Method and apparatus for draining a work piece during finishing

Abstract

A method of processing a work piece having an enclosure. The method comprises inserting a siphon into the enclosure, submerging the work piece in an immersion tank, removing the work piece from the tank, and draining liquid from the enclosure through the siphon. Inserting can include positioning at least a portion of a short leg of the siphon in the enclosure of the work piece. Preferably, draining includes directing liquid back into the immersion tank. After draining, the work piece can be moved to a second workstation and/or the siphon can be withdrawn from the enclosure. The method can be performed using a finishing system comprising a primary carrier, a work piece suspended from the primary carrier and defining an enclosure, and a siphon positioned in the enclosure. Preferably, the work piece is suspended above an immersion tank. The siphon can be positioned to direct fluid toward the immersion tank.

1 . A method of processing a work piece having an enclosure through a workstation having an immersion tank with liquid, the method comprising:
 inserting a siphon at least partially into the enclosure of the work piece;   submerging at least a portion of the work piece in the immersion tank to thereby cause the liquid in the immersion tank to at least partially fill the siphon and the enclosure in the work piece;   removing the work piece from the immersion tank; and   draining liquid from the enclosure through the siphon.   
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein inserting includes attaching the siphon to the work piece. 
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the siphon includes a short leg and a long leg, and wherein inserting includes positioning at least a portion of the short leg in the enclosure of the work piece. 
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein submerging includes submerging the entire work piece in the liquid. 
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein removing includes lifting the work piece out of the immersion tank. 
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein draining includes directing liquid from the siphon back into the immersion tank. 
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising, between inserting and submerging, positioning the work piece above the immersion tank. 
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising, after draining, moving the work piece to a second workstation. 
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the second workstation includes a second immersion tank with a second liquid. 
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising, after draining, withdrawing the siphon from the enclosure. 
     
     
         11 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising removably attaching the siphon to the work piece by either or both of a bracket and a fastener. 
     
     
         12 . A finishing system comprising:
 a primary carrier;   a work piece suspended from the primary carrier, the work piece defining an enclosure; and   a siphon having an inlet end positioned in the enclosure.   
     
     
         13 . A finishing system as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising a workstation having an immersion tank, the work piece being suspended above the immersion tank. 
     
     
         14 . A finishing system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the siphon is positioned to direct fluid from the enclosure toward the immersion tank. 
     
     
         15 . A finishing system as claimed in  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a second workstation; and   a conveyor positioned to move the work piece to the second workstation.   
     
     
         16 . A finishing system as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the second workstation comprises a second immersion tank. 
     
     
         17 . A finishing system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the work piece defines two enclosures, and wherein the siphon comprises two siphons, each siphon having an inlet end positioned in one of the two enclosures. 
     
     
         18 . A finishing system as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising an attachment means for securing the siphon to the work piece. 
     
     
         19 . A finishing system as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising either or both of a bracket and a fastener positioned to couple the work piece to the siphon. 
     
     
         20 . The finishing system as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the bracket or fastener is releasably coupled to the work piece.