Parts washing system

Abstract

Provided is a parts washer that includes a multi-tiered basin, a cleaning fluid and a biological component, living within the fluid, that breaks down organic waste. The multi-tiered basin includes a sink member with a false bottom, and a support grid and filter are interposed between the false bottom and a bottom panel of the sink member. The false bottom, support grid, and filter are readily removable from the sink member. The tank is partially filled with the cleaning fluid and a pump and conduit assembly direct a flow of the cleaning fluid to the basin. The cleaning fluid discharged into the basin flows through a drain hole in the false bottom, through the filter and support grid, and then through a drain hole in the bottom panel of the sink member back into the tank for reuse. The cleaning fluid includes, at least, a surfactant that functions to remove organic waste from the parts being washed. The biological component within the cleaning fluid includes nonpathogenic microorganisms that break down the organic waste. The cleaning fluid is not toxic to the microorganisms. The pump and conduit assembly, in addition to aiding in the removal of organic waste, functions to aerate the cleaning fluid to maintain a proper environment for the microorganisms. A heater, thermostat, and level control assembly function to maintain; the cleaning fluid within a certain temperature range so as to aid in the removal of organic waste and maintain a proper environment for the microorganisms.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A combination for cleaning organic matter from a part, the combination comprising: 
 a fluid;    a washing apparatus including, at least, 
 a tank for containing said fluid,  
 a basin for receiving the part, said basin including a drain in communication with said tank, and  
 a pump and conduit assembly for pumping said fluid from said tank into contact with the part within said basin, wherein said fluid flows from said basin back to said tank; and  
   a biological component within said fluid for biodegrading the organic matter.    
     
     
         2 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein said biological component includes, at least, microorganisms.  
     
     
         3 . The combination of  claim 2 , wherein said fluid includes, at least, a surfactant.  
     
     
         4 . The combination of  claim 3 , wherein said microorganisms are capable of biodegrading hydrocarbons.  
     
     
         5 . The combination of  claim 4 , wherein said microorganisms are selected from the group consisting of the genus Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Flavobacterium.  
     
     
         6 . The combination of  claim 4 , wherein said fluid further includes, at least, an emulsifier.  
     
     
         7 . The combination of  claim 4 , wherein said microorganisms range in size from approximately three to five microns.  
     
     
         8 . The combination of  claim 4 , wherein said washing apparatus further includes, at least, a heater for heating said fluid.  
     
     
         9 . The combination of  claim 8 , wherein said washing apparatus further includes, at least, 
 a thermostat cooperating with said fluid and said heater for activating and deactivating said heater, and    a level sensor cooperating with said fluid in said tank and said heater for deactivating said heater.    
     
     
         10 . The combination of  claim 8 , wherein said basin includes, at least, 
 a sink member defining a first drain aperture therethrough and including, at least, 
 a bottom panel, and  
 side walls extending upward from said bottom panel and defining a basin cavity therebetween,  
   a first partition member defining a second drain aperture therethrough, wherein said first partition member is disposed above said bottom panel and extends between said side walls, and    a filter interposed between said first partition and said bottom.    
     
     
         11 . A parts washer for washing parts with a fluid, the parts washer comprising: 
 a tank for containing the fluid;    a basin for receiving the parts, wherein said basin includes, at least, 
 a sink member defining a first drain aperture in communication with said tank, said sink member including, at least, 
 a bottom panel, and  
 side walls extending upward from said bottom panel and defining a basin cavity therebetween,  
 
 a first partition member defining a second drain aperture therethrough, wherein said first partition member is disposed above said bottom panel and extends between said side walls, and  
 a filter interposed between said first partition and said bottom panel; and  
   a pump and conduit assembly for pumping the fluid from said tank to said basin cavity, wherein the fluid flows, under the force of gravity, through said second drain, through said filter, and then through said first drain into said tank.    
     
     
         12 . The parts washer of  claim 11 , further comprising a heater for heating the fluid.  
     
     
         13 . The parts washer of  claim 12 , further comprising a thermostat and level sensor cooperating with the fluid in said tank and said heater for activating and deactivating said heater.  
     
     
         14 . The parts washer of  claim 11 , further comprising a second partition member defining a plurality of apertures therethrough, wherein said second partition member is interposed between said bottom panel and said first partition member, and wherein said second partition member extends between said side walls.  
     
     
         15 . The parts washer of  claim 14 , wherein the fluid includes, at least, microorganisms capable of biodegrading hydrocarbons.  
     
     
         16 . The parts washer of  claim 14 , 
 wherein said side walls define a first ledge and a second ledge,    wherein said first ledge and said second ledge at least partially encircle said basin cavity,    wherein said first partition rests on said first ledge and is removable from said basin cavity,    wherein said second partition rests on said second ledge, and    wherein said filter rests on said second partition.    
     
     
         17 . The parts washer of  claim 16 , further comprising, 
 a heater for heating the fluid,    a thermostat cooperating with the liquid and said heater for activating and deactivating said heater, and    a level sensor cooperating with the liquid in said tank and said heater for deactivating said heater.    
     
     
         18 . A cleansing solution, comprising: 
 a liquid including, at least, a surfactant; and    microorganisms living within said surfactant, wherein said microorganisms are capable of biodegrading organic matter.    
     
     
         19 . The cleansing solution of  claim 18 , further comprising, at least, emulsifiers.  
     
     
         20 . The cleansing solution of  claim 18 , wherein said microorganisms are capable of biodegrading hydrocarbons.  
     
     
         21 . A method of removing hydrocarbons from a part and disposing of the hydrocarbons, the method comprising the steps of: 
 suspending microorganisms in the fluid;    bringing the part into contact with a fluid;    allowing the fluid to remove the hydrocarbons from the part; and    allowing the microorganisms to biodegrade the hydrocarbons.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , 
 wherein the method further comprises the steps of, 
 providing a parts washer including, at least, 
 a basin for receiving the part, and  
 a tank extending below the basin for containing the fluid,  
 
 moving a portion of the fluid from the tank to the basin, and  
 allowing the fluid to drain from the basin to the tank,  
   wherein the step of bringing the part into contact with the fluid is carried out in the basin, and    wherein the step of suspending microorganisms in the fluid includes, at least, 
 attaching the microorganisms to a filter, and  
 passing the fluid through the filter.