Abstract: Provided is a reticle storage container including an inner container 10 which can store a plurality of reticles 16 and an outer container 1 which covers the inner container 10. The outer container 1 is configured to include a gas nozzle 5 which can inject a predetermined gas. The same gas as the gas supplied into an exposure apparatus 20 is supplied to the gas nozzle 5. The gas injected into the reticle storage container is vented through a vent hole 14 installed to the inner container 10.

Abstract: A method of controlling and enhancing the nucleation of product in a freeze dryer wherein a product is maintained at a predetermined temperature and pressure. A mixture of water vapor and CO2 gas is introduced into a condenser chamber separate from the product chamber to create a predetermined volume of condensed frost, ice and dry ice crystals on an inner surface of the condenser chamber. The condenser chamber is connected to the product chamber and has a predetermined pressure that is greater than that of the product chamber. Upon the opening of the condenser chamber into the product chamber, gas turbulence is created that causes the condensed frost in the form of an ice fog and accompanying ice and dry ice crystals to rapidly enter the product chamber for even distribution therein to create uniform and rapid nucleation of the product in different areas of the product chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dryer which is of modular construction and comprises a process air guide (15, 15?) into which a first air conducting element (161) for forming a condensation dryer (1) or a second air conducting element (16?) for forming a extraction air dryer (1?) may be installed. In the process air guide (15, 15?) is formed an insertion region (15d, 15d?) in which the first (161) or the second air conducting element (16?) is arranged, wherein the two air conducting elements (161, 16?) are designed compatibly in respect of their insertion in the insertion region (15d, 15d?), at least in certain regions.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for drying and smoothing hair is provided. The apparatus (10) generally comprises a hair-treatment device (16), a vacuum assembly (20) and a blower assembly (22). The hair-treatment device (16) includes a passage (64) for directing a drying-air stream (66) generated by the blower assembly (22) toward the hair of a subject, and a passageway (76) for directing a return-air stream (74) away from the subject's hair under a motive force supplied by the vacuum assembly (20). The device (16) further includes a smoothing element (42) having a surface (52) against which the hair may be contacted to achieve smoothing of the hair.

Abstract: The drying method for a green honeycomb molded body according to the invention is a method for drying a green honeycomb molded body having a plurality of through-holes. The method includes the steps of: mounting a green honeycomb molded body on a gas dispersion plate; and irradiating the molded body with microwaves simultaneously while supplying heated air through the gas dispersion plate into the through-holes of the molded body, in an atmosphere containing water vapor surrounding the molded body; wherein prior to the supply of heated air and the irradiation of microwaves, a sealing member is situated on the outer side of an edge of the molded body on the gas dispersion plate side, to prevent the heated air from the gas dispersion plate from contacting the outer peripheral wall of the molded body.

Abstract: A method for detecting a degree of blockage of an exhaust duct includes detecting the temperature of air in an intake and exhaust system, calculating a rate of change of the detected temperature, and determining a degree of blockage of the exhaust duct based on the detected temperature and the rate of change of the detected temperature.

Abstract: A method of controlling and enhancing the nucleation of product in a freeze dryer, wherein the product is maintained at a predetermined temperature and pressure in a chamber of the freeze dryer, and a predetermined volume of condensed frost is created on an inner surface of a condenser chamber separate from the product chamber and connected thereto by a vapor port. The opening of the vapor port into the product chamber when the condenser chamber has a pressure that is greater than that of the product chamber creates gas turbulence that breaks down the condensed frost into ice crystals that rapidly enter the product chamber for even distribution therein to create uniform and rapid nucleation of the product in different areas of the product chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laundry treating apparatus that smoothly agitates laundry with as large space as possible for receiving laundry. The laundry treating apparatus includes: a rotatable drum that receives laundry, has open front and rear, and is formed to have a non-circular closed cross-section; a front panel closing the open front of the drum and having a plurality of discharge holes through which air in the drum is discharged; and a suction duct coupled to the front panel and sucks air discharged through the discharge holes.

Abstract: Household appliance comprising an outer casing (2) provided with a worktop (3), wherein said worktop (3) comprises a plurality of apertures (7), each one of which is fluidly connected with conveying means adapted to deliver a flow of air through said apertures (7) for drying garments laid upon the same worktop.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying textile material with a radio frequency (RF) applicator and a controller, the method includes energizing the RF applicator to generate a field of electromagnetic radiation (e-field), measuring a parameter related to the energization of the RF applicator, determining a drying cycle of operation in the controller based on the measured parameter, and controlling the energization of the RF applicator according to the determination of the drying cycle of operation, wherein the textile material is dried.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparation of lamellar porous microstructures and nanostructures of various density based on controlled vacuum freeze-drying of a liquid dispersion of nanoparticles. The liquid dispersion of particles is rapidly freezed into solid state inside a tightly closed volume. In this form it is submitted to vacuum freeze-drying with required rate of sublimation of molecules of a liquid dispersion medium, until their total removal, accompanied by the creation of lamellar microstructures and nanostructures. The orientation of the normal vector of the dominant surface of sublimation interface can be set with regard to the required properties of the final sublimate structure from vertically upwards to vertically downwards. The sublimation rate is adjusted by combination of vacuum depth and external heating of the sublimation interface of the frozen material.

Abstract: An exhaust air dryer having a housing that encloses an inner space, wherein the following structures are arranged in the inner space: a drying chamber for items to be dried; a supply air duct between a first supply air inlet and the drying chamber to supply air; a heater to heat the supply air in the supply air duct; a fan to guide heated supply air through the drying chamber; and an exhaust air duct arranged between the drying chamber and an exhaust air outlet on the housing to exhaust air. The fan is a dual-flow fan having a first flow path and a second flow path, wherein the first flow path is arranged in the exhaust air duct and the second flow path is arranged in the supply air duct.

Abstract: Methods for drying seeds comprising: a) contacting seeds with zeolite particles and allowing said zeolite particles to take up moisture from said seeds; or b) passing an airflow over zeolite particles, thereby allowing said zeolite particles to dry the air in said airflow and passing said dried airflow over the seeds; or c) placing said seeds and zeolite particles in an air-tight container and allowing said zeolite particles to take up the moisture evaporated by said seed.

Abstract: Provided is a household appliance, in particular dishwasher, tumble drier or the like, having a primary circuit which has a hygroscopic liquid, in particular brine solution, for extracting moisture from drying air, and a secondary circuit for drying wet articles by drying air, wherein a contact chamber is provided which has at least one dispersal element for surface area enlargement of the contact surface of the hygroscopic liquid for the drying air, characterized in that the dispersal element of the contact chamber has at least one drive for imparting drive and/or movement, such that for the surface area enlargement, the hygroscopic liquid can be dispersed with kinetic drive energy.

Abstract: A method for producing agglomerated particles, including maintaining in a fluid bed a fluidised particle layer above a plate having perforations through which fluidisation gas flows, the fluid bed being divided into an inner and an outer zone, supplying the fluidised particle layer with descending particles directly from a spray dryer to be agglomerated in the fluid bed, atomizing an agglomeration liquid in the fluidised layer of particles, and guiding the fluidised particles in a plug-flow toward an outlet. The outer zone receives the majority of the descending particles and the inner zone is connected to an outlet.

Abstract: A high efficiency steam box, particularly for the processing of fabrics. The box housing is subdivided into a plurality of steam chambers isolated from each other but communicating with a perforated steam tube which extends throughout the housing. Steam is delivered to the center portions of the steam tube and flows toward the ends. Valve pistons are movably positioned in the opposite end portions of the steam tube to confine the steam. The valve pistons are axially adjustable by a screw shaft extending through the steam tube and can be positioned to isolate outer chambers when processing narrow fabrics to prevent or minimize the discharge of steam from steam discharge slots extending beyond the edges of the fabric. Steam flow control can be integrated with positioning of the valve pistons to provide uniform steam flow per unit length of the discharge slots for optimum efficiency in processing and steam utilization.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining a fluffing state of laundry based on a determined temperature indicative of the surface of the laundry.

Abstract: A laundry machine having a drying function for drying an object to be dried, especially clothes. The laundry machine according to one embodiment of the present invention may be a circulating drying machine that supplies the hot air to an object to be dried, so as to remove water, and then condenses the water from the hot air and heats the condensed water to supply the heat to the object to be dried. At this time, condensing may be carried out using natural convection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dryer for drying fuel materials such as wood bark, wood chips, sludge, garbage, peat moss or the like. In a preferred embodiment the dryer comprises a conveyor, consisting of twin endless belts, which carries the material to be dried along a vertical path defined between parallel runs of the endless belts, and ductwork which serves to direct heated air (received from any appropriate source) across the vertical path to remove moisture from the material as it is being conveyed. The ductwork includes at least one feed duct for use in delivering the heated air to one side of the vertical path, and at least one exhaust duct for use in withdrawing moisture-laden air on another side of the vertical path.

Abstract: A washer/dryer (1) including a body, a drum arranged inside this body wherein laundry to be washed is emplaced, and a fan that aspirates the humid air generated in the drum during the drying process and a chamber whereto the air aspirated by the fan is delivered, configured as a volute wherein the air can circulate and a thermoelectric module situated in the chamber and having flaps that control the flow rate of the air that flows over the thermoelectric module so that the washer/dryer has high efficiency and decreases the noise generated during the drying cycle.