GB2576163A

GB2576163A - Drying apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2576163A
Application number: GB1812781.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Haith David
Original assignee: Tickhill Engineering Co Ltd
Current assignee: Tickhill Engineering Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-08-06
Filing date: 2018-08-06
Publication date: 2020-02-12
Anticipated expiration: 2038-08-06
Also published as: GB2576163B; GB201812781D0

Abstract

A drying apparatus for drying one or more objects comprises: (i) a conveyor including a porous belt material 20 for conveying the one or more objects; and (ii) a suction arrangement 4 connected to a suction pump 5. The suction arrangement 4 has a support surface supports at least part of the belt material as it passes with respect to the support surface, and at least partially defines a suction gap 41 through which moisture is drawable by the suction pump 5. The belt material 20 covers the suction gap 41 at least partially as it passes with respect to the support surface. The suction arrangement 4 may include a first and second support plate 42, 43 with the suction gap 41 defined in between. Also disclosed is a cleaning system comprising a cleaning mechanism for cleaning one or more objects using water or other liquid, the objects then dried by the drying apparatus described above.

Description

Title: A drying apparatus and cleaning system

Description of Invention

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a drying apparatus for drying one or more objects, and a cleaning system including the apparatus.

Once produce (such as fruit and vegetables) has been picked or harvested, soil and other contaminants (such as pesticides or animal droppings) are removed from the surface of the produce.

Consumers prefer to purchase produce which is free of bruises or other blemishes, and which is fresh. Therefore, the cleaning process must take into account the perishable nature of produce.

Common cleaning processes use machines (for large volumes of produce, cleaning by hand may not be practical). Typically, the produce is treated with water and/or cleaning agents. This leaves the produce wet or damp - it is desirable to dry the produce before packaging and sale, as produce such as potatoes is likely to sprout roots or rot in damp conditions, for example.

Known drying methods include rolling the produce across absorbent (e.g. foam) rollers. A problem with this drying method is that absorbent rollers are likely to harbour bacteria, which could degrade the produce and reduce the beneficial effects of cleaning. Contaminants which remain on the produce after drying could harm a consumer.

It is also well known to clean other objects (i.e. not just produce) before storage or transport or the like. For example, recyclable items such as cans and plastic bottles are stored in plants to be sorted etc. Storing large numbers of containers (which were used to contain food or drink or the like) is a draw for pests, and so these objects are often cleaned. Cleaning may be followed by drying, in a similar way to the cleaning and drying of produce.

There is a need for improved drying of produce and other objects.

Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention provides a drying apparatus for drying one or more objects, the apparatus comprising: a conveyor including a porous belt material, configured to convey one or more objects, and a suction arrangement configured to be connected to a suction pump, the suction arrangement having a support surface configured to support at least part of the belt material as it passes with respect to the support surface, wherein the support surface at least partially defines a suction gap through which moisture is drawable by the suction pump, and wherein the belt material is configured to cover the suction gap at least partially as it passes with respect to the support surface.

The suction arrangement may include a first support plate and a second support plate, and the suction gap may be defined between the first and second support plates, wherein the support surface may be a surface of at least one of the first and second support plates.

At least one of the first support plate and the second support plate may provide a shoe with respect to which the belt material may be configured to pass, wherein at least one of the first support plate and the second support plate may be configured to be stationary with respect to the belt material as it passes with respect to the support surface.

The drying apparatus may further comprise a collection tank, wherein the suction gap may be in fluid communication with the collection tank.

The collection tank may be in fluid communication with the suction pump between the suction gap and the suction pump such that moisture may be drawn into the collection tank before reaching the suction pump.

The suction arrangement may further comprise a pipe configured to guide moisture through the suction arrangement wherein the pipe may form an idler for the conveyor.

The suction gap may have a fixed aperture size. The suction gap may have an adjustable aperture size.

The drying apparatus may further comprise an air outlet, wherein the suction arrangement may be configured to direct air drawn through the suction pump to be exhaust from the air outlet.

The air outlet may be configured to blow air onto the belt material substantially toward the suction gap.

The air outlet may define an air knife.

The suction pump may be configured to warm air passing through such that air exhaust from the air outlet may warm the or each object conveyed by the belt material as they pass with respect to the suction gap.

The drying apparatus may comprise a further support surface and a further suction gap, wherein each suction gap may be in fluid communication with the collection tank.

The drying apparatus may further comprise a controller for controlling at least one of: operation of the conveyor, operation of the suction pump, the speed of the conveyor, drainage of the collection tank, air flow rate through at least part of the suction arrangement, and air flow rate through the air outlet.

Another aspect provides a cleaning system comprising: a cleaning mechanism configured to clean the one or more objects using water or another liquid, and a drying apparatus as described above, wherein the drying apparatus may be configured to receive the one or more objects from the cleaning mechanism.

Embodiments of the present invention are described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a view of a drying apparatus;

Figure 2 shows a view of a drying apparatus;

Figure 3 shows a view of a collection tank and a suction pump;

Figure 4 shows a conveyor;

Figure 5 shows a collection tank;

Figure 6 shows a cleaning system; and

Figure 7 shows a controller.

With reference to the figures, embodiments of the present invention include a drying apparatus 1 which is configured to dry one or more objects 3.

The one or more objects 3 may be produce such as root vegetables - for example, potatoes, parsnips or carrots. The one or more objects 3 may be not be produce - and may be, for example, bottles or cans or other material to be recycled.

The drying apparatus 1 includes a conveyor 2 for conveying the one or more objects 3, as shown in figure 1. The conveyor 2 may be supported by a frame 10. The conveyor 2 may have an inlet end 22 and an outlet end 23, between which one or more objects 3 may be conveyed, during which time the drying apparatus 1 may dry the object(s) 3.

At the inlet end 22, there may be a spreader mechanism 30 configured to spread objects 3 out across a width of the conveyor 2, in order to expose a greater surface area of the objects 3. The spreader mechanism 30 may be mounted on the frame 10, or may be integral with the frame 10, for example.

At the inlet end 22, there may be a pre-drying mechanism 31, configured to remove excess moisture from the one or more objects 3. For example, the pre-drying mechanism 31 may include one or more brushes 310. The one or more brushes 310 may be mounted on the frame 10. The one or more brushes may be static, for example, or may be mounted on joints or other moveable mounts such that the one or more brushes can be displaced by passing object(s) 3. The one or more brushes 310 may be mounted on at least one roller 32. In some embodiments, there are a plurality of such rollers 32 (e.g. two or three more). The rollers 32 may be arranged parallel to each other and extend across the width of the conveyor 2 at or towards the inlet end 22. The or each object 3 may pass over the or each roller 32 before passing onto the belt material 20 of the conveyor 2. The or each roller 32 may be motor-driven, and the pre-drying mechanism 31 may accordingly include one or more motors.

The spreader mechanism 30 and the pre-drying mechanism 31 may form part of the same mechanism - for example, the brushes 310 may be mounted on a roller 32 which may be configured to spread the one or more objects 3 out on the belt material 20.

The conveyor 2 may include the belt material 20 in the form of a continuous belt - i.e. formed from a loop of belt material 20. The belt material 20 may be porous to allow passage of moisture, for example dirty water or cleaning product, through the belt material 20. Examples of suitable porous materials include: perforated stainless steel, or other stainless steel which allows passage of moisture, such as steel mesh, or perforated PVC, or other PVC which allows passage of moisture, or a sponge or foam material, which includes gaps for the passage of moisture.

The belt material 20 may be selected based on the type of object 3 to be dried - for example, the size of pores in the belt material 20 may be proportional to the size of object 3. Larger pores may work well for drying produce such as potatoes, but may cause problems for smaller produce such as berries, for example.

The belt material 20 may be selected based on the expected or typical contaminants of the object(s) 3. In some embodiments, these contaminants may still be present when the object(s) 3 are dried and there may be a need to avoid clogging of the pores with contaminants, for example.

The conveyor 2 may include one or more rollers 21, around (or over, or under) which the belt material 20 passes. The belt material 20 may form a loop around two rollers 21. The belt material 20 may be tensioned between two rollers 21.

The or each roller 21 may be supported by the frame 10 such that a position of at least one roller 21 with respect to the frame 10 is adjustable (through use of an adjustable frame mounting 101). In some embodiments, there are at least two rollers 21 and a distance between the two rollers may be adjustable via an adjustable frame mounting 101 associated with at least one of the two rollers 21 (the adjustable frame mounting 101 coupling the at least one roller 21 to the frame 10). In some embodiments, two or more rollers 21 may be associated with respective adjustable frame mountings 101. The or each adjustable frame mounting 101 may be coupled to the frame 10 by a slidable mounting configuration to allow the position thereof with respect to the frame 10 (or another part of the frame 10) to be adjusted. The or each adjustable frame mounting 101 may be part of the frame 10 in some embodiments.

The belt material 20 (e.g. in the form of a loop) may pass over or around at least one further roller 21.

A width of the belt material 20 may be generally equal to a width of at least one of the one or more rollers 21, or may be less than the width of at least one of the one or more rollers 21.

The part of the belt material 20 which is arranged to convey one or more objects 3, in use, will be referred to as the ‘conveying section’ 200. The conveying section 200 will not be a fixed part of the belt material 20 but will encompass a changing portion of the belt material 20, as the belt material 20 passes, in use, around the or each roller 21. This may otherwise be referred to as an operative part of the conveyor 2, the operative part extending from the inlet end 22 to the outlet end 23.

The conveying section 200 of the belt material 20 may be configured to support one or more objects 3 without the need for fixing the object(s) 3 to the belt material 20 - i.e. the object(s) 3 may be loose on the belt material 20.

At least one of the or each rollers 21 may be a driven roller 210, which may drive movement of the belt material 20 over or under or around the or each roller 21, as shown in figure 2. The drying apparatus 1 may comprise a motor 211 or other arrangement configured to drive the at least one driven roller 210. The motor 211 may be configured to drive the roller 32 (i.e. the roller 32 which may be associated with the spreader mechanism 30 and/or the pre-drying mechanism 31).

At least one roller 21 may be an idler - i.e. a roller 21 which is not driven, but which rotates with the motion of the belt material 20.

The drying apparatus 1 may be retrofittable to a cleaning system 90. The cleaning system 90 may already include the driven roller 210, for example - which may then drive movement of the belt material 20 of the drying apparatus.

Two or more rollers 21 in the drying apparatus 1 may be arranged such that their axes of rotation are substantially parallel to one another. The direction of motion of the belt material 20 in the conveying section 200 may be defined as a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the at least one driven roller 210.

One or more of the rollers 21 may be optionally removable from the drying apparatus 1. One or more rollers 21 may be heated rollers.

The belt material 20 may be configured to convey one or more objects 3 in a direction towards a suction arrangement 4 (and towards the outlet end 23) of the drying apparatus 1. The suction arrangement 4 may be located between the inlet end 22 and the outlet end 23 such that the one or more objects 3 passing from the inlet end 22 to the outlet end 23 travel past the suction arrangement 4. The suction arrangement 4 defines a suction gap 41, which may be an opening configured to collect moisture which passes through pores in the belt material 20. The suction gap 41 may be positioned adjacent part of the conveying section

200 - for example, underneath part of the conveying section 200. For example, the suction gap 41 may be positioned generally below the centre of the conveying section 200. Moisture may therefore pass into the suction gap 41 at least partially under gravity.

The suction arrangement 4 may be configured to be connected to a suction pump 5. The suction gap 41 in particular may be in fluid communication with the suction pump 5. Suction generated by the suction pump 5 may speed up passage of moisture through the belt material 20 as it passes relative to (e.g. over) the suction gap 41. In other words, the suction gap 41 may provide an inlet to an air path defined by the drying apparatus 1 - allowing air to enter the drying apparatus 1, to be drawn toward the suction pump 5.

The suction gap 41 may be defined by a support surface 40 of the suction arrangement 4. The support surface 40 may be part of the frame 10. The support surface 40 may be configured to support (i.e. hold up, off a ground surface or other surface) at least part of the belt material 20 as it passes across the support surface 40. The suction gap 41 may be defined underneath a part of the belt material 20 - as such, the support surface 40 may be arranged to provide support from below part of the belt material 20. The support surface 40 may be mounted with respect to the frame 10 by an arm which may carry the support surface 40 and which may also be attached to the frame 10.

The belt material 20 is configured to cover the suction gap 41 at least partially as it passes with respect to (e.g. over) the support surface 40. In other words, when the belt material 20 is in motion, the belt material 20 covers some or all of the suction gap 41 to optimise moisture collection. The belt material 20 may physically contact the support surface 40 on one or both sides to encourage the flow of air through the belt material 20.

Suction generated by the suction pump 5 may cause the belt material 20 to be drawn towards the suction gap 41 as it passes over the support surface 40. For example, a part of the belt material 20 may form a substantially airtight cover of the suction gap 41 or a part thereof (in that the majority of air drawn into the suction gap 41 must pass through at least part of the belt material 20). This substantially airtight cover is intended to prevent moisture loss to outside of the suction arrangement 4.

The suction arrangement 4 may define a shoe 44 over which the belt material 20 passes (and may provide the support surface 40). The suction arrangement 4 may include a chute, to channel moisture which has passed through the belt material 20 (or other moisture which has entered the suction gap 41) away from the suction gap 41. The chute may define part of the air path through the drying apparatus 1.

For example, the chute may have at least one side wall 440. The support surface 40 may be a surface of a first support plate 42. The first support plate 42 may be attached to the side wall 440 of the chute, or the first support plate 42 may be formed integrally with the side wall 440 of the chute.

The first support plate 42 may be configured to allow the belt material 20 to pass with respect to (e.g. over) a surface of the first support plate 42 in order to guide the belt material 20 (i.e. over the support surface 40). For example, the surface of the first support plate 42 with respect to which the belt material 20 passes may lie in a plane substantially parallel to the desired plane of motion of the belt material 20, such that when the belt material 20 is tensioned, the belt material 20 in the conveying section 200 lies in the desired plane.

The support surface 40 defines the suction gap 41, which may open to the chute and, in turn, to the suction pump 5. There may be a gap in the first support plate 42, for example, defining the suction gap 41. The first support plate 42 may be positioned adjacent a second support plate 43. The support surface 40 may include surfaces of both the first and second support plates 42,43 (which may form the shoe 44).

The first and second support plates 42,43 may define the suction gap 41 - for example, the first and second support plates 42,43 may be spaced apart defining an inlet to the suction arrangement 4. The space between the first and second support plates 42,43 may open to the chute, and in turn to the suction pump 5, to define the suction gap 41.

The size of the suction gap 41 may be fixed. For example, the first and second support plates 42,43 may be configured to have a fixed space between them.

The first and second support plates 42, 43 may each define a respective suction gap 41. In other words, more than one suction gap 41 may be located adjacent (e.g. underneath) the belt material 20 in the conveying section 200.

If the suction gap 41 is defined as a gap in one of the support plates 42,43, then that gap may have a fixed size - for example a cut-out in the support plate 42,43.

The size of the or each suction gap 41 may be adjustable. For example, the distance between the support plates 42,43 (or parts thereof) may be adjustable. At least one of the support plates 42,43 (or parts thereof) may be supported on a lever arm, or a telescopic arm, for example, or may be slidable on rails or may be otherwise adjustably mounted.

The support surface 40 may be a surface of the second support plate 43 (i.e. only the second support plate 43). The second support plate 43 may be configured to allow the belt material 20 to pass over a surface of the plate 43 in order to guide the conveyor 2. The chute may have a second side wall 441. The second support plate 43 may be a part of the second side wall 441 of the chute. For example, the second support plate 43 may be attached to the second side wall 441 of the chute, or the second support plate 43 may be formed integrally with the second side wall 441 of the chute.

If the suction gap 41 is defined as a gap in one of the support plates 42,43 only, then parts of the one support plate 42,43 which defines the suction gap 41 may be slidably adjustable, for example. The one support plate 42,43 may be assembled to define a given size of suction gap 41 - for example, the one support plate 42,43 may comprise separate plate components which can be fitted together to define the desired gap size.

In use, the belt material 20 may pass over or around at least part of the support surface 4, and may pass under or around at least part of the shoe 44 and/or chute.

At least one of the side walls 440,441 of the chute may be inclined (i.e. may project in a direction away from the belt material 20 at an angle which is not parallel or perpendicular to a plane of the belt material 20) such that moisture which enters the suction gap 41 runs-off along the inclined side walls 440,441. At least one of the side walls 440,441 may be smooth, to aid run-off. At least one of the side walls 440,441 may be stepped, to catch moisture, or may include grooves to guide run-off, for example. The side walls 440,441 may define, therefore, a tapering chute. One or more further chute sides (not shown) may be provided such that the chute defines a tapering volume extending away from the shoe 44. The or each further side may have an identical form or similar form to the side walls 440,441 described herein.

The side walls 440,441 of the chute may be configured to guide moisture towards a collection tank 6, shown in figure 5. The collection tank 6 may be positioned adjacent the chute, configured to be connected to the chute. The collection tank 6 may be positioned underneath the chute, to catch moisture which may fall through the chute at least partially under gravity. A pipe 45 may connect the chute and the collection tank 6. The collection tank 6 and/or the pipe 45 may define parts of the air path through the drying apparatus 1.

The pipe 45 may be elongate, and may be configured to act as an idler for the conveyor 2. In other words, the belt material 20 may wrap around at least part of the pipe 45, such that the pipe 45 forms a component of the conveyor 2.

Accordingly, the chute formed by the side walls 440,441 may be in the form of an inverted pyramid (such as a square pyramid). An upper part of the chute may be attached to a lower part of the shoe 44. A lower part of the chute may be communicatively coupled to the pipe 45 such that the volume defined by the chute communicates with an internal volume of the pipe 45. The chute may be a part of a length over which the belt material 20 passes (e.g. on a portion opposing that over which the belt material 20 passes).

The pipe 45 may extend perpendicular to the direction of travel of the belt material 20. A distal end of the pipe 45 may be open or closed or may have a variable opening mechanism to control the degree to which the end is open (e.g. between an open and closed configuration). A proximal end of the pipe 45 may be communicatively coupled to the collection tank 6.

The pipe 45 may be a rigid pipe 45 which may be a metal pipe 45 - such as a steel or stainless steel pipe 45.

The proximal and/or distal ends of the pipe 45 may be supported with respect to the frame 10 by one or more bracket members.

A flexible pipe section may be communicatively coupled between the proximal end of the pipe 45 and the collection tank 6, such that the collection tank 6 need not be in a fixed position relative to the pipe 45 (and so also the frame 10).

The plane of the belt material 20 in at least part of the conveying section 200 may create a ramp, configured to encourage object(s) 3 to roll or slide in a given direction (e.g. from the inlet end 22 to the outlet end 23). The belt material 20 may include at least one inclined portion for guiding object(s) 3 towards the suction gap 41, for example.

The belt material 20 may change plane in order to pass with respect to (e.g. around) the pipe 45, which may be below the shoe 44 (i.e. below the first support plate 42). For example, the belt material 20 may pass around a roller 21 which defines an end of the conveying section 200 of the belt material 20. One or more objects 3 may be removed from the belt material 20 before this change in plane, or at the end of the conveying section 200 (i.e. the outlet end 23). The change in plane may provide a mechanism for ejecting one or more objects 3 from the belt material 20 - for example, a receptacle 230 may be placed adjacent the point at which the plane of the belt material 20 changes, to collect any objects 3 which continue moving in a trajectory defined by the conveying section 200 and therefore may fall from the belt material 20. The receptacle 230 may include a ramp or similar for guiding one or more objects 3 to be collected.

The outlet end 23 of the conveying section 200 may be configured to be connected to a further piece of apparatus - for example, for packaging the object(s) 3 or performing other processing steps on the object(s) 3. The receptacle 230 may form an inlet end for this further piece of apparatus.

The part of the belt material 20 which passes the pipe 45 in use may then proceed towards the roller 21 associated with the inlet end 22 (i.e. the start) of the conveying section 200. The pipe 45 may define a third point such that the belt material 20 follows a generally triangular path, with a roller 21 at the inlet end 22 and a roller 21 at the outlet end 23 forming the other two points. In other words, the belt material 20 may pass over the suction gap 41 between a first roller 21 and a second roller 21, followed by a change in plane towards the pipe 45, then another change in plane back towards the first roller 21, in use. The roller 21 at the inlet end 22 may be a driven roller 210. The roller 21 at the outlet end 23 may be a driven roller 210.

The roller 21 at the inlet end 22 may be referred to as a first roller and the roller 21 at the outlet end 23 may be referred to as a second roller. The pipe 45 may be referred to as a third roller.

The collection tank 6 may be in fluid communication with the suction pump 5, as shown in figure 3. Air being drawn in to the suction pump 5 may pass through the collection tank 6 (e.g. before the air reaches the suction pump 5), in order to draw moisture from inside the chute, for example, into the collection tank 6. The collection tank 6 may comprise a chamber inlet 61 and a chamber outlet 62. The chamber inlet 61 may be in fluid communication with the chute, and in particular with the suction gap 41. This may be via the pipe 45, for example. The chamber outlet 62 may be in fluid communication with the suction pump 5. This may be via a further pipe 450, for example. The chamber inlet 61, chamber outlet 62 and/or further pipe(s) 450 may define parts of the air path through the drying apparatus 1.

The chamber inlet 61 may open to the collection tank 6 at a point lower down than the chamber outlet 62 this may aid removal of moisture from the air in the collection tank 6, under the weight of the moisture. At least part of the collection tank 6 may be shaped such that moisture collects in the base of the collection tank

6. For example, as with the chute, the collection tank 6 may comprise at least one side 600, and the side 600 may be inclined and/or smooth and/or stepped and/or may define a groove (as described above for at least one side 440,441 of the chute), in order to guide moisture. Sides 600 of the collection tank 6 may define a tapered lower part of the collection tank 6.

The collection tank 6 may comprise a valve 60, or other assembly configured to allow removal of moisture from the collection tank 6. The collection tank 6 may include multiple valves 60. The or each valve 60 may be configured to allow adjustment of air pressure inside the collection tank 6, for example. The collection tank 6 may define an air inlet 63 for allowing the suction pump 5 to draw air into the drying apparatus 1. In other words, the drying apparatus 1 may define an air inlet 63 (or two or more air inlets 63) in addition to the suction gap 41, wherein air from the air inlet 63 may join the air flowing (in use) in the air path defined through the drying apparatus 1.

The drying apparatus 1 may define at least one air outlet 70. The suction pump 5 may be configured to pump air to be exhaust from the at least one air outlet 70. In particular, air which has been drawn in by the suction pump 5 may be blown towards the at least one air outlet 70. The suction pump 5 and the at least one air outlet 70 may be in fluid communication - via a further pipe 450, for example.

Air blown from the at least one air outlet 70 may be used to dry one or more objects 3. To achieve this, the at least one air outlet 70 may be located adjacent the conveying section 200 of the belt material 20 - for example, to one side of the conveying section 200 or above the conveying section 200. The at least one air outlet 70 may be positioned adjacent the support surface 40. The at least one air outlet 70 may be configured to blow air onto the belt material 20 substantially in the direction of the suction gap 41. As a result, moisture from one or more objects 3 may be blown into the suction gap 41 (and therefore the chute and collection tank 6), rather than dripping or flowing elsewhere, such as onto the ground surrounding the drying apparatus 1.

The shape of the at least one air outlet 70 may be such that exhaust air is guided toward the belt material 20 or in particular toward the suction gap 41. For example, the at least one air outlet 70 may include an elongate opening - i.e. a slit. The at least one air outlet 70 may define an air knife. The at least one air outlet 70 may extend across at least part of the belt material 20 in a direction perpendicular to the direction of motion of the belt material 20. The drying apparatus 1 may comprise an air outlet 70 of one shape, and an air outlet 70 of another shape. In emodiments with two or more air outlets 70, the air outlets 70 may be substantially parallel to each other.

The or each air outlet 70 may include a tube communicatively coupled at a proximal end to the suction pump 5 (e.g. to an exhaust of the suction pump 5). The tube may be supported with respect to the belt material 20 and so may be mounted to the frame 10. In some embodiments, the tube is mounted to the frame 10 at the proximal end and/or a distal end. The distal end of the tube may be closed such that air entering the tube from the suction pump 5 leaves the tube (and, therefore, the air outlet 70) via an elongate opening - i.e. a slit in the tube. This slit (of which each tube may have more than one), therefore, defines the air knife of some embodiments and may generally face the belt material 20.

The slit or slits may extend along a length of the or each air outlet 70 and may extend along the entire length thereof.

The proximal end of the or each air outlet 70 (corresponding with the proximal end of the tube of that air outlet 70) may be communicatively coupled to the suction pump 5 via the further pipe 450 and this may include a coupling via a flexible pipe portion.

The further pipe 450 may include a pipe branch member configured to split the exhaust of the suction pump 5 between each air outlet 70. The pipe branch member may be located upstream in the flow of air therethrough relative to the flexible pipe portion. The pipe branch member may include one or more valves 60 (which could be located elsewhere) to control the flow of air therethrough to one or more of the air outlets 70.

In some embodiments, the pipe branch member is mounted to the collection tank 6 - e.g. by a rigid mount.

The further pipe 450 may include flexible pipework between one or both of the pipe branch member and the collection tank 6, and the suction pump 5.

The collection tank 6 may, therefore, be moveable with respect to one or both of the frame 10 and the suction pump 5. The collection tank 6 may support one or more pipes used in some embodiments - such as the further pipe 450 and/or the pipe branch member.

The suction gap 41 may have a length and a width - for example, the suction gap 41 may be a slit (i.e. an elongate opening). The length of the suction gap 41 may extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction of motion of the belt material 20. The at least one air outlet 70 and the suction gap 41 may be stacked above and below the belt material 20 respectively, such that when air from the at least one air outlet 70 blows downwards, the air may push the belt material 20 towards the suction gap 41.

Air blown into the suction gap 41 may return to the air path through the drying apparatus 1. As such, the drying apparatus 1 may be configured to create a cycle of flowing air.

The suction pump 5 may be configured to warm air - in particular, after the drying apparatus 1 has been in operation for enough time that the air being drawn into the suction pump 5 and exhaust from the at least one air outlet 70 has been drawn and exhaust multiple times, the air may become warmer. This warm air is intended to speed up the drying process.

The belt material 20 may be a conductor of heat. The at least one air outlet 70 may be arranged to blow warm air onto the belt material 20 in order to heat the belt material 20. The at least one air outlet 70 may exhaust warm air onto the object(s) 3 as they pass the at least one air outlet 70 in use, in order to speed up the drying process. The drying apparatus 1 may comprise multiple air outlets 70 spaced apart, adjacent the conveying section 200, to exhaust air (e.g. warm air) towards the object(s) 3 at multiple points throughout the conveying section 200 to aid drying.

It may be necessary to allow air out of the drying apparatus 1 by a route other than via the at least one air outlet 70. The drying apparatus 1 may include alternative ventilation - for example, a valve 60 in one of the pipes 45,450 or in the collection tank 6. Such a valve 60 may be controllable such that the amount of air being let out of the drying apparatus 1 can be controlled.

Operation of the suction pump 5 (i.e. switching the suction pump 5 on, or off, or controlling the level of suction) may control the volume or speed of air being blown from the at least one air outlet 70, for example.

The drying apparatus 1 may include at least one further suction pump 5, to boost or otherwise contribute to circulation of air in the air path through the drying apparatus 1. For example, there may be a suction pump 5 located in a further pipe 450 or another pipe, which connects the suction pump 5 and the air outlet 70. The drying apparatus 1 may include a blocker mechanism for slowing down or otherwise blocking circulating air for example, a valve 60 which opens or closes (or partially closes) a part of the air path may form a blocker mechanism, for example within a pipe 450.

The drying apparatus 1 may include a controller 80, as shown in figure 7. The controller 80 may comprise a user interface 800, for example an array of buttons. The controller 80 may be connected by a wired connection to one or more parts of the drying apparatus 1. Alternatively, the controller 80 may be wirelessly connected to parts of the drying apparatus 1. The controller 80 may be configured to control operation of the conveyor 2 - for example, controlling a driven roller 210 or controlling the speed of the belt material 20 passing across the support surface 40. The controller 80 may be configured to control operation of the suction pump 5 - for example, switching the suction pump 5 on or off, adjusting the level of suction and the like. The controller 80 may be configured to control drainage via the valve 60 from the collection tank 6 or another valve 60 in the drying apparatus 1 - for example opening and closing the or each valve 60.

The controller 80 may be configured to control air flow rate through the suction arrangement 4 - for example by controlling at least one suction pump 5 to increase air flow rate, or a valve 60 for opening or closing an air path. For example, the controller 80 may be configured to control air flow rate through the pipe 45. The controller 80 may be configured to control air flow rate through the at least one air outlet 70.

The drying apparatus 1 may include more than one support surface 40 and more than one suction gap 41. A second suction gap 41 may open to the chute described above, or a second chute for example. The second chute may be configured to be connected to the collection tank 6, or may connect to a second collection tank 6 for example. In other words, the drying apparatus 1 may include one or more repeated elements, such that drying may occur at more than one suction gap 41 along the conveyor 2.

The drying apparatus 1 may be part of a cleaning system 90, as shown in figure 6. The cleaning system 90 includes a cleaning mechanism 91 - for example, one or more sprayers configured to spray water and/or cleaning fluid or one or more baths of water and/or cleaning fluid. The cleaning mechanism 91 and the drying apparatus 1 may be arranged in series such that one or more objects 3 are passed from the cleaning mechanism 91 to the drying apparatus 1, and in particular to the inlet end 22 of the conveying section 200. The conveyor 2 may be arranged to convey one or more objects 3 to be cleaned by the cleaning mechanism 91 and to be dried by the drying apparatus 1. For example, the belt material 20 may move objects 3 under sprayers and then across the suction gap 41.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms comprises and comprising and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A drying apparatus for drying one or more objects, the apparatus comprising:

a conveyor including a porous belt material, configured to convey the one or more objects, and a suction arrangement configured to be connected to a suction pump, the suction arrangement having a support surface configured to support at least part of the belt material as it passes with respect to the support surface, wherein the support surface at least partially defines a suction gap through which moisture is drawable by the suction pump, and wherein the belt material is configured to cover the suction gap at least partially as it passes with respect to the support surface.

2. A drying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the suction arrangement includes a first support plate and a second support plate and the suction gap is defined between the first and second support plates, wherein the support surface is a surface of at least one of the first and second support plates.

3. A drying apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least one of the first support plate and the second support plate provide a shoe with respect to which the belt material is configured to pass, wherein at least one of the first support plate and the second support plate is configured to be stationary with respect to the belt material as it passes with respect to the support surface.

4. A drying apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a collection tank, wherein the suction gap is in fluid communication with the collection tank.

5. A drying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the collection tank is in fluid communication with the suction pump between the suction gap and the suction pump, such that moisture is drawn into the collection tank before reaching the suction pump.

6. A drying apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the suction arrangement further comprises a pipe configured to guide moisture through the suction arrangement wherein the pipe forms an idler for the conveyor.

7. A drying apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the suction gap has a fixed aperture size.

8. A drying apparatus according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the suction gap has an adjustable aperture size.

9. A drying apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising an air outlet, wherein the suction arrangement is configured to direct air drawn through the suction pump to be exhaust from the air outlet.

10. A drying apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the air outlet is configured to blow air onto the belt material substantially toward the suction gap.

11. A drying apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the air outlet defines an air knife.

12. A drying apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the suction pump is configured to warm air passing through such that air exhaust from the air outlet warms the or each object conveyed by the belt material as they pass with respect to the suction gap.

13. A drying apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 12, comprising a further support surface and a further suction gap, wherein each suction gap is in fluid communication with the collection tank.

14. A drying apparatus according any preceding claim, further comprising a controller for controlling at least one of: operation of the conveyor, operation of the suction pump, the speed of the conveyor, drainage of the collection tank, and air flow rate through at least part of the suction arrangement.

15. A drying apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 12, further comprising a controller for controlling air flow rate through the air outlet.

16. A cleaning system comprising:

a cleaning mechanism configured to clean the one or more objects using water or another liquid, and the drying apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the drying apparatus is configured to receive the one or more objects from the cleaning mechanism.