An apparatus defining a receiving station and a remote discharge station between which high pressure cleaning solution and rinse solution spray jets are spaced both in uppper and lower reaches extending along a path connecting the receiving and discharge stations. The apparatus includes a conveyor extending between the two stations with its inlet end at the receiving station and its outlet end at the discharge station. The conveyor includes structure for (1) engaging horizontally disposed trays sequentially advanced horizontally toward the receiving station, (2) swinging the trays to front-to-rear inclined positions, (3) conveying the inclined trays to the discharge station along a path disposed between the upper and lower reaches in which the spray jets are disposed, and (4) then swinging the trays to inverted horizontal positions from which they are automatically released for horizontal movement from the discharge station.

The present invention provides a method of cleaning a plurality of machine frames including the steps of positioning a plurality of directional nozzles near and oriented toward the surface of the machine frames at selected heights relative thereto and simultaneously and continuously spraying a cleaning solution from the directional nozzles onto the machine frames. The present invention further includes rinsing the machine frames by spraying water from the directional nozzles onto the machine frames, and allowing the machine frames to dry. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning solution and water are heated, and sprayed onto the machine frames at a varying flow rate and spray pattern to allow for a more complete application of the cleaning solution and water onto the machine frames. The present invention provides a more thorough and efficient method of cleaning the machine frames of a pulp paper processing dryers, which enhances the safety and capacity utilization of pulp and paper mills.

Chemical descaling apparatus is provided for the automatic treatment of sheets of metal, including, a descaling pit and a rinsing pit, with introduction of the sheets into the descaling pit and for transferring them to the rinsing pit. The sheets are handled in a series of cradles by a transfer crane which is horizontally movable between the pits, and which has a vertically movable support bar which includes hooks for supporting the cradles. A runway is used for initially introducing sheets into the cradles.

An automatic set-up system is provided for setting up on a pallet work to be machined by a flexible manufacturing system automatic machine tool. The pallet has a support plate and a jig plate which overlies the support plate on which the work is placed. The support plate, the jig plate and the work are sequentially conveyed by a convey unit on a setting table. The relative positions of the support plate and the jig plate, and of the jig plate and the work are usually held constant by the engagement of positioning recesses and positioning pins. Even if the position of the jig plate or the work conveyed by the convey unit deviates from a predetermined position, a float base and a support plate (the float base, the support plate, and the jig plate) are floated by means of air bearing pads. The horizontal movement of these components can be readily controlled, so that positioning pins can be easily fitted in the positioning recesses. A clamp is mounted on the jig plate by a setting robot; and the clamp is clamped by a nut runner so that the work is fixed to the pallet. The machined work and the pallet are automatically cleaned by a cleaner; and the clamp is removed from the work resting on the setting table. Finally, the work is removed from the pallet.

Washing apparatus for washing insulated trays includes an endless conveyor below the elevation of first and second guide rails which guide the trays in an upright disposition as they are being washed. The conveyor includes generally V-shaped tray supports at spaced points therealong so that each tray is supported by two adjacent tray supports. Vertically disposed manifolds have spraying nozzles for spraying water generally horizontally at opposite major faces of the trays.