Apparatus and method for controlling and distributing gas flow
The present invention provides a gassing lance including a base and an extension. The base includes a docking port connectable to an input member for transmitting gas to the gassing lance, and the extension includes laminar and accelerator gassing elements for transmitting gas through the gassing lance at first and second flow rates. The gassing lance is affixable within a conventional forming tube of a packaging machine. The invention also provides a gas control panel for controlling and directing gas flow. The gas control panel includes first and second circuits for controlling laminar and accelerator gas flow, respectively, through the gassing lance. The gas control panel also includes a Programmagle Logic Control for controlling the first and second circuits based upon a desired gas characteristic input at an operator interface, and measured by a gas analyzer, thereby providing real-time-control of gas characteristics of gas exiting through the gassing lance.
This application claims benefit of priority of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/422,152, filed Oct. 30, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTIONa. Field of Invention
The invention relates generally to the control and distribution of gas flow, and, more particularly to an apparatus for directing and distributing gas, and an apparatus and method for continuous monitoring and control of gas properties during distribution thereof to a predetermined location, such as a food product container.
b. Description of Related Art
Conventional gassing operations include the exchange and/or insertion of a gas from a food product container or other environmentally sensitive products. In the past, gassing systems have utilized gas control panels in conjunction with gassing lances to exchange and/or insert an environment gas as needed. As industry usage of conventional gas control panels and gassing lances has become increasingly diversified, there exists a present need for a compact, versatile and robust gassing system.
As discussed above, gassing systems generally include a gas control panel in conjunction with a gassing lance for removal and/or insertion of an environment gas. A gassing lance is generally an extended tube, having inlet and exit openings, through which environment gas may be supplied into a package before sealing. The gassing lance may be installed in a generally vertically oriented forming tube of a packaging machine to direct gas into a package through its exit opening adjacent the bottom of the forming tube. After insertion of a specified amount of gas into the package, the package may be sealed. The inlet end of the gassing lance may be connected to a gas supply, which may be controlled by a gas control panel.
In the industry, several problems however presently exist with the design and operational characteristics of conventional gassing lances and gas control panels.
One such problem with conventional gassing lances is that the single exit opening or multiple exit openings adjacent the bottom of the tube can cause excessive turbulence as the gas exits, and thus cause the contents of the package to be unevenly distributed or the package seal area to become contaminated with product. For a gassing lance mounted on a horizontal flow wrapper as opposed to a generally vertical forming tube, it is apparent that in an horizontal orientation the above-identified problems are magnified. Accordingly, there exists a need for a gassing lance which is compact, versatile and robust, and which can provide sufficient gas flow to quickly transmit or exchange gas from a package without unnecessarily disturbing or contaminating the package contents.
In the case of gas control panels, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,616 to Sanfilippo et al. (the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference), there has been designed, manufactured and utilized herewith a first embodiment of a gas control panel in which a manifold may be used to supply gas to a gassing lance via solenoid valves. In the first embodiment of the gas control panel, the gas feed from each solenoid valve may be directed and controlled by a manually operated valve/flowmeter. Each valve/flowmeter may connect to a second manifold with a spool inserted therein for grouping with other valves/flowmeters. Each flowmeter may also include an outlet port. This gas control panel design has drawbacks in that it may be difficult for an operator to determine the grouping arrangement of the valves/flowmeters. Additionally, if the grouping arrangement of a set of valves/flowmeters is changed, it may become necessary to redesign the spool for the new valve/flowmeter arrangement.
In yet a further development, there has been designed, manufactured and utilized herewith a second embodiment of a gas control panel in which electronic flowmeters may be used in conjunction with manually adjusted valves. The design of the second embodiment improves upon the first embodiment by replacing the manually operated valves/flowmeters. The design of the second embodiment is superior, in that the electronic flowmeters may be used to compensate for various parameters, such as gas temperature and gas pressure, which provides increased accuracy in the gas flow rate. The electronic flowmeters may also include an integral switch, which may be tied into a Programmable Logic Control (PLC), to alert an operator of flow problems, or to instruct an operator to perform a specified function.
One drawback with the above-identified first and second embodiments is that the gas control panel may only be used to control a single specific gas flow through a gassing lance, and not for control of multiple gas flows through the gassing lance. Accordingly, there exists a need for a gas control panel which is compact, versatile and robust, and which can control multiple gas flows through a gassing lance.
Another drawback of the above-identified first and second embodiments is that in order for an operator to be certain of the gas environment in a package, it is necessary for a test package to be destroyed after sealing to determine if the gas environment conforms to the required specifications for the package. If the gas environment in the package is out of conformity with the required specifications, it is necessary to manually adjust the valves and to re-test a new package until the required specifications are met. It is apparent that in a high-speed manufacturing environment, such a trial-and-error procedure, which requires system shut-down and manual adjustment of valves, can be extremely time consuming and detrimental to a production operation. Additionally, due to the requirement for manual adjustment of the valves, operator error can be a factor in the resulting precision and operational characteristics of the gas control panel.
Various conventional gassing systems and associated inventions, which overcome some of the drawbacks and disadvantages of prior art gas control panels, are known and disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,306 to Taka and U.S. Pat. No. 4,174,733 to Eidsmore et al.
For the U.S. patents cited above, from an operational standpoint, the industrial operation of the relatively inflexible and/or unautomated gassing systems of the past has resulted in a noticeable increase in the overall operational cost thereof, due to the drawbacks and disadvantages discussed above. From an assembly standpoint, the assembly and installation of complex gassing systems can be time-consuming and burdensome, and can further add to the overall costs associated with a manufacturing process. Lastly, from a maintenance and use standpoint, improvements in conventional gassing systems, which overcome the drawbacks and disadvantages discussed above would likewise provide improvement in the durability of the various components associated therewith.
SUMMARY OF INVENTIONThe invention solves the problems and overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art gassing systems by providing novel gassing lance and gas control panel designs.
Thus, an aspect of the present invention is to provide a gassing lance which is compact, versatile and robust, and which can provide sufficient gas flow to quickly transmit or remove gas from a package without unnecessarily disturbing or contaminating the package contents, or contaminating the package seal.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a gassing lance which is capable of distributing multiple gas flow rates through multiple distinct channels into a package.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a gassing lance which is installable on a conventional forming tube of a Vertical Form Fill Seal machine.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a gassing lance which is relatively simple to manufacture, assemble and disassemble.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a gas control panel which is compact, versatile and robust, and which is capable of installation onto conventional packaging systems.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a gas control panel which is capable of reducing or virtually eliminating operator error by continuously monitoring and adjusting gas flow parameters as required, thereby maintaining specified gas parameters for a package.
Specifically, the invention provides a gassing lance including a base and an extension. The base may include a docking port connectable to an input member for transmitting gas to the gassing lance. The extension may include laminar gassing elements for transmitting gas through the gassing lance at a first flow rate and accelerator gassing elements for transmitting gas through the gassing lance at a second flow rate. The first flow rate may be less than the second flow rate.
For the gassing lance described above, the base may be removably connectable with the extension. The base may further include input and output laminar ports, input and output accelerator ports, and input and output analyzer ports. The docking port may likewise include input and output laminar ports, input and output accelerator ports, and input and output analyzer ports. When the docking port is connected to the base, the input laminar port, the input accelerator port and the output analyzer port on the base may be respectively interlinked with the output laminar port, the output accelerator port and the input analyzer port on the docking port, so as to enable the passage of gas between each of the respective input and output ports. The input member may include input and output laminar ports, input and output accelerator ports, and input and output analyzer ports. When the input member is connected to the docking port, the input laminar port, the input accelerator port and the output analyzer port on the docking port may be respectively interlinked with the output laminar port, the output accelerator port and the input analyzer port on the input member, so as to enable the passage of gas between each of the respective input and output ports.
The docking port may be removably connectable to the base. The docking port may include an externally threaded surface engageable with an internally threaded engagement section on the input member. The docking port may include guide holes engageable with respective locating pins on the input member. The extension may include first and second ends, the first end being removably connectable with the base.
The gassing lance may further include an accelerator tube including first and second ends. The first end of the accelerator tube may be connectable with the output accelerator port on the base and the second end of the accelerator tube may terminate substantially adjacent the second end of the extension. The accelerator tube may include holes having a central axis substantially orthogonal to a central axis of the accelerator tube. The accelerator tube may be removably connectable with the base by means of a set screw disposed in a threaded hole in the base. An end of the set screw may be engageable with the accelerator tube to connect the accelerator tube to the base. The accelerator tube may include an endpiece disposed adjacent the second end thereof. The endpiece may include an analyzer hole disposed substantially orthogonal to a gassing lance central axis. The analyzer hole may be interlinked with an output connector disposed on the endpiece. An analyzer tube may be connectable with the output connector to permit the transmission of gas from the analyzer hole to the input analyzer port on the base.
The laminar gassing element may be disposed substantially adjacent the second end of the extension on a surface of the extension for transmitting gas substantially perpendicular a gassing lance central axis. The accelerator gassing element may include first and second accelerator gassing elements. The first accelerator gassing element may be disposed substantially adjacent the second end of the extension on a surface of the extension for transmitting gas substantially perpendicular the gassing lance central axis. The second accelerator gassing element may be disposed substantially adjacent the second end of the extension on an end of the extension for transmitting gas substantially parallel to the gassing lance central axis. The surface area of the laminar gassing element may be greater than the surface area of either the first accelerator gassing element, or the second accelerator gassing element, or both. Spacers may be disposable adjacent the second end of the accelerator tube. The spacers may include first openings along the gassing lance central axis and second openings disposed substantially orthogonal to the gassing lance central axis. The first opening may permit transmission of gas substantially parallel to the gassing lance central axis and the second opening may permit transmission of gas substantially orthogonal to the gassing lance central axis. The gassing lance may further include baffle elements disposable adjacent the spacers for controlling transmission of gas through the first and second openings in the spacers. An endcap may be disposed adjacent the second end of the extension.
Each of the laminar and accelerator gassing elements may include wire meshes including microscopic holes enabling transmission of gas therethrough. The gassing lance cross section perpendicular to the gassing lance central axis may include a first generally curved surface and second generally flat surfaces. The curved surface may be disposable adjacent an inner surface of a forming tube when the gassing lance is mounted to the forming tube. The gassing lance may be mountable in a hole provided in the forming tube. When the gassing lance is mounted to the forming tube, the gassing lance docking port may protrude through the hole, and the gassing lance base and extension may be disposed inside the forming tube. The base may be disposed at an angle relative to the extension.
The invention further provides a method of supplying gas through a gassing lance disposable in a forming tube of a packaging machine. The gassing lance may include a base including a docking port connectable to an input member for transmitting gas to the gassing lance, and an extension. The extension may include laminar and accelerator gassing elements for transmitting gas through the gassing lance. The method may include the steps of connecting the input member to the docking port, transmitting gas through the laminar gassing element at a first flow rate, and transmitting gas through the accelerator gassing element at a second flow rate. The first flow rate may be less than the second flow rate.
For the method of supplying gas described above, the base may include input and output laminar ports, input and output accelerator ports, and input and output analyzer ports. Likewise, the docking port may include input and output laminar ports, input and output accelerator ports, and input and output analyzer ports. The method may further include the steps of connecting the docking port to the base, and thereby interlinking the input laminar port, the input accelerator port and the output analyzer port on the base with the output laminar port, the output accelerator port and the input analyzer port on the docking port, respectively, so as to enable the passage of gas between each of the respective input and output ports.
The input member may include input and output laminar ports, input and output accelerator ports, and input and output analyzer ports. The method may further include the step of interlinking the input laminar port, the input accelerator port and the output analyzer port on the docking port with the output laminar port, the output accelerator port and the input analyzer port on the input member, respectively, so as to enable the passage of gas between each of the respective input and output ports. An internally threaded engagement section on the input member may be engaged to an externally threaded surface of the docking port to connect the input member to the docking port. Locating pins may be provided on the input member for engagement with respective holes in the docking port. The holes may guide engagement of the docking port with the locating pins on the input member.
The extension may include first and second ends. The first end may be removably connectable with the base. An accelerator tube may be provided and may include first and second ends. The second end of the accelerator tube may terminate substantially adjacent the second end of the extension. The first end of the extension may be connected to the base, and the first end of the accelerator tube may be connected with the output accelerator port on the base. Holes may be provided in the accelerator tube. The holes may include a central axis substantially orthogonal to an axial length of the accelerator tube. The accelerator tube may be connected with the base by means of a set screw disposed in a threaded hole in the base. An end of the set screw may be engaged with the accelerator tube to connect the accelerator tube to the base. An endpiece disposed adjacent the second end of the accelerator tube may be provided. The endpiece may include an analyzer hole disposed substantially orthogonal to a gassing lance central axis. The analyzer hole may be interlinked with an output connector disposed on the endpiece. An analyzer tube may be connected with the output connector to permit the transmission of gas from the analyzer hole to the input analyzer port on the base.
The accelerator gassing element may include first and second accelerator gassing elements. The laminar gassing element may be disposed substantially adjacent the second end of the extension on a surface of the extension for transmitting gas substantially perpendicular a gassing lance central axis. The first accelerator gassing element may be disposed substantially adjacent the second end of the extension on a surface of the extension for transmitting gas substantially perpendicular the gassing lance central axis. The second accelerator gassing element may be disposed substantially adjacent the second end of the extension on an end of the extension for transmitting gas substantially parallel to the gassing lance central axis. The surface area of the laminar gassing element may be greater than the surface area of the first accelerator gassing element or the second accelerator gassing element, or both.
Spacers may be disposed adjacent the second end of the accelerator tube. The spacers may include first openings disposed along the gassing lance central axis and second openings disposed substantially orthogonal to the gassing lance central axis. The first opening may permit transmission of gas substantially parallel to the gassing lance central axis and the second openings may permit transmission of gas substantially orthogonal to the gassing lance central axis. Baffle elements may be disposed adjacent the spacers for controlling transmission of gas through the first and second openings in the spacers. An endcap may be disposed adjacent the second end of the extension.
A plurality of microscopic holes may be provided in each of the laminar and accelerator gassing elements for enabling transmission of gas therethrough. The gassing lance cross section perpendicular to the gassing lance central axis may include a first generally curved surface and at least one second generally flat surface. The curved surface may be disposed adjacent an inner surface of a forming tube when the gassing lance is mounted to the forming tube. The gassing lance may be mounted in a hole provided in the forming tube. The gassing lance docking port may protrude through the hole, and the gassing lance base and extension may be disposed inside the forming tube. The base may be disposed at an angle relative to the extension.
The invention yet further provides a gas control panel for controlling and directing gas flow. The gas control panel may include first circuits for controlling gas flow at a first flow rate through one or more gassing lances. An operator interface may be provided for setting forth a desired gas characteristic. A gas analyzer may be provided for measuring a gas characteristic for gas flowing through the gassing lances. The gas characteristic may constitute a measured gas characteristic, and correspond either directly or indirectly to the desired gas characteristic. A control system, namely a Programmable Logic Control may be provided for controlling the first circuit such that the measured gas characteristic corresponds to the desired gas characteristic.
The gas control panel may further include second circuits for controlling gas flow at a second flow rate through the gassing lances. The Programmable Logic Control may control the first and second circuits such that the measured gas characteristic corresponds to the desired gas characteristic. The first flow rate may be less than the second flow rate. Gas may be supplied to the gas control panel via a gas supply. A filter-regulator may be provided for filtering and regulating flow of gas from the gas supply. A gas distribution manifold may be provided for distributing gas supplied from the filter-regulator to the first and second circuits.
For the gas control panel described above, the first circuit may include an electronic pressure regulator for increasing or decreasing gas flow controlled by the first circuit based upon a gas flow reading by a flow indicator. The flow indicator may be connected in series between the electronic pressure regulator and a solenoid valve. The second circuit may likewise include an electronic pressure regulator for increasing or decreasing gas flow controlled by the second circuit based upon a gas flow reading by a flow indicator. The flow indicator may be connected in series between the electronic pressure regulator and a solenoid valve.
The gas characteristic measured by the gas analyzer may be converted into a deliverable gas flow via a control scheme. Exemplary control schemes may include PID, Speed, Minimum, Maximum, Linear or Logarithmic, which may be utilized singly or in combination.
During operational or non-operational states of a packaging machine, the first and second flow rates may be either constant, pulsed, dependent upon an operational speed of the packaging machine, dependent upon an operational state of the packaging machine, or variable. Alternatively, the first and second flow rates may be combinations of the above-identified flow rate. The first and second flow rates may be increased or decreased based upon the gas characteristic measurement. The Programmable Logic Control may be programmed for a plurality of flow rates corresponding to the desired gas characteristics.
The invention further provides yet another gas control panel for controlling and directing gas flow. The gas control panel may include a plurality of circuits for controlling gas flow at a plurality of flow rates. An operator interface may be provided for setting forth desired gas characteristics. A gas analyzer may be provided for measuring gas characteristics of gas directed by the gas control panel. The gas characteristics may constitute measured gas characteristics and correspond either directly or indirectly to the desired gas characteristics. A Programmable Logic Control may be provided for controlling the circuits such that the measured gas characteristics correspond to the desired gas characteristics.
The invention further provides a method of controlling and directing gas flow. The method may include the steps of providing first circuits for controlling gas flow at a first flow rate through one or more gassing lances, setting forth a desired gas characteristic, and measuring a gas characteristic for gas flowing through the gassing lances. The gas characteristic may constitute a measured gas characteristic and correspond either directly or indirectly to the desired gas characteristic. The method may yet further include the step of controlling the first circuit such that the measured gas characteristic corresponds to the desired gas characteristic.
For the method described above, second circuits may be provided for controlling gas flow at a second flow rate through the gassing lances. The first and second circuits may be controlled such that the measured gas characteristic corresponds to the desired gas characteristic. The first flow rate may be less than the second flow rate. Gas from a gas supply may be filtered and regulated, and distributed to the first and second circuits. The gas flow controlled by the first and second circuits may be increased or decreased based upon a gas flow reading. The measured gas characteristic may be converted into a deliverable gas flow via a control scheme. Exemplary control schemes include PID, Speed, Minimum, Maximum, Linear or Logarithmic, which may be utilized singly or in combination.
During operational or non-operational stages of a packaging machine, the first and second flow rates may be either constant, pulsed, dependent upon an operational speed of the packaging machine, dependent upon an operational state of the packaging machine, or variable. Alternatively, the first and second flow rates may be combinations of the above-identified flow rates. Lastly, the first or second flow rates may be increased or decreased based upon the gas characteristic measurement.
Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the detail description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,
Generally, the gassing lance system according to the present invention is a gas flushing system which may be installed in a conventional Vertical Form Fill Seal (VFFS) machine (not shown). Gassing lance 40 may be installed inside a forming tube (i.e. forming tube 62 described below) of a packaging machine (not shown) so as to deliver gas relatively close to the sealing bar of the packaging machine. Gas control panel 260 may be used to control and deliver the desired gas to gassing lance 40.
Referring now to
As shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
As shown in
As shown in
Referring next to
Referring to
The flow output through laminar gassing element 116 and retention element 94, which provides accelerator flow therethrough, may generally be perpendicular to forming tube 62. It is apparent that gassing lance 40 may be configured such that the majority of accelerator flow may exit through baffle element 76. It is also apparent that by distributing the accelerator flow through two outlets (i.e. retention element 94 and baffle elements 76), the overall velocity of the accelerator flow exiting through baffle element 76 is reduced.
In a particular embodiment of gassing lance 40, gas output through laminar gassing element 116 provides the initial volume for filling a package 63 and the accelerator flows through the angled face 97 of retention element 94 and baffle element 76 act to maintain the volume before sealing package 63. The benefit of the laminar and accelerator flows is realized when packages of different volumes are filled. Speed parameters for filling packages and flow rate parameters of accelerator and laminar flow vary for the gassing lance system and are dependent upon the size of the package being filled. For example, in a typical packaging situation, the accelerator flow rate may be twice the laminar flow rate. For a forming tube 62 having a length of 35″, exemplary dimensions for gassing lance 40 may include an overall length of 36″, a width of 2″, a laminar gassing element having a length of 5″ along the axis of gassing lance 40 and a retention element 94 (for accelerator flow) having a length of 0.4″ along the axis of gassing lance 40.
Referring next to
Referring to
Gassing lance 40, and the various components thereof described above, may be made of metals, such as stainless steel or aluminum, or other similar materials, or may be made of plastics, composites and other similar materials. Additionally, it is apparent from the above discussion that gassing lance 40 according to the present invention may be quickly assembled and disassembled for sanitation or for changeover purposes. Alternatively, the number of components of gassing lance 40 may be reduced by welding, for example. Such a reduction may make sanitation more difficult, but would render gassing lance 40 less expensive to manufacture.
A gas control panel 260 according to the present invention, for transmitting and controlling the flow of gas to gassing lance 40, will now be described in detail. However, before proceeding with the description of gas control panel 260, in order to illustrate the novelty of gas control panel 260, gas control panels 160 and 210, which have been designed, manufactured and utilized herewith, and briefly described in the section titled “Description of Related Art,” will first be described in detail.
Referring now to
Gas control panel 160 for use in a pharmaceutical line, for example, may include an operator interface 162, a power on switch 164, an emergency stop switch 166, a pressure indicator/switch 168 and flow indicators/switches 170. In the embodiment of
As shown in
Referring next to
In operation, if flow through the gas distribution hoses drops below a predetermined limit, flow indicators/switches 198 may be configured to sound an alarm. Manual flow control valves 206 may then be manually adjusted to increase or decrease the amount of flow, and to therefore obtain a desired gas environment in exemplary package 63, shown in
Referring now to
Gas control panel 210 for use in a food processing line, for example, may include a gas analyzer 212. Gas analyzer 212 may include solenoid valves 213 mounted on a side thereof to allow switching to different ports. Allen-Bradley Flex I/O modules 214 and a SOLA power supply 216 may be provided adjacent gas analyzer 212. It is foreseeable that other manufacturers may be employed to communicate with a Programmable Logic Control or other components of Gas control panel 210.
Gas control panel 210 may further include an auxiliary sample pump 218, circuit breakers 222, relays 224, terminals 226, an optoisolator 228, a relay 232, circuit breakers 234 and terminals 236.
Gas control panel 210 may yet further include a duplex receptacle 238 for 110 VAC power, a fan 242 located under duplex receptacle 238, and a filter/regulator 244. In the embodiment of
Referring now to
As shown in
As shown in
Referring to
Referring to
In operation, flow indicator 294 may continuously provide a reading of the amount of gas flow in laminar tube 146 by using the analog I/O. This reading may then be sent to laminar electronic pressure regulator 292, to increase or decrease the pressure in laminar tube 146. Based upon the increased or decreased pressure, as discussed above, flow indicator 294 may continuously provide a reading of the amount of gas flow in laminar tube 146. Accordingly, by continuously monitoring the amount of gas flow in laminar tube 146, and continuously increasing or decreasing the pressure in laminar tube 146, gas control panel 260 may attain and thereafter maintain a specified gas environment near a package (i.e. package 63). It is apparent that since the accelerator gas flow is generally pulsed, in order to adjust the gas environment near package 63, for general applications of gassing lance 40 of the present invention, it may only be necessary to monitor and control the pressure in laminar tube 146. It is however evident that if needed, the gas flow in accelerator tube 152 may also be monitored and controlled by an additional flow switch.
The operation of the various electronic components of gas control panel 260 discussed above may be controlled by Programmable Logic Control 274. Programmable Logic Control 274 may be programmed to remember a host of flow rates for specific operations and respond accordingly. This type of setup allows different “recipes” to be programmed into Programmable Logic Control 274, based upon the type of product, container size, running speed, etc.
As illustrated in
Referring to
In an alternative configuration, one or both of the laminar and accelerator flows may be preset at a variable flow level during operation of a packaging machine, and otherwise be set to a constant flow level, or turned off, during non-operational stages of the packaging machine. Additionally, the variable flow level during operation of the packaging machine may be changed to a constant flow level if the speed of the packaging operation exceeds a predetermined threshold.
In yet another alternative configuration, one or both of the laminar and accelerator flows may be pulsed at fixed or variable intervals, depending on the operational state of a packaging machine.
Referring to
Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those particular embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A gassing lance comprising:
- a base including a docking port connectable to an input member for transmitting gas to said gassing lance; and
- an extension including: at least one laminar gassing element for transmitting gas through said gassing lance at a first flow rate; and at least one accelerator gassing element for transmitting gas through said gassing lance at a second flow rate.
2. A gassing lance according to claim 1, said base being removably connectable with said extension.
3. A gassing lance according to claim 1, said base including:
- at least one input laminar port and at least one output laminar port;
- at least one input accelerator port and at least one output accelerator port; and
- at least one input analyzer port and at least one output analyzer port.
4. A gassing lance according to claim 3, said docking port including:
- at least one input laminar port and at least one output laminar port;
- at least one input accelerator port and at least one output accelerator port; and
- at least one input analyzer port and at least one output analyzer port.
5. A gassing lance according to claim 4, wherein when said docking port is connected to said base, said input laminar port, said input accelerator port and said output analyzer port on said base being respectively interlinked with said output laminar port, said output accelerator port and said input analyzer port on said docking port, so as to enable the passage of gas between each of said respective input and output ports.
6. A gassing lance according to claim 4, said input member including:
- at least one input laminar port and at least one output laminar port;
- at least one input accelerator port and at least one output accelerator port; and
- at least one input analyzer port and at least one output analyzer port.
7. A gassing lance according to claim 6, wherein when said input member is connected to said docking port, said input laminar port, said input accelerator port and said output analyzer port on said docking port being respectively interlinked with said output laminar port, said output accelerator port and said input analyzer port on said input member, so as to enable the passage of gas between each of said respective input and output ports.
8. A gassing lance according to claim 1, said docking port being removably connectable to said base.
9. A gassing lance according to claim 6, said docking port including an externally threaded surface engageable with an internally threaded engagement section on said input member,
- wherein when said input member is connected to said docking port, said input laminar port, said input accelerator port and said output analyzer port on said docking port being respectively interlinked with said output laminar port, said output accelerator port and said input analyzer port on said input member, so as to enable the passage of gas between each of said respective input and output ports.
10. A gassing lance according to claim 1, said docking port including at least one guide hole engageable with at least one respective locating pin on said input member.
11. A gassing lance according to claim 3, said extension including first and second ends, said first end being removably connectable with said base, said gassing lance further comprising:
- an accelerator tube including first and second ends, said first end of said accelerator tube being connectable with said output accelerator port on said base and said second end of said accelerator tube terminating substantially adjacent said second end of said extension.
12. A gassing lance according to claim 11, said accelerator tube including at least one hole having a central axis substantially orthogonal to a central axis of said accelerator tube.
13. A gassing lance according to claim 11, said accelerator tube being removably connectable with said base by means of a set screw disposed in a threaded hole in said base, an end of said set screw being engageable with said accelerator tube to connect said accelerator tube to said base.
14. A gassing lance according to claim 11, said accelerator tube including an endpiece disposed adjacent said second end thereof, said endpiece including an analyzer hole disposed substantially orthogonal to a gassing lance central axis.
15. A gassing lance according to claim 14, said analyzer hole being interlinked with an output connector disposed on said endpiece, an analyzer tube being connectable with said output connector to permit the transmission of gas from said analyzer hole to said input analyzer port.
16. A gassing lance according to claim 1, said extension including first and second ends, said first end being removably connectable to said base,
- said laminar gassing element being disposed substantially adjacent said second end of said extension on a surface of said extension for transmitting gas substantially perpendicular to a gassing lance central axis,
- said accelerator gassing element including first and second accelerator gassing elements, said first accelerator gassing element being disposed substantially adjacent said second end of said extension on a surface of said extension for transmitting gas substantially perpendicular to said gassing lance central axis, said second accelerator gassing element being disposed substantially adjacent said second end of said extension on an end of said extension for transmitting gas substantially parallel to said gassing lance central axis.
17. A gassing lance according to claim 16, a surface area of said laminar gassing element being greater than a surface area of at least one of:
- said first accelerator gassing element, and
- said second accelerator gassing element.
18. A gassing lance according to claim 1, said extension including first and second ends, said first end being removably connectable with said base, said gassing lance further comprising:
- an accelerator tube including first and second ends, said first end of said accelerator tube being connectable with an output accelerator port on said base and said second end of said accelerator tube terminating substantially adjacent said second end of said extension, and
- at least one spacer disposable adjacent said second end of said accelerator tube, said spacer including at least one first opening disposed along a gassing lance central axis and at least one second opening disposed substantially orthogonal to said gassing lance central axis,
- wherein said first opening permits transmission of gas substantially parallel to said gassing lance central axis and said second opening permits transmission of gas substantially orthogonal to said gassing lance central axis.
19. A gassing lance according to claim 18, further comprising at least one baffle element disposable adjacent said spacer for controlling transmission of gas through said first and second openings in said spacer.
20. A gassing lance according to claim 19, further comprising an endcap disposable adjacent said second end of said extension.
21. A gassing lance according to claim 1, each of said laminar and accelerator gassing elements including at least one wire mesh including a plurality of microscopic holes enabling transmission of gas therethrough.
22. A gassing lance according to claim 1, wherein a gassing lance cross section perpendicular to a gassing lance central axis includes a first generally curved surface and at least one second generally flat surface, said curved surface being disposable adjacent an inner surface of a forming tube when said gassing lance is mounted to the forming tube.
23. A gassing lance according to claim 22, said gassing lance being mountable in a hole provided in the forming tube,
- wherein, when said gassing lance is mounted to the forming tube, said gassing lance docking port protrudes through the hole, and said gassing lance base and extension are disposed inside the forming tube.
24. A gassing lance according to claim 1, said base being disposed at an angle relative to said extension.
25. A gassing lance according to claim 1, said first flow rate being less than said second flow rate.
26. A method of supplying gas through a gassing lance disposable in a forming tube of a packaging machine, said gassing lance comprising:
- a base including a docking port connectable to an input member for transmitting gas to said gassing lance; and
- an extension including: at least one laminar gassing element for transmitting gas through said gassing lance; and at least one accelerator gassing element for transmitting gas through said gassing lance, said method comprising the steps of:
- connecting said input member to said docking port;
- transmitting gas through said laminar gassing element at a first flow rate; and
- transmitting gas through said accelerator gassing element at a second flow rate.
27. A method according to claim 26, said base including:
- at least one input laminar port and at least one output laminar port;
- at least one input accelerator port and at least one output accelerator port; and
- at least one input analyzer port and at least one output analyzer port.
28. A method according to claim 27, said docking port including:
- at least one input laminar port and at least one output laminar port;
- at least one input accelerator port and at least one output accelerator port; and
- at least one input analyzer port and at least one output analyzer port.
29. A method according to claim 28, further comprising the steps of:
- connecting said docking port to said base; and
- interlinking said input laminar port, said input accelerator port and said output analyzer port on said base with said output laminar port, said output accelerator port and said input analyzer port on said docking port, respectively, so as to enable the passage of gas between each of said respective input and output ports.
30. A method according to claim 28, said input member including:
- at least one input laminar port and at least one output laminar port;
- at least one input accelerator port and at least one output accelerator port; and
- at least one input analyzer port and at least one output analyzer port.
31. A method according to claim 30, further comprising the step of:
- interlinking said input laminar port, said input accelerator port and said output analyzer port on said docking port with said output laminar port, said output accelerator port and said input analyzer port on said input member, respectively, so as to enable the passage of gas between each of said respective input and output ports.
32. A method according to claim 30, further comprising the steps of:
- engaging an internally threaded engagement section on said input member to an externally threaded surface of said docking port to connect said input member to said docking port; and
- interlinking said input laminar port, said input accelerator port and said output analyzer port on said docking port with said output laminar port, said output accelerator port and said input analyzer port on said input member, respectively, so as to enable the passage of gas between each of said respective input and output ports.
33. A method according to claim 26, further comprising the step of:
- engaging at least one locating pin provided on said input member with at least one respective hole in said docking port, said hole guiding engagement of said docking port with said locating pin on said input member.
34. A method according to claim 27, said extension including first and second ends, said first end being removably connectable with said base, said gassing lance further comprising an accelerator tube including first and second ends, said second end of said accelerator tube terminating substantially adjacent said second end of said extension, said method further comprising the steps of:
- connecting said first end of said extension to said base; and
- connecting said first end of said accelerator tube with said output accelerator port on said base.
35. A method according to claim 34, further comprising the step of:
- providing at least one hole in said accelerator tube, said hole having a central axis substantially orthogonal to a central axis of said accelerator tube.
36. A method according to claim 34, further comprising the steps of:
- connecting said accelerator tube with said base by means of a set screw disposed in a threaded hole in said base; and
- engaging an end of said set screw with said accelerator tube to connect said accelerator tube to said base.
37. A method according to claim 34, further comprising the step of:
- providing an endpiece disposed adjacent said second end of said accelerator tube, said endpiece including an analyzer hole disposed substantially orthogonal to a gassing lance central axis.
38. A method according to claim 37, further comprising the steps of:
- interlinking said analyzer hole with an output connector disposed on said endpiece; and
- connecting an analyzer tube with said output connector to permit the transmission of gas from said analyzer hole to said input analyzer port.
39. A method according to claim 26, said extension including first and second ends, said accelerator gassing element including first and second accelerator gassing elements, said method further comprising the steps of:
- connecting said first end of said extension to said base;
- disposing said laminar gassing element substantially adjacent said second end of said extension on a surface of said extension for transmitting gas substantially perpendicular to a gassing lance central axis;
- disposing said first accelerator gassing element substantially adjacent said second end of said extension on a surface of said extension for transmitting gas substantially perpendicular to said gassing lance central axis; and
- disposing said second accelerator gassing element substantially adjacent said second end of said extension on an end of said extension for transmitting gas substantially parallel to said gassing lance central axis.
40. A method according to claim 39, a surface area of said laminar gassing element being greater than a surface area of at least one of:
- said first accelerator gassing element, and
- said second accelerator gassing element.
41. A method according to claim 26, said extension including first and second ends, said gassing lance further comprising an accelerator tube including first and second ends, said second end of said accelerator tube terminating substantially adjacent said second end of said extension, said method further comprising the steps of:
- connecting said first end of said extension with said base;
- connecting said first end of said accelerator tube with an output accelerator port on said base; and
- disposing at least one spacer adjacent said second end of said accelerator tube, said spacer including at least one first opening disposed along a gassing lance central axis and at least one second opening disposed substantially orthogonal to said gassing lance central axis, wherein said first opening permits transmission of gas substantially parallel to said gassing lance central axis and said second opening permits transmission of gas substantially orthogonal to said gassing lance central axis.
42. A method according to claim 41, further comprising the step of:
- disposing at least one baffle element adjacent said spacer for controlling transmission of gas through said first and second openings in said spacer.
43. A method according to claim 42, further comprising the step of:
- disposing an endcap adjacent said second end of said extension.
44. A method according to claim 26, further comprising the step of:
- providing a plurality of microscopic holes in each of said laminar and accelerator gassing elements for enabling transmission of gas therethrough.
45. A method according to claim 26, wherein a gassing lance cross section perpendicular to a gassing lance central axis includes a first generally curved surface and at least one second generally flat surface, said method further comprising the step of:
- disposing said curved surface adjacent an inner surface of a forming tube when said gassing lance is mounted to the forming tube.
46. A method according to claim 45, further comprising the step of:
- mounting said gassing lance in a hole provided in the forming tube,
- wherein said gassing lance docking port protrudes through the hole, and said gassing lance base and extension are disposed inside the forming tube.
47. A method according to claim 26, further comprising the step of:
- disposing said base at an angle relative to said extension.
48. A method according to claim 26, said first flow rate being less than said second flow rate.
49. (canceled)
50. (canceled)
51. (canceled)
52. (canceled)
53. (canceled)
54. (canceled)
55. (canceled)
56. (canceled)
57. (canceled)
58. (canceled)
59. (canceled)
60. (canceled)
61. (canceled)
62. (canceled)
63. (canceled)
64. (canceled)
65. (canceled)
66. (canceled)
67. (canceled)
68. (canceled)
69. (canceled)
70. (canceled)
71. (canceled)
72. (canceled)
73. (canceled)
74. (canceled)
75. (canceled)
76. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 18, 2005
Publication Date: May 18, 2006
Inventors: John Sanfilippo (Barrington Hills, IL), James Sanfilippo (Barrington Hills, IL)
Application Number: 11/281,474
International Classification: F23D 11/10 (20060101);