Patent ID: 7432480

Claim:
An induction heating apparatus for heating can lid workpieces moving through said apparatus, comprising: a housing; a tube in said housing defining a generally enclosed space in said housing through which the workpieces travel as they move through said apparatus, said tube having an inlet end for receiving workpieces an outlet end for discharging workpieces; an inlet hub that is connected to said housing and that supports said tube inlet end, and an outlet hub that is connected to said housing and that supports said tube outlet end; an induction coil for heating the workpieces as they move through said enclosed space; an air inlet in said inlet hub for enabling air to flow into said enclosed space; an air outlet in said outlet hub that is in fluid communication with a suction device for enabling air to be suctioned out of said enclosed space to the exterior of said housing; and a moveable stop member to block movement of said tube end out of engagement with one of said inlet hub and outlet hub, said stop member being moveable to a position which permits said tube to move out of engagement with said one of said inlet hub and outlet hub so that said tube can be removed from said housing.