US20170295915A1 - Scrubber System - Google Patents
Scrubber System Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20170295915A1 US20170295915A1 US15/637,019 US201715637019A US2017295915A1 US 20170295915 A1 US20170295915 A1 US 20170295915A1 US 201715637019 A US201715637019 A US 201715637019A US 2017295915 A1 US2017295915 A1 US 2017295915A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- scrubber
- disks
- disk
- spacer
- scrubbing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B9/00—Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body
- A46B9/02—Position or arrangement of bristles in relation to surface of the brush body, e.g. inclined, in rows, in groups
- A46B9/026—Position or arrangement of bristles in relation to surface of the brush body, e.g. inclined, in rows, in groups where the surface of the brush body or carrier is not in one plane, e.g. not flat
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A22—BUTCHERING; MEAT TREATMENT; PROCESSING POULTRY OR FISH
- A22C—PROCESSING MEAT, POULTRY, OR FISH
- A22C21/00—Processing poultry
- A22C21/02—Plucking mechanisms for poultry
- A22C21/022—Plucking mechanisms for poultry with fingers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B9/00—Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body
- A46B9/02—Position or arrangement of bristles in relation to surface of the brush body, e.g. inclined, in rows, in groups
- A46B9/028—Bristle profile, the end of the bristle defining a surface other than a single plane or deviating from a simple geometric form, e.g. cylinder, sphere or cone
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B9/00—Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body
- A46B9/06—Arrangement of mixed bristles or tufts of bristles, e.g. wire, fibre, rubber
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46D—MANUFACTURE OF BRUSHES
- A46D1/00—Bristles; Selection of materials for bristles
- A46D1/02—Bristles details
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B2200/00—Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
- A46B2200/40—Other application
Definitions
- the present invention relates, generally, to the field of apparatuses and methods for scrubbing or brushing an article to remove material from an outer surface of the article.
- Brushes have been used for many years in connection with removing material or polishing the outer surfaces of various articles, work pieces, or items.
- such brushes include a cylindrical hub to which a plurality of bristles are secured and extend in a radial direction.
- the bristles may be manufactured from a variety of different synthetic and non-synthetic materials with the selection of a material for a brush's bristles often depending on the particular application for which the brush is to be used.
- the cylindrical hub generally has bore extending between the hub's ends and adapted to allow the brush to be mounted on a shaft and rotated at a rotational speed appropriate for the brush and the particular application for the brush.
- An article, work piece or item is introduced into contact with the rotating brush to enable the brush's bristles to contact the article, work piece or item's outer surface.
- material may be removed from the outer surface and/or the outer surface may be smoothed and polished.
- brushes are used to remove feathers from birds as a precursor to further processing.
- the birds are brought into contact with one or more rotating brushes via a conveyor system.
- the rotating brushes engage the birds' skin and feathers, removing the feathers from the skin and making the birds ready for rendering.
- the brushes for this application may have bristles secured to the brushes' hubs through a number of different methods.
- the bristles are secured to an inner surface of the hub and protrude through openings in the hub in a radial direction.
- the bristles are stapled to an outer surface of the hub and protrude from the hub in a radial direction.
- both methods of securing the bristles often result in biological material from the birds becoming trapped in the openings and by the staples, making cleaning of the brushes to meet U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards difficult and time-consuming.
- FDA Food and Drug Administration
- the present invention comprises a scrubber system for removing material from or smoothing a surface of an object.
- the scrubber system comprises a scrubbing disk configured for interlocking with other cooperatively configured scrubbing disks, spacers, and retaining collars.
- the scrubbing disks and spacers are arrangeable end-to-end along a shaft extending therethrough and between opposed retaining collars to form a scrubber that is custom-configured to be appropriate for a particular application.
- the scrubbing disks of a scrubber may include scrubbing disks of one or more types that may be arranged, with or without any spacer disks, in any desired configuration.
- a first scrubber configuration may include scrubbing disks of the same type that are separated by and interlocked end-to-end with a spacer disk along a shaft
- a second scrubber configuration may include scrubbing disks of multiple types with the scrubbing disks of each type being interlocked together end-to-end in respective groups along a shaft.
- each scrubbing disk defines a longitudinal axis and comprises a rim in the form of a spiral helix extending about the longitudinal axis between the scrubbing disk's longitudinally opposed ends.
- the rim extends about a web of the scrubbing disk and has opposed lateral mating surfaces and opposed end mating surfaces.
- the web defines a bore therethrough having a shape selected to receive a cooperatively shaped shaft and, together with the shaft, for substantially limiting relative rotation between the scrubbing disk and the shaft.
- the opposed lateral and end mating surfaces of the scrubbing disk are arranged with a first lateral mating surface and a first end mating surface being located at the scrubbing disk's first end and a second lateral mating surface and a second end mating surface being located at the scrubbing disk's second end.
- Each spacer disk is configured similarly to the scrubbing disk and includes similarly disposed mating surfaces.
- Such abutment of the respective end mating surfaces substantially limits relative rotation between the adjacent scrubbing disks and/or spacer disks, while abutment of the respective lateral and end mating surfaces causes the outwardly facing surfaces of the respective rims to substantially form a single, contiguous outer surface that prevents biological or other material from becoming lodged between the scrubbing disks and/or spacer disks.
- each scrubbing disk includes multiple bristles extending from the rim of the scrubbing disk.
- Each bristle may be configured the same as or differently from other bristles of the scrubbing disk such that the particular configuration of the bristles of a scrubbing disk comprises a factor defining the type of the scrubbing disk.
- each bristle includes a body extending at a first end from the rim of the scrubbing disk and one or more barbs protruding from the body near a second end thereof.
- the bristle bodies may differ in number and/or angular spacing about a scrubbing disk's longitudinal axis, may have the same or different lengths, and may have constant or varying cross-sectional shapes and sizes at different locations between the bodies' ends.
- the bristles may include a single barb or multiple barbs with each barb being located at a different distance from an end of the bristle's body, with each barb being located at the same or different distances from other barbs, and with each barb having the same or different shapes and/or dimensions.
- scrubbers having configurations for specific applications with different numbers and types of scrubbing disks are possible.
- Scrubber configurations with certain types of scrubbing disks, or groups of scrubbing disks, positioned and/or spaced apart at desired locations relative to one another are also possible.
- a scrubber may be adapted and configured to remove material from an object (including, but not limited to, feathers from poultry birds during processing) or polish an object while substantially eliminating the lodging of biological or other material between components, thereby making the scrubber more easily and more thoroughly cleanable and maintainable.
- FIG. 1 displays a pictorial, side elevational view of a scrubber of a first configuration, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, including scrubber disks of multiple types.
- FIG. 2 displays a pictorial, perspective end view of a scrubber disk of a first type in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 3 displays a pictorial, perspective view of the scrubber disk of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 4 displays a pictorial, perspective end view of a scrubber disk of a second type in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 displays a pictorial, side elevational view of the scrubber disk of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 6 displays a pictorial, side elevational view of a scrubber of a second configuration, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, including scrubber disks of multiple types and spacer disks located between certain of the scrubber disks.
- FIG. 7 displays a pictorial, partial perspective side view of the scrubber of FIG. 6 , more clearly illustrating a retaining collar located about a drive shaft protruding through and from the scrubber disks and spacer disks near a first end of the scrubber and disengaged from the nearest scrubber disk.
- FIG. 8 displays a pictorial, partial perspective side view of the scrubber of FIG. 6 , more clearly illustrating a retaining collar located about a drive shaft protruding through and from the scrubber disks and spacer disks near a first end of the scrubber and engaged with the nearest scrubber disk.
- FIG. 9 displays a pictorial, partial perspective side view of the scrubber of FIG. 6 , more clearly illustrating a spacer disk located about a drive shaft protruding through and from the scrubber disks and spacer disk, positioned between a scrubber disk of a second type and a scrubber disk of a third type, and adjacent to and engaged with the scrubber disk of the second type.
- FIG. 10 displays a pictorial, end elevational view of a spacer disk, in accordance with an example embodiment, taken from a first end thereof.
- FIG. 11 displays a pictorial, end elevational view of the spacer disk of FIG. 10 , taken from a second end thereof.
- FIG. 12 displays a pictorial, side elevational view of the spacer disk of FIG. 10 .
- FIG. 1 displays a pictorial, side elevational view of a scrubber 100 of a first configuration in accordance with an example embodiment.
- the scrubber 100 is employed to remove material from an article that is brought into contact with the scrubber 100 while the scrubber 100 is rotated at an appropriate rotational speed.
- the scrubber 100 is generally mounted in a frame or piece of equipment using bearings to support and permit rotation of the scrubber 100 .
- the scrubber 100 has a first end 102 and an opposed second end 104 that define a central longitudinal axis 106 extending therethrough, and comprises a drive shaft 108 extending collinearly with and about the central longitudinal axis 106 .
- the drive shaft 108 is rotatable about the central longitudinal axis 106 with rotary motion being imparted to the drive shaft 108 by a variable speed motor, by a pulley coupled via a belt to single speed motor, by a sprocket connected by a roller chain to a single speed motor, or any other drive mechanism, transmission, or assembly capable of causing rotation of the drive shaft 108 .
- the drive shaft 108 is manufactured from stainless steel and has a hexagonal cross-section perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 106 .
- the drive shaft 108 may be manufactured from another material appropriate for a particular other embodiment of the scrubber 100 and may have a cross-section perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 106 having a circular shape, partial-circular shape, circular shape with a flat or keyway, arcuate shape, rectangular shape, square shape, triangular shape, polygonal shape, or other shape corresponding to a combination of any of the foregoing shapes.
- the scrubber 100 also comprises a plurality of scrubber disks 110 and a pair of opposed retaining collars 112 , and are all mounted about the central longitudinal axis 106 and drive shaft 108 .
- the retaining collars 112 are secured to the drive shaft 108 once the scrubber 100 is assembled as described below.
- the plurality of scrubber disks 110 are mounted adjacent to and against one another between the pair of retaining collars 112 such that each retaining collar 112 engages an adjacent scrubber disk 110 , holds each scrubber disk 110 tightly against and engagement with each adjacent scrubber disk 100 without gaps therebetween, and prevents movement of all of the scrubber disks 110 in a direction along the central longitudinal axis 106 .
- the plurality of scrubber disks 110 of the first configuration of the scrubber 100 include a first group 114 A of scrubber disks 110 A of a first type, a second group 114 B of scrubber disks 110 B of a second type, and a third group 114 C of scrubber disks 110 C of a third type.
- the scrubber disks 110 A of the first group 114 A are arranged adjacent and in contact with one another
- the scrubber disks 110 B of the second group 114 B are arranged adjacent and in contact with one another
- the scrubber disks 110 C of the third group 114 C are arranged adjacent and in contact with one another.
- the scrubber disks 110 B of the second group 114 B are configured between the scrubber disks 110 A of the first group 114 A and the scrubber disks 110 C of the third group 114 C.
- any of the scrubber disks 110 A, 110 B, 110 C may be arranged along the drive shaft 108 adjacent to and in contact with any of the other scrubber disks 110 A, 110 B, 110 C.
- a scrubber disk 110 A of the first type may be arranged adjacent to and in contact with a scrubber disk 110 B of the second type on one side and adjacent to and in contact with a scrubber disk 110 C of the third type on the other side.
- scrubber disks 110 By virtue of the substantially large number of possible types of scrubber disks 110 and the substantially large number of possible configurations of scrubber disks 110 along a drive shaft 108 , an almost endless number of scrubber types may be created. Further, scrubbers 100 may be custom configured using particular types of scrubber disks 110 that are arranged in particular configurations for use in particular applications.
- FIGS. 2 and 3 display pictorial views of a scrubber disk 110 A of a first type in accordance with an example embodiment.
- the scrubber disk 110 A comprises a hub 116 having a web 118 and a rim 120 , and having a plurality of bristles 122 protruding and extending from the rim 120 .
- the web 118 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a first end 124 and an opposed second end 126 , and extends radially about and longitudinally parallel to a central longitudinal axis 128 of the scrubber disk 110 A.
- the web 118 has a boss 130 protruding in the longitudinal direction from the web's surface 132 at the web's first end 124 .
- the boss 130 protrudes from the web's surface 132 by a distance that causes the boss 130 to come into contact with the web surface 134 at the second end 126 of another scrubber disk 110 , a spacer disk 156 (described below with reference to FIG. 6 and FIGS. 9-12 ), or a retaining collar 112 and provide proper registration and spacing of the scrubber disk 110 A with respect to such other scrubber disk 110 , spacer disk 156 , or retaining collar 112 in the longitudinal direction along the scrubber's drive shaft 108 .
- the web 118 and boss 130 define a bore 136 extending therethrough about the scrubber disk's central longitudinal axis 128 .
- the bore 136 is sized and shaped to cooperatively receive the scrubber's drive shaft 108 therethrough, and to prevent relative rotation of the scrubber disk 110 A about the drive shaft 108 .
- the bore 136 has a hexagonal cross-section perpendicular to the scrubber disk's central longitudinal axis 128 similar to the hexagonal cross-section of the scrubber's drive shaft 108 .
- the bore 136 and drive shaft 108 may have many different cooperative cross-sectional shapes as described above with respect to the drive shaft 108 , and the web 118 , boss 130 and drive shaft 108 may utilize keys/keyways, internal/external teeth, and/or other structures or devices alone or in combination with such cross-sectional shapes to prevent relative rotation of the scrubber disk 110 A about the drive shaft 108 .
- the rim 120 of the scrubber disk 110 A extends from and around the web 118 through an angular measure of substantially three hundred sixty degrees (360°) and at a radial distance from and about the scrubber disk's central longitudinal axis 128 (and at the radial extent of the web 118 ) to form a portion of a spiral helix about the central longitudinal axis 128 .
- the rim 120 protrudes partially from the web surface 132 at the scrubber disk's first end 124 and partially from the web surface 134 at the scrubber disk's second end 126 .
- the rim 120 has a generally constant-size, rectangular cross-section when cut by a plane extending in the scrubber disk's longitudinal direction and diametrically from and including the scrubber disk's central longitudinal axis 128 (as opposed to a plane extending perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 128 ).
- the rim 120 has a lateral first surface 138 at the scrubber disk's first end 124 and a longitudinally opposed lateral second surface 140 at the scrubber disk's second end 126 .
- the rim's lateral first and second surfaces 138 , 140 abut and contact cooperatively disposed similar surfaces of other scrubber disks 110 , spacer disks 156 , or a retaining collar 112 .
- the rim 120 has a third surface 142 at the scrubber disk's first end 124 that corresponds to the spiral helix's beginning location, and a fourth surface 144 at the scrubber disk's second end 126 that corresponds to the spiral helix's ending location.
- the rim's third and fourth surfaces 142 , 144 form shoulders for abutting and engaging cooperatively disposed similar shoulders of other scrubber disks 110 , spacer disks 156 , or a retaining collar 112 .
- the rim's first and third surfaces 138 , 142 contact and engage the cooperatively disposed second and fourth surfaces 140 , 144 of the rim 120 of a scrubber disk 110 , spacer disk 156 , or retaining collar 112 positioned adjacent the first end 124 of the scrubber disk 110 A to properly register and position the scrubber disk 110 A relative to such other scrubber disk 110 , spacer disk 156 , or retaining collar 112 .
- the rim's second and fourth surfaces 140 , 144 contact and engage the cooperatively disposed first and third surfaces 138 , 142 of the rim 120 of a scrubber disk 110 , spacer disk 156 , or retaining collar 112 positioned adjacent the second end 126 of the scrubber disk 110 A to properly register and position the scrubber disk 110 A relative to such other scrubber disk 110 , spacer disk 156 , or retaining collar 112 .
- the bristles 122 protrude and extend from the rim 120 of the scrubber disk 110 A.
- the bristles 122 rotate with the drive shaft 108 about the scrubber's central longitudinal axis 106 , come into contact with the article from which material is to be removed, and dislodge the material from the surface of the article.
- Each bristle 122 extends radially from the scrubber disk's rim 120 and has a first end 146 at the rim 120 and a second end 148 distant from the rim 120 .
- a radially-extending longitudinal axis 150 extends between and through the first and second ends 146 , 148 of the bristle 122 .
- each bristle 122 is located at an angle, ⁇ , relative to the longitudinal axes 150 of the nearest other bristles 122 such that the bristles 122 are spaced apart in a substantially equal manner around the periphery of the scrubber disk's rim 120 .
- the scrubber disk 110 A includes forty (40) bristles 122 spaced with equal angular separation around the rim 120 of the scrubber disk 110 A.
- Each bristle 122 comprises a body 152 that extends between the bristle's first and second ends 146 , 148 .
- the body 152 of each bristle 122 of the scrubber disk 110 A has a cross-section perpendicular to the bristle's longitudinal axis 150 having a rounded rectangular shape.
- the body 152 of each bristle 122 generally tapers between the bristle's first and second ends 146 , 148 such that the cross-sectional area of the bristle 122 is largest at the bristle's first end 146 and is smallest at the bristle's second end 148 .
- each bristle 122 has a plurality of barbs 154 near the bristle's second end 148 that are, according to the example embodiment, equally spaced relative to one another.
- each bristle 122 has three (3) barbs 154 .
- Each barb 154 protrudes perpendicularly from the bristle's longitudinal axis 150 and extends at least partially around and from the bristle's body 152 .
- Each barb 154 typically has a cross-section perpendicular to the bristle's longitudinal axis 150 having a generally rounded rectangular shape.
- each barb 154 becomes progressively smaller with the barb's location relative to the bristle's second end 148 such that the cross-sectional area of the barb 154 nearest the bristle's first end 146 is largest and the cross-sectional area of the barb 154 nearest the bristle's second end 148 is smallest.
- the barbs 154 engage the material to be removed from the article introduced to the scrubber 100 and tend to rip and tear such material away from the article.
- FIGS. 4 and 5 display pictorial views of a scrubber disk 110 B of a second type in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.
- the scrubber disk 110 B is substantially similar to scrubber disk 110 A with the exception of the number and configuration of the bristles 122 and barbs 154 of each bristle 122 .
- scrubber disk 110 B includes fifty-one (51) bristles 122 that are spaced at equal angular intervals around the rim 120 of the scrubber disk 110 B.
- Each bristle 122 has a cross-section perpendicular to the bristle's longitudinal axis 150 having a substantially circular shape.
- each bristle 122 does not taper between the bristle's first and second ends 146 , 148 such that the cross-sectional area of the bristle 122 is substantially constant. Additionally, each bristle 122 has four (4) barbs 154 , with each barb 154 having a cross-section perpendicular to the bristle's longitudinal axis 150 that has a generally circular shape. The barbs 154 are spaced equally apart along the bristle's longitudinal axis 150 .
- the three (3) barbs 154 nearest the bristle's first end 146 are of substantially the same thickness along the bristle's longitudinal axis 150 , while the barb 154 nearest the bristle's second end 148 is thicker along the bristle's longitudinal axis 150 than the other barbs 154 .
- FIG. 6 displays a pictorial view of a scrubber 100 of a second configuration, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, including scrubber disks 110 A, 110 B, 110 C of multiple types and spacer disks 156 located between certain of the scrubber disks 110 A, 110 B, 110 C.
- Some of the scrubber disks 110 A, 110 B, 110 C are arranged in groups adjacent to one another with some of the groups having a spacer disk 156 therebetween.
- Others of the scrubber disks 110 A, 110 B, 110 C are arranged alone and are separated from nearby scrubber disks 110 A, 110 B, 110 C by a spacer disk 156 .
- the scrubber disks 110 A, 110 B, 110 C are mounted about a drive shaft 108 and are held in respective longitudinal positions along the drive shaft 108 by the retaining collars 112 that are affixed to the drive shaft 108 .
- a scrubber 100 may be custom configured for almost any task or application using different types of scrubber disks 110 , different arrangements and positions of scrubber disks 110 , and different spacings of the various scrubber disks 110 along the drive shaft 108 .
- FIGS. 7 and 8 display pictorial views of the first end 102 of the scrubber 100 of the second configuration with a retaining collar 112 A, respectively, not engaged and engaged with the nearest scrubber disk 110 .
- the retaining collar 112 A similar to the retaining collar 112 B at the second end 104 of the scrubber 100 , has a first end 158 and an opposed second end 160 .
- the retaining collar 112 A defines a central longitudinal axis 162 extending between and through the first and second ends 158 , 160 .
- the retaining collar 112 A also defines a bore 164 extending therein between the first and second ends 158 , 160 .
- the bore 164 is sized and shaped to cooperatively receive the scrubber's drive shaft 108 therethrough, and to prevent relative rotation of the retaining collar 112 A about the drive shaft 108 .
- the bore 164 has a hexagonal cross-section perpendicular to the scrubber's central longitudinal axis 106 similar to the hexagonal cross-section of the scrubber's drive shaft 108 .
- the bore 164 and drive shaft 108 may have many different cooperative cross-sectional shapes as described above with respect to the drive shaft 108 , and the retaining collar 112 A and drive shaft 108 may utilize keys/keyways, internal/external teeth, and/or other structures or devices alone or in combination with such cross-sectional shapes to prevent relative rotation of the retaining collar 112 A about the drive shaft 108 .
- the retaining collar 112 A has a first surface 166 at the collar's second end 160 that forms a portion of a spiral helix about the collar's central longitudinal axis 162 and that is formed for cooperation, contact and engagement with the first or second surfaces 138 , 140 of a scrubber disk 110 .
- the retaining collar 112 A also has a second surface 168 at the collar's second end 160 that is formed for cooperation, contact and engagement with the third or fourth surfaces 142 , 144 of a scrubber disk 110 .
- the retaining collar 112 A When the retaining collar 112 A is positioned with the collar's first and second surfaces 166 , 168 in engagement with a scrubber disk's first and third surfaces 138 , 142 (or second and fourth surfaces 140 , 144 , as the case may be) and is fixed to the drive shaft 108 (for example, via a set screw), the retaining collar 112 A prevents movement of scrubber disks 110 and spacer disks 156 along and relative to the scrubber's drive shaft 108 .
- FIG. 9 displays a pictorial view of a portion of the scrubber 100 of the second configuration and more clearly shows a spacer disk 156 located about the drive shaft 108 and positioned between a scrubber disk 110 B of a second type and a scrubber disk 110 C of a third type, and adjacent to and engaged with the scrubber disk 110 B of the second type.
- the spacer disk 156 is shown alone in FIGS. 10-12 and is substantially similar to a scrubber disk 110 , except that the spacer disk 156 does not include any bristles 112 .
- spacer disks 156 in a scrubber configuration enables the longitudinal separation of scrubber disks 110 along the scrubber's drive shaft 108 and permits the custom tailoring of scrubbers 100 for particular applications that have certain types and numbers of scrubber disks 110 located in appropriate, or desired, positions along the scrubber's drive shaft 108 .
- each spacer disk 156 comprises a hub 170 having a web 172 and a rim 174 .
- the web 172 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a first end 176 and an opposed second end 178 , and extends radially about and longitudinally parallel to a central longitudinal axis 180 of the spacer disk 156 .
- the web 172 has a boss 182 protruding in the longitudinal direction from the web's surface 184 at the web's first end 176 .
- the boss 182 protrudes from the web's surface 184 by a distance that causes the boss 182 to come into contact with the web surface 134 at the second end 126 of a scrubber disk 110 , with the web surface 186 at the second end 178 of another spacer disk 156 , or a retaining collar 112 and provide proper registration and spacing of the spacer disk 156 with respect to such scrubber disk 110 , other spacer disk 156 , or retaining collar 112 in the longitudinal direction along the scrubber's drive shaft 108 .
- the web 172 and boss 182 define a bore 188 extending therethrough about the spacer disk's central longitudinal axis 180 .
- the bore 188 is sized and shaped to cooperatively receive the scrubber's drive shaft 108 therethrough, and to prevent relative rotation of the spacer disk 156 about the drive shaft 108 .
- the bore 188 has a hexagonal cross-section perpendicular to the spacer disk's central longitudinal axis 180 similar to the hexagonal cross-section of the scrubber's drive shaft 108 .
- the bore 188 and drive shaft 108 may have many different cooperative cross-sectional shapes as described above with respect to the drive shaft 108 , and the web 172 , boss 182 and drive shaft 108 may utilize keys/keyways, internal/external teeth, and/or other structures or devices alone or in combination with such cross-sectional shapes to prevent relative rotation of the spacer disk 156 about the drive shaft 108 .
- the rim 174 of the spacer disk 156 extends from and around the web 172 through an angular measure of substantially three hundred sixty degrees (360°) and at a radial distance from and about the spacer disk's central longitudinal axis 180 (and at the radial extent of the web 172 ) to form a portion of a spiral helix about the central longitudinal axis 180 .
- the rim 174 protrudes partially from the web surface 184 at the spacer disk's first end 176 and partially from the web surface 186 at the spacer disk's second end 178 .
- the rim 174 has a generally constant-size, rectangular cross-section when cut by a plane extending in the spacer disk's longitudinal direction and diametrically from and including the spacer disk's central longitudinal axis 180 (as opposed to a plane extending perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 180 ).
- the rim 174 has a first surface 190 at the spacer disk's first end 176 and a longitudinally opposed second surface 192 at the spacer disk's second end 178 .
- the rim 174 has a third surface 194 at the spacer disk's first end 176 that corresponds to the spiral helix's beginning location, and a fourth surface 196 at the spacer disk's second end 178 that corresponds to the spiral helix's ending location.
- the rim's first and third surfaces 190 , 194 contact and engage the cooperatively disposed second and fourth surfaces 140 , 144 of the rim 120 of a scrubber disk 110 , the second and fourth surfaces 192 , 196 of another spacer disk 156 , or the first and second surfaces 166 , 168 of a retaining collar 112 positioned adjacent the first end 176 of the spacer disk 156 to properly register and position the spacer disk 156 relative to a scrubber disk 110 , another spacer disk 156 , or retaining collar 112 .
- the rim's second and fourth surfaces 192 , 196 contact and engage the cooperatively disposed first and third surfaces 138 , 142 of the rim 120 of a scrubber disk 110 , the first and third surfaces 190 , 194 of another spacer disk 156 , or the first and second surfaces 166 , 168 of a retaining collar 112 positioned adjacent the second end 178 of the spacer disk 156 to properly register and position the spacer disk 156 relative to a scrubber disk 110 , another spacer disk 156 , or a retaining collar 112 .
- the scrubber disks 110 and spacer disks 156 are manufactured from one or more polymer materials selected to provide the scrubber disks 110 , spacer disks 156 , and their component parts with sufficient strength, rigidity, flexibility, moldability, durability, and/or other structural and usability characteristics appropriate for the task for which the scrubber 100 will be used.
- the scrubber disks 110 , spacer disks 156 , and their component parts may be manufactured from other materials in other embodiments.
- scrubbers 100 may be configured differently from the first and second configurations described herein.
- the scrubbers 100 may have differently shaped drive shafts 108 , may have increased or decreased numbers of scrubber disks 110 and spacer disks 156 , may have scrubber disks 110 and spacer disks 156 arranged differently, and may have scrubber disks 110 of different types that have increased or decreased numbers of bristles 122 , increased or decreased angular spacing between the bristles 122 , bristles 122 having bodies 152 with different cross-sectional shapes, and bristles with different numbers, shapes, spacing, and dimensions of barbs 154 .
- the bristles 122 may not be uniformly distributed or arranged at equal angular intervals/spacings around the rim 120 of a scrubber disk 110 , or some of the bristles 122 may arranged at equal angular intervals/spacings with respect to certain other bristles 122 while others are not.
- a scrubber 100 may be configured and assembled for a particular application by developing, producing, and/or selecting scrubber disks 110 and, as appropriate, combinations of different types of scrubber disks 110 , having characteristics that are valuable or beneficial for the application for which the scrubber 100 will be used.
- the arrangement and order of the scrubber disks 110 and spacer disks, 156 , if any, relative to the first and second ends 102 , 104 of the scrubber 100 is determined so that scrubber disks 110 are located at particular locations along the drive shaft 108 .
- the scrubber 100 is then assembled by sliding the respective scrubber disks 110 and spacer disks 156 , if any, onto the drive shaft 108 in the pre-determined order and oriented about the drive shaft 108 so that the various surfaces of adjacent scrubber disks 110 and spacer disks 156 , if any, are in contact and engaged as described above.
- the retaining collars 112 are slid onto the drive shaft 108 from the scrubber's respective ends 102 , 104 and into engagement with the nearest scrubber disk 110 or spacer disk 156 , as appropriate. Then, the retaining collars 112 are secured to the drive shaft 108 .
- a scrubber 100 is mounted for rotation of the drive shaft 108 at an appropriate rotational speed for the particular application for which the scrubber 100 is used.
- a scrubber 100 used in a poultry processing facility to remove skin from the feet of poultry birds may be rotated at a speed of approximately two hundred fifty (250) revolutions per minute. Because the scrubber disks 110 of the scrubber 100 are mounted to the drive shaft 108 so that the scrubber disks 110 do not rotate relative to the drive shaft 108 , the scrubber disks 110 rotate in unison with the drive shaft 108 . Once the scrubber disks 110 and drive shaft 108 are rotating at the appropriate rotational speed for the application, an article from which material is to be removed is introduced into contact with the scrubber disks 110 .
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- Brushes (AREA)
- Cleaning Implements For Floors, Carpets, Furniture, Walls, And The Like (AREA)
Abstract
The present disclosure describes a scrubber system for removing material from, or smoothing the surface of, an object. According to an example embodiment, the scrubber system comprises one or more scrubbing disks, spacer disks, and retaining collars configured for interlocking with other cooperatively configured scrubbing disks and spacer disks. The scrubbing and spacer disks are arrangeable end-to-end along a shaft extending therethrough and between opposed retaining collars to form a scrubber custom-configured for a particular application. The scrubbing disks may include one or more types arranged, with or without any spacer disks, in any desired configuration. When the scrubbing disks and/or spacer disks are positioned adjacent one another end-to-end, lateral and end mating surfaces at the adjacent ends of the respective scrubbing and/or spacer disks abut one another, limiting relative rotation therebetween and substantially forming a single, contiguous outer surface that prevents removed material from becoming lodged therebetween.
Description
- The present invention relates, generally, to the field of apparatuses and methods for scrubbing or brushing an article to remove material from an outer surface of the article.
- Brushes have been used for many years in connection with removing material or polishing the outer surfaces of various articles, work pieces, or items. Typically, such brushes include a cylindrical hub to which a plurality of bristles are secured and extend in a radial direction. The bristles may be manufactured from a variety of different synthetic and non-synthetic materials with the selection of a material for a brush's bristles often depending on the particular application for which the brush is to be used. The cylindrical hub generally has bore extending between the hub's ends and adapted to allow the brush to be mounted on a shaft and rotated at a rotational speed appropriate for the brush and the particular application for the brush. An article, work piece or item is introduced into contact with the rotating brush to enable the brush's bristles to contact the article, work piece or item's outer surface. Through engagement of the outer surface with the rotating bristles, material may be removed from the outer surface and/or the outer surface may be smoothed and polished.
- In the poultry processing industry, brushes are used to remove feathers from birds as a precursor to further processing. The birds are brought into contact with one or more rotating brushes via a conveyor system. The rotating brushes engage the birds' skin and feathers, removing the feathers from the skin and making the birds ready for rendering. The brushes for this application may have bristles secured to the brushes' hubs through a number of different methods. In one method, the bristles are secured to an inner surface of the hub and protrude through openings in the hub in a radial direction. In another method, the bristles are stapled to an outer surface of the hub and protrude from the hub in a radial direction. Unfortunately, both methods of securing the bristles often result in biological material from the birds becoming trapped in the openings and by the staples, making cleaning of the brushes to meet U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards difficult and time-consuming.
- Therefore, there is a need in the industry for a brush that may be used in connection with poultry processing to remove feathers from poultry birds and/or in other applications for removal of material from or polishing of a surface, that is easy to clean as required by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards, and that solves these and other difficulties, shortcomings, or problems of current technology.
- Broadly described, the present invention comprises a scrubber system for removing material from or smoothing a surface of an object. In accordance with an example embodiment described herein, the scrubber system comprises a scrubbing disk configured for interlocking with other cooperatively configured scrubbing disks, spacers, and retaining collars. The scrubbing disks and spacers are arrangeable end-to-end along a shaft extending therethrough and between opposed retaining collars to form a scrubber that is custom-configured to be appropriate for a particular application. The scrubbing disks of a scrubber may include scrubbing disks of one or more types that may be arranged, with or without any spacer disks, in any desired configuration. For example and not limitation, a first scrubber configuration may include scrubbing disks of the same type that are separated by and interlocked end-to-end with a spacer disk along a shaft, while a second scrubber configuration may include scrubbing disks of multiple types with the scrubbing disks of each type being interlocked together end-to-end in respective groups along a shaft.
- According to the example embodiment, each scrubbing disk defines a longitudinal axis and comprises a rim in the form of a spiral helix extending about the longitudinal axis between the scrubbing disk's longitudinally opposed ends. The rim extends about a web of the scrubbing disk and has opposed lateral mating surfaces and opposed end mating surfaces. The web defines a bore therethrough having a shape selected to receive a cooperatively shaped shaft and, together with the shaft, for substantially limiting relative rotation between the scrubbing disk and the shaft. The opposed lateral and end mating surfaces of the scrubbing disk are arranged with a first lateral mating surface and a first end mating surface being located at the scrubbing disk's first end and a second lateral mating surface and a second end mating surface being located at the scrubbing disk's second end. Each spacer disk is configured similarly to the scrubbing disk and includes similarly disposed mating surfaces. When scrubbing disks and/or spacer disks are positioned adjacent one another end-to-end along a shaft as in a scrubber, the lateral and end mating surfaces at the adjacent ends of the respective scrubbing disks and/or spacer disks abut one another. Such abutment of the respective end mating surfaces substantially limits relative rotation between the adjacent scrubbing disks and/or spacer disks, while abutment of the respective lateral and end mating surfaces causes the outwardly facing surfaces of the respective rims to substantially form a single, contiguous outer surface that prevents biological or other material from becoming lodged between the scrubbing disks and/or spacer disks.
- Also according to the example embodiment, each scrubbing disk includes multiple bristles extending from the rim of the scrubbing disk. Each bristle may be configured the same as or differently from other bristles of the scrubbing disk such that the particular configuration of the bristles of a scrubbing disk comprises a factor defining the type of the scrubbing disk. Generally, each bristle includes a body extending at a first end from the rim of the scrubbing disk and one or more barbs protruding from the body near a second end thereof. In different types of scrubbing disks and even within a particular scrubbing disk type, the bristle bodies may differ in number and/or angular spacing about a scrubbing disk's longitudinal axis, may have the same or different lengths, and may have constant or varying cross-sectional shapes and sizes at different locations between the bodies' ends. Additionally, in different types of scrubbing disks and even within a particular scrubbing disk type, the bristles may include a single barb or multiple barbs with each barb being located at a different distance from an end of the bristle's body, with each barb being located at the same or different distances from other barbs, and with each barb having the same or different shapes and/or dimensions.
- Advantageously, using and applying the present invention, scrubbers having configurations for specific applications with different numbers and types of scrubbing disks are possible. Scrubber configurations with certain types of scrubbing disks, or groups of scrubbing disks, positioned and/or spaced apart at desired locations relative to one another are also possible. At least by virtue of the almost endless number and varieties of scrubber disks and scrubber configurations and at least by virtue of the scrubber disks, spacer disks, and retaining collars of such configurations interlocking with one another, a scrubber may be adapted and configured to remove material from an object (including, but not limited to, feathers from poultry birds during processing) or polish an object while substantially eliminating the lodging of biological or other material between components, thereby making the scrubber more easily and more thoroughly cleanable and maintainable.
- Other uses, advantages and benefits of the present invention may become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings.
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FIG. 1 displays a pictorial, side elevational view of a scrubber of a first configuration, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, including scrubber disks of multiple types. -
FIG. 2 displays a pictorial, perspective end view of a scrubber disk of a first type in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 3 displays a pictorial, perspective view of the scrubber disk ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 4 displays a pictorial, perspective end view of a scrubber disk of a second type in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 5 displays a pictorial, side elevational view of the scrubber disk ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 6 displays a pictorial, side elevational view of a scrubber of a second configuration, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, including scrubber disks of multiple types and spacer disks located between certain of the scrubber disks. -
FIG. 7 displays a pictorial, partial perspective side view of the scrubber ofFIG. 6 , more clearly illustrating a retaining collar located about a drive shaft protruding through and from the scrubber disks and spacer disks near a first end of the scrubber and disengaged from the nearest scrubber disk. -
FIG. 8 displays a pictorial, partial perspective side view of the scrubber ofFIG. 6 , more clearly illustrating a retaining collar located about a drive shaft protruding through and from the scrubber disks and spacer disks near a first end of the scrubber and engaged with the nearest scrubber disk. -
FIG. 9 displays a pictorial, partial perspective side view of the scrubber ofFIG. 6 , more clearly illustrating a spacer disk located about a drive shaft protruding through and from the scrubber disks and spacer disk, positioned between a scrubber disk of a second type and a scrubber disk of a third type, and adjacent to and engaged with the scrubber disk of the second type. -
FIG. 10 displays a pictorial, end elevational view of a spacer disk, in accordance with an example embodiment, taken from a first end thereof. -
FIG. 11 displays a pictorial, end elevational view of the spacer disk ofFIG. 10 , taken from a second end thereof. -
FIG. 12 displays a pictorial, side elevational view of the spacer disk ofFIG. 10 . - Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals represent like elements or steps throughout the several views,
FIG. 1 displays a pictorial, side elevational view of ascrubber 100 of a first configuration in accordance with an example embodiment. Thescrubber 100 is employed to remove material from an article that is brought into contact with thescrubber 100 while thescrubber 100 is rotated at an appropriate rotational speed. Thescrubber 100 is generally mounted in a frame or piece of equipment using bearings to support and permit rotation of thescrubber 100. Thescrubber 100 has afirst end 102 and an opposedsecond end 104 that define a centrallongitudinal axis 106 extending therethrough, and comprises adrive shaft 108 extending collinearly with and about the centrallongitudinal axis 106. Thedrive shaft 108 is rotatable about the centrallongitudinal axis 106 with rotary motion being imparted to thedrive shaft 108 by a variable speed motor, by a pulley coupled via a belt to single speed motor, by a sprocket connected by a roller chain to a single speed motor, or any other drive mechanism, transmission, or assembly capable of causing rotation of thedrive shaft 108. According to the example embodiment, thedrive shaft 108 is manufactured from stainless steel and has a hexagonal cross-section perpendicular to the centrallongitudinal axis 106. However, it should be understood and appreciated that thedrive shaft 108 may be manufactured from another material appropriate for a particular other embodiment of thescrubber 100 and may have a cross-section perpendicular to the centrallongitudinal axis 106 having a circular shape, partial-circular shape, circular shape with a flat or keyway, arcuate shape, rectangular shape, square shape, triangular shape, polygonal shape, or other shape corresponding to a combination of any of the foregoing shapes. - The
scrubber 100 also comprises a plurality of scrubber disks 110 and a pair of opposedretaining collars 112, and are all mounted about the centrallongitudinal axis 106 anddrive shaft 108. Theretaining collars 112 are secured to thedrive shaft 108 once thescrubber 100 is assembled as described below. The plurality of scrubber disks 110 are mounted adjacent to and against one another between the pair ofretaining collars 112 such that eachretaining collar 112 engages an adjacent scrubber disk 110, holds each scrubber disk 110 tightly against and engagement with eachadjacent scrubber disk 100 without gaps therebetween, and prevents movement of all of the scrubber disks 110 in a direction along the centrallongitudinal axis 106. - The plurality of scrubber disks 110 of the first configuration of the
scrubber 100 include afirst group 114A ofscrubber disks 110A of a first type, asecond group 114B ofscrubber disks 110B of a second type, and athird group 114C ofscrubber disks 110C of a third type. In the first configuration illustrated inFIG. 1 , thescrubber disks 110A of thefirst group 114A are arranged adjacent and in contact with one another, thescrubber disks 110B of thesecond group 114B are arranged adjacent and in contact with one another, and thescrubber disks 110C of thethird group 114C are arranged adjacent and in contact with one another. Also, thescrubber disks 110B of thesecond group 114B are configured between thescrubber disks 110A of thefirst group 114A and thescrubber disks 110C of thethird group 114C. - It should be understood and appreciated, however, that in other configurations (such as, but not limited to, the second configuration of
FIG. 6 described below) any of thescrubber disks drive shaft 108 adjacent to and in contact with any of theother scrubber disks scrubber disk 110A of the first type may be arranged adjacent to and in contact with ascrubber disk 110B of the second type on one side and adjacent to and in contact with ascrubber disk 110C of the third type on the other side. By virtue of the substantially large number of possible types of scrubber disks 110 and the substantially large number of possible configurations of scrubber disks 110 along adrive shaft 108, an almost endless number of scrubber types may be created. Further,scrubbers 100 may be custom configured using particular types of scrubber disks 110 that are arranged in particular configurations for use in particular applications. -
FIGS. 2 and 3 display pictorial views of ascrubber disk 110A of a first type in accordance with an example embodiment. Thescrubber disk 110A comprises a hub 116 having a web 118 and a rim 120, and having a plurality ofbristles 122 protruding and extending from the rim 120. The web 118 has a substantially cylindrical shape with afirst end 124 and an opposedsecond end 126, and extends radially about and longitudinally parallel to a centrallongitudinal axis 128 of thescrubber disk 110A. The web 118 has aboss 130 protruding in the longitudinal direction from the web'ssurface 132 at the web'sfirst end 124. Theboss 130 protrudes from the web'ssurface 132 by a distance that causes theboss 130 to come into contact with theweb surface 134 at thesecond end 126 of another scrubber disk 110, a spacer disk 156 (described below with reference toFIG. 6 andFIGS. 9-12 ), or aretaining collar 112 and provide proper registration and spacing of thescrubber disk 110A with respect to such other scrubber disk 110,spacer disk 156, or retainingcollar 112 in the longitudinal direction along the scrubber'sdrive shaft 108. - The web 118 and
boss 130 define abore 136 extending therethrough about the scrubber disk's centrallongitudinal axis 128. Thebore 136 is sized and shaped to cooperatively receive the scrubber'sdrive shaft 108 therethrough, and to prevent relative rotation of thescrubber disk 110A about thedrive shaft 108. According to the example embodiment, thebore 136 has a hexagonal cross-section perpendicular to the scrubber disk's centrallongitudinal axis 128 similar to the hexagonal cross-section of the scrubber'sdrive shaft 108. However, it should be understood and appreciated that in other embodiments, thebore 136 and driveshaft 108 may have many different cooperative cross-sectional shapes as described above with respect to thedrive shaft 108, and the web 118,boss 130 and driveshaft 108 may utilize keys/keyways, internal/external teeth, and/or other structures or devices alone or in combination with such cross-sectional shapes to prevent relative rotation of thescrubber disk 110A about thedrive shaft 108. - The rim 120 of the
scrubber disk 110A extends from and around the web 118 through an angular measure of substantially three hundred sixty degrees (360°) and at a radial distance from and about the scrubber disk's central longitudinal axis 128 (and at the radial extent of the web 118) to form a portion of a spiral helix about the centrallongitudinal axis 128. By virtue of the spiral helix form, the rim 120 protrudes partially from theweb surface 132 at the scrubber disk'sfirst end 124 and partially from theweb surface 134 at the scrubber disk'ssecond end 126. The rim 120 has a generally constant-size, rectangular cross-section when cut by a plane extending in the scrubber disk's longitudinal direction and diametrically from and including the scrubber disk's central longitudinal axis 128 (as opposed to a plane extending perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 128). The rim 120 has a lateralfirst surface 138 at the scrubber disk'sfirst end 124 and a longitudinally opposed lateralsecond surface 140 at the scrubber disk'ssecond end 126. The rim's lateral first andsecond surfaces spacer disks 156, or aretaining collar 112. Also, the rim 120 has athird surface 142 at the scrubber disk'sfirst end 124 that corresponds to the spiral helix's beginning location, and afourth surface 144 at the scrubber disk'ssecond end 126 that corresponds to the spiral helix's ending location. The rim's third andfourth surfaces spacer disks 156, or aretaining collar 112. - More particularly, in a
scrubber 100, the rim's first andthird surfaces fourth surfaces spacer disk 156, or retainingcollar 112 positioned adjacent thefirst end 124 of thescrubber disk 110A to properly register and position thescrubber disk 110A relative to such other scrubber disk 110,spacer disk 156, or retainingcollar 112. Also, the rim's second andfourth surfaces third surfaces spacer disk 156, or retainingcollar 112 positioned adjacent thesecond end 126 of thescrubber disk 110A to properly register and position thescrubber disk 110A relative to such other scrubber disk 110,spacer disk 156, or retainingcollar 112. Through the contact, engagement and registration between thesurfaces scrubber disk 110A and those cooperativelydisposed surfaces spacer disks 156, or retainingcollars 112, there are essentially no gaps present between the rim 120 of thescrubber disk 110A and the cooperatively disposed and engaged rims 120 of such other scrubber disks 110,spacer disks 156, or retainingcollars 112. Because there are essentially no gaps present, material being removed from an article by thescrubber 100 cannot get trapped between longitudinally the rims 120 of adjacent scrubber disks 110,spacer disks 156, or retainingcollars 112, thereby minimizing the extent of cleaning required to clean thescrubber 100 after use. - As briefly described above, the
bristles 122 protrude and extend from the rim 120 of thescrubber disk 110A. During use of thescrubber 100, thebristles 122 rotate with thedrive shaft 108 about the scrubber's centrallongitudinal axis 106, come into contact with the article from which material is to be removed, and dislodge the material from the surface of the article. Each bristle 122 extends radially from the scrubber disk's rim 120 and has a first end 146 at the rim 120 and a second end 148 distant from the rim 120. A radially-extendinglongitudinal axis 150 extends between and through the first and second ends 146, 148 of thebristle 122. Generally, thelongitudinal axis 150 of each bristle 122 is located at an angle, α, relative to thelongitudinal axes 150 of the nearestother bristles 122 such that thebristles 122 are spaced apart in a substantially equal manner around the periphery of the scrubber disk's rim 120. In accordance with the example embodiment, thescrubber disk 110A includes forty (40) bristles 122 spaced with equal angular separation around the rim 120 of thescrubber disk 110A. - Each bristle 122 comprises a body 152 that extends between the bristle's first and second ends 146, 148. According to the example embodiment, the body 152 of each bristle 122 of the
scrubber disk 110A has a cross-section perpendicular to the bristle'slongitudinal axis 150 having a rounded rectangular shape. Further, the body 152 of each bristle 122 generally tapers between the bristle's first and second ends 146, 148 such that the cross-sectional area of thebristle 122 is largest at the bristle's first end 146 and is smallest at the bristle's second end 148. - Additionally, each bristle 122 has a plurality of barbs 154 near the bristle's second end 148 that are, according to the example embodiment, equally spaced relative to one another. According to the example embodiment, each bristle 122 has three (3) barbs 154. Each barb 154 protrudes perpendicularly from the bristle's
longitudinal axis 150 and extends at least partially around and from the bristle's body 152. Each barb 154 typically has a cross-section perpendicular to the bristle'slongitudinal axis 150 having a generally rounded rectangular shape. The cross-sectional area of each barb 154 becomes progressively smaller with the barb's location relative to the bristle's second end 148 such that the cross-sectional area of the barb 154 nearest the bristle's first end 146 is largest and the cross-sectional area of the barb 154 nearest the bristle's second end 148 is smallest. During the scrubber's use, the barbs 154 engage the material to be removed from the article introduced to thescrubber 100 and tend to rip and tear such material away from the article. -
FIGS. 4 and 5 display pictorial views of ascrubber disk 110B of a second type in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. Thescrubber disk 110B is substantially similar toscrubber disk 110A with the exception of the number and configuration of thebristles 122 and barbs 154 of each bristle 122. According to the example embodiment,scrubber disk 110B includes fifty-one (51) bristles 122 that are spaced at equal angular intervals around the rim 120 of thescrubber disk 110B. Each bristle 122 has a cross-section perpendicular to the bristle'slongitudinal axis 150 having a substantially circular shape. Unlike the body 152 ofscrubber disk 110A, the body 152 of each bristle 122 does not taper between the bristle's first and second ends 146, 148 such that the cross-sectional area of thebristle 122 is substantially constant. Additionally, each bristle 122 has four (4) barbs 154, with each barb 154 having a cross-section perpendicular to the bristle'slongitudinal axis 150 that has a generally circular shape. The barbs 154 are spaced equally apart along the bristle'slongitudinal axis 150. The three (3) barbs 154 nearest the bristle's first end 146 are of substantially the same thickness along the bristle'slongitudinal axis 150, while the barb 154 nearest the bristle's second end 148 is thicker along the bristle'slongitudinal axis 150 than the other barbs 154. -
FIG. 6 displays a pictorial view of ascrubber 100 of a second configuration, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, includingscrubber disks spacer disks 156 located between certain of thescrubber disks scrubber disks spacer disk 156 therebetween. Others of thescrubber disks nearby scrubber disks spacer disk 156. Similar to thescrubber 100 of the first configuration, thescrubber disks drive shaft 108 and are held in respective longitudinal positions along thedrive shaft 108 by the retainingcollars 112 that are affixed to thedrive shaft 108. As illustrated by thescrubber 100 ofFIG. 6 , ascrubber 100 may be custom configured for almost any task or application using different types of scrubber disks 110, different arrangements and positions of scrubber disks 110, and different spacings of the various scrubber disks 110 along thedrive shaft 108. -
FIGS. 7 and 8 display pictorial views of thefirst end 102 of thescrubber 100 of the second configuration with a retainingcollar 112A, respectively, not engaged and engaged with the nearest scrubber disk 110. The retainingcollar 112A, similar to the retainingcollar 112B at thesecond end 104 of thescrubber 100, has afirst end 158 and an opposedsecond end 160. The retainingcollar 112A defines a centrallongitudinal axis 162 extending between and through the first and second ends 158, 160. The retainingcollar 112A also defines abore 164 extending therein between the first and second ends 158, 160. Thebore 164 is sized and shaped to cooperatively receive the scrubber'sdrive shaft 108 therethrough, and to prevent relative rotation of the retainingcollar 112A about thedrive shaft 108. According to the example embodiment, thebore 164 has a hexagonal cross-section perpendicular to the scrubber's centrallongitudinal axis 106 similar to the hexagonal cross-section of the scrubber'sdrive shaft 108. However, it should be understood and appreciated that in other embodiments, thebore 164 and driveshaft 108 may have many different cooperative cross-sectional shapes as described above with respect to thedrive shaft 108, and the retainingcollar 112A and driveshaft 108 may utilize keys/keyways, internal/external teeth, and/or other structures or devices alone or in combination with such cross-sectional shapes to prevent relative rotation of the retainingcollar 112A about thedrive shaft 108. - Additionally, the retaining
collar 112A has afirst surface 166 at the collar'ssecond end 160 that forms a portion of a spiral helix about the collar's centrallongitudinal axis 162 and that is formed for cooperation, contact and engagement with the first orsecond surfaces collar 112A also has asecond surface 168 at the collar'ssecond end 160 that is formed for cooperation, contact and engagement with the third orfourth surfaces collar 112A is positioned with the collar's first andsecond surfaces third surfaces 138, 142 (or second andfourth surfaces collar 112A prevents movement of scrubber disks 110 andspacer disks 156 along and relative to the scrubber'sdrive shaft 108. -
FIG. 9 displays a pictorial view of a portion of thescrubber 100 of the second configuration and more clearly shows aspacer disk 156 located about thedrive shaft 108 and positioned between ascrubber disk 110B of a second type and ascrubber disk 110C of a third type, and adjacent to and engaged with thescrubber disk 110B of the second type. Thespacer disk 156 is shown alone inFIGS. 10-12 and is substantially similar to a scrubber disk 110, except that thespacer disk 156 does not include any bristles 112. The use of one ormore spacer disks 156 in a scrubber configuration enables the longitudinal separation of scrubber disks 110 along the scrubber'sdrive shaft 108 and permits the custom tailoring ofscrubbers 100 for particular applications that have certain types and numbers of scrubber disks 110 located in appropriate, or desired, positions along the scrubber'sdrive shaft 108. - More particularly, each
spacer disk 156 comprises a hub 170 having a web 172 and arim 174. The web 172 has a substantially cylindrical shape with afirst end 176 and an opposedsecond end 178, and extends radially about and longitudinally parallel to a centrallongitudinal axis 180 of thespacer disk 156. The web 172 has aboss 182 protruding in the longitudinal direction from the web'ssurface 184 at the web'sfirst end 176. Theboss 182 protrudes from the web'ssurface 184 by a distance that causes theboss 182 to come into contact with theweb surface 134 at thesecond end 126 of a scrubber disk 110, with theweb surface 186 at thesecond end 178 of anotherspacer disk 156, or aretaining collar 112 and provide proper registration and spacing of thespacer disk 156 with respect to such scrubber disk 110,other spacer disk 156, or retainingcollar 112 in the longitudinal direction along the scrubber'sdrive shaft 108. - The web 172 and
boss 182 define abore 188 extending therethrough about the spacer disk's centrallongitudinal axis 180. Thebore 188 is sized and shaped to cooperatively receive the scrubber'sdrive shaft 108 therethrough, and to prevent relative rotation of thespacer disk 156 about thedrive shaft 108. According to the example embodiment, thebore 188 has a hexagonal cross-section perpendicular to the spacer disk's centrallongitudinal axis 180 similar to the hexagonal cross-section of the scrubber'sdrive shaft 108. However, it should be understood and appreciated that in other embodiments, thebore 188 and driveshaft 108 may have many different cooperative cross-sectional shapes as described above with respect to thedrive shaft 108, and the web 172,boss 182 and driveshaft 108 may utilize keys/keyways, internal/external teeth, and/or other structures or devices alone or in combination with such cross-sectional shapes to prevent relative rotation of thespacer disk 156 about thedrive shaft 108. - The
rim 174 of thespacer disk 156 extends from and around the web 172 through an angular measure of substantially three hundred sixty degrees (360°) and at a radial distance from and about the spacer disk's central longitudinal axis 180 (and at the radial extent of the web 172) to form a portion of a spiral helix about the centrallongitudinal axis 180. By virtue of the spiral helix form, therim 174 protrudes partially from theweb surface 184 at the spacer disk'sfirst end 176 and partially from theweb surface 186 at the spacer disk'ssecond end 178. Therim 174 has a generally constant-size, rectangular cross-section when cut by a plane extending in the spacer disk's longitudinal direction and diametrically from and including the spacer disk's central longitudinal axis 180 (as opposed to a plane extending perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 180). Therim 174 has afirst surface 190 at the spacer disk'sfirst end 176 and a longitudinally opposedsecond surface 192 at the spacer disk'ssecond end 178. Also, therim 174 has athird surface 194 at the spacer disk'sfirst end 176 that corresponds to the spiral helix's beginning location, and afourth surface 196 at the spacer disk'ssecond end 178 that corresponds to the spiral helix's ending location. - In a
scrubber 100, the rim's first andthird surfaces fourth surfaces fourth surfaces spacer disk 156, or the first andsecond surfaces collar 112 positioned adjacent thefirst end 176 of thespacer disk 156 to properly register and position thespacer disk 156 relative to a scrubber disk 110, anotherspacer disk 156, or retainingcollar 112. Also, the rim's second andfourth surfaces third surfaces third surfaces spacer disk 156, or the first andsecond surfaces collar 112 positioned adjacent thesecond end 178 of thespacer disk 156 to properly register and position thespacer disk 156 relative to a scrubber disk 110, anotherspacer disk 156, or aretaining collar 112. Through the contact, engagement and registration between thesurfaces spacer disk 156 and those cooperativelydisposed surfaces surfaces adjacent spacer disks 156, or surfaces 166, 168 of retainingcollars 112, there are essentially no gaps present between therim 174 of thespacer disk 156 and the cooperatively disposed and engaged rims 120 of scrubber disks 110,rims 174 ofother spacer disks 156, or retainingcollars 112. Because there are essentially no gaps present, material being removed from an article by thescrubber 100 cannot get trapped between longitudinally the rims 120 of adjacent scrubber disks 110,rims 174 ofadjacent spacer disks 156, or retainingcollars 112, thereby minimizing the extent of cleaning required to clean thescrubber 100 after use. - In accordance with the example embodiment, the scrubber disks 110 and
spacer disks 156 are manufactured from one or more polymer materials selected to provide the scrubber disks 110,spacer disks 156, and their component parts with sufficient strength, rigidity, flexibility, moldability, durability, and/or other structural and usability characteristics appropriate for the task for which thescrubber 100 will be used. However, it should be understood and appreciated that the scrubber disks 110,spacer disks 156, and their component parts may be manufactured from other materials in other embodiments. It should also be understood and appreciated that, in other embodiments,scrubbers 100 may be configured differently from the first and second configurations described herein. In such other embodiments and configurations, thescrubbers 100 may have differently shapeddrive shafts 108, may have increased or decreased numbers of scrubber disks 110 andspacer disks 156, may have scrubber disks 110 andspacer disks 156 arranged differently, and may have scrubber disks 110 of different types that have increased or decreased numbers ofbristles 122, increased or decreased angular spacing between thebristles 122, bristles 122 having bodies 152 with different cross-sectional shapes, and bristles with different numbers, shapes, spacing, and dimensions of barbs 154. Additionally, it should be understood and appreciated that in other embodiments, thebristles 122 may not be uniformly distributed or arranged at equal angular intervals/spacings around the rim 120 of a scrubber disk 110, or some of thebristles 122 may arranged at equal angular intervals/spacings with respect to certainother bristles 122 while others are not. - A
scrubber 100 may be configured and assembled for a particular application by developing, producing, and/or selecting scrubber disks 110 and, as appropriate, combinations of different types of scrubber disks 110, having characteristics that are valuable or beneficial for the application for which thescrubber 100 will be used. The arrangement and order of the scrubber disks 110 and spacer disks, 156, if any, relative to the first and second ends 102, 104 of thescrubber 100 is determined so that scrubber disks 110 are located at particular locations along thedrive shaft 108. Thescrubber 100 is then assembled by sliding the respective scrubber disks 110 andspacer disks 156, if any, onto thedrive shaft 108 in the pre-determined order and oriented about thedrive shaft 108 so that the various surfaces of adjacent scrubber disks 110 andspacer disks 156, if any, are in contact and engaged as described above. After all of the scrubber disks 110 andspacer disks 156, if any, are present on thedrive shaft 108, the retainingcollars 112 are slid onto thedrive shaft 108 from the scrubber's respective ends 102, 104 and into engagement with the nearest scrubber disk 110 orspacer disk 156, as appropriate. Then, the retainingcollars 112 are secured to thedrive shaft 108. - In use, a
scrubber 100 is mounted for rotation of thedrive shaft 108 at an appropriate rotational speed for the particular application for which thescrubber 100 is used. For example, ascrubber 100 used in a poultry processing facility to remove skin from the feet of poultry birds may be rotated at a speed of approximately two hundred fifty (250) revolutions per minute. Because the scrubber disks 110 of thescrubber 100 are mounted to thedrive shaft 108 so that the scrubber disks 110 do not rotate relative to thedrive shaft 108, the scrubber disks 110 rotate in unison with thedrive shaft 108. Once the scrubber disks 110 and driveshaft 108 are rotating at the appropriate rotational speed for the application, an article from which material is to be removed is introduced into contact with the scrubber disks 110. Rotation of thedrive shaft 108 brings the barbs 154 of the scrubber disk bristles 122 repeatedly into contact with the article. The barbs 154 tear and/or pull material from the article. After a desired amount of material is removed, the article is removed from contact with the scrubber disks 110. Because there are virtually no gaps between adjacent scrubber disks 110 or between scrubber disks 110 andadjacent spacer disks 156, the removed material does not become trapped between scrubber disks 110 orspacer disks 156 and, hence, post-use cleaning of thescrubber 100 is easy. - Whereas the present invention has been described in detail above with respect to an example embodiment and configurations thereof, it should be appreciated that variations and modifications might be effected within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Claims (1)
1. A scrubber apparatus comprising:
a scrubbing member defining a central longitudinal axis and including a rim forming a spiral helix about said central longitudinal axis, said scrubbing member further including a bristle.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US15/637,019 US20170295915A1 (en) | 2014-01-27 | 2017-06-29 | Scrubber System |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US201461932228P | 2014-01-27 | 2014-01-27 | |
US14/607,030 US9693568B2 (en) | 2014-01-27 | 2015-01-27 | Scrubber system |
US15/637,019 US20170295915A1 (en) | 2014-01-27 | 2017-06-29 | Scrubber System |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/607,030 Continuation US9693568B2 (en) | 2014-01-27 | 2015-01-27 | Scrubber system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20170295915A1 true US20170295915A1 (en) | 2017-10-19 |
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ID=53677812
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US14/607,030 Active - Reinstated US9693568B2 (en) | 2014-01-27 | 2015-01-27 | Scrubber system |
US15/637,019 Abandoned US20170295915A1 (en) | 2014-01-27 | 2017-06-29 | Scrubber System |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/607,030 Active - Reinstated US9693568B2 (en) | 2014-01-27 | 2015-01-27 | Scrubber system |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US9693568B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2975253A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2015113064A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9693568B2 (en) | 2014-01-27 | 2017-07-04 | Brush Solutions, LLC | Scrubber system |
US10112219B1 (en) * | 2017-04-18 | 2018-10-30 | Tim McManaman | Rotational brush for cleaning laps of siding |
TR201711518A2 (en) * | 2017-08-04 | 2019-02-21 | Cimuka Kulucka Makineleri Ve Ekip Vet Pet Ueruen Iml Kimyevi Uert San Ve Tic Ltd Sti | FINGER FINGER USED TO TAKE FEATHERS OF POULTRY ANIMALS |
JP1616654S (en) * | 2017-08-08 | 2018-10-29 | ||
AU201810676S (en) * | 2017-08-08 | 2018-02-27 | Reckitt Benckiser Brands Ltd | Skin treatment article |
USD865203S1 (en) * | 2017-08-08 | 2019-10-29 | Reckitt Benckiser Health Limited | Skin treatment apparatus with brush with green chevron pattern |
USD845633S1 (en) * | 2017-08-08 | 2019-04-16 | Reckitt Benckiser (Brands) Limited | Skin treatment apparatus with brush |
USD926476S1 (en) * | 2019-04-02 | 2021-08-03 | Taiwo Odunsi | Exfoliating body brush |
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US3765726A (en) * | 1971-03-02 | 1973-10-16 | G Clark | Method of making a brush structure |
US3768109A (en) * | 1972-08-14 | 1973-10-30 | W Wardell | Brush assembly |
US4490877A (en) * | 1983-11-20 | 1985-01-01 | Drumm Arthur E | Spiral brush section |
US5002139A (en) * | 1988-07-16 | 1991-03-26 | Hawera Probst Gmbh & Co. | Drilling tool |
US8690759B2 (en) * | 2010-07-15 | 2014-04-08 | Karl Storz Gmbh & Co. Kg | Endoscopic instrument |
US9232851B2 (en) * | 2008-05-20 | 2016-01-12 | Albea Services | Variable pitch mascara brush |
US9663909B2 (en) * | 2012-09-07 | 2017-05-30 | Briggs & Stratton Corporation | Snow directing and discharging assembly |
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US2349643A (en) | 1940-09-07 | 1944-05-23 | Spiral Brushes Inc | Brush construction |
US2409309A (en) | 1943-05-06 | 1946-10-15 | Osborn Mfg Co | Rotary brush |
US2825081A (en) * | 1954-07-30 | 1958-03-04 | Fuller Brush Co | Cylindrical brush |
US2797425A (en) | 1954-10-05 | 1957-07-02 | Osborn Mfg Co | Brush strip |
US3080637A (en) * | 1960-03-17 | 1963-03-12 | Albany Felt Co | Napping device for modifying the surface characteristic of a fibrous material |
US3107382A (en) * | 1961-10-27 | 1963-10-22 | Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co | Brush strip for power-driven brush |
US3193866A (en) * | 1963-07-16 | 1965-07-13 | Ind Brush Company | Rotary brush means and brush strip slack accumulator therefor |
US3643281A (en) * | 1969-01-06 | 1972-02-22 | Mfg Brush Co The | Rotary brush |
US3839763A (en) * | 1972-07-27 | 1974-10-08 | W Gould | Rotary brush section |
FR2874212B1 (en) * | 2004-08-13 | 2008-02-01 | Total France Sa | DEVICE FOR LOADING AN ENCLOSURE WITH SOLID PARTICLES AND METHOD USING THE DEVICE |
FR2913572B1 (en) * | 2007-03-16 | 2009-06-05 | Chanel Parfums Beaute Soc Par | APPLICATOR FOR APPLYING A PRODUCT ON THE LASHES |
US9127425B2 (en) * | 2013-03-14 | 2015-09-08 | Meyer Products, Llc | Granular spreader assembly |
JP6058383B2 (en) * | 2012-12-25 | 2017-01-11 | 槌屋ティスコ株式会社 | Rotating brush for brush and vacuum cleaner |
US9693568B2 (en) | 2014-01-27 | 2017-07-04 | Brush Solutions, LLC | Scrubber system |
-
2015
- 2015-01-27 US US14/607,030 patent/US9693568B2/en active Active - Reinstated
- 2015-01-27 WO PCT/US2015/013135 patent/WO2015113064A1/en active Application Filing
- 2015-01-27 CA CA2975253A patent/CA2975253A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2017
- 2017-06-29 US US15/637,019 patent/US20170295915A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3765726A (en) * | 1971-03-02 | 1973-10-16 | G Clark | Method of making a brush structure |
US3768109A (en) * | 1972-08-14 | 1973-10-30 | W Wardell | Brush assembly |
US4490877A (en) * | 1983-11-20 | 1985-01-01 | Drumm Arthur E | Spiral brush section |
US5002139A (en) * | 1988-07-16 | 1991-03-26 | Hawera Probst Gmbh & Co. | Drilling tool |
US9232851B2 (en) * | 2008-05-20 | 2016-01-12 | Albea Services | Variable pitch mascara brush |
US8690759B2 (en) * | 2010-07-15 | 2014-04-08 | Karl Storz Gmbh & Co. Kg | Endoscopic instrument |
US9663909B2 (en) * | 2012-09-07 | 2017-05-30 | Briggs & Stratton Corporation | Snow directing and discharging assembly |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US9693568B2 (en) | 2017-07-04 |
WO2015113064A1 (en) | 2015-07-30 |
US20150208678A1 (en) | 2015-07-30 |
CA2975253A1 (en) | 2015-07-30 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |