Cleaning apparatus especially adapted for cleaning vessels used for sanitary products, and method of using same
US6561199B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 31, 2001 |
| Grant date | May 13, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 6, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB05B3/0444
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An apparatus for cleaning the interior of a vessel for containing a sanitary product by ejecting a rotating stream of cleaning fluid. The apparatus features a stationary housing that forms an inlet for receiving a flow of cleaning fluid, a rotatable housing mounted for rotation on the stationary housing about a first axis, and a nozzle for ejecting the cleaning fluid, the nozzle being rotatably mounted on the rotatable housing so that the nozzle rotates about a second axis. A planetary gear train is driven by an impeller driven by the flow of cleaning fluid and drives the rotation of the rotatable housing. The planetary gear train is located between the apparatus inlet and the nozzle. A portion of the flow of cleaning fluid received by the inlet is diverted so as to flow through a passage through the planetary gear train so that the planetary gear train is cooled and lubricated without the use of oil-based or other lubricants unsuitable for contact with sanitary products that might contaminate the cleaning fluid.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.