# US 5,699,650 A · Dual temperature hot water shrink system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,699,650 A - Document ID: US5699650A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/661,239 - Filed: 1996-06-10 - Granted: 1997-12-23 - Earliest claimed: 1996-06-10 - Assignees: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn. - Inventors: Stephen L. Gray - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5699650A ## CPC - B65B 53/04: supplied by liquids - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) ## Abstract A process for shrinking a package having a top, end seals, and bottom includes heating water until the water reaches a temperature of between 180.degree. F. and 210.degree. F., applying a first portion of the heated water to the bottom and end seals of the package, mixing a second portion of the heated water with water having a temperature lower than the heated water to provide cooled water, and applying the cooled water to the top of the package. An apparatus for shrinking a package having a top, end seals, and bottom includes means for heating water until the water reaches a temperature of between 180.degree. F. and 210.degree. F.; means for applying a first portion of the heated water to the bottom and end seals of the package; means for mixing a second portion of the heated water with water having a temperature lower than the heated water to provide cooled water; and means for applying the cooled water to the top of the package. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A process for shrinking a package, the package having a top, end seals, and bottom, which process comprises: a) heating water until the water reaches a temperature of between 180.degree. F. and 210.degree. F.; b) applying a first portion of the heated water to the bottom and end seals of the package; c) mixing a second portion of the heated water with water having a temperature lower than the heated water to provide cooled water; and d) applying the cooled water to the top of the package. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1 wherein, in step a), the water is heated to a temperature of between 190.degree. F. and 210.degree. F. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1 wherein, in step a), the water is heated by a heat exchanger. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1 wherein, in step b), the heated water is applied to the bottom and end seals of the package in the lower portion of a shrink tunnel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The process of claim 4 wherein the water forms a bath through which the package is drawn. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1 wherein, in step c), the water having a temperature lower than the heated water has a temperature at least 5.degree. F. lower than the heated water. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1 wherein, in step d), the cooled water is applied to the top of the package inside a shrink tunnel. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1 wherein the cooled water is sprayed onto the top of the package. ### Claim 9 An apparatus for shrinking a package, the package having a top, end seals, and bottom, the apparatus comprising: a) means for heating water until the water reaches a temperature of between 180.degree. F. and 210.degree. F.; b) means for applying a first portion of the heated water to the bottom and end seals of the package; c) means for mixing a second portion of the heated water with water having a temperature lower than the heated water to provide cooled water; and d) means for applying the cooled water to the top of the package. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the means for heating water comprises a heat exchanger. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the means for applying a first portion of the heated water to the bottom and end seals of the package comprises a shrink tunnel having a lower portion filled with the heated water through which the package can be drawn. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the apparatus of claim 9 wherein the means for applying a first portion of the heated water to the bottom and end seals of the package comprises a shrink tunnel having a lower portion with spray heads for spraying the heated water onto the bottom and end seals of the package. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the means for mixing a second portion of the heated water with water having a temperature lower than the heated water to provide cooled water comprises a reservoir. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the water having a temperature lower than the heated water has a temperature at least 5.degree. F. lower than the heated water. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the means for applying the cooled water to the top of the package is located within a shrink tunnel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the means for applying the cooled water to the top of the package comprises a spray head disposed in an upper portion of the shrink tunnel.