GB1414661A - Method of and machine for drying the outsides of containers - Google Patents

Abstract

1414661 Drying articles SCHWEPPES Ltd 23 Jan 1973 [26 Jan 1972] 3559/72 Heading F4G An article, e.g. a filled and washed beverage container 36, is dried by introducing the article into a housing 18 the internal shape of which is substantially complementary to the external shape of the container, a peripheral clearance being provided therebetween, and creating a flow of gas or vapour in the peripheral clearance. As shown the aforesaid housing 18 is one of a plurality thereof, the housings 18 together with associated pipes 26 and manifold 24 being rotatably mounted on an axis 20 forming a drying head. The articles are fed towards the drying head by a conveyer 12, separated prior to reaching the head by a feed screw, and then entrained by a star wheel 30 and placed, in turn, on successive pads 32. The pads 32 rotate with the drying head and are urged one at a time by a cam 44 and cam track 46 arrangement towards a corresponding housing 18. After drying the containers are entrained by a further star wheel 34 and placed again on the conveyor 12. Gas or vapour is supplied to the manifold 24 by a conduit 22, the gas or vapour being cut off from the pipes 26 which are, at the time between the star wheels 34 and 30 (in that direction) by a blanking piece 54. The various parts of the machine are driven by the same motor through gear trains.