1 Any conventional method may be used to wash the part such as
2 subjecting the part to high pressure spray. Col. 2, lines 13-15.
3 After washing, the wet part is fixed to a spinning fixture 12 and is
4 spun at a speed and for a time sufficient to eject most of the cleaning
5 solution by centripetal force 14. Col. 2, lines 22-32.
6 Noestheden tells us that rotational speed of the spinning step depends
7 on various factors and in practice the part is preferably spun at a rate of 150
8 to 500 rpm (revolutions per minute). Col. 2, lines 37-42.
9 The last step is drying the part after spinning. Col. 2, lines 43-54.
10
11 Difference between Noestheden and claimed subject matter
12 The principal difference between the subject matter described by
13 Noestheden and the subject matter of claims 1 and 11 is that Noestheden
14 does not describe a spinning step to remove debris prior to the power
15 washing step.
16
17 Sickmeier
18 Sickmeier is U.S. Patent 3,989,537 granted 2 November 1976.
19 Sickmeier is prior art vis-à-vis applicants under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b).
20 Sickmeier set out to solve a problem similar to applicants' problem.
21 Specifically, casting and machining of engine blocks result in a
22 relatively large amount of debris, including core sand, surface scale,
23 machining chips and the like which adhere to the walls and collect in various
24 cavities and pockets with the engine block. The debris is said to be difficult
25 to remove. Col. 1, lines 24-30.
26 Prior art procedures are said to be deficient in that they do not remove
27 debris which becomes packed into blind holes or recesses where it cannot be
5
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