US3726020A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drying method
Assignee: Reynolds Metals Co
•
Filing: 1971-01-15
•
Granted: 1973-04-10
•
Expires: 1991-01-15
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for and method of drying articles such as tubular containers each having a bottom wall, an adjoining side wall, 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
- 👤 H Lee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 08:14
CPC Classifications
F; F26; F26B; F26B21/00; F26B21/20; F26B21/25; F26B15/00; F26B15/10; F26B15/12; F26B15/18; F26B21/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
258 words
A method of simultaneously drying both the inside and outside of tubular containers each having a bottom wall and an adjoining side wall terminating in an end edge defining an open end; said method comprising the steps of; placing each of said containers in an inverted manner with its end edge resting on a horizontal portion of a perforated conveyor having a supporting surface and which allows substantially unobstructed flow of a drying gas therethrough in a direction perpendicular to its supporting surface; supporting a control device for said drying gas beneath said horizontal portion; said control device having a plurality of spaced apertures therein; directing said drying gas toward said containers at high velocity using an associated directing device 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 circulating said drying gas against the bottom wall of each container, against and around its side wall, through said conveyor, and toward said control device; said circulating step enabling said flow control device and spaced jets to cooperate to assure each container is maintained in an upright manner with said drying gas being circulated around the outside thereof at high velocity to thereby provide efficient transfer of heat to the walls of each container and said circulating step also simultaneously enabling said flow control device and spaced jets to provide a negative pressure beneath each container and circulation of said drying gas within each container to provide said simultaneous drying.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
258 words
A method of simultaneously drying both the inside and outside of tubular containers each having a bottom wall and an adjoining side wall terminating in an end edge defining an open end; said method comprising the steps of; placing each of said containers in an inverted manner with its end edge resting on a horizontal portion of a perforated conveyor having a supporting surface and which allows substantially unobstructed flow of a drying gas therethrough in a direction perpendicular to its supporting surface; supporting a control device for said drying gas beneath said horizontal portion; said control device having a plurality of spaced apertures therein; directing said drying gas toward said containers at high velocity using an associated directing device 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 circulating said drying gas against the bottom wall of each container, against and around its side wall, through said conveyor, and toward said control device; said circulating step enabling said flow control device and spaced jets to cooperate to assure each container is maintained in an upright manner with said drying gas being circulated around the outside thereof at high velocity to thereby provide efficient transfer of heat to the walls of each container and said circulating step also simultaneously enabling said flow control device and spaced jets to provide a negative pressure beneath each container and circulation of said drying gas within each container to provide said simultaneous drying.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 and comprising the further step of introducing a dampening screen upstream of said directing device to reduce any turbulence in said drying gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 in which said circulating step comprises circulating heated air.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 in which said negative pressure is caused by a venturi effect upon circulating said drying gas over said containers and through said flow control device during said circulating step, said negative pressure ranging between roughly one-half inch and 2 inches of water which assures each of said containers is held in a stable upright manner while providing said simultaneous drying.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
89 words
A method as set forth in claim 3 in which each bottom wall of each container has an outwardly concave depression defined therein, and comprising the further step of moving said containers from a washer in an inverted position with washing fluid contained in each depression and with at least one jet of air being directed normally toward each container the washing fluid is displaced from within its depression by the action of the associated jet of drying air while the associated container is maintained in an upright manner.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 in which said drying gas Comprises heated air and said circulating step comprises recirculating said heated air in a closed loop path while simultaneously heating the air downstream of said containers to dry any moisture picked up thereby due to drying of said containers whereby said recirculation enables said simultaneous drying in a more efficient and economical manner.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method as set forth in claim 6 and comprising the further step of supporting a plurality of sets of screen and plate assemblies upstream of said directing device to reduce any turbulence in said heated air, each of said sets being defined by a perforated plate and an adjoining screen arranged upstream thereof with each screen being defined by a plurality of crisscrossed undulating wires.
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) | 1976-04-09 | 1976-10-09 | 1977-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-09 | 1980-10-09 | 1981-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-09 | 1984-10-09 | 1985-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |