GB2088033A - Method and apparatus for drying covers for containers - Google Patents

Abstract

Covers 1 for containers are conveyed by a conveyor belt 2 in an inclined position supported by their ends. Only one of the sides of a cover is maintained in contact with the belt - one of the edges of the belt is limited by an edge strip 3 and the other opposite edge of the cover is maintained at a convenient height above the belt by another edge strip 4. Each strip has the cross-sectional shape of a "T" on its side. On one side the stem is directed inwards, and on the other side the stem is directed outwards. The covers pass under a heating means preferably in the form of an electronic resistance or assembly of resistances, then under a refrigeration or cooling tube or assembly. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Method and apparatus for drying covers for containers The present invention relates to a method which permits the drying of covers for containers, in particular covers of thermoplastic containers, as well as to the means employed for its realization, which permit, through the respective means, the drying of the mentioned covers quickly and efficiently, providing for its use and transport immediately after the cover is submitted to same, and principally increasing its speed and, consequently, to produce a greater number of covers in a reduced space of time.

The means and methods known up to now were not concerned in obtaining a quicker drying period for the covers of containers than that obtained through contact with normal ambient air and, thus, after their manufacture by thermal moulding, the thermoplastic covers are simply left aside to dry under environmental atmosphere, its drying being slowly processed by air's action, particularly when thermoplastic materials are used such as polypropylene. It must additionally be noted that the manufacture has been effected with slow movements, to avoid agglomeration when they are still under influence of heat.

It is an object of the invention to attain a method and apparatus for the quick and uniform drying of the mentioned covers using new means.

According to the present invention a method of drying covers for containers comprises the steps of supporting the covers on a conveyor belt in an inclined position by two edge strips disposed at the lateral sides of said conveyor belt; the inclination of said edge strip being attained by the positioning of said covers to rest against an upper surface of one of the edge strips disposed at one side at a desired height above the surface of said conveyor belt, whilst on the opposite side said covers are limited by an upwardly extending portion of the opposite edge strip, the covers being submitted to a continuous movement of airing provided by the movement and passage under a heating means disposed above the covers and the passage under a cold air supply means.

Also according to the present invention apparatus for drying covers for containers comprises a continuous conveyor or endless conveyor belt for supporting an edge region of the covers, a side wall extending along one edge of the conveyor belt and along which side wall said covers may abut or roll, and a support surface disposed above the conveyor belt for supporting an edge region of the covers in rolling engagement therewith and in an inclined position, and drying means for drying said covers.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus with the covers being submitted to the drying process; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the conveyor belt and a cover; Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the apparatus showing the conveyor belt, cover and edge plates or strips duly positioned; Fig. 4 is a schematic frontal view of the resistance heating means; and Fig. 5 is a frontal view of a tube with cold air as cooling means.

In the drawings identical numbers represent corresponding parts. In accordance with the invention the method to dry the covers of containers, in particular for use with covers of thermoplastic materials, such as polypropylene and the means to execute same are now described.

A series of covers 1 are partly supported on a conveyor belt 2 of cloth or rubber or other material, which has at each of its lateral sides angled sections or edge plates or strips 3, 4 each in shape of a lying "T". The cross piece 3' on one side of the T-shaped strip 3 is disposed inwardly of the corresponding edge of the conveyor belt 2 whilst the opposite end of the edge strip 4 has its cross arm 4' disposed outwardly of the edge of the conveyor belt and its stem or base 4" extends over the belt to abut the covers inwardly of the edge of said belt 2 and is positioned at a predetermined height over same (see Fig. 3).This positioning of the edge strips results in that the covers do not contact the belt along their whole course, and on the contrary, are maintained in inclined position since the stem or base 4" of the T-strip 4 on one of its sides, maintains said covers supported in an inclined plane, whereas the other end or side of the covers is guided or limited by the cross arm 3' of the edge strip 3 on the opposite side. The covers whilst resting on the conveyor and in accordance with the edge strips, are under a constant separate movement, as can be seen by the arrows of Fig. 2, - noting that this continuous rotational movement avoids the undulating aspect of the covers due to their permanent and total contact with the conveyor, as well as allows the reception on its whole surface of uniform and continuous portions of heat or cold.

Disposed over the upper side of the conveyor belt 2 is a heating means arranged in the form of a ceiling and preferably comprises an electric heating resistance or assembly of resistances 5 is provided, preferably of porcelain or similar, which provides heat on a portion of the covers during their passage on the belt. Further on, after this heating cycle, the covers pass under a ceiling or tube of cold air 6 and this way exit already finished to be stacked, transported and used, without requiring any other waiting means.

It will be understood the use of the above method and means to realize same, acts to considerably increase the speed of production of covers for containers in a quicker way under reduced time, and that at the same time, said covers are obtained without any faults or defects.

Claims (7)

1. A method of drying covers for containers comprises the steps of supporting the covers on a conveyor belt in an inclined position by two edge strips disposed at the lateral sides of said conveyor belt; the inclination of said edge strips being attained by the positioning of said covers to rest against an upper surface of one of the edge strips disposed at one side at a desired height above the surface of said conveyor belt, whilst on the opposite side said covers are limited by an upwardly extending portion of the opposite edge strip, the covers being submitted to a continuous movement of airing provided by the movement and passage under a heating means disposed above the covers and the passage under a cold air supply means.

2. Apparatus for drying covers for containers comprises a continuous conveyor or endless conveyor belt for supporting an edge region of the covers, a side wall extending along one edge of the conveyor belt and along which side wall said covers may abut or roll, and a support surface disposed above the conveyor belt for supporting an edge region of the covers in rolling engagement therewith and in an inclined position, and drying means for drying said covers.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which said side wall and/or support surface are formed by lying, T-shaped section strips.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3, in which a heater is provided as drying means.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4 in which a cold air supply means is provided downstream of the drying means.

6. Apparatus constructed and arranged to operate as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

7. Apparatus for drying covers for containers including a conveyor belt of cloth or rubber which has on its lateral sides two plates or strips in the shape of a lying "T", wherein one of said strips is disposed with its upwardly extending cross arm over the edge of said belt and the opposite edge strip has its upwardly extending cross arm disposed outwardly of the belt with its base or stem in parallel disposition relative to the belt being positioned at a definite height above the belt so as to receive a row of covers and maintain same in an inclined position, heating means disposed above the belt and/or cold air supply means also disposed above the belt.