US3574952A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drying apparatus
Assignee: Reynolds Metals Co
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Filing: 1969-04-22
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Granted: 1971-04-13
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Expires: 1989-04-22
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for and method of drying articles such as tubular containers each having a bottom wall, an adjoining sidewall, and an open end wherein said containers are supported in an inverted position and a drying gas moved therepast in such a manner that it circulates around and within the containers and provides efficient drying of both the interiors and exteriors thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry W Lee Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 23:24
CPC Classifications
F; F26; F26B; F26B15/00; F26B15/10; F26B15/12; F26B15/18; F26B21/00; F26B21/006; F26B21/20; F26B21/25
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for drying elongated tubular articles comprising, a conveyor for supporting said articles with their axes arranged vertically and in parallel relation while allowing substantially unobstructed gas flow therethrough in a direction perpendicular to its supporting surface, a system for circulating a drying gas around said articles and then toward said conveyor, means for dampening any turbulence in said drying gas as it approaches said articles, and means directing said drying gas toward said articles at high velocity and in a plurality of closely spaced jets with the spacing between jets assuring that at least one jet is directed normally toward each of said articles.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for drying elongated tubular articles comprising, a conveyor for supporting said articles with their axes arranged vertically and in parallel relation while allowing substantially unobstructed gas flow therethrough in a direction perpendicular to its supporting surface, a system for circulating a drying gas around said articles and then toward said conveyor, means for dampening any turbulence in said drying gas as it approaches said articles, and means directing said drying gas toward said articles at high velocity and in a plurality of closely spaced jets with the spacing between jets assuring that at least one jet is directed normally toward each of said articles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said directing means comprises a planar sheet having a plurality of spaced openings provided therein defining said plurality of jets, said sheet being arranged parallel to said conveyor and between said dampening means and said articles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said dampening means comprises a plurality of screens arranged parallel to said conveyor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
72 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said directing means comprises a planar sheet having a plurality of openings therein defining said plurality of jets and said dampening means comprises a screen arranged above and parallel to said planar sheet, said screen being defined by a plurality of crisscrossed undulating wires which help minimize any turbulence in the flow of said drying gas as it approaches said planar sheet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 4 and further comprising a flow control device arranged beneath said conveyor and defining spaced apertures beneath said articles, said control device and directing means assuring that each of said articles is maintained in an upright manner with said drying gas being circulated past each article at high velocity to thereby provide efficient transfer of heat to each article and drying thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
123 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which each of said articles has a sidewall provided with opposed end edges and a wall arranged intermediate said end edges, and further comprising a flow control device arranged beneath said conveyor and defining spaced apertures beneath said articles, said control device and directing means assuring that each of said articles is maintained in an upright manner with said drying gas being circulated past each sidewall at high velocity to thereby provide efficient transfer of heat to said sidewall and simultaneously provide a negative pressure beneath each article and circulation of said drying gas within each article beneath its transverse wall to enable rapid drying of both the interior and exterior of each article.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 in which said flow control device comprises a stationary planar support supporting said conveyor for movement thereon, said support having said spaced apertures provided therein.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
213 words
An apparatus for drying tubular containers each having a bottom wall and an adjoining sidewall terminating in an end edge defining an open end, said apparatus comprising, a conveyor for supporting each container in an inverted manner with its end edge resting on said conveyor, said conveyor allowing substantially unobstructed gas flow therethrough in a direction perpendicular to its supporting surface, a system for circulating a drying gas against the bottom wall of each container and around its sidewall and then toward said conveyor, means directing said drying gas toward said contaIners at high velocity and in a plurality of closely spaced jets with the spacing between jets assuring that at least one jet is directed normally toward each of said containers, and a flow control device arranged beneath a horizontal portion of said conveyor and defining spaced apertures beneath said containers, said flow control device and directing means assuring that each of said containers is maintained in an upright manner, said drying gas being circulated past each sidewall at high velocity to thereby provide efficient transfer of heat to each sidewall and simultaneously provide a negative pressure beneath each container and circulation of said drying gas within each container to enable rapid drying of both the interior and exterior of each container.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
213 words
An apparatus for drying tubular containers each having a bottom wall and an adjoining sidewall terminating in an end edge defining an open end, said apparatus comprising, a conveyor for supporting each container in an inverted manner with its end edge resting on said conveyor, said conveyor allowing substantially unobstructed gas flow therethrough in a direction perpendicular to its supporting surface, a system for circulating a drying gas against the bottom wall of each container and around its sidewall and then toward said conveyor, means directing said drying gas toward said contaIners at high velocity and in a plurality of closely spaced jets with the spacing between jets assuring that at least one jet is directed normally toward each of said containers, and a flow control device arranged beneath a horizontal portion of said conveyor and defining spaced apertures beneath said containers, said flow control device and directing means assuring that each of said containers is maintained in an upright manner, said drying gas being circulated past each sidewall at high velocity to thereby provide efficient transfer of heat to each sidewall and simultaneously provide a negative pressure beneath each container and circulation of said drying gas within each container to enable rapid drying of both the interior and exterior of each container.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 8 in which said circulating system comprises a system for circulating heated air with said circulating system, directing means, and flow control device cooperating to provide a venturi effect which causes said negative pressure and said circulation of heated air within each container.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 and further comprising means for dampening any turbulence in said drying gas, said dampening means being arranged upstream of said directing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 in which said negative pressure ranges between roughly 1/2 inch to 2 inches of water which assures each of said containers is held in a stable upright manner while providing efficient drying of the interior thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 in which said flow control device comprises a stationary planar member supported beneath said horizontal portion of said conveyor, said support having said spaced apertures provided therein.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 in which said directing means comprises a planar sheet arranged parallel to said conveyor and having a plurality of spaced openings provided therein defining said plurality of jets.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 in which said dampening means comprises a plurality of sets of screen and plate assemblies arranged parallel to said horizontal portion of said conveyor, each of said sets being defined by a perforated plate and an adjoining screen arranged upstream thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 14 in which each of said screens is defined by a plurality of crisscrossed undulating wires which also help minimize any turbulence in the flow of said heated air.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 in which said conveyor comprises an endless chain link conveyor and said circulating system comprises a closed loop system which reheats and recirculates the air past the containers being dried by said apparatus.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
92 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 in which each bottom wall of each container has an outwardly concave depression defined therein and with said containers moving from a washer to said apparatus in an inverted manner washing fluid is contained in said depression, and with said directing means assuring that at least one jet of air is directed normally toward each container the washing fluid is displaced from within its depression by the action of an associated jet of air while the associated container is maintained in an upright position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3363327A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-12 | 1974-10-12 | 1975-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-12 | 1978-10-12 | 1979-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-12 | 1982-10-12 | 1983-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |