IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,921,059
Granted Patent B2
US 10,921,059 · App. 16/151,949 · Granted Feb 16, 2021

Method and apparatus for a dryer system

Inventors: Jeem Edward Newland, III (Springboro, OH); William Mark Feldmann (Cincinnati, OH)
Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
F26B15/12F26B21/004
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,921,059
App. No.
16/151,949
Granted
Feb 16, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided is a device for drying objects that are, for example, moving on a conveyor belt or assembly line. The objects may be container such as, for example, empty or filled can, empty or filled bottles, or non-container objects.

Claims (35)

1. A dryer system, comprising:

a plenum configured to receive air from an air source; and

an air knife structure comprising a first air knife section and a second air knife section,

wherein:

the plenum comprises an inner surface and an outer surface,

the inner surface comprises a first inner wall, a second inner wall, and a ceiling connecting the first inner wall and the second inner wall,

the first air knife section is configured to be coupled to at least the first inner wall of the plenum, and

the second air knife section is configured to be coupled to at least the second inner wall of the plenum that is opposite to and faces the first inner wall.

2. The dryer system of claim 1 , wherein a vertical cross-section of the plenum is substantially upside-down-U shaped.

3. The dryer system of claim 1 , wherein the first air knife section comprises a third air knife section configured to be coupled to the first inner wall and a fourth air knife section configured to be coupled to the ceiling, and the second air knife section comprises a fifth air knife section configured to be coupled to the second inner wall and a sixth air knife section configured to be coupled to the ceiling.

4. The dryer system of claim 3 , wherein the air knife structure comprises the third air knife section coupled to the fourth air knife section, the fourth air knife section coupled to the sixth air knife section, and the sixth air knife section coupled to the fifth air knife section.

5. The dryer system of claim 3 , wherein the fourth air knife section and the sixth air knife section are configured to direct air substantially vertically downward.

6. The dryer system of claim 3 , wherein the third air knife section is configured to direct air substantially horizontally in a direction toward the fifth air knife section, and the fifth air knife section is configured to direct air substantially horizontally in a direction toward the third air knife section.

7. The dryer system of claim 3 , wherein the third air knife section on the first inner wall and the fifth air knife section on the second inner wall are positionally aligned with each other.

8. The dryer system of claim 1 , further comprising an air inlet on the plenum configured to receive the air from the air source via an air conduit.

9. A dryer system, comprising:

a plenum configured to receive air from an air source, wherein:

the plenum comprises an inner surface and an outer surface, and

the inner surface comprises a first inner wall and a second inner wall that is opposite to and faces the first inner wall;

a first air knife structure coupled to the first inner wall of the plenum; and

a second air knife structure coupled to the second inner wall of the plenum.

10. The dryer system of claim 9 , further comprising an air inlet on the plenum configured to receive the air from the air source via an air conduit.

11. The dryer system of claim 9 , wherein a vertical cross-section of the plenum is substantially upside-down-U shaped.

12. The dryer system of claim 9 , wherein:

the first air knife structure comprises a first air knife section coupled to the first inner wall of the plenum and a second air knife section, and

the second air knife structure comprises a third air knife section coupled to the second inner wall of the plenum and a fourth air knife section.

13. The dryer system of claim 12 , wherein the inner surface comprises a ceiling connecting the first inner wall and the second inner wall.

14. The dryer system of claim 13 , wherein:

the second air knife section is configured to be coupled to the ceiling; and

the fourth air knife section is configured to be coupled to the ceiling.

15. The dryer system of claim 14 , wherein the second air knife section and the fourth air knife section are configured to direct air substantially vertically downward.

16. The dryer system of claim 12 , wherein the first air knife section is configured to direct air substantially horizontally in a direction toward the third air knife section, and the third air knife section is configured to direct air substantially horizontally in a direction toward the first air knife section.

17. The dryer system of claim 12 , wherein the first air knife section coupled to the first inner wall and the third air knife section coupled to the second inner wall are positionally aligned with each other.

18. The dryer system of claim 9 , further comprising at least one air nozzle coupled to a ceiling, wherein the ceiling connects a first inner wall of the plenum to a second inner wall of the plenum, wherein the second inner wall is opposite the first inner wall.

19. The dryer system of claim 9 , further comprising a third air knife structure coupled to a ceiling, wherein the ceiling connects a first inner wall of the plenum to a second inner wall of the plenum, wherein the second inner wall is opposite the first inner wall.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 17, 2020
From: NEWLAND, JEEM EDWARD, III; FELDMANN, WILLIAM MARK
To: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Reel/Frame 052429/0791 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20200109897A1 · Apr 9, 2020
Cited By (4)
US 12,193,626 US 12,201,257 US 12,274,409 US 12,329,340