Abstract: A disposable dryer cartridge for an air/gas dryer apparatus for installation in an air/gas line delivering compressed air or gas to an air/gas-driven tool. The cartridge includes a flexible elongated casing having a drying composition therein. The casing has an air/gas inlet and an air/gas outlet thereon. A handle is also provided on the casing. The casing is self-configurable into a cross-sectionally contracted configuration when lifted by the handle to facilitate insertion in or removal from an air/gas dryer apparatus. Following insertion of the casing in an air/gas dryer, it is manipulated as necessary to reconfigure the casing from the contracted configuration to an operational configuration wherein the casing is not cross-sectionally contracted and wherein the drying composition is compacted. When the casing needs replacement, it can be grasped by the handle and lifted to re-effect the contracted configuration and thereby removed from the dryer.

Abstract: An air/gas-driven tool with an integrated air/gas dryness indicator. The tool includes a housing that defines a cavity. An air/gas dryness detector is disposed in the cavity. An air/gas flow passage is situated to provide a stream of compressed air/gas to the dryness detector. A visual indicator is adapted to provide an indication of compressed air/gas dryness detected by the dryness detector. The tool can be constructed so that the air/gas dryness indicator is provided by way of a removable indicator cartridge containing a dryness-indicating material such as a color changing desiccant or moisture sensitive paper. The indicator cartridge can be sized and configured to be received in a cavity formed in a housing of the air/gas-driven tool, so as to be viewable through a view port formed in the tool. Alternatively, the indicator cartridge can be configured with its own view port and mounted on a surface of the tool while being partially received in the cavity.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge air/gas dryer apparatus for installation in an air/gas line delivering compressed air or gas to an air/gas-driven tool. The dryer includes a pressure vessel having first and second ends, an inlet port, and an outlet port. A disposable dryer cartridge is disposed in the pressure vessel. The cartridge includes a casing and a quantity of a drying composition in the casing. A cartridge support surface in the pressure vessel supports a first end of the cartridge. A cartridge-receiving opening is provided in the pressure vessel for inserting and removing the cartridge in the pressure vessel. A cover removably covers the opening and captures a second end of the cartridge. The dryer can be provided with a handle so that it can be easily and quickly replaced by opening the cover, pulling out the cartridge and inserting a new cartridge.

Abstract: A low-profile dryness indicator for point-of-use operation in an air/gas line delivering compressed air or gas to an air/gas-driven tool. The apparatus includes a vessel having a first end, a second end, and a central portion formed by a light transmissive wall that defines a containment chamber containing a dryness-indicating material, such as a color-changing desiccant or moisture sensitive paper. A rigid protective housing is disposed around the vessel wall and has one or more view ports for viewing the dryness-indicating desiccant in the containment chamber. The protective housing is closed by first and second end cap fittings that are each configured for connection to a compressed air/gas line, or to an air tool, and include a passage for transferring air or gas to or from an adjacent one of the plenum-defining cavities.

Abstract: A flexible, inline filter/dryer for installation in an air/gas line delivering compressed air or gas to an air/gas-driven tool. The filter/dryer includes a first end connector, a second end connector, and a flexible main body extending between the first and second end connectors. A drying composition, such as desiccant beads, substantially fills the main body and is retained therein by a retaining system that can include one or more filter elements and a plenum-defining spacer element.