Patent ID: 6098430
Filing Date: 2000-08-08
Classification: D06F

Abstract:
A cleaning apparatus adapted for use with a carbon dioxide cleaning medium, comprising:a body member having a front opening formed therein, said body member having side walls and a back wall opposite said front opening, said side walls terminating in a front body member edge portion defining said front opening;a substantially cylindrical basket disposed within said body member for rotation about a generally horizontal axis, said basket having a front opening formed therein, said basket having a side wall and a back wall opposite said front opening, said side wall terminating in a front basket edge portion defining said basket front opening;drive means for rotating said basket about said axis;a door hingeably connected to said body member, said door having a front wall and side walls, with said side walls terminating in an inner edge portion configured to abut said body member edge portion;a lock mechanism connected to said body member and configured to sealably connect said body member outer edge portion with said door inner edge portion when said door is in a closed position;a plug connected to said door, said plug having a surface portion configured to abut said basket front opening when said door is in said closed position to permit rotation of said basket within said body member while preventing items within said basket from escaping during rotation of said basket;and wherein said basket edge portion is spaced forward from said body member outer edge portion, so that items partially deposited within said basket are spaced away from said body member outer edge portion and door inner edge portion when sealably connected;an elongate shaft connected to said basket back wall and coincident with said axis,a shaft support connected to said body member back wall, with said shaft disposed in said shaft support to permit rotation of said basket within said body member; anda supply line connecting said shaft support to said carbon dioxide pump to supply liquid carbon dioxide to said shaft support and thereby lubricate said shaft support.