US 12,280,396 B2
Narrowband can manufacturing
Don W. Cochran, Gates Mills, OH (US); Benjamin D. Johnson, Northfield, OH (US); and Jonathan M. Katz, Solon, OH (US)
Assigned to PHOTEX INC., Cleveland, OH (US)
Filed by Photex Inc., Cleveland, OH (US)
Filed on Jun. 10, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/344,209.
Application 17/344,209 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/853,536, filed on Apr. 20, 2020, granted, now 11,633,758.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/094,601, filed on Oct. 21, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/037,437, filed on Jun. 10, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/836,447, filed on Apr. 19, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0299703 A1, Sep. 30, 2021
Int. Cl. B05D 7/14 (2006.01); B05D 3/00 (2006.01); B05D 3/02 (2006.01); B05D 7/22 (2006.01)
CPC B05D 7/14 (2013.01) [B05D 3/007 (2013.01); B05D 3/0263 (2013.01); B05D 7/227 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for use in can manufacturing wherein cans are washed, decorated and/or a coating has been sprayed onto an inside surface of cans, the system comprising:
a first station including a first array of semiconductor-based narrowband irradiation devices positioned to irradiate and dry the cans through a mesh or open-spaced belt of a mass conveyor or to individually irradiate and dry individual cans through selective elements of a serial conveyor, wherein the first station is configured to dry the cans in less than 60 seconds;
a second station including a second array of semiconductor-based narrowband irradiation devices positioned to irradiate and cure ink applied to outsides of cans being transported on a conveyor, wherein the second station is configured to cure the ink in less than 20 seconds; and
a third station including a third array of semiconductor-based narrowband irradiation devices positioned to individually and electrically heat inside surfaces of each can moved into a curing zone using optical elements positioned outside the open end of the can such that the coating on the inside surface of each successive can in a series of production cans is brought to a critical temperature to produce a linking curing process in the coating, in less than 20 seconds to prevent de-tempering or annealing from occurring in the can.