Vacuum grinder cleaning device and method

An apparatus for removing large particles from a vessel The apparatus includes a vacuum storage container and a suction hose extending from the vacuum storage container. The vacuum storage container includes a material receiving section, a grinding pump and a disposal line. The material receiving section receives the large particles from the suction hose. The grinding pump is positioned in the material receiving section for pulverizing the large particles received in the material receiving section. The disposal line extends from the grinding pump through the vacuum storage container to remove the pulverized material from the grinding pump and the vacuum storage container.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cleaning device and method for removing unwanted material from processing equipment or devices. In particular, the invention is directed to a cleaning device and method which utilizes a vacuum and a grinder pump to remove the unwanted material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In many manufacturing processes, materials, whether liquid or solid, must be delivered from a holding tank or hopper to processing equipment, such as a mixer. The finished materials may then be moved to large storage tanks. As the material is delivered to the processing equipment and/or the storage tanks by means of pipes or conduits, the material often passes through screen or filters to remove any unwanted materials or contaminants. However, over time, the screens or filters may become ineffective or clogged by the accumulated material, which results in the screens or filters becoming ineffective. Currently, the screens are cleaned manually by someone having access to or entering the equipment to physically remove the accumulated material. This process is time consuming, inefficient, and costly.

It would, therefore, be beneficial to provide a cleaning device and method which can be used to clean screens/filters and remove unwanted material or waste from processing equipment. It would also be beneficial to grind the unwanted material or waste into fine particles which can be deposited in waste water drains.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment is directed to a portable or fixed apparatus for removing large particles from a vessel. The apparatus includes a vacuum storage container and a suction hose extending from the vacuum storage container. The vacuum storage container includes a material receiving section, a grinding pump and a disposal line. The material receiving section receives the large particles from the suction hose. The grinding pump is positioned in the material receiving section for pulverizing the large particles received in the material receiving section. The disposal line extends from the grinding pump through the vacuum storage container to remove the pulverized material from the grinding pump and the vacuum storage container.

An embodiment is directed to a portable or fixed apparatus for removing large particles from a vessel. The apparatus includes a vacuum storage container with a material receiving section, a grinding pump and a disposal line. A suction hose extends from the vacuum storage container. The apparatus includes a cleaning system. The cleaning system flushes the suction hose and the vacuum storage container as desired.

An embodiment is directed to a method for removing large particles from a vessel. The method includes: vacuuming the particles into a vacuum storage container; pulverizing the particles in a grinding pump in the vacuum storage container; and discharging the pulverized particles though a disposal line extending from the grinding pump through the vacuum storage container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the preferred embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features, the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

As shown inFIG.1, a vacuum and grinding system or device10can be used to remove large particles12, which may be contained in a liquid, from screens or filters14of vessels16, such as, but not limited to, processing equipment. The vacuum and grinding system or device10includes a suction hose18and a vacuum storage container20. The vacuum and grinding system or device10may operate either with either air or electric.

The suction hose18may be made from materials having the appropriate strength and flexibility characteristics, such as, but not limited to, stainless steel, mild steel, Polyvinylchloride (PVC), PVC Laminate Polyester, PVC reinforced with a wire helix, or rubber. The length and diameter of the suction hose18may vary depending upon the particular application and the size of the particles12which must be removed. However, the diameter of the suction hose18must be larger than the diameter of the largest particle12which must be removed by the suction hose18.

In the illustrative embodiment shown, the suction hose18has a suction wand22that is provided at an end of the suction hose18which is removed from the vacuum storage container20. The suction wand22may be attached to the suction hose18by various known methods, including, but not limited to, friction, mounting adhesives or mounting hardware. The suction wand22may be made from any material having the appropriate strength characteristics, such as, but not limited to, stainless steel, mild steel, aluminum, black oxide, PVC, or rubber. The length and diameter of the suction wand22may vary depending upon the particular application and the size of the particles12which must be removed. However, the diameter of the suction wand22must be larger than the diameter of the largest particle12which must be removed by the suction hose18.

The vacuum storage container20, as shown inFIGS.2and3, is dimensioned to receive the large particles12which have been removed from the vessel16and moved to the vacuum storage container20through the suction hose18. The suction hose18enters the vacuum storage container20through a suction hose opening24(FIG.3). The suction hose opening24is dimensioned to have approximately the same diameter as the suction hose18, thereby allowing a tight fit or seal between the suction hose opening24of the vacuum storage container20and the suction hose18. The seal between the suction hose opening24and the suction hose18may be enhanced by a seal (not shown) made of material with the appropriate elastic characteristics, such as, but not limited to rubber.

The vacuum storage container20may be made from materials having the appropriate strength characteristics, including, but not limited to, stainless steel, mild steel and PVC. The vacuum storage container20includes one or more vacuum motors26which are used to generate the air flow or vacuum needed to remove or vacuum the particles12from the vessel16through the suction hose18. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the motor26is positioned outside the vacuum storage container20on a top surface25of a lid27of the vacuum storage container20. However, the vacuum motor26may be positioned in other locations. The motor can be any motor which can generate sufficient air flow to vacuum the particles12. The motor26may be, but is not limited to, electric or air driven69.

One or more ball floats29and ball float cages31extend from the vacuum motor26through openings33in the top surface25of the vacuum storage container20. The ball float cages31and ball floats29extend in the vacuum storage container20in a space above a grinding pump28. The ball float(s)29is to rise on high level to seal and protect the vacuum motor(s) by not allowing any more product flow into the vacuum storage container20.

The grinding pump28is provided in the vacuum storage container20. The grinding pump28is located in a lower portion of the vacuum storage container20. The grinding pump28has an intake opening30, a grinding section32and an output opening34. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the intake opening30is provided proximate a bottom of the grinding pump28. The output opening34is provided proximate a bottom side of the grinding pump28. The grinding section32is provided between the intake opening30and the output opening34. The grinding section32contains blades (not shown) or other devices which interact with the particles12to grind or pulverize the particles12into small particles which can be discharged into a waste basin. The grinding pump28may be made from various materials, including, but not limited to stainless steel, mild steel or PVC. The grinding pump28may be sized according to need. As example of a grinding pump28is 1 Hp Residential 2″ Grinding Pump with Piggyback Tether Float made by ProVore Pump.

A vessel float36is provided on or proximate the grinding pump28. The vessel float36is movable between a first or lowered position and a second or raised position. When there is little or no particles12or liquid provided in the vacuum storage container20, the vessel float36is initial or lowered position. In this lowered position, the vessel float36cooperates with the grinding pump28to place the grinding pump28in the off position. When there is sufficient particles12or liquid provided in the vacuum storage container20such that the surface of the particles12or liquid is above the grinding pump28, the vessel float36is moved to the raised position. In this raised position, the vessel float36cooperates with the grinding pump28to place the grinding pump28in the on or operational position. The cooperation of the vessel float36with the grinding pump28allows for the automatic grinding of the particles12when needed.

A disposal line38extends from the output opening34of the grinding pump28and through a disposal line opening40. The disposal line opening40is dimensioned to have approximately the same diameter as the disposal line38, thereby allowing a tight fit or seal between the disposal line opening40of the vacuum storage container20and the disposal line38. The seal between the disposal line opening40and the disposal line38may be enhanced by securing hardware41and a seal (not shown) made of material with the appropriate elastic characteristics, such as, but not limited to rubber. An end42of the disposal line38deposits the pulverized material in a waste bin or the like. The disposal line38may include a check valve44to eliminated back flush into the vacuum storage container20.

A rinse line43extends into the vacuum storage container20through a fluid input opening45of the vacuum storage container20to assist in cleaning (manually or automatically) the vacuum storage container20, the grinding pump28and the disposal line38. The rinse line43is positioned below the top surface25of the vacuum storage container20and below the vacuum motor26.

A cleaning system (manual or automatic) may be included on the vacuum and grinding system or device10. In the embodiment shown, a rinse valve71, in conjunction with the rinse line43, is provided on the fluid input opening45. The rinse valve71is used to flush the vacuum storage container20, the grinding pump28and the disposal line38with water or any other type of cleaning fluid during and/or after the vacuuming is completed. In the automatic sequence, the rinse valve71will add fluid68until the vessel float36is in the raised position to activate the grinder pump28and to turn off the rinse valve71. Once the vessel float36is in the lowered position, the grinder pump28turns off. This may occur several times.

A cleaning system (manual or automatic) may be included on the suction hose18. In the embodiment shown, a fitting50, in conjunction with the fluid line67, is provided on the suction hose18. The fitting50is used to flush the suction hose18, the vacuum storage container20, the grinding pump28and the disposal line38with water or any other type of cleaning fluid.

Referring toFIGS.4through7, the illustrative pipe fitting50is shown. The pipe fitting is more fully disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/075,331, filed on Oct. 21, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The pipe fitting50has a first end portion51, a second end portion52, and a perforated middle portion53which extends between the first end portion51and the second end portion52. The pipe fitting50has a generally cylindrical configuration with a side wall54extending about the circumference of the pipe fitting50. As shown inFIG.6, the side wall54has an inner diameter55and an outer diameter56. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the inner diameter55and the outer diameter56of the side wall54is consistent across the first end portion51, the second end portion52and the perforated portion53. However, in other embodiments the inner diameter55and/or the outer diameter56of the side wall54may vary across the first end portion51, the second end portion52and/or the perforated portion53. The inner diameter55defines a material flow passageway57.

The perforated portion53has multiple openings58which extend through the side wall54from the inner diameter55to the outer diameter56. The openings58in each pipe fitting50are generally consistent. The preferred diameter of the openings58for a particular pipe fitting50is determined based on many variables, including, but not limited to, the size of the pipe fitting, the amount and the type of material which flows through the material flow passageway57, and/or the type of cleaning fluid used.

The perforated portion53has a fluid receiving flange or member59which extends from and integrally attached to the side wall54of the perforated portion53. The fluid receiving member59has an outer wall60with an inner surface61and an outer surface62. End walls63extend from the inner surface61of the outer wall60in a direction away from the outer surface62. The end walls63engage are integrally attached to the side wall54. The outer wall60is spaced from the side wall54to form a fluid receiving cavity64therebetween.

One or more ports65extend through the outer wall60and into the fluid receiving cavity64. Each port65is configured to allow fluid, such as, but not limited to, air or water, to flow through the port65and into the fluid receiving cavity64when a flexible or rigid hose67is attached to the port65and a valve66(FIG.8) is opened manually or automatically.

The fluid receiving cavity64extends about the entire circumference of the perforated portion53. Each of the openings58has an end which opens into the fluid receiving cavity64.

In the illustrative embodiment, the pipe fitting50has the first end portion51attached to the suction hose18using known methods or devices of attachment, such as, but not limited to, adhesive, threads or a clamp. The second end portion52of the pipe fitting50is attached to the suction wand22.

In use, material flows from the vessel16through the suction wand22, through the suction hose18and into the vacuum storage container20. Material generally passes through the vacuum and grinding system or device10freely, as no blockage or restriction is provided. However, occasionally material may accumulate to cause a blockage that may materialize in the vacuum and grinding system or device10.

The accumulation of material results in the pathway in the suction hose18or the vacuum storage container20being blocked or restricted. Any such restriction prevents the proper suction of the particles12from the vessel16. It is, therefore, important to provide a device and method for keeping the pathway free of significant accumulation of material. The use of the pipe fitting50will prevent the significant accumulation of material in the vacuum and grinding system or device10.

As shown inFIGS.1and4, the pipe fitting50is positioned on the suction hose18. The one or more ports65are connected to a fluid supply source or valve66by the hose67or other delivery mechanism. The fluid68supplied by the fluid supply device66may be a liquid, such as water, or a gas such as air. The fluid supply device66may be a valve, compressor, a pump or other known device which can deliver the fluid to the ports65and the pipe fitting50under pressure. The pressure may be varied depending upon many variables, including, but not limited to, the size of the vacuum and grinding system or device10, the size of the hose or conduit67, the type of the particles12being removed from the vessel16.

As desired or at periodic times or intervals, the ports65are opened to allow the pressurized fluid68, as represented by the arrows68inFIG.7, to move through the ports65, into the fluid receiving cavity64, through the openings58in the perforated portion53of the pipe fitting50and into the material flow passageway57of the suction hose18. As the fluid68is pressurized as it enters the ports65, and as the size of the fluid receiving cavity64and the openings58are controlled, the fluid68entering the material flow passageway57interacts with any blockage or restriction in the suction hose18or the vacuum and grinding system or device10to break down the blockage or restriction (not shown) and cause the material forming the blockage or restriction to freely flow into the vacuum storage container20and the grinding pump28.

In order to prevent significant blockages or restrictions, the ports65may be opened one or more times as the particles12flow through the suction hose18to allow the fluid68to interact and clean any restrictions that may be forming. In so doing, any blockages or restrictions are prevented. In other embodiments, the ports65are retained in the open position during the operation of the suction hose18to allow the fluid68to move through the suction hose18continuously as the suction hose18and the vacuum motor26are operated.

As shown inFIG.8, the fluid68enters through a fluid intake line70. The fluid68is directed to the hose67when the valve66is opened. Alternatively, or simultaneously, the fluid68or a portion of the fluid is directed to the rinse line43when the valve71is opened.

Also as shown inFIG.8, if the vacuum motor26is air driven, the flow of air69is delivered to the motor by air intake line72. The amount of air flow is controlled by valve73.

In operation, as the removal of the particles12from the vessel16is conducted through the suction hose18, over filling of the vacuum storage container20is prevented by the ball float29. If too much mixture of fluid68and particles12is moved to the vacuum storage container20by the suction hose18, the liquid in the vacuum storage container20will cause the ball float29to rise, causing the vacuum motor26to turn off. When the mixture of fluid68and particles12is removed by the grinding pump28, the level of the mixture of fluid68and particles12drops, allowing the ball float29to drop, which in turn allows the vacuum motor26to turn on and the suction hose18to resume removal of the particles12.

When all of the particles12are properly removed from the vessel16through the suction hose18, the vacuum motor26continues to operate of a limited time in order to allow the suction hose18to be cleaned. After a defined time, the vacuum motor26and the suction through the suction hose18are stopped. Simultaneously, or proximate in time, to the vacuum motor26being turned off, fluid is diverted from the suction hose18to the rinse line43.

Fluid enters the vacuum storage container20through the rinse line43. The fluid flows into the vacuum storage container20to fill the vacuum storage container20past the level of the vessel float36to allow the grinding pump28to operate. The input of fluid is stopped and the grinding pump28is engaged. This allows the fluid to move through the grinding pump28to clean grinding pump28after all the particles12have been ground. This prevents the accumulation of unwanted material in the grinding pump28and the vacuum storage container20. The process of filling the vacuum storage container20with fluid from the rinse line43may be repeated several times to properly clean the grinding pump28and the vacuum storage container20.

The vacuum and grinding system or device10allows large particles12to be removed from the vessels16without the need for an operator to enter the vessel16. The suction wand22reaches the large particles12and removes them via the vacuum and grinding system or device10. This eliminate the need for a confined space permit to be obtained. In addition, the use of the grinding pump28pulverizes the large particles12, facilitating the ease of disposing of the waste. The ease of use and efficiency of the vacuum and grinding system or device10may also be facilitated by the cleaning system which prevents blockages in the vacuum and grinding system or device10.