Cleaning machine with particulate abrasive

In a cleaning machine with means for blasting the goods to be cleaned by means of liquid containing granules, comprising a treatment chamber for receiving the goods;

• a liquid container;
• pump means, the suction side of which is connected to the liquid container for sucking-in liquid;
• nozzle means connected to the pressure side of the pump;
• means for ejecting liquid towards the goods in the treatment chamber;
• and means for supplying granules to liquid supplied to the nozzle means, and for separating granules from liquid ejected from the nozzle means, the improvement which comprises as the means for supplying granules to liquid supplied to the nozzle means and separating granules from liquid ejected from the nozzle means, a liquid-permeable compartment which is located inside the liquid container with a bottom outlet in the treatment chamber connecting to the liquid container via the liquid-permeable compartment;
• said compartment being connected through a valve-controlled opening to the suction side of the pump means for supplying the granules to the liquid through this opening, such that liquid containing the granules is sucked-up and circulated by the pump means;
• or alternatively retaining the granules in the liquid-permeable compartment such that liquid only is sucked-up and circulated by the pump means, and having an adjustable member coordinated with the valve control arranged in the bottom outlet for passing liquid from the treatment chamber directly to the liquid-permeable compartment or, alternatively, through a strainer in the bottom outlet.

In a cleaning machine wherein the goods to be cleaned are treated with liquid containing granules, comprising a treatment chamber for receiving the goods and having a bottom outlet;

• a liquid container;
• pump means;
• a first connection between the suction side of the pump means and the liquid container;
• nozzle means connected to the pressure side of the pump;
• means for ejecting liquid towards the goods in the chamber;
• and means for supplying granules to the liquid supplied to the nozzle means, and for separating granules from liquid ejected from the nozzle means;
• the improvement which comprises as the means for supplying granules to liquid supplied to the nozzle means and separating granules from liquid ejected from the nozzle means, a liquid-permeable container which is located inside the liquid container for supplying granules to the liquid, the bottom outlet of the treatment chamber being connected to the liquid container via the liquid-permeable container;
• a second connection between the suction side of the pump means and the liquid-permeable container;
• and valve means for controlling the opening and closing of the first connection between the suction side of the pump means and the liquid container;
• and of the second connection between the suction side of the pump means and the liquid-permeable container for supplying granules to the liquid sucked up by the pump means, or alternatively retaining the granules in the liquid permeable container, in a manner such that when the first connection is open and the second connection is closed, the granules are retained in the liquid-permeable container and only liquid is sucked up by the pump means, and when the first connection is closed and the second connection is open, only liquid containing granules from the liquid-permeable container is sucked up by the pump means;
• said valve means having intermediate positions in which both connections are partially open in positions intermediate their fully open and fully closed positions.