Patents Examined by Steve Gravini
  • Patent number: 5709035
    Abstract: A counter flow cooler in which feed material is fed into the top inlet of the cooler and dispersed into a plurality of cooling chambers. At the bottom of each cooling chamber is a discharge grid which will discharge feed material uniformly over the area of the cooling chamber. The discharge rate of this discharge grid can be adjusted to the desired throughput of the cooler. Air is drawn through the bottom of the discharge grid and passes up through the feed material in a counter flow manner. That is, while the product is passing down through the cooler, the air is passing up through the feed material, carrying away heat and possibly. A feed controller is used to selectively direct feed material into the plurality of cooling chambers. When a second batch of feed material is to be introduced into the cooler, feed material to the first cooling chamber is stopped and all the feed material is directed into the second cooling chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: California Pellet Mill Company
    Inventor: Donald M. Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 5709037
    Abstract: A material to be dried, such as a semiconductor substrate during manufacturing a semiconductor device, is loaded into a process chamber fitted at a loading opening with a lid which is closed from above. The inner side wall surface of the process chamber has a first surface formed in the lower part thereof and is substantially in parallel with the inner wall surface of the lid, and a second surface extending from the upper end part of the first surface and bent outwards to face the inner wall surface of the lid. A processing solution vapor is fed through a steam supply port in the second surface into the process chamber and flowed downwardly over the material to be dried. The processing solution vapor is condensed and recovered below the material to be dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha, Ryoden Semiconductor System Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tanaka, Nobuaki Doi, Masashi Omori, Hiroaki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 5706588
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a device and method for separating lint particles in a clothes dryer. In the present invention, the device and method use a cyclone to separate the lint particles. The cyclone includes a housing container having an inlet port and an outlet port. A screen is positioned about the inlet port. A tubing extends through the outlet port into the housing container. A drawing means draws moisture and lint laden air from the clothes dryer through the screen. A circulating means circulates the moisture and lint laden air in the housing container about the tubing. A removing means removes the moisture and lint laden air from the housing container and retains any lint particles within the housing container. The cyclone improves upon the efficiency of accumulating lint particles without compromising the passage of air flow in the exhaust duct and improves upon the passage of air flow without decreasing the amount of lint particles being trapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Edward Dausch, Seth Alexander Capello, Youssef El-Shoubary, Donald Richard Dickerson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5706587
    Abstract: An apparatus for drying a fibre web, the apparatus comprising two endless bands that conduct heat well and are impermeable to air, which bands are arranged to run part of the way parallel with each other, the first band (1) being heated and the second band (2a) being cooled and the fibre web (3) being conducted together with at least one fabric between the bands (1, 2a) in such a way that the fibre web is in contact with the heated band (1) and the fabric is between the fibre web and the cooled band (2a). The invention comprises additionally a third band (2b) that conducts heat well and is impermeable to air, which band is located after the second band (2a) in the travel direction of the bands and forms together with the first band (1) a second drying zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Jukka Lehtinen, Paavo Rautakorpi, Jari Ilomaki
  • Patent number: 5704135
    Abstract: An instant photographic print drying device. The device has a stand which carries a fan and a heating coil. Downstream of the fan the photograph is held in place by clips. A timer is provided which can be set to a prescribed time to dry the photographs. An on/off switch is provided and a momentary switch is optionally present to provide a little more drying time, without resetting the timer. A thermostat might be included to prevent overheating of the coils, and possible overheating and burning of the photograph. Optionally, the clips holding the photograph in place can be connected to a micro-switch, which activates the timer controlling the fan and heating coil when a photograph is placed on the stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Inventor: Sohrab Riahi
  • Patent number: 5704134
    Abstract: A rack assembly for drying short lumber pieces is provided. The rack assembly includes unitary racks for supporting each tier of lumber pieces in a stack. Each rack includes transverse stickers to separate it from the preceding tier and a number of longitudinal tracks to guide the placement of the short lumber pieces. The pieces are arranged end-to-end in rows extending the length of the rack and the rows are arranged side-by-side across the width of the rack. A method of using such a rack to facilitate the drying of lumber is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Carter Sprague Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Carter, Everett C. Davidson, Larry C. Lagging
  • Patent number: 5701682
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing the moisture content of a paper web in a papermaking process from in the range of 10% to 32% dry to the range of 33% to 50% dry wherein the embryonic web is supported on a knuckled through drier fabric and lightly pressed between the knuckled through drier fabric and a capillary membrane of a capillary dewatering roll. The capillary membrane has capillary pores therethrough which have a substantially straight through, non-tortuous path with a pore aspect ratio of from about 2 to about 20. A vacuum is drawn within the capillary dewatering roll which is not greater than the negative capillary suction pressure of the capillary pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Strong C. Chuang, Kenneth Kaufman, Robert H. Schiesser
  • Patent number: 5701683
    Abstract: A counter flow cooler in which feed material is fed into the top inlet of the cooler and dispersed into a plurality of cooling chambers. At the bottom of each cooling chamber is a discharge grid which will discharge feed material uniformly over the area of the cooling chamber. The discharge rate of this discharge grid can be adjusted to the desired throughput of the cooler. Air is drawn through the bottom of the discharge grid and passes up through the feed material in a counter flow manner. That is, while the product is passing down through the cooler, the air is passing up through the feed material, carrying away heat and possibly. A feed controller is used to selectively direct feed material into the plurality of cooling chambers. When a second batch of feed material is to be introduced into the cooler, feed material to the first cooling chamber is stopped and all the feed material is directed into the second cooling chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: California Pellet Mill Company
    Inventor: Donald M. Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 5699625
    Abstract: An apparatus for draining liquid drops from a tentering oven is described, which comprises a plurality of plenum ducts for heating and cooling a film and a tenter for stretching the film. The tentering oven has at least two partition walls between the heating and cooling zones of the oven and wherein each of the partition walls located above the tenter is fitted with a pan and a heater for heating the pan at the lower part thereof, with a blower being installed above the compartment defined by the partition walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Oji-Yuka Synthetic Paper Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fumio Iguchi
  • Patent number: 5699626
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing the moisture content of a paper web in a papermaking process from in the range of 10% to 32% dry to the range of 33% to 50% dry wherein the embryonic web is supported on a knuckled through drier fabric and lightly pressed between the knuckled through drier fabric and a capillary membrane of a capillary dewatering roll. The capillary membrane has capillary pores therethrough which have a substantially straight through, non-tortuous path with a pore aspect ratio of from about 2 to about 20. A vacuum is drawn within the capillary dewatering roll which is not greater than the negative capillary suction pressure of the capillary pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Strong C. Chuang, Kenneth Kaufman, Robert H. Schiesser
  • Patent number: 5697168
    Abstract: Single or multi-screw indirect-heating screw conveyor desorbers having a heating gas guide enclosed by the screw shaft wall (single-wall screw shafts) or located between a screw shaft wall and an internal chamber wall (double-walled screw shafts). Predetermined amounts of cooling and diluting fluid may be added to a heating gas stream to control the maximum temperature thereof. Screw shaft support bearings and rotary drive components may be cooled, and conveyor wall and/or screw shaft surfaces (e.g.. screw flights and interflight surfaces) may be automatically cleaned during screw shaft rotation by hardened bits and/or breaker devices. Cleaning operations may also involve the interaction of two counter-rotating conveyor screw shafts having mutually interleaved and opposite-handed external flights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Separation and Recovery Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Matthys, Philippe J. Matthys, Robert A. Shelden, Felix G. Marcelino, Michael Katko
  • Patent number: 5697169
    Abstract: Apparatus for cooling strip includes a path of travel for the strip and cooling apparatus having a plurality of elongated gas nozzles within which are disposed water nozzles such that the water nozzles will have a discharge outlet within the gas nozzles and discharge water in generally the same direction as said gas discharge. In a preferred embodiment, the gas enshrouds the water and establishes a cocurrent two-fluid stream which impinges upon the strip moving by the cooling apparatus. Subsequently, heat transfer is enhanced by the air and water dynamics which are provided after impingement by fluid flow fields. The gas nozzles and water nozzles may be coaxial and in one embodiment are each circular. In one embodiment, containment gas is caused to impinge on the strip at a position longitudinally displaced from the regions of impingement of the cocurrent two-fluid stream on the strip so as to resist undesired flow of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Busch Co.
    Inventor: William L. Jacob
  • Patent number: 5694701
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of drying a substrate uses a condensing surface located adjacent the substrate on the side of the substrate being dried. The liquid from the substrate is evaporated and then condensed on the condensing surface without applied convection. The condensed liquid is removed from the condensing surface while the condensed liquid remains liquid. Evaporation can be performed by heating the substrate without applied convection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gary L. Huelsman, William B. Kolb
  • Patent number: 5692316
    Abstract: The apparel drying rack apparatus for boots and gloves comprises a plurality of shaped wire holding units that are positioned rigid base frame. The holding units are designed to rotate within the base frame to allow the apparatus to be stored in a flattened position. The apparatus is designed to fit easily over air ducts or baseboard heaters and a wall mounted apparatus is also disclosed. The baseboard fitting apparatus has an adjustment system that allows the apparatus to fit over baseboards having various heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Inventor: Christopher P. Antal
  • Patent number: 5692317
    Abstract: A method and a facility for dehydrating plants, particularly for dehydrating forage. The method consists in introducing the forage to be dehydrated in a drier with a retention time and a temperature that are suitable to achieve the at least partial drying of the leaves of the forage. The forage, when it leaves the drier, is subjected to an operation for separating the leaves from the stalks, and the leaves and stalks thus separated are then subjected, separately from each other, to additional treatments that include at least one additional drying for at least one of the two components constituted by the leaves and the stalks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Marlegreen Holding S.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Imo Manzolli
  • Patent number: 5692315
    Abstract: A portable hair steamer suitable for direct application of steam to the hair of the user. The portable hair steamer generally includes a base having a steaming chamber disposed therein and a hood to surround the head of the user. A detachable water tank having a drip or check valve is provided to supply a predetermined rate of water to the steaming chamber. A telescoping neck is provided intermediate the hood and the base and is adjustable for the comfort of the user. The telescoping neck and hood are collapsible against the base to facilitate transportation and storage. An auxiliary steaming chamber may be provided to preheat hair curlers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Inventor: John C. K. Sham
  • Patent number: 5689900
    Abstract: Air-blowing nozzles 21 for blowing a hot air are provided in both sides of an electrode sheet 33 for a battery both surfaces of which an electrode compounding agent has been applied to. In each of the air-blowing nozzles 21, a pair of slit-shaped blowholes 65 being extended in the width direction of the electrode sheet 33 are provided on both of the upper and lower sides of the end face part 63. The hot air blown off from a pair of the upper and lower blowholes 65 dries the electrode compounding agent as well as pressurizes a space between the electrode sheet 33 and the end face part 63 to form a pressure room P, and the left and right pressure rooms P hold the electrode sheet 33 to suppress its sway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignees: Toshiba Battery Co., Ltd., Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Gen Takayama, Tsutomu Horikoshi, Shigeo Kasahara, Yoshiyuki Sakai, Toshihiko Kusago, Yasuhiro Kuroki
  • Patent number: 5689895
    Abstract: A device for positioning a probe, such as a temperature sensor, in a flask for freeze drying. The device includes a stopper adapted to be secured to an open end of the flask. The stopper has a center opening and at least one radial opening spaced from the center opening. The radial opening allows for fluid communication between inside and outside of the flask when the stopper is secured to the open end of the flask. The center opening receives a guide tube which extends into the flask and is sized to receive the probe such that substantially no fluid communication between the inside of the flask and the outside of the flask occurs through the guide tube or center opening. A channel formed in an upper surface of the stopper and an O-ring positioned about an outer diameter of a neck of the flask secure the probe in position relative to the guide tube. The multiple radial openings define an annular passageway which mimics fluid communication through a standard slit-type stopper employed in freeze drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: S.P. Industries, Inc., The Virtis Division
    Inventors: David T. Sutherland, Alan P. MacKenzie, Dean B. Wise
  • Patent number: 5689899
    Abstract: In order to produce an optimally smooth paint surface in automobiles, the heating phase of the drying process is interrupted when an object temperature of about 65.degree. C. is reached. This object temperature is then held for at least two and at most three and a half minutes. Then the heating phase is continued until the holding temperature is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ber Szenker, Johann Benning
  • Patent number: 5689897
    Abstract: A steam blast box for applying steam to a web of paper conducted over a roll of a paper machine. The box has a closed steam blast chamber which extends along the roll transverse to the direction of travel of the web and to which steam can be fed. The front wall of the box, which faces the roll, has a plurality of steam outlet openings. A steam propagation space is formed between the front wall of the steam blast box and the roll. For controlling the temperature and/or for regulating the amount of heat transferred to the web of paper in the steam propagation space, an air outlet channel, which extends transverse to the direction of travel of the web and is located at the web inlet end of the steam propagation space, is provided for the admixing of air in the steam. In this way, sensitive separate, zone-wise control of the heating of the paper web can be obtained. The steam propagation space can be cooled zone-wise by feeding air on the inlet side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Schiel