Device and method for uniformly curing uv photoreactive overvarnish layers using magnetic conveyors
AssigneeAdolph Coors Company
InventorRobert H. Schultz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for curing coatings on objects such as beverage cans in a single one step operation by moving the cans along a path with a magnetic conveyor which traverses a predetermined angle so that face portions of the can which are substantially aligned with the direction of travel are irradiated with substantially direct radiation. This radiation also cures the inside portions of the can as the can passes through the predetermined angle. Side portions of the can which face substantially transversely to the direction of motion of the cans are irradiated by separate side radiation curing devices.
Claims19
An apparatus for uniformly and completely curing uv photoreactive coatings on can bodies comprising:
- magnetic conveyor means for non-rotatably holding said can bodies by external bottom portions and transporting said can bodies along a curved path having a curvature which exposes face portions and inside portions of said can bodies to radiation emitted from a predetermined location which impinges upon said face portions and said inside portions of said can bodies at an angle of incidence sufficient to completely cure said uv photoreactive coatings on said face portions and said inside portions, said face portion being substantially aligned with the direction of travel of said can bodies;
- first irradiator means disposed at said predetermined location for producing uv radiation to cure said uv photoreactive coatings on said face portions and inside portions of said can bodies;
- second irradiator means for irradiating side portions of said can bodies with uv radiation to completely cure uv photoreactive coatings on said side portions and achieve complete and uniform curing of uv photoreactive coatings on said can bodies;
- whereby the axis of said can bodies is substantially parallel to the plane of said curved path.
An apparatus for uniformly curing uv photoreactive coatings on can bodies comprising:
- magnetic conveyor means for non-rotatably holding said can bodies by external bottom portions and transporting can bodies along a predetermined path which changes direction by a predetermined angle along a predetermined portion of said predetermined path;
- first irradiator means aligned to irradiate face portions and inside portions of said can bodies along said predetermined portion of said predetermined path to completely and uniformly cure said uv photoreactive coatings on said face portions and inside portions of said can bodies, said face portions being substantially aligned with the direction of travel of said can bodies;
- second irradiator means for irradiating side portions of said can bodies to uniformly and completely cure said uv photoreactive coatings on said side portions of said can bodies;
- whereby the axis of said can bodies is substantially parallel to the plane of said predetermined path.
A method of uniformly curing uv photoreactive coatings on can bodies comprising the steps of:
- non-rotatably holding said can bodies by external bottom portions on a magnetic conveyor;
- transporting said can bodies on said magnetic conveyor along a predetermined path having a predetermined portion which changes direction along an arcuate path by a predetermined angle;
- exposing said can bodies to uv radiation from at least one uv irradiation source aligned radially outward from said arcuate path to cure said uv photoreactive coatings on face portions and inside portions of said can bodies, said face portions being substantially aligned with the direction of travel of said can bodies;
- exposing said can bodies to uv radiation from at least one uv irradiation source disposed along side portions of said predetermined path to cure said uv photoreactive coatings on side portions of said can bodies;
- whereby the axis of said can bodies is substantially parallel to the plane of said predetermined path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.