US3642013A

US3642013A - Apparatus for cleaning hollow cylinders and the like

Info

Publication number: US3642013A
Application number: US42247A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hans Thierstein
Original assignee: Fritz Buser AG Maschinenfabrik
Current assignee: Fritz Buser AG Maschinenfabrik
Priority date: 1969-06-11
Filing date: 1970-06-01
Publication date: 1972-02-15
Anticipated expiration: 1989-02-15
Also published as: CH490899A; ES380608A1; SE374696B; OA03288A; JPS4940645B1; DE2026590A1; NL149434B; FR2045975A1; NL7008566A; AT306067B; GB1276221A; BE751763A

Abstract

An apparatus for cleaning hollow cylindrical bodies and the like, especially the screens of rotary film or screen printing machines by spraying with a washing medium, the cleaning operation occurring with a substantially vertical position of such hollow cylindrical body. According to the invention, there is provided a cleaning compartment having a substantially vertical lengthwise axis, one wall of such cleaning compartment being downwardly tiltable in order to easily introduce the hollow cylinder body or the like into the cleaning compartment. A support structure or frame for mounting the hollow cylinder body and a spraying mechanism are secured to the inside of this tiltable wall.

Description

United States Patent Thierstein 1 Feb. 15, 1972 [54] APPARATUS FOR CLEANING HOLLOW 2,741,857 4/1956 Linatsas ..134/l49 X CYLINDERS AND THE LIKE i333??? 14;]322 GndelfSOni ,10 01 asaaet ..l3 X [72] Inventor: l-lans Thierstein, Holzacker, Switzerland [73] Assignee: Fritz Bauser AG Maschinenfabrik, Wiler FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS b. Utzenstorf, Switzerland 234,321 10/1969 U.S.S.R. ..134/ 143 [22] Filed: June 1970 Primary Examiner-Robert L. Bleutge [21] Appl. No.: 42,241 Attorney-Werner W. Kleeman 301 Foreign Application Priority um [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for cleaning hollow cylindrical bodies and the June 11, 1969 Switzerland ..8908/69 like, especially the screens of rotary film or Screen priming machines by spraying with a washing medium, the cleaning [52] 2 3 operation occurring with a substantially vertical position of [51] Int Cl B08b 3/02 6 9/02 such hollow cylindrical body. According to the invention, [58] Fie'ld 138 l 43 there is provided a cleaning compartment having a substan- 134 167 6 tially vertical lengthwise axis, one wall of such cleaning compartment being downwardly tiltable in order to easily introduce the hollow cylinder body or the like into the cleaning [56] Reierences Cited compartment. A support structure or frame for mounting the UNITED STATES PATENTS holtlipw cylinder-body; a zlplvraying mechanism are secured to einsi e0 istita ew 3,078,861 2/1963 Miller ..134/170 X 3,070,103 12/ 1962 Pickard et a1. 1 34/1 13 X 5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures APPARATUS FOR CLEANING HOLLOW CYLINDERS AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION cleaning operation being carried out with the hollow cylinder 1 0 in substantially vertical position.

Now it is already known to the art, for the purpose of cleaning the screens of rotary filmor screen-printing machines, to utilize an apparatus wherein the screen bears upon rotary brushes arranged at an inclination, the washing liquid or fluid for cleaning the screen being introduced through a conduit extending within the screen. If the hollow cylinders which are to be cleaned possess flanges at the cylinder ends and which reduce the free cross-sectional area, then it is impossible to prevent the formation of a pocket during the cleaning operation, by virtue of the inclined position of the hollow cylinder, the washing liquid being retained in such pocket and having to be removed by an additional operation.

This problem thus suggests itself to the cleaning of such hollow cylinders while they are arranged in vertical position. Yet, the handling of such thin-walled, partially perforated hollow cylinders possessing a length of a number of meters requires the greatest care so that they are not damaged. Although with this cleaning technique there is avoided the aforementioned residual washing liquid, still such technique for cleaning these hollow cylinders has been found not to be completely satisfactory.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, a real need exists in the art for cleaning apparatus for cleaning such type hollow cylinders or the like which is not associated with the aforementioned drawbacks or difficulties of the prior art constructions. Hence, a primary objective of the present invention is to provide apparatus for this purpose and which effectively fulfills this need without the attendant drawbacks noted above.

Another. more specific object of the present invention relates to an improved construction of apparatus for the cleaning of hollow cylindrical bodies or the like, typically the silk screens of rotary tilmor screen-printing machines, which effectively cleans such hollow cylindrical bodies without damage thereto, provides for easy handling of the body to be cleaned, and still safeguards against the accumulation of washing liquid which would otherwise require an additional removal step.

Still a further significant object of the present invention relates to an improved apparatus for the cleaning of hollow cylindrical bodies in a relatively simple, reliable and inexpensive manner, without damaging the hollow cylinder body, and wherein the apparatus structure for carrying out the cleaning operation is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, easy to use, and not readily subject to breakdown.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the inventive cleaning apparatus will be seen to comprise a cleaning compartment having a substantially vertically extending lengthwise axis. This cleaning compartment incorporates a wall portion which can be tilted outwardly to facilitate introduction of the hollow cylinder undergoing the cleaning operation. A support frame or structure for suitably mounting the hollow cylinder and a spray mechanism or mechanisms are secured to the inside of this tiltable wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawing wherein:

FIG. I is a schematic view, partially in section, of a preferred embodiment of inventive apparatus for cleaning hollow bodies or the like, showing the tiltable or displaceable wall of the cleaning compartment in its extended position;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the tiltable wall together with the support structure and spraying means of the cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. I, viewed in the direction of the arrow II thereof; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the portion of the cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and identified therein by the region III.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now the drawing, in FIG. 1 there is depicted an exemplary embodiment of inventive cleaning apparatus for hollow bodies or the like which will be seen to comprise a cleaning compartment 1, the lengthwise axis of which extends substantially vertically. This cleaning compartment 1 embodies a floor portion 2, a cover or top portion 3 as well as the sidewalls 4. In the illustrated construction, the cleaning compartment 1 can possess a square or rectangular cross-sectional configuration and have smooth walls.

Now, according to one significant aspect of the invention one of the walls, identified as wall 5, of the cleaning compartment 1 is mounted to be pivotable about a shaft 11 secured to the sidewalls 4 of the cleaning compartment 1. This pivotably mounted wall 5, as best illustrated in FIG. 1, can be tilted into a substantially horizontal position, as shown, a handgrip 6 being provided to facilitate such downward tilting of this wall Continuing, it will be understood that secured to the tiltable wall 5 is a rotational support structure or support frame, conveniently designated in its entirety by reference numeral 7. This support frame or structure 7 will be understood to comprise a number of rods or tubes 9 arranged concentrically with respect to the lengthwise axis 8, and an impact or stop plate member 10 against which these rods or tubes 9 terminate. The rotatable support structure 7 is mounted upon a conduit 14, specifically at its lower end at the impact plate 10 and at its upper end at the hood or cap member 17. Conduit I4 is secured, in turn, by means of its one free end 12 in a suitable holder or support member 13 which is fastened to the inside of the downwardly pivotable or tiltable wall 5.

As best observed by referring to FIG. 3, conduit 14 is hollow, sealed at its end 16 by any suitable expedient, such as a plug or the like, and the appropriate washing medium or liquid flowing through such hollow conduit 14 to a number of spray nozzles 15 distributed about the periphery of this conduit 14 at appropriate locations thereof.

FIG. 2 further illustrates an additional hollow pipe or conduit 20 which is arranged laterally with respect to the support frame 7, conduit 20 being secured to an upright or column 21. This pipe or conduit 20 advantageously extends parallel to the aforementioned lengthwise axis, in other words parallel to the previously considered pipe or conduit 14. Additionally, conduit 20 possesses a number of spray nozzles 22 distributed along its length, the nozzle axes of which are located at an angle, as shown, with respect to a plane containing the lengthwise axis 8 and the axis of the conduit 20.

In FIG. 1, reference character 23 schematically denotes the infeed for the appropriate washing fluid or liquid, this infeed merging with a flexible hose member 24 which, in turn, merges with the end 12 of the pipe or Conduit 14. Quite obviously, a further hose or infeed line can be provided for the other conduit 20.

Now, in FIG. 1 there has been schematically illustrated a screen 25, for instance a silk screen of a rotary film printing machine, which is guided and centered upon the rods or tubes 9 by means of its end rings 26. Hence, the actual sensitive film or screen material of the printing screen 25 does not come into contact with the support frame 7.

Now in order to clean the screen 25 the wall 5 is rocked into its closed position so that the cleaning compartment 1 is closed. Then the washing liquid is conducted through the

pipes

23, 24 or the like, into the conduit 14 and the conduit 20. This washing liquid is then sprayed by means of the associated

conduit nozzles

15 and 22, the screen 25 thus being cleaned. The arrangement of the spray nozzles 22 in the aforementioned inclined position with respect to the plane containing both lengthwise axes of the conduits l4 and ensures that the spray jets emanating from the spray nozzles 22 contact the screen 25 substantially tangentially. Hence, this screen 25 together with the rotary support frame 7 is placed into rotational movement so that cleaning of the screen at all sides is ensured.

Whether or not the support frame 7 is constructed to be rotatable or nonrotatable depends, to a great extent, upon the hollow cylinders which are to be cleaned. Furthermore, the entire cleaning operation can be fully automated in that, for instance, through the closing of the cleaning compartment 1 the washing operation can be initiated and again automatically interrupted after a predetermined time. Furthermore, in order to render possible observation of the cleaning procedure an observation window 27 or the like can be conveniently mounted at the tiltable wall 5, as best shown in FIG. 1.

By virtue of the described apparatus of the invention cleaning of hollow cylinders, especially screens of rotary screen printing machines, is considerably simplified and damage to the hollow cylinder prevented. The cleaning operation is intensive and favorably influenced by the rotation of the cylinder, with no special drive being necessary for this purpose. Cleaning of the hollow cylinder occurs in substantially vertical position so that water accumulations are avoided, whereas the introduction and removal of the hollow cylinder is undertaken with the wall member assuming the horizontal position which is favorable for this purpose.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims. Accordingly,

lclaim:

1. An apparatus for cleaning hollow cylinders or the like, especially the printing screens of rotary screen printing machines, by spraying such with a washing liquid while the cleaning operation is undertaken with the hollow cylinder in substantially vertical position, comprising means defining a cleaning compartment having a substantially vertically extending lengthwise axis, said cleaning compartment including a wall member, means mounting said wall member for pivotable movement between a position closing said cleaning compartment into a position providing access thereto and facilitating introduction of the hollow cylinder to be cleaned into said cleaning compartment, said wall member having an inside wall surface, a support means for mounting the hollow body and spray means for said washing liquid secured to said inside wall surface, means for rotatably mounting said support means, said support means comprising a plurality of substantially parallel concentrically arranged lengthwise extending guides, said lengthwise extending guides being mounted at said pivotable wall member in substantial parallelism with respect to said inside wall surface and serving to center the hollow cylinder carried by said support means. i

2. An apparatus for cleaning hollow cylinders or the like as defined in claim 1, wherein said spray means comprises at least one conduit arranged internally of said support means and equipped with a number of spray nozzles arranged along the length of said support means.

3. An apparatus for cleaning hollow cylinders or the like as defined in claim 1, wherein said spray means comprises at least one lengthwise extending conduit arranged laterally of said support means and approximately parallel to the lengthwise axis of said support means, a plurality of spray nozzles provided for said len thwise extending conduit, the respective nozzle axis of san spray nozzles being arranged at an angle with respect to a plane containing the lengthwise axis of said lengthwise extending conduit so that the washing liquid jets emanating from said spray nozzles at least partially impinge tangentially upon the surface of a hollow cylinder to be cleaned which is carried and centered by said support means, to thereby place said hollow cylinder into rotational move ment.

4. An apparatus for cleaning hollow cylinders or the like as defined in claim 1, further including observation window means provided for said pivotable wall member for the purpose of monitoring the cleaning operation.

5. An apparatus for cleaning hollow cylinders or the like as defined in claim 1, wherein said mounting means for said wall member mounts said wall member for pivotable movement about a substantially horizontal axis.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cleaning hollow cylinders or the like, especially the printing screens of rotary screen printing machines, by spraying such with a washing liquid while the cleaning operation is undertaken with the hollow cylinder in substantially vertical position, comprising means defining a cleaning compartment having a substantially vertically extending lengthwise axis, said cleaning compartmenT including a wall member, means mounting said wall member for pivotable movement between a position closing said cleaning compartment into a position providing access thereto and facilitating introduction of the hollow cylinder to be cleaned into said cleaning compartment, said wall member having an inside wall surface, a support means for mounting the hollow body and spray means for said washing liquid secured to said inside wall surface, means for rotatably mounting said support means, said support means comprising a plurality of substantially parallel concentrically arranged lengthwise extending guides, said lengthwise extending guides being mounted at said pivotable wall member in substantial parallelism with respect to said inside wall surface and serving to center the hollow cylinder carried by said support means.

3. An apparatus for cleaning hollow cylinders or the like as defined in claim 1, wherein said spray means comprises at least one lengthwise extending conduit arranged laterally of said support means and approximately parallel to the lengthwise axis of said support means, a plurality of spray nozzles provided for said lengthwise extending conduit, the respective nozzle axis of said spray nozzles being arranged at an angle with respect to a plane containing the lengthwise axis of said lengthwise extending conduit so that the washing liquid jets emanating from said spray nozzles at least partially impinge tangentially upon the surface of a hollow cylinder to be cleaned which is carried and centered by said support means, to thereby place said hollow cylinder into rotational movement.