GB2317932A - Controlled immersion and/or stroke apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Controlled immersion and/or stroke apparatus is used to immerse a test substrate (eg plates, tiles etc) into, for example, a cleaning fluid so as to test the substrates rinsability and/or washability. The apparatus comprises a crank arm 20 attached to a shaft 14 of a variable speed electric motor 12 and a reciprocating stroke arm 24 having one end connected, via connecting shaft 22, to the crank arm 20. Clamping means 26 is provided on the other end of the stroke arm 24. The motor 12 is controlled by a controller device 30 which governs the number of rotations of shaft 14 and includes a count-down cycle timer responsive to counter means 16, 18, eg optical, electro-mechanical counters etc (see fig 3), and a stop/start control switch 34. The stroke of the crank arm 20 is variable so as to accommodate different sizes of test samples (see figs 2 and 4).

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING CONTROLLED CYCLE IMMERSION AND/OR STROKE Backaround of the Invention The present invention relates to testing apparatus useful for providing a controlled cycle immersion of a sample plate and/or a controlled cycle stroke.

Testing apparatus of various types are known. One advantage of such testing apparatus are they are intended to facilitate the testing of materials and often viewed as labor saving devices.

One labor intensive operation which heretofore has generally required the time of the human operator to perform has been the evaluation of washability of a tested substrate such as a test tile or a test plate. Such testing is commonly required in the evaluation of cleaning compositions, as well as other coating compositions (i.e., paint, surface coatings, dyes and colorants, and the like) where it is often desired to observe the washability or rinsability characteristics of either a composition and/or a coated test substrate. To the present time, this is generally required that a human operator, observing a timer device such as a stop watch, manually dip such a testing substrate for a set number of timed immersions, until the whole test protocol is completed. This task is further exacerbated as commonly, not only is one test substrate which is evaluated in any type of a testing protocol, but in order to achieve an adequate level of statistical certainty in the results, a large sample set of test substrates need to be repeatably and uniformly evaluated. Thus, to ensure the accurate statistical results such an evaluation not only is a large number of testing substrates, such as tiles, need to be tested, but in order to ensure accuracy, a repeatable, uniform immersion procedure needs to be followed for each and every test substrate. Such a task is extremely onerous to a human operator performing such a function, and very often as the number of tiles to be tested increases, the likelihood of repeatably and uniformly testing each sample test substrate cannot be reliably assured. Further, such is also a very boring task to perform for any long period of time.

Therefore, as it is apparent from the foregoing, there is a real and continuing need in the art to provide useful apparatus, particularly testing apparatus for providing a controlled immersion or stroke which would be particularly useful in the evaluation of the washability or rinsability of a test substrate, particularly a test plate and/or test tile.

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved apparatus for providing a controlled immersion and/or stroke which is very useful in the evaluation of a test substrate, particularly in washability and/or rinsability studies.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a labor saving device, namely an apparatus which is useful in the testing of test substrates, especially plates.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus which is useful in providing a controlled immersion and/or stroke for testing the rinsability and/or washability of a test substrate which is easy to use, and may be repeatably reliably sed.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved apparatus providing a controlled immersion and/or stroke which may be reliably used to repeat a particular testing protocol for each test substrate in a large sample set of test substrates.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved process for the testing of test plates, such as tiles and/or other substrates or comprises the step for providing an apparatus as is hereinafter described.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a new and improved process for the testing of a large sample set of test substrates such as tiles, which comprises the step of providing an apparatus as hereinafter described and subsequently, for each test substrate within the sample set, using the apparatus in a reliable and repeatable manner to individually test each of the test substrate in the sample set.

Fig. 1 depicts a view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 2 depicts a partial view of certain of the elements of the apparatus according to the invention, which corresponds to a portion of the apparatus illustrated on Fig. 1; Fig. 3 illustrates certain of the elements illustrated in Fig. 1 in the apparatus according to the invention; and Fig. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a element of the apparatus according to the invention as is depicted on Fig. 1.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided an apparatus which provides controlled immersion and/or stroke of a test substrate.

Such a test substrate may be any variety of materials to be tested, but most particularly are intended to be test plates such as test tiles which are to be repeatably and controllably at least partially immersed into a quantity of a liquid. Such a liquid may be water, may be an organic solvent, may be an aqueous organic mixture, but is most generally a liquid surface treating composition such as a liquid cleaning composition, liquid disinfecting composition or liquid coating composition. Turning with detail to Fig.

1, there is illustrated a particularly preferred embodiment of the instant invention which depicts the apparatus (10).

The apparatus according to the invention includes a variable speed electric motor (12) having a rotatable shaft extending therefrom (14), a rotation counter means (16), (18) associated with the motor or with the shaft, a crank arm (20), a connecting shaft (22) connecting the crank arm to a reciprocating stroke arm (24). The arm (24) has two ends, a first end in a fixed relationship relative to a position on the crank arm, and the second opposite end connected to a clamping means (26). The apparatus further includes a controller device (30) for governing the operation of the motor (12). The controller device preferably includes a "count down" cycle timer which is in signal communication with and is responsive to the counter means (16), (18) whereby the number of rotations of the rotatable shaft (14) of the motor (12) may be preestablished and governed. The controller device includes as well as a control switch for starting/stopping the apparatus (34).

Optionally, but desirably, there is further included an apparatus stand (36), as well as a guide bushing (38) intermediate the two ends of the stroke arm (24) for facilitating the positioning of the moving stroke arm (24).

Turning now in more attention to each of the individual elements briefly described above with reference to Fig. 1, the electric motor (12) may be any of a wide variety of currently available types and may include an integral speed controller (40) which may be incorporated into the housing of the motor1 or which may be separate from the motor housing. Such a speed control desirably governs in an infinitely variable pattern, the minimum and maximum speed of the electric motor (12). Generally, for most purposes, the minimum and maximum speed of a motor should be within the range of 0-120 rpm, but is more desirably between 0-60 rpm. From the electric motor extends a rotatable shaft (14) which optionally, but again desirably, may include an chuck (42). If present, and to such chuck, may be further attached a subsequent rotatable shaft (46) which, once attached may be considered as a unitary structure and merely an extension of the rotatable shaft (14). The presence of such a check (42) may facilitate the attachment of a rotatable shaft (46) and the crank arm (20) in a convenient and removable manner. Further, fixed to the rotatable shaft in a rigid manner is one end is a crank arm (20). It is to be understood that as the motor (12) is energized, and the rotatable shaft (14) (and (46)) is permitted to rotate, the crank arm (20) rotates about this shaft. The crank arm further includes one or more holes (not shown in Fig. 1) to which may be affixed the connecting shaft (22). This connecting shaft (22), as one portion thereof is in a fixed relationship with a portion of the crank arm (20), and has a second portion in a rotatable connection with a first end of the stroke arm (24). To facilitate such a rotatable connection, the use of a bushing (48), the center part of which is in fixed relationship to the connecting shaft (22), and having a rotatable outer part, a portion of said outer part being in a fixed relationship to the first end of the stroke arm (24) may be utilized. Such elements are well known in the mechanical art. At the other end of the stroke arm (24) is a clamping means (26), which herein is depicted to be a device which includes two movable arms (50), (52) which are pivotally connected to a base portion (54) of the clamping means (26), and said movable arms (50), (52) may be clamped together by the rotation of a wing nut (56) (or other suitable means) which is rotated about a threaded connector rod (58) (or other conventional means) whereby the distances between the ends of the arms (50), (52) opposite that of the element (54) may be adjusted. Rotation of the wing nut (56) urges the moveable arm (50), (52) to one another, permitting a test substrate to be clamped therebetween.

In accordance with the embodiment on Fig. 1, such a clamping means is particularly useful in the clamping of a test plate which is herein depicted to be a tile (60).

It is, however, to be understood that the tile (60) illustrated or the other testing substrate forms no part of the present invention.

Further, associated with the rotatable shaft (14) (and/or the shaft extension (46)) is a counter means (16), (18). Any such means which is suited for providing a signal indicator of the rotation of the shaft (14) may be utilized. Herein is described a rotatable collar (16) coaxially mounted having a raised position (62) at one portion thereof which extends beyond the normal circumference of the collar, and a cooperating switch means (18) which acts responsive to the passage of the raised portion (62) and responsive to such passage provides a signal to the controller (30).

Optionally, but desirably, there is also provided a guide bushing (38) which is generally desirably positioned to encircle at least a portion of the stroke arm (24), and generally at a position which is proximate the clamp means (26).

Various changes in modifications in the construction of the apparatus are possible. To name a few these include: the variable speed controller which governs the rotational speed characteristics of the electric motor may be integrally included as a part of the motor, or it may be a separate unit in signal communication with the motor, or may be included as part of the controller unit (30). The chuck (42) may be dispensed with wholly, in which case the shaft (14) extends and encompasses the shaft extension (46) as is illustrated in Fig. 1. The counter means (16), (18) may be positioned immediately adjacent to the motor (12), or may be an integral part of the motor thereof. The counter means (16), (18) themselves may be substituted by any variety of similar means known to the art including electrical, electro-mechanical and optical counters means whereby the amount of the rotation of a moving shaft of an electric motor may be determined and responsive to such movement, an output signal generated thereto. The clamping means (26) may be any variety of means which is suited for use in the removable retention of a testing substrate, particularly, a tile or plate. For example, it is anticipated that such a clamping means may be little more than a simple fastening means (tape, clip, string, bent wire) which may be used to temporarily position the test substrate relative to this second end of the reciprocating stroke arm (24). In another alternative, the clamping means (26) may be used to clamp a plurality of testing specimens, especially such as a "rack" wherein a plurality of test specimens may be individually and controllably immersed into a single or separate vessels (70) containing similar or dissimilar liquid compositions (72). The bushing (38) may be totally omitted, or it may be any of a variety of similarly functioning elements including for example nothing more than a bendable wire. The end bushing (48) may be totally dispensed with, and may for example, be substituted by the first end of the stroke arm (24) being bent into a "J11, "U", or "0" shaped end which may be then slipped on to the connecting rod (22) and thereby be freely rotatably thereabout.

Turning now with detail to the controller (30) as has been briefly noted before therein is included a "count-down type" control unit responsive to the counting means (16), (18). Generally, such is a manually settable unit which has a plurality of wheels, each wheels having associated with them a digit from 0-9 whereby prior to the operation of the apparatus, the human operator may set by rotation of the appropriate wheels in whole digits the number of cycles (and consequently strokes) to which the test substrate is to be subjected. Such is achieved by rotating the individual setting wheels until the desired digits appear through the windows (74) of the respective controller wheels. Such a count down control unit is responsive to the signal provided by the counter means whereby upon each rotation of the rotatable shaft (14) a signal, such as closure of the switch, is then received by the count-down control unit which then decreases its indicated number by one digit. Such a process continues until the number of desired cycles originally set by the human operators is complete at which point the motor (12) is deactivated. Such a deactivation, may be, for example, be performed by a relay, but may also be performed by the count down control unit which interrupts power to the motor.

The count down control unit, although herein described as an electro-mechanical unit, may be substituted by any similarly functioning device. For example, it is contemplated that a programmable unit using a visual display means, such as LED displays, LCD displays, CRT display, or other means for displaying the number of cycles established may also be utilized. Particularly contemplated are "solid state" type devices whereby the user programs the number of cycles which are to be permitted for the operation of the apparatus. Such are known to the art, and may be readily substituted for the electro-mechanical count down control unit described above.

Further, while an optional element, is generally also desirable to include a stop or "interrupt" switch whereby the operation of the apparatus, already begun, may be momentarily interrupted. Such a stop/interrupt switch (76) is particularly convenient, permitting the operator of the test to momentarily interrupt the test for a variety of reasons and then resume the tests without the necessity of resetting the count down timer means (74).

Turning now to Fig. 2, therein is illustrated a portion of the apparatus according to Fig. 1. More specifically there is disclosed a frontal view of the motor (12), the crank arm (20), the stroke arm (24), the clamp means (26) as well as a portion of the guide means (38).

Also depicted for purposes of clarity in the illustration is a test substrate, herein a 4" x 4" ceramic bathroom tile (60).

As may be seen in its more detailed view, the crank arm (20) includes a connector to the rotatable shaft (14) (or the shaft extension (46)) by which it is fixably attached to the same. This also defines the axis of rotation for the crank arm. The crank arm (20) further includes a plurality of holes (78) which are spaced apart and arranged in a generally linear fashion between the axis of rotation of the crank arm and the distal end (80) of the crank arm. As may be further seen from this frontal view of Fig. 2, the connecting rod (22) is positioned within the furthest-most hole (78) of the crank arm (20). As will be appreciated, the rotation of the said crank arm in the direction of the arrow "c" will follow the defined circular path (illustrated by the broken dotted line) "j" which concurrently defines the height "H" of the crank arm stroke which is equivalent to the height of the stroke of the test sample "h". Thus, as may be understood from the drawing, the rotation of the crank arm (20) causes reciprocation in the both directions as indicated by the double headed arrow "s" and the up and down motion of the clamping means (26) which retains therein the test substrate (60) for the stroke height distance "h".

A variation of the crank arm stroke "H" translates to a direct variation in the test sample stroke height "h" and this may be achieved by removing the connecting rod (22) and placing it, with its attached end to the reciprocating arm (24) in a further of the illustrated crank arm holes (78). In this way, the distance between the center rotation of the crank arm as defined by the rotatable shaft (14) and the further position of the end of the reciprocating arm (24) may be varied, with a corresponding change in the crank arm stroke height "H" may be achieved, as well as in "h".

Further with regard to Fig. 2 there is illustrated a preferred guide means (38) which in this case is formed of a high density polyethylene bushing having a hole approximately centrally located passing therethrough (80). This may be seen from the drawing, and the partially cut-away view of the guide means (38), the relevant dimensions, i.e., the diameter of the hole (80) is generally somewhat larger and is preferably at least two times the thickness or diameter of the stroke arm (24). The purpose for such a dimension is such that as the crank arm (20) rotates in its circular path, the displacement in the horizontal direction of the reciprocating arm (24) may be accommodated without jamming, or other mechanical halting of the motion of the stroke arm (24).

Turning now to Fig. 3 there is depicted a portion of a preferred embodiment of the counting means according to the present invention. As depicted, there is shown a view of the rotatable axis (14), the collar (16) coaxially mounted in relation thereto having a raised portion at one point of the periphery collar (62) as well as a switch (18). The switch is a momentary "on/off" type which is actuated by the movement of the switch arm (82) in the direction of the arrow "r". The switch in its "off" position is depicted in Fig. 3 wherein the switch arm (82), is maintained by the urging of a spring (84) in the "off" position. Further the switch arm (82) includes at its distal end, i.e., away from the body of the switch (18) a freely rotatable roller (86). Also depicted are the output leads, i.e., wires (88) of the switch (18).

In operation, as the rotatable axis (14) rotates in the direction of the arrow "c" illustrated in Fig. 3, the concomitant rotation of the collar (16) and the raised portion (62) also occurs. As the collar and the raised portion rotate, the raised portion (62) will ultimately contact the switch arm (82) generally at the point of the roller (86) which urges the switch arm in the direction of the arrow "r" causing a momentary closure of the switch circuit. This is transmitted via the wires (88).

As the rotatable shaft, collar (16) and associated raised portion (62) further rotate, the raised portion (62) disengages the switch arm (82) and by the urging of the spring (84), the switch arm (82) is moved in the direction of the rotating shaft (14). This also simultaneously returns the switch to its normal "off" position.

It is to be understood, however, that although a substantially circular collar (16) having a raised portion (62) thereof as has been illustrated, that such may be replaced or substituted by, for example, a cam having one extended lobe. In operation this extended lobe would act in substantially the same manner as the extended portion (62) as shown in the figure, more specifically it would act to activate the switch in a similar manner as described.

It is also further contemplated that alternative counter means known to the art including optical, electrical, mechanical as well as electromechanical counter means other than that specific embodiment illustrated on Fig. 3 may also be incorporated in the apparatus of the invention.

Turning now to Fig. 4 therein is illustrated an alternative embodiment of a portion of the apparatus according to the present invention. Thereon is illustrated a frontal view of the motor (12), a portion of the rotatable shaft (14) which is affixed to a further embodiment of a crank arm (90). With further detail now to this crank arm (90) therein as may be seen, such includes an axially positioned rotatable threaded rod (92) having a first end (94) proximate to that of the rotatable shaft (14) which may be embedded (such as by a hole, bushing or other cavity or void in the crank arm) and the opposite end (96) thereof in a fixed relationship to a knurled positioning knob (98).

Intermediate these two ends is placed a threaded slider block (100) having an internal threaded passage (not shown) which cooperates with the threads of the threaded rod (92).

A portion of this slider block (100) is affixed to a connecting shaft (102) which is rigidly affixed to the slider block (100) at one end, and at the other end is in a rotatable relationship fixed to an end of the stroke arm (24), of which only a portion is shown in Fig. 4. Also illustrated, is an end bushing (104) which is utilized to connect the end of the reciprocating arm (24) to the connecting shaft (102) whereby when the crank arm (90) rotates in the direction of the arrow labeled "c", the end of the reciprocating arm (24) is permitted to rotate about said connecting shaft (102).

In the illustrated embodiment of Fig. 4 is provided an improved alternative to the crank arm illustrated on Figs. 1 and 2 wherein the present crank arm (90) permits for the infinitely variable adjustment of the stroke of the crank arm (corresponding to "H" according to Fig. 2) described above. In operation, an operator may adjust the distance between the rotatable shaft (14) and the connecting rod (102) of the slidable block (100) by appropriately rotating in either a clockwise-or counterclockwise direction the knurled knob (98). This correspondingly causes the connecting rod (102) to rotate and the slidable block (100) to move in a direction as illustrated to the double headed "P". This in turn will vary the stroke arm height "H", and ultimately the stroke height "h".

As will be clearly understood, the crank arm as illustrated in Fig. 4 provides the advantage of infinite adjustment within the possible range provided by the crank arm of the crank arm stroke height "H", and the resulting test substrate stroke height "h" in a reliable and repeatable manner. The crank arm according to Fig. 4, when substituted in place of the crank arm illustrated on Fig. 2 and in the apparatus more clearly illustrated on Fig. 1 provides an "infinite" range, in contrast to the crank arm of Fig. 2 which having four crank arm holes (78) which permit only four different crank arm heights "H", and "h".

The apparatus of the invention provides a simple means whereby one, or each one of a sample set of test substrates may be repeatedly and uniformly tested.

The use of the apparatus provides a means to subject each test substrate of a sample set, especially a large sample set to a controlled immersion and/or stroke which means may be reliably and repeatably used to perform a particular testing protocol for each test substrate. Any testing protocol which requires the immersion of a plurality of test substrates, such as tiles, plates or other generally planar test substrates may enjoy the benefits of the use of the apparatus being provided herein. Similarly, any testing protocol which requires a controlled stroke, such as an abrasion test, sponge cleaning evaluation of a test substrate may also enjoy the benefits of the use of the apparatus being provided herein. Many such testing protocols are known, especially testing protocols used to evaluate hard surface cleaners and other surface treating and/or surface cleaning and/or surface sanitization compositions. The use of the apparatus in such a testing protocol requiring reliable and repeatable testing of a plurality of test substrates ensures uniform testing of each individual test substrate, as well as minimizes the risk of human operator inconsistencies between test substrates.

While described in terms of the presently preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is to be interepreted as by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation, and that various modifications and alterations apparent to one skilled in the art may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims (5)

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for providing a controlled immersion and/or stroke for testing the rinsability and/or washability of a test substrate which comprises: a variable speed electric motor having a rotatable shaft extending therefrom, a rotation counter means associated with the motor or with the shaft, a crank arm, and a reciprocating stroke arm having two ends, a first end in a fixed relationship relative to a position on the crank arm, and the second opposite end connected to a clamping means.

2. The apparatus according claim 1 which further inciudes a controller device for governing the operation of the motor (12).

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the controller device includes a count down cycle timer in signal communication with and is responsive to the counter means.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the controller device includes a control switch for starting/stopping the apparatus.

5. A process for the testing of a plurality of test substrates requiring immersion of a plurality of test substrates into a composition which comprises the process steps of: providing an apparatus in accordance with claim 1, and, testing the test substrates by controllably immersing each test substrate into a composition.