Method of polymer removal, particularly for cleaning a mixing head or mixing machine

(19)

(11)

EP 1 247 591 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	16.07.2003 Bulletin 2003/29

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	09.10.2002 Bulletin 2002/41

(21)	Application number: 02252149.6

(22)	Date of filing: 25.03.2002

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁷: B08B 3/02, B08B 3/00, B01F 15/00, C11D 1/825, C11D 11/00

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR
	Designated Extension States:
	AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30)

Priority:

23.03.2001 GB 0107346

(71)	Applicant: HARPER, Alan Roger
	Gunnislake, Cornwall PL18 9AR (GB)

(72)	Inventor:
	HARPER, Alan Roger Gunnislake, Cornwall PL18 9AR (GB)

(74)	Representative: Brown, Michael Stanley
	Alpha and Omega Chine Croft East Hill Ottery St. Mary Devon EX11 1PJ Ottery St. Mary Devon EX11 1PJ (GB)

(54)	Method of polymer removal, particularly for cleaning a mixing head or mixing machine

(57) A method of removing a polymer from an object, such as a part of a mixing device comprises:

a) providing an aqueous solution containing a glucoside and a glycol,
b) placing the solution in a chamber (15) to which air is supplied under pressure so that said solution is caused to flow along a line (33) leading to the object so as to impinge on the object,
c) introducing air into the solution as it flows along said line so as to effect frothing of said solution prior to application thereof to the object, and
d) continuing to supply air under pressure to said chamber after the solution has been discharged from the chamber so that, after the solution has been applied to the object, air under pressure is applied to the object to effect drying thereof.