Treatment apparatus and separating device

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus ( 100 ) for treating one or more substrates with a multiplicity of solid particles comprising: a rotatably mounted drum ( 12 ) arranged to contain said multiplicity of solid particles and said one or more substrates during treatment of the one or more substrates; a collecting volume ( 22 ) for collecting said multiplicity of solid particles exiting the drum ( 12 ); a circulation path (L) for conveying said multiplicity of solid particles from the collecting volume ( 22 ) to the drum ( 12 ), the circulation path (L) having a downward portion in which the multiplicity of solid particles move along a downward flow path; a separating device ( 200 ) arranged in said downward portion of the collecting path for intercepting and/or capturing one or more foreign objects while permitting flow of said multiplicity of solid particles along the circulation path (L), the separating device ( 200 ) comprising: a sloping surface ( 202 a, 202 b ) and a transfer flow path ( 208 a, 208 b ) for said solid particles said transfer flow path permitting flow of said multiplicity of solid particles between an upper side of said separating device ( 200 ) and a portion of the circulation path external to the separating device ( 200 ), wherein said transfer flow path ( 208 a, 208 b ) comprises an envelope extending from an inlet opening ( 210 A) to an outlet opening ( 210 B), and bounded by a portion of the sloping surface and at least one envelope wall and wherein within the envelope between the inlet opening ( 210 A) and the outlet opening ( 210 B) no straight line longer than a predetermined length can extend without intersecting the at least one envelope wall or sloping surface, said predetermined length being less than a maximum dimension of the smallest foreign object which the separating device ( 200 ) is configured to intercept or capture.

1 . An apparatus for treating one or more substrates with a multiplicity of solid particles comprising:
 a rotatably mounted drum arranged to contain said multiplicity of solid particles and said one or more substrates during treatment of the one or more substrates;   a collecting volume for collecting said multiplicity of solid particles exiting the drum;   a circulation path for conveying said multiplicity of solid particles from the collecting volume to the drum, the circulation path having a downward portion in which the multiplicity of solid particles move along a downward flow path;   a separating device arranged in said downward portion of the collecting path for intercepting and/or capturing one or more foreign objects while permitting flow of said multiplicity of solid particles along the circulation path, the separating device comprising:   a sloping surface and a transfer flow path for said solid particles said transfer flow path permitting flow of said multiplicity of solid particles between an upper side of said separating device and a portion of the circulation path external to the separating device,   wherein said transfer flow path comprises an envelope extending from an inlet opening to an outlet opening, and bounded by a portion of the sloping surface and at least one envelope wall   and wherein within the envelope between the inlet opening and the outlet opening no straight line longer than a predetermined length can extend without intersecting the at least one envelope wall or sloping surface, said predetermined length being less than a maximum dimension of the smallest foreign object which the separating device is configured to intercept or capture.   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus as claim in  claim 1  wherein said transfer flow path permits flow of said multiplicity of solid particles between an upper side and an underneath side of said separating device. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  or  2  wherein the or each transfer flow path is arranged at or proximate a lower marginal edge portion of the sloping surface. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  comprising a plurality of said transfer flow paths. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 4  comprising at least one array of said transfer flow paths. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the envelope comprises, and preferably is bounded by, opposed side walls upstanding from the sloping surface and having a marginal edge distal from the sloping surface, and a closure wall extending between the respective marginal edges of the side walls. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said opposed side walls are spaced apart by a distance that is smaller than said predetermined length. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 6  or  7  when dependent on  claim 4  or  5  comprising a common closure wall extending between respective marginal edges of a plurality of the side walls. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 ,  7  or  8  wherein the inlet and outlet openings are bounded by the sloping surface, and respective edges of the side walls and the closure wall. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 ,  7 ,  8  or  9  wherein each side wall extends laterally outwardly with respect to a lower marginal edge of the sloping surface. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus as claimed in any of  claims 6  to  10  wherein the inlet opening is arranged at an upper side and the outlet opening is arranged at an underneath side of the sloping surface. 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the inlet opening is defined by an upper side of the sloping surface and respective edges of the side walls and the closure wall and the outlet opening is defined by an underneath side of the sloping surface and respective edges of the side walls and the closure wall. 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus as claimed in any of  claims 6  to  12  wherein the closure wall defines a curved internal surface of the transfer flow path between the inlet opening and the outlet opening. 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus as claimed in any of  claims 6  to  13  wherein the respective side walls are substantially planar. 
     
     
         15 . Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the transfer flow path extends around a lower marginal edge of the sloping surface. 
     
     
         16 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , or any of  claims 7  to  15  when dependent on  claim 6 , comprising a particle directing element which is unitary with said closure wall wherein said particle directing element is arranged to promote movement of solid particles towards the inlet opening of the transfer flow path. 
     
     
         17 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 ,  7 ,  8  or  9  wherein the respective side walls are non-planar and extend upwardly from the sloping surface to respective top marginal edges and the closure wall extends above the sloping surface between said respective top marginal edges. 
     
     
         18 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the inlet opening is defined by an upper side of the sloping surface, an underside of the closure wall and respective upstream edges of the side walls and the outlet opening is defined by an the upper side of the sloping surface an underside of the closure wall and respective downstream edges of the side walls. 
     
     
         19 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 17  or  18  wherein the side walls comprise first and second planar side wall panels extending from a common edge in a “v” or chevron configuration. 
     
     
         20 . Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the separating device comprises one or more internal surfaces between said inlet opening and said outlet opening configured to cause a change in direction of the flow of solid particles within the transfer flow path, such that solid particles entering the inlet opening along a first direction leave via the outlet opening in a second direction that is different to the first direction. 
     
     
         21 . Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a further transfer flow path for said solid particles arranged above said transfer flow path, said further transfer flow path permitting flow of said multiplicity of solid particles between an upper side of said separating device and a portion of the circulation path external to the separating device,
 wherein said further transfer flow path arranged above said transfer flow path comprises a further envelope extending from an inlet opening to an outlet opening, and bounded by a sloping floor surface and at least one envelope wall,   and wherein within the further envelope between the inlet opening and the outlet opening no straight line longer than a predetermined length can extend without intersecting the at least one envelope wall or sloping floor surface, said predetermined length being less than a maximum dimension of the smallest foreign object which the separating device is configured to intercept or capture.   
     
     
         22 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 21  wherein said further transfer flow path arranged above said transfer flow path permits flow of said multiplicity of solid particles between an upper side and an underneath side of said separating device. 
     
     
         23 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 21  or  22  comprising a plurality of said further transfer flow paths. 
     
     
         24 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 23  comprising at least one array of said transfer flow paths and at least one array of said further transfer flow paths arranged above the said array of transfer flow paths. 
     
     
         25 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 24  wherein said at least one array of said transfer flow paths and said at least one array of said further transfer flow paths are arranged in stacked relation. 
     
     
         26 . Apparatus as claimed in any of  claims 1  to  20  comprising a further transfer flow path for said solid particles laterally offset from said transfer flow path, said further transfer flow path permitting flow of said multiplicity of solid particles between an upper side of said separating device and a portion of the circulation path external to the separating device,
 wherein said further transfer flow path laterally offset from said transfer flow path comprises a further envelope extending from an inlet opening to an outlet opening, and bounded by a sloping floor surface and at least one envelope wall, 
 wherein said inlet opening of said further envelope is above said inlet opening of said envelope of said transfer flow path, 
 and wherein within the further envelope between the inlet opening and the outlet opening no straight line longer than a predetermined length can extend without intersecting the at least one envelope wall or sloping floor surface, said 
 predetermined length being less than a maximum dimension of the smallest foreign object which the separating device is configured to intercept or capture. 
 
     
     
         27 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 26  wherein said outlet opening of said further envelope is above said outlet opening of said envelope of said transfer flow path. 
     
     
         28 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 26  or  claim 27  wherein said sloping floor extends laterally from an external surface of said closure wall. 
     
     
         29 . Apparatus as claimed in any of  claims 26  to  28  wherein said further transfer flow path laterally offset from said transfer flow path permits flow of said multiplicity of solid particles between an upper side and an underneath side of said separating device. 
     
     
         30 . Apparatus as claimed in any of  claims 26  to  29  comprising a plurality of said further transfer flow paths. 
     
     
         31 . Apparatus as claimed in any of  claims 26  to  30  comprising at least one array of said transfer flow paths and at least one array of said further transfer flow paths laterally offset from the said array of transfer flow paths. 
     
     
         32 . Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim comprising at least one additional sloping surface and an additional transfer flow path arranged at a lower marginal portion of the or each additional sloping surface, said additional transfer flow path permitting flow of said multiplicity of solid particles between an upper side of said separating device and a portion of the circulation path external to the separating device,
 wherein the uppermost limit of the sloping surfaces extends from a common point or edge,   and wherein the or each additional transfer flow path comprises a further envelope extending from an inlet opening to an outlet opening, and bounded by the or each additional sloping surface and at least one envelope wall,   and wherein within the further envelope between the inlet opening and the outlet opening no straight line longer than a predetermined length can extend without intersecting the at least one envelope wall or second sloping surface, said predetermined length being less than a maximum dimension of the smallest foreign object which the separating device is configured to intercept or capture.   
     
     
         33 . Apparatus as claimed in any of  claims 1  to  31  comprising a plurality of additional sloping surfaces and a plurality of additional transfer flow paths arranged at a lower marginal portion of each additional sloping surface, said additional transfer flow paths permitting flow of said multiplicity of solid particles between an upper side of said separating device and a portion of the circulation path external to the separating device,
 and wherein each additional transfer flow path comprises a further envelope extending from an inlet opening to an outlet opening, and bounded by each additional sloping surface and at least one envelope wall, 
 and wherein within the further envelope between the inlet opening and the outlet opening no straight line longer than a predetermined length can extend without intersecting the at least one envelope wall or additional sloping surface, said predetermined length being less than a maximum dimension of the smallest foreign object which the separating device is configured to intercept or capture, 
 and wherein at least two sloping surfaces extend from a common point or edge and the separating device comprises at least one additional sloping surface which does not extend from said common point or edge. 
 
     
     
         34 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 32  or  33  wherein said sloping surface is configured to direct said solid particles into said inlet opening of said transfer flow path and the or each additional sloping surface is configured to direct said solid particles into said inlet opening of said the or each additional transfer flow path. 
     
     
         35 . Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said collecting volume comprises a sump. 
     
     
         36 . Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said separating device is located below said drum. 
     
     
         37 . Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said separating device is arranged above said collecting volume in said circulation path. 
     
     
         38 . Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said circulation path comprises a pumping device and said separating device is located in the circulation path after the drum and before said pumping device, with respect to the circulation direction. 
     
     
         39 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 38  wherein said solid particles are recirculated from the collecting volume to the drum via said pumping device. 
     
     
         40 . Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said one or more foreign objects are elongated foreign objects such as nails, screws, bolts, paper clips, toothpicks, hypodermic needles, pencils, pens, keys, cotton buds, needles, small hand tools or parts thereof, pins, hairpins, grips, cutlery and the like. 
     
     
         41 . Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the predetermined length is at least 30 mm. 
     
     
         42 . Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said drum comprises a rotatably mounted cylindrical cage comprising a perforate cylindrical wall wherein the perforations of the cylindrical wall comprise holes having a diameter of no greater than 25 mm. 
     
     
         43 . Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said solid particles have an average particle diameter of from 1.0 to 10 mm. 
     
     
         44 . Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said solid particles have a length of from 1.0 to 10 mm. 
     
     
         45 . Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said apparatus is a commercial washing machine. 
     
     
         46 . Apparatus as claimed in any of  claims 1  to  44  wherein said apparatus is a domestic washing machine. 
     
     
         47 . Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the separating device is removable from the apparatus via an aperture formed in an external housing of the apparatus. 
     
     
         48 . Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the solid particles can be reused one or more times for treatment of substrates in, with or by the apparatus of the invention. 
     
     
         49 . Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the multiplicity of solid particles comprises or consists of a multiplicity of polymeric particles. 
     
     
         50 . Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said solid particles are conveyed along a portion of said circulation path with a carrier fluid. 
     
     
         51 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 50  wherein said carrier fluid is wash liquor. 
     
     
         52 . A method of treating one or more substrates with a multiplicity of solid particles using the apparatus of any of  claims 1  to  51 . 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52  wherein said method is a method of cleaning said one or more substrates. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53  wherein said one or more substrates are textile materials, in particular one or more garments or domestic or hotel linens such as, bed linen, towels, napery or the like. 
     
     
         55 . A method of intercepting and/or capturing foreign objects from a circulation path using the apparatus of any of  claims 1  to  51 .