Gas flushing apparatus and method
US5417255A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 16, 1993 |
| Grant date | May 23, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 16, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65B31/00
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A row of open top containers travelling on a conveyor is purged of oxygen by passing the containers along a gas distribution manifold disposed parallel to the direction of travel of the containers. The manifold includes at least one region of lower flow resistance disposed parallel to the direction of travel, for supplying a higher velocity inert gas flushing stream continuously and at substantially steady state to the containers. The manifold also includes at least one region of higher flow resistance disposed parallel to the direction of travel, for supplying a lower velocity inert gas region along the containers, continuously and at substantially steady state. As the containers pass along the manifold, the inert flushing gas steadily removes oxygen from the containers, while the lower velocity inert gas region prevents the flushing gas from drawing in air.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.