EXHIBIT 10.14
United States Patent
GENERAL PARTS WASHER
United States Patent
PATENT NUMBER: 5,349,974
Mansur
Date of Patent: Sep. 27, 1994
GENERAL PARTS WASHER
Inventor. Pierre G. Mansur, Miami, Fla.
Assignee: Mansur Industries Inc., Miami, Fla.
Appl. No.: 207,136
Filed: Mar. 4, 1994
Int. Cl.$ BO8B 3/02
U.S. Cl. 134/107; 134/108;
134/111
Field of Search 134/105, 107, 108, 109,
134/111; 202/170
References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
2,834,359 5/1958 Kearney 134/108 X
3,598,131 8/1971 Weihe, Jr 134/107
3,718,147 2/1973 Laroche 134/108 X
3,996,949 12/1076 Boynton 134/108 X
4,008.729 2/1977 Chizinsky 134/107
4,290,439 9/1981 Charpentier 134/107
4,353.323 10/1982 Koblenzer 134/107 X
4,596,634 6/1986 McCord 134/107 X
4,865,061 9/1989 Fowler e al. 134/108
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
662742 3/1929 France 134/105
2394334 2/1979 France 134/109
PRIMARY EXAMINER - Philip R. Coe
ATTORNEY, AGENT. OR FIRM - Robert M. Downey
ABSTRACT
An apparatus for washing automotive, aviation, marine and general parts with a
volatile solvent during maintenance, repair and rebuilding operations. The
apparatus includes a wash basin with a drain to facilitate return of the solvent
to a holding tank having a pump therein for recirculating the solvent back to
the wash basin through a discharge spout for washing parts. A first valve
assembly between the drain and holding tank closes during periods of non-use to
prevent vapors from escaping to the atmosphere. During a timed recycling
process, a second valve assembly releases used, contaminated solvent from the
holding tank into a distillation pot where the solvent is heated under vacuum to
produce vapors. The vapors pass through a condenser where they are cooled to a
liquid state, yielding pure solvent, which is directed into the holding tank for
future parts washing as demanded.
11 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
[DRAWING]
U.S. Patent Sep. 27, 1994 Sheet 2 of 6 5,349,974
[DRAWING, FIG. 3]
[DRAWING, FIG. 4]
U.S. Patent Sep. 27, 1994 Sheet 3 of 6 5,349,974
[DRAWING, FIG. 5] [DRAWING, FIG. 6]
[DRAWING, FIG. 7] [DRAWING, FIG. 8]
U.S. Patent Sep. 27, 1994 Sheet 4 of 6 5,349,974
[DRAWING, FIG. 9] [DRAWING, FIG. 10]
[DRAWING, FIG. 11] [DRAWING, FIG. 12]
U.S. Patent Sep. 27, 1994 Sheet 5 of 6 5,349,974
[DRAWING, FIG. 13]
U.S. Patent Sep. 27, 1994 Sheet 6 of 6 5,349,974
DISTILLATION CYCLE WASH CYCLE ON
TIMER DISTILLATION
6 DAY/24 HR WASH ON
PROGRAMMABLE ON
VAPOR CONTAINMENT
SOLVENT CONTAINMENT VALVE OPEN
VALVES OPEN
SOLVENT PUMP ON
TIMER DELAY
WASH OR RINSE
VALVES CLOSE
FIG15A
TIMER DELAY
VACUUM PUMP ON
VACUUM FAULT ALL
SENSOR OK OFF WASH CYCLE OFF
ALL HETING ELEMENTS ON WASH OFF
TEMP. SENSOR SET POINT SOLVENT PUMP OFF
ONE HEATING ELEMENT OFF TIMER DELAY
BLOWER ON VAPOR VALVE CLOSE
VAPOR TEMP. SENSOR FIG15B
ALL OFF
FIG14
5,349,974
GENERAL PARTS WASHER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an apparatus for washing articles with a liquid
solvent, and more particularly, to a general parts washer providing for
recycling of contaminated, dirty solvent during a timed recycling process to
produce pure, non-contaminated solvent on a regular basis for use in washing
parts during maintenance, repair, and rebuilding operations.
2. Description of the Related Art
During maintenance, repair and rebuilding operations in virtually all industrial
and commercial environments, it is necessary to wash a wide variety of parts and
articles in order to remove grease, oil, dirt and other contaminants. Typically,
volatile solvents are used in almost all small parts cleaning operations as they
have been found to be most effective in removing grease and other accumulated
residue from metal parts and other articles.
In order to facilitate washing of various parts with a volatile solvent
such as a hydrocarbon or halogenated hydrocarbon, there is presently available a
sink which is removably supported on top of a 55 gallon drum filled with
cleaning solvent. A pump is provided which pumps the solvent from the drum to a
spicket in the sink where it is used to rinse parts. From the sink, the solvent
is drained back into the drum During washing operations, the solvent becomes
immediately contaminated after the first use. However, the contaminated solvent
is continuously used during cleaning operations until a next scheduled solvent
replacement, which is usually on a monthly basis. The regular replacement of
contaminated solvent is ordinarily provided by a service, which also supplies
the washing apparatus, on a service contract basis. To replace the solvent, the
sink is removed from the drum containing the contaminated solvent and is placed
on another drum containing fresh solvent. The contaminated drum of solvent must
then be taken away and disposed of in a manner complying with EPA containment
disposal guidelines. This procedure is inefficient, costly and time consuming,
leaving a busy manufacturing or repair facility with no other alternative than
to perform parts cleaning operations using dirty, contaminated solvent between
scheduled solvent replacement dates.
Various types of systems and apparatus have been proposed and/or developed
for cleaning metal parts and like articles using volatile solvents. In many
applications, the solvent is heated to produce vapors. The various articles to
be cleaned are either bathed in the vapors or in a condensed stream of volatile
solvent. Some of these various apparatus systems are disclosed in the following
U.S. Pat. Nos.: Chizinsky, U.S. Pat. No. 4,008,729; Laroche, U.S. Pat. No.
3,718,147; McCord, U.S. Pat. No. 4,596,634; Boynton. U.S. Pat. No. 3,996,949;
and Koblenzer, U.S. Pat. No. 4,353,323. Generally, all of the cleaning apparatus
disclosed in these patents include a base reservoir where the solvent is
contained and heated to produce vapors. As the vapors rise, they are condensed
to a liquid solvent which drips back down into the base reservoir. Articles
placed, within the various apparatus are cleaned by either the rising vapor or
the condensed solvent. In any event, the solvent in the reservoir accumulates
contaminates in a short period of time and, eventually, the contaminated solvent
must be removed, properly disposed of and replaced with clean solvent.
Therefore, there still exists the problem associated with the time and expense
of contaminate disposal.
Accordingly, there is a definite need in all industries requiring
parts cleaning during maintenance, manufacturing, repair and rebuilding
operations, for a parts washing apparatus including a sink or basin for washing
parts with a volatile solvent and means for recycling the solvent to provide
pure, non-contaminated solvent on a daily basis.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an apparatus for washing (cleaning)
articles such as general machine and engine parts, which provides pure, fresh
solvent on demand.
More particularly, the present invention includes a timed recycling
process which recycles contaminated, dirty solvent on a regular basis to provide
pure solvent for cleaning, thus eliminating the need for regular replacement and
disposal of contaminated solvent. Accordingly, the present invention provides a
practical and economical means of complying with contaminate disposal guide
lines of the Environmental Protection Agency.
In accordance with the general parts washing apparatus of the present
invention, there is provided a cabinet having an upper wash basin including an
at least partially surrounding wall structure defining a splash guard, an open
top and a removable front wall portion. The wash basin further includes a floor
which slopes slightly downward from the side front and rear towards a centrally
disposed drain to facilitate recovery of solvent after use. A lower portion of
the cabinet is defined by side wall panels and a base disposed in surrounding
relation to a cabinet interior. Once the solvent has passed through the drain
and a filter, the solvent returns to a holding tank within the cabinet interior
below the wash basin. A pump recirculates the solvent from the holding tank to a
spout which discharges the solvent into the wash basin for rinsing articles
during what might be termed a wash cycle.
During a timed recycling process, containment valves are opened, releasing
the solvent from within the holding tank to a distillation pot. After a timed
delay, the valves are closed and a vacuum pump is activated, creating a vacuum
in the distillation pot and holding tank while the solvent is heated to a
boiling point. The vacuum in the distillation pot is maintained effectively
lowering the solvent boiling point temperature, as vapors rise from the
distillation pot through a condenser tube. The condenser tube passes through a
cooling zone created by a blower where the vapors condense to a liquid state,
producing pure recycled solvent. This fresh solvent is then led into the holding
tank for subsequent use during wash cycle.
A lid covers the distillation pot, in sealed relation thereto, during the
recycling process. To facilitate cleaning, the distillation pot can be lowered,
removing the lid, and pulled out from the lower cabinet, whereupon accumulated
contaminate can be more efficiently and effectively removed from within the pot.
Accordingly, with the foregoing in mind it is a primary object of the
present invention to provide a general parts washing apparatus for use in
cleaning parts during maintenance, repair and rebuilding operations,
which includes means for recovering and recycling cleaning solvent so as to
provide a user with "on-demand" pure solvent on a daily basis for cleaning.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a general parts
washing apparatus, as described above, which eliminates the need for constant
replacement and disposal of contaminated cleaning solvent, while providing a
practical and economical means of complying with environmental protection agency
contaminant disposal guidelines.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a general parts
washing apparatus adapted to recycle volatile solvent so as to provide fresh,
pure solvent on a regular basis and which is further relatively compact and
inexpensive.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a general
parts washing apparatus, as described above, which operates on common 120 volts
and which further requires no special water or air requirements. It is yet
another object of the present invention to provide a general parts washing
apparatus, as described above, which complies with all government imposed safety
requirements.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a general
parts washing apparatus as described above, which is further engineered and
designed to permit a user to siphon residual contaminates from the distillation
pot bottom without manually accessing the pot.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be
more readily apparent in the description which follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference
should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a front, top perspective view of the general parts washing
apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an isolated view, in partial section, taken along the plane of
line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a front elevation, in partial section, taken along the plane of
line 3-3 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a side elevation, in partial section, taken along the line 4-4 of
FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a top plan view, in partial section, taken along the plane of line
5-5 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is a top plan view, in partial section, taken along the plane of line
6-4 of FIG. 3 illustrating a top of the distillation pot.
FIG. 7 is a top plan view, in partial section taken along the plane of line
7-7 of FIG. 3 showing heating elements in the distillation pot.
FIG. 8 is a isolated elevational view in partial section, illustrating a
vapor containment valve assembly and solvent containment valve assembly of, the
present invention.
FIG. 9 is an isolated detailed elevational view, in partial section taken
along the plane of line 9-9 of FIG. 8 illustrating, in detail, the vapor
containment valve assembly and solvent containment valve assembly.
FIG. 10 is an isolated view, in partial section, showing the solvent
containment valve assembly in an open position.
FIG. 11 is an isolated front elevation of an upper portion of the solvent
containment valve assembly showing a motor, cam member, inner valve stem and
outer valve stem thereof.
FIG. 12 is an isolated side elevation, in partial section, showing the vapor
containment valve assembly in an open position.
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a sequence of operation of
components of the washing apparatus during a wash cycle and a solvent recycling
distillation cycle.
FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating a sequence of operation throughout the
solvent recycling distillation cycle.
FIG. 15A is a flow diagram illustrating a sequence of operation during the
wash cycle.
FIG. 15B is a flow diagram illustrating a sequence of deactivation of the
wash cycle during intervals of non-use. Like reference numerals refer to like
parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the several views of the drawings, and initially FIGS. 1, 3 and
4, there is generally illustrated the general parts washing apparatus 10 of the
present invention. The apparatus 10 includes a cabinet 12 including an upper
portion defining a wash basin 14 and a lower portion 16 including a base 17,
side walls 18, 18' rear wall 19 and a front wall 20. The front wall 20 is at
least partially comprised of a door 22 which is hinged to move between an open
and closed position facilitating access to a cabinet interior. The side walls
18, 18' and rear wall 19 extend upwardly beyond a floor 26 of the wash basin 14
so as to partially surround the wash basin, defining a splash guard. A wall
panel 24 is removably fitted within opposite channels 25. 25' formed between an
upper portion of the front wall 20 and opposite side walls 18, 18'. During
washing operation the front wall panel 24 can be pulled upwardly and removed
from a remainder of the apparatus 10. In this manner, access to the wash basin
14 is unobstructed from a front of the apparatus 10.
The floor 26 in the wash basin 14 is sloped from the side rear and front,
downwardly towards a central zone where there is located a drain 28, including a
drain plate 29 through which solvent drains after use for washing articles in
the basin 14. After passage through the drain plate 29, the solvent is directed
through a filter 30 fitted directly below the drain plate. From the filter, the
solvent is led through a return canal 32 which leads to a solvent holding tank
40. A vapor containment valve 34 is provided at the connection of the return
canal 32 to the solvent holding tank 40. During periods of non-use the vapor
containment valve 34 is closed, thus preventing solvent vapors from escaping to
atmosphere from within the holding tank The holding tank 40 is sized and
configured to contain a predetermined amount of solvent therein for continuous
recycling and reuse during cleaning operations.
A pump 44 within the holding tank 40, located at a bottom thereof,
recirculates the solvent in the holding tank through a return conduit 46 leading
to a three way valve 48 interconnecting between the return conduit and a spout
50 and a hose 52 having a wash brush 54 attached to an end thereof. A valve
lever 56 facilitates operation of the valve to direct flow of solvent to either
or both the spout 50 and hose 52 for subsequent discharge into the wash basin
14. The brush 54 attached to
the hose 52 is specifically designed to permit fluid flow there through so that
articles may be brushed and simultaneously with solvent to remove accumulated
grease, dirt and other contaminants from the articles being washed. Once
discharged from either the spout 50 or brush 54 for rinsing the various articles
being cleaned, the solvent returns to the holding tank through the drain 26 and
return canal 32. An electric switch is provided and is easily accessible on an
exterior of the apparatus 10 (not shown for purposes of clarity) to facilitate
de-activation of the pump 40 during periods of nonuse. To this point, a wash
cycle (sec FIG. 23, 15A & 15B) has been defined which continues during parts
washing operations.
After daily parts washing operations or on such other time intervals as may be
desired the solvent contained within the holding tank 40 (now contaminated after
use for washing various articles in the wash basin) is released through a
transfer canal 58 into a distillation pot 60 located in a lower portion of the
cabinet interior. Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, at the initiation of a timed
solvent recycling process the vapor containment valve 34 is closed by motor M1
or solenoid which rotates a cam 36, resulting in upward movement of valve stem
37 and causing the valve head 38 to mate against the valve seat 39, and thus
preventing the vapors from escaping to atmosphere. Simultaneously, motor M2 or
solenoid is activated causing rotation of cam member 64, thereby operating a
dual head solvent containment valve assembly 66. Upon initiation of the solvent
recycling process (as shown in the flow diagrams of FIGS. 13 and 14), partial
rotation of cam member 64 forces a first inner valve stem 70 downwardly to
release a lower solvent containment valve head 72 from engagement with a two-way
valve seat 76. Simultaneously, partial movement of cam member 64 forces a lever
80 attached to an outer second valve stem 82 outwardly causing the second an
outer valve stem 82 to be lifted upwardly, resulting in an upper solvent
containment valve head 84 being removed from the two way valve seat 76. Upon
opening of the solvent containment valve assembly 66, by simultaneous movement
of the upper 94 and lower 72 valve heads away from the two-way valve seat 76,
the containment, solvent is released from the holding tank 40 through the
transfer canal 58 leading to the distillation pot 60. The bottom 41 of the
solvent holding tank 40 is specifically configured to slope toward the solvent
contaminated valve assembly 66, as seen in FIG. 8, so that upon opening of the
containment valve assembly, the solvent will readily flow through the transfer
canal 58, flushing any accumulated bottom sediment in the holding tank through
the transfer canal and into distillation pot 60. In this manner accumulation of
sediment from the bottom 41 of the holding tank and around the two way valve
seat 76 is discouraged.
The distillation pot 60 includes a double wall structure around the sides and
bottom including an inner wall 90 and bottom 92 and outer wall 94 and bottom 96
having insulation 98 disposed therebetween, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. A
removable lid 100 is suspended with the cabinet by brackets 102 welded to the
inner surface of opposite side walls 18, 18' and the top of the lid 100. To
facilitate removal and attachment of the lid 100 in sealed engagement over an
open top of the distillation pot, a removal assembly 104 is provided including a
wheel 106 having a plurality of arms 107 extending therefrom and a vertically
oriented threaded stem 108 which threadably engages within a threaded, hollow,
concentric bore 110 extending at least partially through a central vertical post
112 of the distillation pot 60. The wheel 106 remains supported upon a platform
114 on the top of the lid 100 with the threaded stem 108 extending downwardly
therethrough for threaded engagement within the threaded bore 110 of the central
post 112 of the distillation pot-60. Upon rotation of the wheel 106 in a
particular direction, by grasping the 107 and pulling, the threaded stem 108 may
be caused to threadably advance within the hollow bore 110 of the central post
112, resulting in the distillation pot 60 being raised towards the lid 100 until
a top edge 120 or the side wall of the pot 60 mates with an under side 122 of
the lid. Alternatively, rotation of the wheel in an opposite, direction results
in lowering of the distillation pot 60, effectively removing the lid. A seal
ring 124 may be fitted within a groove formed in an upper edge 120 of the side
wall structure of the distillation pot for mating, sealing engagement with the
underside surface 122 of the lid 100, thus providing an air tight sealed
connection.
In order to initiate threaded engagement of the stem 108 within the hollow
bore 110 of the central post 112 upon attaching the lid to the distillation pot,
a cam lever assembly 130 is provided including a shaft 132 having a first end
134 with a knob 135 attached and an opposite end 136 fitted to a cam member 138
which is pivotally attached to a support bracket 140 above the wheel 106. Upon
inward movement of the shaft 132 by pressing inwardly on the knob 135, the cam
member 138 is caused to rotate such that one end of the cam member 138 forces
the wheel 106 and threaded stem 108 downwardly into threaded engagement with the
threaded bore 110 of the central post. In order to facilitate upward movement of
the wheel 106 and threaded stem 108 when removing the lid, biasing means are
provided between the support platform and wheel (not shown for purposes of
clarity). To remove the lid, the knob 134 and attached shaft 132 are pulled
outwardly, causing the cam 138 to rotate out of engagement with the wheel. Upon
disengagement of the threaded stem 108 from within the central post, the biasing
means urges the wheel 106 and stem 108 upwardly to clear the central post 112
and upper edge 120 of the side walls of the distillation pot 60.
A plurality of beating elements 150 are provided in the distillation pot 60,
including preferably four heating elements attached to the underside of inner
bottom 92 of the distillation pot and a fifth heating element 150' disposed
within the central post. The heating elements 150, 150' are activated during the
recycling process in order to boil the solvent to produce vapors.
A condenser tube 160 includes a first end 162 attached through the lid 100 in
fluid communication with an interior of the distillation pot 60 and an opposite
end 164 connecting to the solvent holding tank. A mid-section of the condenser
tube passes through a cooling zone and defines a condenser 166. The cooling zone
is cooled by air flow created by a blower 170. Air is drawn through the cooling
zone within which the condenser (mid-section of the condenser tube) is located,
and forced out of the rear of the cabinet. A vacuum pump 180 within the cabinet
interior interconnects to the holding tank 40 for creating a vacuum in the
holding 65 tank 40 and distillation pot 60 via the interconnecting condenser
tube 160.
In accordance with the above description, the solvent recylcing process is
shown in the flow chart in the drawings. Activation of the distillation process
is set on a programmable timer provided with a 24 hour, seven day clock. Thus,
when the timer reaches the programmed activation time, the recycle process is
initiated whereupon motor M2 is activated to partially rotate the cam member 64
resulting in the solvent containment valve assembly 66 being opened. A delay
timer keeps the solvent containment valve assembly opened for a sufficient time
to allow the solvent in the holding tank 40 to be transferred to the
distillation pot 60. After the delay, the solvent containment valves 72, 84 are
closed. After a second delay, the vacuum pump 180 is activated to create a
vacuum within the holding tank and distillation pot. A vacuum sensor determines
whether there is a fault in the system and if so, the entire system is shut down
and a remainder of the recycling pump is prevented until the fault is corrected.
If a sufficient vacuum is sensed, the heating elements 150, 150' are turned on
to heat the solvent in the distillation pot. Upon reaching a predetermined
temperature, the heating element in the central post of the distillation pot is
turned off. Thereafter, the blower 170 is activated and vapor begins to form in
the distillation pot and rise through the condenser tube 160, whereupon the
vapor is condensed to a liquid state, yielding purified solvent. The purified
solvent is lead into the holding tank 40 where it accumulates throughout the
recycling process. A vapor temperature sensor in the distillation pot determines
when the solvent has been substantially vaporized at which point, the vacuum
pump 18, heating elements 15O, 150' and sensors are turned off. At this stage,
the holding tank 40 is substantially filled with fresh, purified solvent for use
during the next wash cycle.
After several distillation cycles, the distillation pot will accumulate a
concentrated amount of contaminate. To facilitate removal of this contaminate
and cleaning of the distillation pot, the front door 22 of the cabinet 12 is
opened and the lid 100 removed from the distillation pot 60, whereupon the pot
can be rolled out from within the cabinet permitting unobstructed thereto. Now
that the invention has been described, What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for washing articles with a solvent comprising:
a cabinet including an upper portion defining a wash basin and a lower
portion including a base and side walls disposed in surrounding relation
to a cabinet interior,
said wash basin including at least a partially surrounding wall structure
defining a splash guard, and a floor having a drain means therein to
drain the solvent from within said wash basin,
a holding tank within said cabinet interior structured and disposed to
contain a predetermined charge of the solvent therein,
return means interconnecting between said drain means and said holding tank
for directing the solvent from said drain means into said holding tank,
a spout for discharging the solvent into said wash basin,
a pump structured and disposed to circulate the solvent from said holding
tank to said spout for discharge into said wash basin,
a distillation pot disposed within said cabinet interior and including an
insulated side wall structure and bottom and a removable insulated lid
structured for scaled, air tight engagement with said side wall structure
in covering relation to an open top of said distillation pot,
a transfer canal connecting between said holding tank and said distillation
pot for selectively transferring contaminated solvent from said holding
tank to said distillation pot, solvent containment valve means
selectively operable between an open position to release the contaminated
solvent into said distillation pot and a closed position preventing the
solvent from entering said distillation pot,
a vacuum pump interconnected to said holding tank and structured and
disposed to create a vacuum within said holding tank and said
distillation pot,
heating means within said distillation pot structured and disposed for
boiling the contaminated solvent contained therein so as to produce a
solvent vapor,
a condenser including a condensing tube having a first end connected to
said distillation pot for receiving the solvent vapor therein, a
mid-portion disposed in a cooling zone within said cabinet interior and a
second opposite end connecting with said holding tank for directing
purified, condensed liquid solvent into said holding tank, and
a blower disposed within said cooling zone for directing an air current
therethrough to cool said mid portion of said condensing tube, and
thereby causing the solvent vapor to condense to a liquid state so as to
produce the purified, solvent.
2. An apparatus for washing articles with a solvent comprising:
a wash basin including a floor with drain means therein structured and
disposed for draining the solvent from within said wash basin,
a holding tank for containing the solvent,
solvent discharge means for circulating and discharging solvent from said
holding tank into said wash basin,
return means or directing the solvent from said drain means to said holding
tank,
a distillation pot including a surrounding, insulated side wall structure
and bottom and a removable insulated top lid,
transfer means for selectively transferring contaminated solvent from said
holding tank to said distillation pot,
a vacuum pump connected to said holding tank for creating a vacuum in said
holding tank and said distillation pot,
heating elements in said distillation pot structured and disposed for
boiling the contaminated solvent contained therein to produce solvent
vapors, and
a condenser structured and disposed to receive and subsequently condense
the solvent vapors to yield pure, non-contaminated solvent, said
condenser being further structured and disposed to dispense the condensed
pure solvent into said holding tank for subsequent circulation and
discharge into said wash basin facilitate washing and rinsing of the
articles therein.
3. An apparatus recited in claim 2 wherein said floor of said wash basin is
sloped from opposite sides, a front and a rear of said wash basin
downwardly towards a central zone.
4. An apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said drain means includes a
drain plate fitted to said floor at said central zone, wherein the solvent
discharged into said wash basin is directed to said drain plate for passage
through said drain means into said holding tank.
5. An apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said return means includes a
canal interconnecting between said drain means and said holding tank
6. An apparatus as recited in claim herein said drain means includes filter
means structured and disposed for passage of the solvent therethrough for
removing sediment and particulate from the solvent prior to entering said
holding tank.
7. An apparatus as recited in claim wherein said return means further includes
a vapor containment valve assembly structured and disposed to be operable
between in open position, permitting the solvent to flow through said canal to
said holding tank, and a closed position, preventing flow of solvent from said
wash basin to said holding tank and further preventing flow of solvent fumes and
vapors from escaping from said holding tank to atmosphere.
8. An apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said solvent discharge means
includes a pump within said holding tank and a conduit connecting between said
pump and a discharge spout, said discharge spout being structured and disposed
for discharging solvent pumped from said holding tank into said wash basin.
9. An apparatus as recited in claim 2 further including a solvent containment
valve assembly adjacent said transfer means and selectively operable between a
closed position to contain the solvent within said holding tank and an open
position to release the solvent from said holding tank for passage through said
transfer means and into said distillation pot.
10. An apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein said solvent containment valve
assembly includes a dual valve structure including a first valve head and stem
and a second valve head and stem movable in opposing relation to one another for
mating engagement and disengagement with a two-sided valve seat.
11. An apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said distillation pot includes
means, for moving said side wall structure and bottom relative to said lid for
selectively separating and attaching said lid in sealed, covering relation to an
open top of said distillation pot.