GB2189842A

GB2189842A - Removing air from liquids

Info

Publication number: GB2189842A
Application number: GB08610511A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Naresh Kapadia
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-04-30
Filing date: 1986-04-30
Publication date: 1987-11-04
Also published as: GB8610511D0

Abstract

An air generating unit having a free standing or encased body a, e.g. a compressor, air outlet of vacuum pump, a fan blower etc, has a nozzle which can be used to blow air directly or could be used with a hose c having a fitting (d or j, Figs. 1 & 6) at its free end or specially shaped (h or i) or cut (f or g). The air discharged through the nozzle or hose is directed onto the free surface of a liquid L having air bubbles K therein, to pop and thereby remove the bubbles 1. To control the hose properly a lever e is also incorporated. The liquid may be photopolymer resins at other types of polymers and resins. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Air blower/'popper'/remover This invention relates to an air blower which could also be known as an air 'popper' or air remover.

Air blower is an item that is used for removing air bubbles from photopolymer resins, other types of polymers, resins, and liquids with low, medium and high viscosity. These bubbles occur during manufacture, packaging, using etc.

Previous to our invention heat was used to remove air bubbles or the material was left for many hours or days for the bubbles to appear on the surface and gradually 'pop'. Fans were also used but they would be used to blow air on large areas and would take considerable time to remove air bubbles. This was because the fan covered a large area with no points of air concentration as shown in Fig. 8. Many types of materials are mixed, shaked or poured in vacuum so that no air can get trapped.

Acccording to the present invention there is provided a hose which is connected to a unit which produces air, e.g. fan, compressor, air outlet of vacuum pump unit etc. The other end of the hose is used to blow/'pop' air bubbles. Because the air blowing through the tube comes out through a pre-determined diameter hole (can be easily varied), at the end of the tube concentrated air which is under pressure, is projected-blown at individual air bubbles, air pockets or a series of air bubbles and 'pop'/bust any air bubbles in its path.

The air blower is to 'pop'/bust air bubbles in "photopolymer resins", other types of polymer resins, different types of resins and liquids of high, medium and low viscosity.

This invention has been developed primarily for the use with photopolymer resins for glazing and relief plate making e.g. letterpress printing plates, flexographic printing plates, rubber stamp manufacture etc.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is prospective air blower arrangement; a-Air producing unit.

b-Hose connection point.

c-Hose-straight, coiled or a mixture of both. Hose could be made of metal, plastic, rubber etc. or a combination of materials.

d-Tip of hose-could be specially shaped, cut or have a special fitting e.g. nozzle.

e-A lever for holding and using the hose comfortably for blowing the air bubbles (op tional).

Figure 2 is an air producing unit free standing without special casing. This arrangement is used with a hose attached to it; Figure 3 is the same as Fig. 2 but with the air producing unit in a box; Figure 4 has the air producing unit fitted into the machine as one component part of many parts. The hose from the air producing unit is connected to a connector which is fitted to the body. Another hose is then fitted from the outlet of this connector (outside the body) and used as the air blower; Figure 5 is a portable fan blower fitted with a specially designed cover with projects the air through a small single hole and can be used directly to pop air bubbles.This unit can also be attached to a machine and then using a hose fitted to the hole of the cover, blow the air bubbles; Figure 6 shows various types of nozzles and hose ends; Figure 7 shows how the air bubbles are 'popped '/busted.

Fig. 7 shows how the air bubbles are 'popped'; K-shows the air bubbles in the material.

L-shows the material.

M-shows the ridge formed in the material.

N-shows the air flow.

O--shows the air blower arrangement The air produced by the air blower is channelled to a small hole using a customised cover, and/or an air hose as shown in 'O'.

The air as shown in 'N', coming out of the hose which would be under pressure would shift the material e.g. polymer, to the side of the air path, as it blows from the top to the bottom of the material as shown in 'M'. As the air blows through the material any air bubbles as shown in 'K' in its path will pop.

When the air blower is moved the polymer ridge 'M' would fill in the hole created by the air.

Referring to the drawing the air blower comprises an air producing unit, a hose with an outlet as shown in Fig. 1. Item 'a' is an air producing unit which is without any casing other than that which is built in by the air producing unit manufacture e.g. compressor manufacturer as illustrated in Fig. 2. Item 'a' can also be fitted into a casing as shown in Fig. 3. It can be incorporated into a machine/unit to become integral part of the components of the machine. It is fitted inside the unit or outside as in Fig. 4. Item 'a' can also be a hand held air blower e.g. hairdryer. This air blower would have a specially made cover to project the air through a very small hole to give it the powerful air jet required as in Fig.

5. (This portable air blower can be mounted on the unit with a bracket and then used in conjunction with an air hose).

Fig. 1-'a' is an air prodcuing unit which can be the air outlet of a vacuum pump, a compressor, a fan blower etc.

'b' is where a hose/pipe is fitted, in some units 'b' would be the nozzle through which air would be projected to the material (poly mer, resins etc) as in Fig. 5, while in others a hose is attached to it as shown in Fig. 3.

'c' is a hose which can be straight, coiled or in other shapes. 'c' can be made of plastics, rubber, metal etc. and can be a combination of materials and shapes.

'd' is a fitting or an integral part of the hose. It can have special fittings or be specially cut or shaped to produce/control the pattern and flow of the air under pressure as in Fig. 6.

'e' is a strip which is there to help hold the hose comfortably while using and to hold the hose in place when not in use (like a hook). In Fig. 6-'f' and 'g' shows the hose cut into two different shapes, of many shapes that are possible. 'h' and 'i' shows the hose specially shaped by heat to produce a tappered outlet for the hose. 'j' is one of many types of fittings that can be fitted onto the hose. All the above hose ending in Fig. 6 are designed to control the rate and pattern of air flow.

Claims

1. An air blower comprising of a air generating/creating unit. A hose to project the air to the spot required. One end of the hose connected to the air generating unit, and the other end cut, shaped or fitted with an insert to suit the pressure and pattern of the air flow required.

2. A free standing unit, as in claim 1 without special casing.

3. A free standing unit, as in claim 1 and 2 with special casing.

4. A unit, as in claim 1 with the air generating unit fitted inside or outside a machine, with the air blowing unit being just one of many components of the machine e.g. a photpolymer exposer unit.

5. A hand held unit, as in claim 1 which can be used directly or indirectly to clow air bubbles.

6. An air blower arrangement substantially as described herein with reference to Fig. 1-7 of the accompanying drawings.