Abstract: An underwire for use in a brassiere, and the associated brassiere, the underwire including a generally arcuate base member having a first end, a central segment, and a second end, and a spiral boning member fixedly attached to the base member, where the spiral boning member has a greater flexibility than a flexibility of the base member.

Abstract: A system and method for post-processing of polymeric items having a liquid component and a predetermined heat deflection temperature is provided. The system includes a washing station to spray water at elevated temperature and pressure on the items while maintaining the temperature of the item below the heat deflection temperature. Then using a water distillation system to separate the water from the water mixed with the liquid polymer component by evaporating the water using heating coils with surface that is not conducive to adhesion of the liquid polymer component and then condense the water vapor into liquid water. The system may further include a spin station to separate the liquid polymer component by spinning the item. The system may further include one or more processing stations to rinse the item, dry the item, cure the item, remove the item from a tray to which the item may be attached and clean trays after removing the item.

Abstract: Control of a laundry treating apparatus, in which at least one of a dryness level and a percentage of water content of laundry received in a drum of the laundry treating apparatus is determined A determination is made as to whether the laundry in the drum includes water-filled laundry based on at least one of the dryness level and the percentage of water content of the laundry in the drum. Dehydration drying of the laundry in the drum is controlled based on the determination of whether the laundry in the drum includes water-filled laundry.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing water from a mixture containing at least one compound having at least one group reactive towards isocyanate and containing water, the mixture being applied to the surface of a rotating body A, the mixture flowing over the surface of the rotating body A to an outer region of the surface of the rotating body A and water evaporating from the mixture. In particular, this method is suitable for removing water from alcohols and amines.

Abstract: A brake assembly for reducing the rotational velocity the spinning basket of a food spinning device applies a frictional force to an annular ridge on the lid of the spinning basket. A brake button movably disposed in a cover of the spinning device includes flexible pinching arms having cam surfaces. The cam surfaces of the flexible pinching arms extend through a guide aperture, thereby causing the pinching arms to flex toward each other when the brake button is depressed and to apply the frictional engagement to the annular ridge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying produce in a centrifugal drier is described. The drier includes a housing and a drum configured to receive a multi-volume basket. The method includes loading produce into a first volume and a second volume of the multi-volume basket. The basket may include perforated walls, a closed lower end, and an open upper end. The interior volume of the basket is divided into at least a first volume and a second volume by a perforated inner divider that is oriented concentrically to the basket walls. The first volume is disposed inside the inner divider. The second volume is disposed between the inner divider and the basket walls. A drive assembly rotates the drum and the basket, loaded with produce in the first and second volumes, to cause fluids to drain out of the produce to yield dried produce.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for operating a centrifuge which has a drive shaft used for loading, a drum which is connected to the drive shaft and has a drum casing and a drum base, a filter with a working region situated within the filter, an annular space formed between the filter and the drum casing, at least one drum base opening which is formed in the drum base and opens out into the annular space, and at least one swirl nozzle which is arranged in such a manner that it injects a fluid through the at least one drum base opening into the annular space.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a spin drying method using a spin dryer including a tub provided with a drainage passage, and a drum rotatably positioned in the tub, for containing laundry. The spin drying method includes a first step for accelerating the drum containing the laundry from a first rotation speed to a second rotation speed for spin drying, and a second step for finishing the spin drying and stopping the drum. The first step includes a process for determinating continuation of the acceleration. The determination process is conducted in at least one period included in the rotation speed range ranging from the first rotation speed to the second rotation speed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying produce in a centrifugal drier is described. The drier includes a housing and a drum configured to receive a multi-volume basket. The method includes loading produce into a first volume and a second volume of the multi-volume basket. The basket may include perforated walls, a closed lower end, and an open upper end. The interior volume of the basket is divided into at least a first volume and a second volume by a perforated inner divider that is oriented concentrically to the basket walls. The first volume is disposed inside the inner divider. The second volume is disposed between the inner divider and the basket walls. A drive assembly rotates the drum and the basket, loaded with produce in the first and second volumes, to cause fluids to drain out of the produce to yield dried produce.

Abstract: Apparatus for drying leaf products including a product supply or loading section, a product centrifugation and drying section and a dried product discharging section. The loading section comprises a conveyor belt for continuously supplying the entering product and then discharges the collected product on the drying section. The centrifugation and drying section, downward of the supply section comprises a continuous conveyor with two parallel chains on which a plurality of centrifugation baskets is mounted, each one rotating about its own axis. The discharge section, receiving the dried product from the centrifugation section, and transferring the same at the exit, comprises an elevator conveyor belt operated by a motor.

Abstract: A centrifugal pellet dryer (100) is shown having a dryer housing (110) with a top cover (115) and a pellet discharge port (132). A perforated rotating basket (112) is disposed within the dryer housing (110) is configured to rotate substantially about a rotational axis (R) to cause pellets to migrate from a closed portion (116) to an open portion (117) is substantially open to allow pellets to escape. A pellet slurry conduit (121) conveys a pellet slurry received at pellet slurry inlet port (118) through the top cover of the dryer housing (110) to the pellet slurry outlet port (120) disposed adjacent the closed portion of the rotating basket (112). A seal assembly (138) is mounted within the dryer housing (110) having water outlet opening and a motor shaft opening that is disposed to intersect the rotational axis, where the seal assembly permits the passage of pellets between the dryer housing and the seal assembly.

Abstract: A process for treating an organic matter sludge includes, in a mixing stage, mixing an organic matter sludge and particulate sterilized organic matter, to form an organic matter mixture. This mixture is dried in a drying stage to obtain a homogeneous particulate organic product.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of drying clothing. A user inserts clothes into a clothes dryer and initiates a normal drying cycle. To initiate a normal drying cycle, the user purchases time for a normal cycle and an optional reverse cycle using a payment interface. The dryer subsequently operates in a normal drying cycle. Next, a reverse drying cycle is initiated, if selected and purchased by the user, to help avoid roping and balling up of their clothes. After the amount of predetermined time purchased for the normal and reverse drying cycles has elapsed, the dryer is turned off. Because a reverse cycle is used, this method of drying clothes prevents roping and balling up of clothes to achieve better drying results in pay operated drying machines.

Abstract: A semi-drying method of a washing machine, and a ventilating structure and a control apparatus for the same. In the semi-drying method, the dehydration and disentanglement of cloth are repeated plural times, and a washing tub is rotated at a designated dehydration speed for a time longer than that of the conventional dehydrating operation so as to minimize the jamming of the cloth into water pores of the washing tub, thereby increasing the dehydration degree of the cloth compared to the conventional dehydrating operation, removing offensive odors from the cloth, preventing damage to the cloth, allowing a user to select the duration of a semi-drying operation and to see the state of the semi-drying operation, and ventilating the washing tub during the semi-drying operation to improve the dehydration degree of the cloth.

Abstract: A device for recovering liquid droplets from a fluid flow stream including a rotatable element comprising wall elements configured to partially enclose a volume with an annular perimeter wall that includes an inside surface radially offset from and facing an axial center, a fixed base wall supports the rotatable element about the axial center, an input fluid conduit delivers the fluid flow stream into the fluid volume, means for rotating the rotatable element for generating a centrifugal force capable of forming a layer of liquid held by the centrifugal force against the inside surface, and an output liquid conduit disposed to collect liquid from the layer of liquid, wherein the layer of liquid rotates with the inside surface with a tangential velocity vector and the collection aperture is fixed in position opposed to the tangential velocity vector such that liquid in the layer of liquid enters the collection aperture.

Abstract: A laundry machine, particularly, a dryer using steam is disclosed. The laundry machine such as a washing machine, a dryer, a drying and washing machine is an apparatus which washes or dries articles such as clothes. The dryer includes a drum adapted to accommodate articles to be dried, a control panel adapted to provide an interface with a user, and a controller, wherein the control panel includes a course selection part which allows a user to select a specific course as an operation course during a steam course, which includes a steam process for supplying steam into a drum, such that the dried articles have a moisture content equal to or larger than 6%, and the controller controls an operation of the dryer to perform the selected operation course.

Abstract: A laundry drying machine includes a cabinet and a laundry holding drum rotatably supported within the cabinet for rotation. The drum includes a wall that is circumferential relative to the rotation and a drum hatch that is a section of the wall. The drum forms an enclosure together with at least one stationary end surface centred on the axis of rotation of the drum. A motor is connected to drive rotation of the drum and a fan provides a flow of air through the interior of the drum. The drum includes an outlet opening centred on the axis of rotation and an annular filter screen extending from the periphery of the drum outlet and rotating with the drum. The annular screen is connected along one circumferential edge to the drum. There is an annular sliding seal between the other annular edge of the screen and the outlet duct and an annular sliding seal between the outlet duct and the drum external to the annular filter screen.

Abstract: A laundry machine includes a cabinet and a laundry holding drum rotatably supported therewithin. The drum includes a wall and a drum hatch comprising a section of the wall. A motor is connected to rotate the drum. A controller is configured to operate the motor to drive the drum through a closing operation. The closing operation includes rotating the drum in a direction to bring the drum opening toward the drum hatch to re-close the opening with the drum hatch and to detect stopping of the drum rotation. The controller may provide user feedback that a closure disruption has occurred. The drum hatch is configured to close circumferentially, with a leading edge of the drum hatch approaching a leading edge of the remaining wall. The leading edges are shaped such that interposition of fabric between the leading edges during closure stops the drum hatch reaching a fully closed position.

Abstract: A method for controlling a clothes dryer is disclosed to precisely dry clothes on the basis of a load amount according to moisture contained in clothes in the clothes dry and a temperature change according to proceeding drying of clothes. The method includes: detecting a load amount detect signal corresponding to an amount of moisture contained in clothes in a drum; setting a heater exit temperature range of the clothes dryer to pre-set first and second temperature ranges on the basis of the load amount detect signal, and first drying clothes in the drum within the pre-set first temperature range; second-drying clothes in the drum within the pre-set second temperature range; and cooling clothes in the drum when the first and second-drying processes are completed.

Abstract: Method for controlling a drying process of a washing and drying machine including a preheating step for tightly closing and heating an inner tub for preparing an environment favorable for vaporization of water by elevating a temperature of the inner tub within a short time period, and a drying step for supplying heated air to the inner tub, to make heat exchange between the heated air and laundry, for drying the laundry, whereby improving a drying performance and reducing occurrence of environmental problem.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying long fiber hay. A first step involves providing round bales of long fiber hay. A second step involves separating the bales to form a loose mass of long fiber hay. A third step involves feeding the loose mass of long fiber hay into a rotary dehydration drum. A fourth step involves separating the loose mass of long fiber hay from air containing entrained moisture by passing the long fiber hay through a cyclone separator with a first stream of air passing to an exhaust and a second stream of the loose mass of long fiber hay passing into an air lock. A fifth step involves cooling the loose mass of long fiber hay. A sixth step involves passing the loose mass of long fiber hay through a hay baler, whereby the loose mass of long fiber hay is formed back into bales.

Abstract: A humidifying cylinder includes a first rotatable cylinder having an inlet end and an outlet end and a plurality of first blades extending substantially radially outwardly from an exterior surface of the first cylinder. The humidifying cylinder further includes a second rotatable cylinder having an inlet end and an outlet end and a plurality of second blades extending substantially radially inwardly from an interior surface of the second cylinder, the second cylinder being substantially coaxial with the first cylinder and the first cylinder being disposed inside of the second cylinder such that the exterior surface of the first cylinder and the interior surface of the second cylinder define an annular space. At least one drive is provided for rotating the first cylinder and the second cylinder. At least one conduit is disposed in the annular space for introducing moisture into the annular space. A method of humidifying material is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a spin rinse dry (SRD) chamber for a semiconductor processing system. The SRD chamber includes a selectively rotatable substrate support member having an upper substrate receiving surface formed thereon, and a selectively rotatable shield member positioned above the upper substrate receiving surface, the rotatable shield member having a substantially planar lower surface that may be selectively positioned proximate the upper substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for the thermal treatment of powdered or granular solid substances with gas flows (7, 16, 22, 23, 24) by means of a body (2) moved about its axis of rotation (1).

Abstract: Method for controlling a washing and drying machine, for improving drying performance, and saving energy, the method having a drying cycle for supplying heated air into an inner tub to dry laundry in the inner tub, wherein the drying cycle includes a plurality of drying steps each having the steps of rotating a pulsator for a preset time period, and rotating the inner tub for a preset time period in regular and reverse directions, for enhancing flow of the laundry.

Abstract: A method is described for evaporating liquid samples contained in sample holders mounted within a chamber and rotated by the rotor during an evaporation process in which the pressure in the chamber is reduced below atmospheric and the sample holders are rotated at high speed so as to exert centrifugal force on the contents of the holders. Heat is supplied to elevate the temperature of the liquid component of the samples to assist in the evaporation process. The temperature of the sample material is continuously or regularly monitored during the evaporation process and temperature signals are transmitted to a remote computing means which is programmed to generate a control signal for controlling the supply of heat to the samples and controlling the evaporation process. The temperature may be sensed by a probe in a sample holder containing an evaporating liquid sample, or in an adjoining sample holder containing a buffer liquid.

Abstract: A single pass, multiple stage, rotary drum heat exchange dryer (22) is provided for drying products such as distillers grains and includes a tubular shell (64) with a moist product inlet (66), an opposed dried product outlet (70), and an internal drying chamber (78). The chamber (78) includes a convection drying first stage (80), and conductive drying final curing stage (82) an intermediate stage (84); the stage (84) is subdivided into a plurality of preferably contiguous drying zones (86-92). The zones (86-92) include individual flighting assemblies (164, 214, 226, 234) which are of increasing density and present progressively increasing heat transfer ratios. Preferably, one of the initial zones has a heat transfer ratio of from about 1.5-2.5 ft−1, whereas another of the zones closer to the final stage has a heat transfer of from about 2.75-3.75 ft−1.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus for spin drying substrates in a spin dryer tank. A spin dryer cover is movable between a closed position to close an opening of the spin dryer tank and an open position to open the spin dryer tank, and a cylinder is coupled with the spin dryer cover. The cylinder is movable in a first operation to move the spin dryer cover to the open position and movable in a second operation to move the spin dryer cover to the closed position. A system for sensing the position of the spin dryer cover comprises a cylinder sensor configured to sense the first operation and the second operation of the cylinder. A cover sensor is configured to sense the position of the spin dryer cover. A logic circuit is configured to output a cover opening signal indicating that the spin dryer cover is in the open position when the cylinder sensor senses the first operation of the cylinder and the cover sensor senses that the spin dryer cover is in the open position.

Abstract: Method for controlling a drying process of a washing and drying machine including a preheating step for tightly closing and heating an inner tub for preparing an environment favorable for vaporization of water by elevating a temperature of the inner tub within a short time period, and a drying step for supplying heated air to the inner tub, to make heat exchange between the heated air and laundry, for drying the laundry, whereby improving a drying performance and reducing occurrence of environmental problem.

Abstract: A clothes dryer having a fire protection system. The clothes dryer chamber has an inlet which receives drying air and an exhaust for removing moisture laden air. The temperature within the drying chamber is monitored, and a determination is made from the dryer electronic controller whether or not a fire exists in the tumbler. The fire detection conditions are based on determining whether a certain temperature rise exists within the tumbler when the drying air ceases. The fire suppression system when activated will inject a fire suppressing substance into the tumbler for suppressing the fire.

Abstract: A centrifuge for a semiconductor wafer has a centrifuge plate for holding a semiconductor wafer, has a drive for setting the centrifuge plate in rotation, and has a device for supplying a medium to a front side and a rear side of the semiconductor wafer. The centrifuge has a housing which separates a centrifuging area and the semiconductor wafer from the environment, and a device for generating a laminar gas flow in the housing. A method for centrifuging a semiconductor wafer has the semiconductor wafer being centrifuged in a laminar gas flow.

Abstract: A food drying device of the type which includes an outer housing, a perforated main container in the housing and a drive apparatus on the housing for rotating the main container relative to the housing, includes a perforated auxiliary container disposable in the main container, and including an open-top bowl-shaped base and a removable lid. The bottom of the base has plural radial grooves which mate with radial ribs on the bottom of the main container so that they rotate together without slippage. A central hub on the main container lid is receivable in a central recess on the auxiliary container lid to limit relative axial movement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for drying mash-products, and more particularly to a 2-step device for drying mash-products comprising a first drying unit (a flow rotary drying unit) and a second drying unit (a mixing rotary drying unit), the first drying unit and the second drying unit being arranged in series, and a 2-step method for drying mash-products.

Abstract: A wafer dryer for drying a wafer includes a chamber and a support adapted to support the wafer in the chamber. A spray nozzle is disposed in the chamber. A source gas supply tank is in fluid communication with the spray nozzle. At least one heater is operable to heat the chamber and the source gas supply tank. A pumping line is in fluid communication with the chamber. Drive means are operable to rotate the chamber and the spray nozzle. A method for drying a wafer using a wafer dryer including a chamber and a revolving spray nozzle includes the steps of: loading the wafer in the chamber; reducing the pressure in the chamber in which the wafer is loaded to a near vacuum state; creating a temperature controlled atmosphere in the pressure-reduced chamber to quicken drying of the wafer; and spraying the source gas on the wafer while rotating the chamber and the revolving spray nozzle in opposite directions in the pressure-reduced temperature controlled atmosphere.

Abstract: An arrangement for drying material in a selected drying location by a heated and flowing drying stream wherein the temperature and relative humidity levels of the drying stream are sensed upstream and downstream of such selected drying location and are relatively and comparatively controlled to arrive at a selected treated material moisture with comparatively minimal energy input.

Abstract: In a housing (1), a hollow shaft (3) is located for rotation, driven by a motor (5). Rigidly attached to the shaft (3) is a pressure vessel (6). Fitted to the shaft (3) inside the vessel (6) is a filter comprising a number of tube-shaped filter elements (9). The liquid to be filtered is fed into an upper chamber (19) of the shaft (3) via an inlet ring (18), and flows through transverse holes (20) into the vessel (6). After passing through the filter (9), the purified liquid is discharged via holes (10) in the hollow shaft (3) through an outlet ring (12). To clean the filter the residual liquid in the vessel (6) is pressed out through the filter with compressed air. Subsequently the deposit adhering to the filter tubes (9) is flung off by rotating the shaft (3) and propelled to the bottom of the vessel by feeding compressed air or clean oil to cleaning nozzles (38). An outlet ring (7) is raised slightly and the deposit at the vessel wall is dried by centrifuging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for drying mash-products, and more particularly to a 2-step device for drying mash-products comprising a first drying unit (a flow rotary drying unit) and a second drying unit (a mixing rotary drying unit), the first drying unit and the second drying unit being arranged in series, and a 2-step method for drying mash-products.

Abstract: A substrate transporting device and method 19 transports a plurality of wafers W standing upright in a row, from a previous process, i.e., a cleaning process. A substrate holder 40 is carried by a transporting device 50 arranged outside a drying chamber 20. The substrate holder 40 receives the wafers W from the substrate transporting device 19 while maintaining a posture of the wafers W. The transporting device 50 lowers the substrate holder 40 and sequentially moves it into the drying chamber 20 through an unloading and loading port 21 above the drying chamber 20. Thereafter, the substrate holder 40 is fixed to a rotor 30. After closing the unloading and loading port 21 with a lid body 25, the rotor 30 is rotated. In this way, moisture sticking to surfaces of the wafers W is eliminated.

Abstract: A basket or dryer liner that has the usual basket shape, i.e, generally cylindrical, but is resiliently compressible or deformable along multiple axes for reshaping into irregular shapes. It has perforate bottom wall and side walls and an open top and is generally symmetrical about x, y, and z axes that are orthogonal to each other. The basket may be manually compressed alone these axes and then allowed to return to its normal shape when released. Thus, it has a non-compressed, relaxed state wherein it has maximum exterior dimensions and can stand-alone and serve the normal functions of a basket. The basket also has a compressed condition wherein at least certain of the dimensions of the basket are less than said maximum dimensions so that it can be fitted into a dryer, allowed to expand, and serve as a dryer liner. Wet clothes and other items can then be placed in the basket through the dryer opening in the normal manner.

Abstract: A leafed vegetable dryer includes an entrance for products, an exit for the products and one or more transporters for transporting the products between the entrance and the exit. The transporters have the form of a centrifuge. A transport driver is utilized to drive the transporters and a centrifuge driver is utilized to drive the centrifuge.

Abstract: A rotating wafer processor uses a non-contacting gas seal mounted to a process chamber and a vibration isolation mount between the chamber and a support structure. The non-contacting seal incorporates a housing with a chamfer on opposing ends of an annular land encircling a rotating drive shaft, and one or more outlet ports on the chamfers to form a gas-purged, noncontacting seal. The seal is directly mounted to the chamber and interposed between the chamber and bearings that support the drive shaft, so the shaft, chamber and rotating load vibrate together.

Abstract: A drying apparatus and method is described wherein baskets, or totes, filled with produce to be dried, are stacked vertically within an inner support frame. The totes are arranged with the open tops facing upwardly. The inner support frame has top and bottom spindles or shafts which are rotationally supported by bearing structures at the top and bottom of the dryer body. Moisture is driven from the enclosed procuce by centrifugal force when the inner support frame/totes are rotated. Produce such as whole head vegetables are preferably arranged in rows in the totes with the cores or cut ends of a row of produce juxtapositioned with, or "butted" against, the cut ends of another row, with the leafy ends generally pointing away from the axis of rotation. In this position, water or moisture tends to flow outwardly from the leafy open ends when the inner frame is rotated during a drying operation.

Abstract: Centrifugal filtration capable of improving recovery of crystal in a baskey. The basket is so arranged that a central axis thereof is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction to obliqely downwardly orientate a bottom wall of the basket. A crystal recovery auction pipe is arranged which includes a pivotally movable section pivotally moved in the basket, of which a distal end is advanced into crystal in the basket. Crystal in the basket is recovered by suction through the distal end of the suction pipe, which is ultimately displaced to a corner of the basket between a lowermost portion of a peripheral wall of the basket and a bottom wall thereof. This permits crystal collected to a lowermost section of the basket to be substantially recovered by suction through the suction pipe, to thereby improve crystal recovery.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying vegetables, fruits, and other produce having a support including a base and at least two upstanding posts. A housing element is secured to the support. A roller conveyor for transferring a container from outside of the housing element to a position within the housing element and for transferring the container from within the housing element to outside of the housing element is secured to the housing element. A hold-down lid for securing and positioning the container within the housing element is secured by a hold-down lid shaft and may be manually or electronically controlled. A plate for supporting and for rotating the container is secured to the plate shafts. The plate is mounted within the housing element and includes a plurality of spaced centrifugal pins being positioned so as to secure the container on the plate. The plate also has a centrifugal pin activation mechanism for activating and positioning the plurality of spaced centrifugal pins as the plate is rotated.