US2271052A - Apparatus for washing or cleaning plates, dishes, and the like - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 27 1942. E. .v. VARLEY- ET AL APPARATUS FOR WASHING OR CLEANING PLATES, DISHES AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 1, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet l 2 l/fnventor y i Z k Attorney VJ Jan. 27, 1942. E. v. VARLEY ET AL 2,271,052

APPARATUS FOR WASHING OR CLEANING PLATES, DISHES. AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 1, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 2. 1 5 --6 15 31 2 20 I Ih 21 19 30 3 33;? 3 17 Z, ,:::::ig 23 23"i MM I I 1/ 25 I 4 euaaze 6 ,fl/BBEE al FEED c'ovz'esp 27 3 Fig.3.

RUBBER COVERED 1 In ventor v m M Jan. 27, 1942. E. v. VARLEY ETAL 2,271,052

APPARATUS FOR WASHING 0R CLEANING PLATES, DISHES Q AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 1, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 27, 1942. E. v. VARLEY ET AL 2,271,052

APPARATUS FOR WASHING OR CLEANING PLATES, DISHES AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 1, 1939 4 Shets-Sheet 4 L. 219 [tor/76y Patented Jan. 27, 1942 "UNi TE was PATENT oar-ice APPARATUS FOR WASHING R GLE-ANING PLATES, DISHES, AND THE LIKE Ernest Vernon Varley and AlfonsovFraulo, London, England Application September 1, 1939. Serial N0.' 292; 2'8 In Great Britain =September:9,.a193-8 6 Claims.

article to be Washed or cleaned is inserted between opposing and oppositely rotating brushes 'or the like, said article receiving a combined rotaryxand lateral motionwhen so positioned.

.In 'one known apparatusof the above type the washing or cleaning of both sides of eacharticle is effected simultaneously bymeans 'of'tworotary cleaning units the .drivingspindles of which are parallel to each other and arerotated inopposite directions. In this apparatus the article in process of being washed or cleaned is supported by its edge at an inclination between a lowersupport on which the article is free to roll and a vertical support in the form of a rotating cam or swash plate which causes the article to move laterally byrocking about the aforesaid lower support. The article in process of being washed or cleaned is caused to rotate by reason of the .fact .thatthe .article is maintained insuch a position by theaforesaid supports that the cleaning units actalwaysvon 'one;siderof the centreof "the article, the Whole surface being acted upon as a result of the consequential rotation of the article.

The object of the present invention is to provide in or for use in 'anapparatus of the type specified an improved cleaning unit in which the opposing movements of one pair of opposing :re volving brushes or their equivalent are utilised bodily to displace each engaged article to cause the article periodically to be also engaged by a further pair of oppositely revolving and opposing brushes or their equivalent for the purpose of producing further bodily displacement .of the article in the return direction together with a turning'movement aboutits own axis.

.Broadly the present invention consists of a washing or cleaning unit, in or for use in apparatus for washing or cleaning plates, dishes and the like, said cleaning unit comprising at least two pairs of rotary brushes or their equivalent, said brushes being arranged as two opposing groups, each group :having two brushes in coaxial alignment, driving means for-said brushes such that the brushes in each pair turn-in opposite directionsboth in relation'to each other and to the corresponding brushes in the next pair the brushesin each pair rotating at the same or different speeds and preferably at different speeds to the brushes in the adjacent pair, and means for utilising the opposing movements of one pair of opposing brushes to displace the article :en-

gaged therebetween to a position where it also becomes engaged between the next pair of opposing brushes.

In one embodiment of the invention the pairs of rotary brushes are arranged in parallel relationship and in use they are mounted within the central compartment of a "tank adapted to contain washing liquid, and horizontally above a device having an interrupted or'continuous inclined-surface 'to produce the initial displacement of each article to be washed. 'The'tank-in this embodiment is divided by two vertical and preferably perforated partitions, into three "compartments, the central compartment containing the rotary brushes and -the two outer compartments overflow pipes opening 'at the normal upperlevel of the contained liquid to carry away the grease and other scum which collects on 'the surface of the liquid within these outer compartments.

In a further embodiment the pairs ofhorizon- -ta1 brushes arearranged vertically one 'pair above the other and used in conjunction with'means for diverting'thecleaned articles on to acon- 've-yor 'fortransierence "into a rinsing tank.

In'order that the invention may be clearly understood and carried into efiect one practical application of the same will now be descr'ibed'by way of example, by aid of the accompanying drawings in which: I

Fig. 1 is a perspective view-'o'f'a complete machine according {to the present invention with parts broken away and omitted and showing the preferred construction of device for producing side displacement of each article to be washed or cleaned.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section through the machine with the plate rack removed and illustrat- .ing a. modified form of the displacing device.

. "Fig. 3 isa top plane view of the machine as illustratedin Fig.2.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view showing the driving means for the higher speed brushes on one side of the machine.

:Fig. 5 i'satransverse section through the machine illustrated in Fig. 3 and showing in dotted lines the :driving means for the slower revolving brushes on the opposite-side-of the machine.

Fig.6 illustrates a further modification hereafter 'to be described.

Figure 7 illu'strates a side elevation in perspective involving :a modified drive 'for the revolving brushes :of each series.

'The apparatus illustrated in the-drawings with particular reference to Figs. 1 to5 comprises an open rectangular tank I to hold the Water or These openings are situated opposite The cleaning unit in the present example is situated within the central compartment of the tank and comprises four rotary brushes 5, 6, 1, 8. These brushes are arranged co-axially as pairs, 5, 6 and I, 8, and said pairs are mounted so as to reside in parallel relationship with the brushes 5, 6, opposing the brushes 1, 8.

Each brush is mounted so as to be free to rotate independently of the other brushes, but in the example illustrated the opposing brushes 5, 1, on one side are coupled together by one driving means and the other opposing brushes 6, 8, by a separate driving means. If desired, however, each brush may be driven separately, so that the brushes in each pair may either rotate at the same or different speeds. The driving means illustrated, which will hereafter be described in detail, are such that the brushes 5, 1 will be rotated inwards towards each other whilst the other pair of brushes 6, 8 will be rotated outwards or away from each other, and at the same time the inwardly rotating brushes 5, 1 will be driven at a higher speed, for example, twice the speed, of the other or outwardly rotating brushes.

Situated on the bottom of the tank so as to oppose the longitudinal intersection between the two pairs of opposing brushes is a device which comprises, in one example, an interrupted inclined surface and, in another example, a continuous inclined surface. This device is for the purpose of utilising the opposing rotary movements of the brushes 5, I, to cause an inserted article, for example, the plate 9, to be bodily displaced towards the intersection between the other pair of opposing brushes 6, 8, so that it becomes simultaneously engaged by both pairs of brushes for a purpose which will hereafter appear.

In the example illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings the inclined surface of the device abovementioned is constituted by three rollers, an upper roller In, an intermediate roller l l and a lower roller E2 the two latter rollers being arranged in relatively close proximity to each other.

In advance of the lower roller I2 is a horizontal surface l3 and when the device is in position on the bottom of the tank, this horizontal portion projects beneath the intersection between the outwardly or upwardly revolving brushes 6, 8,

whilst the rollers H and [2 of the stepped series of rollers reside within the width of the inwardly or downwardly revolving brushes 5, I.

The rollers H3, ll, l2 are preferably composed of or covered with a resilient material such as rubber, as is also the horizontal surface 13, to prevent the edges of the articles from becoming chipped or bent. Such a protection against damage is necessary as the speed of the brushes 5, I imparts considerable downward velocity to each article as it is positioned between them.

With a cleaning unit as above described each article, as it is inserted between the brushes 5, 1, by the operator is carried rapidly downwards until its edge strikes the upper roller l0, which causes it to be deflected sideways so that the continued downward movement brings the article into successive engagement with the intermediate and lower rollers ll, l2. This results in further deflection or displacement of the article and to such an extent that the forward portion of the article is forced between the upwardly roating brushes 5, 8. Although the previous displacement of the article causes the same partially to turn about its axis, the fact of opposite sides of the same being simultaneously engaged by the two pairs of brushes results in the article being rotated about its own axis several times whilst it is also caused to move bodily upwards and at the same time to turn back in the direction where, if not removed, it will again become wholly engaged between the first mentioned pair of brushes. The article will continue to move in this somewhat elliptical path of travel until it is lifted out of engagement with the brushes, but in practice the article will be sufficiently cleaned after one or only a few of such cycles for it to be removed. The removal is readily effected as during the time it is simultaneously engaged by both pairs of brushes it will rise to a position where it may be grasped by the operator.

The grease and other solid matter scraped off each article by the rubbing actions of the brushes 5, l is flung outwards through the openings 4 in the partitions 2, and so into the two outer compartments of the tank, where it rises to the surface of the contained liquid and is drained away through the overflow pipes 14. By this means the liquid in the central compartment of the tank is maintained relatively clean.

The level of liquid within the tank is maintained at the upper level represented by the open ends of the overflow pipes, by make-up liquid which can be introduced, preferably into the central compartment, by any suitable means, not shown.

Each revolving brush in the example illustrated comprises an annular wooden foundation 15 for the bristles and two end plates l6 which are screwed or otherwise affixed centrally to 0pposite ends of the wooden foundation. outside of each end plate and centrally thereof, is affixed a boss I! which is cut away as shown so that each boss forms one half of a scarf joint. The associated halves of this scarf joint are formed on the opposing ends of driving shafts l3. At the opposing ends of each aligned pair of brushes is positioned a bearing unit [9 comprising two sleeves having flanges at the adjacent ends thereof mounted to form intermediate peripheral surfaces 20 which act as a spacer to maintain the two brushes in spaced relationship to each other. This bearing unit I9 as well as opposing recesses in the two end bosses I! operate to afford a detachable support for a rod 2| which serves to'maintain each pair of brushes in axial alignment. Although the bearing unit has been shown as comprising two sleeves having flanges at their ends, it is within theprovince of this invention to provide a single bearing unit having a central peripheral flange to serve as a spacer, for the purpose aforesaid.

By means of the scarf joint connection between each pair of brushes and their respective driving shafts, it is possible, simply by unfastening the connecting bolts 22, to lift each pair of brushes out of the tank for cleaning or other purposes.

The driving means for the pairs of opposing brushes on opposite sides of the machine comprise a continuous chain 23 engaging sprocket wheels 24 on the ends of the driving shafts l8 and smaller sprocket wheels 25 and 26 on opposite ends of a lay shaft extending across the underside of the tank. This lay shaft is driven from an electric motor 21 and as the sprocket wheel 25 which drives the brushes 5, 1 is larger than the corresponding sprocket wheel 26, said brushes 5, 1 will be driven at a higher speed than the opposite brushes 6, 8.

In Fig. 1 is illustrated one suitable form of To the draining rack for use in connection with a machine according to the present invention, such rack being indicated at 28, but as this rack forms no part of the present invention, no further description of the same is necessary.

In Figs. 2 and 3 there is illustrated a modified form of the device for displacing each article asit is being washed, such modification comprising a member 29 corresponding to the upper roller in, in the device shown in Fig. 1, and a further bent member having an inclined portion 30 with a continuous surface and a horizontal portion 3| at its foot, said surfaces being covered with rubber or other resilient material as in the first described example.

If desired the articles as they are washed may be delivered automatically from the brushes onto a conveyor which conveys them out of the washing machine and into a rinsing tank.

One such arrangement for this purpose is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 6 which is a plan view of a washing machin adapted for this purpose.

In this arrangement the pairs of brushes are arranged vertically one pair above the other and driven in a similar manner to the previous arrangement, the brushes 5 and l rotating in a direction which feeds the article towards the rear of the tank and the brushes 6 and 8 rotating in the opposite direction.

The articles to be washed are fed in at the front of the machine and are delivered to the first pair of brushes 5 and I by a curved feed plate 32 which turns each article as it is put into the machine from a vertical to a horizontal position.

As the article emerges from the rear of the brushes 5 and 1 it engages with a ramp 33 which constitutes the aforementioned inclined surface and which imparts the lateral sliding movement to the article to feed the same between the brushes 6 and 8.

When th article becomes engaged between both sets of brushes it is thereby brought back to the front of the machine and as it emerges from between such brushes its forward edge engages with a further inclined ramp 34 which imparts a lateral movement to the same so that the article is'fed onto an endless band conveyor 35 which delivers it to a rinsing tank, not shown, from which it may be removed by means of a further conveyor not shown for drying so that the operations of washing, rinsing and drying are all effected automatically.

As shown in the modification of Figure 7, the drive for the brushes may be constructed so that brushes 5' and 6' are driven from motor 21' through respectively sprocket wheels 36 and 31 connected by chain 28 for brush 5' and sprocket wheels 39 and 40 connected by cross-chain 4! for brush 6; while brushe 1 and 8' are driven by motor 2'!" through respectively sprocket wheels 42 and 43 connected by cross-chain 44 for brush 1 and sprocket wheels 45 and 46 connected by chain 41 for brush 3. In this embodiment the respective brushes are mounted on the spaced shafts in connection with the assembly shown in the remaining figures of the drawings and are separately driven in the direction of the arrows so that the brushes in each pair may either rotat at the same or different speeds, as determined by the changes in R. P. M. of the motors 21" and 21" and the substitution of different sizes for some or all of the sprocket wheels 31 and 40 cooperating with one aligned set of brushes 5' and 6' and sprocket wheels 43 and 46 cooperating with the other aligned set of brushes 1' and 8.

This embodiment illustrates but one method and assembly by which the brushes may be driven separately, so that those in each pair may either rotate at the same or different speeds and is not to be construed by way of limitation as to the method or assembly to accomplish such result.

Although the term brush has been used throughout the specification it will be understood that this term is also intended to cover other devices of a similar character and devices for effecting polishing only as distinct from washmg.

It is also to be understood that for certain operations where a liquid is not required the cleaning unit may be used with or without a tank.

What we claim is:

1. In or for use in apparatus for washing or cleaning plates, dishes and the like, a washing or cleaning unit comprising at least two pairs of rotary brushes, said brushes being arranged as two opposing groups, each group having two brushes in co-axial alignment, driving means for said brushes such that the brushes in each pair turn in opposite directions both in relation to each other and to the corresponding brushes in the next pair and means for utilising the opposing movements of one pair of opposing brushes to displace the article engaged therebetween to a position where it also becomes engaged between the next pair of opposing brushes.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the brushes are driven so that one pair of opposing brushes rotates at a higher speed than the ad,- jacent pair of brushes.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein in each pair of opposing brushes one brush is rotated at a higher speed than the other.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the brushes are mounted horizontally and above an inclined surface which is arranged so as to oppose the longitudinal intersection between one opposing pair of brushes for the purpose specified.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the brushes are mounted horizontally with one brush group positioned vertically above the other and in association with a pair of inclined surfaces, said surfaces being disposed on opposite sides of the brushes, one to ensur the return movement of each article between the brushes and the other to deliver each washed article onto a conveyor for removal.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the I pairs of rotary brushes are arranged in parallel relationship within the central compartment of a tank which is divided by two vertical and preferably perforated partitions into three communicating compartments, said tank being adapted to receive a quantity of water or other washing liquid, and said outer compartments having means for draining away scum from the upper surface of the liquid.

ERNEST VERNON VARLEY. ALFONSO FRAULO.

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