US2119192A - Barrel and drum cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

May 31, 1938. J. R. ALEXANDER I BARREL AND DRUM CLEANING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Dec. 11, 1929 May 31, 1938 J. R. ALEXANDER BARREL ANDy DRUM CLEANING DEVICE Original Filed Dec. 11, 1929- 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 31, 1938 PATENT OFFICE Y BARREL AND DRUM CLEANING DEVICE John R. Alexander, Newark, N. J.

Application December 11, 1929, Serial No. 413,377 Renewed June 1l, 1935 19 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in ma' chines for cleaning barrels or drums and is more particularly concerned with a machine designed to automatically steam, wash, and ydry barrels and drums, especially drums of the cylindrical type and having a bung-hole in their tops.

Heretofore it has been the usual practice to clean containers of this type, such as the galvanized iron drums commonly employed in the shipment of petroleum oils, by placing the container manually on a steam jet where it is subjected to a steaming operation for several minutes. The container is then manually removed 'and placed in a machine where itis revolved in a bath of caustic solution to wash the outside and interior. The container, when thrown from the washing machine, is raised by hand and placed in a vertical position with the bung uppermost and the residual washing fluid siphoned out. The drum is then placed by hand on a hot air jet and dried.

These numerous manual and machine operations are slow, ineicient and costly. They are extremely -wasteiul of the cleaning agents employed, such as, caustic, steam, rinsing water and hot air.

An object of the present invention therefore is to reduce the manual labor and materials required to a minimum. Another' object is the elective cleansing of the drum. A still further object is a reduction in the rtime heretofore re-` quired.

These objects are attained by the invention described hereinbelow, a speciiic embodiment of 4which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure l represents a plan view of the entire machine showing the barrels in position. Figure 2 represents a vertical section taken on the line 2 2 of lFigure 1, and Figure 3 is a detailed sectional showing of the drum carriage taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. l. Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

t in the drawings a power shaft I (Fig. 1) is' provided with a gear 22 adapted to engage `with the large gear wheel 2 rigidly attached to the exterior of the cylindrical drum 3, which, as shown, is "rotatably supported on a stationary base 4.' Friction-reducing bearingsv such, for example, as roller or ball bearings maybe provided in base`2 toinsure ready rotation ofv the drum thereon. Internally drum` 3 is divided by the horizontal plates 5 and Evinto three iluidtight superimposed compartments l, 8 and 9. A

conduit I0 leads `axially into the upper compart- Y ment from a source of water supply (not shown) and is provided with a suitable water-tight connection such asa McDonald or Wheaton swing joint or Moran lieXb'le joint adapted to permit the drum to revolve. Joints of this type are well 5 known. A conduit II leads from a source of hot air (not shown) axially through the bottom of the drum into the lower compartment 9 and the base of the drum is rotatably journaled thereon by means of an air-tight joint similar to that at the top of the drum. A third conduit I2, as shown, is connected to a source of steam supply and leads axially through conduit Il and compartment 9 and plate E to the central compartment B. Where conduit I2 penetrates plate (i a third rotatable joint of the type already described is provided. Disposed adjacent to the drum 3 is a container 25. This container is connected to `steam line I2 Yby means of a valved conduit and is adapted to,` contain chemicals to be discharged into the steam line I2 for assistingvin cleaning the interior of the drums.

` Twelve radial arms I5 are rigidly connected by any suitable means at equal intervals to the exterior of drum 3 and extend radially to operably connect with the twelve drum carriages I t as described hereinafter; Each of these 12 arms supports three conduits 26, 21 and 28 leading respectively'from the Water, steam and air compartments to terminate, iny the embodiment shown, in a single nozzle 29 disposed on the carriage in position to introduce the cleaning fluids into the bung-hole of the inverted drum. These conduits are each provided with valves designed to be automatically operated as described hereinafter.

` Surrounding the drum 3 at'a suitable distance therefrom are provided two concentric annular rails or grooves I3 and I4 which Vtogether form a track adapted to receiveV the wheels 2l of the drum carriages I6 to which power is supplied through the arms I5 so that the drum 3 and carriages rotate in unison, as will be described below. Carriages I6 are provided with (two rollers or Wheels, one of which is mounted on the inner rail and the other on the outer rail. Supported in vertical position from the axles of each of these wheels is a frame. In the embodiment illustrated, each frame comprises a horizontal member I'l which carries the two vertical rods I8.` These rods support at their upper ends a second cross member or angle iron I9. These two angle irons I9` (one over each wheel) form a support or base adapted to receive the drums or barrels to be cleaned. Rods I8 are slidably connected with the radial arms I5 in any suitable manner such as by the horizontal members 20 which are rigidly attached to the radial arms above each rail and provided with spaced apertures for slidably receiving the rods I8.

By means of this construction, it is possible for the wheels to travel over the irregularly elevated track and raise or lower the carriage frames with respect to each other and thus tilt the drum support without tilting the frames and without tending to raise the horizontal arms I5 or disturbing the central drum 3. At the same time, rotation of the drum 3 is transmitted through the arms I5 and the members 20 to the carriages.

In order to se'cure the desired tilting effect the elevation of the tracks with respect to each other has been 'carefully planned and will now be described. Starting at the line 0, the inner rail I3 extends on an even grade, which for convenience will be called 0 elevation, for about 345 at which point it inclines sharply upward for about 31W to reach an elevation of 4 inches. This level is maintained for 7 1/2 and the rail then dips again to 0 elevation at the line 0 0. 'Ihe outer groove or rail I4 in which the other roller travels starting at the line 0-0 has an elevation of minus 4 inches, but ascends during the next 15 to plus 4 inches. This elevation is maintained for about 150. While the carriage is traveling over this part of the track, the inverted drum is tilted toward the center of the annular track on an approximately 13 angle, by reason of the elevation of the outer track with respect to the inner. Thus tilted the drum is .at the proper angle to thoroughly drain while it is being steamed, cleaned and rinsed. Then for a space of '7l/2, the track I4 declines to an elevation of 0 where it travels for 15 at an 0 elevation. During this interval, the drum is on a levelv and the undrainedV liquid in the drum is spread over the lower surfaces of the drum. For the next 'l1/2 of travel track I4 inclines upwardly until a plus 4 elevation is attained thereby placing the drum on a 13 angle again to again permit drainage. The track then alternates between 0 and a plus 4. elevation for the next 150.

By this means the drum on the carriage is alternately tilted from a vertical position to an angle of 13 and the rinsing water left in the drum is thereby alternatively distributed over the inner surface of the drum and drained to promote the drying operation. At the end of this last 150 travel, or 15 before completing the circuit, the outer groove declines in 7 1/2 to a minus 4 elevation. At this point, as already described, the inner groove has attained a maximum elevation of 4 inches and the carriage is suddenly tilted to such a degree that the drum is overturned and thrown from its support and out of the machine.

The automatic control of the cleaning iluids to the drums will be now described.

As already stated, each of the Water conduits 26, the steam conduits 21 and the air conduits 28 is provided with self-.closing valves indicated by the reference numerals 30, 3| and 32 respectively, Depending from these Valves are cam rods 33, 34 and 35, as shown. These cam rods at their lower end are provided with small castors 36, or other means, adapted to operate in the . annular grooves 39, 40 and 4I, disposed about the central drum in position to contact the cam rods upon revolution of the machine.Y These grooves are elevated and depressed in relation to the tracks in such a way as to open and close the valves to insure the passage of steam, water and hot air to the drums in the proper succession and for the desired duration as explained below.

'I'he self-closing valve 42 in the conduit from the chemical container 25 isv likewise provided with a cam rod 43 which, in the embodiment illustrated, projects upwardly for contact with the arms I as they revolve.

The operation of the machine is as follows:

(For the sake of simplicity, the operation will be described in connection with one drum only, but it will be understood that a plurality of drums are being treated in various stages.)

Power is supplied to shaft I and transmitted to the central drum 3. As drum 3 rotates it carries with it the arms I5 and in turn the carriages I6. When a carriage reaches the line 0 0, a drum is placed thereon in inverted posi- Ition with the nozzle 29 projecting into the bunghole of the drum.

By reason of the depression of the outer track the carriage here is tilted to an angle of 13 to facilitate the loading of the drum. As the drum 3 revolves, it is tilted in the opposite direction by the upwardly inclining outer rail and the cam lever from valve 3| in the steam line 2l, after a travel of is opened by contact with the bottom of groove 40 which, as shown, is elevated for a space of 90, thus permitting the flow of steam into the drum on the carriage during the rst quarter of revolution around the track. During this interval, the valve 42 in the conduit from the chemical container, which is disposed within the steaming section as shown, will be operated by Contact with the rotating member I5 and a cleaning solution will be discharged into the steam line toassist in the cleansing of the drum. Also, during this interval, as already noted, the outer rail is elevated 4 inches and the drum is held in the proper tilted position for drainage. At the end of 90 of steaming, the bottom of groove 40 is depressed permitting the valve 2'I to close. At the same time, the bottom of the groove 39 is elevated thus opening valve 30 and permitting the flow of water into the drum which, by reason of the elevation of the outer rail, is held still in a tilted position for rinsing the same. After 45 of travel groove 39 is depressed and valve 30 closed.

At the same time, the elevation of groove 4I at this point causes valve 32 to open and permit the ingress of hot air to the drums. This valve remains open for 195 of travel, thus giving ample time for the drying of the drum. As already explained, by reason of the alternate lowering and elevation of the outer track during these 195, the drum is tilted from the Vertical to a position of 13 alternatively and the water thus distributed over the surface of the drum to facilitate the drying operation. At the end of the operation by reason of the simultaneous depression of the outer groove and elevation of the inner groove, the drum is lifted off of the jet, overturned and thrown out of the machine as already described.

The machine as described above has been successfully operated at a speed of 1 revolution in every 12 minutes. Obviously, however, the rotation may be speeded up or slowed to adapt it to the condition of the drums. When making a complete revolution in 12 minutes, a clean drum is thrown from the machine every minute.

It is to be understood that the embodiment described hereinabove is merely illustrative and that various changes may be made in the particular elements described. Thus, other means such as a crank shaft connected to the wheels of the drum carriage may be employed for securing the oscillation of the drums and other means for controlling the injection of steam, water and air thereinto may be employed. Likewise, it is obvious that instead of driving the carriages around the track by means of the radial arms I5, the carriages may be driven by a separate source of power. Ob-Viously, also they may be suspended from an elevated rail. Also, instead of having the arms l5 rigidly joined to the drum 3, these arms may be hinged to the exterior of the drum 3 and to the carriages and the sliding connections with the carriages dispensed with.

To meet peculiar conditions, the duration of y the steaming, rinsing and drying operations may be varied and likewise the elevation of the rails with respect to each other. One or more of the above operations may be dispensed with when circumstances permit. These and many other possible modifications will suggest themselves to a skilled -mechanic or engineer and are within the scope of applicants invention.

Obviously the capacity of the machine may be increased by increasing the length of the arms and thereby giving a greater circumference for the drums to travel around and at the same time allowing an increase in the number of arms and drum carriages. Obviously also the capacity of the machine may be similarly decreased by decreasing the length of the arms. A

In order to retain the heat of the cleaning fluids and guard against the escape of objectionable or'valuable voltatile substances, the track and carriages may be enclosed in a hood or tunnel provided with means for discharging the collected fumes.

In actual operation it has Abeen found that the machine may be operated by one man. Moreover, the drums thrown from the machine are not only cleaner but are more thoroughly dried than drums washed by the methods ordinarily employed at present. In addition, the time, the

.amount of cleaning fluid, and heat required to secure these results is tremendously decreased.

As many apparent and widely different embodiments of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the foregoing examples or description except as indicated in the following claims.

I claim:

l. In a drum cleaning mechanism, a movable carriage adapted to support a drum, means movable with said carriage for introducing into said drum a cleaning fluid, said carrier and means being movable in a circular path in a substantially horizontal plane and tilting means adapted to automatically cause the cleaned drums to fall from said carriage.

2. In a drum cleaning mechanism, a rotatable annular conveyer adapted to support a plurality of drums, separate valved conduits for each drum connected for rotation with said conveyer for leading a cleaning fluid and a drying gas into said drums and cams adapted to operate said valves `during the rotation of said conveyer to cause the successive introduction of lcleaning fluid and drying gasinto each of said drums.

3. In a drum cleaning mechanism, a rotatable vsystem comprising an annular conveyer adapted to support a-plurality of drums, an axially disposed source of cleaning fluid and drying gas, and separate valved conduits for leading said fluid and gas from said source into each of said drums in succession and means automatically controlled by the rotation of said system to successively open and close the valved conduits.`

4. In a drum cleaning mechanism, a rotatable system comprising an annular conveyer adapted to support a plurality of drums, an axially dis-` posed source of cleaning fluid and drying gas,

lmeansior leading said iluid and gas from said source into each of said drums, means controlled by the rotation of said system to permit the successive introduction of cleaning iiuid and drying gas into the drums, and means for-oscillating the drums during the introduction of the gas whereby the drying operation is facilitated.

5. In a drum cleaning mechanism, a conveyer adapted to carry a drum, means movably associated with said conveyer for automatically and successively introducing into said drum a cleaning iiuid and a drying gas, and means for automatically oscillating said drum during the introduction of the drying gas.

6. In a drum cleaning mechanism, meansy for successively introducing a cleaning fluid and a drying gas into a drum, a movable carriage adapted to support said drum in position to receive said fluid and gas, and an annular track for said carriage having its outer rail elevated with respect to the inner rail during the portion ing gas is introduced, whereby the drum is oscillated to facilitate the drying operation.

8. In a drum cleaning mechanism comprising an endless undulatingV track, an axially disposedA rotatable hub, spokes integrally connected with said hub and extending radially therefrom, ver-` tically disposed sleeves provided on the outer extremities of said spokes, a drum carriage and a vertically slidable connection between said drum carriage and said sleeves whereby the rotation of said hub may be transmitted to said carriage and at the same time the carriage may be raised or lowered with respect to said hub by the undulatihg track.

9. In a'drum cleaning mechanism, a rotatably mounted cylindrical container, said container being divided into three compartments, separate conduits leadingaxially into each of saidcompartments for introducing therein respectively water, steam and air, separate conduits leading radially from each of said compartments to a nozzle on each of a series of movable carriages adapted to support a single drum in position to receive said nozzle, an annular track for said carriages, means for rotating said central container and said carriages in unison, and means operated by the rotation of said central container to successively control the flow of steam, water and air individually into each of said drums. Y

10. In a drum cleaning mechanism, a rotatably mounted vertically disposed cylinder having its interior divided into three superimposed com-` water and air into said compartments, an indi-` vidual support for each drum adapted to rotate with said cylinder, radially disposed conduits leading from each of said compartments to said support, valves in said conduits, valve stems depending from said valves and adapted to contact with a series of annular successively disposed cams whereby, upon the rotation of said cylinder, the steam, water, and air conduits are successively opened and closed and each individual drum thereby successively steamed, rinsed and dried.

11. In a drum cleaning mechanism, an annular track, a container rotatably disposed at the center of said track, separate compartments in said container for steam, Water and hot air, drum f carriages mounted on said track, radial arms connecting said rotatable container and carriages for unitary rotation, a nozzle on each of said carriages and separate valved conduits connecting one of said nozzles respectively with each of said compartments and adapted to move with said carriages and container.

12; In a drum cleaning mechanism, an annular two-rail track, a containerrotatably disposed at the center of said track, separate compartments in said container for steam, water and hot air, drum carriages mounted on said track, radial arms connecting said rotatable container and carriages for unitary rotation, nozzles on said carriages, separate valved conduits connecting each of said nozzles individually with each of said compartments and adapted to move with said carriages and container, valve stems depending from said valves, and a series of annular stationary cams contacting with said valve stems upon the rotation of said conduits and successively permitting the flow of steam, Water and air to said nozzles.

13. The mechanism set forth in claim 12 in which a portion of the annular track has one rail vertically disposed with respect to the other so as to maintain the drums in a tilted position during the steaming and rinsing operations.

14. The mechanism set forth in claim 3, comprising in addition a container for chemicals, a

duct connecting said chemical'container with said source of cleaning fluid, a valve in said duct, and means to open and close said valve to intermittently discharge a chemical into said source.

15. In the mechanism set forth in claim 12, a stationary container for chemicals, a duct connecting said chemical container with said steam compartment, a valve in said duct, and operating means for said valve controlled by the movement of said drum carriage.

16. In a machine for cleaning a rigid container, a horizontally movable support for said container, means moving with said support for introducing a fluid into said container and means associated with said support to vary the angle of the support from the horizontal during the introduction of the uid.

1'7. In a machine for cleaning rigid containers, a plurality of supports for said containers, driving means connecting said supports to move them in unison in a horizontal direction and means associated With said supports to cause said containers to be tilted from side to side upon such horizontal motion.

18. In a drum cleaning mechanism, a movable carriage adapted to support a drum, a jet, for introducing a cleaning agent, movable with said carriage and adapted to project upwardly into a drum supporte-d on said carriage and means to automatically lift the clean drum from said jet and cause the drum to fall from said carriage While it is in motion.

19. In a machine for cleaning a container, a support for said container horizontally movable about a vertical axis, nozzle means horizontally movable with said support about said vertical axis for introducing a uid into said container, and means for changing the inclination of the container and nozzle means relatively to each other during the introduction of the fluid to better distributethe iluid on the interior of the container.

JOHN R. ALEXANDER.

Images