US3906680A - Finishing apparatus with improved end-of-tub liner and door structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A vibratory finishing machine has an elongated tub including a longitudinally extending wall structure closed at opposite ends by a pair of plates bolted to the wall structure. One or both of the end plates has its inner surface covered by a replaceable, resilient end-of-tub liner. Side regions of the liners are releaseably clamped between the wall structure and the plates. A discharge passage is formed through one of the plates, and the associated liner extends into and lines the discharge passage. A discharge structure is carried on the outer side of the one plate. The discharge structure defines a discharge opening. The associated liner extends through the discharge structure to the discharge opening. A closure is movably carried by the one plate for selectively opening and closing the discharge opening. A fluid-operated actuator is also carried by the one plate for moving the closure toward and away from the plane of the discharge opening while retaining the plane of the closure parallel to the plane of the discharge opening. The liners and the entire discharge closure system are readily removed from the wall structure for service or replacement simply by unbolting their associated plates from the ends of the wall structure.

Description

nited States Patent 1 Rampe [5 1 FINISHING APPARATUS WITH IMPROVED END-()F-TUB LINER ANI) DOOR STRUCTURE [75] Inventor: John F. Rampe, Mayfield Heights,

Ohio

[73] Assignee: Rampe Research, Cleveland, Ohio [22] Filed: Aug. 23, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 500,163

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 270,700, July 11, 1972, Pat. No. 3,831,322, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 8,815, Feb. 5, 1970, Pat. No. 3,685,213.

[ 1 Sept. 23, 1975 Primary Examiner-Harold D. Whitehead Attorney, Agent, or FirmWatts, Hoffmann, Fisher & Heinke Co.

[57] ABSTRACT A vibratory finishing machine has an elongated tub including a longitudinally extending wall structure closed at opposite ends by a pair of plates bolted to the wall structure. One or both of the end plates has its inner surface covered by a replaceable, resilient end-of-tub liner. Side regions of the liners are releaseably-clamped between the wall structure and the plates. A discharge passage is formed through one of the plates, and the associated liner extends into and lines the discharge passage. A discharge structure is carried on the outer side of the one plate. The discharge structure defines a discharge opening. The associated liner extends through the discharge structure to the discharge opening. A closure is movably carried by the one plate for selectively opening and closing the discharge opening. A fluid-operated actuator is also carried by the one plate for moving the closure toward and away from the plane of the discharge opening while retaining the plane of the closureparallel t0 the plane of the discharge opening. The liners and the entire discharge closure system are readily removed from the wall Structure for service or replacement simply by unbolting their associated plates from the ends of the wall structure.

15 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 1 of 4 3,906,680

US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet4 of4 3,906,680

E Fig. 8

FINISHING APPARATUS WITH IMPROVED END-OF-TUB LINER AND DOOR STRUCTURE CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS AND APPLICATION The present case is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 270,700 filed July 11, 1972, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,831,322, filed as a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 8,815 filed Feb. 5, 1970, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,685,213, here the Continuous Feed'Patents," the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference.

CLAMPING MEANS FOR TUB LINERS, US. Pat. No. 3,538,651 issued Nov. 10, 1970 to John F. Rampe, here the Tub Liner Patent.

FINISHING APPARATUS, US. Pat. No. 3,318,051 issued May 9, 1967 to John F. Rampe, here the Finishing Patent.

FINISHING APPARATUS, US. Pat. No. 3,337,997 issued Aug. 28, 1967 to John F. Rampe, here the Oribital Patent.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to finishing machines and more particularly to an improved end-oftub liner and door structure for vibratory finishing machines.

2. Prior Art Vibratory finishing machines adapted to smooth and finish the surfaces of workpieces by such operations as deburring, burnishing, descaling, and cleaning are well known. Such machines commonly employ a movably mounted processing tub for receiving a quantity of workpieces and abrasive finishing media. A finishing action is imparted to the workpieces by vibrating the tub.

As brought out in the referenced patents, the abrasive media can conveniently be separated from the workpieces after the media and workpieces are discharged from the tub. After separation, the finishing media may then be returned to the tub of the finishing machine for reuse. The finishing liquid is usually drained off during separation of the media and workpieces. The finished workpieces may subsequently be conveyed to a separate unit or group of units for washing, drying, inspection and packaging.

Continuous feed vibratory finishing machines typically provide the processing tub with spaced charging and discharging devices whereby media and workpieces enter one end of the tub and are subjected to a finishing action as they progress through the tub for discharge at the opposite end. v I

. One problem with a number of prior proposals for continuous feed vibratory finishing machines is that the time during which workpieces are retained in the tub is not readily controllable. workpieces of a relatively soft metal, or workpieces needing only minimal deburring, etc., require only a short retention time. Workpieces of harder metal which have many large burrs to be removed, will require longer retentiontimes. Hence, where the retention time requirements. differ from that provided by prior continuous feed finishing machines, it has previously been necessary to operate the finishing machine on a batch process basis where the retention time can be carefully controlled.

The machines described in the referenced Continuous Feed Patents are provided with discharge systems for controlling the retention time of workpieces in the tub of the machine. These machines may be operated on a batch basis if desired but are designed primarily for continuous operation according to a prearranged time schedule. Each of the machines has a discharge system including a closure-controlled discharge opening. One of the advantages of these machines is that the closure operating cycle can be adjusted by the operator from time to time to lengthen or shorten the retention time of materials within the tub. The discharge closure can be opened and closed by a timing control device preset to selected intervals of operation.

Once the closure operating cycle has been decided upon, the operator adjusts the timing mechanism to provide the predetermined retention period, typically about ten seconds, for processing the workpieces constituting part of the contents of the tub. This is normally followed by a release periodtypically 5 seconds-for partial discharge of materials from the tub. This cycle of closure operation is continually repeated and establishes an effective rate of discharge of materials from the tub which determines the retention timeof workpieces in the tub. In some cases, the nature of the work pieces may call for longer or shorter processing times than those mentioned above. In such instances, the operator can readily reset the timing mechanism to provide correspondingly longer or shorter retention periods.

In the operation of the machine, the charging apparatus supplies the tub as required with suitable abrasive processing media. An aqueous finishing liquid is usually introduced concurrently into the tub to facilitate finishing of the workpieces. The workpieces themselves are added by an operator. For all practical purposes, the operation of the charging apparatus is keyed to that of the discharge system and simply returns the abrasive media which has been discharged from the tub back into the tub.

A problem which is not specifically addressed by the inventions of the Continuous Feed patents is that of providing the finishing tub with a replaceable end-oftub liner. Replaceable tub liners for use along the length of a finishing machine tub are known, as described in the referenced Tub Liner Patent. Prior endof-tub liners have typically been formed integrally with liner portions which extend along the tub length. Where such liners have been replaceable, an entire tub liner has had to be replaced when either the side wall 1 or an end wall liner required replacement. The process of replacing such liners has been a difficult chore requiring substantial machine downtime.

Another problem which is not specifically addressed by the inventions of the Continuous Feed Patents is the need for a readily removable discharge door structure where the closure and its operating mechanism are easily removed as a module for service or replacement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the foregoing and other drawbacks of the prior art by providing a novel and improved end-of-tub liner and door structure, both of which are readily removable for service or replacement.

A vibratory finishing machine is provided with a tub formed from a longitudinally extending wall structure closed at opposite ends by a pair of plates. One or both of these plates have their inner surfaces covered by a resilient end-of-tub liner. Side regions of the liners are releaseably clamped between the plates and the ends of the wall structure. The liners are easily replaced simply by removing the plates from the wall structure. The plates are preferably held in place by bolts which are easily removed to facilitate liner replacement.

The end-of-tub liners are preferably used in combination with a liner which covers the inner surfaces of the wall structure, as described in the referenced Tub Liner Patent. When used with such a wall liner, the end liners cooperate to form a fully lined tub. If one of the three liners should need replacement, it alone can be replaced.

One of the tub end plates called the charging end plate can be formed either with or without a charging opening through it. Where the charging opening is used, the associated end-of-tub liner preferably has portions which extend through the opening. Where no charging opening is used, the associated endof-tub liner has no opening and covers the full inner surface of the charging end plate.

One of the tub end plates called the discharge end plate forms part of a discharge system that can be removed as a module for repair or replacement. The plate has a discharge passage formed through it. A discharge structure carried on the outer surface of the plate communicates with the discharge passage and defines a discharge opening.

A closure is movably carried by the plate. A fluidoperated actuator is also carried by the plate. The actuator is arranged to move the closure toward and away from the discharge opening while retaining the plane of the closure parallel to the plane of the discharge Opening.

The end-of-tub liner associated with the discharge end plate extends through the discharge passage to the discharge opening. A replaceable liner on the closure cooperates with this end-of-tub liner to fully line such portions of the discharge system as are exposed to the contents of the tub.

Since all of the components of the discharge system are carried on the discharge end plate, the entire discharge system can be removed as a module simply by unbolting the discharge end plate from the tub wall structure.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a vibratory finishing machine with a novel and improved end-of-tub liner and door structure.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofa finishing machine incorporating the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan of the finishing machine;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view showing on a still larger scale the discharge closure assembly of the finishing machine with the closure in an open position;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view as seen from the plane indicated by the line 4--4 in FIG. 2, with the closure in the closed position;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 3 of another discharge closure embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4 of the embodiment of FIG. 5; and

FIGS. 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views of alternate embodiments of end-of-tub liners for the charging end of the finishing tubs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a finishing machine is shown at 10. The machine 10 includes a platform 11 which carries an understructure enclosed by a shroud 15. A tub is resiliently mounted on the understructure for receiving finishing media and workpieces to be finished. A drive system including a motor 12 is provided for vibrating the tub 20. A chain belt 13 shielded by a guard 14 couples the motor 12 to other components of the drive system (not shown). A finishing machine of this type is described in the referenced Orbital Patent.

An upstanding control console 16 is positioned adjacent the shroud 15. A control box 17 is carried on the console 16. The control box 17 houses a control system for communicating two fluid conduits 46, 61. Compressed air is supplied to the control box 17 by the conduit 61. As will be explained, the control system of the present invention cyclically communicates the conduits 46, 61.

The tub 20 is of generally cylindrical shape and is supported from beneath as described in the Orbital Patent. A longitudinally extending opening 21 is defined in the top of the tub 20 by mutually diverging wings 22 formed on the tub 20. A plurality of cross heads 23 bridge the space separating the wings 22. A removable liner 60, of the type described in the referenced Tub Liner Patent lines the longitudinally extending walls of the tub 20.

A square end plate 24 is mounted on the charging end of the tub 20, the left end as seen in FIG. 2. A resilient sheet of tub lining material 32 is interposed between the tub structure 20 and the plate 24. Threaded fasteners 33 extend through aligned holes in the plate 24 and the sheet 32 and end flange portions of the tub 20 to hold the end plate 24 in place.

Aligned central openings 24a, 320 are formed through the end plate 24 and the sheet 32 to admit finishing media to the tub 20, as best seen in FIG. 7. Portions 32b of the sheet 32 extend into the opening 24a.

A hopper 25 is attached to the end plate 24 for feeding finishing media through the openings 24a, 32a and into the tub 20. An elongated top opening 26 is formed in the hopper. The opening 26 receives finishing media dropped from the upper end of a bucket conveyor 27.

The conveyor 27 is mounted in a framework 28 supported by suitable uprights 29. A motor 30 supplies power to the conveyor 27 near its upper end. The lower end of the conveyor 27 is supported within a housing 31. The conveyor 27 provides a means of returning media discharged from the machine 10 back into the tub 20 for re-use.

A square end plate 34 is mounted on the discharge end of the tub 20, the right end as viewed in FIGS. 2-4. A resilient sheet 36of tub lining material is interposed between the tub structure 20 and the plate 34. Threaded fasteners 35 extend through aligned holes in the plate 34, the sheet 36, and end flange portions of the tub 20 to hold the end plate in place.

The end plate 34 and the lining sheet 36 have aligned central openings 37 which permit the passage of workpieces and finishing media out of the tub proper and into a discharge structure 38. The discharge structure 38 is welded to the end plate 34 to form a part of the tub 20. The right end of the discharge structure 38,. as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4, defines an inclined discharge opening 39. The discharge opening 39 extends in a plane inclined at an angle of approximately 30 from the vertical. By inclining the plane of the discharge opening 39 in this manner, the discharge opening tends to lie in nearly the same plane as the leading surface of materials discharging from the tub structure 20.

A power operated closure system 40 including a bellows 45 functions to selectively open and close the discharge opening 39. The closure system 40 includes a heavy metal frame welded to'the end plate 34. The supporting frame includes a pair of side plates 41, 42 welded to the end plate 34, and a cross-member 43 welded to the side plates 41, 42. Threaded fasteners 44 extend through apertures formed in the cross-member 43 and mount a pneumatically actuated bellows 45.

The bellows 45 is preferably of the type Sold by Firestone Tire and Rubber Company of Akron, Ohio under the designation Airride 268." The bellows 45 is expansible during inflation from the deflated configuration shown in FIG. 3 to the inflated configuration shown in FIG. 4. The conduit 46 communicates with an aperture in the cross-member 43 for supplying air to and exhausting air from the bellows 45.

A movably mounted closure assembly 47 is secured by fasteners 48 to the other end of the bellows 45. The closure assembly 47 includes a resilient closure lining sheet 49 adhered to a channel-shaped mounting plate 50. The lining sheet 49 facilitates the formation of a liquid tight seal when the closure 40 is closed against the discharge structure 38.

Two pairs of bushings 51 are mounted in apertures formed through the cross-member 43. The bushings 51 slidably receive four guide rods 53. The inner ends of the guide rods 53 are threaded and carry nuts 54 which secure the guide rods to the mounting plate 50. The outer ends of the guide rods 53 are threaded and carry nuts 55. Compression coil springs 57 are carried on the guide rods 53 with opposite ends engaging the nuts 55 and the cross-member 43.

Movement of the closure assembly toward and into contact with the discharge structure 38 is effected by inflating the bellows 45. Movement of the closure assembly to the open position of FIG. 3 is effected by the four compression coil springs 57 mounted on the guide rods 53. When the bellows 45 is inflated with sufficient pressure, the biasing action of the springs 57 is overcome and the closure assembly 47 is caused to move toward the discharge structure 38. When the pressure within the bellows 45 is released, the springs 57 move the closure assembly 47 to the open position, collapsing the bellows and exhausting air through the conduit 46.

Materials discharging through the opening 39, drop into a substantially horizontally disposed trough 65. The trough 65 is provided just above its bottom with an inclined fine mesh screen 66. The openings in the screen 66 are small enough to prevent the passage at workpieces and finishing media therethrough while allowing the entrained finishing liquid to separate and drip through to the bottom of the trough 65. The finishing liquid may be recirculated, if desired, or simply allowed to drain into a collecting vessel or sewer. In the meantime, the workpieces and finishing media are urged toward the far end of the screen 66 by gravity and/or forces imposed on them by subsequently discharging tub contents.

At the remote end of the trough, the screen 66 is equipped with a wide-mesh insert 67 that allows the media, but not the workpieces, to drop. through the insert 67 and into the lower end of conveyor 27. The conveyor 27 carries the finishing media toward its upper end for return to tub 20 through hopper 26. The workpieces are precluded by the wide-mesh insert 67, from dropping through this portion of the screen, and move into an inclined runotT tray 68. The workpieces then fall by gravity into a waiting tote box or other receptacle.

In normal operation, the workpieces, together with the desired type or types of media, are vibrated in the tub 20, with the closure 40 in the closed position, for a selected retention period. The closure 40 is then opened permitting the tub contents, consisting of the workpieces media and fluid, etc., to spill out through the opening 39 into trough 65 and onto screen 66. After a suitable discharge interval, the closure 40 is moved toward its closed position.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, an alternate closure system embodiment is indicated generally by the numeral 140. The embodiment is similar in most respects to the embodiment 40. Corresponding parts in the em bodiment 140, 40 are indicated by reference numerals which differ by a magnitude of one hundred.

The principal differences between the embodiments 40, 140 are in the construction of the discharge structures 38, 138 and the closure assemblies 47, 147. In the embodiment 40, the discharge structure 38 defines a discharge opening 39 which is inclined at about 30 degrees from the vertical; and the closure assembly 47 is planar and movable along a path substantially perpendicular to the plane of the discharge opening 39. In the embodiment 140, the dischargestructure 138 defines a discharge opening 139 which extends in a substantially vertical plane; and the closure assembly 147 is trapezoidal in shape and movable along a path inclined relative to the plane of the discharge opening 139.

A feature of both embodiments 40, 140 is that the forward surfaces of the closures 47, 147 which register with the discharge openings 39, 139 are held in planes parallel to the planes of the discharge openings 39, 139 as the closures 47, 147 move toward and away from the openings 39, 139. Another common feature is that both of the closures 47, 147 carry resilient liners 49, 149 which engage portions of the end-of- tub liners 36, 136 when the closures 47, 147 are in registry with the openings 39, 139.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 alternate liner arrangements are shown for use at the charging end of the tub 20. In an apparatus such as is shown in FIG. 1 where the tub 20 is charged through an opening 24a formed in the charging end plate 24, a liner 32 as shown in FIG. 7 is used between the plate 24 and the tub 20. The liner 32 has integrally found portions 32b which extend through the opening 24a. 7

In a finishing apparatus which is charged through the tub opening 21 and which uses a non-apertured charging end plate 224, as shown in FIG. 8, a non-apertured sheet of lining material 232 is used to line the inner surfaces of the end plate 224.

Although the invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

l. A vibratory finishing machine, comprising:

a. a supporting frame;

b. a receptacle movably carried on said frame and adapted to receive finishing media and workpieces to be finished;

c. a vibratory drive operativcly connected to said rcceptacle for vibrating said receptacle to impart a finishing action to workpieces in said receptacle;

d. said receptacle having sidewall portions which terminate to define an end opening of said receptacle;

c. said receptacle additionally having mounting portions which define a mounting surface extending peripherally from said end opening substantially in a common plane;

f. an end structure extending across and closing said end opening and having portions which extend parallel to, spaced from and aligned with said mounting surface to define a clamping surface facing toward said mounting surface;

g. a resilient liner overlying the end opening in abutting relationship with an inner surface of said end structure and completely covering such inner surface as a lining to prevent contact between such inner surface and the contents of said receptacle, said liner also having peripheral portions extending continuously between said mounting surface and said clamping surface;

h. a plurality of aligned apertures formed through said mounting surface, said clamping surface and said peripheral portions; and

i. fastening means extending through said apertures supporting said end structures on said tub structure, and releasably clamping said peripheral portions of said resilient liner between said tub structure and said end structure such that said liner forms a yieldable sealing mount for said end structure;

j. said end structure having an opening formed therethrough and having wall portions which define a discharge passage communicating with said receptacle;

k. said resilient liner having integral portions which extend through said opening and cover said discharge passage wall portions as a lining to prevent contact between said discharge passage wall portions and the contents of said receptacle;

l. a closure movably carried by said end structure and being movable to selectively control the discharge of contents from said receptacle through said discharge passage;

m. actuator means carried on said end structure and connected to said closure for moving said closure to selectively control the discharge of contents from said receptacle through said discharge passage;

n. whereby said closure, said actuator means and said end structure form a modular unit held in place on said receptacle by fastening means which also serve to support and peripherally clamp said resilient liner in place between said end structure and said receptacle.

2. The finishing machine of claim 1 wherein said discharge passage wall portions terminate substantially in a first plane to define a substantially planar discharge opening.

3. The finishing machine of claim 2 wherein a second resilient liner is carried on said closure to cover the inner surface of said closure as a lining to prevent contact between said closure and the contents discharged from said receptacle.

4. The finishing machine of claim 3 wherein said inner surface of said closure has portions which extend in a second plane parallel to said first plane, and a guide means is carried by said end structure and guides the movement of said closure along a linear path toward and away from said discharge opening, said guide means being operable to retain said second plane parallel to said first plane as said first and second planes move toward and away from each other during movement of said closure.

5. The finishing machine of claim 4 wherein:

a. said guide means includes a plurality of guide rods connected to said closure and extending in directions paralleling said path of movement; and,

b. a cross-member extends between said guide rods and supports said actuator means.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said guide means defines a path of movement for said closure which is inclined relative to said first plane.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said guide means defines a path of movement for said closure which is substantially perpendicular to said first plane.

8. A vibratory finishing machine comprising:

a. a supporting frame;

b. a tub movably carried on said supporting frame and adapted to receive finishing media and workpieces to be finished;

c. a vibratory drive operably connected to said tub for vibrating said tub to impart a finishing action to workpieces in said tub;

d. said tub having longitudinally extending sidewall portions defining an end opening, and having mounting portions which define a substantially planar mounting surface extending outwardly from said end opening;

e. an end structure extending across and closing said end opening and having portions spaced from and aligned with said mounting surface to define a clamping surface facing toward said mounting surface;

f. a discharge structure carried by said end structure and having wall portions defining a discharge passage communicating with said tub;

g. a closure movably carried by said end structure and cooperating with one of said structures to control the flow of material from the tub through said discharge passage;

h. actuator means carried on said end structure and connected to said closure for moving said closure to selectively control the discharge of contents from said receptacle through said discharge passage;

i. said end structure, said discharge structure, said closure and said actuator means forming a modular unit;

j. a resilient liner overlying the end opening in abutting relationship with an inner surface of said end structure and completely covering such inner surface as a lining to prevent contact between such inner surface and the contents of said receptacle, said liner having peripheral portions extending continuously between said mounting surface and said clamping surface, said liner also having integral portions which extend through said opening and over said discharge passage wall portions as a lining to prevent contact between said discharge passage wall portions and the contents of said receptacle;

k. clamping means supporting said modular unit on said tub and releasably clamping said peripheral portions on said resilient liner between said tub and said modular unit such that said liner forms a yieldable sealing mount for said modular unit.

9. The finishing machine of claim 8 additionally including a removable tub liner formed from resilient material covering said sidewall portions, and extending into engagement with said resilient liner.

10. The finishing machine of claim 9 wherein a plurality of aligned holes are formed through said mounting surface, said clamping surface, and said peripheral portions, and said clamping means includes fasteners which extend through said aligned holes.

11. The finishing machine of claim 9 wherein still another resilient liner is carried on said closure to cover the inner surface of said closure as a lining to prevent contact between said closure and the contents discharged from said receptacle.

12. The finishing machine of claim 8 additionally including guide means carried on said end structure and forming part of said modular unit to guide the move ment of said closure along a linear path of movement.

13. The finishing machine of claim 12 wherein:

a. said guide means includes a plurality of guide rods connected to said closure and extending in directions paralleling said path of movement; and,

b. a cross-member extends between said guide rods and supports said actuator means.

14. A vibratory finishing machine, comprising:

a. a supporting frame;

b. a receptacle movably carried on said frame and adapted to receive finishing media and workpieces to be finished;

c. a vibratory drive operatively connected to said receptacle for vibrating said receptacle to impart a finishing action to workpieces in said receptacle;

d. said receptacle having longitudinally extending sidewall portions which terminate to define an end opening of said receptacle;

c. said receptacle additionally having flange mounting portions which extend peripherally of said end opening to define a substantially planar mounting surface;

f. a substantially flat end plate extending across and closing said end opening, said end plate having peripheral portions which extend parallel to, are spaced from, and overlie said mounting surface to define a clamping surface facing toward said mounting surface;

g. said end plate having an opening formed therethrough near the bottom of said receptacle and communicating with said receptacle for discharging contents from said receptacle;

h. a discharge structure carried on said end plate and defining a discharge passage which extends from said end plate opening longitudinally of said receptacle to define a substantially planar discharge opening;

i. a closure movable toward and away from said discharge opening to control the discharge of contents from said receptacle through said opening;

j. guide means supported by said end plate and movably supporting said closure for movement toward and away from said discharge opening;

k. actuator means supported by said end plate for moving said closure toward and away from said discharge opening;

1. said end plate, said discharge structure, said closure, said guide means and said actuator means forming a modular unit attachable to and removable from said receptacle as an assembly;

m. a resilient liner overlying said end opening in abutting relationship with an inner surface of said end plate and completely covering said inner surface as a lining to prevent contact between such inner surface and the contents of said receptacle;

n. said liner having peripheral portions which extend continuously between said mounting surface and said clamping surface;

. said liner also having integral portions which extend through said end plate opening and cover the walls of said discharge passage as a lining to prevent contact between said discharge passage and the contents of said receptacle; and

p. clamping means supporting said modular unit on said receptacle and releasably clamping said peripheral portions of said resilient liner between said receptacle and said modular unit such that said resilient liner forms a yieldable sealing mount for said modular unit.

15. The finishing machine of claim 14 wherein a plurality of aligned holes are formed through said mounting surface, said clamping surface, and said peripheral portions, and said clamping means includes fasteners which extend through said aligned holes.

Claims (15)

1. A vibratory finishing machine, comprising: a. a supporting frame; b. a receptacle movably carried on said frame and adapted to receive finishing media and workpieces to be finished; c. a vibratory drive operatively connected to said receptacle for vibrating said receptacle to impart a finishing action to workpieces in said receptacle; d. said receptacle having sidewall portions which terminate to define an end opening of said receptacle; e. said receptacle additionally having mounting portions which define a mounting surface extending peripherally from said end opening substantially in a common plane; f. an end structure extending across and closing said end opening and having portions which extend parallel to, spaced from and aligned with said mounting surface to define a clamping surface facing toward said mounting surface; g. a resilient liner overlying the end opening in abutting relationship with an inner surface of said end structure and completely covering such inner surface as a lining to prevent contact between such inner surface and the contents of said receptacle, said liner also having peripheral portions extending continuously between said mounting surface and said clamping surface; h. a plurality of aligned apertures formed through said mounting surface, said clamping surface and said peripheral portions; and i. fastening means extending through said apertures supporting said end structures on said tub structure, and releasably clamping said peripheral portions of said resilient linEr between said tub structure and said end structure such that said liner forms a yieldable sealing mount for said end structure; j. said end structure having an opening formed therethrough and having wall portions which define a discharge passage communicating with said receptacle; k. said resilient liner having integral portions which extend through said opening and cover said discharge passage wall portions as a lining to prevent contact between said discharge passage wall portions and the contents of said receptacle; l. a closure movably carried by said end structure and being movable to selectively control the discharge of contents from said receptacle through said discharge passage; m. actuator means carried on said end structure and connected to said closure for moving said closure to selectively control the discharge of contents from said receptacle through said discharge passage; n. whereby said closure, said actuator means and said end structure form a modular unit held in place on said receptacle by fastening means which also serve to support and peripherally clamp said resilient liner in place between said end structure and said receptacle.

2. The finishing machine of claim 1 wherein said discharge passage wall portions terminate substantially in a first plane to define a substantially planar discharge opening.

3. The finishing machine of claim 2 wherein a second resilient liner is carried on said closure to cover the inner surface of said closure as a lining to prevent contact between said closure and the contents discharged from said receptacle.

4. The finishing machine of claim 3 wherein said inner surface of said closure has portions which extend in a second plane parallel to said first plane, and a guide means is carried by said end structure and guides the movement of said closure along a linear path toward and away from said discharge opening, said guide means being operable to retain said second plane parallel to said first plane as said first and second planes move toward and away from each other during movement of said closure.

5. The finishing machine of claim 4 wherein: a. said guide means includes a plurality of guide rods connected to said closure and extending in directions paralleling said path of movement; and, b. a cross-member extends between said guide rods and supports said actuator means.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said guide means defines a path of movement for said closure which is inclined relative to said first plane.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said guide means defines a path of movement for said closure which is substantially perpendicular to said first plane.

8. A vibratory finishing machine comprising: a. a supporting frame; b. a tub movably carried on said supporting frame and adapted to receive finishing media and workpieces to be finished; c. a vibratory drive operably connected to said tub for vibrating said tub to impart a finishing action to workpieces in said tub; d. said tub having longitudinally extending sidewall portions defining an end opening, and having mounting portions which define a substantially planar mounting surface extending outwardly from said end opening; e. an end structure extending across and closing said end opening and having portions spaced from and aligned with said mounting surface to define a clamping surface facing toward said mounting surface; f. a discharge structure carried by said end structure and having wall portions defining a discharge passage communicating with said tub; g. a closure movably carried by said end structure and cooperating with one of said structures to control the flow of material from the tub through said discharge passage; h. actuator means carried on said end structure and connected to said closure for moving said closure to selectively control the discharge of contents from said receptacle through said discharge passage; i. said end structure, said dIscharge structure, said closure and said actuator means forming a modular unit; j. a resilient liner overlying the end opening in abutting relationship with an inner surface of said end structure and completely covering such inner surface as a lining to prevent contact between such inner surface and the contents of said receptacle, said liner having peripheral portions extending continuously between said mounting surface and said clamping surface, said liner also having integral portions which extend through said opening and over said discharge passage wall portions as a lining to prevent contact between said discharge passage wall portions and the contents of said receptacle; k. clamping means supporting said modular unit on said tub and releasably clamping said peripheral portions on said resilient liner between said tub and said modular unit such that said liner forms a yieldable sealing mount for said modular unit.

9. The finishing machine of claim 8 additionally including a removable tub liner formed from resilient material covering said sidewall portions, and extending into engagement with said resilient liner.

10. The finishing machine of claim 9 wherein a plurality of aligned holes are formed through said mounting surface, said clamping surface, and said peripheral portions, and said clamping means includes fasteners which extend through said aligned holes.

11. The finishing machine of claim 9 wherein still another resilient liner is carried on said closure to cover the inner surface of said closure as a lining to prevent contact between said closure and the contents discharged from said receptacle.

12. The finishing machine of claim 8 additionally including guide means carried on said end structure and forming part of said modular unit to guide the movement of said closure along a linear path of movement.

13. The finishing machine of claim 12 wherein: a. said guide means includes a plurality of guide rods connected to said closure and extending in directions paralleling said path of movement; and, b. a cross-member extends between said guide rods and supports said actuator means.

14. A vibratory finishing machine, comprising: a. a supporting frame; b. a receptacle movably carried on said frame and adapted to receive finishing media and workpieces to be finished; c. a vibratory drive operatively connected to said receptacle for vibrating said receptacle to impart a finishing action to workpieces in said receptacle; d. said receptacle having longitudinally extending sidewall portions which terminate to define an end opening of said receptacle; e. said receptacle additionally having flange mounting portions which extend peripherally of said end opening to define a substantially planar mounting surface; f. a substantially flat end plate extending across and closing said end opening, said end plate having peripheral portions which extend parallel to, are spaced from, and overlie said mounting surface to define a clamping surface facing toward said mounting surface; g. said end plate having an opening formed therethrough near the bottom of said receptacle and communicating with said receptacle for discharging contents from said receptacle; h. a discharge structure carried on said end plate and defining a discharge passage which extends from said end plate opening longitudinally of said receptacle to define a substantially planar discharge opening; i. a closure movable toward and away from said discharge opening to control the discharge of contents from said receptacle through said opening; j. guide means supported by said end plate and movably supporting said closure for movement toward and away from said discharge opening; k. actuator means supported by said end plate for moving said closure toward and away from said discharge opening; l. said end plate, said discharge structure, said closure, said guide means and said actuator means forming a modular unit attachable to and removable from said receptacle as an assembly; m. a resilient liner overlying said end opening in abutting relationship with an inner surface of said end plate and completely covering said inner surface as a lining to prevent contact between such inner surface and the contents of said receptacle; n. said liner having peripheral portions which extend continuously between said mounting surface and said clamping surface; o. said liner also having integral portions which extend through said end plate opening and cover the walls of said discharge passage as a lining to prevent contact between said discharge passage and the contents of said receptacle; and p. clamping means supporting said modular unit on said receptacle and releasably clamping said peripheral portions of said resilient liner between said receptacle and said modular unit such that said resilient liner forms a yieldable sealing mount for said modular unit.

15. The finishing machine of claim 14 wherein a plurality of aligned holes are formed through said mounting surface, said clamping surface, and said peripheral portions, and said clamping means includes fasteners which extend through said aligned holes.

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