Patents Examined by Steve Gravini
  • Patent number: 5669158
    Abstract: A method of removing heat from a moving web includes providing a quantity of a liquid which has a temperature of vaporization below the surface temperature of the web; heating the liquid to a temperature slightly below the temperature of vaporization of the liquid; spraying the heated liquid onto the surface of the web; and vaporizing liquid from the surface of the web to cool the web. In a preferred embodiment, an electrically charged screen is disposed intermediate the sprayer and the web. The liquid passes through openings in the screen to form electrically charged droplets of liquid which move onto the surface of the web. An apparatus for removing heat from a moving web includes liquid supply means for providing a liquid having a temperature of vaporization below the surface temperature of the web; heater means for heating the liquid to a temperature slightly below its temperature of vaporization; and sprayer means for spraying the heated liquid onto the surface of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Robert R. Murray, Stephen P. Fraczek, Dale H. Jackson
  • Patent number: 5669159
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying a fiber web is provided by pressing the web, preferably by impulse drying and then introducing the web into a gas pressurized zone followed by reducing the pressure in the zone, the reduction preferably being effected with cooling of the fiber web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: The Institute of Paper Science and Technology
    Inventors: David I. Orloff, Timothy Patterson, Isaak Rudman
  • Patent number: 5669155
    Abstract: A suction drum dryer, for knitted fabrics and the like, is provided with an adjustable width bellows mechanism for masking side margins of the drums not occupied by the fabric web. Ambient air draw into the suction drums is thus caused to flow substantially exclusively through the material to be processed. Significantly improved operating efficiencies are realized, as well as significantly higher production output from a given piece of equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Tubular Textile LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Hughes, Michael S. Leonard, William C. Hardin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5666741
    Abstract: A drying section of a paper machine includes a plurality of individual drying groups, wherein the drying cylinders of a drying group are served by 2 respective dryer wire or felt that passes over drying cylinders of the drying group and presses a web to be dried against the surface of the drying cylinders. The invention is adapted for either single tier or double tier drying groups. At least one press roll is disposed between and separates two of the drying groups. In one embodiment, the at least one press roll forms a nip with the adjacent drying cylinder, either upstream or downstream, to define a dewatering nip through which the web passes. A dewatering belt passes over the press roll in the nip. The wire for a respective drying group is guided away from the dewatering nip so that only the web and the dewatering belt pass through the press nip. In alternate embodiments, two press rolls may be disposed between the adjacent drying groups, and the two press rolls define a press nip between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Bubik, Erwin Brunmair, Harald Hess, Herbert Holik, Werner Leitenberger, Thomas Merath, Johann Moser, Helmet Stieb, Elmer Weisshuhn
  • Patent number: 5666744
    Abstract: A paper drying apparatus and method therefor including an infrared drying unit and a vacuum unit, wherein the infrared drying unit emits infrared radiation in a direction toward the vacuum unit. A fabric sheet for carrying a paper web is provided, wherein the fabric sheet passes between the infrared drying unit and the vacuum unit. The infrared drying unit is positioned on the side of the fabric sheet adjacent to the paper web and the vacuum unit is juxtaposed on the opposite side of the fabric sheet from the infrared drying unit, wherein the vacuum unit draws air through the paper web in a direction from the infrared drying unit toward the vacuum unit. The combination of the infrared drying unit with the vacuum units provides a compact arrangement which efficiently removes moisture from the paper web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: James River Corporation of Virginia
    Inventor: Benjamin A. Thorp
  • Patent number: 5664338
    Abstract: A horizontal cooler/dryer having a continuous traveling conveyor, the conveyor being a chain conveyor formed of a plurality of links adjoined in end-to-end relationship, each of the links being pivotally pinned at its ends to adjacent links; a housing about the conveyor, the housing having a cooling gas inlet, a gas exhaust, a product inlet through which material to be cooled may be deposited on the conveyor and a product outlet through which cooled material can be discharged; and a plurality of non-perforate material pans mounted to the conveyor in juxtaposed overlapping relationship to form a substantially continuous surface about the conveyor. The product bed is leveled by dragging the lower edge of a hollow pivoting quarter drum across the product. The leveling is produced by the weight of the quarter drum pivoting down against the product. Counter weights can be used to control the leveling pressure against the product to avoid crushing or other product damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: California Pellet Mill Company
    Inventor: Kelsey C. Thom, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5664340
    Abstract: A U.V. Anti-Bacterial, Anti-Fungal Dryer Light is provided designed to eliminate bacteria and fungus-causing germs from the laundry. The present invention consists of ultraviolet mechanisms situated within the door of typical gas and electric dryers thereby eliminating germs from the laundered clothing. Ultraviolet lights are contained within a dryer door-mounted plate and covered with clear glass or polycarbonate plastic. When the dryer is on, the ultraviolet lights will illuminate, thus beginning the process of abolishing the germs of the laundry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Inventor: Clay A. Brown
  • Patent number: 5661911
    Abstract: A method and device for contact drying a paper web, wherein the paper web is dried initially in a number of successive groups with single-wire draw by pressing the paper web via drying wires of each groups against the heated faces of the drying cylinders and by guiding the paper web on support of the same drying wire from one drying cylinder onto the next drying cylinder over the reversing suction cylinders or rolls in each group with single-wire draw. In the groups with single-wire draw, the paper web is dried to a first dry solids content, after which the paper web is dried directly further by a single group with twin-wire draw to a second dry solids content, after which the paper web is dried further to its final dry solids content by a single normal group with single-wire draw. The limits of the first and second dry solids contents are selected so that, in the middle or in the beginning of the range, the tear strength index and the breaking strength index of the web are at their maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventor: Jouko Yli-Kauppila
  • Patent number: 5662943
    Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to present fabrication methods and equipment for granulated powders whereby, the reaction between the R--Fe--B-type or R--Co-type rare earth containing alloy powders and the binder is controlled, the residual oxygen and carbon content of the sintered products after sintering is reduced, and whereby it is possible to obtain isotropic or anisotropic granulated powders having good powder flowability and lubrication properties when molding. After stirring a slurry of rare earth containing alloy powders formed by adding a binder consisting of water and at least one of either methyl cellulose, polyacryl amide or polyvinyl alcohol, and mixing, oriented liquid droplets are formed by applying a magnetic field to the slurry to orientate the said powder particles and spraying within the chamber of a spray dryer apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Sumitomo Special Metals Company Limited
    Inventors: Osamu Yamashita, Tsunekazu Saigo, Seiichi Kohara, Hirokazu Kitayama, Hiroshi Hashikawa
  • Patent number: 5659975
    Abstract: In order to dry boards, the boards are guided on racks through a drier and brought into contact with drying air in two stages. In a stage A with a higher drying power, the drying air is supplied at a higher temperature and with an at least average humidity, and in the other stage B, it is supplied at an average temperature and with a low humidity. The waste heat of the outgoing air from stage A is used for preheating the drying air. This process should reduce the consumption of primary energy. For that purpose, a process is known that consists of also using the outgoing air condensation heat. This has the inconvenience, however, of requiring substantially more secondary energy, as important air mass flows are required to transfer heat because of the low condensation temperature. Primary energy should be reduced by using condensation heat without substantially increasing secondary energy requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Babcock BSH AG
    Inventors: Friedrich Bahner, Manfred Braun, Karl-Friedrich Lang, Gerhard Lehn, Karl Maurer, Manfred Schmidt, Josef Steinkuhl
  • Patent number: 5659971
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved drying techniques which increase the capacity and efficiency of agitated pan type dryers. In particular, the present invention relates to a nutsche type filter/dryer apparatus and method for aggressive convective drying of hard to dry chemical compounds, such as pharmaceuticals. The aggressive drying is brought about by creating turbulence within the drying vessel during the drying cycle. Significant reductions in drying cycle times have been achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Len W. Haleen
  • Patent number: 5659974
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing and regenerating an adsorbent material which material contains a medium (particularly moisture). The medium is removed from the adsorbent material by a hot regeneration gas, following which the adsorbent material is cooled. In order to improve the energy efficiency ("energy balance") in a process for drying a humid gas, particularly humid air, it is proposed that regeneration offgas be passed through the adsorbent material immediately before the adsorbent material is subjected to (final) regeneration, the regeneration offgas having a lower temperature than the hot regeneration gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Inventor: Roderich Wilhelm Graeff
  • Patent number: 5659977
    Abstract: An integrated plant including a microalgae production plant for growing, harvesting and drying algae and a fossil fuel-motor-generator plant producing electrical energy. A fossil fuel engine produces hot exhaust gas from which sensible heat dries the algae. The drying may be direct from the exhaust gas or may be indirect with the hot exhaust gas exchanging sensible heat with a recirculating stream of inert gas. Carbon dioxide from the exhaust gas is recovered for use as a nutrient in the microalgae production plant. Electrical energy from the generator is used to drive motors and/or produce artificial illumination and/or drive pumps, motors and controls in the microalgae production plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Cyanotech Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn Jensen, Eric H. Reichl
  • Patent number: 5659973
    Abstract: A device for removing liquid on a gauze conveyor for conveying products, the gauze conveyor having an upper side for carrying products and being provided with link portions and having a gauze pattern. The device having means for removing liquid on the upper side of the gauze conveyor by extraction said means being placed directly under the gauze conveyor and being formed by a hollow, rotatable roll which is provided with rows of separate projecting teeth, said rows extending axially on the roll, the teeth fitting into the gauze pattern and the link portions being enclosable by the teeth. The roll has holes between the teeth which holes extend into the cavity of the roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignees: American National Can Co., VMI-EPE-Holland B.V.
    Inventors: Donald Lazarz, Jurjen Jan De Jong
  • Patent number: 5657555
    Abstract: In a process for drying coated surfaces in a hot-air dryer, part of the hot air in the dryer is continuously circulated therein as a secondary air stream which is mixed with a primary air stream heated to above the drying temperature (T.sub.max). This reduces the quantity of hot air to be fed into the dryer and thus the material requirements are reduced and the heating time shortened. A hot-dryer for implementing the process has, in the hot-air chambers (7,8) arranged symmetrically on either side in the interior (6) of the dryer, a separating wall (22) dividing an internal chamber (7) and an outer chamber (8) which has fun intake aperture (9) at its lower end for secondary air. At the lower end of the inner chamber (7), the primary air is fed in at a higher flow rate and mixed with the secondary air taken in through the aperture (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: ABB Flakt AB
    Inventors: Dragoslav Milojevic, Manfred Losch
  • Patent number: 5655312
    Abstract: An apparatus including both an ultraviolet curing unit and a hot air dryer, either one of which may be operated at a given time. A wall of the dryer has an opening through which the ultraviolet radiation emitted by the curing unit passes when the curing unit is activated. A moveable slide plate covers the opening when the dryer is activated, creating the proper hot air dryer chamber volume for effective dryer operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Fusion UV Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Scott Sevcik
  • Patent number: 5653044
    Abstract: A horizontal cooler/dryer having a continuous traveling conveyor, the conveyor being a chain conveyor formed of a plurality of links adjoined in end-to-end relationship, each of the links being pivotally pinned at its ends to adjacent links; a housing about the conveyor, the housing having a cooling gas inlet, a gas exhaust, a product inlet through which material to be cooled may be deposited on the conveyor and a product outlet through which cooled material can be discharged; and a plurality of non-perforate material pans mounted to the conveyor in juxtaposed overlapping relationship to form a substantially continuous surface about the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: California Pellet Mill Company
    Inventor: Kelsey C. Thom, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5651189
    Abstract: A system for drying a large object, such as the human body, in an effective and sanitary manner. The system comprises a blower secured in a housing constructed with a plenum assembly having a decreasing volumetric configuration for diffusing and projecting a sheet of air in a select direction at a relatively uniform velocity. The air is filtered before passing through the blower and is heated for the comfort of the user. In this manner a person can utilize the sanitary benefit of warm air drying instead of towels and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Bodi-Blo, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Coykendall, Barbara Davis Reynolds
  • Patent number: 5651192
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dryer device and a drying control system utilizing an infrared sensor that measures the temperature of garments or items being dried in a drying device. The invention provides significant improvement over conventional techniques using temperature sensors, or such sensors in combination with moisture or humidity sensors. Also disclosed are methods for controlling drying temperatures and methods for determining drying cycle completion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven A. Horwitz
  • Patent number: 5651190
    Abstract: A portable apparatus for drying the hair of a wearer. The hair dryer includes support means such as a belt or shoulder strap for removably mounting the hair dryer apparatus on the body of the wearer. A casing having an opening is mounted on the support means. A blower is disposed within the casing and is operative to force air out of the casing through an opening. A conduit is coupled with the casing with an inlet of the conduit being in communication with the opening in the casing. The conduit is arranged and configured such that an outlet thereof may be positioned proximate the hair of the wearer. The hair dryer may further include a cap member with a hole formed therein. The conduit is secured to the cap member such that the outlet is in communication with the hole. The hair dryer may be provided with a power source operative to provide electricity to the blower. The power source may include a battery mounted on the support means or an electrical cord extending from the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Inventor: Deborah S. Sanders