SASSI STEFANO (IT)
| US1755101A | 1930-04-15 | |||
| EP0824973A2 | 1998-02-25 | |||
| EP0744233A2 | 1996-11-27 | |||
| US4235642A | 1980-11-25 | |||
| FR2659026A1 | 1991-09-06 |
| 1. | A washing machine for washing mechanical components of different kinds, such as mechanical pieces, tableware, kitchenware, metal tools and the like, the machine substantially comprising a frame (1), housing a rotating pieceholding table 3, below which a collecting tank (5) is provided, groups of nozzles (7, 9) being provided above and below said pieceholding table (3) and emitting fluid jets directed above and below said pieceholding table (3), the machine being characterised in that said fluid is steam. |
| 2. | A washing machine according to claim 1, characterised in that said steam is a saturated or overheated steam. |
| 3. | A washing machine according to claims 1 and 2, characterised in that a detergent for a better cleaning of the pieces to be washed and/or hot air to remove any trace of humidity are added to said saturated or overheated steam. |
| 4. | A washing machine according to claims 1, 2 and 3, characterised in that the upper group of nozzles (7) and the lower group of nozzles (9) are independently driven into a rectilinear reciprocating movement relative to the table (3), in order to sprinkle in a complete and desired manner the pieces located on said table (3). |
| 5. | A washing machine according to the preceding claims, characterised in that alongside said upper and lower groups of nozzles (7,9) an equal number of"minor"nozzles are located, arranged to emit the detergent to be joined to the steam jet to perform an effective washing action. |
| 6. | A washing machine according to the preceding claims, characterised in that said rotating table (3) is moved by a continuous rotary motion or an alternate oscillating rotary motion. |
| 7. | A washing machine according to the preceding claims, characterised in that the rotating table (3) is connected with a gas aspiration installation, substantially comprising a collecting pipe (11) for the gases (essentially, steam) to which a gas aspirating fan (13) is connected. |
| 8. | A washing machine according to the preceding claims, characterised in that: the table (3) bearing the pieces to be washed is driven into its rotary or oscillatory motion by pneumatic, hydraulic, oil pressure or mechanical driving means; the upper and lower groups of nozzles (7,9) are adjustable and are moved by an arm, e. g. pneumatic arm, by a reciprocating motion; the groups of nozzles may comprise a single group of nozzles, an upper group (7) or a lower group (9); the frame (1) enclosing the table (3), the tank (5), the nozzles (7, 9) and the aspiration installation (11,13) is hermetically sealed. |
It is known that water washing machines for washing mechanical components of different kinds still exist. Those machines offer the great advantage of simultaneously washing several pieces, but at the same time they have some drawbacks.
Among such drawbacks, the following ones can be mentioned: the enormous water amount used, the equally high waste disposal, the fact that often the pieces are still wet when leaving the machine and, last but not least, the fact that the pieces are not wholly clean when leaving such machines, notwithstanding hot water is often used.
It is an object of the present invention to obviate such drawbacks, which are typical of hot water, by supplying such machines with a medium allowing them to perform a faster, more effective as well as cheaper washing.
The essential feature of the present invention is that steam is used instead of hot water.
Another feature of the present invention is that said steam is a saturated or overheated steam.
A detergent for better cleaning the pieces to be washed and/or hot air to remove any trace of humidity can be added to said steam.
Among the clear advantages, we can mention that waste is limited to the residual dirt of the pieces and to the initial washing humidity and, moreover, that the dramatic waste of water of the prior art machines presently in use is of course eliminated.
Further features and advantages will become apparent from
the following description of an embodiment of the invention, given only by way of non limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a machine according to the invention; - Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic side elevation showing the essential part of the machine depicted in Fig. 1.
As it is apparent from the drawings, the machine of the invention essentially comprises a frame 1 housing a rotating piece- holding table 3, below which a collecting tank 5 is provided.
Groups of nozzles 7,9 are provided above and below said piece-holding table 3. They emit the steam jets, which of course are directed above and below said piece-holding table 3.
Upper groups of nozzles 7 and lower group of nozzles 9 are independently moved by a rectilinear reciprocating motion relative to table 3, in order to sprinkle in a complete and desired manner the pieces arranged on said table 3.
Alongside said upper and lower groups of nozzles 7,9, an equal number of"minor"nozzles are located, which emit, when desired, the detergent to be added to the steam jet to perform an effective washing action.
Rotating table 3 mentioned above is connected with a gas aspiration installation, substantially comprising a collecting pipe 11 for the gases (essentially, steam) connected with a gas aspirating fan 13.
It is noted that: 1. table 3 bearing the pieces to be washed may be a rotating or an oscillating table, and its movements may be driven by pneumatic, hydraulic, pressure-oil or mechanical driving means ; 2. upper and lower groups of nozzles 7, 9 are adjustable and they are moved by a reciprocating pneumatic arm ; 3. a single group of nozzles can be provided; 4. frame 1 enclosing table 3, tank 5, nozzles 7,9 and aspiration installation 11, 13 is hermetically sealed.
The above embodiment is only a preferred embodiment.
Further changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.