Cleaning and liquid contact with solids – Processes – Including use of vacuum – suction – or inert atmosphere
Patent
1991-01-15
1992-12-29
Moore, Chris K.
Cleaning and liquid contact with solids
Processes
Including use of vacuum, suction, or inert atmosphere
153092, 15345, 134 39, B08B 502, B08B 504, A47L 514
Patent
active
051748290
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for removing surface liquid from articles, and more particularly to removing water particles from cylindrical cans.
In the food canning industry it is common for filled cans to be passed through sterilizing units such as hydrostatic sterilizing units in order to sterilize the contents of the can. When the cans have passed through the serialization process a considerable quantity of water droplets remains on the surfaces of the cans. Furthermore, seams in the cans may sometimes be prone to leakage temporarily after serialization. The presence of water is therefore undesirable because microorganisms can proliferate in the water thereby presenting a risk of contamination of the cans by passage of the microorganisms through leaky seams.
It has been proposed to remove such surface liquid from the cylindrical surfaces of the cans by rolling the cans past an air knife which blows a jet of air at the surfaces of the cans. However, this has not been found generally acceptable, as it is difficult to clean the entire cylindrical surface from water droplets without using a plurality of such air knives. Furthermore, if the air knives are inclined to the rolling axes of the can the water droplets are still not removed sufficiently, since they tend to collect towards the end of the can under the rim or seam adjoining the cylindrical surface.
A second method to remove such surface liquid has been proposed which comprises the use of a heated bed drier. Cans are rolled about their longitudinal axes across a steam heated surface, generally at a temperature in the region of 127.degree.-130.degree. C. The surface is covered with an absorbent cloth on which moisture collects. The temperature of the cloth is thought high enough to evaporate the moisture rapidly, thereby preventing growth of microorganisms. Compressed air may be blown across both ends of the can prior to heating so as to remove water in the can countersinks.
A third method to remove surface liquid has been proposed which comprises the use of internal drying systems. Cans mounted on the carrier bars of the sterilizer can be dried before being discharged. After cooling, the cans are sprayed with a surfactant/steam mixture and then travel down a drying leg through which a counter current of air is drawn. This method suffers from a number of disadvantages. Firstly, the method results in a delay in the processing of the cans as it takes at least ten minutes for the cans to be dried in this way. Secondly, this method is very expensive. It is commonly performed in a drying tower which has to be maintained at a high temperature thereby resulting in a considerable expenditure of energy.
Each of these prior art methods is described in "Hygienic Design of Post Process Can Handling Equipment" (Technical Manual No 8, published by The Campden Food Preservation Research Association, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, GL55 6LD, England).
The present invention provides apparatus for removing surface liquid from an elongate article, which apparatus comprises means for applying the jet of gas at an acute angle to the surface of the elongate article, means for causing relative motion between the article and the jet, and suction means provided downstream as considered in the direction of the jet for applying suction to a region of the surface of the elongate article whereby surface liquid is removed therefrom.
This apparatus avoids the need to use a plurality of air-knives and, when applied to cans, is capable of removing unwanted liquid from the entire surface of the cans to a level acceptable for the purpose of reducing risk of contamination.
The invention also extends to apparatus for removing surface liquid from the peripheral surfaces of a succession of elongate articles, such as cylindrical cans, in which means are provided for feeding the articles in succession through the apparatus.
Preferably, the acute angle at which the jet of gas is applied to the surface of the elongate article is in the range 65.degree. to 75.degree., mor
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H. J. Heinz Company Limited
Moore Chris K.
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