Metal Box Public Limited Company

Metal Box Corporation

Alan J Fishwick

Anthony J Wilson

Robert K Jackson

A high-temperature, rapid-cycle pin oven for the curing of coatings on hollow container components, includes an oven unit (2) whose housing (14) is divided into three compartments interconnected by internal explosion relief panels (136,142,144). One of the compartments (36), designed for a normal working pressure in the range 1 to 1.01 atmosphere, has a light explosion-relief panel (132) which provides primary pressure relief to atmosphere while ensuring that if the internal panels blow out, the entire interior is vented to atmosphere. This panel comprises a light casing (202) with thin tinplate bursting diaphragms (210) in the bottom, overlaid by a light, absorbent mattress (220), and a light top cover (222) which can blow out. A perforated hot air delivery screen (38) forms one wall of the narrow working chamber (34) and comprises a number of plates removably and replaceably fastened to a frame (72) fixed in the housing.

Explosion relief panel

Process apparatus

The invention relates to depalletizing apparatus of the kind which comprises a transfer head which is reciprocable in a vertical path and includes a transfer table to receive layers of articles one at a time from the top of a pile of layers which are superimposed on a pallet and have separating elements disposed therebetween. The transfer head is lowered or raised, as appropriate, relative to the pallet and a layer-receiving surface first to align the transfer table with the top layer of the pile and then with the layer-receiving surface. Transfer means associated with the transfer head moves the top layer first on to the transfer table and then on to the layer-receiving surface. The invention resides in the provision of pairs of opposed clamp members which are movable with the transfer head and relative thereto and one to the other and which are operated independently to engage the sides of the layer next below the top layer before the top layer is removed by the transfer means. Gripper means are also provided to grip a separating pad and hold it during removal of a layer from the pad by the transfer means.

Growing community of inventors

Bolton, United Kingdom

Alan J Fishwick