US3660910A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for heating and drying chilled, filled containers
Assignee: G C EVANS PRODUCTS CORP
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Filing: 1970-10-21
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Granted: 1972-05-09
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Expires: 1990-10-21
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for heating and drying chilled, filled containers such as bottles and cans. The apparatus comprises an enclosed housing with upper and lower compartments. Upper compartment has first, second, and third heat zones between loading and unloading zones A screen-type conveyor moves containers successively from the loading zone, through the heat zones, to the unloading zone. The containers are successively heated by: (a) overhead warm water spray in the first heat zone; (b) overhead hot water spray in the second heat zone; and (c) a combination of overhead and underneath hot water sprays in the third heat zone. Water collects in a tank in the lower compartment for re-use. Water is pumped direct from the tank and split into two streams: one stream being reheated and pumped to the second and third heat zones; the other stream being pumped, without reheating, to the first heat zone. An overhead blower directs air onto the containers in the loading zone; and the air is guided along the conveyor opposite to the direction of movement of the containers, and is recycled to the blower in a closed loop.
Inventors
- 👤 Grover C Evans
- 👤 Thomas J Evans
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:35
CPC Classifications
B; B08; B08B; B08B9/00; B08B9/08; B08B9/20; B08B9/42; B08B9/44; F; F26; F26B; F26B15/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
316 words
Apparatus for heating and drying chilled, filled containers comprising: an enclosed housing having upper and lower compartments; said upper compartment having first, second and third heat zones successively disposed along a predetermined path between loading and unloading zones; a main conveyor extending along said path and adapted successively to move containers from said loading zone through said heat zones and to said unloading zone, said conveyor being foraminous in at least said third heat zone to enable liquid to flow through from the underside; downwardly directed liquid dispensing means above said conveyor in each of said three heat zones, and positioned to direct liquid downwardly toward containers on saiD conveyor; upwardly directed liquid dispensing means beneath said conveyor in said third heat zone, and positioned to direct liquid upwardly through said conveyor toward containers on said conveyor; a tank in said lower compartment adapted to store liquid for reuse; guide means within said housing adapted to collect liquid dispensed by said dispensing means, and direct it into said tank; a pump having its inlet connected with said tank; a pump outlet conduit adapted to connect the outlet of said pump with a liquid heater to reheat a portion of the liquid from said tank, for reuse, hot, in said second and third heat zones; a bypass conduit connecting said pump output conduit with said liquid dispensing means in said first heat zone to dispense warm liquid at substantially the temperature of liquid in said tank over containers in said first heat zone; and a heater output conduit adapted to connect the outlet of a heater with said downwardly directed liquid dispensing means in said second and third heat zones, and with said upwardly directed liquid dispensing means in said third heat zone to dispense hot liquid over containers in said second and third heat zones and on the undersides of containers in said third heat zone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
316 words
Apparatus for heating and drying chilled, filled containers comprising: an enclosed housing having upper and lower compartments; said upper compartment having first, second and third heat zones successively disposed along a predetermined path between loading and unloading zones; a main conveyor extending along said path and adapted successively to move containers from said loading zone through said heat zones and to said unloading zone, said conveyor being foraminous in at least said third heat zone to enable liquid to flow through from the underside; downwardly directed liquid dispensing means above said conveyor in each of said three heat zones, and positioned to direct liquid downwardly toward containers on saiD conveyor; upwardly directed liquid dispensing means beneath said conveyor in said third heat zone, and positioned to direct liquid upwardly through said conveyor toward containers on said conveyor; a tank in said lower compartment adapted to store liquid for reuse; guide means within said housing adapted to collect liquid dispensed by said dispensing means, and direct it into said tank; a pump having its inlet connected with said tank; a pump outlet conduit adapted to connect the outlet of said pump with a liquid heater to reheat a portion of the liquid from said tank, for reuse, hot, in said second and third heat zones; a bypass conduit connecting said pump output conduit with said liquid dispensing means in said first heat zone to dispense warm liquid at substantially the temperature of liquid in said tank over containers in said first heat zone; and a heater output conduit adapted to connect the outlet of a heater with said downwardly directed liquid dispensing means in said second and third heat zones, and with said upwardly directed liquid dispensing means in said third heat zone to dispense hot liquid over containers in said second and third heat zones and on the undersides of containers in said third heat zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which an air blower is mounted above said conveyor beyond said third heat zone and said blower has an outlet port directed downward to dislodge liquid from containers carried by said conveyor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
85 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, in which said upper compartment is divided by horizontal separator means into two parallel, air-conducting passages, one of said passages providing space through which containers are moved by said conveyor, said passages being interconnected adjacent said loading and unloading zones to provide a substantially closed circuit for the flow of air from said blower, whereby air output from said blower is directed along containers in said one passage and is returned to said blower through the other of said passages.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, in which air output from said blower moves in said one passage counter-current to the direction of movement of containers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, in which said horizontal separator means comprises said downwardly directed liquid dispensing means above said conveyor in said three heat zones, whereby warm and hot liquid raining down through said one passage is effective to contact and heat air passing through said one passage before said air is returned to said blower.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said downwardly directed liquid dispensing means comprises drip pan means disposed above and parallel to said main conveyor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, in which said guide means adapted to collect liquid includes liquid drain pan means, and said drain and drip pan means are removable from the housing for cleaning.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said liquid dispensing means in said first heat zone is separate from and independent of said liquid dispensing means in said second and third heat zones to maintain separation above said conveyor between warm liquid dispensed in said first heat zone and hot liquid dispensed in said second and third heat zones.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
106 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said main conveyor is an endless screen trained for orbital movement between pulleys, one of said pulleys being a drive pulley having an indentable, resilient rubberlike cover to maintain frictional driving engagement with said screen when the latter is tensioned within a predetermined range, said screen having automatic tensioning means including a bight in the return run of said screen, spring means effective to urge said bight in an enlarging direction, and means for adjusting the urgence of said spring means against said bight to maintain tension in said screen within said predetermined range throughout normal service temperature fluctuations.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus accordiNg to claim 1, in which said guide means for collecting liquid comprises at least one drain pan, wider than said main conveyor, said drain pan being inclined downwardly toward said tank at an angle enabling it to be self-cleaning.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said liquid dispensing means in each heat zone is a perforated drip pan and liquid is directed into each said drip pan over the apex of an upwardly convex deflector cone to provide uniform dispensing of liquid through perforations in said drip pans.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, including input conveyor means extending into said loading zone and effective to move containers into said loading zone, and output conveyor means extending from said unloading zone and effective to move containers out of said unloading zone.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, in which said output conveyor means includes at least two conveyors transversely disposed relative to said main conveyor and driven at progressively increasing lineal speeds to enable change of direction of containers and transfer from said main conveyor to said output conveyor means while remaining in an upright position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 in which at least one of said conveyor means is an endless conveyor which is orbitally movable about an elongated frame and said frame is mounted on said housing by a pair of transversely spaced supporting and adjusting screws at each end of said frame, whereby the height and tilt of said conveyor means is adjustable relative to said main conveyor to maintain the container-conveying surfaces thereof in the same generally horizontal plane.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-09 | 1975-11-08 | 1976-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-09 | 1979-11-08 | 1980-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-09 | 1983-11-08 | 1984-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |