Flask washer with vacuum dry
First Claim
1. Apparatus for cleaning laboratory glassware articles, said apparatus comprising:
- a shousing presenting a substantially enclosed compartment therein for washing and drying of the articles;
a glassware rack movable into and out of said compartment;
a manifold on said rack;
a liquid conduit coupled with said manifold at a liquid entry port to deliver liquid to said manifold;
a plurality of upstanding tubes on said rack in fluid communication with said manifold, each tube having an open top end and being adapted to receive a glassware article thereon with the article inverted and the open top end of the tube located within the interior of the article, whereby the articles can be loaded onto and removed from said tubes when the rack is disposed out of the compartment;
means for pumping liquid through said manifold to said tubes to apply the liquid to the inside of each article for washing and rinsing of the articles,said pumping means being connected with said liquid conduit to pump liquid therethrough when active;
a vacuum conduit coupled with said manifold;
means coupled with said vacuum conduit for applying vacuum to each tube to draw air into the tubes from within the articles, thereby drawing air from the compartment into the articles and circulating the air therein to dry the insides of the articles; and
valve means for blocking said liquid port when said vacuum applying means is active and for blocking application of vacuum from said vacuum conduits to said manifold when said pumping means is active.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for washing and vacuum drying long necked laboratory flasks. The apparatus includes a cabinet which presents a washing and drying compartment and a pump and rotary spray arm. A special rack which can be rolled into and out of the compartment includes a central manifold and a plurality of distribution arms extending radially from the manifold. Upright spindle tubes extend from the distribution arms to receive the inverted flasks such at that the tubes extend through the narrow necks of the flasks with the open ends of the tubes located within the bodies of the flasks. A diaphragm coupling allows water to be pumped to the manifold for delivery to the spindle tubes during washing and rinsing cycles. The tubes spray the water directly inside of the flask bodies for thorough washing and rinsing. A vacuum conduit extending from the manifold carries a seat which engages a gasket to couple the manifold with a vacuum blower when the rack is moved into the cabinet. During the drying cycle, the blower applies vacuum through the manifold to the spindle tubes to draw moist air out of the flasks and replace it with drier air from the compartment. The vacuum drying system recirculates and heats the air and mixes it with dry outside air for enhanced drying of the flasks.
32 Citations
12 Claims
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1. Apparatus for cleaning laboratory glassware articles, said apparatus comprising:
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a shousing presenting a substantially enclosed compartment therein for washing and drying of the articles; a glassware rack movable into and out of said compartment; a manifold on said rack; a liquid conduit coupled with said manifold at a liquid entry port to deliver liquid to said manifold; a plurality of upstanding tubes on said rack in fluid communication with said manifold, each tube having an open top end and being adapted to receive a glassware article thereon with the article inverted and the open top end of the tube located within the interior of the article, whereby the articles can be loaded onto and removed from said tubes when the rack is disposed out of the compartment; means for pumping liquid through said manifold to said tubes to apply the liquid to the inside of each article for washing and rinsing of the articles, said pumping means being connected with said liquid conduit to pump liquid therethrough when active; a vacuum conduit coupled with said manifold; means coupled with said vacuum conduit for applying vacuum to each tube to draw air into the tubes from within the articles, thereby drawing air from the compartment into the articles and circulating the air therein to dry the insides of the articles; and valve means for blocking said liquid port when said vacuum applying means is active and for blocking application of vacuum from said vacuum conduits to said manifold when said pumping means is active. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification