Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
21~48~1
BURF-16,589
TECIiMCAL FIELD
The invention disclosed herein relates to a spray system in combination with
a sequence control system for applying cooking oil to surfaces of baking pans
or for
applying oil, butter or other materials to surfaces of food products.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
The tremendous variety of baking pans used in commercial baking and the
frequent requirement that a single oiler and pan sensor arrangement work with
several different pans presents two major challenges. The first is to produce
a
pattern of sprays which gives a light, evenly distributed coating of release
agent only
on those portions of the pan which contact the baked product. The second is to
consistently synchronize or align the spray pattern with moving pans.
Further, liquid sprayed through nozzles tends to form a very fine mist
commonly referred to as "overspray" which does not adhere to the surface of
the pan
and results in contamination of the atmosphere in the vicinity of the pan or
application of oil to surfaces around the pan.
Sequence control apparatus heretofore employed for controlling bakery pan
oilers have limited capability for applying precisely controlled quantities of
liquid to
precisely controlled areas on pan or conveyor band surfaces. Consequently, the
systems tend to apply excessive quantities of oil or other materials which
detracts
from the quality of the resulting food product and requires excessive
maintenance and
cleaning to operate the systems.
Current systems for the application of oils and other release agents to pans
used for commercial baking {commonly referred to as "oilers" or "greasers'
provide
very limited control of application patterns. Pan sensing is frequently a
problem with
these systems as well. Consequently, these systems are unable to oil some
types of
pans and, they give poor results with many other pans. A sequence controller
capable of extending the spray pattern capabilities of such systems and
adapted to
sense_ the location of a pan without using special sensors is needed.
Commercial pan oilers apply a release agent such as vegetable oil to the
baking pan using one or more spray nozzles. The nozzles are usually mounted
above
a pan conveyor and spray into the pans as they pass below. Most oilers are
designed
2
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21448.1
BURF-16,589
for use with pans that have weU defined cavities in a uniform rectangular
arrange-
ment. A typical nozzle configuration uses a selected number of nozzles
positioned
in a row across the pan conveyor. Each nozzle is individually adjusted along a
track
to match nozzle spacing to the cavity spacing of various pans.
A pan sensor is normally mounted below the conveyor to sense the bottom
profile of the pan. When the sensor detects the leading edge of each cavity,
it
triggers a short spray from all selected nozzles. The position of the spray
within each
cavity is determined by the position of the pan sensor relative to the nozzle
line.
Pan sensor position is usually adjusted to trigger a spray in the center of
each
cavity. Spray duration is adjusted to control the amount of release agent
applied per
spray cycle. Since spray tips commonly used give relatively high flow rates,
the maxi-
mum spray duration is typically less than a tenth of a second and, the pan
travels only
a few tenths of an inch along the conveyor during the spray cycle. This gives
the
effect of spraying a single shot or burst of oil into each cavity.
The current systems are limited because they only spray when a signal is
received from the pan sensor. 'This means that a consistently detectable
pattern of
features must east on some profile of the pan which exactly matches the
desired
pattern of sprays.
Most pan sensors in use are either the metal detecting proximity type or the
optical proximity type. These sensors are on if they detect a sufficient
amount of
metal or a sufficient optical path. Because they are either on or off, and
because
they are only sensitive to a single characteristic of the pan, they are most
effective
where a high contrast profile exists. Bent pans, which are common in the
industry,
can cause the sensors to miss sprays. Also, many commercial baking pans have
frames, braces, and unusual geometries which will cause misses or extra
sprays.
SUMMARY OF INV)CNTION
The nozzle assembly disclosed herein may be used as a replacement nozzle
for existing machines or as a part of a new machine. Pan oilers, water
sputters and
butter applicators are commercially available from Burford Corp. of Maysville,
Oklahoma. The Burford Hydroplatem Breadpan O>7er Model 7000 Right hand and
3
214~81~i.
BURF-16,589
7100 Left hand model are suitable devices for use in conjunction with the
nozzle
assembly and sequence controller described herein.
The sequence controller disclosed herein is particularly adapted to provide
spray pattern flexibility and minimize pan sensing problems. It allows spray
pattern
programming and only requires that the pan sensor detect a single
synchronizing
feature of the pan for each pattern of sprays produced.
The pan oiler for spraying oil into cavities in pans moving on a conveyor
disclosed herein includes a frame mounted adjacent the conveyor; a center
nozzle
assembly the frame; first and second outside nozzle assemblies mounted on the
frame;
and a drive screw mounted on the frame and connected to the first and second
outside nozzle assemblies. The drive screw has right hand and left hand
threads for
moving the first and second outside nozzle assemblies in unison relative to
the center
nozzle assembly.
A gear box is connected to the drive screw and a shaft, connected to said gear
box, has a crank rotatable for moving the first and second outside nozzle
assemblies
relative to the center nozzle assembly for positioning the nozzle assemblies
relative
to the pans or food products.
Spaced electrodes on the frame are electrically charged and positioned to
establish an electric field in a path between the nozzle assemblies and the
pan surface
to prevent overspray.
The sequence controller is a self contained, microprocessor based unit which
provides a user programmable sequence of electronic pulses for the control or
synchronization of valves, relays, solenoids, and timers. Each pulse sequence
is initi-
ated either by an external sensor or by a front panel switch. The sequence
controller
allows a single sensor pulse or switch closure to trigger a series of evenly
timed
events. The standard sequence controller is housed in a 10"x8"x4" NEMA 13
enclosure which can be readily mounted to an oiler or a conveyor. It is
connectable
in-line between a pan sensor and an oiler and uses the low voltage DC power
provided by the oiler for sensor operation and, therefore, does not require
external
power input.
The invention descn'bed herein incorporates an improved method of forming
a thin film of liquid release agent on the surface of a pan which is
particularly
4
2~~y~m
adapted for use in commercial bakeries. A mass of release
agent is atomized by forcing the liquid through a nozzle to
form small droplets which are propelled between a pair of
positively charged electrodes to ionize the droplets by
stripping electrons from the droplets, in the case of a
release agent that is conducting, or readily ionizable.
Prior to atomizing the liquid, it may be heated to adjust
the viscosity and mixed with sodium chloride for increasing
the conductivity of the liquid. The ionized droplets are
sprayed onto the surface of a cooking pan for forming a
film on the surface.
For spraying cooking oils that are nonconducting,
or dielectric, the droplets are said to become electrically
polarized, and the electrodes may be charged either
positively or negatively. However, they must be shaped
such that the electric field intensity in their vicinity is
not too great, as would be the case with electrodes having
a small radius of curvature.
The apparatus for carrying out the improved
method comprises a pan sensor interfaced with the sequence
controller for energizing a valve driver for directing a
spray of droplets between charged electrodes in a timed
sequence to cause the charged droplets to be attracted to
and impinge against a grounded surface of a pan on a
conveyor.
Accordingly, in a further aspect the present
invention resides in an apparatus for applying a film of
cooking oil to a pan surface comprising: a source of
electrically non-conductive cooking oil; a frame; a pair of
horizontally spaced elongated electrodes on said frame; a
plurality of nozzle assemblies on said frame adjacent said
electrodes connected to said source of cooking oil;
conveyor means adjacent said nozzle assemblies for moving
CA 02144811 1998-11-03
s
pans adjacent said nozzle assemblies, said electrodes
extending transversely of said conveyor and said nozzle
assemblies being positioned between said electrodes; means
electrically charging said electrodes to a potential, each
said nozzle assembly projecting droplets of liquid between
said spaced elongated electrodes at a velocity such that
said droplets become electrically neutral polarized
droplets; and a pan guide roller on said frame for
positioning each said nozzle assembly and said spaced
electrodes adjacent the pan surface, said nozzle assemblies
projecting droplets of liquid between said electrodes to
propel the electrically neutral polarized droplets along a
trajectory to impinge against surfaces of a pan on said
conveyor means.
In another aspect the present invention resides
in a pan oiler for spraying oil into cavities in pans
moving on a conveyor comprising: a frame mounted adjacent
the conveyor; a center nozzle assembly on said frame; first
and second outside nozzle assemblies mounted on said frame;
a drive screw mounted on said frame and connected to said
first and second outer nozzle assemblies, said drive screw
having right hand and left hand threads for moving said
first and second outside nozzle assemblies in unison
relative to said center nozzle assembly; a source of fluid
connected to said nozzle assemblies for delivering atomized
f luid into cavities in pans moving on the conveyor and a
pan guide roller on said frame for positioning each said
nozzle assembly relative to the pans moving on the
conveyor.
In a further aspect, the present invention resides in
apparatus for applying a film of oil to a pan surface
comprising: a source of oil; a pair of horizontally spaced
elongated electrodes, each electrode having a curved
surface; atomizing means adjacent said pair of horizontally
5a
CA 02144811 1998-11-03
spaced elongated electrodes and operably connected with
said source of oil for spraying oil droplets between said
pair of horizontally spaced elongated electrodes; means
charging each of said curved surfaces on said pair of
horizontally spaced elongated electrodes to an electrical
potential to electrically polarize neutral oil droplets
sprayed between said pair of horizontally spaced elongated
electrodes; a pan guide for positioning a pan adjacent said
pair of horizontally spaced elongated electrodes such that
said electrically neutral polarized droplets moving between
said pair of horizontally spaced elongated elecrodes will
move along a path toward the pan; means sensing the
presence of a pan moving along a path adjacent said pair of
horizontally spaced elongated electrodes; means energized
by said sensing means for actuating said atomizing means
when a pan is positioned adjacent said pair of horizontally
spaced elongated electrodes; and spark arrester means
electrically connected with each of said pair of
horizontally spaced elongated electrodes, said spark
arrester means being adapted to prevent electrical arcing
between said pair of horizontally spaced elongated
electrodes and the pan.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Drawings of a preferred embodiment of the
invention are annexed hereto so that the invention may be
better and more fully understood, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pan oiler;
Figure 2 is an elevation view of the front or
infeed end of the oiler;
Figure 3 is a top plan view;
Figure 4 is a right side elevational view;
Figure 5 is a rear elevational view;
Figure 6 is a schematic view of the spray system
5b
CA 02144811 1998-11-03
in relation to cooking pans carried on a conveyor;
Figure 7 is a timing diagram of the control
system;
Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of a spray
system, sequence controller and a pan sensor; and
5c
2144g~.I
BURF-16,589
Fgure 9 is an elevational view of the spray system illustrated in Fgure 8 of
the drawing, loolting is a directioa longitudinally of a conveyor.
Like numeral references are employed to designate like parts throughout the
various figures of the drawing.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBOD1~IT
Referring to 1~tgure 1 of the drawing, the numeral 10 generally designates an
electrostatic spray system for use as a pan oiler for applying cooking oil to
surfaces
of baking pans or for applying oil, butter or other materials to surfaces of
food
products. The spray system 10 has a frame assembly 15 formed of material which
is
not electrically conductive, such as polyethylene or other plastic materials.
The frame
assembly incorporates two high voltage electrodes 22 and 24 and associated
electrical
wiring for establishing an electrical Geld across a spraying path between the
two high
voltage electrodes.
'Ihe frame assembly 15 includes first and second side frames 12 and 14 having
a front plate 16 and tie bars 18 and 20 extending therebetween. Screws 17
extend
through front plate 16 and secure opposite eads of front plate 16 to side
frames 12
and 14. Screws 19 extend through side frames 12 and 14 into opposite ends of
the
front tie bar 18 and screws 21 extend through side frames 12 and 14 into
opposite
ends of the rear tie bar 20.
A front electrode 22 is secured by screws 23 to front tie bar 18. A rear
electrode 24 is secured by screws 25 to the rear tie bar 20. Electrodes 22 and
24 are
preferably formed of electrically conductive material, such as polycarbonate
or other
suitable conductive plastic material.
A pan guide roller 26 extends across the lower end of frame assembly 15 and
has opposite ends rotatably secured in bearing blocks 28 and 29. Roller 26 is
located
at the infeed end of the nozzle assembly to help any pans that might be
bouncing up-
ward pass under the nozzles. The roller 26, preferably formed of non-
conductive
material, is a rolling pan guide for the nozzle assemblies and preferably
spaces
electrodes 22 and 24 about SB of an inch from the upper surface of the pan.
6
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BURF-16,589
As best illustrated in Fgures 1, 3 and 5 of the drawing, a guide rail 30
extends
between side frames 12 and 14 and has opposite ends secured in openings in
lugs 12a
and 14a on side frames 12 and 14 by set screws 31.
Opposite ends of a drive xrew 35, having threaded ends 34 and 36, extend
through openings formed in side frames 12 and 14. One end 34 of drive screw 35
has
right-hand threads formed thereon while the other end 36 of drive xrew 35 has
left
hand threads formed thereon.
A portion 38 of drive xrew 35 extends through side frame 12 and has a bevel
gear 40 mounted on the end thereof. A second bevel gear 42 is mounted on a
shaft
44 having a crank 45 mounted on the other end thereof. Shaft 44 extends
through
a bearing 46 and has a sprocket 48 secured thereto.
A mechanical counter 50 with a digital readout has a sprocket 49 mounted
thereon. A Chain 47 extends around sprockets 48 and 49. As will be hereinafter
more fully explained, rotation of crank 45 imparts rotation through sprocket
48, chain
47 and sprocket 49 to the counter 50. The digital readout on counter 50
indicates
the rotary position of shaft 44.
As best illustrated in Figures 1 and 5 of the drawing, a plurality of nozzle
assemblies 60, 70 and 80 are mounted between side frames 12 and 14. The
central
nozzle assembly 60 comprises a valve 62 and an adjustable spray tip 64 mounted
on
a bracket 65 secured to a central portion of front plate 16.
Two outside nozzle assemblies 70 and 80 are mounted for reciprocal
movement along guide rail 30 by drive xrew 35. The first outside nozzle
assembly
70 includes a valve 72 and spray tip 74 mounted on a bracket 75. Bracket 75 is
mounted on a carriage 78 having a threaded opening 76 and a guide yoke 77
formed
5 thereon.
The threaded end 34 of drive screw 35 extends through a threaded opening
76 in carriage 78 and guide rail 30 extends through a groove in yoke 77 such
that
rotation of drive screw 35 moves carriage 78 transversely of frame 15 and the
carriage
is restrained against rotation by guide rod 30.
The second outside nozzle assembly 80 comprises a valve 82 and spray tip 84
mounted on a bracket 85. Bracket 85 is mounted on a carriage 88 having a
threaded
passage 86 and a yoke 87. The end 36 of threaded drive screw 35 extends
through
7
CA 02144811 1998-11-03
the threaded opening 86 in carriage 88 and yoke 87 engages guide rail 30 to
prevent
rotation of carriage 88.
From the foregoing. it should be readily apparent that rotation of drive screw
35, having right and left-hand threads formed on opposite ends 34 and 36,
imparts
movement to carriage 78 in one direction and movement to carriage 88 in the
opposite direction. Thus, if drive screw 35 is rotated in a clockwise
direction carriage
78 and carriage 88 will move toward the center nozzle assembly 60. However, if
drive
screw 35 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, carriage 78 and carriage
88 will
move simultaneously outwardly toward side frames 12 and 14 and away from the
0 center nozzle assembly 60.
The oil supply to each nozzle assembly 60, 70 and 80 is through one master
valve 90 on the upper side of the spray system I0. This valve is normally
closed, held
open in the operating mode and supplies oil through a header 96 and oil lines
97, 98
and 99 to three individual nozzles. Oil is fed to the valve 90 through a quick
disconnect oil line fitting 92.on stainless steal braided hose 94 with Teffon~
coating.
This quick disconnect fitting 92 fits into the bulk head of the existing
Hydroplate~
oiler 509, illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. Oil is transferred from the master
valve 90
through the stainless steel braided hose 94 to each individual nozzle and
valve
assembly 60, 70 and 80. The valves 62, 72 and 82 are normally open, held
closed.
=0 A manual petcock valve 95 is included on the nozzle assembly far purging
any
air from the system.
An inline oil heater 93, illustrated in Fgure 6, is included to heat the oil
as
it is traveling to the main valve 90. This is an inline oil heater heating
only the oiI
on the inside of the oil line.
Referring to Figure 6 of the drawings, the numeral 60 generally designates an
electrostatic sprayer assembly in a pan oiler 10, for applying a film of oil
to pans 112,
113 and 114 carried on a conventional conveyor 115, for example in a
commercial
bakery. Sprayer assembly 10 is controlled by a sequence controller generally
designated by the numeral 120 to initiate and terminate spraying cycles in
timed
'0 sequence with arrival and departure of pans 112, 113 and 114.
8
CA 02144811 1998-11-03
Referring to Fgure 8, oiler 509 incorporates a tank SIO, a pump (not shown)
a plurality of nozzles mounted on an adjustable nozzle mounting head and
finger tip
digital oil quantity adjustments, including a BCD switch 512, an on-off switch
514,
status lights 516 and a manual spray pushbutton switch 518. Electrical
connectors 520
are provided for connection with spray nozzles.
The electrostatic oil sprayer 10 comprises a reservoir 130 containing a supply
132 of liquid connected through conduit 134 to the suction side of pump 135.
The
pressure side of pump 135 is connected through conduit 136, as illustrated in
Figure
6 of the drawing, to spray valve assemblies 60, 70 and 80, each incorporating
an
atomizing chamber and spray tip or nozzle 64, 74 and 84, illustrated in
Figures 1 and
5. The mass of pressurized liquid received from pump 135 is broken up into
small
droplets by spray tips 64, 74 and 84 and a cone shaped spray having an angle
of
approximately 80° is dispensed from valves 62, 72 and 82 through
nozzles 64, 74 and
84.
Electrodes 22 and 24 are positioned adjacent each nozzle such that the stream
of droplets flowing from each nozzle will be directed between and in the
vicinity of
each of the electrodes 22 and 24.
The potential difference between ionized droplets 146 and pan 112 causes the
droplets to be electrically attracted by pan 112 and propelled along a
trajectory
directly to the surface of pan 112. This electrical attraction of pan 112 to
the
charged droplet eliminates the possibility of "overspray" which has heretofore
resulted
from minute spray particles which tend to float in the air and settle on
surfaces in the
general vicinity of the pan.
The principle of conservation of energy is applicable to the motion of the
charged droplets as they impinge against the surface of pan 112 The change in
electrical potential energy and the change in kinetic energy of charged
droplets 146
is employed to overcome the surface tension of the droplets and spread the
droplets
on the surface of the pan. By adjusting the speed, direction and potential
gradient
between the droplets and pan I12, the ability of droplets to wet the surface
of the
pan co form as unbroken film while eliminating "overspray" is enhanced.
Extremely
9
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BURF-16,589
fine particles of the liquid, having a very low mass, are accelerated and,
"steered" to
pan 112.
Inline heater 93 preferably heats oil in oil line 136 to a temperature range
between 5f°C (122°F~ and 95°C (203°F) to control
the viscosity of the oil solution
and to eahance atomizing the oil flowing from valves 62, 72 and 8Z and the
spray tips
64, 74 and 84. For proper atomization the viscosity of the oil is preferably
maintained in a range of about 130 to 150 Saybolt universal seconds.
The stream of liquid exiting spray tips 64, 74 and 84 must have sufficient
velocity to atomize the liquid to form droplets but should move as slowly as
possible
to remain between electrodes 22 and 24 for a sufficient time to permit
charging of
the droplets. If oil droplets move between electrodes 22 and 24 at a velocity
in a
range between 10 and 20 meters per second, the droplets 144 will be
sufficiently
charged.
Referring to Figures 4 and 6 of the drawings, electrodes 22 and 24 for
charging conducting cooking oil are charged to an electrical potential in a
range
between four and ten kilovolts through a conductor 148, and a 100 megohms
resistor
149 by an electrical source 150. Electrodes 22 and 24 for charging
nonconducting,
or dielectric, cooking oil, are charged to a potential in a range between four
and six
kilovolts, and may be positive or negative.
Electrical source 150 is of conventional design and comprises a transformer
and rectifier circuit for converting, for example, 110 volts of alternative
current
electricity to 5,000 volts direct current. A capacitor 152 is connected from
conductor
148 to ground to function as a spark arrester and to prevent injury to
operators who
might come in contact with the electrodes.
A human body has a representative resistivity of about 100 kilo-ohms. Thus,
if an operator contacts electrodes 22 or 24, the electrical charge on the
capacitor is
dumped and the operator receives about five volts. When the operator moves out
of contact with electrode 22 or 24 capacitor 152 will be recharged over a time
period
of from one to two seconds and the potential of electrodes 22 or 24 will
increase to
five kilovolts.
~i4~811
SURF-16,589
It should be readily apparent that the provision of resistor 149 and capacitor
152 in the charging circuit provides a safety device and also prevents
electrode arcs
to pan 112.
A pan sensor 160 is mounted either below or adjacent a side of conveyor 115
and is adapted to generate a signal through sensor interface cable 122 to
indicate the
arrival and departure of pans 112, 113 and 114. As will be hereinafter more
fully
explained, sequence controller 120 and pan sensor 160 control spraying cycles.
A typical timing diagram is illustrated in Figure 7 of the drawing. Time Tl
is the time delay determined by a time delay device between the arrival of the
leading
edge of the pan 112 and the time when the spraying cycle will be initiated. A
time
duration device controls the duration T2 during which valve 90 is maintained
in an
open condition between the time the spray cycle is initiated and terminated.
The
cycle is repeated as each pan moves into position to be sprayed. It should be
readily
apparent that control circuit 120 initiates and terminates spraying cycles
based on the
presence of pans 112, 113, and 114, even though the pans may be irregularly
spaced
on conveyor 115.
For application of oil to pockets in bun pans where several rows and columns
of recesses are formed in a single pan, spray nozzle assemblies 60, 70 and 80
are
preferably positioned across the width of conveyor 115 and positioned to spray
oil
into each recess in the pan. The width of the area sprayed by each nozzle 60,
70 and
80 can be adjusted by moving nozzles 64, 74 and 84 either toward or away from
conveyor 115 such that the width of the area sprayed by the spray pattern will
be
increased as the nozzles are moved away from conveyor 115 and decreased as the
nozzles are moved toward conveyor 115.
2,5 Pan sensor 160 may assume any suitable configuration. In the embodiment
illustrated in Figures 6 and 8 of the drawing, pan sensor 160 comprises a
microswitch
which is opened and closed by the bottom of pans 112, 113, and 114 to find the
leading edge of each cavity which is to be sprayed.
Pan sensor 160 may assume other and further configurations, including an
optical sensor (not shown) which may be used where bottom sensing is not
possible
or practical or where magnetically actuated microswitches cannot be used if
pans or
other products are not metallic. In an optical sensor, an optical beam is
directed
11
2~4~81~
SURF-16,589
between an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver mounted adjacent
opposite
sides of conveyor 115. The optical beam is broken by cups formed in pans 112,
113,
and 114. If the sprayer is used as a water splitter or butter applicator, the
sensor 160
is preferably an optical sensor to detect non-metallic objects.
The sequence controller generally designated by the numeral 120 in Figure
6 of the drawing is a self contained, microprocessor based unit which provides
a user
programmable sequence of electronic pulses for the control or synchronization
of
valves, relays, solenoids, and timers. Each pulse sequence is initiated either
by an
external sensor 160 or by a front panel switch. The sequence controller 120
allows
a single sensor pulse or switch closure to trigger a series of evenly timed
events. The
sequence controller is housed in an enclosure which can be readily mounted to
oiler
10 or conveyor 115. It is connected in-line between the pan sensor 160 and the
oiler
10 by sensor interface connector cable 122 and output interface cable 124,
respectively. The controller 120 uses the low voltage DC power provided by the
oiler
10 for sensor operation and,, therefore, does not require external power
input.
Front panel switches allow the operator to control three main parameters of
the sequence: DELAY TIME, REPEAT TIME, and NUMBER OF PULSES.
The three remaining front panel controls of the Sequence Controller allow
the operator to manually trigger a pulse sequence, stop a pulse sequence which
is in
progress, bypass the controller with the sensor signal, or turn off the
controller
output.
From the foregoing it should be readily apparent that the sequence controller
20 hereinbefore described is particularly adapted for controlling one or more
spray
nozzles for providing precise control of the application of oil films to the
surfaces of
2,5 a pan or to the surface of products carried in the pans, or to the surface
of products
carried on the conveyor 115. The use of electrostatic sprayer assembly 10 in a
pan
oiler provides precision control of both the spraying and the distn'bution of
droplets
of liquid release agent or other coatings which is particularly adapted for
use in
commercial bakery and food service operations. Rotation of crank handle 45
facilitates positioning nozzle assemblies 70 and 80 in desired locations.
The spray system 10 incorporates three nozzle assemblies 60, 70 and 80 with
separate valves 62, ?2 and 82 and separate straight spray tips 64, 74 and 84.
This
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2144~~.1
BURF-16,589
nozzle configuration allows exacting oil spray in a wide variety of pan
configurations.
This particular nozzle assembly utilizes a WD-A4 80° hollow cone
nozzle tip.
However, other tips may be used for other applications.
'Ihe three nozzle valves 62, 72 and 82 may be actuated by the same signal
from the oiler if each valve is to be open for the same time period. Therefore
each
individual cavity of the bread pan receives three actual separate cone-shaped
sprays
from this nozzle assembly.
The two outside nozzle assemblies 70 and 80 are adjustable in their
relationship to the center nozzle 60. This adjustment is incorporated to
facilitate
adjusting the nozzle assemblies 70 and 80 for a variety of different pan
lengths. The
relationship of the two outside nozzle assemblies 70 and 80 to the center
nozzle 60
is adjusted by the use of a crank handle 46 on a shaft 44.
T'he bevel gear 40 matches with an opposing 90° bevel gear which turns
at the
same rate for transferring the movement to a 90° angle. This movement
is
transferred through the gear box into the nozzle assembly itself where one
drive
screw 35 is right hand threaded on one end 34 and left hand threaded on the
other
end 36. This action of rotation will keep the spacing between the center
nozzle 60
and the two outside nozzles 70 and 80 the same on each end.
A chain sprocket 48 is attached to the crank adjusting shaft 44 and by chain
47 and sprocket 49 to a mechanical counter 50 with a digital readout. The
readout
will allow the operator to make repetitive settings for each pan. A chart or
listing
can be formulated by the operator so that he knows each day what setting to
set for
a particular pan being used.
It should be apparent that the embodiment disclosed herein may be modified
without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.
13
