Blow gun
A thermoplastic blowgun with detectable additives and metal components addresses the contamination risk in food and beverage industries by ensuring detectability, enabling its use in these environments while maintaining cost-effectiveness and durability.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CEJN AB
- Filing Date
- 2024-04-26
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-26
AI Technical Summary
Existing blowguns made of plastic are unsuitable for the food and beverage industries and medical industry due to the risk of foreign matter contamination, despite their advantages of low cost, ease of cleaning, non-corrosiveness, and durability, and there is a need for a blowgun that is compatible with existing accessories and can withstand strong cleaning agents.
A blowgun composed of thermoplastic materials with detectable additives, such as iron oxide, and components made of brass or stainless steel, ensuring detectability by X-ray and metal detectors, allowing for use in environments requiring high cleanliness standards.
The solution enables the use of blowguns in food and beverage industries and medical settings by ensuring all components are detectable by X-ray and metal detectors, thus preventing foreign matter contamination and maintaining compatibility with existing accessories while being cost-effective and durable.
Smart Images
Figure 2026516663000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to blowguns. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to blowguns that can be used in the food and beverage industries and the medical industry. A blowgun is, for example, something that blows compressed air.
Background Art
[0002] It is desirable to use blowguns in the food and beverage industries. However, in the food and beverage industries and the medical industry, it is often impossible to use them because it is necessary to ensure that no foreign matter is mixed into the food, beverage, or medicine produced. Foreign matter in food products can, for example, cause bad reviews, negative publicity, and personal injury. Therefore, plastic blowguns are unacceptable for the food and beverage industries and the medical industry. Chinese Utility Model Patent No. 204353033, European Patent Application Publication No. 3862174, and International Publication No. 2018 / 109458 may be useful for understanding the background art.
[0003] One problem is how to provide a blowgun for the food and beverage industries. Since plastics have many advantages such as being manufacturable at low cost, easy to clean, non-corrosive, lightweight, and long-lasting, it is desirable for the blowgun to be made of plastic. The blowgun should also be resistant to strong cleaning agents used for cleaning in the food and beverage industries and the medical industry.
[0004] One problem is to manufacture a high-quality blowgun for the food and beverage industries and the medical industry. Such a blowgun should be manufactured at a low cost. Also, the blowgun should be able to provide good and reliable operation. Furthermore, the blowgun should be compatible with existing accessories for existing blowguns. The present disclosure aims to overcome one or more of the above problems.
Summary of the Invention
[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide blow guns for the food, beverage, and medical industries, assemblies comprising such blow guns, and the use of such blow guns in the food, beverage, and medical industries. This object can be achieved by the features defined in the independent claims. Further improvements are characterized by the dependent claims. The present invention is defined by the claims.
[0006] According to one embodiment, a blow gun is disclosed comprising at least the following components: a body 10, a handle 12, a nozzle 14, and a valve 16. Each component is detectable by an X-ray detector and a metal detector. The handle 12 acts directly on the valve 16. The blow gun is detectable by both an X-ray detector and a metal detector, since each component is configured to be detectable by both an X-ray detector and a metal detector. Any part of each component may be detectable by an X-ray detector and a metal detector. Being detectable by an X-ray detector and a metal detector may correspond to a level of detectability equivalent to that which the X-ray detector and metal detector can detect, such as a stainless steel sphere with a diameter of 2 millimeters. Any part of each component may be, for example, at least 2 × 2 × 2 mm, i.e., 8 cubic millimeters.
[0007] According to one embodiment, the blow gun may further comprise any combination of one or more of the following additional components: a tube 18, a regulator 20, a seal 22, a coupling 24, a cap 26, a bushing 28, a lip seal 30, a spring 32, and a hook 34, each of which additional components is detectable by an X-ray detector and a metal detector. Any part of each additional component may be detectable by an X-ray detector and a metal detector.
[0008] According to one embodiment, the body 10 and handle 12 comprise a thermoplastic material containing one or more additives, the additives being detectable by an X-ray detector and a metal detector. The thermoplastic material may comprise one or more of the following groups: thermoplastic polymers, polyamide PA66, polyamide PA6, and polyoxymethylene. The additives may comprise iron oxide. Each seal 22 may comprise one or more additives, the additives being detectable by an X-ray detector and a metal detector. The seals 22 may be O-rings or lip seals. The nozzle 14 and / or tube 18 may be made of brass or stainless steel.
[0009] According to one embodiment, the valve 16 may be made of a thermoplastic material containing one or more of the additives described herein, the additives being detectable by an X-ray detector and a metal detector. The valve 16 may be made of a metal such as brass or stainless steel.
[0010] According to one embodiment, an assembly of a blow gun according to any embodiment described herein is disclosed. The assembly may comprise a blow gun, a quick-connect coupling 24, and a hose 36. Both the quick-connect coupling 24 and the hose 36 may comprise further components, each of which may be detectable by an X-ray detector and a metal detector. The assembly may further comprise a hose reel 38, each component of the hose reel 38 may be detectable by an X-ray detector and a metal detector. All components of the assembly and all parts of the components may be configured to be detectable by an X-ray detector and a metal detector.
[0011] At least one embodiment disclosed herein provides a blow gun usable in the food and beverage industry and the medical industry. Any part of the blow gun is detectable by both an X-ray detector and a metal detector. By making all components detectable by both an X-ray detector and a metal detector, the blow gun and any part thereof become detectable and therefore usable in the food and beverage industry and the medical industry.
[0012] One or more embodiments disclosed herein provide blow guns that are acceptable and usable by the food and beverage industry and the medical industry. At least one embodiment provides a blow gun that offers one or more solutions to challenges and disadvantages in the background art. Other technical advantages of the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description and claims. Various embodiments of the application may obtain only some of the advantages described. None of the advantages are essential to an embodiment. Any embodiment disclosed herein can be technically combined with any or more other embodiments disclosed herein. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0013] The accompanying drawings illustrate current exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the present disclosure, are intended to exemplify the principles of the present disclosure. [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a blow gun according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0014] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a blow gun. The blow gun is shown in a cross-sectional view through the blow gun, i.e., a longitudinal cross-sectional view when a user holds the blow gun in the usual way of operating the blow gun by hand. The blow gun in Figure 1 comprises at least the following components: body 10, handle 12, nozzle 14, and valve 16. The blow gun may comprise more components that make up the blow gun. Each component is detectable by an X-ray detector and a metal detector. Each component is configured to be detectable by an X-ray detector and a metal detector. Any part of each component may be detectable by an X-ray detector and a metal detector. All components, or all parts of each component, may be configured to be detectable by both an X-ray detector and a metal detector.
[0015] The main body 10 may support the handle 12 so that it rotates at one end. The handle 12 may be shaped so that the opposite end fits the user's hand. Between the ends of the handle 12, the handle 12 may be configured to open and close the valve 16 inside the main body 10. The handle 12 may have a projection that interacts with the main body 10 to restrict the pivoting motion of the handle 12 relative to the main body 10. This ensures that the handle 12 has an end position that closes the valve 16.
[0016] Being detectable by an X-ray detector and a metal detector may correspond to a level of detectability equivalent to that which the X-ray detector and metal detector can detect, such as a stainless steel sphere with a diameter of 2 millimeters. Any part of each component may be, for example, at least 2 × 2 × 2 mm, or for example, 8 cubic millimeters.
[0017] Any part of the blowgun may be detectable by X-ray and metal detectors in the food and beverage and medical industries. This allows the blowgun to solve the above-mentioned problems. Since any component or part of a component is detectable by both X-ray and metal detectors, it can be used in the food and beverage industry.
[0018] Referring to Figure 1, the blow gun may further comprise any combination of one or more of the following additional components: tube 18, regulator 20, seal 22, coupling 24, cap 26, spring 32, and hook 34. Each additional component may be detectable by an X-ray detector and a metal detector. Any part of each additional component may be detectable by an X-ray detector and a metal detector. By making all components and all parts of each component detectable by both an X-ray detector and a metal detector, the blow gun solves the problems described herein. The seal 22 may be, for example, an O-ring, lip seal, or X-ring. The tube 18 may be, for example, a bushing or a pipe. The coupling 24 may be a quick-connect coupling or a nipple.
[0019] Referring to Figure 1, the blow gun body 10 and handle 12 comprise a thermoplastic material containing one or more additives, the additives being detectable by X-ray and metal detectors. The body 10 and handle 12 may consist solely of a thermoplastic material containing one or more additives. The thermoplastic material may include one of the following: thermoplastic polymers, polyamide PA66, polyamide PA6, and polyoxymethylene, or any combination thereof. Polyamide PA66 is also known as nylon 66. The additives may be one or more compounds belonging to the iron oxide class, for example, any compound consisting of iron and oxygen. Any additive described herein may be, for example, iron oxide. By mixing the additives with the thermoplastic material, even very small portions, for example 2 × 2 × 2 mm, or 8 cubic millimeters, become detectable by X-ray and metal detectors. The additives improve detectability not only by metal detectors but also by X-ray detectors. By using a thermoplastic material containing one or more additives, the blow gun can withstand strong cleaning agents used in the food and beverage industry. Such blow guns can be manufactured at low cost, are easy to clean, are non-corrosive, lightweight, and have a long lifespan.
[0020] Each seal 22 in the blow gun may contain one or more additives, which are detectable by an X-ray detector and a metal detector. The additives may be any of those described herein. The seal 22 may be an O-ring or a lip seal, or any seal made of a thermoplastic material containing one or more additives.
[0021] The nozzle 14 and / or tube 18 may be made of brass or stainless steel. The nozzle 14 and tube 18 may be separate components or a single component. The nozzle 14 may have a cap 26 that can be attached to the nozzle 14. The cap 26 may contain one or more additives, which are detectable by an X-ray detector and a metal detector. The additives may be any additives described herein. The cap 26 may be attached to the body 10, for example, by a wire.
[0022] The valve 16 may be made of a thermoplastic material containing one or more additives, the additives being detectable by an X-ray detector and a metal detector. The valve 16 may be made of metal, brass, or stainless steel. The valve 16 may have at least two seals 22 around it. The valve 16 and the spring 32 may be connected to each other in the axial direction of the valve 16 and the spring 32. The spring 32 may be made of metal, for example, stainless steel. The handle 12 is rotatably fixed to the body 10 and connected by a hinge, and the spring 32 may cause the handle 12 to rotate away from the body 10. As shown in Figure 1, by pushing the handle 12 toward the body 10, the valve 16 is gradually opened, allowing fluid to flow through the blow gun along the flow direction 40.
[0023] The body 10 may include a through-hole 28 as shown in FIG. 1. The through-hole 28 is convenient for gripping or suspending the blow gun. The body 10 may also include a hook 34. The hook 34 is used for suspending the blow gun and may also be provided for protecting the protrusion of the body 10 including the spring 32. The hook 34 may be loop-shaped. As shown in FIG. 1, the through-hole 28 may be on one side of the protrusion and the hook 34 may be on the opposite side. This protects the blow gun from impact and contributes to ensuring that no part of the blow gun is lost in the production processes of the food, beverage, or medical industries.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the handle 12 acts directly on the valve 16. Since there are no parts between the movable handle 12 and the movable valve 16, the blow gun disclosed in this specification has the advantage that there are no small parts that may be lost in the food, beverage, or medical industries.
[0025] According to one embodiment combinable with any of the embodiments disclosed herein, an assembly of a blow gun according to any one of the embodiments disclosed herein, a quick-connect coupling 24, and a hose 36 is disclosed. Both the quick-connect coupling 24 and the hose 36 may include additional components, and each component is detectable by an X-ray detector and a metal detector. All components of the assembly, and all parts of the components, may be configured to be detectable by an X-ray detector and a metal detector as described herein. FIG. 1 shows a quick-connect coupling 24 connected to the blow gun and a hose 36 that supplies a fluid, such as compressed air, to the blow gun.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the assembly may further include a hose reel 38. Thereby, the hose 36 can be wound up or unwound. Each component of the hose reel 38 may be detectable by an X-ray detector and a metal detector. By using the same thermoplastic material containing one or more additives in the same manner as described above, when the additives are detectable by the X-ray detector and the metal detector, the blow gun, the quick connect coupling 24, the hose 36, and the entire assembly of the hose reel 38 can be used in the food, beverage, and / or medical industries. In FIG. 1, the quick connect coupling 24 and the initial portion of the hose 36 from the quick connect coupling 24 are schematically shown. The section from the hose 36 to the hose reel 38 is schematically shown by a dashed line.
[0027] According to one embodiment combinable with any of the embodiments disclosed herein, an assembly of a blow gun according to any one of the embodiments disclosed herein and an X-ray detector and / or a metal detector is disclosed. By providing an X-ray detector and / or a metal detector for products produced in a facility that manufactures food, beverages, and / or medical products, all components of the blow gun and all parts of each component can be detected by both the X-ray detector and the metal detector, so that the blow gun can be used in that facility. The X-ray detector and the metal detector may be configured to detect at least a stainless steel ball with a diameter of 2 millimeters. Any part of each component may be, for example, at least 2×2×2 mm, for example 8 cubic millimeters.
[0028] At least one embodiment disclosed herein provides a blow gun that can be used in the food and beverage industries and the medical industry. Any part of the blow gun is detectable by an X-ray detector and a metal detector. By making all components detectable by both the X-ray detector and the metal detector, the blow gun and any part thereof can be detected, and thus it can be used in the food and beverage industries and the medical industry.
[0029] Those skilled in the art will see that various modifications and changes are possible to the blow gun. Other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art through the considerations and implementations of the blow gun disclosed herein. This specification and the examples are illustrative only, and the true scope is indicated by the following claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0030] 10 Main Unit 12 handles 14 nozzles 16 valves 18 tubes 20 Regulators 22 stickers 24 Coupling 26 caps 28 Through holes 32 Springs 34 hooks 36 Hose 38 Hose Reels 40 Flow direction
Claims
1. At least the following components: The main unit (10) and Handle (12) and Nozzle (14) and valve (16) and A blow gun equipped with, A blow gun characterized in that each component is detectable by an X-ray detector and a metal detector, and the handle (12) acts directly on the valve (16).
2. The blow gun according to claim 1, wherein any part of each component can be detected by the X-ray detector and the metal detector.
3. The blow gun according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising any combination of one or more of the following further components: a tube (18), a regulator (20), a seal (22), a coupling (24), a cap (26), a spring (32), and a hook (34), each further component being detectable by the X-ray detector and the metal detector.
4. The blow gun according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the body (10) and the handle (12) comprise a thermoplastic material containing one or more additives, and the additives are detectable by the X-ray detector and the metal detector.
5. The blow gun according to claim 4, wherein the thermoplastic material comprises one or more of the following groups: thermoplastic polymers, polyamide PA66, polyamide PA6, and polyoxymethylene.
6. The blow gun according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the additive comprises iron oxide.
7. The blow gun according to claim 3, wherein each seal (22) contains one or more additives, the additives being detectable by the X-ray detector and the metal detector.
8. The blow gun according to claim 3, wherein the nozzle (14) and / or the tube (18) are made of brass or stainless steel.
9. The blow gun according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the valve (16) is made of a thermoplastic material containing one or more types of additives, and the additives are detectable by the X-ray detector and the metal detector.
10. The blow gun according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the valve (16) is made of metal.
11. The blow gun according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the main body (10) is provided with a through hole (28).
12. An assembly comprising a blow gun according to any one of claims 1 to 11, a quick-connect coupling (24), and a hose (36), wherein both the quick-connect coupling (24) and the hose (36) comprise components, each component being detectable by an X-ray detector and a metal detector.
13. The assembly according to claim 12, further comprising a hose reel (38), wherein each component of the hose reel (38) is detectable by an X-ray detector and a metal detector.
14. Use of the blow gun according to any one of claims 1 to 11 in one or more of the food industry, the beverage industry, and the medical industry.