Claims
- 1. An accumulator for accumulating container shells for further processing, said accumulator comprising;
- an elongated housing for housing a plurality of the shells, said housing having an input end and an output end;
- a retaining means for retaining the shells in said housing; and
- means for creating a humid atmosphere within said housing for subjecting at least a portion of an upper periphery of the shells to said humid atmosphere.
- 2. The accumulator as defined in claim 1, wherein the shells are retained in said housing for a predetermined time period.
- 3. The accumulator as defined in claim 2, wherein said predetermined time period is 80 to 150 seconds.
- 4. The accumulator as defined in claim 3, wherein said range is 100 to 120 seconds.
- 5. The accumulator as defined in claim 1, wherein said humid atmosphere includes steam.
- 6. The method as defined in claim 5, wherein said steam is mixed with air at a ratio in the range of 0.1 CFM steam per 1.0 CFM air to 1.0 CFM steam per 1.0 CFM air.
- 7. The accumulator as defined in claim 5, wherein said means for creating a humid atmosphere includes an injection means for injecting said steam into said elongated housing.
- 8. The accumulator as defined in claim 7, wherein said injection means includes at least one elongated injection manifold extending along a length of said elongated housing, said injection manifold having a plurality of injection orifices for directing steam into contact with the shells.
Parent Case Info
This is a Divisional application of Ser. No. 08/208,883, filed Mar. 11, 1994 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,402.
US Referenced Citations (15)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
0129064 |
Dec 1984 |
EPX |
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
208883 |
Mar 1994 |
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