US2085453A - Cleaning device for hose, pipes, and the like - Google Patents

Description

E. SCHAER 2,085,453

CLEANING DEVICE FOR HOSE, PIPES, AND THE LIKE June 29, 193 7.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 29, 1955 E. SCHAER 2,085,453

CLEANING DEVICE FOR HOSE, PIPES, AND THE LIKE June 29, 1937 2 Sheets-,Sheef 2 Filed June 29, 1935 Ado/my Patented June 29, 1937 CLEANING DEVICE FOR HOSE, PIPES, AND THE LIKE Eugene Schaer, Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada Application June 29,

1935, Serial No. 29,059

In Canada May 9, 1935 3 Claims.

This invention relates to a cleaning device for hose, pipes, coils and the like and more particularly to a cleaner for brewers beer hose and pipes.

The object of the invention is to provide a cleaning device which is effective in action and semi-automatic in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel valve means which may be used. in con- 10 nection with a cleaning device and which requires a minimum actuating movement for placing in a plurality of operating positions.

Another object is to provide a novel means for incorporating a sterilizing compound in the liquid employed in the cleansing operation.

Another object is to provide a novel frictional cleansing medium for a cleaning device.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure l is a diagrammatic view of the cleaning device as applied to the treatment of a beer hose,

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the valve means and associated parts,

' Figure 3 is a section on line 3--3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is an elevation of a rotary valve member, 1

Figure 5 is a section on line 55 of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is an elevation of a frictional cleansing body,

Figure '7 is an elevation of another form of cleansing body, and

Figure 8 is a sectional elevation of another form of valve means.

In the drawings I represents the valve means and 2 the cleansing body, shown in Figure 1 as positioned in a beer hose circuit 3, formed by disconnecting the usual hose lines from the kegs 4 and connecting the ends of the same by means of the coupling 5, and short auxiliary lengths of hose 6 connecting the usual taps l to the valve. The usual cooling coils B may also be included in the circuit. 7

Referring to Figures 2 to 5, the valve means l comprises a housing 9 and a circular tapered valve member In mounted for rotation in a corresponding bcaring surface within the housing 9, being held therein by the retaining flange I! screwed to the housing 9. A handle l isQprovided for rotating the member It and, as shown, is keyed to a stem 31 on the member in. Means are provided for positioning the member ID in two operative positions and comprises a stop 38 carried by the stem 31 and adapted toengage the sides of an opening 39 in the flange H as shown. The housing 9 is provided with an inlet port ii, an outlet port l3 and two additional ports M and I l oppositely disposed. The valve member I!) is provided with a channel it and a grooved portion It. It will be noted that the channel i5 is adapted to register ports I? and M or M, while the grooved portion it is adapted to register ports M or M and l3.

Hose or pipe couplings ll are provided in the ports Hi and M and incorporated therewith are observing glass assemblies comprising glass tubes iii and metal covers l9. Screens iii are located at the inner ends of the glass tubes l8 and retaining plugs 2i serve. to hold the screens 20 and tubes E8 in place.

Means may be provided for adding a sterilizing compound or solution to the liquid supply and in this instance includes a mixing chamber 22 mounted on the housing 9 and consisting of a glass body portion 23 and a cover 26 positioned thereon by means of a screw handle 25. A tube 2%, having threaded engagement with the inlet port l2 of the valve housing extends upwardly and centrally through the chamber 22 and is provided with a plurality of apertures 21 adjacent the upper portion of the chamber. A plate 23 forms the bottom of the chamber 22 and seats on the ring 29 surrounding the tube 26 and resting on the housing 9. A rubber gasket 39 may be provided for the purpose of main- N taining the plate 23 and glass body 23 in liquid sealing engagement. A liquid distributing nozzle 31 is formed in the plate 28 adjacent the opening of a channel 32 formed, as shown, in the housing 9 and leading to an inlet 33. A pfiming plug 34 is located inthe cover 24.

A cleansing body 2 is provided and, as shown in Figure 6, consists of a number of sponge rubber brushes 35 mounted on a rubber frame member 36. The cleansing body'shown in Figure '7 is somewhat similar to that shown in Figure 6 and includes a brush retaining shaft ill on which is mounted the brushes t5 with'supporting washers 4| and a pair of guiding and propelling cup members 42 at either end thereof. Channels 43 and 43' are formed centrally in the shaft All, being separated by a wall M in the shaft. Each channel isprovided with a pair of ports 45 and 45' adjacent the wall 43.

In operation, the device is positioned in a hose circuit to be cleaned as shown in Figure 1, the hose lengths 6 being connected to the couplings I! and a cleansing body 2 having been previously inserted therein. A suitable amount of sterilizing compound or solution is placed in the chamber 22 by means of the priming plug 34. The inlet 33 is connected to a source of water, under pressure, which may be the usual water line. The water flows through the channel 32 and nozzle 3| which imparts a swirling motion to the water as it enters the chamber 22, thus ensuring a thorough mixing or dissolving of the sterilizing solution or compound in the water. The water, rising in the chamber 22, flows through the apertures 21, into the tube 26 and into the valve housing through inlet port 12. With the valve member ID in the position shown in Figure. 2, the water flows through channel [5, port [4 and into the hose where it engages the cleansing body 2 and propels the same through the hose circuit to frictionally cleanse the same of slime and sediment. The liquid ahead of the cleansing body 2 is forced into the housing 9 through port M, around the grooved portion l6 and out of outlet port l3. When the cleansing body 2 arrives at the other end of the circuit, it engages the screen 23 and may be observed through glass tube It. The handle of valve member i 9 is then given a quarter turn or until the stop 38 engages the opposite side of opening 39, which registers ports l2 and I4 and M and 13, thus reversing the fiow of water through the circuit and forcing the cleansing body back through the circuit again. The operation is repeated until clear water flows from the outlet port .43.

The frictional cleansing action of the sponge rubber brushes of the cleansing body is augmented, by a suction action created by the vacuum where the brushes come in contact with the lining of the hose or coil due to the porousness of the brushes. Since the cleansing body is formed entirely of rubber, it possesses the necessary flexibility for proper negotiation of the. bends and turns in the hose and coils.

The cleansing body shown in Figure '7 is particularly well adapted for the purpose required. In use, the cup members 42 assist in the propulsion and guiding of the body. Moreover liquid is permitted to enter the channel 43 and to flow out through ports 45, thus supplying a sufficient amount of water for lubrication of brushes 35. This liquid, together with any accumulation of dirt and slime, enters the ports 55' and emerges through channel 43 into the drainage portion of the circuit. The formation or vacuum in the space between the brushes is also avoided by this construction. The same action takes place in a reverse direction when the brush is travelling in the opposite. direction.

The valve means shown in Figure 8 is similar to that shown in Figures 2 and 3 but differs somewhat in design and does not include a mixing chamber. The valve member i8 is the same as that employed in the modification shown in Figures 2 and 3 and the operation thereof is identical. Obviously a prepared sterilizing solution may be pumped through inlet port I2 in this modification instead of the usual water supply. On the other hand, the use of a sterilizing solution in the mixing chamber 22 of the modification shown in Figures 2 and 3 may be omitted.

It will be observed that the invention provides a most effective and convenient cleaning means, not only for beer hose and pipes, but for any type of hose, pipes or coils.

Only a small actuating movement (a one-quarter turn) of the operating handle of the valve means is necessary to effect the flow reversal, the neutral or closed position of the valve means be.- ing at the one eighth turn of the handle.

Various additional modifications of the cleansing body and valve means may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A cleaning device for hose, pipes and the like comprising, in combination with a hose or pipe circuit to be cleaned a valve structure interposed therein having a liquid inlet and means for admittinga sterilizing solution to said inlet comprising a mixing chamber mounted upon said structure, means for placing a sterilizing material in said chamber, a liquid distributing nozzle in the bottom of said chamber connected to a source of water under pressure and a tube extending centrally through said mixing chamber, said tube having communication with said liquid inlet at its lower end and having a plurality of apertures at its upper end for the admission thereto of sterilizing solution from said mixing chamber.

2. A cleaning device for hose, pipes and the like comprising, in combination with a hose or pipe circuit to be cleaned, valve means interposed therein including a valve housing having ports communicating with said circuit, a liquid inlet, a waste outlet and a valve member adapted to place said liquid inlet and said waste outlet in direct communication with each of said ports, and means for admitting a sterilizing solution to said liquid inlet comprising a mixing chamber mounted upon said housing, a liquid distributing nozzle in the bottom of said chamber, a channel in said housing connecting said nozzle with a source of water under pressure and a tube extending centrally through said mixing chamber, said tube having communication with said liquid inlet at its lower end and having a plurality of apertures at its upper end for the admission thereto of sterilizing solution from said mixing chamber.

3. In a cleaning device for a hose or pipe circuit, a valve structure interposed therein having a liquid inlet and means for admitting a sterilizing solution to said inlet comprising an upright cylindrical mixing vessel mounted above said valve structure, a liquid distributing nozzle in the bottom of said mixing vessel, a channel in said valve structure connecting said nozzle with a source of water under pressure and a tube extending centrally through said mixing chamber, said tube having communication with said liquid inlet at its lower end and having sterilizing solution admitting means at its upper end.

EUGENE SCI-IAER.

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