US 4,313,767 A · Method and apparatus for cleaning containers with an ionized gas blast

Abstract

A method and apparatus for cleaning particulate matter from container bodies. Container bodies are conveyed, open end down, along a corridor formed by two parallel pressurized fluid curtains. The container bodies pass over a series of nozzles which subject the interior of the containers to blasts of ionized gas. The ionized gas neutralizes any electrostatic charges and expells the particulate matter from the container. The curtaining sweeps the expelled particles into a spray mist region where they are entrained and subsequently condensed into a waste stream for disposal. The apparatus features a tunnel which substantially separates the fluid curtaining from the spray mist region. An outer housing enclosing the spray mist region is fabricated of transparent plastic to permit visual monitoring.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A method for cleaning particulate matter from the interior of hollow container bodies open at one end and closed at the other, comprising the steps of:

(a) establishing a corridor by providing two parallel pressurized fluid curtains;
(b) moving said container bodies open end down along said corridor between said pressurized curtains;
(c) subjecting the interior of said container bodies to an upwardly disposed blast of ionized gas to purge said particulate matter from said container bodies;
(d) entraining said expelled particulate matter in a liquid spray mist;
(e) condensing said mist to form a waste stream which includes said entrained particulate matter;
and
(f) collecting and discharging said waste stream.

4 more elements

A system for cleaning particulate matter from the interior of hollow container bodies open at one end comprising:

(a) means for supporting and conveying said container bodies open and downward;
(b) a plurality of ionizing nozzles disposed below said supporting and conveying means for subjecting the interior of said container bodies to a blast of ionized gas, each of said nozzles having:
(i) an ionizing chamber defined by a substantially tubular barrel with a first end and a second end;
(ii) a gas inlet for receiving filtered, dry, pressurized gas, disposed in said first end;
(iii) a gas outlet disposed in said second end;
(iv) an ionizing element disposed within said ionizing chamber between said inlet and said outlet;
(v) energizing means operably connected with said ionizing element for activating said element whereby said pressurized gas entering said chamber through said inlet and exiting said chamber through said outlet is ionized;
(vi) venting means provided in said tubular barrel for entraining gas to cool said ionizing chamber;
(vii) a nozzle extension tube mounted on said second end to convey said ionized gas from said chamber outlet to said container body whereby said tubular barrel may be remotely disposed from said container body;
and
(c) pressurized curtaining means disposed longitudinally along both sides of said supporting and conveying means to provide pressurized fluid curtains to constrain the dispersion of said ionized gas;
and
(d) housing means provided with spray misting means and with an entrance and an exit surrounding said curtaining means including a cover, end panels, a base with the edges turned up to form a tray and wherein said base is provided with a plurality of openings to receive said nozzle extension tubes so that said tubular nozzle barrels may be disposed outside of said housing means.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for cleaning containers with an ionized gas blast

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for cleaning containers with an ionized gas blast

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12