Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying and curing a coating which as been applied in liquid form to a metal substrate. The process and apparatus include a precuring or drying of the coating by rapidly heating the sheet in an electromagnetic induction coil to volatilize solvents in the coating. The precured sheets are then immediately conveyed to a conventional convection oven for further heating the sheets by baking the sheets at a temperature and for a duration in accordance with the drying and curing specifications of the coating manufacturer. The induction coil is designed to heat the sheet metal in a narrow transverse band as the sheet moves through the induction coil. The power supply to the induction circuit is designed to permit the induction coil to be turned on under varying load.

Abstract: Prepregs are fabricated in a substantially horizontal treatment chamber by heat treating a material web impregnated with a thermosetting resin. In this treatment chamber, the material web is subjected to blowing directed toward the material web and held thereby in suspension. The blowing air heats the material web and dilutes and conveys away solvent vapors. Alternately with zones of blowing directed toward the material web, there are arranged radiant-heating zones.

Abstract: In a paper making machine, a strip of paper is caused to pass around part of the periphery of a rotary device comprising a plurality of cylindrical bodies arranged side-by-side across the width of the strip and each body has means for producing a signal representing the tension in the portion of the strip which controls the body, the thickness of the portions is also measured. From this data, control signals are produced representing the stress per unit of cross-sectional area of the portions of the strip and the paper making machine is controlled to keep the control signals constant across the width of the strip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing vaporizable components from polymeric products effects uniform distribution of heat over such products contained within a chamber. The apparatus includes a heated chamber having support means for supporting the products within the chamber. Omnidirectional multi-point gas dispersion means located within the chamber uniformly disperse heated gas over the product. The vaporizable components are evacuated from the chamber along with the gas. The product can be rotated during treatment to ensure uniform exposure of the product to heat and gas.

Abstract: A drying carrier adapted for carrying honeycomb structures includes a plurality of perforated plates spaced to each other in the longitudinal direction of the drying carrier and made of a material having a conductivity higher than that of the drying carrier. Each of said perforated plates is provided with a convex portion having an upper contacting surface to be contacted with the bottom surface of the honeycomb structure to be carried. The surface area (A) of the upper contacting surface of the convex portion is smaller than the bottom surface area of the honeycomb structure.

Abstract: Novel method and apparatus are disclosed for dielectrically drying green ceramic or wet honeycomb structures, by rotating such structures about their longitudinal axis between a pair of parallel dielectric electrodes and simultaneously blowing heated air through the longitudinal cells of the honeycomb structure. Preferably the dielectric electrodes are oriented parallel with the longitudinal axis of the honeycomb structure, and the rotation thereof between the electrodes accordingly results in a more uniform energy transfer to the honeycomb structure by leveling out the non-uniformities and variations in the dielectric field.

Abstract: Apparatus for the non-contact drying of a web of material with a combination of infrared radiation and heated air. The apparatus includes a dryer enclosure in which is mounted a plurality of air bars in air-receiving communication with upper and lower headers both above and below the web for the contactless convection drying of the web. Mounted between the air bars are infrared gas fired burners. In order to accommodate the infrared burners between the air bars, spacers are fitted on the header system supplying air to the air bars. The drying surface of the web is thus alternately heated by infrared radiation and then scrubbed by high velocity air to remove the moist boundary layer. Since the burners are completely enclosed, all heat energy is captured in the exhaust system of the dryer assembly and a portion can be used to supply hot convention air back to the dryer.

Abstract: A drying method and a device employs each apply to a substrate having a coated layer thereon, a first infrared radiation which has a high transmissivity relatively to the coated layer and a high absorptivity relative to the substrate, and a second infrared radiation which has a high absorptivity relative to the coated layer. The first infrared radiation is applied to the coated layer on the substrate and the second infrared radiation is subsequently applied. The energy transmitted through the coated layer is absorbed in the substrate and changed into heating energy to heat the substrate surface. Solvents in the coated layer are evaporated due to the heat passing from the heated substrate surface to the back surface of the coated layer. The energy absorbed by the coated layer accelerates the hardening of the coated layer.

Abstract: A convection air holding zone utilizes turbulent ejector air flow along paths parallel to the path of travel of the article being baked in a paint bake oven. Air recirculation means are provided within the convection air holding zone which filters dirt particles from the air and a heat source is applied to the air to compensate for temperature loss due to heat exchange with the article and oven walls. Maintaining a turbulent air flow over the articles being baked in the convection air holding zone helps insure an even temperature throughout the zone, thereby enabling a more consistent paint finish on the article.

Abstract: A sludge drying apparatus (10) including a housing through which air is recirculated wherein makeup air forms an air curtain assuring recirculation of heated air. The housing (12) includes a receiving station (14) in which sludge (20) is deposited on a conveyor belt (18). The conveyor belt (18) moves the sludge (20) to a drying station (16) where infrared heaters (42) radiate infrared heat on the sludge. Air for drying the sludge circulates from a fan plenum (28) to an air supply plenum (24). Air from the air supply plenum (24) passes across the face of the infrared heaters (42), and is directed downwardly toward the sludge (20) in a belt passageway (30). Air is returned through a return air plenum (26) located below the belt passageway (30). Part of the air received by the return air plenum (26) is ported directly from the belt passageway (30) to the return air plenum (26).

Abstract: A method of drying a developed, wet sheet carrier, especially an X-ray film after passing through a development device includes passing the sheet carrier through a dryer which has several infrared radiators arranged along the path of the sheet carrier at its both sides and reflectors provided at the side away from the sheet carrier and deflecting the infrared radiator to the facing side of the sheet carrier. The method is performed so that a main stream is supplied at both sides of the sheet carrier at the rear side of the reflectors, a partial air stream is supplied between each infrared radiator and the sheet carrier, and then each partial air stream is united with the main air stream so that the temperature and the moisture of the main air stream increases in a flow direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for the heat treatment of yarns in motion during various operations such as drawing or texturing includes an insulating enclosure which surrounds a heating block, the combination defining a lengthwise channel through which runs the yarn to be treated. Means for guiding the yarn through the channel is provided to ensure the desired positioning of the yarn inside the channel. The heating block consists of a unit comprising at least two cylindrical sections having different diameters and arranged in the extension of one another. The means for guiding the yarn is positioned along the length of the cylindrical sections so that the yarn may be kept at a constant distance from the surface of the cylinder of smaller diameter, with the result that the yarn passing above the smaller cylinder is heated by radiation.

Abstract: A sheet drying apparatus wherein the horizontal upper reach of an endless foraminous conveyer transports a series of sheets to be dried between a main suction chamber below and a plenum chamber above the upper reach. The drying station between the two chambers is flanked by two additional suction chambers which extend transversely of the direction of advancement of sheets and serve to attract the sheets to the upper side of the upper reach of the conveyor. A blower is provided to draw air from the main suction chamber and to admit the withdrawn air into channels for admission into the plenum chamber. The sheets are directly or indirectly heated by a stationary heating device between the main plenum chamber and the upper reach of the conveyor, by one or more heating elements in the plenum chamber, by heating elements in the main suction chamber and by heating elements in the channels.

Abstract: The invention relates to the drying of veneer and similar products. It provides a solution to the problem of such products, after having passed through a hot air drier, exhibiting local areas having an intolerantly high moisture content--they are "underdried". According to the invention those areas are dried with microwave energy. The products (4) pass through the near field of the microwave energy present as standing waves in transverse ducts (6) also supplying the hot air and having openings (11) through which the microwave energy is tapped. Together they cover all of the adjacent product surface, but energy is only tapped through those of them past which underdried areas travel.

Abstract: A method of highly accurate printing using a web offset press, particularly suited for stereographic printing. Consistent reproductions of a composite image are produced on a paper web, and registry between the image and an embossed screen is maintained, by preshrinking (e.g., reducing the moisture content of) the paper prior to printing the composite image on the paper web. Preshrinking the paper prevents the subsequent ink drying operation from causing shrinkage of the paper and concomitant variations in the image, permitting inline formation of a screen in accurate registry with the image.

Abstract: A plastic drying apparatus that uses microwave heating as means of heating a plastic thereby allowing the surface as well as the inside of particles of the plastic to be heated simultaneously and therefore can attain to bring the plastic to a highly dried state within a short period of time. A certain amount of a plastic is fed into a plastic drying tank. While the plastic is stirred, the plastic is heated and dried uniformly by microwaves generated by a microwave generating unit. The humidity is measured by a humidity measuring sensor and the plastic is highly dried automatically. Dried air nozzles are provided to the wall surface of the plastic drying tank for discharging air in a super-dried state in a widely flared manner so as to prevent the plastic powder, etc. from adhering.

Abstract: A reflector for use in drying a substrate is disclosed, which houses infrared or ultraviolet lamps. The reflector is designed to limit the path of light from each lamp to mitigate interference from one lamp to the next. The reflector is cooled and the substrate is heated by convection.

Abstract: The invention provides a photosensitive material processing apparatus having a processing part consisting of a plurality of processing tanks for processing a photosensitive and a drying part, disposed downstream of the processing part in a processing sequence, for drying the material. The drying part includes infrared drying system and hot air current drying system. There are provided a distinguishing circuit and a controlling circuit. The distinguishing circuit distinguishs the condition of the material either on a constant-drying-rate condition or on a decreasing-drying-rate condition on the basis of physical characteristics of the material. The controlling circuit controls the drying part so as to use the infrared drying system on the constant-drying-rate-condition or to use the hot air current drying system on the decreasing-drying-rate-condition on the basis of a distinguishing result of the distinguishing circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vacuum dehydrating fruit to a moisture content below about 15% but preferably below about 5%, using combined infrared energy and microwave energy simultaneously.

Abstract: Installation for the continuous treatment of at least one textile yarn comprising means for continuously winding at least one yarn picked up on a reel, a deposit head for depositing this yarn on a conveyor belt, at least one thermal treatment enclosure area through which the yarn passes resting freely on the conveyor belt and means for taking up the yarn on the conveyor belt for rewinding it, wherein the thermal treatment enclosure area comprises a yarn drying apparatus using micro-wave or high frequency treatment, and forced ventilation means across the yarn and the conveyor belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for curing, by drying and/or hardening, layers or coatings, such as printing colors or inks, laminations, etc., that are continuously successively applied to a member. The lowermost, pigment-containing layers are subjected to a thermal treatment via IR radiation, and the uppermost or cover layer, which forms a lamination, is exposed to UV radiation. The air above that region of the coated member that is subjected to the UV radiation is withdrawn and is blown onto that region of the member that is subjected to IR radiation.

Abstract: The invention concerns a procedure for drying a moving web material (E), wherein on the material (E) to be dried is directed infrared radiation, and wherein the moving web material is transported through the radiation zone of an infrared radiator, the web material to be dried absorbing radiation. On the moving web material to be dried is directed the radiation produced by at least one first infrared radiator (T.sub.1) and the radiation produced by at least one second infrared radiator (T.sub.2), the radiators being disposed close to each other, the maximum intensity wavelength (.lambda..sub.maximum) (T.sub.1) of the radiation from the first infrared radiator (T.sub.1) being smaller than the maximum intensity wavelength (.lambda..sub.maximum) (T.sub.2) of the radiation from the second radiator (T.sub.2), whereby in the drying process the spectrum of the total radiation is maximally advantageous in relation to the absorption spectrum of the material to be dried. The invention also concerns an IR dryer.

Abstract: The roasting body is composed of a roasting body, a rotary drum supported on the inside of the roasting body to rotate in a horizontal attitude to accommodate and stir the coffee beans, infrared heaters disposed on the inner wall surface of the roasting body to surround the rotary drum in order to heat the coffee beans accommodated in the rotary drum by radiant heat, and a circulating path to circulate the hot air in the rotary drum into the roasting body in order to utilize the thermal energy effectively.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for microwave vacuum drying of pharmaceutical powders and the like. The mechanism includes a drying chamber, a source of microwave radiation, a means for mixing product within the chamber, and a means for introducing a vacuum into the chamber during the drying process. The chamber is vertically oriented, with the microwave radiation introduced at the top of the chamber and mixing occurring at the chamber's bottom. The chamber has a removable lid at its top, and a support structure adapted for loading and unloading dried product from the chamber. The mixing mechanism is a motor driven shaft with one or more mixing blades. The shaft and blades may be microwave transparent. In the preferred embodiment, the chamber is sufficiently deep such that a layer of product to be dried can cover the shaft and blades and microwave radiation can be prevented from penetrating through the product to the shaft and blades.

Abstract: A floater dryer for drying a web-shaped (W), moving material, in particular a paper or cardboard web. The dryer comprises a plurality of radiation/air blowing units (10) which are provided on one side of the web (W) or on both sides (10A,10B). The units (10) have been shaped to be blow boxes having on their side facing the web (W) a contact-free carrier surface (21R,27) and into conjunction with which is blown, through a nozzle aperture (20a,20b) opening on the leading and/or trailing edge of the carrier surface, an air jet (Ful), or air jets (Fua,Fub). The jets will have a substantially large component parallel to said carrier surface. In conjunction with the radiation/air blowing units (10) are provided radiation elements (30) from which into the treatment interval (P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P-) is directed radiation (S.sub.O) through a window (27). The window at the same time serves as carrier surface for the air support of the web (W). The air flows (F.sub.3,F.sub.

Abstract: A process for dielectric-drying a honeycomb structure is carried out by placing the honeycomb structre on a drying support board provided with perforated plates, and directing an electric current between an electrode arranged above the upper opening end face of the honeycomb structure and an electrode arranged beneath the lower opening end face thereof to conduct the drying. In this process, an upper plate having a conductivity higher than that of the honeycomb structure is placed on the upper opening end face of the honeycomb structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating fibrous mineral insulation material comprises an oven divided into zones, a conveyor for carrying the insulation material through the oven, means for directing hot gases into contact with the insulation material in the first oven zone, first heating means for heating the hot gases, and second heating means, distinct from the first heating means and positioned upstream from the first oven zone for heating the conveyor.

Abstract: A dryer for articles of sanitary ware comprises a sealable chamber (12) in which each cast clay article (10) is located in position below a tube (14) and between slots (16) at floor level, dampers (18) being provided for the slots (16). During a first drying phase of some one to two hours after demoulding, the articles (10) are subjected to space drying by gentle movement of heated air passing into the chamber (12) through openings (26). At the end of the first phase of initial general conditioning, the tubes (14) are positioned to extend internally of the articles (10), and the dampers (18) allow heated air to pass into the chamber (12) through the slots (16). Suction is applied to the tubes (14) so that the heated air is drawn from the slots (16) across the external and subsequently internal surfaces of the articles (10) into the tubes (14). This causes articles to dry evenly, thoroughly, and quickly without distortion or cracking.

Abstract: A housing open at both ends has opposed concaved radiant emitter walls which are disposed on opposite sides of a conveyor for defining a drying chamber through which the conveyor moves freshly coated objects. Heated air from a closure is fed to outer cavities in the housing and this air passes inwardly through nozzle ports in partition plates to impinge and heat the walls. A major portion of the air returns to be reheated in the closure. Fresh air is introduced, in heat exchanging relationship to the heated air, to ducts which discharge into the drying chamber. Overhead fans selectively circulate turbulent or laminar air in the drying chamber. Air is withdrawn from both the drying chamber and the outer cavities via over head exhaust ducts. A computer and sensors control the temperature of the emitter walls by controlling the heating of the heated air.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heat treating a coating applied to an automobile body is disclosed. The apparatus includes radiant heating elements for generating radiant heat in a predetermined path and convection heating elements for generating the flow of heated air. The method comprises the stips of positioning a freshly coated automobile body within the apparatus and heating the body with the radiant heat for a time sufficient to set the coating on Class A surfaces of the body. After the Class A surfaces are set, heated air is flowed around the body to heat the body and cure the coating on the Class A surfaces and the non-Class A surfaces.

Abstract: A microwave clothes dryer is disclosed. The dryer includes a rotatable drum that is supported at one of its ends by an annular driven pulley member which is rotatingly carried by and bears upon a cantilevered cylindrical bearing support member. A motor, drive pulley and drive belt rotate the annular driven pulley member and the drum to which it is attached. A magnetron provides microwave energy to the interior of the dryer and a blower circulates forced air through the dryer, cooling the magnetron and removing water vapor from the interior of the drum. The inner periphery of the annular pulley member includes a circumferential slot that communicates with a microwave energy leakage path that has a length approximately equal to one-quarter of the wave length of the microwave energy and which extends from the interior of the drum to and through the clearance space between the annular pulley member and the cylindrical bearing support member.

Abstract: A hybrid oven for drying a coating on a continuous web is disclosed, including a chamber, a plenum for collecting and delivering heated air at high velocity adjacent said chamber, a plurality of air impingement nozzles interconnecting said plenum and said chamber and directing heating air from the plenum to the web being dried, and one or more controllable infra-red heaters disposed between said air nozzles including at least one infra-red element, a sensor for providing a control signal relative to temperature and controller means for controlling power to the infra-red element. The sensor senses that the infra-red element is operating at less than a predetermined temperature and is providing less than a required infra-red output, whereby the controller provides a higher voltage until the predetermined infra-red output is reached.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating fibrous mineral insulation material comprises an oven divided into zones, a conveyor for carrying the insulation material through the oven, means for directing hot gases into contact with the insulation material in the first oven zone, first heating means for heating the hot gases, and second heating means, distinct from the first heating means and positioned upstream from the first oven zone for heating the conveyor.

Abstract: A heat lamp assembly including a housing with first and second ends and opposite sides. A quartz tube heat lamp is mounted within the housing and extends between its sides. An air bar is also mounted within the housing and extends between its sides in parallel, spaced relation to the heat lamp. The air bar includes inlet and outlet openings and comprises a material with a relatively high coefficient of thermal conductivity for receiving heat from the heat lamp whereby air passing therethrough is warmed.

Abstract: A machine for the manufacture of gelatin pharmaceutical capsules is disclosed, in which microwave drying is used. The drying section of the machine has two upper tunnels and two corresponding return tunnels beneath them, through which pin bars carrying the hot moist gelatin capsule halves pass. Microwave transmitters are positioned above the upper tunnels to transmit microwave energy towards the capsule halves for drying. Inlet ducts along the outer sides of the upper tunnels supply cool, dry air which flows through apertures in the tunnel side walls and across the tunnels to an exhaust duct. The return tunnels also have a conditioned air system, supplied through ducts above the return tunnels having apertured bottom plates, for fine tuning the temperature and moisture content of the capsules prior to final processing operations.

Abstract: An electrically heated kiln (10) for firing ceramic ware has centrifugal fans (22) communicating with a lower region of the kiln, the fans (22) pulling atmospheric air from externally of the kiln through electric heaters (24) so that heated air is introduced into the kiln to create an air flow which passes around the ware. The air then escapes through dampers (14) at an upper region of the kiln (10). In this way the electric heating elements (16) of the kiln (10) do not require to heat the ware up to such a high temperature as is conventional in order to burn off organic binders under which transfers for the ware are printed and the contaminated air can escape through the dampers (14) to effect a regular complete change of the air within the kiln (10). Alternatively where undecorated ware is to be fired the air within the kiln (10) does not become contaminated and can be recirculated to be introduced by the fans (22) at the lower region of the kiln (10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for drying a continuous material impregnated with a hardenable synthetic resin. The material is moved through at least one treating chamber within which radiant heat is applied onto the material and into which air is introduced in order to dilute the gaseous substances generated during the drying process and to at least partially exhaust them. The method is characterized in that heat is applied onto the continuous material in the form of radiant heat, and in that air is conducted in a controlled manner into the treating chamber as preheated fresh air and is guided to form a laminar air current that is substantially parallel to the continuous material as is possible. The installation has in the treating chamber (10, 11) at least one radiant heater (34, 36) and at least one fresh air inlet device (26) which is connected with a controlled fresh air supply device (40) and a heating device (38).

Abstract: A hair dryer comprising an electric motor 1 that places into rotation two or more arms 2 bearing at the ends thereof infra-red and hot air lamps 3, said lamps moving on a curved surface around the user's head due to a mechanism housed in supporting arm 5 and further comprising a sheave 7 with inclined plane, a cam 12 and a cam lever 20 for determining, when combined, a rotation motion of axis 10.

Abstract: A coffee roasting apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a coffee roasting drum which is operatively connected to a driving mechanism to cause the drum to rotate. The drum comprises a cylindrical element having an upper opening, a bottom opening and a bottom plate placed below the bottom opening to control the opening and closing of the bottom opening. An infrared heater is placed above the upper opening of the drum and an electrical heating element is placed below the drum at a position slightly above the lowermost portion of the drum. Coffee beans which are roasted by the radiation hearing of the infrared heater and the air which passes through the electrical heat element are discharged into a box through a gap defined between the bottom opening of the cylindrical element and the bottom plate.

Abstract: A heat treatment tunnel for the treatment of fibers, threads slit film or the like fibrillary material used in the textile field is arranged to extend horizontally. The material to be heat treated is transported along a travel path, in endless length form, through the horizontally arranged tunnel. This tunnel includes a heat-insulated housing having an inlet slot for entry of the material and an outlet slot for withdrawal of the material from the housing; a fan chamber; a fan arranged within the chamber for effecting circulation of a gaseous treatment medium within the housing; a heater disposed downstream of the fan for heating the treatment medium; a fan intake connecting pipe positioned either above or below the traveling material to draw the gaseous treatment medium away from the travel path and fan exhaust openings positioned either below or above the traveling material; i.e., opposite to the location of the fan intake connecting pipe, to direct the gaseous treatment medium toward the travel path.

Abstract: A method of heating a drying furnace for use in hot air-circulating type coating drying in which a hot air is supplied, under circulation, to the inside of the furnace thereby heating and drying coated articles, wherein heating for the furnace is conducted through a direct heating type hot air-circulating path in which the air inside of the furnace sucked from a return duct is heated directly by a combustion gas from a burner and supplied under circulation from a supply duct again to the inside of the furnace while conducting a step of increasing the temperature by pre-heating the inside of the furnace, whereas heating for the furnace is conducted through an indirect heating type hot air circulating path in which the air inside of the furnace sucked from the return duct is heated in a heat exchanger and then supplied, under circulation, through the supply duct again to the inside of the furnace while conducting a coating drying step when the temperature inside of the furnace reaches a predetermined temperatur

Abstract: An apparatus for drying nodular, granular and other products includes a vessel containing an evacuated chamber and an endless belt conveyor that passes through the chamber. Microwave energy is supplied to the chamber by several microwave generators, with each generator supplying energy for a different zone along the belt. The moisture-laden product is introduced into the chamber without affecting the pressure within the chamber, and is then distributed onto the conveyor belt at uniform thickness and width. The belt transports the product through the zones of microwave energy, and within each zone the strength of the field is below the breakdown point of the field for the particular pressure of the chamber, so the destructive effects of ionization are avoided. By reason of the greater moisture content in the product at the first zone, more energy can be supplied to the product in that zone, and indeed the energy supplied diminishes with each successive zone.

Abstract: A heat treatment tunnel for the treatment of fibers, threads slit film or the like fibrillary material used in the textile field is arranged to extend horizontally. The material to be heat treated is transported along a travel path, in endless length form, through the horizontally arranged tunnel. This tunnel includes a heat-insulated housing having an inlet slot for entry of the material and an outlet slot for withdrawal of the material from the housing; a fan chamber; a fan arranged within the chamber for effecting circulation of a gaseous treatment medium within the housing; a heater disposed downstream of the fan for heating the treatment medium; a fan intake connecting pipe positioned either above or below the traveling material to draw the gaseous treatment medium away from the travel path and fan exhaust openings positioned either below or above the traveling material; i.e., opposite to the location of the fan intake connecting pipe, to direct the gaseous treatment medium toward the travel path.

Abstract: Enhancement of the conventional nozzle bars in an air flotation, high speed air impingement web dryer by adding an electrode insulatedly mounted on the conductive surface of the nozzle bar which is in proximity to the web and establishing a plurality of radio frequency fringing electric fields to intercept the web and enhance the drying process is disclosed. The R.F. fields are powered by an integral R.F. generator electrically connected between the insulated electrode and the conductive nozzle bar housing. The system permits the beneficial characteristics of dielectric drying to be added to the conventional air impingement web dryer with minimum re-arrangement problems and maximum power profiling versatility. A further circuit characteristic provides for substantially constant dielectric power transfer to the web independent of variations in the nozzle bar to web spacing.

Abstract: An energy efficient dryer for solid foods with moist interiors uses both thermal convective and microwave drying processes. The dryer will run on a fuel such as natural gas alone, and requires no input of electricity because it utilizes a single prime mover to produce both thermal energy and electrical energy, such as an internal combustion engine, which both provides heat for convective drying, and drives a generator which produces electricity for conversion to microwave power. Moist food is fed by an air pervious belt or other means through a first zone in which it is dried by thermal convection, and then through a second zone in which it is dried by microwave radiation.

Abstract: Apparatus for drying webs or sheets of moist material which issues from a printing machine and is transported continously or stepwise to be acted upon by ultraviolet light issuing from one or more lamps mounted at a level above the path of movement of the material. The lamp or lamps are pivotable, reciprocable and/or otherwise movable in and counter to the direction of movement of the material, toward and away from the material and/or transversely of the path. A cooling device is installed at a level below the path to directly contact or to indirectly remove heat from the material opposite the lamp or lamps.

Abstract: A machine for heat-treating articles or products with solvent vapors of the in-line type which comprises a tunnel, displacement means for conveying the articles of products to be heated from the inlet of the tunnel to its outlet and, in the following order, a first chamber for the condensation of a secondary vapor, a second chamber for the vaporization of a secondary liquid and for the complementary condensation of a primary vapor, a third chamber for heating the article or product to be heated and which is filled with the primary vapor, a fourth chamber for the vaporization of secondary liquid and for the complementary condensation of the primary vapor, and a fifth chamber for the condensation of the secondary vapor. The chambers have a cross-section larger than that of the tunnel, and are distributed along the tunnel and are interconnected by sections of the tunnel. The machine is efficient, with there being little or no loss of solvent vapors during use.

Abstract: A container comprising a bottom and walls extending therefrom forming a volume having an opening opposite from said bottom; and means for enclosing the volume, the enclosing means including means for supporting and suspending a workpiece within the enclosed volume apart from the walls and the bottom and means for circulating the heated air within said enclosed volume including an axial or radial flow fan.

Abstract: A cross-direction web dryer, for example, for a paper making machine, provides air bearing support for the moving web by use of an elongated structural member with dryer modules on one side of the paper and an elongated reflector unit on the opposite side. Each of these elongated members include solid barriers next to the moving web at least one of the barriers being transparent to the heat producing radiation and with both barriers having juxtaposed slits through which air is forced from a blower to provide the air bearing. These slits extend substantially the width of the support and are aligned in the machine direction of the moving web.

Abstract: Fiber or yarn wrapped on spools is dried in a pair of vessels in an alternating gas flow arrangement. Each vessel is located in a separate circulation loop. The two circulation loops have a common circulation leg. Each of the circulation loops is connected to an evacuation device via an evacuation duct. The evacuation duct contains valves for selective connection of the evacuation duct to one or the other circulation loops. The common circulation leg contains a blower, a heater, a connection for introducing moisture into the gas used in the circulation loops, a cooler and a moisture separator. Valve controlled bypasses are connected to each of the circulation loops and to the common circulation leg so that a selected flow of heating gas can be provided in one of the loops when it is being evacuated. High frequency heaters are arranged in each of the vessels for supplying additional heat to the fiber or yarn.