Loose fill media cleaning apparatus

• US 4,682,613 A
• Filed: 07/23/1986
• Issued: 07/28/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Walker Equipment & Service Company
• Original Assignee: Walker Equipment & Service Company
• Inventors: DeLoach, Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Coe, Philip R.
• Application Number:
  US06/888,386
• Time in Patent Office: 370 Days
• Field of Search: 134/58 R, 134/109, 134/135, 134/140, 134/147, 134/148, 134/153, 134/154, 134/155, 134/157, 134/159, 134/160, 134/163, 209/260, 209/270, 68/58, 68/148, 68/152, 68/210
• US Class Current: 134/58.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/06 using perforated drums in which the article or material is placed B08B3/042 takes precedence

Abstract

A foraminated cylindrical container has a loading port into which loose fill media may be loaded for cleaning. The container is rotated to tumble the media and a pan for containing solvent is located so that the media will be immersed during rotation. A hose supplied by a high pressure pump is used to further clean the media. The container may be raised and tilted to facilitate removal of the media. The solvent may be pumped from the pan to a storage tank. Separate switches are provided for the pumps and the rotation and hoisting mechanism so that the operator can adjust the timing of each portion of the cycle as needed to complete the cleaning.

Claims

1. Loose fill media cleaning apparatus comprising:

a foraminated hollow cylinder having a shaft extending along its longitudinal axis;

an imperforate disk positioned at each end of said cylinder providing end walls for said cylinder and support for said cylinder;

a first bearing at one end of said shaft and a second bearing at the other end of said shaft for supporting said shaft for rotation about its axis;

said cylinder having a loose fill media filling port with a closure in the cylinder wall, and said cylinder having in said disk at said one end a loose fill media removing port with a closure;

first bearing support means having a laterally extending bearing support beam with a leg depending from each end of said beam whereby an area for access to said loose fill removing port is provided between said depending legs and below said beam;

an apparatus support base;

pivotal support means pivotally connecting said depending legs of said first bearing support means to said apparatus support base;

hoist means for moving said second bearing between a position where it is at the same level as said first bearing and a position where it is elevated above said first bearing;

a liquid holding and collecting pan positioned below said cylinder on said apparatus support base;

a liquid storage tank on said support base;

first pump means for transfering liquid from said liquid holding and collecting pan to said liquid storage tank;

second pump means for delivering liquid from said liquid storage tank at eIevated pressure;

propulsion means for rotating said cylinder on said shaft at a relatively slow speed; and

switch means for controlling the operation of said hoist means, said first and second pump means, and said propulsion means whereby an operator can control the times for operation.

2. Loose fill media cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further including:

second bearing support means at the other end of said cylinder having a laterally extending bearing support beam with a leg depending from each end of said beam; and

said hoist means applies lifting force to said depending legs.

3. Loose fill media cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further including:

trailer means upon which said apparatus support base is mounted.

4. Loose fill media cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further including:

longitudinally extending paddles positioned within said cylinder for enhancing the tumbling of said loose fill media while said cylinder rotates.

5. Loose fill media cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

said foraminated hollow cylinder has a sidewall formed of screen.

6. Loose fill media cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein

said foraminated hollow cylinder has a sidewall formed of expanded metal.

7. Loose fill media cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said liquid holding and collecting pan has removable sides.

8. Loose fill media cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further including

an air stripping tower;

a blower for blowing air into the bottom of said tower;

a conduit connecting the top of said air stripping tower to said first pump means, whereby said solvent from said pan may be passed through said tower; and

third pump means for pumping solvent which has passed through said tower.

9. Loose fill media cleaning apparatus comprising:

apparatus support means for supporting said apparatus;

a foraminated cylindrical container mounted on said apparatus support means for rotation about the longitudinal axis of said container;

propulsion means for rotating said container at a relatively slow speed;

a first switch for starting and stopping said propulsion means;

media filling means for introducing media to be cleaned into said container;

media removing means for removing cleaned media from said container;

hoist means for raising and lowering one end of said container;

second switch means for causing said hoist means to raise and lower said container;

a liquid holding and collecting pan positioned below said container on said apparatus support means;

a liquid storage tank;

conduit means for connecting said liquid holding and collecting pan to said liquid storage tank;

a first pump for pumping liquid from said liquid holding and collecting pan to said liquid storage tank;

third switch means for starting and stopping said first pump;

a second pump for delivering liquid from said liquid storage tank at elevated pressure; and

fourth switch means for starting and stopping said second pump.

10. Loose fill media cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein:

said container has a shaft extending along its longitudinal axis;

a first bearing at one end of said shaft and a second bearing at the other end of said shaft;

a first laterally extending beam having depending legs at each end supporting said first bearing;

a second laterally extending beam having depending legs at each end supporting said second bearing; and

said hoist means applies lifting force to said legs depending from said second laterally extending beam.

11. Loose fill media cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 9 further including:

trailer means upon which said apparatus support base is mounted.

12. Loose fill media cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 9 further including:

longitudinally extending paddles positioned within said container for enhancing the tumbling of said loose fill media while said container rotates.

13. Loose fill media cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein:

said foraminated hollow container has a sidewall formed of screen.

14. Loose fill media cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein:

said foraminated hollow container has a sidewall formed of expanded metal.

15. Loose fill media cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein:

said liquid holding and collecting pan has removable sides.

16. Loose fill media cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 9 further including;

an air stripping tower;

a blower for blowing air into the bottom of said tower;

a conduit connecting the top of said air stripping tower to said first pump means, whereby said solvent from said pan may be passed through said tower; and

third pump means for pumping solvent which has passed through said tower.

17. Loose fill media cleaning apparatus comprising:

apparatus support means for supporting said apparatus;

said apparatus support means including a pair of spaced beams having a platform extending between them;

a container having a foraminated sidewall and imperforate ends;

a shaft extending through said container along the longitudinal axis of said container;

a first bearing at one end of said shaft having first support means for holding said first bearing at a position above said spaced beams;

said first support means including pivots;

a second bearing at the other end of said shaft having second support means for holding said second bearing at a position above said spaced beams;

hoist means for raising said second support means to tilt said container;

propulsion means for rotating said container;

a liquid holding and collecting pan positioned below said container on said platform;

a liquid storage tank;

first pump means for transfering liquid from said liquid holding and collecting tank to said liquid storage tank;

hose means for conveying liquid to be sprayed on media within said container;

second pump means for supplying liquid at high pressure to said hose means; and

switch means for separately controlling the operation of said first and second pump means, said propulsion means and said hoist means.