Automated lap washer
View Patent ↗The invention is an automated lap washer and rack system for washing and drying aluminum laps used in the processing of opthalmic lenses and consists of an enclosure containing a washing and a drying chamber through which special mounting trays, removably attached to a table top conveyor, carry aluminum laps first through the washing stage and then through the drying chamber.
1. An automated lap washer and rack system for washing and drying of aluminum laps used in the processing of ophthalmic lenses, said system comprising:
a rectangular cabinet, said cabinet having a first and a second end, a cover removably attached to said cabinet,
a first and a second “L” shaped channel, said channels extending through said cabinet, parallel to the longitudinal axis of said cabinet,
a tabletop conveyor, said conveyor running through and parallel to the longitudinal axes of said cabinet, said channels thereby forming a conveyance means through said cabinet,
a plurality of support legs supporting said cabinet,
a plurality of flexible screen curtains attached within said cabinet, said curtains defining a first, a second, and a third chamber, said second chamber having a water delivery means for supplying filtered water and a water recovery means for recovery of unclean water, said water recovery means having an angled pan generally forming the bottom of said second chamber, a plurality of drain holes, a plurality of cylindrical brushes, said brushes being rotatably mounted within said second chamber perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said cabinet and said conveyor,
a driving means for turning said brushes being connected to said brushes,
an electrical control means, said control means being connected to said driving means for adjusting speed of said brushes,
a water filtration means for filtering said water, said filtration means being connected to said angled pan,
a pumping means for circulating said water, said pumping means being connected to said water delivery means,
a plurality of air delivery units mounted within said third chamber, said delivery units being connected to an air source, said delivery units having electrical switching means, said switching means for adjusting said air delivery, and
a tray, said tray having a plurality of slotted holes, said tray having attachment means,
whereby a plurality of said trays being loaded on said conveyance means, said holes in said trays providing access to said water delivery means.
2. An automated lap washer and rack system of claim 1 wherein said flexible screen curtains consist of a plurality of flexible, vertically suspended plastic strips, said water delivery means consist of a plurality of water jets, and said brushes consist of nylon.