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US 2025/0369692 A1Published application
Apparatus and method to cure a coating on a metallic container
AssigneeBall Corporation
InventorsJulian Stock, John D. Efner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and methods of heating metallic containers in an oven which includes electric heater housings are provided. The electric heater housings include an electric induction element. The electric heater housings heat the metallic containers to a predetermined temperature to dry moisture on the metallic containers or to cure inks and coatings. Air within the oven may be at a temperature that is less than the predetermined temperature.
Claims20
An oven for curing a coating on an exterior surface of a metallic container body, comprising:
- a heater housing, comprising:
- a first end;
- and
- a second end spaced from the first end;
- a tunnel extending through the heater housing from the first end to the second end of the heater housing, the tunnel comprising:
- an entrance at the first end;
- an exit at the second end;
- a wall extending from the first end to the second end, the wall defining a periphery of the tunnel, wherein the periphery has a geometry to receive the metallic container body;
- and
- a slot extending through the wall, the slot extending from the entrance to the exit;
- an induction element within the heater housing in an enclosed area between exterior surfaces of the heater housing and the periphery of the tunnel, the induction element operable to heat the metallic container body;
- a pin chain extending through the oven, wherein a portion of the wall of the tunnel is positioned proximate to a portion of the pin chain with the pin chain positioned outside of the tunnel, and wherein the pin chain comprises a pin configured to engage an interior surface of the metallic container body, the pin extendable through the slot to transport the metallic container body through the tunnel, wherein the heater housing is configured such that the pin can transport the metallic container body through the tunnel during operation of the oven such that the exterior surface does not contact the tunnel;
- and
- a ventilation system operable to selectively remove air from the tunnel.
11 more elements
A method of curing a coating on an exterior surface of a metallic container body, comprising:
- positioning the metallic container body on a pin of a pin chain that extends through an oven;
- operating the pin chain to move the metallic container body on the pin through a tunnel extending through a heater housing, the heater housing comprising:
- a first end;
- and
- a second end spaced from the first end;
- the tunnel extending through the heater housing from the first end to the second end, the tunnel comprising:
- an entrance at the first end;
- an exit at the second end;
- and
- a wall extending from the first end to the second end, the wall defining a periphery of the tunnel, wherein the periphery has a geometry to receive the metallic container body;
- a slot extending through the wall, the slot extending from the entrance to the exit;
- an enclosed area between exterior surfaces of the heater housing and the periphery of the tunnel, wherein a portion of the wall of the tunnel is positioned proximate to the pin chain with the pin chain positioned outside of the tunnel such that the pin extends through the slot to transport the metallic container body through the tunnel;
- and
- an induction element within the enclosed area;
- and
- providing electrical power to the induction element, wherein the induction element heats the metallic container body to a predetermined temperature.
13 more elements
A heater housing for curing a coating on an exterior surface of a metallic container body transported through an oven on a pin of a pin chain, comprising:
- a first end;
- a second end spaced from the first end;
- a tunnel extending through the heater housing from the first end to the second end, the tunnel comprising a wall defining a periphery of the tunnel, wherein the periphery has a geometry to receive the metallic container body;
- a slot extending through the wall to the tunnel, the slot extending from the first end to the second end, wherein a width of the slot is greater than a diameter of the pin such that the pin can extend through the slot to transport the metallic container body through the tunnel when the oven is in operation;
- an enclosed area between exterior surfaces of the heater housing and the tunnel;
- and
- an induction element within the enclosed area of the heater housing, the induction element operable to heat the metallic container body.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.