Patents by Inventor Thomas L. Cristello

Thomas L. Cristello has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11319662
    Abstract: A dryer includes a drum to rotate while drying articles, such as clothes, using heated air. The drum includes an outer cylindrical wall and an inner cylindrical wall that fits within the outer cylindrical wall. An air passage is formed between the outer cylindrical wall and the inner cylindrical wall to receive heated air directed to the drum. The inner cylindrical wall includes holes into the interior of the drum. The heated air within the air passage passes through the holes into the interior of the drum to directly contact the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Inventors: Chuck Dewald, Thomas L. Cristello
  • Publication number: 20210246605
    Abstract: A dryer includes a drum to rotate while drying articles, such as clothes, using heated air. The drum includes an outer cylindrical wall and an inner cylindrical wall that fits within the outer cylindrical wall. An air passage is formed between the outer cylindrical wall and the inner cylindrical wall to receive heated air directed to the drum. The inner cylindrical wall includes holes into the interior of the drum. The heated air within the air passage passes through the holes into the interior of the drum to directly contact the articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Chuck DEWALD, Thomas L. CRISTELLO
  • Patent number: 8668765
    Abstract: A drying system includes a desiccant wheel that dries incoming air. The dried air is heated using a heating element to promote drying of an article within the drying system. A portion of the heated air is diverted to a secondary air path that leads away from the drum holding the article. The diverted portion is used to regenerate an area of the desiccant wheel. A secondary heating element is used to promote regeneration and located in the secondary air path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Protege Enterprises
    Inventors: Charles Robert Dewald, III, Thomas L. Cristello
  • Publication number: 20120227279
    Abstract: A drying system includes a desiccant wheel that dries incoming air. The dried air is heated using a heating element to promote drying of an article within the drying system. A portion of the heated air is diverted to a secondary air path that leads away from the drum holding the article. The diverted portion is used to regenerate an area of the desiccant wheel. A secondary heating element is used to promote regeneration and located in the secondary air path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: PROTEGE ENTERPRISES
    Inventors: Charles Robert DEWALD, III, Thomas L. CRISTELLO
  • Patent number: 8137440
    Abstract: A dryer and a drying apparatus attachable to a dryer are disclosed. A wheel having desiccant material is located in line and in close proximity with a heating element. The wheel includes a first portion positioned in an inlet air path and a second portion positioned in an outlet air path. The desiccant material removes water molecules from air within the inlet air path, and lowers the vapor pressure of the incoming air. In the outlet air path, heated air flows through the second portion to transfer energy to the desiccant material. The wheel rotates to change the desiccant material within the portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Protégé Enterprises
    Inventors: Charles Robert Dewald, III, Thomas L. Cristello
  • Patent number: 7785398
    Abstract: A dryer and a drying apparatus attachable to a dryer are disclosed. A wheel having desiccant material is located in line and in close proximity with a heating element. The wheel includes a first portion positioned in an inlet air path and a second portion positioned in an outlet air path. The desiccant material removes water molecules from air within the inlet air path, and lowers the vapor pressure of the incoming air. In the outlet air path, heated air flows through the second portion to transfer energy to the desiccant material. The wheel rotates to change the desiccant material within the portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Protégé Enterprises
    Inventors: Charles Robert Dewald, III, Thomas L. Cristello
  • Publication number: 20090205220
    Abstract: An adapter to a dryer, or a new configuration to a dryer, allows articles, such as clothes, towels, sheets and the like to dry with reduced energy consumption. The adapted configuration draws air from outside the room or structure housing the dryer. The outside air is then used to dry the articles. The outside air can be heated within the dryer using the existing heater prior to entering the drum holding the articles. After the heated air removes moisture from the articles, the moist, hot air is expelled outside the room or structure through an outlet air duct. Thus, air within the room or structure is not used for the drying process and conditions such as temperature and pressure are not changed when the dryer is on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: Charles Robert Dewald, III, Thomas L. Cristello
  • Publication number: 20080276802
    Abstract: A dryer and a drying apparatus attachable to a dryer are disclosed. A wheel having desiccant material is located in line and in close proximity with a heating element. The wheel includes a first portion positioned in an inlet air path and a second portion positioned in an outlet air path. The desiccant material removes water molecules from air within the inlet air path, and lowers the vapor pressure of the incoming air. In the outlet air path, heated air flows through the second portion to transfer energy to the desiccant material. The wheel rotates to change the desiccant material within the portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Charles Robert Dewald, III, Thomas L. Cristello
  • Publication number: 20080276484
    Abstract: A dryer and a drying apparatus attachable to a dryer are disclosed. A wheel having desiccant material is located in line and in close proximity with a heating element. The wheel includes a first portion positioned in an inlet air path and a second portion positioned in an outlet air path. The desiccant material removes water molecules from air within the inlet air path, and lowers the vapor pressure of the incoming air. In the outlet air path, heated air flows through the second portion to transfer energy to the desiccant material. The wheel rotates to change the desiccant material within the portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Charles Robert Dewald, III, Thomas L. Cristello