US3894237A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for curing inks on metal containers by ultra violet light
Assignee: Coors Container Co
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Filing: 1974-02-19
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Granted: 1975-07-08
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Expires: 1994-02-19
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for curing inks and decorative coatings on containers, particularly cans having a cylindrical body and closed end, the opposite end being open. The apparatus comprises a peg-chain type conveyor on which cans are mounted and rotated while being carried past an ultra violet light assembly including a lamp tube, reflector and mounting frame disposed at an angle to the path of movement of the conveyor. The peg construction comprises a center pin and a sleeve rotatably mounted on the pin. Rotation of the sleeve transmits rotary motion to the container mounted on the peg. The method comprises the application of an ultra violet sensitive coating to cans, placing a coated container on a peg of a chain conveyor, and transmitting rotary motion to the can while subjecting the container to a band of concentrated ultra violet light beamed on the rotated container in a helical pattern while it is moving past the light assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary E Choate
- 👤 Larry Mason Dugan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:07
CPC Classifications
F; F26; F26B; F26B3/00; F26B3/28; F26B15/00; F26B15/10; F26B15/12; F26B15/122; F26B15/128
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
Apparatus for curing inks and decorative coatings on containers comprising a. a conveyor Having container rotating means on which decorated containers are mounted for rotation while being carried by the conveyor, b. means for rotating said container rotating means, and c. an ultra violet light assembly including a longitudinally extending lamp tube and reflector, said assembly extending at an oblique angle to the path of travel of the conveyor for beaming a band of concentrated ultra violet light on the rotated containers while the containers move past the light assembly, the angle at which the assembly extends relatively to the path of travel of the conveyor being determined by the axial length of the containers such that each container receives bands of ultra violet light in helical pattern progressively from end to end of the container body while it is carried by the conveyor past the assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
Apparatus for curing inks and decorative coatings on containers comprising a. a conveyor Having container rotating means on which decorated containers are mounted for rotation while being carried by the conveyor, b. means for rotating said container rotating means, and c. an ultra violet light assembly including a longitudinally extending lamp tube and reflector, said assembly extending at an oblique angle to the path of travel of the conveyor for beaming a band of concentrated ultra violet light on the rotated containers while the containers move past the light assembly, the angle at which the assembly extends relatively to the path of travel of the conveyor being determined by the axial length of the containers such that each container receives bands of ultra violet light in helical pattern progressively from end to end of the container body while it is carried by the conveyor past the assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus defined by claim 1, in which the containers are externally decorated with ultra violet sensitive inks or coatings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus defined by claim 2, in which the inks or coatings are polymeric inks or coatings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus defined by claim 1, in which the conveyor is a peg-chain type conveyor, each peg comprising a pin extending at a right angle to the chain of the conveyor, and a sleeve of yieldable material rotatably mounted on the pin and frictionally engaging the interior of the container body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus defined by claim 4, in which the containers have cylindrical bodies closed at one end and open at the other end, and the said pegs enter the containers through said open ends.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus defined by claim 4, in which the means for rotating the containers is a surface adjacent the conveyor positioned to contact the sleeves on the pins of the pegs as they pass said surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus defined by claim 6, in which the contacting surface adjacent the conveyor is a stationary bar.
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) | 1978-07-07 | 1979-01-06 | 1979-07-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-07 | 1983-01-06 | 1983-07-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-07 | 1987-01-06 | 1987-07-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |