Patents Assigned to Air Techniques
  • Patent number: 6695919
    Abstract: A fluidized bed apparatus for applying a coating liquid onto the surface of particles includes a vertically disposed cylindrical product container having a peripheral wall, at least one cylindrical partition defining a centrally located up bed region and a peripherally located down bed region. A nozzle is centrally located through the orifice plate and is adapted to generate a spray of coating liquid upwardly into the up bed. A nozzle ramp is provided around the nozzle. The nozzle ramp is generally cusp shaped and includes nozzle-ramp surface. The nozzle ramp is centrally positioned around the nozzle and is directed upwardly towards the partition so that the nozzle-ramp surface directs particles moving generally horizontally across the orifice plate from the down bed upwardly into the partition and the up bed. The nozzle ramp may further include air passages for passing fluidized air upwardly to the nozzle-ramp surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Glatt Air Techniques Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Jones, Richard Andrew Smith, John Patrick Kennedy, Frank Maurer, Matthias Georg Tondar, Bernhard Luy, Markus J. Baettig
  • Patent number: 6692571
    Abstract: A fluidized bed apparatus for applying a coating liquid onto the surface of particles includes a vertically disposed cylindrical product container having a peripheral wall, at least one cylindrical partition defining a centrally located up bed region and a peripherally located down bed region. The product container further includes an upper end connected to an expansion chamber and a lower end including an orifice plate having a plurality of openings for passage of fluidized air or gas. The fluidized apparatus further includes a central first plenum located below the orifice plate and being aligned with the up-bed and the partition, the first plenum being sized and shaped to direct gas upwardly through the orifice plate and into the up-bed; and a second plenum located below the orifice plate positioned around the first plenum for directing gas upwardly through the orifice plate and into contact with particles located on the orifice plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Glatt Air Techniques Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Jones, Richard Andrew Smith, John Patrick Kennedy, Frank Maurer, Matthias Georg Tondar, Bernhard Luy, Markus J. Baettig
  • Publication number: 20030200919
    Abstract: A fluidized bed apparatus for applying a coating liquid onto the surface of particles includes a vertically disposed cylindrical product container having a peripheral wall, at least one cylindrical partition defining a centrally located up bed region and a peripherally located down bed region. The product container further includes an upper end connected to an expansion chamber and a lower end including an orifice plate having a plurality of openings for passage of fluidized air or gas. A nozzle is centrally located through the orifice plate and is adapted to generate a spray of coating liquid upwardly into the up bed. Particles located within the product container circulate upwardly through the partition and the coating liquid spray, between the up bed and the down bed. A plurality of inwardly directed discharge jets are positioned along the periphery of the product container and generally adjacent to the orifice plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: Glatt Air Techniques Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Jones, Richard Andrew Smith, John Patrick Kennedy, Frank Maurer, Matthias Georg Tondar, Bernhard Luy, Markus J. Baettig
  • Publication number: 20030200920
    Abstract: A fluidized bed apparatus for applying a coating liquid onto the surface of particles includes a vertically disposed cylindrical product container having a peripheral wall, at least one cylindrical partition defining a centrally located up bed region and a peripherally located down bed region. The product container further includes an upper end connected to an expansion chamber and a lower end including an orifice plate having a plurality of openings for passage of fluidized air or gas. A nozzle is centrally located through the orifice plate and is adapted to generate a spray of coating liquid upwardly into the up bed. Particles located within the product container circulate upwardly through the partition and the coating liquid spray, between the up bed and the down bed. A plurality of inwardly directed discharge jets are positioned along the periphery of the product container and generally adjacent to the orifice plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: Glatt Air Techniques Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Jones, Richard Andrew Smith, John Patrick Kennedy, Frank Maurer, Matthias Georg Tondar, Bernhard Luy, Markus J. Baettig
  • Patent number: 6638066
    Abstract: A dental vacuum system for use in dental operatories in which a dental aspirator tip in the dental operatory is in fluid communication with a two stage side channel blower for providing suction to the system, there being interposed between the dental aspirator tip and the two stage side channel blower, a solid debris collector and separation chamber for the passage of air and collection of effluent and debris, the air outlet port in the separation chamber having a float valve sealing means, the float valve sealing means having a pivotal lever with a sealing means at one end for engagement with the air outlet port and a float at the opposing lever end for contact with a fluid or foam level within the separation tank, the float depending from the lever end a sufficient distance so as to cause the sealing means to seal the outlet port before any foam can exit the separation tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Air Techniques, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry Hubner, Edgar Alzner, Selwyn Foster, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20030196598
    Abstract: A fluidized bed apparatus for applying a coating liquid onto the surface of particles includes a vertically disposed cylindrical product container having a peripheral wall, at least one cylindrical partition defining a centrally located up bed region and a peripherally located down bed region. The product container further includes an upper end connected to an expansion chamber and a lower end including an orifice plate having a plurality of openings for passage of fluidized air or gas. A nozzle is centrally located through the orifice plate and is adapted to generate a spray of coating liquid upwardly into the up bed. Particles located within the product container circulate upwardly through the partition and the coating liquid spray, between the up bed and the down bed. A plurality of inwardly directed discharge jets are positioned along the periphery of the product container and generally adjacent to the orifice plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicant: Glatt Air Techniques Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Jones, Richard Andrew Smith, John Patrick Kennedy, Frank Maurer, Matthias Georg Tondar, Bernhard Luy, Markus J. Baettig
  • Patent number: 6605313
    Abstract: There is described a process and apparatus for the physical vapor deposition of an anisotropic phosphor composition with an auto-collimating, optical waveguide structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Air Techniques, Inc.
    Inventors: Claude Goodman, Alan Lyon, Daniel Wildermuth
  • Patent number: 6579365
    Abstract: A fluidized bed apparatus for applying a coating liquid onto the surface of particles includes a vertically disposed cylindrical product container having a peripheral wall, at least one cylindrical partition defining a centrally located up bed region and a peripherally located down bed region. The product container further includes an upper end connected to an expansion chamber and a lower end including an orifice plate having a plurality of openings for passage of fluidized air or gas. A nozzle is centrally located through the orifice plate and is adapted to generate a spray of coating liquid upwardly into the up bed. Particles located within the product container circulate upwardly through the partition and the coating liquid spray, between the up bed and the down bed. A plurality of inwardly directed discharge jets are positioned along the periphery of the product container and generally adjacent to the orifice plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Glatt Air Techniques, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Jones, Richard Andrew Smith, John Patrick Kennedy, Frank Maurer, Matthias Georg Tondar, Bernhard Luy, Markus J. Baettig
  • Patent number: 6522086
    Abstract: A photo-curing light system in which a modulation of the light intensity or output is controlled via an analogue control voltage to the control line output of the lamp power supply. The control signal results in the lamp current being reduced from its maximum value to a lower value on a continuous and repeated basis thereby modulating the light and reducing the heating value to surrounding material such as tooth structure during the curing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Air Techniques, Inc.
    Inventors: Elliot R. Gemunder, Hyeok-Jae Chi
  • Patent number: 6485301
    Abstract: Applicant's invention relates to a photo-curing light assembly having calibration circuitry determinative of the intensity level of the light source and the generation of an analogue control voltage from a digital control voltage during use which automatically adjusts light intensity to achieve proper energy levels during programmed curing times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Air Techniques, Inc.
    Inventors: Elliot R. Gemunder, Hyeok-Jae (Daniel) Chi
  • Patent number: 6186422
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a hand piece in an air abrasion system for delivering an abrasive laden air stream to a surface, the nozzle assembly having a connecting member having a channel and being removably mountable to said hand piece, an arcuate conduit member having a channel, the conduit member secured to the connecting member and a nozzle member formed with the channel, the nozzle member mounted within the channel of the conduit member, the nozzle member defined by a tapered channel portion in fluid communication with the channel of the conduit member and a cylindrically-shaped channel portion in communication with said tapered channel portion for directing the abrasive laden air stream in a substantially cylindrically-shaped cross section to the surface to be abraded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Air Techniques
    Inventors: Henry Hubner, Eddy Paultre
  • Patent number: 5874744
    Abstract: There is disclosed a process and apparatus for receiving and reproducing radiographic information from an anisotropic storage phosphor screen including an auto-collimating photostimulable phosphor layer of a material selected from the group consisting of europium activated barium fluorobromide, europium activated potassium chloride, indium activated potassium bromide or indium activated rubidium iodide, which absorbs impinging ionizing radiation emanating from or passing through an object to be imaged, a collimated or focused interrogating beam of photons directed parallel to the columnar structure of the screen to stimulate the trapped electrons within the storage phosphor to release the energy stored therein as luminescent photons, an opto-electro-mechanical assembly to achieve a raster scan of the interrogating beam over the area of the phosphor screen, a detector for converting the luminescent photons into electrical signals, and a computer to record and/or display the intensity versus positional informat
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Air Techniques, Inc.
    Inventors: Claude A. Goodman, Daniel N. Wildermuth
  • Patent number: 5678117
    Abstract: There is disclosed an automatic X-ray film processor assembly comprised of a gear drive assembly for the film transport unit including continuously operated lower and upper film lifters operating at different rotational speeds for passing film more rapidly through processing units. Additionally, there is provided an improved drying assembly including gear train in driving interrelationship with the gear drive assembly for the film transport as well as a fan unit providing improved aero-thermodynamics for drying film chips and additionally reducing film transit times. Additionally, there is provided a valved water drain system and a closeable door access means to more easily facilitate wash water draining and refilling for improved film processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Air Techniques, Inc.
    Inventors: Edgar Alzner, Dennis Allmer, Frank Bader
  • Patent number: 5483316
    Abstract: There is disclosed a film transport assembly for a film processing assembly comprised of a plurality of endless belts having film contact pins for positive processing of a film chip through portions of an automatic X-ray film processor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Air Techniques, Inc.
    Inventor: Ernest Zwettler
  • Patent number: 5437889
    Abstract: A shield, such as an upstanding cylindrical partition, is mounted adjacent to an air source, such as an air distribution plate/screen of a Wurster system processor, whereby the open upper end of the partition is generally horizontally registered with and disposed about the upper extremity of an associated spray nozzle. The open lower end of the inner cylindrical partition is generally sealed relative to the air distribution plate/screen and operative to receive air upwardly therethrough for subsequent passing through the inner partition about the spray nozzle. The upper end of the inner tubular partition shields the initial spray pattern discharged from the spray nozzle and prevents the premature entrance of particles moving into the spray nozzle area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Glatt Air Techniques, Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Jones
  • Patent number: 5262125
    Abstract: A method for effecting sterilization in a plasma of low molecular weight aliphatic alcohol, preferably methanol at pressure levels of from 10 mTorr to 10 Torr at RF energy levels to establish and maintain a plasma for a time sufficient to achieve substantial total microbicidal effectiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Air Techniques, Inc.
    Inventor: Claude A. Goodman
  • Patent number: 5251384
    Abstract: A fluidized bed apparatus having a downwardly opening filter housing and including multiple processing gas outlets and a partition structure dividing the interior of the filter housing into individual downwardly-opening open-bottom compartments equal in number to the gas outlets. The partition structure extends into an expansion chamber below the filter housing. The partition structure that divides the housing not only extends the full height of the filter housing portion, but projects appreciably downwardly therefrom into the upper portion of the expansion chamber disposed below the filter housing. Each gas outlet is associated with a filter cartridge mounted on a tubular fitting. The gas filter cartridge is tubular and filters the gas passing through each of the divided filter housing compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Glatt Air Techniques, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Olsen, Richard A. Smith
  • Patent number: 5241339
    Abstract: There is disclosed an automatic X-ray film processor assembly comprised of a drive assembly for the film transport unit including intermittently operated film lifters for passing film more rapidly through processing units thereby ensuring more uniform processing times as well as permitting facile changes in processing times. Additionally, there is provided a film chip withdrawal assembly at a point intermediate the film processing as well as a channel for readmitting any such intermediate processed film chip into the processor for completion of film processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Air Techniques, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Marany
  • Patent number: 5236503
    Abstract: A shield, such as an upstanding cylindrical partition, is mounted adjacent to an air source, such as an air distribution plate/screen of a Wurster system processor, whereby the open upper end of the partition is generally horizontally registered with and disposed about the upper extremity of an associated spray nozzle. The open lower end of the inner cylindrical partition is generally sealed relative to the air distribution plate/screen and operative to receive air upwardly therethrough for subsequent passing through the inner partition about the spray nozzle. The upper end of the inner tubular partition shields the initial spray pattern discharged from the spray nozzle and prevents the premature entrance of particles moving into the spray nozzle area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Glatt Air Techniques, Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Jones
  • Patent number: 5200146
    Abstract: There is disclosed an invention for effecting sterilization in a plasma of low molecular weight aliphatic alcohol, preferably methanol at pressure levels of from 10 mTorr to 10 Torr at RF energy levels to establish and maintain a plasma for a time sufficient to achieve substantial total microbicidal effectiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Air Techniques, Inc.
    Inventor: Claude A. Goodman