Cleaning apparatus for low density objects

Cleaning apparatus for low density objects comprising:

• a cleaning compartment;
• an access opening to said compartment through which objects to be cleaned may be introduced into said compartment for cleaning therein;
• a pan-like wall for said compartment and below said access opening, said pan-like wall having a sloping surface facing said compartment;
• a port in said pan-like wall at substantially the lowest point thereof;
• a blower for generating a high volume stream of air;
• means connecting said blower to said port so that said high volume stream may be introduced into said compartment through said port;
• an air nozzle within said compartment aligned with said port and elevated above said pan-like wall so that objects to be cleaned may move into said port by passing below said air nozzle;
• said air nozzle directing said high volume stream and objects entrained therein generally upwardly within said compartment;
• a compartment drain connected to said port;
• a spray nozzle within said compartment at an elevated location therein and well above said air nozzle;
• means for supplying a cleaning liquid to said spray nozzle;
• means for supplying a rinsing liquid to said spray nozzle;
• means for sequentially operating said cleaning liquid supplying means and said rinsing liquid supplying means while operating said blower to first clean objects in said compartment and then rinse the objects, and for thereafter continuing operation of said blower to dry objects in said compartment;
• a collection hopper exteriorly of said compartment;
• said hopper having a lower discharge opening with means for selectively opening or closing said discharge opening to selectively allow objects collected in said hopper to be discharged therefrom;
• an upper entrance to said collection hopper;
• an exit opening in a side of said port and sized to allow the objects to egress said compartment;
• a conveying tube extending from said entrance to said exit opening in said port;
• and
• means for selectively creating a low pressure within said hopper so that objects in said compartment, after being washed, rinsed and dried therein, may be drawn into said exit opening to be conveyed through said tube to said hopper to be collected therein.