GB807394A - Method and apparatus for cleaning sheet material - Google Patents

Abstract

807,394. Cleaning sheet materials. LIBBEYOWENS-FORD GLASS CO. April 1, 1957 [April 9, 1956], No. 10488/57. Class 138(1) [Also in Group XXX] In a method and apparatus for cleaning sheet material, e.g. curved glass windscreens, a tank 16 holds a cleaning liquid, vibrating means 26, 27, 28 have vibratory surfaces disposed within the. tank, and continuous rotary conveying means 34 is positioned in respect to said tank for carrying the material below and above the level of the cleaning fluid within the tank and into operating position with respect to said vibratory surfaces. Curved windscreens 45 are washed with the aid of high frequency vibrations applied to the liquid contained in the tank 16 by transducers 26, 27 and 28 which vibrate at over 100 and preferably over 10,000 c/s. Loading and unloading is performed by operators at the platform 33 and the hangers 44 supported on the wheel 34 bring the windscreens through the liquid part transducers 26, 27 and 28 in turn. Thus vibration is applied successively to the rear, the edge and the front of each of the windscreens. Fig. 7 shows a modification in which the Ferris wheel is replaced by an endless chain 116 which describes a rectangular path, supported at four corners by sprockets 114. A baffle plate 127 is used to separate the dirtier cleaning liquid at the point of entry of the windscreens from the cleaner liquid at the point of exit, fresh liquid being added through inlet 128 and dirty liquid leaving at 129, thus producing a contra-flow to that of the glass sheets. The liquid level and temperature may be controlled automatically and the drying of the washed windscreens may be speeded up by the application of air or heat. The screens are supported at their bases by hangers 44 and clamped at their tops by spring loaded clamps 46, Fig. 5.