Vibratory feeder for washer or dryer
United States Patent 3902512
A washer uses a vibrated feed element having a pile material on its upper surface so that resilient resin bristles of the pile incline from the vertical toward the direction of feed and vibrate against objects to move the objects through the washer. Spray nozzles direct a liquid washing spray against the objects, and a through opening in the feed element allows the washing liquid and material washed from the objects to flow into a drain underneath the feed element. The pile has a groove pattern to aid the flow of washing liquid and material washed from the objects to pass through the pile and through the openings in the feed element to the drain. A dryer having a similar vibratory pile feed element can receive objects from the washer and blow warm air on them to dry them off, and the pile feed elements simplify the feeding and facilitate the washing and drying in the relatively harsh and wet environment.
US Patent References:
Apparatus for applying liquid material to globular articles
Hampton - August 1938 - 2128028
Apparatus for coating aggregates
Giordano - May 1947 - 2420368
Variable transfer mechanism for conveying apparatus
Jackson et al. - December 1962 - 3067696
Egg cleaning equipment
Niederer, Jr. et al. - November 1964 - 3155102
Apparatus for applying liquid material to globular articles
Hampton - August 1938 - 2128028
Apparatus for coating aggregates
Giordano - May 1947 - 2420368
Variable transfer mechanism for conveying apparatus
Jackson et al. - December 1962 - 3067696
Egg cleaning equipment
Niederer, Jr. et al. - November 1964 - 3155102
Inventors:
Armstrong, Jack W. (Baldwinsville, NY)
Schueler, William F. (Syracuse, NY)
Weber, William J. (Fulton, NY)
Schueler, William F. (Syracuse, NY)
Weber, William J. (Fulton, NY)
Application Number:
05/460307
Publication Date:
09/02/1975
Filing Date:
04/12/1974
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Lipe Rollway Corporation (Syracuse, NY)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
118/326, 134/151, 118/500, 134/156, 134/148
International Classes:
A47L15/24; B08B3/02; B08B13/00; B65G27/04; F26B17/26; A47L15/00; B65G27/00; F26B17/00; B08B3/02
Field of Search:
134/61,72,131,148,151,156,164
Primary Examiner:
Bleutge, Robert L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Stonebraker, Shepard & Stephens
Claims:
We claim
1. A vibratory washer comprising:
2. The washer of claim 1 wherein said opening is downstream of said spray nozzles in said direction of feed.
3. The washer of claim 2 wherein said feed element is downwardly inclined in said feed direction and said through opening is in an output region of said feed element.
4. The washer of claim 1 wherein said pile groove pattern comprises a continuous groove extending longitudinally of said feed element.
5. The washer of claim 4 wherein said pile groove pattern comprises side grooves leading to said continuous groove.
6. The washer of claim 1 wherein said pile bristles are dense enough to support said objects on the tips of said bristles and sparse enough to allow said washing liquid and material washed from said objects to flow through said pile bristles and through said groove pattern.
7. The washer of claim 1 wherein said pile bristles are inclined from 5° to 30° from the vertical toward said feed direction and said vibrating means moves said feed element in a generally reciprocal motion in a vertical plane in said feed direction and within 10° of said bristle inclination angle.
8. The washer of claim 7 wherein said pile bristles are dense enough to support said objects on the tips of said bristles and sparse enough to allow said washing liquid and material washed from said objects to flow through said pile bristles and through said groove pattern.
9. The washer of claim 8 wherein said opening is downstream of said spray nozzles in said direction of feed.
10. The washer of claim 9 wherein said pile groove pattern comprises a continuous groove extending longitudinally of said feed element.
11. The washer of claim 10 wherein said pile groove pattern comprises side grooves leading to said continuous groove.
12. The washer of claim 11 wherein said feed element is downwardly inclined in said feed direction and said through opening is in an output region of said feed element.
13. The washer of claim 1 including a guide for diverting said objects in the output region of said washer, said guide being elevated above said feed element to reject short ones of said objects.
14. The washer of claim 1 wherein said pile material is also arranged above said feed element to engage upper surfaces of said objects.
15. The washer of claim 14 wherein said pile material above said feed element is intermittent along the length of said feed element, and said spray nozzles are arranged between said intermittent pile material.
16. The washer of claim 15 wherein said bristles of said pile material above said feed element are inclined toward said direction of feed, and said pile material above said feed element is vibrated by said vibrating means.
17. The washer of claim 1 wherein said feed element is trough shaped.
18. The washer of claim 17 wherein said feed element is approximately semi-cylindrical.
19. The washer of claim 18 wherein said bristles of said pile material are inclined along a helical path to rotate said objects on the axes of said objects as said objects advance along said feed element.
20. The washer of claim 1 including a dryer having a feed element for receiving said objects from said washer and for moving said objects through said dryer; said dryer feed element having an upper surface bearing a pile material having resilient resin bristles inclined from the vertical toward a direction of feed along said dryer feed element; means for vibrating said dryer feed element to move said pile bristles against said objects to advance said objects through said dryer; and means for blowing warm air over said objects as said objects advance through said dryer.
21. The washer of claim 20 wherein said dryer feed element and said dryer pile material have a drain opening for liquid.
22. The washer of claim 20 wherein said warm air blowing means includes a heater above said objects and a fan for blowing air over said heater and against said objects.
1. A vibratory washer comprising:
2. The washer of claim 1 wherein said opening is downstream of said spray nozzles in said direction of feed.
3. The washer of claim 2 wherein said feed element is downwardly inclined in said feed direction and said through opening is in an output region of said feed element.
4. The washer of claim 1 wherein said pile groove pattern comprises a continuous groove extending longitudinally of said feed element.
5. The washer of claim 4 wherein said pile groove pattern comprises side grooves leading to said continuous groove.
6. The washer of claim 1 wherein said pile bristles are dense enough to support said objects on the tips of said bristles and sparse enough to allow said washing liquid and material washed from said objects to flow through said pile bristles and through said groove pattern.
7. The washer of claim 1 wherein said pile bristles are inclined from 5° to 30° from the vertical toward said feed direction and said vibrating means moves said feed element in a generally reciprocal motion in a vertical plane in said feed direction and within 10° of said bristle inclination angle.
8. The washer of claim 7 wherein said pile bristles are dense enough to support said objects on the tips of said bristles and sparse enough to allow said washing liquid and material washed from said objects to flow through said pile bristles and through said groove pattern.
9. The washer of claim 8 wherein said opening is downstream of said spray nozzles in said direction of feed.
10. The washer of claim 9 wherein said pile groove pattern comprises a continuous groove extending longitudinally of said feed element.
11. The washer of claim 10 wherein said pile groove pattern comprises side grooves leading to said continuous groove.
12. The washer of claim 11 wherein said feed element is downwardly inclined in said feed direction and said through opening is in an output region of said feed element.
13. The washer of claim 1 including a guide for diverting said objects in the output region of said washer, said guide being elevated above said feed element to reject short ones of said objects.
14. The washer of claim 1 wherein said pile material is also arranged above said feed element to engage upper surfaces of said objects.
15. The washer of claim 14 wherein said pile material above said feed element is intermittent along the length of said feed element, and said spray nozzles are arranged between said intermittent pile material.
16. The washer of claim 15 wherein said bristles of said pile material above said feed element are inclined toward said direction of feed, and said pile material above said feed element is vibrated by said vibrating means.
17. The washer of claim 1 wherein said feed element is trough shaped.
18. The washer of claim 17 wherein said feed element is approximately semi-cylindrical.
19. The washer of claim 18 wherein said bristles of said pile material are inclined along a helical path to rotate said objects on the axes of said objects as said objects advance along said feed element.
20. The washer of claim 1 including a dryer having a feed element for receiving said objects from said washer and for moving said objects through said dryer; said dryer feed element having an upper surface bearing a pile material having resilient resin bristles inclined from the vertical toward a direction of feed along said dryer feed element; means for vibrating said dryer feed element to move said pile bristles against said objects to advance said objects through said dryer; and means for blowing warm air over said objects as said objects advance through said dryer.
21. The washer of claim 20 wherein said dryer feed element and said dryer pile material have a drain opening for liquid.
22. The washer of claim 20 wherein said warm air blowing means includes a heater above said objects and a fan for blowing air over said heater and against said objects.
Description:
THE INVENTIVE IMPROVEMENT
A great variety of washers and dryers are already known, and many of these have feeders for moving objects along as they are washed and dryed. The invention involves recognition of the problems caused by the wet and dirty environments in washers and dryers that operate to the detriment of the feeding mechanisms, making feeders relatively complicated, expensive, and short lived. The invention aims at a simplified and more economical feeding mechanism better able to withstand the environment in washers and dryers and enjoying a long wear life and trouble-free feeding of objects through washers and dryers. The invention aims at low cost and low maintenance in a washer and dryer feeder especially adapted for operating in wet and dirty environments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The inventive feeder for a vibratory washer or dryer includes a feed element for objects moving through a washer, and the upper surface of the feed element bears a pile material having resilient resin bristles inclined from the vertical toward the direction of feed. A vibrator vibrates the feed element to move the pile bristles against objects to advance the objects through the washer, and spray nozzles are arranged for directing a liquid washing spray against the objects. The feed element has a through opening in its bottom region, and a drain is arranged under the opening for collecting washing liquid and material washed from the objects. The pile material has a groove pattern leading toward the opening to allow the washing liquid and material washed from the objects to pass through the pile material and through the opening into the drain. A dryer using a similar vibratory pile feed element can receive the objects from the washer and blow warm air over them to dry them off.
DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a process using the inventive feeders;
FIG. 2 is a partially schematic, side-elevational view of a preferred embodiment of a washer according to the invention;
FIG. 3 is a partially cross-sectional, fragmentary elevational view of the feeder of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a partially schematic, cross-sectional view of the feeder of FIG. 2, taken along the line 4--4 thereof;
FIG. 5 is a partially cut away, partially schematic side-elevational view of a preferred embodiment of a dryer using the inventive feeder;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, plan view of the input region of the feeder for the dryer of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of an alternative washer having pile material above the feed element for helping to scrub the objects being washed;
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the washer of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is an end elevational view of an alternative washer for cylindrical or spherical objects; and
FIG. 10 is a plan view of a preferred pile orientation for the feed element of the washer of FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Many circumstances can benefit from the inventive feeder for washers and dryers, and there is an almost endless need for washing parts or objects, and drying parts or objects that have been washed or wetted with a liquid. The invention applies to those situations where parts or objects are to be fed through washers or dryers where liquid or dirt would cause special problems for prior art feeders in such devices. One example of a process using the inventive feeders to advantage is shown in FIG. 1 where a continuous length of material is made in equipment 10 and objects are cut off from the continuous length in device 11 producing dust or crumbs in the cut-off process so that the cut off objects are fed to washer 12 which cleans the objects and feeds them to a dryer 13 for drying off the cleaning liquid. Such a process applies to many objects, but one example especially benefiting from the invention is in the manufacture of ceramic fillers for catalytic cartridges for automotive exhaust systems where the fillers are made in continuous lengths, cut into the desired sizes, and washed. Many other objects and processes involving washing or drying could also benefit from the inventive feeders.
Washer 15 as schematically illustrated in FIG. 2 receives parts 16 for washing and advances objects 16 through a hooded washing chamber 17 where spray nozzles 18 spray a liquid washing solution against objects 16 to remove dirt, crumbs, dust, or other material to be washed away. The feeding of objects 16 is accomplished by a feed element 20 driven by a vibrator 21 to vibrate a bristle pile material 22 against the bottom of objects 16 to advance objects 16 through washer 15. A drain pan 23 underlies the preferably lower output end of feed element 20 and leads to a drain outlet 24 for draining away washing liquid and material washed from objects 16, and spring supports 25 support feed element 20 for vibrating in response to vibrator 21.
Pile material 22 is preferably formed of a relatively dense array of resilient, synthetic resin bristles of substantially uniform length and uniformly inclined from the vertical toward the direction of feed as illustrated. Bristles 22 are preferably inclined from 5° to 30° from the vertical toward the direction of feed, and are dense enough to support objects 16 on their tips. Bristles 22 are resilient enough to flex slightly under objects 16, and are not so dense as to block the flow of washing liquid or dirt particles which can flow or migrate down through bristles 22 and run through bristles 22 as described in more detail below.
Spring supports 25 and vibrator 21 are preferably arranged for driving feed element 20 in a generally reciprocal motion in a vertical plane along the direction of feed in an angle within 10° of the inclination of pile bristles 22. Many supports and vibrators can be arranged for accomplishing this, several vibrators can be used if desired, and different vibration angles and pile inclination angles can be selected for optimum results for the particular objects being washed.
Spray nozzles 18 are supplied with the desired washing liquid through pipes 26, and the washing spray is contained within shroud or hood 17 so that dirt or other undesirable materials are rinsed off or removed from objects 16. The vibrational contact of bristles 22 with objects 16, and the vibrational motion of objects 16 as they proceed through washer 15 helps in loosening and removing the dirt, and bristles 22 allow the washing liquid and dirt to run off below the bottom of objects 16. A guide 27 at the output end of washer 15 diverts objects 16 and is elevated above the tips of pile bristles 22 so that any short objects 16 pass under guide 27 and fall into waste bin 28.
Feed element 20 has a through opening 29 preferably arranged near the output region of feed element 20 which is preferably downwardly inclined toward opening 29. Pile material 22 is cut away to form a longitudinal groove 30 extending along the direction of feed and leading to through opening 29 so that washing liquid and dirt can collect in groove 30 and flow along groove 30 to opening 29 and into drain pan 23 under opening 29.
The groove pattern of pile material 22 also preferably includes side grooves 31 that are angled inward in a herringbone pattern to meet central groove 30. Side grooves 31 are also preferably cut all the way through pile material 22 and help channel the flow of washing liquid and dirt into central groove 30 and down to drain opening 29. The combination of a grooved pile pattern and support of objects 16 on the tips of pile bristles 22 insures that washing liquid and dirt easily run off from the bottom of objects 15, flow harmlessly down to the bases of pile bristles 22, and are guided by the pattern of grooves 30 and 31 to drain opening 29. In addition to the illustrated configuration, drain openings can be formed in a wide variety of ways, many drain openings can be used, and many other pile groove patterns can cooperate with drain openings to provide adequate drainage for any volume or type of material to be drained away.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, washer 15 can be provided with a cleaning system, including a pipe 50 and nozzles 51 for spraying a cleansing solution into washer 15 to clean pile material 22. A cleansing solution sprayed from nozzles 51 can flush away any collected impurities, to keep pile material 22 clean enough for effective operation, and the cleansing solution is preferably drained away through opening 29 and drain 23.
Washer 15 can be formed in many different shapes to accommodate different shaped objects to be washed. Feed element 20 need not be flat as illustrated, but can be curved, V-shaped, concave, convex, or otherwise configured to receive particular objects. Drain openings and pile groove patterns are also preferably adapted to the shape of the feed element 20, and FIGS. 7-10 illustrate two of the many possibilities.
FIGS. 7 and 8 show sidewall pile elements 52 and top wall pile elements 53 inside of housing 17 above feed element 20 of a washer. Pile elements 52 and 53 thus extend above feed element 20 for engaging the sides and top of objects 16 being washed. Pile elements 52 and 53 preferably vibrate with pile 22 of feed element 20 so that their bristles engage the sides and top of object 16 as it advances through the washer. Pile elements 52 and 53 are preferably intermittent as best shown in FIG. 8 to leave spaces for washer nozzles 18. The bristles of pile elements 52 and 53 help scrub and clean objects 16 as they pass through washer 15.
The washer of FIGS. 9 and 10 has a vibrated feed element 54 that is approximately semicylindrical and lined with a pile 55 for feeding cylindrical objects 56. Pile 55 has a central groove 57 at the bottom of feed element 54 leading to a drain opening 58 in the output region of feed element 54. Pile material 55 is preferably laid in a helical path in feed element 54 so that the bristles of pile material 55 are inclined obliquely to the axis of feed element 54. The inclination of the bristles of pile material 55 is shown by the arrows in FIG. 10, and the effect of such an inclination is to roll cylindrical objects 56 on their axes as objects 56 advance along feed element 54. Then spray from washer nozzles 59 rinses off and cleans objects 56 which turn on their axes as they advance to expose all sides to the cleansing spray. Engagement with the tips of the bristles of pile 55 helps loosen and remove dirt from objects 56, and the cleansing spray from nozzles 59 flows freely around objects 56 down to groove 57 in pile 55.
Dryer 35 can be used in cooperation with washer 15 for drying off objects 16 after they leave washer 15. Dryer 35 can also be used for drying objects 16 of liquid applied in other washing, rinsing, or liquid-treatment processes.
Dryer 35 has a feed element 36 covered with a synthetic resin pile material 37 having resilient bristles inclined toward the direction of feed in the same way as pile material 22 of washer 15. Through openings 46 extend through pile material 37 and feed element 36 preferably in the input region of dryer 35 and lead to a drain pan 38 arranged under feed element 36 and having a drain outlet 39. Any excess liquid draining off of objects 16 near the input region then passes through openings 46 into drain pan 38. Vibrator 40 drives feed element 36 preferably in a motion similar to the motion of vibrator 21 of washer 15, and springs 41 support element 36 for the motion produced by vibrator 40.
Shroud or hood 43 encloses a space over feed element 36, and a heater 44 is arranged above the path of objects 16 through dryer 35. A pair of fans 45 blow air over heater 44 against objects 16 as they move through dryer 35 toward output 42.
The warm air from fans 45 and heater 44 blows around objects 16 and warms and dries them to remove all moisture. The drying is facilitated by the vibration of pile 37 and objects 16 which allows air to move under objects 16 through pile bristles 37 and facilitates the removal of liquid from the bottoms of objects 16. Pile bristles 37 are dense enough to support objects 16, but sparse enough to allow the drying air to move through bristles 37 under objects 16 for drying the bottoms of objects 16 as well as the exposed upper surfaces of objects 16.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate the different materials, sizes, shapes, constructions, and washing and drying arrangements for applying the invention to washing and drying of various objects. Also, different pile densities, bristle lengths, bristle materials, resilience, and inclination can be combined with various vibration angles and motions for optimum feeding of different objects. The inventive pile feeders in washers and dryers simplify the movement of objects without any impairment from the liquid environment and provide adequate speed and feeding force in a simple and economical way compared to prior art feeders for washers and dryers.
Persons wishing to practice the invention should remember that other embodiments and variations can be adapted to particular circumstances. Even though one point of view is necessarily chosen in describing and defining the invention, this should not inhibit broader or related embodiments going beyond the semantic orientation of this application but falling within the spirit of the invention. For example, those skilled in the art will understand the application of the inventive feeders to various washers and dryers for processing different objects.
A great variety of washers and dryers are already known, and many of these have feeders for moving objects along as they are washed and dryed. The invention involves recognition of the problems caused by the wet and dirty environments in washers and dryers that operate to the detriment of the feeding mechanisms, making feeders relatively complicated, expensive, and short lived. The invention aims at a simplified and more economical feeding mechanism better able to withstand the environment in washers and dryers and enjoying a long wear life and trouble-free feeding of objects through washers and dryers. The invention aims at low cost and low maintenance in a washer and dryer feeder especially adapted for operating in wet and dirty environments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The inventive feeder for a vibratory washer or dryer includes a feed element for objects moving through a washer, and the upper surface of the feed element bears a pile material having resilient resin bristles inclined from the vertical toward the direction of feed. A vibrator vibrates the feed element to move the pile bristles against objects to advance the objects through the washer, and spray nozzles are arranged for directing a liquid washing spray against the objects. The feed element has a through opening in its bottom region, and a drain is arranged under the opening for collecting washing liquid and material washed from the objects. The pile material has a groove pattern leading toward the opening to allow the washing liquid and material washed from the objects to pass through the pile material and through the opening into the drain. A dryer using a similar vibratory pile feed element can receive the objects from the washer and blow warm air over them to dry them off.
DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a process using the inventive feeders;
FIG. 2 is a partially schematic, side-elevational view of a preferred embodiment of a washer according to the invention;
FIG. 3 is a partially cross-sectional, fragmentary elevational view of the feeder of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a partially schematic, cross-sectional view of the feeder of FIG. 2, taken along the line 4--4 thereof;
FIG. 5 is a partially cut away, partially schematic side-elevational view of a preferred embodiment of a dryer using the inventive feeder;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, plan view of the input region of the feeder for the dryer of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of an alternative washer having pile material above the feed element for helping to scrub the objects being washed;
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the washer of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is an end elevational view of an alternative washer for cylindrical or spherical objects; and
FIG. 10 is a plan view of a preferred pile orientation for the feed element of the washer of FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Many circumstances can benefit from the inventive feeder for washers and dryers, and there is an almost endless need for washing parts or objects, and drying parts or objects that have been washed or wetted with a liquid. The invention applies to those situations where parts or objects are to be fed through washers or dryers where liquid or dirt would cause special problems for prior art feeders in such devices. One example of a process using the inventive feeders to advantage is shown in FIG. 1 where a continuous length of material is made in equipment 10 and objects are cut off from the continuous length in device 11 producing dust or crumbs in the cut-off process so that the cut off objects are fed to washer 12 which cleans the objects and feeds them to a dryer 13 for drying off the cleaning liquid. Such a process applies to many objects, but one example especially benefiting from the invention is in the manufacture of ceramic fillers for catalytic cartridges for automotive exhaust systems where the fillers are made in continuous lengths, cut into the desired sizes, and washed. Many other objects and processes involving washing or drying could also benefit from the inventive feeders.
Washer 15 as schematically illustrated in FIG. 2 receives parts 16 for washing and advances objects 16 through a hooded washing chamber 17 where spray nozzles 18 spray a liquid washing solution against objects 16 to remove dirt, crumbs, dust, or other material to be washed away. The feeding of objects 16 is accomplished by a feed element 20 driven by a vibrator 21 to vibrate a bristle pile material 22 against the bottom of objects 16 to advance objects 16 through washer 15. A drain pan 23 underlies the preferably lower output end of feed element 20 and leads to a drain outlet 24 for draining away washing liquid and material washed from objects 16, and spring supports 25 support feed element 20 for vibrating in response to vibrator 21.
Pile material 22 is preferably formed of a relatively dense array of resilient, synthetic resin bristles of substantially uniform length and uniformly inclined from the vertical toward the direction of feed as illustrated. Bristles 22 are preferably inclined from 5° to 30° from the vertical toward the direction of feed, and are dense enough to support objects 16 on their tips. Bristles 22 are resilient enough to flex slightly under objects 16, and are not so dense as to block the flow of washing liquid or dirt particles which can flow or migrate down through bristles 22 and run through bristles 22 as described in more detail below.
Spring supports 25 and vibrator 21 are preferably arranged for driving feed element 20 in a generally reciprocal motion in a vertical plane along the direction of feed in an angle within 10° of the inclination of pile bristles 22. Many supports and vibrators can be arranged for accomplishing this, several vibrators can be used if desired, and different vibration angles and pile inclination angles can be selected for optimum results for the particular objects being washed.
Spray nozzles 18 are supplied with the desired washing liquid through pipes 26, and the washing spray is contained within shroud or hood 17 so that dirt or other undesirable materials are rinsed off or removed from objects 16. The vibrational contact of bristles 22 with objects 16, and the vibrational motion of objects 16 as they proceed through washer 15 helps in loosening and removing the dirt, and bristles 22 allow the washing liquid and dirt to run off below the bottom of objects 16. A guide 27 at the output end of washer 15 diverts objects 16 and is elevated above the tips of pile bristles 22 so that any short objects 16 pass under guide 27 and fall into waste bin 28.
Feed element 20 has a through opening 29 preferably arranged near the output region of feed element 20 which is preferably downwardly inclined toward opening 29. Pile material 22 is cut away to form a longitudinal groove 30 extending along the direction of feed and leading to through opening 29 so that washing liquid and dirt can collect in groove 30 and flow along groove 30 to opening 29 and into drain pan 23 under opening 29.
The groove pattern of pile material 22 also preferably includes side grooves 31 that are angled inward in a herringbone pattern to meet central groove 30. Side grooves 31 are also preferably cut all the way through pile material 22 and help channel the flow of washing liquid and dirt into central groove 30 and down to drain opening 29. The combination of a grooved pile pattern and support of objects 16 on the tips of pile bristles 22 insures that washing liquid and dirt easily run off from the bottom of objects 15, flow harmlessly down to the bases of pile bristles 22, and are guided by the pattern of grooves 30 and 31 to drain opening 29. In addition to the illustrated configuration, drain openings can be formed in a wide variety of ways, many drain openings can be used, and many other pile groove patterns can cooperate with drain openings to provide adequate drainage for any volume or type of material to be drained away.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, washer 15 can be provided with a cleaning system, including a pipe 50 and nozzles 51 for spraying a cleansing solution into washer 15 to clean pile material 22. A cleansing solution sprayed from nozzles 51 can flush away any collected impurities, to keep pile material 22 clean enough for effective operation, and the cleansing solution is preferably drained away through opening 29 and drain 23.
Washer 15 can be formed in many different shapes to accommodate different shaped objects to be washed. Feed element 20 need not be flat as illustrated, but can be curved, V-shaped, concave, convex, or otherwise configured to receive particular objects. Drain openings and pile groove patterns are also preferably adapted to the shape of the feed element 20, and FIGS. 7-10 illustrate two of the many possibilities.
FIGS. 7 and 8 show sidewall pile elements 52 and top wall pile elements 53 inside of housing 17 above feed element 20 of a washer. Pile elements 52 and 53 thus extend above feed element 20 for engaging the sides and top of objects 16 being washed. Pile elements 52 and 53 preferably vibrate with pile 22 of feed element 20 so that their bristles engage the sides and top of object 16 as it advances through the washer. Pile elements 52 and 53 are preferably intermittent as best shown in FIG. 8 to leave spaces for washer nozzles 18. The bristles of pile elements 52 and 53 help scrub and clean objects 16 as they pass through washer 15.
The washer of FIGS. 9 and 10 has a vibrated feed element 54 that is approximately semicylindrical and lined with a pile 55 for feeding cylindrical objects 56. Pile 55 has a central groove 57 at the bottom of feed element 54 leading to a drain opening 58 in the output region of feed element 54. Pile material 55 is preferably laid in a helical path in feed element 54 so that the bristles of pile material 55 are inclined obliquely to the axis of feed element 54. The inclination of the bristles of pile material 55 is shown by the arrows in FIG. 10, and the effect of such an inclination is to roll cylindrical objects 56 on their axes as objects 56 advance along feed element 54. Then spray from washer nozzles 59 rinses off and cleans objects 56 which turn on their axes as they advance to expose all sides to the cleansing spray. Engagement with the tips of the bristles of pile 55 helps loosen and remove dirt from objects 56, and the cleansing spray from nozzles 59 flows freely around objects 56 down to groove 57 in pile 55.
Dryer 35 can be used in cooperation with washer 15 for drying off objects 16 after they leave washer 15. Dryer 35 can also be used for drying objects 16 of liquid applied in other washing, rinsing, or liquid-treatment processes.
Dryer 35 has a feed element 36 covered with a synthetic resin pile material 37 having resilient bristles inclined toward the direction of feed in the same way as pile material 22 of washer 15. Through openings 46 extend through pile material 37 and feed element 36 preferably in the input region of dryer 35 and lead to a drain pan 38 arranged under feed element 36 and having a drain outlet 39. Any excess liquid draining off of objects 16 near the input region then passes through openings 46 into drain pan 38. Vibrator 40 drives feed element 36 preferably in a motion similar to the motion of vibrator 21 of washer 15, and springs 41 support element 36 for the motion produced by vibrator 40.
Shroud or hood 43 encloses a space over feed element 36, and a heater 44 is arranged above the path of objects 16 through dryer 35. A pair of fans 45 blow air over heater 44 against objects 16 as they move through dryer 35 toward output 42.
The warm air from fans 45 and heater 44 blows around objects 16 and warms and dries them to remove all moisture. The drying is facilitated by the vibration of pile 37 and objects 16 which allows air to move under objects 16 through pile bristles 37 and facilitates the removal of liquid from the bottoms of objects 16. Pile bristles 37 are dense enough to support objects 16, but sparse enough to allow the drying air to move through bristles 37 under objects 16 for drying the bottoms of objects 16 as well as the exposed upper surfaces of objects 16.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate the different materials, sizes, shapes, constructions, and washing and drying arrangements for applying the invention to washing and drying of various objects. Also, different pile densities, bristle lengths, bristle materials, resilience, and inclination can be combined with various vibration angles and motions for optimum feeding of different objects. The inventive pile feeders in washers and dryers simplify the movement of objects without any impairment from the liquid environment and provide adequate speed and feeding force in a simple and economical way compared to prior art feeders for washers and dryers.
Persons wishing to practice the invention should remember that other embodiments and variations can be adapted to particular circumstances. Even though one point of view is necessarily chosen in describing and defining the invention, this should not inhibit broader or related embodiments going beyond the semantic orientation of this application but falling within the spirit of the invention. For example, those skilled in the art will understand the application of the inventive feeders to various washers and dryers for processing different objects.