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(11) | EP 0 388 365 A3 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Machine for cleaning and drying small items |
| (57) The machine for cleaning and/or drying metal and non-metal items comprises a drum
with a sealable charge/discharge port, and a single cage in which to place the items
(typically nuts and bolts); the cage is rotatable about a horizontal axis in either
direction and embodied frusto-conically at least in part, its narrower end open to
provide a charge/discharge port coinciding with that of the drum. The conical part
of the cage, at least, is provided internally with one or more helical ribs departing
from the relative port and extending the full axial length of the cone, the purpose
of which being to propel the charge steadily and uniformly away from and toward the
port. The solvent used for cleaning purposes is sprayed straight into the cage so
as to invest the nuts and bolts directly. |