Abrasive cleaning plant with single-block plastic booth and integrated feeding and filtering device

• US 7,249,994 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2003
• Issued: 07/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Solvay Chimica Italia SPA (Solvac SA)
• Original Assignee: Solvay Chimica Italia SPA (Solvac SA)
• Inventors: Sommacal, Paolo Alessandro
• Primary Examiner(s): Morgan; Eileen P.
• Application Number:
  US10/537,207
• Publication Number:
  US 20060135048A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,503 Days
• Field of Search: 451/38, 451/39, 451/40, 451/87, 451/88, 451/89, 451/90, 451/446
• US Class Current: 451/89
• CPC Class Codes: B24C 1/003 using material which dissolves or changes phase after the treatment, e.g. ice, CO2
• CPC Class Codes: B24C 3/04 stationary
• CPC Class Codes: B24C 9/00 Appurtenances of abrasive blasting machines or devices, e.g. working chambers, arrangements for handling used abrasive material

Abstract

An abrasive cleaning apparatus comprising a single-block plastic blasting booth having a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and side walls, wherein at least a portion of one of the side walls defines an opening closeable by a door, thereby providing access inside the single-block blasting booth, and wherein one or more gaskets create a hermetic seal between the single-block blasting booth and the openable side wall portion, the one or more gaskets being provided on one or more of the opening and the door. The abrasive cleaning material may comprise sodium bicarbonate or a granular mixture containing sodium bicarbonate.

Claims

1. An abrasive cleaning apparatus comprising:

a blasting booth having a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and side walls,

a support structure for the blasting booth;

a feeding device providing a granular blasting material to the blasting booth; and

a plastic filtering device filtering the blasting material exiting the blasting booth, the filtering device being in flow communication with the blasting booth,

wherein the blasting booth is molded as a single component in plastic material,

wherein at least a portion of one of the walls of the blasting booth comprises an opening closeable by a door rotatable on a hinge that connects the blasting booth with the door, the opening providing access to the interior of the blasting booth,

wherein one or more gaskets create a hermetic seal between the blasting booth and the door, the one or more gaskets being provided on one or more of the opening and the door, and

wherein the blasting booth, the support structure, and the feeding device are individual components assemblable to form the abrasive cleaning apparatus during use, and separable for transportation, movement and handling.

2. The abrasive cleaning apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein at least a portion of the front wall is sloped,

wherein an inspection window comprising a transparent surface is provided in the front wall, and

wherein two holes are provided in the front wall, the two holes being positioned side by side and being structured for having a work glove extending from each of the two holes.

3. The abrasive cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the walls of the blasting booth comprise two plastic sheets substantially parallel to each other.

4. The abrasive cleaning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an insulating material is provided between the two plastic sheets.

5. The abrasive cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bottom wall is shaped like a hopper and is connected to an outlet pipe.

6. The abrasive cleaning apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the support structure is box-shaped and open on one side to accommodate the hopper-shaped bottom wall of the blasting booth, and

wherein a side wall of the support structure is provided with an opening facing the filtering device and enabling a connection of the outlet pipe with the filtering device.

7. The abrasive cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the feeding device is housed in a shell structure having a size and a profile adequate to be coupled with one side wall of the blasting booth.

8. The abrasive cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shell structure houses at least one tank containing a blasting material, and wherein the blasting material is delivered inside the single-block blasting booth through means for delivering the blasting material.

9. The abrasive cleaning apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the means for delivering the blasting material are connected to the tank with a tubular structure having a nozzle at the end opposite to the tank.

10. The abrasive cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support structure, the feeding device, and the filtering device are coupled to form a L-shaped apparatus.

11. The abrasive cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filtering device is housed within a filtering shell structure, and wherein the filtering device comprises a suction device providing an exit flow of gases from the filtering device, and a cartridge filter connected to the suction device.

12. The abrasive cleaning apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the blasting material comprises sodium bicarbonate or a mixture of granular elements comprising sodium bicarbonate.