Abstract: A nozzle system that includes an improved air nozzle is provided. In one embodiment, the nozzle has an inlet and an outlet. An air source is connected with the nozzle through a conduit and generates an air flow using a high flow centrifugal blower. The nozzle is connected with and part of an air-driven orientation device.

Abstract: A machine and method are provided for washing a tote or other container having a bottom wall, and first and second opposed side walls that are connected by first and second opposed end walls to define an access opening. The machine and method involve utilizing an automated washing machine having a housing that includes a wash zone for spraying wash liquid onto the container, a downstream rinse zone for spraying rinsing liquid onto the tote and a downstream drying zone for directing air flow onto the container to promote drying of the container and a conveyor mechanism for moving the container through the housing. The container is placed in an inverted position on the conveyor mechanism with the bottom wall facing upward and the access opening facing downward, and the conveyor mechanism moves the container through the zones for cleaning.

Abstract: A nozzle system that includes an improved air nozzle is provided. In one embodiment, the nozzle has an inlet and an outlet. An air source is connected with the nozzle through a conduit and generates an air flow using a high flow centrifugal blower. The nozzle is connected with and part of an air-driven orientation device.

Abstract: A nozzle system that includes an improved air nozzle is provided. In one embodiment, the nozzle has an inlet and an outlet. An air source is connected with the nozzle through a conduit and generates an air flow using a high flow centrifugal blower. The nozzle is connected with and part of an air-driven orientation device.

Abstract: A processing system includes an air blower and an air manifold with a main body having an inlet coupled to the air blower and a plurality of outlet openings. Each of the outlet openings is coupled to a nozzle. An ionizer bar includes a housing, a power cable contained within the housing, and a plurality of emitter pins electrically coupled to the power cable. A cartridge includes two side plates forming a channel in which the ionizer bar is mounted. The cartridge is removably couplable to an interior of the main body of the air manifold.

Abstract: An air manifold system that includes an improved air nozzle is provided. In one embodiment, the nozzle has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet of the nozzle may be shaped to conform to the curved outer surface of a main body of the air manifold, and may be welded thereto. The nozzle includes a variable section extending from the nozzle inlet to an intermediate transition point along the length of the nozzle, which has a converging inside diameter, which compensates for flow losses due to cornering. A resistive section extends from the transition point to the outlet, and has a generally constant diameter which is less than the inside diameter of the variable section measured at the nozzle inlet. In one embodiment, the length of the resistive section is less than the length of the variable section.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a blower enclosure configured to secure to a base and house a blower. The blower enclosure includes a main body defining an internal blower chamber, and at least one access door configured to open to allow access to the blower. The enclosure may also include a gland plate secured over a preformed opening in the main body. The gland plate may include an O-ring configured to sealingly engage an outlet pipe of the blower. The enclosure may further include a fixed filter shroud configured to allow a user to install and remove a filter element without the use of a tool.

Abstract: A processing system includes an air blower and an air manifold with a main body having an inlet coupled to the air blower and a plurality of outlet openings. Each of the outlet openings is coupled to a nozzle. An ionizer bar includes a housing, a power cable contained within the housing, and a plurality of emitter pins electrically coupled to the power cable. A cartridge includes two side plates forming a channel in which the ionizer bar is mounted. The cartridge is removably couplable to an interior of the main body of the air manifold.

Abstract: A machine and method are provided for washing a tote or other container having a bottom wall, and first and second opposed side walls that are connected by first and second opposed end walls to define an access opening. The machine and method involve utilizing an automated washing machine having a housing that includes a wash zone for spraying wash liquid onto the container, a downstream rinse zone for spraying rinsing liquid onto the tote and a downstream drying zone for directing air flow onto the container to promote drying of the container and a conveyor mechanism for moving the container through the housing. The container is placed in an inverted position on the conveyor mechanism with the bottom wall facing upward and the access opening facing downward, and the conveyor mechanism moves the container through the zones for cleaning.

Abstract: A fluid discharge device having a main body with first and second ends may be mounted to one or more components of a system. The first end may include an inlet for receiving a fluid flow. A mounting system may include a first mounting plate having an opening with a diameter that is greater than the inlet diameter. An insert may include an outside wall configured to be fitted to the opening of the first mounting plate and may include an inside wall that defines another opening through which the inlet of the fluid discharge device may be fitted. The opening defined by the inside wall of the insert may provide a radial clearance for the inlet that compensates for distortions and/or deviations from an expected inlet and/or main body shape, wherein such distortions may be caused at least partially by stresses experienced during manufacturing.

Abstract: A system includes an adapter configured to provide an interface between a first fluid conduit and a second fluid conduit. The adapter has an inner wall and an outer wall. The adapter has a first end configured to fit against a first inside wall of the first fluid conduit. The adapter also has a second end configured to fit against a second inside wall of the second fluid conduit. The inner wall of the adapter has a first curvilinear transition from a first inside diameter at a first opening of the first end to an intermediate diameter between the first and second ends. The inner wall of the adapter has a second curvilinear transition from a second inside diameter at a second opening of the second end to the intermediate diameter.

Abstract: An air knife system includes a first set of openings and a second set of openings arranged along opposite first and second walls, respectively, of a main body. The first set of openings may be aligned with the second set of openings such that a coupling member may be inserted through each one of the first set of openings and a corresponding one of the second set of openings. The coupling members may be fixedly joined to the first and second sets of openings to maintain a desired width of a discharge slot defined by a first lip extending from the first wall and a second lip extending from the second wall. In one embodiment, the coupling members may be joined to the first and second sets of openings using a welding process.

Abstract: A nozzle system that includes an improved air nozzle is provided. In one embodiment, the nozzle has an inlet and an outlet. An air source is connected with the nozzle through a conduit and generates an air flow using a high flow centrifugal blower. The nozzle is connected with and part of an air-driven orientation device.

Abstract: A system configured to dry containers before a date coding process includes a blower assembly, an air manifold and a bracket assembly. The blower assembly includes a centrifugal air blower. The air manifold is connected to the blower assembly and includes a plurality of air nozzles. The air nozzles are configured to be positioned over a conveyor line, wherein the air nozzles are configured to expel air moved by the centrifugal air blower. The bracket assembly is configured to adjustably mount the air manifold over the conveyor line, wherein the bracket assembly allows the air manifold to be horizontally and/or vertically adjusted with respect to the conveyor line.

Abstract: A fluid discharge device having a main body with first and second ends may be mounted to one or more components of a system. The first end may include an inlet for receiving a fluid flow. A mounting system may include a first mounting plate having an opening with a diameter that is greater than the inlet diameter. An insert may include an outside wall configured to be fitted to the opening of the first mounting plate and may include an inside wall that defines another opening through which the inlet of the fluid discharge device may be fitted. The opening defined by the inside wall of the insert may provide a radial clearance for the inlet that compensates for distortions and/or deviations from an expected inlet and/or main body shape, wherein such distortions may be caused at least partially by stresses experienced during manufacturing.

Abstract: An air knife system includes a first set of openings and a second set of openings arranged along opposite first and second walls, respectively, of a main body. The first set of openings may be aligned with the second set of openings such that a coupling member may be inserted through each one of the first set of openings and a corresponding one of the second set of openings. The coupling members may be fixedly joined to the first and second sets of openings to maintain a desired width of a discharge slot defined by a first lip extending from the first wall and a second lip extending from the second wall. In one embodiment, the coupling members may be joined to the first and second sets of openings using a welding process.

Abstract: An air manifold system that includes an improved air nozzle is provided. In one embodiment, the nozzle has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet of the nozzle may be shaped to conform to the curved outer surface of a main body of the air manifold, and may be welded thereto. The nozzle includes a variable section extending from the nozzle inlet to an intermediate transition point along the length of the nozzle, which has a converging inside diameter, which compensates for flow losses due to cornering. A resistive section extends from the transition point to the outlet, and has a generally constant diameter which is less than the inside diameter of the variable section measured at the nozzle inlet. In one embodiment, the length of the resistive section is less than the length of the variable section.

Abstract: Air knives having improved end caps and mounting apparatuses are provided. Disclosed embodiments include a system having an air knife having first and second end caps that include recessed openings. Fasteners may extend through the recessed openings to fasten the first and second end caps to a main body of the air knife. The recessed openings prevent fasteners from protruding beyond the first end cap and the second end cap, thereby allowing for first and second mounting plates to be secured flush against the first and second end caps, respectively. In one embodiment, a mounting system including the first and second mounting plates may provide a first fastener that retains the air knife axially while providing a pivot point for rotational adjustments. A second fastener radially offset from the first fastener is configured to provide for rotational movement of the air knife about the pivot point.

Abstract: Adapters that provide an interface for connecting two or more fluid conduits are provided. Disclosed embodiments include a system having one or more adapters including a first end configured to couple to an inner wall of a first fluid conduit in a concentric arrangement, and a second end configured to couple to an inner wall of a second fluid conduit in a concentric arrangement. The adapter includes an inner wall that is tapered so as to provide a gradual sloping transition from an inner diameter at the first end to an inner diameter at the second end, thereby providing an aerodynamic flow path having reduced obstacles that would otherwise disrupt fluid flow. The gradual sloping transition may be linear or curvilinear.

Abstract: A system configured to dry containers before a date coding process includes a blower assembly, an air manifold and a bracket assembly. The blower assembly includes a centrifugal air blower. The air manifold is connected to the blower assembly and includes a plurality of air nozzles. The air nozzles are configured to be positioned over a conveyor line, wherein the air nozzles are configured to expel air moved by the centrifugal air blower. The bracket assembly is configured to adjustably mount the air manifold over the conveyor line, wherein the bracket assembly allows the air manifold to be horizontally and/or vertically adjusted with respect to the conveyor line.