Turbo-laminar purging system
AssigneePraxair Technology, Inc.
InventorsMark Stephen Nowotarski, Jana Sue Haisley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and method for purging air from open containers having a processing zone through which the containers are conveyed entering through an entrance point opening and exiting through an exit point during a residence time, including an injector for injecting a turbulent flow of purge gas into the processing zone and means for providing a laminar flow of purging gas into the processing zone, wherein the open portion of the container is exposed to the turbulent purge gas flow for at least 50 percent of the residence time.
Claims13
A method for purging air from a container comprising:
- (A) passing a container having an open part through a processing zone during a residence time said processing zone having an entrance point and an exit point;
- (B) passing a laminar flow of purge gas through the processing zone toward at least one of the entrance point and the exit point while the container is within the processing zone;
- (C) injecting a turbulent flow of purge gas into the processing zone;
- and
- (D) exposing the open part of said container to the turbulent flow of purge gas within the processing zone for at least 50 percent of the residence time.
Apparatus for purging air from a container comprising:
- (A) a processing zone having an entrance point and an exit point;
- (B) means for passing a container having an open part through the processing zone from the entrance point to the exit point during a residence time;
- (C) means for providing a laminar flow of purge gas through the processing zone toward at least one of the entrance point and the exit point;
- and
- (D) means for injecting a turbulent flow of purge gas into the processing zone such that the open part of the container is exposed to the turbulent flow of purge gas within the processing zone for at least 50 percent of the residence time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.