US1584913A - Bottle and test-tube washer - Google Patents

Description

May 18 1926.

G. W. WILSON BOTTLE AND TEST TUBE WASHER Filed sept. 14, 1922 2 Sheecs-SheefI l ,c umg-.-.mmm J 7 7 Summon My 1s, 192s.

j 1,584,913 G. W. WILSON BOTTLE AND TEST TUBE WASHER Filed Sept. l4,` 1822 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 "WHL N www, y

Patented May 1s, 1926.

GEORGE W. WILsoN, on SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

v BOTTLE AND TEST-TUB WASHER.

Application led September 14, 1922. Serial No. 588,188.`

This invention relates to a glassware washing device and more particularly to a device which has for its purpose to facilita-te the washing of glassware used 'in the testing 5 of milk and cream by the well known Babpock method; also for washing test tubes,

culture tubes, vials, small dilution bottles i and the like used in ological'laboratories.

Up to the present time the tedious and unsatisfactory hand method of ,washing with brusheshas been generally used for cleaning such bottles but, due to the general character of construction of test bottles and tubes,

it is a very dilicult matter to -o'rce water into the bottles or to dry them after being I washed. It has als'o been dicultfto remove scale from the Babcock bottles even by brush washing because a brush of suitable size can not be inserted through the narrow necks of the bottles. Y

i It has therefore been the principal object of this invention to provide means whereby glassware of the above mentioned character can be cleaned and washed rapidly and in vthe most satisfactory manner withoutbrushing or. handling in any way. e

More specifically stated the invention resides in the provision of a washing device 30 consisting of a lat topped box or container wherein a cleaning solution may be poured and having a plurality of vvertical .tubes of small diameter extending from the top thereof 'over whichy the bottles or tubes to be 35 v'cleaned may be placedand a pipe entering the box through which steam or-hoi; water may be injected under pressure to first cause the discharge of the cleaning solution forcibly through the tubes into the bottles and .40 then the washing and drying by the injection of hot water and steam. 4

Other objects of the invention reside in the details of construction of the various parts of the device which provides 'for both interior. andI outside washing and for the safety in handling during the washing process. A

In accomplishing these objects I have provided the improved details of construction, preferred forms of which are illustrated in vthe accompanying drawings, wherein--d Figure lis, a perspective view of a bottle chemical and bacterinumerals designate the same or -of bottles when they and test tube washing device constructed in accordance with the present invention, the

view being without the box cover.

` Figure 2 is a longitudinal, sectional view` of the same.

f Figure 3 is an enlarged, transverse section of the device.

Referring more in detail to the several views of the drawings where like reference 1 designates a sheet metal box, preferably rectangular in form, with a horizontal top wall, the box b'ing steam and water tight at all points except where outlets are intended. Extending longitudinally through the box, centrally between its side walls and preferably nearer the bottom wall than lthe top, isa pipe 2 which at "one end is closed by a cap 3 and at its other end is connected like parts,

with a/pipe 4 which in turn is connectedwith both steam ,and water pipes with separate control valves. At spaced intervals along the -underside of the pipe 2 are small openings can enter the box when the control valves are open. y

Since it is desired that the steam and water be injected under pressure, I have prevented possible warping of the box walls by connecting the upper and lower walls ofthe box by means of a series of bolts 7 which A6 through which the` steam andfwater Y draw the walls tightly Vagainst the ends of sleeves 8 fitted about the bolts.

yMounted on the top wall, centrally of the box. is a vertical back check valve 10'and titted-in this is a funnel 1,1 by'means of which a cleaning solution may be 'poured through thev valve` into the box. The check valve is Jfor the purpose of turned intoy the box and a sieveor screen '12 is placed in the funnel to 'prevent any-gr1t or other` solid substances from lenterlng the lber orthe like provided with groovesl 15 These pads are for v in their upper surfaces; the purpose of preventing possible breakage are inserted over the preventing discharge f through the valve when'v steam or water isi tubes and the grooves in the top of the pads are for the escape of Water from the bottles or tubes While they are seated upon the pads. The tubes 13, in most instances, would be of copper about 1/8 in diameter and from 3 to 4 long, depending upon the character of bottle or tube to be Washed.

Between the rows ot' tubes 13, small openings 16 are provided in the top Wall et the box through which the washing solution, steam, or Water maybe discharged. Vhen tubes or bottles are to be Washed they are inverted over the tubes 13 as 'shown in Figures 2 and 3, and the discharge of the solution through the tubes effects a cleaning ofthe .interior While the spray through the opening 16 Washes the exterior.

During a Washing operation the bottles, indicated at 19, are enclosed by means ot a cover Q0 that is placed over the boxV This has slightly larger dimensions than the box Aso that there will be space for the escape of steam and Water lbetween the two. The cover 2O is supported by means ot standards or brackets 21 that are fixed to the top wall at opposite ends of the box and it is provided With a handle 22 whereby it may be lifted from or placed in position.

Briefly stated, a Washing operation would be as follows: First the 'box 1 is lled with a cleansing'solution such as Oakite, lVyandette, Gold Dust, or any other standard alkaline Washing compound, which is poured into the 'funnel and passes into the 'box past the check valve 10; all undissolved particles of the solution or other foreign mat-ter are caught by the screen 12; the bottles 19 are then placed over the tubes 13 as shown and the cover 20 is placed over the box. The steam control valve is then opened which permits the discharge of'steam into the 'box through the pipe openings 6 and this drives the Washing solution from the box through the tubes 13 and With considerable force into the bottles. It is drained from the bottles about the 4tubes 13 and through the grooves 15 in the top of the pads on which the bottles rest. After all the solution has been driven from the tank by the steam, hot water is then injected for the purpose of rinsing the bott-les, then steam is again turned on to drive the Water from the tank and from the bottles and to assist in drying the latter. Y

It is readily apparent that this method of Washing is more satisfactory and sanitary than the hand method of brush lWashing. lt can be accomplished more quickly and provides a means whereby scale-or sediment ot any character whatever will be readily cleaned from the bottles and will leave them absolutely .dry and bright.

The device is also adapted for the Washing 'of test tu-bes and small ybottles of all types and especially is useful for washing test tubes containing agar and gelatin niedia.

It is further apparent that various changes in the details ot construction ot the box and the tubes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and for this reason l do not Iwish to nbe limited only to the details as herein illustrated.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A bottle washing device comprising a box-like container with a horizontal t'op wall provided with a plurality of spray openings, a vertical cheek valve on the container, a funnel mounted Aon the valve where- Iby a cleaning solution may be delivered through the valve into the container, a plurality of tubes mounted on the top wall and opening into the container, over which bottles to be. washed may be placed, a pipe leading through the container having discharge ports therein through which water or steam under pressure may be delivered into the container to eilect the ejection of the cleaning solution through said tubes to Wash the interior of the bottles and through said openings to Wash their exterior, and a removable cover for enclosing the bottles during Washing operation.

2. A bottle Washing device of the class described comprising a box-like container having a horizontal top Wall provided with a plurality of spray openings and a plurality of vertical t-u'bes opening into the container over which bottles to be Washed may be placed, a vertical check valve mounted in the box, a funnel mounted on the valve whereby a Washing solution may be poured through the valve into the container, a pipe leading through the container having a plurality of downwardly opening discharge ports therein, and having valve connection avith pipes for delivering steam and water under pressure intethe container to effect the forcible discharge through the tubes to clean the interior of the bottles and through said Wall openings to Wash their exterior, cover supporting means on the container and a cover for enclosing the bottles during Washing, removably mounted on thc supporting means.

Signed at Seattle, Washington, this 8th day of September 1922.

GEORGE lV. VILSON.

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