U.S. patent number 3,656,492 [Application Number 05/021,237] was granted by the patent office on 1972-04-18 for apparatus for steam degreasing. This patent grant is currently assigned to Uddeholms Aktiebolag. Invention is credited to Bengt Gunnar Berglund, Rune Einar Hansson, Kurt Anders Holm.
United States Patent | 3,656,492 |
Holm , et al. | April 18, 1972 |
Oily articles are degreased by being immersed into the vapour of a boiling solvent, such as trichloroethylene. Immediately after the articles have entered into said vapour they are exposed to a powerful jet of oily solvent. Said oily solvent jet removes foreign particles adhering to the surface of the articles. The invention relates to an apparatus for degreasing articles, preferably metal articles, by immersing them in vapor from a boiling solvent, preferably trichloroethylene or tetrachloroethylene. The vapor condenses on the relatively cool articles and oil and other fat is therefore dissolved in the condensed solvent and runs off the articles. It has been found with degreasing of this type that small solid particles have a strong tendency to adhere firmly to the articles although the oil is removed satisfactorily. When sheet metal is being degreased, for example, such particles may have remained from when the sheet metal was rolled. Particles of foreign origin may also have adhered to the article, for example due to dust. Attempts have been made to remove such particles from the articles by finishing off the degreasing process by rinsing the articles in clean solvent. Not even if the solvent was sprayed on to the articles under high pressure have all particles been successfully removed. Remaining particles are a disadvantage for instance if the articles are to be painted or subjected to electrolytic treatment. It has now been found, according to the present invention, that adherent particles can be effectively removed from articles if they are rinsed with liquid solvent, preferably containing oil, immediately after they have been immersed in the solvent vapor. The explanation of the favourable technical result achieved is probably that the solid particles can easily move about on the surface of the articles as long as the oil film present acts as a lubricant, so to speak. If, however, the oil film is first removed by condensation of the solvent vapor the particles come into direct contact with the surface of the articles and thus such electrostatic forces come into operation that the particles are bound rather firmly to the surface. The apparatus according to the invention is thus characterized in that a vessel is arranged to collect oily solvent running off the articles and that a pump is arranged to pump the oily solvent from the vessel to nozzles which are situated at the top in the vapor space and which are directed towards the place where the articles are lowered into the vapor space, whereupon the articles are exposed to a strong jet of oil solvent immediately after they have been immersed in the vapor and before all the oil has had time to be dissolved from the surface of the articles. The invention can be used for manually operated degreasing apparatuses, in use sporadically, the operator in this case spraying solvent on the articles by means of a manually operated rinsing nozzle immediately after they have been surrounded by the vapor. In order to avoid the air above the vapor being filled with vapor the operator should hold the rinsing nozzle below the level of the vapor. The rinsing nozzle may suitably be arranged to be connected as desired either to the oily solvent in the apparatus or to clean solvent, preferably that which is formed when the vapor condenses on the cooling means normally used to determine the highest level of the vapor. The invention can also be applied in an apparatus in which the articles are automatically carried by a transport means into and out of the vapor zone.
Inventors: | Holm; Kurt Anders (Skoghall, SW), Hansson; Rune Einar (Skoghall, SW), Berglund; Bengt Gunnar (Hammaro, SW) |
---|---|
Assignee: | Uddeholms Aktiebolag
(Uddeholms, SW) |
Family ID: | 21803121 |
Appl. No.: | 05/021,237 |
Filed: | March 20, 1970 |
Current U.S. Class: | 134/64R; 134/109; 134/108 |
Current CPC Class: | C23G 5/04 (20130101) |
Current International Class: | C23G 5/00 (20060101); C23G 5/04 (20060101); B08b 003/02 (); B08b 015/00 () |
Field of Search: | ;134/11,15,64,122,108,109 |
3460990 | August 1969 | Barday |
1907875 | May 1933 | Robertson |
3350734 | November 1967 | Holm |
3491778 | January 1970 | Lehnert et al. |
uspto.report is an independent third-party trademark research tool that is not affiliated, endorsed, or sponsored by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) or any other governmental organization. The information provided by uspto.report is based on publicly available data at the time of writing and is intended for informational purposes only.
While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information displayed on this site. The use of this site is at your own risk. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
All official trademark data, including owner information, should be verified by visiting the official USPTO website at www.uspto.gov. This site is not intended to replace professional legal advice and should not be used as a substitute for consulting with a legal professional who is knowledgeable about trademark law.