Cleaning apparatus

• US 5,482,064 A
• Filed: 06/06/1994
• Issued: 01/09/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robowash Pty., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Robowash Pty., Ltd.
• Inventors: Goddard, Fenton
• Primary Examiner(s): Coe, Philip R.
• Application Number:
  US08/290,796
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 134/57 R, 134/57 D, 134/58 R, 134/58 D, 134/93, 134/98.1, 134/99.1, 134/99.2, 134/100.1, 134/112, 134/115 R, 134/138, 134/139, 134/143, 134/146, 134/153 , 134/177, 134/199, 134/200
• US Class Current: 134/57.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 2230/01 Cleaning with steam
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/006 Cabinets or cupboards specially adapted for cleaning articles by hand
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/02 Cleaning by the force of jets or sprays
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 77/04 Cleaning of, preventing corrosion or erosion in, or preventing unwanted deposits in, combustion engines

Abstract

The specification discloses a cleaning apparatus (2) for cleaning machine and engine parts comprising a trough (4) in which the cleaning is performed. A lid (6) is connected to the trough (4) and is movable between a closed position covering the trough and an opened position allowing access to the trough. A first cleaning fluid dispenser in the form of a manifold (8) is located within the apparatus (2). Also provided is a portable cleaning fluid dispensing gun (10) or brush (12) which is connectable to the apparatus (2). The lid (6) operatively cooperates with the manifold (8), gun (10) or brush (12) so that when the lid (6) is in the closed position, cleaning fluid is dispensed through the manifold (8) and when the lid (6) is in the opened position, cleaning fluid can be dispensed through the gun (10) or brush (12). A pump (14) is provided for pumping the cleaning fluid to the manifold (8), gun (10) or brush (12). A supply of the cleaning fluid is held within the tank (8) formed integrally with the apparatus (2). A ball valve (32) housed within the pump (14) selectively directs cleaning fluid to the manifold (8) or with the gun (10) and brush (12). The ball valve (32) is provided with a control arm (34), the manipulation of which changes the state of the ball valve. The control arm (34) is pivotably connected to one end of a lever (36). An opposite end of the lever (36) is pivotably connected by pivot pin (37) to arms (38 and 39). An end of the arm (38) distant from lever (36) is pivotably connected to an outside wall of the trough (4) in the vicinity of the lid (6). An end of arm (39) is pivotably connected to the lid (6). By this arrangement of levers, the opening or closing of the lid (6) changes the state of the ball valve (32).

Claims

1. A cleaning apparatus for cleaning articles, said apparatus comprising:

a trough in which cleaning of said articles can be performed;

a lid connected to said trough and movable between a closed position covering said trough and an opened position to allow access to said trough;

a first cleaning fluid dispensing means located within said apparatus and a second portable cleaning fluid dispensing

a receptacle for containing a volume of said cleaning fluid, said receptacle communicating with said dispensing means and said trough so that cleaning fluid can be recirculated through said apparatus; and

pumping means including a valve for selectively pumping said cleaning fluid to said first or second cleaning fluid dispensing means, wherein said lid operatively cooperates with said valve in a manner such that when the lid is in the closed position, the pumping means can pump the cleaning fluid via the valve to said first cleaning fluid dispensing means, and when the lid is in the opened position, the pumping means can pump the cleaning fluid via the valve to the second portable cleaning fluid dispensing means.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising electrical control means for operating said valve, said electrical control means including an associated switch, wherein said associated switch activates said electrical control means to cause said valve to direct cleaning fluid to said first cleaning fluid dispensing means when the lid is in the closed position, and to cause the valve to direct cleaning fluid to the second portable cleaning fluid dispensing means when the lid is in the opened position.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a basket disposed within said trough for holding said articles, said basket adapted to allow cleaning fluid to flow therethrough.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising means for rotating said basket to vary the position of an article contained with the basket relative to one of said cleaning fluid dispensing means.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said means for rotating comprises a jet of said cleaning fluid, a rotatable support for supporting said basket, and a plurality of vanes connected to said support which can successively enter said jet of cleaning fluid to act as impellers to rotate said rotatable support and a basket support thereon.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each of said vanes is pivotally connected to said support whereby the action of centrifugal force on said vanes due to the rotation of said support causes said vanes to swing out of the path of said jet to thereby limit the speed of rotation of said support.

7. An article according to claim 4, further comprising a braking means for retarding the rotation of said basket when the lid is in the opened position.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said braking means comprises a brake block and an actuator connected to the brake block for moving said brake block into contact with said basket to retard the rotation of said basket.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said brake block is arranged for wedging between said basket and an inside surface of said trough to thereby retard rotation of said basket.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said actuator is in the form of a hand operable lever disposed within said trough.

11. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said first cleaning fluid dispensing means comprises a manifold arranged in a closed loop.

12. A cleaning apparatus according to claims 11, wherein said manifold is configured to spray cleaning fluid from above, underneath and a side of the basket.

13. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said manifold is further configured to produce two spray curtains of cleaning fluid each spray curtain including fluid emanating from above, underneath and to one side of the basket, whereby each article passes through each spray curtain during every revolution of said basket.

14. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning fluid is a combination of water and detergent.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising:

an automatic cleaning fluid recharge system, said system including a sensor communicating with said receptacle for sensing the volume of cleaning fluid in said receptacle;

a container for holding a supply of detergent;

a water supply means for supplying water to said receptacle, said water supply means including a valve for controlling the flow of water into said receptacle and which is operatively connected with said sensor; and

a tube communicating between said water supply means and said container, wherein, when said sensor senses the volume of said cleaning fluid is less than a predetermined volume, said sensor operates said volume to admit water into said receptacle whereby the flow of water through said water supply means causes detergent to flow through said tube into the water supply means so as to mix with water flowing into the receptacle thereby providing automatic recharging of said cleaning fluid.

16. A cleaning apparatus for cleaning articles, said apparatus comprising:

a trough in which cleaning of said articles can be performed;

a lid connected to said trough and movable between a closed position covering said trough and an opened position to allow access to said trough;

a first cleaning fluid dispensing means located within said apparatus and a second portable cleaning fluid dispensing means;

a receptacle for containing a volume of said cleaning fluid, said receptacle communicating with said dispensing means and said trough so that cleaning fluid can be recirculated through said apparatus; and

,

pumping means for pumping said cleaning fluid to said first and second cleaning fluid dispensing means, said pumping means comprising a first pump in communication with said receptacle for pumping said cleaning fluid to said first cleaning fluid dispensing means and a second pump in communication with said receptacle for pumping said cleaning fluid through said second portable cleaning fluid dispensing means, wherein said lid operatively cooperates with said pumping means in a manner such that when the lid is in the closed position, the first pump can pump the cleaning fluid to said first cleaning fluid dispensing means, and when the lid is in the opened position, the second pump can pump the cleaning fluid to the second portable cleaning fluid dispensing means.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a basket disposed within said trough for holding said articles, said basket adapted to allow cleaning fluid to flow therethrough.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising means for rotating said basket to vary the position of an article contained with the basket relative to one of said cleaning fluid dispensing means.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said means for rotating comprises a jet of said cleaning fluid, a rotatable support for supporting said basket, and a plurality of vanes connected to said support which can successively enter said jet of cleaning fluid to act as impellers to rotate said rotatable support and a basket support thereon.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein each of said vanes is pivotally connected to said support whereby the action of centrifugal force on said vanes due to the rotation of said support causes said vanes to swing out of the path of said jet to thereby limit the speed of rotation of said support.

21. An article according to claim 18, further comprising a braking means for retarding the rotation of said basket when the lid is in the opened position.

22. An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said braking means comprises a brake block and an actuator connected to the brake block for moving said brake block into contact with said basket to retard the rotation of said basket.

23. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said brake block is arranged for wedging between said basket and an inside surface of said trough to thereby retard rotation of said basket.

24. An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said actuator is in the form of a hand operable lever disposed within said trough.

25. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said first cleaning fluid dispensing means comprises a manifold arranged in a closed loop.

26. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said manifold is configured to spray cleaning fluid from above, underneath and a side of the basket.

27. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said manifold is further configured to produce two spray curtains of cleaning fluid, each spray curtain including cleaning fluid emanating from above, underneath and to one side of the basket, whereby each article passes through each spray curtain during every revolution of said basket.

28. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said cleaning fluid is a combination of water and detergent.

29. An apparatus according to claim 28, further comprising:

an automatic cleaning fluid recharge system, said system including a sensor communicating with said receptacle for sensing the volume of cleaning fluid in said receptacle;

a container for holding a supply of detergent;

a water supply means for supplying water to said receptacle;

said water supply means including a valve for controlling the flow of water into said receptacle and which is operatively connected with said sensor; and

a tube communicating between said water supply means and said container, wherein, when said sensor senses the volume of said cleaning fluid is less than a predetermined volume, said sensor operates said valve to admit water into said receptacle whereby the flow of water through said water supply means causes detergent to flow through said tube into the water supply means so as to mix with water flowing into the receptacle thereby providing automatic recharging of said cleaning fluid.