SYSTEM OF CURING OF EXTREME OF CAN WITH MAGNETIC VENTILATION AND TRANSPORT OF BAND
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the manufacture of metal articles and more particularly to the handling of articles to which a material is applied and the drying of the material in such article. Specifically, the present invention relates to transport and drying systems for handling container ends. The system of the present invention may find utility in other applications. The description provided herein will make particular reference to the handling of container ends during manufacturing operations as well as the subsequent use of such container ends during packaging operations. In the manufacture and filling of containers, for example beverage containers, large numbers of container ends are required. The filling and manufacturing operations present require the handling of large quantities of container ends at a high rate of speed in a generally continuous process. The manufacturing or filling equipment may have several flow zones of can ends to or of various stages of processing. Through the description of the present invention, the container end groups will generally be referred to as "end sets" or "end groups". Additionally, generally continuous flows of ends will refer to "end stream". By the antecedent form, many manufacturing steps can be involved in the manufacture of container ends that include stamping a black end, conversion whereby the stamped black end is formed with a tip or curve, and, perhaps, the application of Pulling plugs. Additionally, a suitable coating, composite or coating material may be required depending on the type of product which is to be retained in the container. The coating composition provides a barrier layer between the contents of the container and the container material. Such a coating compound is required in the food processing industry. If a coating or coating compound is used, a repair can be made to seal any notch or bearing, which can be formed during the manufacturing process. A final step in the manufacturing process may involve placing a predetermined number of container ends in a suitable bag or bucket. The coating composition can be applied in a liquid or powder spray form, and often requires a hot treatment period prior to further processing of the container end. In the prior art, it is common practice to supply the container ends, after the coating or spraying operation, to a generally large thermal oven. Generally speaking, the container ends are transported at a relatively low speed through a relatively large flat oven. The speed of the conveyor through the furnace, the total length of the furnace and the temperature inside the furnace are selected to ensure an adequate treatment of the coating composition while the ends of the container move through it. Numerous furnaces and processing lines are used to maintain a desired ratio of container end processing. As an additional matter, in the past, rapid drying, solvent-based compounds, formulated with diluents or volatile hydrocarbon solvents were commonly used. However, solvent vapors generated upon curing these compounds result in undesirable atmospheric contamination. In response, water-based compounds have been developed and these products produce little moisture or water vapor in the cured compounds. Water-based compounds have the disadvantage, however, of requiring comparatively long drying times, in the order of 90 seconds or more. The existing container end handling equipment is arranged to group the ends immediately after application of the compound or after curing in the furnace. While curing in the kiln can remove a large amount of moisture from the compound, additional moisture can continue to wrap after the heating curing process. The frontal grouping of the ends of containers results in confining the moisture that is released and prolonging the drying time, even after using an oven. Various devices have been provided in the prior art in order to facilitate the curing of materials applied to ends of containers. In particular, two patents, U.S. Patent No. 5,450,679 issued September 19, 1995, Mojden and Vejchoda and U.S. Patent No. 4,364,466 issued December 21, 1982, Mojden. Both of these patents are assigned to the Assignee of the present invention. In the Mojden '679, a magnetic wheel is placed inside an oven. The magnetic wheel receives the container ends having a coating composition on a surface thereof. The container ends are transported by the magnetic wheel a. through a trajectory of more than 180 ° on them, then they are removed from the magnetic wheel and integrated again into the stream of container ends. While in the furnace, the coating compound is cured. Essentially the position of the wheel in the furnace provides a length trajectory in a relatively small area. A problem encountered in this type of drying method is the large mass of the wheel which acts as a heat sink and potentially affects the curing of the coating composition and the container end material. The Mojden '466 provides a device which mechanically separates the ends of containers for drying. The container ends pass through a conventional forced air drying oven to pass a stream of hot air between the ends of the separated container. It can be seen that the device of Mojden '466 requires the mechanical assembly of the container ends between two opposite conveyor belts which are separated by a predetermined distance in order to hold the container edges. As such, the device in Mojden '466 requires positive clamping of the container ends in order to separate the separated ends and transport them through the system. A general object satisfactory to the present invention is to provide a separate article drying system, which separates the articles and moves the air against the articles to cause air to flow between the separate articles and remove moisture from the articles. Another satisfactory object for the present invention is to provide a system for separating and drying items which operates between a small space in such a way as to minimize the space of equipment required in order to remove moisture from items processed therein. Still another object satisfactory to the present invention is to provide a drying system and container end separator which separates the container ends placed in a frontally grouping condition and forces air through the ends of separate containers. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a separate container end drying system which employs magnetic bodies to separate the container ends thereby minimizing contact with the container ends and the compound applied thereto in order to prevent additional damage to the surface to which the compound is applied. Briefly, and in accordance with the foregoing, the present invention visualizes a system of separate and drying articles which receives the ends of the container of a feeding station., separates and dries the ends of the container and the compound applied to them in a separation and drying station, and passes the article to an outlet feeding station. The article drying and separation system includes a magnetic separation assembly which imposes a magnetic field on the ends of the container passing through it in a similar way, magnetizing the ends of the containers causing the neighboring ends to repel each other. The magnetic repulsion of the neighboring ends produces spaces between the neighboring ends as they move through the separation and drying station. A transport device is provided to control the movement of the container ends through the separation and drying station. An air distribution assembly is provided to supply air to the separation and drying station and operates the air through the spaces between the ends of neighboring containers thereby contacting the coating compound applied to the ends of containers and eliminating the moisture from them. Moisture removed from container ends can be collected at a moisture collection station. The ends are placed in a front grouping condition as soon as they are moved to the station in input power. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The organization and manner of the structure and function of the invention, together with other objects and advantages thereof, can be understood by reference to the following description together with the accompanying drawings, in which the reference numbers identify the common elements and in which: FIGURE 1 is a partial fragmentary perspective view of the separation and drying system of the present invention showing an input feeding station, connected to the separation and drying station which in turn connects to an outlet power station to handle a series of container ends that flow through a common travel path between them; FIGURE 2 is a side elevational, cross-sectional, fragmentary, enlarged, cross-sectional view of a separation and drying station taken along line 2-2 in FIGURE 1; FIGURE 3 is a side elevational, cross-sectional, fragmentary, enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 showing a cross-sectional view generally perpendicular to that shown in FIGURE 2 showing the air direction openings in an air plenum of the separation and drying station; and FIGURE 4 is an enlarged partial, fragmentary perspective view presented in a diagrammatic form of a group of separate articles moving through the drying and separation station at the position of the magnetic bodies and the magnetic flux that results from magnetic bodies. While the present invention may be susceptible to different forms in the embodiment, it is shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, an embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and not is intended to limit the invention to that as illustrated and described herein. A separation and drying system of articles 20 as shown in FIGURE 1. The separation and drying system 20 includes a separation and drying station 22 which receives articles, shown here as container ends 24, of a station. in inlet feed 26 and supplies the ends of containers to an outlet feeding station 28. As the ends of container 24 pass through the separation and drying station 22, they become separated such that the ends of containers neighbors 30, 32 define a space 34 between them. The container ends are separated by a magnetic assembly 36 which will be described in more detail later. An air distribution assembly 38 supplies air to the container ends separated therefrom, driving air through the gap 34 between the ends of neighboring containers 30, 32 to remove moisture from the container ends. By way of background, the separation and drying system of the present invention receives the ends of containers in the feed station 26 of an operation which applies coating compositions to a surface of the container end or a curing oven in the container. which compounds have been cured primarily. The separation and drying system can be used as an initial drying step or as a secondary drying step. For example, if the ends come from the curing oven, the separation and drying system 20 can be employed as a final or secondary curing stage. Similarly, if the ends are presented to the drying and separation system 20 of a coating application operation, the system will act as the primary curing stage. The article separation and drying system 20 provides a path to pass air over the surfaces having composite material therein while maintaining a generally continuous stream of articles along a common travel path 40. A feed stream of entry of articles 42 enters the separation and drying station 22 where the articles become a stream of separate articles 44. The article separation stream 44, which leaves the separation and drying station 22, arrives at a stream of articles output power 46. In both feed streams of input and output feed of articles 42, 46 the articles, in the present case of ends of containers, are placed in a grouping arrangement. More specifically, the ends of containers or can ends are shown in the illustrated embodiment showing the ends of containers that are placed in an inclusive frontal grouping orientation. The orientation is maintained in the separate stream 44, however, the articles 30, 32 are separated to provide a space 34 therebetween. With further reference to FIGURES 2-4, the magnetic assembly 36 includes a pair of elongated magnetic bodies 50, 52 positioned opposite each other and on opposite sides of the container ends. Both magnetic bodies 50, 52 include a first magnetic element and a second magnetic element 56, 58 and 60, 62 respectively. A non-magnetic filler 64, 66 is provided between each pair of upper and lower magnetic elements 56, 58 and 60, 62, respectively. It should be noted that the filler 64, 66 can be a non-magnetic material as well as an air space. As shown herein, a non-magnetic material such as plastic is used to maintain the space between the first and second magnetic elements. The magnetic elements 56, 58, 60, 62 of each magnetic body 50, 52 are disposed on opposite sides of the container ends to provide a magnetic field 68, 70 which influences the orientation of the container ends passing through. they. By maintaining a constant magnetic field effect at the ends of containers, the ends of containers are prevented from falling over or overturned as soon as they are separated and pass through the separation and drying station 22. The poles of the magnetic elements 56, 58, 60, 62 are arranged in such a way that the primary magnetic elements 56, 60 have a north pole positioned opposite the south pole of the corresponding secondary magnetic elements 58, 62, respectively. As such, the magnetic bodies 50, 52 create magnetic fields 68, 70, diagrammatically represented by the dashed lines shown in FIGURES 2 and 4. The magnetic bodies 50, 52 are placed with the corresponding primary elements 56, 60 and secondary elements. 58, 62 that have a mirror orientation. As illustrated, both primary elements 56, 60 have a north pole and secondary elements 58, 62 have a south pole that face the edges of the ends of containers 24 passing between them. As such, the magnetic bodies 50, 52 provide a magnetic influence on opposite sides of the container ends to retain them in a generally vertical, upward, right, end oriented position. In addition, as seen in FIGURE 4, the effect of the magnetic fields 68, 70 cause the neighboring ends 30, 32 to be similarly magnetized resulting in the neighboring ends 30, 32 repelling one another. A generally parallel space results between the ends of neighboring containers 30, 32 as a result of the repulsion forces. As noted, the separate stream 44 generally equals the spaces of the container ends through the separation and drying station 22. The effect of the magnetic separation assembly 36 on the container ends 24 passing through the container is generally described. the separation and drying station 22, is returned to the general structure of the separation and drying station 22 and a transportation device 72 which transports the ends through the separate stream 44. The transport device 72 includes a pair of separate non-magnetic transportation bands 74 extending through the separation and drying station 22 parallel to the travel path 40. The bands 74 are retained at an inlet end around the pulley assembly 76 and around a similar pulley assembly 78 at the output feed end. A primary variable speed motor 80 operates the output feed pulley 78 by the shape of the primary drive belt 82. The variable speed motor 80 is controlled by a controller 84 which will be described in more detail later. An output feed conveyor 86 includes at least one power operation unit for controllably operating the ends of the container of the output feed station 28. The output feed conveyor 86 is operated by a secondary variable speed motor 88., also coupled to the controller 84. As such, the bands 74 are operated by the first variable speed motor 80 to move the separate stream 44 through the separation and drying station 22. Additionally, the output feed conveyor 86 provides the controlled, energy movement of the output power supply stream of the articles 46 through the output power station 28. An input power sensor 90 and an output power sensor 92 are placed near the interface between the inlet feed station 26 and the separation and drying station 22 and the interface between the outlet feeding station 28 and the separation and drying station 22, respectively. The input feeder sensors 90 are sensitive to the movement of the articles of the input feed stream 42 to the separate stream 44. Similarly, the output feed sensor 92 is sensitive to the movement of items of the separate stream 44 to the output power current 46. The input power and output power sensors 90, 92 are coupled to the controller 84 to detect the movement of articles through the separation and drying system. As described above, the primary and secondary motors 80, 88 are also coupled to the controller 84. In this way, the controller 84 can regulate the speed of the bands 74 and the conveyor 86 by controlling the variable speed motors 8'0. , 88. In addition, the elapsed time of the articles passing through the separation and drying station 22 can be regulated by controlling the motors 80, 88 by the shape of the controller 84. Returning now to the air distribution assembly 38 as briefly As described above, it can be seen that the air distribution assembly 38 includes an air plenum 94 which is connected to an air blower fan or an air operator device 96 by the form of an air jet 98. As shown in FIGURE 1, the air is moved from the operator device 96 through the jet 98 to the plenum 94. The air is then distributed through the plenum 94 over the total length of the station separation and drying 22. As such, the air passes through the spaces 34 between the articles traveling and the separate stream 44. With reference to FIGURE 2, the air passing from the air plenum 94 and over a surface of an article 24 is directed down through the separate conveyor belt 74 to a full receptacle 100. The entire receptacle 100 includes a moisture collecting structure 102 to capture any moisture which precipitates out of the air drawn from between the spaces 34. Any moisture which is collected in the collection structure 102 is drained therefrom through a drainage opening 104. FIGURE 3 provides a side elevational, partial cross-section, partial fragmentary view of the plenum 94 to show a plurality of exit openings, generally identified by reference number 106, which are formed on face 108 of plenum 94. As shown in FIGURE 3, the ro 98 connects to an upper portion of the plenum. The air entering the plenum 94 is distributed through a cavity 110. The positive pressure by the air entering from the jet 98 operates the air in the chamber 110 through the opening 106.
The guide bars 124 are provided at an inlet end of the separation and drying station 22. The guide bars 124 help to ensure that the container ends are not caught in the air plenum 94 as they enter the lower area of the plenum. of air 94. As the ends of the container 24 are pulled to the inlet feed stream 42 by the action of conveyor belts 74 and the magnetic assembly 36 the ends tend to move upwards. Thus, the guide bars 24 help to maintain the container ends in the travel path and prevent these ends from being trapped in the air plenum 94. The guide panels 126, 128 are also provided along the length of the travel. separation and drying station 22 to help contain the ends of container 24 in the separate path 44. The guides 126, 128 are placed on each side of the transportation bands 74. It should also be noted that the magnetic bodies 50, 52 are retained 'in the adjustment devices 130, 132. The adjustment devices 130, 132 include a positioning brake 134 and an adjustable screw assembly 136. The screw assembly 136 is attached to a mounting structure 138 of the magnetic bodies 50, 52. Thus, the adjusting screw assembly 136, 136 can be adjusted inwardly or outwardly relative to the separate stream of articles 44 to adjust and control the magnetic fields 68, 70 imposed in the articles 24. In use, the method of the present invention includes articles fed from a final feed station 26 to the drying and separation station 22. The articles pass through the separation and drying station 22, move of the same to an outlet feeding station 28. In the separation and drying station 22, the container ends are magnetically separated by the magnetic separation assembly 36 as described above. The articles are then subjected to a flow of air passing through the spaces 34 created between the neighboring articles 30, 32 by the magnetic separation assembly 36. The air flow removes the moisture from the applied materials in at least one of the surfaces of the articles in order to further dry or cure the material such as a coating composition. The articles are transported through the separation and drying station 22 by means of a conveyor belt 74 of edge portions positively mounted to the ends of containers 24. The air is removed under the separate stream 44 where the moisture can be collected at the collection station 102 and drained through the drain tube 104. The motors 80, 88 which operate the transportation bands 74 and the output power conveyor 86 are coupled to the controller 84 to control the speed at which - the articles in the separate stream 44 move through the separation and drying station 22 and, therefore, the time elapsed during which the ends of containers are exposed to the air flow of the air distribution assembly 38. While A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and described, it is visualized that those skilled in the art can vary s modifications and equivalents to the devices without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The invention is not intended to be limited by the foregoing description.