Patent Application
20110022237
Conveyer systems in commercial packing or packing operations require lubrication to ensure products travel on the conveyer systems as desired. Typically two types of lubrications are used. The first type is a concentrated lubricant that is diluted with water to form an aqueous lubricant solution. Although this type of lubrication system permits high-speed operation of conveyer systems, it requires a large amount of water. The large amount of water can cause an unduly wet environment which may not be desirable in a given operation. The second type of lubrication is called a dry lube. Dry lubes historically have referred to a lubricant composition with less than 50% water that is applied less frequently without dilution. Hence, large amounts of water are not needed to apply the lubricant. However, without the relatively low viscosity provided by the added water, applying the dry lube can be an issue.
One method of applying dry lube is with the use of energized nozzles. With energized nozzles lubricant is broken into a spray of fine droplets by the energy which is supplied for example by compressed air. A typical delivery rate of lubricant using this method is 1-2 milliliters per second (mls). Another method involves non-energized nozzles. In this embodiment, the dry lube is simply pumped through the nozzle without air assistance. A typical delivery rate of lubricant using this method is also about 1-2 mls. Yet another method used to deliver dry lube is with the use of brushes. In this method, dry lube is dispensed into the brushes that are in contact with a surface of its associated conveyer. The brushes spread the dry lubricate over the surface of the conveyer. A typical delivery rate of the dry lube in this manner is about 3-10 mls. One issue with the use of brushes is that they collect debris such as dirt, food, soil and bacteria. Another issue with brushes is that they need to be replaced on a regular basis due to deformity or wear that occurs during use.
For the reasons stated above and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for a method of delivering dry lube to a conveyer system requiring relatively large delivery amounts in a effective and efficient manner.
The above-mentioned problems of current systems are addressed by embodiments of the present invention and will be understood by reading and studying the following specification. The following summary is made by way of example and not by way of limitation. It is merely provided to aid the reader in understanding some of the aspects of the invention.
In one embodiment, a dry lubrication system for a conveyer is provided. The dry lubrication system includes a pump and at least one dispensing head. The pump is used to pump dry lube. The at least one dispensing head is coupled to receive dry lube from the pump. The at least one dispensing head is configured to deliver a flow of dry lube on a conveyer at a rate that is greater than 3 milliliters per second (mls) without the dispensing head touching the conveyer.
The present invention can be more easily understood and further advantages and uses thereof more readily apparent, when considered in view of the detailed description and the following figures in which:
In accordance with common practice, the various described features are not drawn to scale but are drawn to emphasize specific features relevant to the present invention. Reference characters denote like elements throughout Figures and text.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the inventions may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims and equivalents thereof.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of delivering relatively large quantities of dry lube over a relatively short period of time onto a conveyer system without physically contacting the conveyer system with the delivery mechanism. In one embodiment, the delivery system includes the use of one or more duckbill valves that dispense droplets of dry lube on the conveyer system. In another embodiment, one or more micro tubes are used to dispense droplets.
Referring to
A processor in general, such as processor 134, includes or functions with software programs, firmware or computer readable instructions for carrying out various methods, process tasks, calculations, and control functions. These instructions are typically tangibly embodied on any appropriate medium, such as memory 136, used for storage of computer readable instructions or data structures. Such computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or processor, or any programmable logic device. Suitable computer readable media may include storage or memory media such as magnetic or optical media, e.g., disk or CD-ROM, volatile or non-volatile media such as RAM (e.g. SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, RDRAM, SRAM, etc.), ROM, EEPROM, flash memory, etc.
In one embodiment, an output 137 is used to provide an indication to a user via display the current configuration of the system (e.g. the current frequency and duration of pump activation). Further, as illustrated in
Pump output tubing 110B is coupled to dispense receiving tubing 110A of the dispensing assembly 122. The dispense receiving tubing 110A is further coupled to a manifold 108 in the embodiment of
Illustrations on how a duckbill valve 200 of one embodiment works is illustrated in
One advantage of the use of a duckbill valve 200 is that it can provide a larger quantity of dry lube 115 in a relatively short period of time to a conveyer system which may be desirable in a given application. For example, as stated above, a typical nozzle distribution rate of dry lube 115 is 1 to 2 milliliters per second (mls) and a typical distribution rate of the dry lube with use of brushes is 3 to 10 mls. With a duckbill valve system, distributions over 10 mls per valve are possible. Moreover, unlike the brush application that touches the conveyer 102, the duckbill valve system (not being contact with the conveyer 102) does not collect debris. Hence, embodiments can provide over 3 mls rate without touching the conveyer 102. In embodiments, products on the conveyer and movement of the conveyer, etc. assist in spreading the dry lube 115 delivered by the duckbill valve 200. Hence, the use of duckbill valves 200 in an unconventional way (conventionally they are used to prevent backflow in a system) provides a system that delivers a larger quantity of dry lube 115 in a relatively short period of time.
Another embodiment of a dry lubrication system 300 is illustrated in
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
