Method and System for Wavelength Specific Thermal Irradiation and Treatment

A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms prior to stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:

• transporting a series of preforms through selected heating zones of a thermal monitoring and control section of a blow molding machine;
• rotating each of the series of preforms in at least one heating zone;
• and,
• irradiating the each of the preforms while rotating using narrow band irradiation-based radiant heating elements for a period of approximately ten seconds or less, whereby the preforms are desirously, properly heated for further treatment, the narrow band elements being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band.

A system for selectively injecting narrow band radiant heat into a target, the system comprising:

• at least one solid state narrow band irradiation device element, the at least one narrow band irradiation element being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output for an associated application with the target, the narrow wavelength band being selected to correspond with the specific absorption characteristic of the associated target material.
• a mounting arrangement to position the at least one narrow band irradiation element such that irradiation therefrom is aimed at the target, the mounting arrangement being operative to allow the aimed radiation to follow the target while the target is in a heating zone;
• and
• a means for supplying electrical current to the at least one narrow band element whereby a direct electrical current-to-photon radiation conversion process occurs.

A system for selectively injecting radiant heat into a target, the system comprising:

• at least one solid state narrow band irradiation element, the at least one narrow band irradiation element being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output for an associated application with the target, the wavelength being selected to correspond with the specific absorption characteristic of the associated target material;
• a mounting arrangement to position the at least one narrow band irradiation element such that irradiation therefrom is aimed at the target, the mounting arrangement being configured to define at least one heating zone and selectively receive the target entities into which radiant heat is injected from the at least one narrow band irradiation element in the heating zone, the arrangement having a rotatable element which transports target entities into and out of the at least one heating zone;
• at least one optical element for directing irradiation into selective heating zones;
• and
• a means for supplying electrical current to the at least one narrow band irradiation element.

A system for non-contact thermal treatment of preforms in a molding or processing operation, the system comprising:

• a track for transporting the preforms;
• an oven having a plurality of staging devices and corresponding heating cavities, the heating cavities providing irradiation of the preforms using narrow band emitting elements operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat object to match desired absorptive characteristics of the preforms;
• and,
• a transfer spindle operative to transfer preforms from the track to the staging devices, the staging devices being operative to be rotated to place the preforms into and out of the heating cavities, the transfer spindle being further operative to transfer the preforms to a blow molder.