seals a vent hole of the valve means when the cover is in the open position.

The cover retaining means may comprise a support pillar extending substantially vertically relative to the article locating means, the pillar locating the valve means and, for example, a lamp and a switch for the lamp.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front perspective view of an apparatus according to the invention with a cover in an open position; and -Figure 2 is affront perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1 with a cover in a closed position.

Referring to the drawings, a degreasing apparatus comprises an open topped bath 13 of substantially rectangular configuration and having a peripheral flange 21 extending around the open top. At the rear side the flange 21 is of increased width relative to the remainder of the flange for a purpose hereinafter described. Hingedlymounted on the flange 21 at the rear side is a cover 22 which can be moved between an open position as shown in Figure 1, and a-closed position as shown in Figure 2, wherein the cover 22 closes the open top of the bath 13. In the open position the cover 22 acts as a splash-back.

The apparatus is designed to operatively connect with a drum 23 which defines a reservoirfor-solvent to be used in degreasing articles located in the bath 13. The drum 23 conventionally has two openings in its upper end, normally closed by plugs when the drum 23 is to be transported. In use with the degreasing apparatus, the drum 23 stands upright with said one end uppermost and a first ofthe drum openings, i.e. opening 24, aligns with an opening 25 in the base of the bath 13. A riser pipe (not shown) is pushed through the opening 25 and through the opening 24 and is sealed relative to the upper end of the drum. The other ofthe drum openings, i.e.

opening 26, locates a valve 11 therein, the valve 11 being connected to a conduit of a pressurised air-line, the valve 11 being accessible through a recess 27 in the bottom of the bath 13. Also in the air-line is provided a manually operable control valve 28 mounted on the rear of the cover 22, the valve 28 being operated buy a hand lever 10 which is accessible from the front of the cover 22 when the - latter is in the open position. The air-line is connected to a suitable source of pressurised air (not shown) and further includes a conduit 9 on a free end of which is fitted an air gun 8 for use as necessary.

In operation, introduction of air into the drum 23 forces solvent through the openings 24 and 25 into the bath 13 and the solvent can be retained there in order to soak off contaminants on articles which had been previously placed in the bath for cleaning and degreasing. The solvent held in the bath may also be agitated by blowing airtherethrough in order to enable the solvent to better remove stubborn contaminants. The mode of operation is controlled by positioning a float (not shown) in the riser pipe and selecting one of the positions of the control lever 10.

It is also possible to direct solvent through a brush assembly 6, 7, a conduit for which passes from the drum 23 via the valve 11 through the cover 22 to locate the brush assembly for use over the bath 13.

By chanigng the position of the float, the solvent can be directed through the brush assembly alone or also through a nozzle 19, which is connected at the rear of the cover 22 with the delivery tube for the brush assembly but is mounted at the front of the cover 22 to be accessible over the bath 13. A tray 14 is located in the base of the bath 13, and beneath the tray 14 in the bath 13 is located a filter comprising a filter box 40, for example of 18 gauge mild steel, and a filter ring 42, for example of 40 mesh stainless steel, within the-box 40. The ring 42 forms a facing for a backing ring (not shown), preferably of 16 gauge steel, which locates beneath a slotted cup in a perforated section 1 4a of the tray 14. The filter screens solvent flowing from the bath 13 back into the drum 23 and helps to-increase solvent life.The filter can be cleaned by removing the tray 14 and lifting outthe box40.

Mounted substantially centrally on the peripheral flange 21 at the rear side ofthe bath 13 is an upright pillar 29 which mounts a forwardly projecting bar 30, the latter having hole 31 therethrough. When the cover 22 is in the open position, the bar 30 extends through an opening 32 in the cover 22 and a fusible pin 33 can be located through the hole 31 to thus retain the cover 22 in the open position. In this position the cover 22 is retained at an angle of less than 90 to the horizontal, e.g. 85', whereby,-when the pin 33 is no longer present, the cbver will fall by its own weight to the closed position.It will be appreciated that in the event of a fire the pin 33 will melt and the cover 22 will automatically close over the bath 13.

Connected in the air-line and located within the pillar 29 is a tee valve 34 presenting a forwardly facing vent hole. On the rear of the cover 22 there is mounted a pad 35, for example of foam, which, when the cover 22 is in the open position, closes the vent hole of the valve 34 and enables the airline to function as required. In the event that the cover 22 moves to the closed position, the vent hole is opened to exhaust air and this ensures that air cannot retain solvent in the bath orbubblethrough the solvent, which would otherwise enable the solvent to burn in the event of a fire. Itwill be appreciated that the pad 35 may be made of any other suitable material but is preferably formed of a flexible material.

The pillar 29 also mounts a lamp 36 and a switch 37 for the lamp 36, the switch-37 being located at the upper end of the pillar 29 whereby to be accessible above the cover 22 when the latter is in the open position. The cover 22 is provided with a transparent section 20 for alignment with the lamp 36 when the cover is in the open position whereby the lamp 36 may be visible through the cover 22. The lamp 36 and switch 37 are electrically operated with a cable and plug provided.

It will therefore be appreciated that a degreasing apparatus having improved safety features has been provided. In the event of a fire the cover will automatically close over the batch and the air-line will automatically be vented. It will also be appreciate that where the same design of degreasing apparatus is electrically operated instead of air operated, the feature of the automatically closing cover is also extremely advantageous. The central support pillar mounts the same components but, as no air-line is used, no tee valve is included. An electrically operated pump can be conveniently mounted below the flange 21 at the rear sideof the bath 13 and be designed to move solvent from the drum 23 in a conventional manner.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example the bath may be of a suitable configuration dtherthah that shown, and the components such as the brush assembly;ànd the nozzle neeid not be provided if not desired. Also the configuration of the lamp and switch may bebtherthan that shown and the cover may of course be retained in the open position at any other suitable angle.

Claims

1. Cleansing apparatus comprising means defining a space within which to locate an article to be cleansed, and- a cover for the article locating means movable between a closed and an open position, means for retaining the cover in the open position, the cover retaining means including an automaticål- ly releasable latch and being adapted to so support the cover that, on release of the latch, the cover will move automaticallyto the closed position.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover is retained in the open position at an angle of less than 90 to the horizontal whereby, when the latch is released, the cover is moved by its own weight to the closed position.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover retaining means comprises a support pillar extending substantially vertically relative to the article locating means, the pillar mounting a first part of the latch which extends through the cover when the latter is in the open position and locates a second part which retains the cover in the open position.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the pillar mounts a lamp and a switch for the lamp.

5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the latch comprises a fusible member.

6. Apparatus according to claim5, when dependent on claim 3 or 4, wherein the fusible member is a link which defines the second part of the cover retaining means.

7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, including means for delivering solvent from a reservoir, with which the article locating means is adapted to be connected, to the article locating means, the delivery means comprising a line through which can be passed a supply of pressurised gas, and valve means being provided in the line, the valve means being retained closed by the presence of the cover in the open position, but being opened to exhaust the gas when the cover moves away from the open position.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the cover mounts a pad which seals a-vent hole of the valve means when the cover is in the open position.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the pad is formed of-foam.

10. Cleansing apparatus comprising means defining a space within which to locate an article to be cleansed, and a cover for the article locating means movable between a closed and an open position, means for retaining the cover in the open position, and means for delivering solventfrom a reservoir, with which the article locating means is adopted to be connected, to the article locating means, the delivery means comprising a line through which can be pas(ed a supply of pressurised gas, and valve means being provided in the line, the valve means being retained closed by the presence of the cover in the open position, but being opened to exhaust the gas when the cover moves away from the open position.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the cover mounts a pad which seals a vent hole of the valve means when the cover is in the open position.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the cover retaining means comprises a support pillar extending substantially vertically relative to the article locating means, the pillar locating the valve means.

13. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, including an article support tray located in the article locating means and a filter located beneath the tray.

14. Cleansing apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclpsed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.