US2443091A - Cleaning apparatus having rotary conveyer and recirculating liquid systems - Google Patents

Description

June 8, 1948. E. R. zADEMAcH CLEANING APPARATUS HAVING ROTARY CONVEYER AND RECIRCULATING LIQUID SYSTEM 9 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Oct. l5, 1940 `lune 8, 1948. E R. zADl-:MACH

CLEANING APPAATUS HAVING ROTARY CONVEYER AND RECIRCULATING LIQUID SYSTEM Filed 00T.. 15, 1940 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 NVENTOR ATTORNEYS June 8, 1948. E R ZADEMACH 2,443,091

CLEANING APPARATUS HAVING ROTARY CONVEYER AND RECIRCULATING LIQUID SYSTEM 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. l5, 1940 [rfc/7 (E Zademac/ BY 9AM@ l ATTORNEYS June 8, 1948. E. R. zADl-:MACH 2,443,091 v CLEANING APPARATUS HAVING ROTARY CONVEYER AND RECIRCULATING LIQUID SYSTEM Filed oct. 15,'1940 9 sheets-sheet 4 I l f I UUU Vi l oo oo g nooo@ INVENTOR "f/C/z/Zademac/b AT TORNEYS June 8, 1948. E. R. zADEMAcH 2,443,091

CLEANING APPARATUS HAVING ROTARY CONVEYER AND RECIRCULATING LIQUID SYSTEM 9 Sheets-Sheet 45 Filed Oct. 15, 1940 N mvENroR. Enc/1 lade/mc W QM @L 4M@ AT TORNEY June i948. E R, ZADEMACH 2,443,091

CLEANING APPAATUS HAVING ROTARY CONVEYER AND RECIRCULATING LIQUID SYSTEM Filed 001;. l5, 1940 4 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 1N VENTOR. :fr/Ch Zademach ATTORNEYS June 8, i948. E, R, ZADEMACH 2,443,091

CLEANING APPARATUS HAVING ROTARY CONVEYER AND RECIRCULATING LIQUID SYSTEM Filed OC. l5, 1940 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 IN VENTOR. Er/ch 2nde/nach AT TORNE YS June 8, 1948. E. R. zADEMAcH CLEANING APPARATUS HAVING ROTARY CONVEYER AND RECIRCULATING LIQUID SYSTEM Filed Oct. 15, 1940 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 n INVENTOR. Y 776/7 Zddemqch B @MQW/ /fa ATTORNEYS June 8, 1948. E. R. zADEMAcH CLEANING APPARATUS HAVING ROTARY CONVEYER AND RECIRCULATING LIQUID SYSTEM Filed Oct. 15, 1940 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Il Il'll I Il IHI Faiented .lune 8, 1948 CLEANING APPARATUS HAVING ROTARY CONVEYER AND EECIRCULATING LIQUID SYSTEMS Erich R. Zademach, Elizabeth, N. J., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Metalwash Machinery Company, Newark, N. J., a copartnership Application Qctober 15, 1940, Serial No. 361,211

i Claims. l

This invention relates to apparatus for the continuous fluid treatment of articles traveling fon an enclosed conveyor, and is particularly directed to apparatus for continuously subjecting articles to washing and drying operations or other successive steps employing any desired combination of liquid or gas treatments. It has been particularly developed for use in Washing and drying pans and other containers generally employed in commercial bakeries. In this field the pans are first subjected to Washing with jets of hot Water carrying suitable detergents, followed by drying with jets of heated air.

An important feature of the invention is the provision of a rotary arrangement of this type. This construction permits the elimination of one of the operators required on previous straight types of apparatus, since the same operator can be employed for both the insertion and the removal of the articles to be processed. It also has been utilized to provide a very compact and eilicient arrangement both of the processing chambers and of the auxiliary Suid-handling apparatus.

This type of arrangement utilizes a rotary support for the articles traveling in an annular enclosed chamber, the treating liquids or gases being introduced at successive points in the chamber. As some or all the treating iiuids are preferably hot, it is important that the chamber be enclosed as eiectively as possible. This presents serious mechanical problems in the support and drive of the rotary conveyor. The use of a central shaft provided with radial supports for the conveyor is open to serious objections, partly because of the difficulty of sealing the treating chamber, and partly because it renders the central portion of the apparatus inaccessible Without stopping the conveyor. A feature of the invention is the provision of an annular conveyor-supporting structure which may be fully sealed while leaving the central part o the apparatus open and accessible during operation.

Where the articles are initially subjected to liquid treatment followed by drying, it is desirable to reduce to a minimum the amount of vapor from the liquid treatment that can pass over to the drying stage. Baflies or curtains are open t-o objection because they interfere with articles on the conveyor. It is also ldesirable to prevent steam and the like from interfering with the operator stationed at the feed and discharge opening. A feature of the invention is the provision of a suitable arrangement flor this purpose, utilizing ducts venting the vapors at opposite ends of 2 the liquid treatment zone and thereby minimizing the extent to which the vapors can enter the drying zone. This is aided by the provision of a forced and regulated circulation of drying air, which likewise tends to exclude such vapors.

The cleaning of baking pans and the like intnoduces special problems in apparatus of this type, due partly to the shapes and sizes of such pans and utensils, and partly to the type of cleansing and drying action to which they must be subjected. Certain features of the invention are particularly intended to facilitate the treatment of articles of this type. In particular, special supporting means has been provided for holding such articles in proper position in minimum space.

The invention also includes a special arrangement of 'various parts providing compaotness and eciency. It includes a liquid recirculating arrangement that is compact, efficient and conveniently located, and Which in particular is advantageously provided with corner portions projecting beyond the annular treatment chamber to provide convenient access to strainers and other parts which may need periodic attention.

Apparatus of this type, especially When used for cleansing baking utensils, is frequently so large as to present serious problems in transportation and installation, unless a substantial part of the assembly thereof is carried out at the point of use. A feature of the invention is a provision :of an apparatus of the indicated rotary type which is arranged for construction in two self-contained units suitably proportioned for standard transportation and formed into a complete machine by joining the two units.

The invention also includes improvements in construction and arrangement oi the conveyor, including an improved conveyor support and drive, a shield arrangement which protects working parts While exposing the articles to full cleansing action, and improved sectional construction Which facilitates shipping the articles in parts as already indicated, as Well as convenience of assembly, repair and replacement of parts. improved article-supporting sections have been devised to facilitate the cleansing [of articles oi' awkward sizes and shapes, such as cookie sheets, bun pans and the like in minimum space Without interfering with the use of the conveyor for other types of articles. The provision of sections that are readily removable through the article feed and discharge xopening likewise assists in ready assembly, replacement and the rapid 3 substitution of one type of article support for another along part or all of the conveyor.

A further feature is the arrangement of the parts to provide a large and convenient opening for inserting and removing articles, particularly those which are large and cumbersome, and to permit convenient access to the backv of the conveyor. A feature of this arrangement is the provision of means for trapping steam in the upper part of the treating chamber adjacent the access opening and thereby reducing the operators exposure to such steam or other hot vapors.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the detailed description of the 'preferred enrbodirnent illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. 4 with parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation from the lower side of Figs. 1 and 2 facing thefeed and discharge opening;

Fig. 4 is a transverse-axial section on line 4--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical section on line 5 5 of Fig. l illustrating the drying system;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary View of the upper part of a modified form taken on the samerline as Fig. 4;

Fig. is a top plan view similar to Fig. -1 showing a modified arrangement having 4a generally octagonal contour;

Fig. S is a fragmentary top plan view of a portion of Va modified sectional type of conveyor;

Fig. 9 is a vertical transverse'sectional View through one of the conveyor sections shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical section online Iil-IB of Fig. V8;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of a modified form of an article supporting section;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig-10 showing a modified arrangement of conveyorlsupport and drive, and a modified type Ofartiele support;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectionon-line I3--i3 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 14 is a plan view of a conveyor section of the type shown in Figs. 12 and 13;

Fig. 15 is a View similar to Fig. l0 showing another modication, the -section bei-ng takenon line I5I5lof Fig. 16; Y

16 is a fragmentary top plan viewof said modication; and

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary verticalfsectional view on line I'I-I'I of Fig. 15..

The invention is illustratedfby an apparatusl 'particularly adapted for usel in cleaning various types of pans used in commercial baking. i It comprises in general an annular treating cham--` ber IEl which in the form shown in Figs. 1 to 6 is divided into a washing zone W, a, rinsing zone R, a drying zone D and a feed and discharge zone F. The treating chamber I0 is formed by suitable sheet metal walls including bottom II, cylindrical inner wall I2, outer Wall I3 and top i4 (Fig. 4) connected at abutting edges to form a complete enclosure except at the feed and discharge opening 44 through the outer wall I3, which is advantageously surrounded by an outwardly Iiared shield l5 of sheet metal of sufficient extent to prevent objectionable interaction between the external air and the chamber It). In this embodiment opening 44 likewise may be extended Vthrough top I4 to a sufficient distance for the insertion of large articles and to provide headroom for the operator in reaching across the conveyor. An apron 43 extends downwardly from the chamber top I4 along the entire margin of opening 44 in said top, and abuts outer wall I3, the lower edge of apron 43 being advantageously at least as low as the lower faces of fluid applying apparatus located inthe upper part of chamber IB above the conveyor and preferably slightly lower than such apparatus, providing a convenient guide to the maximum height to which articles on the conveyor may safely extend. It should be noted that removable cover plate I3` may be provided on thc exterior wall of the casing for convenience of access and inspection.

A suitable annular conveyor is supported and rotated in chamber It). In the form shown in Figs. 1-7 the conveyor includes an article supporting grate Il formed from radial bars I8 fixed at their ends to outer rim I3 and cylindrical grate support 20, which in this form consists of a sheet metal cylinder 2l. In the outer portion of grate Il intermediate bars 22 are provided, attached at their outer ends to rim I9 and supported adjacent their inner ends by the intermediate supporting ring 23.

The grate support cylinder 2I extends upwardly substantially to the top of the available space for the articles to be washed and carries alongy its inner face, preferably adjacent the upper end, an annular rail 24 resting on a series of rollers E5 rotating in bearings 28 mounted on the inner Wall I2 of the treating chamber. Rail 2t advantageously extends between flanges 2? on rollers 25 to maintain the grate I1 in radial alignment.

In this arrangement cylinder 2I is formed from a continuous sheet of suitable metal and serves also as a shield, protecting the supporting and driving elements located on the inner side thereofV from the treating liquid applied to the articles on the conveyor grate Il.

Where the apparatus is employed for liquid treatment, as in washing and rinsing pans, means is provided in chamber IU for discharging liquid against pans on the grate I1, preferably from both upper and lower sides, the` illustrated construction including spray units located above and below the grate Il. In the form illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 two successive liquid treatment sections are employed, the4 rst for washing and the second for rinsing. As the rinsing section R is shown more in detail in Fig. 4, and is substantially the same in construction asthe I washing section, it will be described first.

In this section R the lower liquid supply includesv a lower spray unit 30 comprising a curved header 3ll adjacent the grate rim I9, provided with inwardly extending radial spray pipes 32 having suitably spacedy nozzles 33 of known type. The liquid is fed to header 3l through pipe 34 extending through the inner wall I2 to feed'pipe 35 connected to the discharge of centrifugal pump 36 driven by motor 31.

The upper washing spray unit 38 comprises I a curved header 39 adjacent the outer wall I3 necting the tank to the inlet of pumpl 36,` ThisV v is accomplished in the form illustrated by provid-ing a'rectangular tank 45 below said zone, advantageously arranged with its inner wall 46 tangent to the downward projection of the inner wall I2 of chamber I0 and its outer wall 41 tangent to the downward projection of the outer wall I3 of said chamber, the bottom wall II of the chamber forming the top of tank 45 in the Zone across which said bottom extends. The bottom 48v of tank 45 is supported on suitable channels 49, and the rearward end 5B (Fig. 2) of the tank is in a plane substantially tangent to the outer wall I3 of chamber I I).

In this construction the rear corner of the tank projects beyond said outer wall I3 and is providedv with a suitable cover plate 5I having a downwardly sloping hinged door 52. The inner edge of plate 5| is joined to wall I3 above the level of the adjacent edge of chamber bottom II, which slopesI -downwardly and outwardly th'roughout the washing and rinsing zones. A draining outlet 53 (Figs. 2 and 4) in the lower margin of wall I3 below plate 5I and opposite the adjacent outward projecting corner of tank 45, discharges the liquid falling on bottom II into a rectangular screen basket 54 supported on slanting angle irons 55 and an angle iron bottom support 56 carried by angle irons 55 and fitting the bottom of basket 54. The basket is arranged for ready removal and insertion through door 52.

Th'e rinse water compartment 51 of tank 45 is advantageously provided with a decanting trough 53 extending along the upper edge of the compartment and arranged to receive the overilow with oating waste material which is carried off by drain pipe 59 connected to trough 58 through discharge passage 64 in the corner of compartment 51. The bottom of the compartment 51 is connected to drain pipe 59a through a suitable valve (not shown) for draining the compartment and removing settled material therefrom when desired. 'Ihe inlet of pump 36 is connected through pipe 6l! with the liquid in compartment 51, the end of pipe 60 advantageously letting into a vertical triangular screen 6I located above the bottom of the compartment and extending above the liquid level in said compartment.

A similar liquid supply system is provided in the washing zone, but is not described in detail, similar parts being indicated by similar numbers having a prime. The rinse water compartment 51 and the wash water -compartment 51 are separated by a suitable vertical partition 62 in tank 45; and suitable Vertical radial walls or flanges 63 (Figs. 2 and 4) extend upwardly from the bottom wall II of compartment I0 at the limits of the washing and rinsing zones to retain the liquid and assure its discharge through the proper outlet 53 or 53', the end of the lower air manifold 61 hereafter described being advantageously arranged so that it extends upwardly from bottom wall II at the discharge end of the rinsing compartment in position to conne liquid accumulating on said bottom, Fig. 4. It is understood that the arrangement is adapted for the addition of suitable detergents, liquid components, or the like to the circulating system and for the heating or other treatment or manipulation of the liquid Iin tank 45.

The drying zone occupies substantially the remaining h'alf of chamber I0, and is provided with means for directing suitable blasts of drying air on the articles, as well as means for supplying the heated air, advantageously by recirculatinir and reheating such air. In the illustrated constructions air is directed against articles on the grate I1 -through nozzles 65 (which may be of the type disclosed in Zademach Patent No. 1,756,- 965) mounted in the lower face of an annular segmental upper manifold 66 and in the upper face of lower registering manifold 61 of similar shape, the two manifolds extending from a point at the end of the rinsing zone R substantially to the feed and discharge zone F. The manifolds are connected by a vertical supply duct 63 projecting into the open well 1I) (Fig. 2) supply duct 6B being suitably contoured, as by providing deflector plate 1I and outwardly deected lconnecting wall sections 12, to assure an even ow of air into the manifolds 66 and 61. The upper wall of th'e lower manifold 61 advantageously is inclined downwardly toward the rear sulciently to provide drainage onto the portion of bottom plate I I extending beneath the rinsing zone R.

The lower end of duct 68 is in line with and connected to the discharge from a centrifugal blower 69 (Figs. 2 and 5) located in an air conditioning chamber 13 positioned beneath the bottom wall Il of the drying zone and connected, through return passage 14 located in the outer margin of the lower manifold 61, with an intermediate or central portion of such drying zone. Blower 69 includes fan 69a (Fig. 4) driven by suitable means (not shown) and has an inlet ange 55D extending around the fan inlet, which advantageously is directly in line with a. portion of return passage 14 which may be laterally extended for the purpose (Fig. 2), this arrangement providing a relatively direct iiow of air from passage 14 through the heater to the fan inlet.

Suitable means is provided in chamber 13 for conditioning the air before it enters the blower inlet, which opens into said chamber. In the construction illustrated said means consists of a somewhat diagrammatically indicated heater 15 which may be of a. known gas fired type provided with burner tubes at the bottom of the heater from which the flames and exhaust gases pass through a suitable vertical header 15a (Fig. 5) into a battery of spaced heating tubes 11 discharging into vertical header 16D connected to exhaust pipe 18 which passes laterally through chamberl 13 and thence upwardly through an extension of compartment bottom I0 and a lateral portion of supply duct 68 to discharge, this arrangement providing substantial heat exchange between pipe 18 and the air in duct 68. Heater 15 extends entirely across chamber 13 so that all of the air introduced through passage 14 must pass between heating tubes 11 before reaching the inlet to blower 69.

It is, of course, apparent that this arrangement permits any type of air conditioning, including dehydration, to be employed in chamber 13; but for the purpose indicated a simple heater has been found to .be sufficient. The construction illustrated is compact and is adapted for insulation by the provision of suitable lagging 19 surrounding both the drying zone of chamber I0 and the air conditioning chamber 13.

A suitable arrangement is provided for revolving the grate I1 at the desired speed; and such drive is located appropriately to avoid interference with the accessibility and operation of the various uid treatment constructions that have been described. For this purpose, in the form shown in Figs. 1-6, the rail 24 is provided with an inwardly extending annular rack engaged by pinion 8| (Fig. 2) extending through .af-restricted; openinginf thafinner f.-wal1-.| 2 .and driven through fwert-,ical- .:slrraft 82, ereducng .gear 83 f (Riedl) ,wpulieyqfandfbelt .385wfrom-motor {tr-mounted on thez-top-platef lli.Y The-.transmission? elements in'wellflarefadapted'to behoused, and are. arranged a to `prevent anyv materialleakage .or discharge from .theichamberwll While thefreducinggear 834s shown as-mountedonfa shelf-81 formed from.-an\extensioneof plate 4.4, the ilatterfplate l may .m1-practice extendr`v across the adjacent half-roi the-welliasthe-latter arrangementstill leaves y sufficient room for-a an operator toeenter -thewwellor purposes ofrepair-andthe like.

An. arrangernentf is.. provided. for reducing .t0-1a minimumv the tendencyrfor` moist air. from washing; andfrinsing operations toztravel. into the. drying yzone, thereby Vwasting a `.corresponding amount of-.the d,rying..capacityy ofthe. -air therein. i Fori-thisfpurposeimeansiis installedyforexhausting thel air-.from pointsat--the ends of the liquid-treatingfspace which are adjacentxthedrying-:zone D-.and-the vfeed.,.and discharge` zone.F; andthe- ,apparatus has .been constructed land .arrangedto facilitate this operation. ,.In..thei1 lustrated embodiment-'themen 4.plate I4. is provided with. an exhaust .duct--S located vator just beyond thefendmt the rinsing-stage R', and-.an exhausty duct 9 lA located between .theend .of the feed zone-F .and [the .beginning of the washing zone.W. .These ducts1 may be provided.withsuitable exhaust means (not shown) `and frequently are connected tolfa common discharge Yduct passing to theoutenair.. Duct-9| alsoserves to keep excessive steamor .heatedf air -fromdiscommoding the operator stationed at the opening UL-.and its oper-ation lis assisted `by apron .43, which restricts; ingress. of outside air i-nto duct I.

The parts have ,been -carefully .designed `and arranged to f facilitate `the convenient .separation of Vthe: apparatus into .two-.portionswhich may. be readily...attaohed .to `each;` other.. at. the .point of use. It Willbe notedthat thesupportingframework :92 Fig-4) i.oit channel .ironsis `in -two halves 'connectedfat-stheinends.to .twopairs of vertical angle. irons .93- locatedV at. oppositepoints and xedatitheiru-pper ends toan. abuttingpair ofntoprhannels 94. vThe top plate Mis-formed into. halves lwith :the: division in. line with, the -adjoining vfaces of .channels 55; The.. outerfwall'. .t3 is similarly divided withits-.ends-xed.to angles and-.inner fwall- .2-s.likewise` dividedwith its ends -ixed to.y abuttingt `.pairs .of `vertical.. .angle ironsf .(Figs. 2 fand 4) Aa'l'tachedzto therespectivefchannelsa. The agrate ..11 .is also..suitab1y sectionalized as .1 by .providing :suitable .breaks ..28 in :the outer .riml 9 cylindrical .supportf Mend rail 14,.. and'. appropriate means -lforf .fastening thesepartsi together` at-.thebreaks when rthe. machine-is assembled; the arrangement.illustrated inFig. .2 being .provided-with:suitable .bridgeor connecting plates .2S ,extendingsacrossv-the` breaks 28; and. suitably -1 attached :to Athe @adjacent portionsof the. abovementioned, parts.

. It` will benotedthatgthe gratedriveandiblower are.. located entirely in .the rightfhan'd half. .as viewed. in Figs. .lY and 2, while the' liquid `:circulation system andthe eiihaustl'ducts arepo'sitioned entirely in the leftl-handlsection. These sections arenveadily assembledatthe factory, may.- be econoxriically shipped; by, standard.,A transportation means, andcan bereadily andrapi'dly assembled.

yInsome; installations it -.is -desirabletd .provide a uid blast orgspray fromneorfbothof. the sides of\ chamber-flic as-well'asfrom tlfietoprand-.bottom 8. and a, mod-ined` construction .of.thief-typei'srzlllus-l tratedl in Fig.` 6. .Thezgenerai circulation systems for the. liquid :and the..air. are the. samefasflthose described. .In :each `liquidtreatment step;f.how ever,.,the..lower. radial spray,pipes.3.are extended upwardly -withinthe-cylindrcal grate supporti-20 and ereeprovided-'with suitablenozzles-.33.','y while a :series` vof- :vertical .spray .pipes vgli provided.. with nozzles -fl I .extends downwardly. from. header.' .39 along, thetreatmenttzone. The. same .constructionis, ofcourse, employedlindesiredin both. the washing.andrinsingizones In the drying zometheyertical supplyductbBS is-laterally. extended .alongtheinnerrfaee-ofthe 4inner.,wa1l l2 .to .the limits offthe. drying zonefand is .-proiddedawithinwardly directed .noz'zlesf The upper manifold. .66` v.is extendedfdownwar'dly insidethe outer .wall 1.3throughout `-the; drying zoneand 4is similarly. provided .with-.nozz1e.6`5.

. Infthis. construction. t-is,..necessary. .that ,the cylindrical gratesupportZ :shalLbe-ofvopenaconstruction l adapted :to. ..permit .ready `flow of Ythe iin-idsA into contact` with the ,articles fonegvai'eif1. For this .purpose the .supportim theiorm., illustrated in Fig; 6consists.of..a..series.of suitably spaced .verticalhanger bars-91connectinguaillu w-ithan inner l.grate rim 98. to whichfthe grate' bars i8 are attached.

.Itdesiredthe gratef7 maybe radiallyincline'd, as! illustrated. in. Figi.. 6, thereby; providingsaysin'ii- .lar inclination-tdpans .set .ilatwise .on .thagrate and. assisting rin the drainagebf Waterfrom .the upper .flatsurfaces of` such vpans .overithe lower .panedgathis,arrangement likewise.s'erving,to.as sure .inward .radial .movement .of any..11tensi1s which. may be. shiftednon.theconveyonby vibratlonftheieby avoiding .outward movementotutensilsandconsequent.interference'withi-the'statlonary structures alongtheouter-wa-ll.

vlhegeneral,methodof,operation.wllebeappx-irentirom. the description .ofY the apparatus. Only a` single Yoperator .is .required .toplace thedirty pans .on .the conveyor grate l ll` and .remove `the yclean pansfrom thegrate through vtheopening'Ml being protected againststeam-/and 1 other vapors iromthe Washingzone, .W .by the.. removal .of1su`ch vapors.` through exhaust; duct I .The dirty. .pans traveling from' the. feedzone F through. thewashing. zone W.y aresubjected` tothe .actiortoff jets of hot; water. carrying.` suitablegdetergents,,which-re- .move the. foreign; matter. and carry. 'itfdown into compartment 5'1 .where the larger. vparticles are .caught by the .basket-1154.' ;.floating= materiallia'decante'd to waste. .through .trough?2.58.,v and the heavier andlfmensolids drpp to the bottom ,Ofithe compartment .l and are periodically withdrawn through .pipelSSaC The water ...thus .purified-.is then returnedfor. reuse.

- The. cleansed. pans. passintOf'the rinsing-'zonefR wherethey .aresimilarly subjected. to..-j.ets.,.of clear rinsing water, .any foreigm matter. remaining .on .the` pans being. carried ,oirf and removed from .the Water in similar manner; b forel` its.re turn vfor ..use.

l The. pans then .travel with,.the.dryng .zone.lD, and, .vapors from rinsing zonellR are preuented fromenteringi the nrying.zone`lD toanysubstantial. extent .by .withdrawingfsaid ,vapors )through exhaust ductSil. In the drying zone Drthefpans are subjectedtojets of hot .air.which.serve.to-.re movethe .waterboth mechanically and. byevaporation,-leavi1vig,the. pans .ready for. removallkbys the operator. whenthey reach .the ldischange.'opening .The modication illustrated-in. Fia-'1f is. generally similar to the form shown in Figs. 1-5, except for certain specific features. In this construction the outside to the tank is octagonal in shape, avoiding the expense incident to the provision of curved parts. In this embodiment only one liquid treatment section is shown, arranged and constructed in the same general manner as the rinsing section previously described. The tank 45 has only a single compartment and has a corner projecting from a at section i3d of the outer wall I3, the walls 41 and 50 of said tank being flush with wall sections |3b and |371, contiguous to section I3a.

The feed and discharge opening 44 spans a corner of the chamber l0, having one margin |69 extending along the forward edge of wall section |3h and across the top i4 at right angles to the division between the two halves of the top. the margin IDI of the right-hand half of top lli and the contiguous angles 93, which extend along wall section |3f forming the other margin of `opening 44'. This arrangement provides an opening extending substantially across the conveyor as well as a convenient place for the operator to stand adjacent side 13g.

In this arrangement the angles between Wall sections |3e to |31e are utilized to provide risers |02 connecting the upper and lower air manifolds 6B, 6'! outside of the path of the conveyor risers m2 being provided with inwardly directed nozzles 65. The return passage 14 is also located in an angle between wall sections i3d and |36, and the air conditioning chamber 'I3' is arranged with its outer walls flush with sections |30, i3d and I3e, the inner walls H33 extending radially inward and normal to the centers of sections |3c and |3e to provide a chamber 13' having a corner projecting into the central well l. The chamber construction and connections in well 'l0 between chamber 13 and the manifolds B and 51 are substantially the same as those already described, except for necessary and obvious modifications in contour. The heater 'l5 extends across chamber 13 from one wall |63 into contact with an opposite wall ilush with wall section i3d, providing the requisite direct flow of air from return passage 14 through the heater to the blower S9.

In the modification shown in Fig-s. 8-11 the conveyor H is provided with removable grate sections mounted on a suitable frame. The frame consists of a plurality of equally spaced radial rods B5, each carrying at its inner end a mounting plate |96 attached as by means of screws |01 to lower frame ring |28, and supporting strips |09 connected at one end to rod 25 as by welding and detachably connected to the cylindrical grate support 2i) as by screws Hi).

Suitable grate sections are removably mounted on rods |05, the section illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 being of the same general construction as the grate shown in Figs. 1 7, being provided with side bars H2 carrying hook-shaped hangers |13 of sheet metal fitting over rods and advantageously 'extending around the rods to a suincient distance to prevent substantial radial movement of sections A modified form of grate section Ha is shown in Fig. 11, in which the section is covered with woven wire welded to the side bars l |2 as well as to the inner frame bar i-i and outer frame bar i5 connecting side bars d'2. Bars IM and ||5 are concentric with the -axis of rotation to the conveyor.

In Figs. 8 and l0 an alternative or supplemental arrangement for supporting and driving the conveyor is also illustrated. For this purpose frame ring |18 is provided with an inner rack or ring gear ||8 engaged by pinion 8| corresponding to pinion 8|. 'I'his arrangement also may include means for supporting the conveyor from beneath, the illustrated embodiment comprising a rail H9 extending downwardly froml frame ring |08 and resting upon rollers |253 rotating on studs l'2l mounted on the inner wall i2. Flanges |22 on rollers |20 engage the inner face of rail |89 and hold said rail, ring |233 and the structures carried thereby in proper radial as well as vertical position. 'I'his constitutes, therefore, a support in addition to the support furnished by the rollers 25 and rail 2G.

Apparatus of this type is frequently used for cleaning large iiat utensils such as cookie sheets, bun pans or the like, and it is desirable to place such utensils on edge during treatment in the apparatus. For this purpose removable racks may be provided, one form being illustrated in Figs. 12 to 14. In this construction the racks are carried by support rods |25 having downturned ends |25 engaging radial grate bars i8, the diverging relationship of the grate bars preventing substantial radial movement of the rack |2li due to engagement of the ends |28 with said bars.

A suitable rack structure is mounted on rods |25, the illustrated arrangement being particularly inexpensive since it may be constructed of ordinary rods. It consists of a plurality of sections |2'|, each of which may be made from a single rod and comprises a pair of vertical rectangular frames |28. Each frame |28 consists of a top bar |29, vertical end bars |33, and inturned bottom bars |3| attached to support rods |25 as bywelding, and is provided with horizontal bars |32 connecting the inner ends of bars I3! at points spaced from rods |25. The frames |28 may be spaced and arranged so as to be substantially radial when the rack |24 is in operative position, or they may be suitably spaced and proportioned to accommodate any particular type of pan or sheet.

The pans ISM or other flat utensils may be inserted between adjacent frames |28 either of a section |21 or of contiguous sections, as shown in Fig. 13, and will be supported thereby in suitable slightly sloping position for exposure to the streams of liquid and air and for draining. This type of construction likewise permits ready insertion and removal of large flat utensils as well as ready removal or replacement of racks |22 throughout part or all of the conveyor according to varying conditions of use. With reference to the construction of Fig. 12, it should be noted that the table is provided with an outer ring T9', having on it rack teeth, which rack teeth engage with a, driving element 8 la which element it should be noted is mounted on the outer wall of the casing of the machine. The table is supported by rollers 25a running in a groove 2de in a circular rail 2417.

A modied arrangement for the same general purpose is illustrated in Figs. 15-17. In this construction the grate sections l 33 are provided with utensil supports appropriately spaced to carry ordinary utensils in the usual manner, but are provided in addition with generally radial openings into which the lower margin of a at utensil may be' inserted appropriately to support it in upright position during treatment. In the form illustrated each section |33 is provided with a plurality of pairs of parallel grate bars |313 mounted at their ends on inner frame bar 11, and outer frame-bar H5, Between contiguous pairs of bars |34 fan intermediate lpair of parallel grate bars +35 is located; attached attheir outer lendsto outer/frame bar IIB-'and having their inner `ends I Bit-deflectedllaterallyy and-attached to Iad-jacentbars -I34. An --intermediate bar-|35y is also located -paialleLtoand4 adjacent eachside bar H2 and'issimilarly-mounted at its ends to bar H5 and Aadjacent -b'ar |34. Fillerabars |31, 'connected 'at their cuter/ends vto ira-'me barv -I I5,

ment withsuchparallel bars. Forthispurposc supporting-membersconnected to-the grate bars, and which may 1 serve-likewise tohold -suchbars in position; are utilized. In -the illustrated construction -outercross j rod' lila `extends parallel to outer-framef bar ||-5,.passing=throu`gh `and Vengagingbars |34, |35 and |3'|,'and Vis-ixerlfat-its endsto-side bars I I2. Inner crossrod I|30 islocateda shorti 'distancefrom :and generally parallei to innernframe bar "II 4, I and likewise .extends throughv-andiengages bars "I 34, |35 and I'31, with its ends mounted on bars IIZ. `Withthis arrangement a corner of ahat `utensil may be inserted between' 'adjacent-bars'l'34 or'I35 with its bottom y'edge resting onrod '|/31a and its'inner edge bearing against rod n|39. "Bars Ii3d-will be spaced appropriately topermitn utensil Y|30 to-tilt slightly', holdingit in place by engagement of its Y .oppositefaces `with barsl |34 or I|35. "By-suitably 'positioning rods `I31a and |39, u'ten'silamay be effectively supported inv this manner.

Itis frequently desirable to provide additional support to limit downwardpr'ojection of the utensils, to serve asa 'guidein' rapidly locating the utensilsin 'proper position, 'orfor both"purposes. This is ac/complishedin the form shown 'by 'providing a lsupport rod |40 located'bel'ow the'grate 'section "|'33'betwe'en 'rods I3'Ia and |39, and' appriately attachedto 'the/section, 'arranged to engage 'the lower margin 'of a utensil |30`and to `retain itin proper position. `In the arrangement illustrated r'od I 40 extends vvalong `'the' lower` Inarattachedthereto 'asbyiwelding 1 Filler 'bars '|31 in Figs.` 15`-and 16.` "Lnithis 'construction Ian an- 4nular `mounting angle T42 is niixed'to the lower margin of the cylindrical grate'support V20 as by welding; and the conveyor "frame 'r'odinounting *plates |06 are"deta'chably connected 'to angle A`| 42 as `by bolts vlii. The outer'endsof vframe rods *5:05 are detachablyconnect'ed -to the outer frame 'rim"|9 as lbysorews l|44 extending Ithrough the 'rim andthreaded into 'the'ends ofrods I 0-5. This 'construction is relatively` simple and inexpensive,

and permitsready assembly Yand disassembly, rcpair and-replacement of -damaged parts without i requiring` any -general dismantling oil-the -machine. y

It should be noted that in the form of 'construction ofFig.` 15,'the driving gear 8| is rotated by a'sna'ft''a extending from below. In this'orm of construction; therefore, the motorV orother ldriving means is notrequired to be located on'the top of the machine, but may be at a point below.

"It will be noted that the mechanicalparts of rthe recirculation .system and conveyor drive which may need attention are located in or adjacent tothe central well, which is arranged for readyaccess to such' parts and maybe readily reached bypassing beneath the chamberIO between tank '45' 'andv chamber T3. lThe various parts are` arranged so that the two'halves of the tank 'forro complete units of suitable size' for handling, the halves of one. standard type of oornniercial'unit 'for cleaning 'baking utensils be- 'ing eachl 61/2 "feet wide by 13 feet long, tank 45 beingdesigned and located so'that it does not increase these rectangular shipping dimensions.

'-I'ha've described what I believe to. be the best embodiments of my'invention. I do not wish, however, to be vconiined 'to the embodiments shown, but'what I 'desire to cover `by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended'claims.

I claim:

i.VA Treating apparatus comprising an annular treatment chamber, aconveyor in the chamber, and a' system for treatment of articles on the conveyor with a vre'circulated streamv of liquid 'comprising a tank located beneath the chamber, having a substantially right-angular corner projecting beyondthe chamber with its two adjoiningintersecting sides substantially flush with the respective portions 'of the outer wall of said chamber 'adjacent to said corner, said tank being provided with atop opening insaid'corner'for access tothe tank.

2. Treating apparatus as set forth in 'claim 1 in which`the tank is 'provided-with a screen' removable through the access opening', thechamber isprovided-*with'means for draining used 'treatment' liquid-"into the screen, said 'opening'has'its -s'ides substantially coe'xtensive with the intersecting sides 'of said corner,` and a' door'ispr'ovid'ed "for said opening.

i 3. Treating apparatus comprising an annular chamber, a 'conveyor in the`chambe1",1'and vmeans for subjecting articles on the conveyor to 'two separate treatments with recirculating streams ofliquid"comprising a rectangular tankl'ocated beneath the'chamber'and'having two substan- "tially'rght angular 'corner portions projecting beyond the chamber, each corner portion being provided with "an access opening; and having intersecting'sides substantially iiush with 'the respectiveV portions ofthe outerwall of said chamber 'adjacent to said corner, a partition dividingthe tank in twocompa'rtrnents,4 and 'means inthe chamber for draining into each compartment the liquid'from'one'of the treatment operations.

1 4.' Cleansing apparatus comprising an vannular 'Huid' treatment "chamber having 'an inner peripheralwall, an "annular rotary conveyor in'the "chamber, means for-supporting and driving the "conveyorfincluding an annular driven support located adjacent to 'and 'on `the chamber 'sidel of said "innerperi'pheral wall and `depending sup- 'porting'rneans' connecting the support 'with the 'inner portion 'of 'the "conveyor, andmeans for 'applying ii'uid toarticles' on'the conveyorl in'clud- 'ing means extending'vertically*betweensaid supporting-means and-said inner p'er'ipheral'wall 'and discharging uid outwardlyfthrough-the'supportmg means' ERICH R. ZADEMACH.

(References on following page) REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Utard et al Oct. 20, 1908 Utard et al Aug. 24, 1909 Jefferies July 9, 1918 Musgrave Sept. 5, 1922 McKenney et al Feb. 10, 1925 Benn Sept. 15, 1925 Anderson Apr, 20, 1926 Larsen Oct. 26, 1926 Burnham Mar. 26, 1929 Wolf June l1, 1929 H p-penmeyer Aug. 13, 1929 Gruetter Nov. 5, 1929 Breton June 3, 1930 Webb June 10, 1930 Olson June 24, 1930 Larsen Sept. 2, 1930 Hppenmeyer Nov. 10, 1931 Number 14 Name Date Cramer Dec. 29, 1931 McEwan Ju-ne 7, 1932 Volk July 12, 1932 Hppenme'yer Mar. 31, 1933 Newsome May 23, 1933 Parkes Jan. 9, 1934 Anstiss Jan. 23, 1934 Kendall Sept. 4, 1934 Zademach Feb. 7, 1933 Russell Apr. 7, 1936 Wolf June 28, 1938 Ohms et al. Mar. 21, 1939 Zademach Oct. 10, 1939 Smith July 22, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Australia Feb. 16, 1927 Sweden Feb. 5, 1929 Germany Nov. 22, 1928 Great Britain Jan. 29, 1931 Germany Dec. 12, 1939

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