Frame system for drying containers

Abstract

A system for drying containers includes an air manifold having a plurality of outlets for delivering pressurized air toward passing containers. A surface (such as a conveyor belt) supports one or more such containers. A frame including rails or rollers is disposed at a predetermined distance from the surface, the frame configured to support the one or more containers against forces acting on the one or more containers by pressurized air.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application is a non-provisional patent application, claiming priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 584,937, filed on September 25, 2023, entitled "Frame System For Drying A Container," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Art

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to fluid discharge devices and, more particularly, to a frame system for drying / drying containers.

[0004] Various systems deliver fluid to one or more fluid discharge devices from a fluid supply source. In some systems, the arrangement of fluid conduits (these fluid conduits may include metal tubes, plastic tubes and / or hoses) may provide flow paths to transmit, guide or otherwise deliver fluid to a fluid discharge device (such as an air manifold) from a fluid supply source by path. In the case of an air manifold, the air received via an inlet may be pressurized and directed through a series of nozzles. The output of the nozzle may be used for various applications, such as drying and removing moisture from an object, removing dust or debris, cooling, surface treatment, etc. As can be appreciated, the directed air may be delivered with a force sufficient to blow the container out of the system. Therefore, it is desirable to be used to deliver enough air without the technology of blowing away the container.

[0005] Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to those skilled in the art by comparing such systems with the present disclosure as set forth in the remainder of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings. Summary of the invention

[0006] Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to those skilled in the art by comparing such systems with the present disclosure as set forth in the remainder of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0007] A system for drying containers is provided. The system includes an air manifold having a plurality of outlets for delivering pressurized air toward passing containers. A surface (such as a conveyor belt) supports one or more such containers. A frame including rails or rollers is arranged at a predetermined distance from the surface, the frame being configured to support the one or more containers against the force exerted on the one or more containers by the pressurized air.

[0008] These and various other advantages, aspects and novel features of the present disclosure, as well as details of illustrated embodiments of the disclosure, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The following summarizes certain aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein by way of example. It should be understood that these aspects are presented only to provide the reader with a brief overview of certain forms that the invention disclosed and / or claimed herein may take, and these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of any invention disclosed and / or claimed herein. In fact, any invention disclosed and / or claimed herein may encompass various aspects not set forth below.

[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example system for drying / drying containers according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2 is an end view of an example system for drying / drying containers according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 3 is a top view of an example system for drying / drying containers according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0013] The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Where appropriate, similar or identical reference numbers are used to refer to similar or identical components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Now turning to the attached figure, Figure 1 A processing system 100 that can be combined with one or more aspects of the currently disclosed technology is shown. System 100 includes components for conveying air to remove moisture from bags or other containers (e.g., sides, tops, necks, gussets, gaps, etc.) to dry / dry containers before, for example, packaging. System 100 includes an air manifold 116 having a plurality of outlets or nozzles 118 for conveying pressurized air (e.g., from an air compressor). Outlet 118 is mounted to platform 122 and / or oriented from a portion of the platform toward surface 120, which is configured to support one or more containers (e.g., bags, bottles, bags, boxes, etc.). Although in some examples, the container is shown as having one or more representative shapes, the disclosed system is applicable to any type of container. Further, the container can be formed with a rigid, flexible and / or semi-flexible shell. In some examples, the container is designed to be filled with various products (e.g., particles, food, gel and / or liquids, such as beverages and intravenous fluids, etc.).

[0015] The frame 102 is mounted to a platform 122, wherein one or more support brackets 112 are configured to support the frame relative to the platform 122 and / or the surface 120. One or more mounting devices 108 are used to maintain one or more components of the frame 102 at a distance relative to the surface 120. For example, the frame or supports 105 can be arranged so that there is a distance or gap between the surface 120 and a portion of the frame 105. The frame 105 can include one or more tracks or supports 104 to receive components that contact the container, such as rollers 106, rails, bumpers, or other suitable devices.

[0016] In some examples, the mounting device 108 includes one or more adjustable fasteners 110 configured to adjust the distance or gap between the roller 106 and the surface 120. The mounting device 108 may include a post, a rod, a chain, or other suitable device that can raise or lower the position of the frame 105. In some examples where multiple mounting devices are used, each corresponding fastener can be adjusted so that each mounting device extends equally from the corresponding fastener, while in other examples, one or more mounting devices extend different amounts from the corresponding fastener, so that some rollers are closer to the surface than other rollers. The adjustable fasteners can be manually adjustable, can require tools, can be adjusted by a motor controlled by a user interface or a computer program, and / or can be fixed during manufacturing by welding, bonding, gluing, and / or other similar processes.

[0017] Although some examples show a single frame 105 arranged along the surface 120 (e.g., between two opposing frames 112), in other examples, two or more frames may be used. For example, one frame may include rollers 106, while another frame may be a guide rail. However, two or more frames with rollers or guide rails may be used.

[0018] In some examples, a single frame can include both rollers and rails in-line and / or parallel. The rollers and rails can be arranged adjacent to each other so that the rollers and rails contact the container at a common or proximal portion of the container. In other examples, the rollers and rails can be separated by a gap so that the rollers and rails contact the container at different portions of the container. For example, the rollers can be aligned to allow a container to pass underneath (e.g., Figure 2 ), and the guide rails can be arranged to have a smaller gap relative to the surface 120 to prevent any loose containers from being blown out of the system 100.

[0019] Once assembled, the rollers 106 (or rails) support the containers 124 against the force of pressurized air 126 dispensed from the outlet 118 acting on one or more containers, such as Figure 2As shown, the roller 106 is arranged at an angle θ relative to the flow direction of the pressurized air 126 so that when the container 124 is forced away from the outlet 118, a portion of the container contacts the roller 106, thereby preventing the container from being blown off the surface 120.

[0020] In some examples, the roller 106 is oriented in a different manner so as to contact the container 124 at a different location and / or at a different angle than a vertically oriented roller. The angle of the roller 106 can be adjusted relative to the container 124, the surface 120, the outlet 118, and / or the direction of the airflow 126. The angle of the roller 106 can be adjusted by moving the mounting device 108 and / or the position or orientation of the track 104 supporting the roller 106. This adjustment can accommodate containers and / or fillers of different sizes, shapes, weights, and / or compositions.

[0021] In some examples, the track 104 can extend along opposite sides of the roller 106, allowing the roller to rotate in response to the movement of the container 124. This rotational motion allows the container 124 to continue to move across the surface 120 while being dried / dried by the pressurized air 126. In some examples, the roller 106 can have a rubber coating to create a softer contact with the container and / or provide a grip with a passing container.

[0022] The roller 106 can rotate freely so that the roller is configured to rotate when contact and movement of the container provide enough force to rotate the roller. In some examples, the roller can be driven by a motor or other actuator so that the driven roller assists the advancement of the container.

[0023] Container 124 can have various shapes or sizes, and can be made of various materials. For example, container can be slightly or substantially cylindrical, flat, rectangular, circular, triangular, oval or other suitable shapes. The major part of container can be assembled between roller 106 and surface 120, or only the small part of container can be assembled in the gap between roller and surface. Container can be made of slightly or substantially flexible material, so that the contact with roller causes a certain degree of deformation of container. In other examples, container can have substantially rigid exterior, so that the contact with roller has limited influence on the shape or size of the container passing through.

[0024] As shown, container 124 has a larger base oriented toward outlet 118, thereby receiving pressurized air 126. The force from pressurized air 126 can dry / dry container 124 (e.g., by moving liquid or moisture through the blowing air). Pressurized air can also force the container to a desired position along surface 120 (e.g., aligned with the package), and / or expand the gusseted portion of the base of the bag.

[0025] In some examples, the position of the roller is fixed relative to the surface (e.g., the position of the mounting device 108 is fixed within the adjustable fastener 110, and / or the position of the roller 106 is fixed within the track 104). Thus, the gap between the roller and the surface remains substantially constant during the drying / drying operation.

[0026] In other examples, the position of the roller relative to the surface can be changed in response to the contact force. For example, the mounting device 108 can be movable but biased away from the fastener 110 (e.g., by a resilient member, such as a spring), and / or the roller 106 can be movable but biased away from the track 104. Thus, the gap between the roller and the surface can be changed in response to the contact force from the passing container. This flexibility may be particularly useful for drying / drying operations of substantially rigid containers.

[0027] In some examples, a border, wall, or fence 130 may be disposed along the sides of the platform 122 and / or surface 120 to prevent loose containers 124 from being blown out of the system 100 during a drying / drying operation.

[0028] Although in some examples, angle θ is substantially perpendicular to surface 120, the relative angle can be adjusted to accommodate various applications, including for containers of different sizes, shapes and / or materials, conveying speeds, and the force applied by pressurized air, as a list of non-limiting examples. Similarly, although in some examples, roller 106 is arranged at a distance from surface 120 so that the central axis of the roller is roughly aligned with the output of the outlet, the distance can be increased or decreased based on differences in the specific system or container to be dried / dried.

[0029] In some examples, the position and / or orientation of the air manifold 116 and / or one or more outlets 118 can be adjusted relative to the surface 120 and / or the roller 106. Such adjustment can accommodate containers and / or fillers of different sizes, shapes, weights, and / or compositions. In some examples, a first outlet is oriented in a different direction than a second outlet along the conveying direction 128 within a manifold and / or between manifolds.

[0030] Figure 3 A top plan view of the system 100 is provided. In the illustrated example, the surface 120 is part of a conveyor system that employs a movable belt to convey containers 124 along the conveyor system. Thus, the surface 120 may be the surface of a conveyor belt that is driven by a motor that is integrated with or connected to a platform 122 (e.g., mounted below the surface). The track 104 and rollers 106 are arranged to coincide with a conveying direction 128 so that the rollers rotate with the container as it passes through the system 100.

[0031] The belt moves the containers 124 in a direction 128 such that pressurized air 126 is applied to each container 124 as it passes the outlets 118. Although in some examples, the outlets 118 are illustrated as being equally spaced and oriented in a common direction (e.g., angle and orientation relative to the manifold 116 and / or frame 105), in other examples, one or more outlets are at a different angle and / or orientation than at least one other outlet.

[0032] Thus, the predetermined distance or gap may be selected based on the size and / or shape of the container to allow contact with one or more surfaces of the container during application of pressurized air while the container passes through the frame.

[0033] Although some examples of outlets delivering pressurized air are provided, in other examples, other fluids (e.g., gases, liquids) are delivered to containers passing through. In some examples, pressurized fluid is introduced into manifold 116, and outlet 118 is designed to deliver the fluid with a predetermined amount of force once the pressure within the manifold reaches a threshold level.

[0034] The disclosed rollers provide numerous advantages over other designs that employ ropes, straps, rods, and / or planks that are opposed to the surface of the conveying container. For example, the disclosed rollers can be a passive solution that can rotate to assist in conveying, and can be arranged in various channels (e.g., each roller may not be aligned with each other roller). For example, depending on the application and / or container, a container can be guided by one or more rollers at a first distance from the edge of the system 100 and one or more rollers at a second distance from the edge of the system. Further, a damaged roller can be removed and replaced without replacing the entire roller strip.

[0035] In a disclosed example, a system for drying containers includes: an air manifold having multiple outlets for delivering pressurized air; a surface for supporting one or more containers; and a frame arranged a predetermined distance from the surface, the frame configured to support the one or more containers against a force exerted on the one or more containers by the pressurized air.

[0036] In some examples, the frame includes one or more rollers that are arranged at an angle relative to the direction of flow of the pressurized air. In an example, the angle is substantially vertical.

[0037] In some examples, one or more mounting devices are configured to maintain a distance of the frame relative to the surface. In an example, the one or more mounting devices include an adjustable fastener configured to adjust the distance of the frame relative to the surface. In an example, the adjustable fastener is manually adjustable.

[0038] In some examples, one or more support brackets are configured to support the frame relative to the surface.

[0039] In some examples, the conveyor system drives the surface as a movable belt to convey the one or more containers along the conveyor system. In an example, the position or orientation of the plurality of outlets is fixed relative to the movable belt and the one or more containers along the conveyor system.

[0040] In some disclosed examples, a frame for supporting containers during drying includes: one or more rollers, the one or more rollers for supporting the one or more containers against forces acting on the one or more containers by pressurized air from an air manifold, the air manifold having multiple outlets for delivering the pressurized air; and one or more mounting devices, the one or more mounting devices being configured to maintain a predetermined distance between the one or more rollers and a surface supporting the one or more containers.

[0041] In some examples, the predetermined distance is selected to allow contact with one or more surfaces of the one or more containers during application of the pressurized air while the one or more containers pass through the frame.

[0042] In an example, one or more tracks are included for supporting two or more of the one or more rollers. In an example, the one or more tracks are mounted to the one or more mounting devices, the one or more tracks for supporting the two or more rollers so that the two or more rollers contact the surface of the one or more containers during the application of the pressurized air.

[0043] In some examples, the one or more mounting devices include an adjustable fastener configured to adjust a distance of the frame relative to the surface.

[0044] In some examples, one or more support brackets are included, and the one or more support brackets are configured to support the frame relative to the surface.

[0045] In some examples, the one or more rollers are arranged to coincide with a conveying direction of the one or more containers.

[0046] In some examples, the one or more rollers are arranged to support one or more containers formed of a flexible material that changes shape in response to pressurized air.

[0047] In some examples, the one or more rollers are arranged to support one or more containers formed of a rigid material.

[0048] In some examples, the one or more rollers are equipped with a rubber ring arranged to contact the one or more containers.

[0049] In some examples, one or more resilient members are included to bias the frame or the one or more rollers toward the surface.

[0050] Although several examples and / or embodiments are described with respect to a frame system for drying containers, the principles and / or advantages disclosed herein may be employed with the technology without limitation to a particular type of material and / or application.

[0051] When introducing the elements of the various embodiments described in the text, the articles "a / an" and "the / said" are intended to mean that there are one / kind or more / kind elements. The terms "comprising", "including" and "having" are intended to be open and mean that there may be other elements in addition to the listed elements. In addition, although the term "exemplary" can be used in conjunction with certain examples of aspects or embodiments of the disclosed subject matter in this article, it should be understood that these examples are illustrative in nature, and the term "exemplary" does not represent any preference or requirement about the disclosed aspects or embodiments in this article. In addition, it should be understood that references to "an embodiment", "embodiment", "some embodiments" etc. should not be interpreted as excluding the existence of other embodiments that also include the disclosed features.

[0052] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes may be made and may be replaced with equivalents without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt specific circumstances or materials to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

[0053] Although only certain features of the invention have been shown and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A system for drying a container, the system comprising: an air manifold having a plurality of outlets for delivering pressurized air; a surface for supporting one or more containers; as well as A frame is disposed a predetermined distance from the surface, the frame being configured to support the one or more containers against a force exerted on the one or more containers by the pressurized air.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein: The frame includes one or more rollers arranged at an angle relative to a flow direction of the pressurized air.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein: The angle is substantially vertical.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more mounting devices configured to maintain a distance of the frame relative to the surface.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein: The one or more mounting devices include an adjustable fastener configured to adjust a distance of the frame relative to the surface.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein: The adjustable fastener is manually adjustable.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more support brackets configured to support the frame relative to the surface.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a conveyor system, wherein: The surface is a movable belt for conveying the one or more containers along the conveyor system.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein: The position or orientation of the plurality of outlets is fixed relative to the movable belt and the one or more containers along the conveyor system.

10. A frame for supporting one or more containers during drying, the frame comprising: one or more rollers for supporting the one or more containers against forces acting on the one or more containers by pressurized air from an air manifold having a plurality of outlets for delivering the pressurized air; as well as One or more mounting devices configured to maintain a predetermined distance between the one or more rollers and a surface supporting the one or more containers.

11. The frame of claim 10, wherein: The predetermined distance is selected to allow contact with one or more surfaces of the one or more containers during application of the pressurized air while the one or more containers pass through the frame.

12. The frame of claim 10, further comprising one or more tracks for supporting two or more of the one or more rollers.

13. The frame of claim 12, wherein: The one or more tracks are mounted to the one or more mounting devices, the one or more tracks being used to support the two or more rollers so that the two or more rollers contact a surface of the one or more containers during application of the pressurized air.

14. The frame of claim 10, wherein: The one or more mounting devices include an adjustable fastener configured to adjust a distance of the frame relative to the surface.

15. The frame of claim 10, further comprising one or more support brackets configured to support the frame relative to the surface.

16. The frame of claim 10, wherein: The one or more rollers are arranged to coincide with a conveying direction of the one or more containers.

17. The frame of claim 10, wherein: The one or more rollers are arranged to support the one or more containers formed of a flexible material that changes shape in response to the pressurized air.

18. The frame of claim 10, wherein: The one or more rollers are arranged to support the one or more containers formed of a rigid material.

19. The frame of claim 10, wherein: The one or more rollers are fitted with a rubber ring arranged to contact the one or more containers.

20. The frame of claim 10, further comprising one or more resilient members for biasing the frame or the one or more rollers toward the surface.

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