# US 2014/0190524 A1 · Method and apparatus for cleaning > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190524 A1 - Document ID: US20140190524A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/241,227 - Filed: 2012-08-30 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-08-31 - Assignees: 1M2 Design Limited - Applicants: 1M2 Design Limited - Inventors: Michael Gervase Keith Eastwood; Michael Ian Powick - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190524A1 ## CPC - B08B 9/46: Inspecting cleaned containers for cleanliness - B08B 3/08: the liquid having chemical or dissolving effect - B08B 9/093: by the force of jets or sprays ({B08B9/0813} , B08B9/20 take precedence) - B08B 9/0933: {Removing sludge or the like from tank bottoms} - B08B 9/0936: {using rotating jets} - B08B 9/34: Arrangements of conduits or nozzles - B28C 5/4203: {Details; Accessories} - B08B 9/0817: {by agitating or tumbling containers filled with liquid or liquid and abrasive, e.g. chain} - B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL - B28C: PREPARING CLAY; PRODUCING MIXTURES CONTAINING CLAY OR CEMENTITIOUS MATERIAL, e.g. PLASTER (preparing material for foundry moulds B22C5/00) ## Abstract A method of cleaning a concrete bowl is provided including the steps of a) introducing water into at least one concrete bowl; b) collecting the water from the bowl after it has been used; and c) cleaning a concrete bowl by introducing at least some of the collected water into the bowl under pressure. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of cleaning a concrete bowl, comprising: a) introducing water into at least one concrete bowl; b) collecting the water from the bowl after it has been used; and c) cleaning a concrete bowl by introducing at least some of the collected water into the bowl under pressure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the recycled water is introduced into the bowl at a pressure of great than 1 bar and less than 20 bar. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the recycled water is introduced into the concrete bowl at a pressure of approximately 5 bar. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the concrete bowl is rotated during the cleaning process. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the concrete bowl is rotated at a speed of greater than 2.5 rpm and less than 10 rpm. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the concrete bowl is rotated at a speed of approximately 6 rpm. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the recycled water is introduced by a probe. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the probe ingresses at a speed of approximately 0.95 m/min. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the probe egresses at a speed of approximately 0.95 m/min. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the probe ingress and egress speed is greater than 0.3 m/min but no greater than 1.6 m/min. ### Claim 11 A station for cleaning a concrete bowl, comprising: a probe for introducing water into a concrete bowl; and recycling means for collecting and re-introducing the used water back into the concrete bowl; and an apparatus for supplying pressure to the recycled water. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The station as claimed in claim 11 wherein the apparatus to supply pressure to the recycled water is a pump. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The station as claimed in claim 11 wherein the probe includes nozzles. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The station as claimed in claim 13 wherein the nozzles are adjustable. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The station as claimed in claim 10 includes an user monitoring device which allows the user to monitor the status of the interior of the concrete bowl. ### Claim 16 A station for cleaning a concrete bowl, comprising: a probe for introducing water into a concrete bowl; an apparatus to supply pressure to the water to be introduced into the concrete bowl; and the probe is curved so that it is can be inserted into the concrete bowl with clearance from any structures of the concrete bowl. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The station as claimed in claim 16, wherein the probe is a hollow member which carries water nozzles configured to introduce the water into the concrete bowls. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The station as claimed in claim 16, wherein the length of the probe is between 4.5 m-6.5 m. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The station as claimed in claim 16, wherein the curvature of the probe has a radius of 7-10 m. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The station as claimed in claim 16, wherein the probe is a standard pipe. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) The station as claimed in claim 16, wherein the entry angle of the curved probe will be so that the probe will clear the charge hopper without having to physically remove the charge hopper. ### Claim 22 (depends on 16) The station as claimed in claim 16, wherein the entry angle of the probe is between 38-45 degrees. ### Claim 23 (depends on 16) The station as claimed in claim 16, wherein the probe is driven by an actuating mechanism. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The station as claimed in claim 23, wherein the actuating mechanism is a friction driver roller system incorporating a plurality of rollers, of which at least one of the rollers is fixed and the rest is floating in a self tightening system. ### Claim 25 (depends on 16) The station as claimed in claim 16, wherein the ingress and egress speed of the probe is in the range of 0.4 m/min to 1.5 m/min. ### Claim 26 (depends on 16) The station as claimed in claim 16, wherein the probe is constructed out of box section material. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The station as claimed in claim 26, wherein the probe is driven by a tooth belt system. ### Claim 28 (depends on 16) The station as claimed in claim 16, wherein the angle of insertion for the probe is adjustable via adjusting means. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The station as claimed in claim 28, wherein the adjusting means is a hydraulic ram. ### Claim 30 (canceled) ### Claim 31 (canceled) ### Claim 32 (canceled)