Removing surface liquid from articles
AssigneeH. J. Heinz Company
InventorRichard H. Gray
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for removing surface liquid from elongate articles such as cans. After sterilization of filled cans, surface liquid can permit microorganisms to proliferate and risk contamination of the contents. The apparatus comprises means (10) for applying a jet of gas at an acute angle to the surface of the elongate article, means for causing relative motion between the article and the jet, and suction means (12) provided downstream as considered in the direction of the jet, for applying suction to a region of the surface of the elongate article whereby surface liquid is removed therefrom.
Claims11
A method of removing surface liquid from a container, which comprises applying a jet of gas as an annulus to circumscribe the surface of the container at an acute angle thereto, causing relative motion between the container and jet, and applying suction downstream in the direction of flow from the jet to a region of the surface of the container whereby surface liquid is removed therefrom.
Apparatus for removing surface liquid from a container, which comprises an air knife having an annular slot to circumscribe the surface of the container for applying a jet of gas at an acute angle thereto, means for causing relative motion between the container and the jet, and an orifice provided upstream in the direction of movement of the containers from the jet for applying suction to a region of the surface of the container whereby surface liquid is removed therefrom, the orifice spaced about 5 mm from the jet.
A method of removing surface liquid from an elongate article, which comprises applying a jet of gas as an annulus at an acute angle to the surface of the elongate article, causing relative motion between the article and the jet, and applying suction upstream from the jet in the direction of movement of the elongate articles relative to the jet to a region of the surface of the elongate article whereby surface liquid is removed therefrom, the suction applied about 5 mm from the jet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.