US3362109A

US3362109A - Treating apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: US3362109A
Application number: US406808A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ralph O Wallace
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-10-27
Filing date: 1964-10-27
Publication date: 1968-01-09
Anticipated expiration: 1985-01-09
Also published as: DE1427689C3; DE1427689B2; DE1427689A1

Description

Jan. 9, 1968 R o, WALLACE 3,362,109

TREATING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed Oct. 27, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 p IA k w 'UHh.

fia/ o/z 0. Wc7//0c e INVENTOR.

ATTO/PA/EKS Jan. 9, 1968 R. o. WALLACE 3,362,109

TREATING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed Oct. 27, 1964 5 Sheet -She t 2 fiaofi O. Wa//0'ce INVENTOR 2 /4me 1s (Am w 41v ATTORNEVJ Jan. 9, 1968 R. o. WALLACE 3,362,109

TREATING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed Oct. 27, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I I 2 n H l n ""1 w l I 2'? I I! IL'f t I f at: E

I I Ill I I A i I l 30 29 l 9 29 J// I 2! I I l 4 i J9 l 57 1 l J I I 07 60 l Waofi Wa//0re INVENTOR United States Patent 3,362,109 TREATING APPARATUS AND METHOD Ralph 0. Wallace, 6550 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, Tex. 77036 Filed Oct. 27, 1964, Ser. No. 406,808 15 Claims. (Cl. 51-9) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus for treating objects whereby the material which is used for the treating operation is subjected to centrifugal force and subsequently impelled against the surface of the object being treated. It has particular utility in cleaning objects such as pipe wherein a blasting ma terial is impelled against the surface of the pipe by impeller means which are supplied with a supply of blasting material by the application of centrifugal force thereto.

This invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for treating objects or members such as metal pipe, structural forms, or the like. More particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus which has useful application for such treating as the cleaning and/or coating of new and used elongate members such as pipe, including pipe located in the field. The apparatus of this invention is-equally adaptable to the treating of pipe which may not be moved or otherwise rotated, but is held in a fixed or stationary position, or pipe which may be moved relative to the apparatus. However, its greatest usefulness presently resides in use with respect to fixed pipe, such as pipe lines, because of the present lack of satisfactory apparatuses for carrying out this type of treating.

Apparatuses of this general character for treating pipe in a plant (but not in the field) have been available in the past, but are subject to many disadvantages. For example, many such apparatuses are relatively complicated, expensive and are generally not adapted for field use, particularly where the pipe is in a fixed position as is a pipe line. The prior art teaches the use of certain rotary blasting units for cleaning pipe and the like, but these units have certain of the aforesaid difliculties, including very complicated and unreliable means for supplying grit or pellets to the blasting unit.

It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for treating members such as pipe, structural forms, or the like, which treating may include cleaning, painting, coating and the like.

This and other objects of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art by reference to the description herein and the drawings which form a part of this application.

Briefly stated, the instant invention comprises a first housing adapted to generally surround a member to be treated. There is also provided a second housing having trough means supported adjacent to the first housing. Impelling means are mounted in the first housing and adapted for impelling a treated material against the surface of the member to be treated. Means are also provided in the apparatus for transferring the treating material from the trough means to the impelling means. In addition, the apparatus has means for rotating the first housing about the member and for moving both the houses relatively in axial direction with respect to the member to be treated. Hence, the impelling means mounted in the first housing follows a helical path around the member during the treating operation.

Briefly stated, the method of the instant invention for treating members comprises the steps of suspending by centrifugal force a supply of treating material in an annular space extending circumferentially around the member. An impeller means is rotated around the member and relative to the supply of treating material, and during this rotation a portion of the supply of treating material is diverted from the annular space to the impeller means. The diverted treating material is then impelled against the surface of the member in a helical path.

It is to be understood that the term treating material can include numerous materials; for example, blasting materials such as grits, steel pellets, sand, or the like; and various materials such as paints, cementitious materials, liquid polymerizable plastics and the like. The only requirement with respect to the treating material is that it must be flowable. That is to say, if it is a liquid it must be sufficiently flowable to be handled through the apparatus. If it is a solid material, it must be sufliciently pulverulent or flowable so as to be handled by the apparatus. In the description of the invention hereinafter, reference will usually be made to a blasting material such as steel pellets, but it is to be understood that other treating materials may be used.

The term elongate member is used to refer to long objects such as pipes and structural forms.

Reference to the drawings will further explain the invention wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view in central section showing one embodiment of the apparatus of the instant in vention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the impeller wheel shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a section view taken at line 33 of FIG. 2 showing the details of the impeller wheel.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another arrangement of an apparatus of the instant invention.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view in central section of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view generally in central section, similar to FIG. 1, but showing an alternate embodiment of the invention which is arranged for treating a plurality of small irregularly shaped objects supported by a chain conveyor.

FIG. 1 generally shows an apparatus of the instant invention for use in line travel in connection with the treating of an elongate member such as a pipe line. In such usage, the pipe line would of course be uncovered and raised a suificient distance above the ground surface to permit passage of the apparatus therealong. The apparatus is shown being supported on pipe 11. The apparatus is formed with frame 12 which supports at each end thereof guide wheels 13 which are adapted to ride on pipe 11 and guide the apparatus relative thereto. It is to be understood that there could be a plurality of guide wheels 13 to support frame 12 for horizontal movement with respect to pipe 11. Moreover, these wheels could be spaced circumferentialy around pipe 11 to thereby secure frame 12 from movement away from pipe 11.

Means are provided for moving frame 12 relative to pipe 11, which means conveniently take the form of drive motor 14 connected by pulley belt 14A to one of the guide wheels 13.

The apparatus is provided with a first housing adapted to generally surround pipe 11 which housing takes the form of female drum 15 which in this embodiment is generally frusto conical in shape and has an annular support flange 16secured therearound as by Welding. Flange 16 engages with and is supported by a plurality of guide rollers 17 which have V-shaped surfaces and are attached to ring shaped support member 18 by roller pins 18A. It will be observed that the top portion of support member 18 is secured to frame 12 by welding or other connecting means. Support member 18 is shaped to completely surround drum and attaches at the lower end thereof to base 19 at the bottom of the apparatus.

Means are provided for rotating drum 15 around pipe 11 which means take the form of motor 20 having drive chain 21 connected thereto, which engages gear flange 22, which is provided with gear teeth therein, and which extends completely around drum 15. Hence, during operation of motor 20, which may be electrical, internal combustion, or the like, drum 15 is rotated circumferentially around pipe 11.

The right end, as viewed in FIG. 1 and which is the reduced end of drum 15, is provided with closure ring 26 which surrounds pipe 11 and is provided with rubber ring 27 which resiliently engages the surface of pipe 11 and provides a seal therebetween. In addition, drum 15 is provided at the reduced end with an annular ring thereabout forming slip ring 28 for connection with appropriate electrical circuits for the operation of a pair of rotor motors 29 mounted on the inside of and attached to drum 15. Each of the motors 29 is connected by appropriate belts to propelling means carried by drum 15 which propelling means are adapted to impell a treating material against pipe 11. These propelling means conveniently take the form of impeller wheels 30 which are attached to drum 15 by mounts 31 as best seen in FIG. 2, in which axle 32 is journaled for rotation by pulley 33 connected to motor 29 by appropriate drive belts.

The right end of axle 32 as viewed in FIG. 2, has impeller wheel 30 attached thereto which Wheel is comprised of rear disc 34. Disc 34 has attached thereto a plurality of outer blades 35 and inner blades 36 as best seen in FIG. 3. Attached on the right end or side of blades 35, as shown in FIG. 2, is a ring shaped outer disc 37 whereby vanes are formed between the various blades. It is to be noted that each of the outer blades 35 are placed approximately equal distance between the outer ends of two of the inner blades 36, and that outer blades 35 and inner blades 36 rotate at the same speed since they are both attached to disc 34.

A relatively fixed ring 38 is mounted and supported in the annular space between the outer ends of inner blades 36 and the inner ends of outer blades 35 by ring support 39, attached to drum 15. The top side of fixed ring 38 is provided with discharge orifice 40 for controlling the flow of the treating material from the inner blades 36 to the outer blades 35 by centrifugal force upon rotation of the impeller wheel 30. While fixed ring 38 has been described as being relatively fixed, it is to be understood that it is also provided with adjusting means (not shown) such that orifice 40 may be rotated circumferentially so as to control the point of discharge of the treating material from the inner blades 36 to the outer blades 35 such that, depending upon the specific gravity of the treating material and the speed of rotation of impeller wheel 30, the point of impact of the treating material being impelled by centrifugal force and can be controlled.

Diverting means are also provided for for supplying the treating material to ring 38, which take the form of scoop 41, which is connected to ring 38' and supported by ring support 39. The exact size and shape of scoop 41 will of course depend upon the type of material being used with the apparatus and the relative arrangements of the other parts of the apparatus. However, it may be stated that scoop 41 is attached to and supported by drum 15.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the apparatus is also provided with a second housing, which in this embodiment is male drum 44, which is also frusto conical in shape and adapted to generally surround pipe 11. Drum 44 is likewise provided with a support flange 45 which surrounds drum 44 and engages with and is supported by a plurality of guide rollers 46 similarly supported by another ring shaped support member 47 which is attached by its top to frame 12, completely encircles drum 44, and is attached at the bottom end thereof to base 19. Means are also provided for rotating drum 44 around pipe 11 and relative to drum 15 which means take the form of another motor 48 mounted on frame 12 and drive chain 49 which engages gear flange 50 connected to drum 44 and extending therearound. It is to be understood that gear flange 50 has a plurality of gear teeth therein for engaging with drive chain- 49. Hence, by regulating the speed of

motors

20 and 48, drums 15 and 44 may be rotated around pipe 11 and rotated relative to each .other. Rotation relative to each other may be either counter-rotational or rotation at differential speeds, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter.

Drum 44 is provided with annular trough means which are supported adjacent to the end of drum 15 which trough means conveniently take the form of annular retainer flange 51 which forms an annular V-shaped trough around the large end of drum 44. This trough means is thus held adjacent to drum 15 such that scoop 41 may divert therefrom any treating materials supported in the trough means. The left end of drum 44, as viewed in FIG. 1, is closed by fixed ring 54 which is provided with rubber ring 55 which surrounds pipe 11 and forms a seal therebetween. Ring 54 is held in a fixed position in relation to frame 12 by upper ring support 56 which is attached to frame 12 and by lower ring support 57 which is attached to base 19. Hence, during rotation of drum 44, ring 54 remains in a fixed position relative thereto.

Means for supplying the treating material to the trough means takes the form of hopper 58 attached (by means not shown) to frame 12 and having spout 59 depending therefrom. It will be observed that spout 59 passes through fixed ring 54 and projects into the inside of drum 44. Hence, treating material is directed out spout 59 where it falls by gravity flow to the trough means described above. It is to be understood that hopper 58 could also include cleaning and cooling mechanisms whereby steel pellets or the like could be cleaned and cooled for recirculation.

It will be observed that retainer flange 51 is spaced a small distance away from the edge .of drum 15 such that discharge port 60 is formed therebetween, which port is annular and extends all the way around drums 15 and 44. During operation of impeller wheels 30 the treating material will be directed in the pattern shown with the spent material, as in the case of steel pellets, falling by gravity and passing out discharge port 60. In this connection, it is to be understood that motors 29 could be provided with appropriate covers to prevent unnecessary abrading by the treating material.

As the spent treating material passes out discharge port 60, it is collected by collection means in the form of a U-shaped channel member 61 which is annular in shape and extends around the full circumference of

drums

44 and 15 and falls to the bottom thereof and is discharged out collector discharge 62, where it is thereafter conveyed by approprite means (not shown) to hopper 58 for further recirculation, cleaning and cooling if desirable.

In order to remove any dust that may collect, the top portion of channel member 61 is connected to blower 63 whereby the dust may be removed from the apparatus and thereby aid in the cleaning of the treating material.

In operation of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, frame 12 and wheels 13 will be mounted on pipe 11 with

drums

15 and 44 surrounding pipe 11, as shown in FIG. 1. Frame 12 will be caused to move axially with respect to pipe 11 by operation of drive motor 14. Drum 15 will be rotated about pipe 11 by operation of motor 20 and drum 44 will likewise be rotated around pipe 11 by operation of motor 48. In order to have the desired diverting action on the part of scoop 41, it is necessary that drums 15 and 44 be rotated relative to each other, i.e. in counter rotation directions or in the same directions at differential speeds.

With the apparatus thus operating, the treating material is supplied to drum 44 through spout 59 where it falls by gravity to the trough means formed by retainer flange 51 and Where it is then held by centrifugal force. Im-

peller wheel 30 and scoops 41 are attached to drum 15 and are rotated around pipe 11 and relative to the trough means formed by retainer flange 51. Hence, the treating material, supported by centrifugal force in the annular space formed by the trough means surrounding pipe 11, is diverted to impeller wheels 30 where it is projected or impelled against pipe 11 in the patterns shown.

If the treating material should be steel pellets, they will be projected with great force against pipe 11, thereby cleaning pipe 11. The steel shot, together with the cleaned debris will fall by gravity and centrifugal force out discharge port 60, to channel member 61, and out collector discharge 62 where they may be transported to hopper 58 for appropriate cooling, cleaning, and/ or recirculation down through spout 59.

Hence, as frame 12 moved along pipe 11, the treating material will be discharged against pipe 11 in a helical path therearound such that the pipe is clean around its full circumference in one pass therealong.

While the apparatus of FIG. 1 has been described as one adaptable for line travel, it could with equal ease be installed in a fixed position and pipe 11 moved relative thereto, such that the same treating operation is accomplished.

There are many alternatives which are available with this machine. However, the preferred embodiment is to rotate drum 44 such that a supply of the treating material is provided to an annular space extending all the way around pipe 11 so that a uniform supply of treating material is provided to scoops 41.

The treating material has been described as being held in the trough means of drum 44 by operation of centrifugal force. It is to be understood that this treating material could be suspended in other manners as for example, by the use of a strong magnet acting on steel pellets which could be scooped from the trough by operation of scoops 41. However, magnetism would be useful only with respect to treating materials which were susceptible to magnetic action, such as steel pellets or the like. Therefore, the preferred embodiment includes means for suspending the treating material by'centrifugal force. Hence, drum 44 must be rotated at sufiicient speed to create suflicient centrifugal force to accomplish this suspending action.

While the impelling means have been described as being centrifugal wheels, it is to be understood that other impelling means could be used.

Further, while the apparatus described contains two impeller wheels 30, it is to be understood that the apparatus could be operated with one impeller wheel, or a plurality of such impeller wheels appropriately balanced in drum 15.

It will be observed that the apparatus of the instant invention provides a means whereby treating material may be continuously supplied to the impeller means which has heretofore been a very diificult operation, particularly in over-the-line type operations, such as when treating pipe lines.

Reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 will show another embodiment of the instant invention. FIG. 5 shows an apparatus having frame 74 which generally corresponds with frame 12 shown in the apparatus of FIG. 1, to which are attached guide wheels 75, which ride on pipe 76. The apparatus is provided with a first housing in the form of frusto conical shaped drum 77 having appropriate rubber ring 78 as an end closure surrounding pipe 76. Drum 77 is supported by support flange 79 attached thereto, and which is adapted to engage and be supported by V-shaped guide rollers 80, attached to a ring shaped support member 81, which is attached to frame 74 at the top and to base 82 at the bottom. Drum 77 is rotated about pipe 11 by operation of motor 83 connected to drive chain 84, engaging the gears of gear flange 85, which is attached to and extends circumferentially around drum 77. Drum 77 also has mounted therein two impeller means, each of which has an impeller wheel 86 and a scoop 87. Wheels 86 are driven by appropriate motors 88 as shown in FIG. 4, which motors are attached to drum 77 by appropriate means. In this instance, it will be observed in FIG. 4 that wheels 86 are mounted directly on motor shafts 89, thereby eliminating the need for a connecting power train.

This apparatus also has a second housing which is particularly useful in connection with the use of fluid or fluidized materials such as paint, wherein the object of the treating operation is to paint or otherwise coat the pipe or other elongate member.

The second housing takes the form of drum which is generally tubular in shape and has attached circumferentially therearound support flange 96 which is held in and supported by rollers 97 connected to ring shaped support member 98, the top end of which is attached to frame 74 and the bottom to base 82, and which surrounds drum 95. Drum 95 is also provided with annular gear flange 99 which is engaged by drive chain 100, connected to motor 101. The right end of drum 95 is provided with two internally extending and spaced apart annular flanges 102 and 103 forming an annular U-shaped trough inside drum 95. Flange 102 is spaced a small distance away from the edge of drum 77 such that discharge port 104 is formed therebetween, which port corresponds with discharge port 60 of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

Just to the left of flange 103, as viewed in FIG. 5, annular fixed ring 105 is positioned and held by upper ring support 106 and lower ring support 107 respectively connected to frame 74 and base 82. It will be observed that ring 105 does not rotate with drum 95 and hence, the treating material, such as paint, can be supplied to the trough means formed by flanges 102 and 103 via spout 108 passing through ring 105 and communicating with hopper 109 from which the treating material may be discharged in the desired quantities and rate.

An annular U-shaped collector is mounted outside the ends of drums 77 and 95, which collector is designated by the numeral 110, the bottom portion of which is provided with an appropriate opening for the removal of spent or excess treating material, which is discharged out discharge port 104. Likewise, fan 111 is connected to an appropriate opening to the top side of collector to circulate air through the apparatus.

The operation of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is essentially the same as that of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. For example, drums 77 and 95 are rotated around pipe 76 and relative to each other by operation of motors 83 and 101-. Impeller wheels 86 are operated by operation of motors 88 which may be electrical motors supplied with power through appropriate slip ring 112 attached to the small end of drum 77.

Treating material is then discharged from hopper 109 through spout 108 to the trough formed by flanges 102 and 103. As drum 95 rotates, centrifugal force will cause the treating material to be positioned in the annular space extending around pipe 76, and formed by flanges 102 and 103. It is to be understood that drum 95 must be rotated at least with suflicient speed to centrifugally hold the material in the trough means. This speed, of course, will be determined by the size of drum 95, and the type of the treating material being utilized in connection with the apparatus. During operation of the machine, the treating material will be scooped or diverted from the trough means by operation of scoops 87 and thereafter propelled against pipe 76 by operation of impeller wheels 86. The spent or residue treating material is then passed out discharge port 104 and collected in collector 110. It is to be understood that scoops 87 of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are connected with appropriate fixed rings (not shown) provided in wheels 86 and which correspond with and are similar to fixed rings 38 shown in FIG. 2.

It will thus be observed that the art has been provided with a highly useful apparatus for treating various elongate members and which is particularly adaptable for over-the-line travel. Hence, it is now possible to carry out in the field, certain treating operations which have heretofore been very difiicult, if not impossible.

The invention taught herein is also adaptable to use in treating objects which are not necessarily elongate or of a long dimension. For example, a plurality of objects of a small and/ or irregular size and shape could be supported on a support member, such as a cable, belt, table, or other support, with the support being moved relative to the housings whereby the members supported on the support would be treated in the same manner as long objects such as pipe.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an alternate embodiment of the invention is shown for cleaning the aforesaid small and/or irregularly shaped objects. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and identical numerals have been used on similar parts which have the same function. In this embodiment, base 19 and frame 12 are supported on any suitable support. A plurality of small irregularly shaped objects 120 are advanced through

drums

15 and 44 by means of a chain conveyor which includes chain 121, which is advanced by conventional means and which is connected to a plurality of hooks 122, each of which is adapted to support one of the objects 120. Each of the hooks has connected at the upper end thereof a roller 123 which is adapted for horizontal movement in flanged track 124, which extends generally horizontally through

drums

15 and 44 as shown. The omrations of this embodiment is similar to the FIG. 1 embodiment also. Treating material, such as steel pellets, are supplied through spout 59. Drum 44 is rotated to centrifugally suspend the pellets inside flange 51, from which they are scooped by scoops 41 and impelled against objects 120 by impeller wheels 30, the same as with the other embodiments of the invention. Used pellets may then be collected and recirculated as with the other embodiments of the invention.

Further modifications may be made in the invention as particularly described without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is to be construed illustratively only and is not to be construed as a limitation upon the invention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A treating apparatus comprising:

a first housing adapted to generally surround an object to be treated,

a second housing having a trough means supported adjacent said first housing,

propelling means mounted in said first housing for impelling treating material against the surface of said object,

means for transferring said treating material from said trough means to said propelling means,

means for rotating said second housing about said object and relative to said first housing to thereby centrifugally suspend treating material in said trough means, and

means for relatively moving said housings axially with respect to said object.

2. An apparatus for treating a member, comprising:

a first housing adapted to generally surround said member to be treated,

a second housing adapted to generally surround said member and having annular trough means supported adjacent said first housing,

means for supplying a treating material to said trough means during rotation thereof,

propelling means carried by said first housing and adapted to impell said treating material against the surface of said member,

means for rotating said trough means about said member and relative to said first housing to thereby suspend said treating material in said trough means by application of centrifugal force thereto, and

means for relatively advancing said housings longitudinally along said member.

3. An apparatus for cleaning an object, comprising:

a first housing adapted to generally surround said object to be cleaned,

a second housing adapted to generally surround said object and having annular trough means supported adjacent said first housing for collecting a supply of blasting material therein,

means for supplying said blasting material to said trough means during rotation thereof,

propelling means carried by said first housing and adapted to impel said blasting material against the surface of said object,

means connected to said first housing for transferring said blasting material from said trough means to said propelling means during rotation of said trough means,

means for rotating said trough means about said object and relative to said first housing, to thereby suspend blasting material in said trough means by the application of centrifugal force thereto, and

means for simultaneously advancing said housings relatively along said object.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein:

said first housing is annular in shape and forms an annular discharge port between the peripheral edge thereof and said trough means for discharging spent blast material, and including collecting means surrounding said discharge port for collecting said spent blast material.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein:

said first housing is generally cone shaped and forms an annular discharge port between the base thereof and said trough means for discharging spent blast material, and including collecting means surrounding said discharge port for collecting said spent blast material, and means connected to said collecting means for cleaning said blasting material and recirculating said blasting material to said trough means.

6. An apparatus for cleaning an elongate member,

comprising:

a first housing generally frusto conical in shape and adapted to generally surround said elongate member to be cleaned,

a second housing adapted to generally surround said elongate member and having trough means supported adjacent said first housing and forming an annular discharge port therebetween,

said trough means being adapted to retain blasting material therein by centrifugal force when said second housing is rotated about said elongate member,

means for supplying said blasting material to said trough means during rotation of said second housing,

at least one rotary impelling wheel carried by said first housing and adapted to impel said blasting material against the surface of said elongate member,

scoop means connected to said first housing for scooping said blasting material from said trough means and transferring said blasting material to said wheel, and

means for rotating said second housing about said elongate member and relative to said first housing whereby said blasting material is centrifugally supported in said trough means and scooped therefrom by said scoop means during said rotation.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 including:

means for rotating said first housing about said elongate member whereby said blasting material is directed against said elongate member in a helical path thereabout.

8. A treating apparatus comprising:

housing means adapted to generally surround an object to be treated,

means for rotating said housing means around said object;

impeller means connected to said housing means for rotation therewith and impelling treating material against said object,

means for feeding said treating material to said impeller means, including means for suspending said treating material by centrifugal force about 360 of the inside of said housing means,

and means for advancing said housing means axially with respect to said object during rotation of said impeller means.

9. A treating apparatus comprising:

impeller means for impelling a treating material against an object supported adjacent thereto,

trough means extending around said object to be treated,

feed means for feeding a supply of treating material to said trough means,

means for rotating said trough means around said object to be treated and relative to said impelling means at a velocity sufiicient to thereby suspend said treating material about 360 in said trough means by centrifugal force,

and transfer means for transferring said suspended treating material from said trough means to said impeller means during rotation of said trough means.

10. The method of treating an object, comprising the steps of suspending treating material by centrifugal force in an annular space extending 360 around said object to be treated;

diverting said suspended treating material from said annular space;

13. The method as claimed in claim 10 including the 10 steps of:

feeding a supply of said treating material to said annular space during said impelling.

14. The method as claimed in claim 10 wherein:

said treating material is cleaning material adapted to clean said object when impelled thereagainst. 15. The method as claimed in claim 10 wherein: said treating material is a cleaning material adapted to clean said object when impelled thereagainst; including impelling said cleaning material against said object in a generally circumferential path thereabout; and including the step of feeding a supply of said cleaning material to said annular space during said impelling.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 955,469 4/1910 Motz 5l-8 2,131,767 10/1938 Turnbull 519 2,131,770 10/1938 Turnbull 51-9 2,239,044 4/1941 Leighton 51-320 X 2,460,989 2/1949 Kraner 51-9 2,742,739 4/1956 Smith 51-9 3,127,706 4/1964 Gifi'en 519 LESTER M. SWINGLE, Primary Examiner.