Air-knife system improves bottle-drying efficiency

Bottle drying system that is effective for high speed lines with cold bottles uses air-knife technology to improve drying efficiency and simplify installation and maintenance.

A new bottle drying system that is effective for high speed lines with cold bottles has been introduced by Air Control Industries (ACI) and it can be seen for the first time on Stand A3-243 at Drinktec, Munich, Germany, September 12-17.

Integrated into ACI's Dri-Line bottle drying systems, the new 'JetPlate' is a development of AirKnife technology and is designed to improve the drying efficiency of the company's machines whilst also simplify installation and maintenance.

Major features of the new JetPlate concept include its ability to deliver twice the volume of high pressure over the bottles from a closer position than before with the entrained air ensuring that all water and spray is directed downwards to prevent possible recontamination.

JetPlates are also simple and quick to adjust whilst their positioning permits single bottles - of varying heights without adjustment - to pass through without falling.

Essentially, the JetPlate arrangement comprises facing plenums each with a face plate with stepped air delivery slots.

This configuration ensures the air delivery pattern effectively pushes liquid down and off the product as it is conveyed between the plenums.

The new JetPlate arrangement simplifies installation and maintenance because the plenum face plates act as bottle guides thereby eliminating the need for rails.

Also, there is no call for pitch adjustment such as might be required with conventional AirKnife systems to achieve optimum drying.

Throughput capacity of ACI's new JetPlate system has been proven on some of the fastest bottling lines.

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