Patents Examined by Steve Gravini
  • Patent number: 5987775
    Abstract: Acording to the invention, the size reduction of a wet mass of vital gluten is carried out while said mass is in a brittle state, as a result of which, on the one hand, the vitality is preserved and, on the other hand, savings in energy for the subsequent drying process are achieved. Said brittle state can be achieved by the mass being cooled to a temperature of -75.degree. C. or less. Also described is an apparatus for implementing such a method, and a combination thereof with a drier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Cargill B.V.
    Inventors: Theo van den Abeele, Ernesto R. Kilian Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 5987777
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dry end for drying a material web, in particular a paper or cardboard web, having at least one drying group with a plurality of drying cylinders and web guiding rollers and at least one nozzle device for transporting the threading part of the material web along a winding path by means of at least one conveyor band. The dry end is characterised in that groups of at least two nozzle devices (17, 19, 21) located at the same side of the material web (11) follow each other in the direction of transport of the material web (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Goebel, Karlheinz Straub
  • Patent number: 5983519
    Abstract: A product tray (3) has a bottom (7), which is improved in respect to heat transfer between a heating plate (8) and the product (9). The bottom (7) is made of a flexible, thin, heat-resistant material. It therefore can make a good form fit to the heating plate (8) under good heat contact, in particular when weighted down by the product (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Bucher-Guyer AG
    Inventor: Franco Ferrari
  • Patent number: 5983522
    Abstract: In a drying and pressing machine that includes a pressing cylinder, a flow spun stainless steel pressing cylinder is used, produced in one piece and without welding. This cylinder (10) has a reduced thickness. It rests on rollers (10) that comprise glass fiber reinforcement and a resin matrix. Each roller (12) is mounted on a fixed spindle (24) using a ball bearing (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Electrolux Systemes de Blanchisserie
    Inventor: Michel Adler
  • Patent number: 5983523
    Abstract: A method in a dryer section of a paper or board machine for controlling curl of paper, in which steam treatment and/or moistening of the paper web is/are employed. The operations carried out in order to control the curl of the paper web are carried out in a number of stages when the web temperature is, during at least one stage, lower than 85.degree. C., preferably lower than 75.degree. C., and when the dry solids content of the web is in the range of K1-K2, wherein K1 is the ultimate dry solids content of the web -7% and K2 is the ultimate dry solids content +3%. The paper or board machine includes at least a headbox, a former, a press, and a dryer section in steam boxes or moistening devices are employed for control of the curl. There are at least two curl regulation devices to enable regulation of the curl in a number of stages, and/or the curl regulation devices are arranged to operate in an area in which the web temperature is, during at least one stage lower than 85.degree. C., preferably lower than 75.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Vesa Ijas, Karj Juppi, Pasi Ahonen, Jaakko Kallioniemi
  • Patent number: 5983516
    Abstract: An air dryer includes two desiccant chambers, a control system and a cover member into which a shuttle valve mechanism has been incorporated. Secured atop the chambers, the cover member defines an outlet port, first and second passages, and a horizontal chamber between the passages in which a shuttle valve can be moved reciprocatingly. The horizontal chamber has two ends, a first interconnected to the first desiccant chamber by the first passage and a second interconnected to the second desiccant chamber by the second passage. The outlet port of the dryer extends from the horizontal chamber. Governing the flow of air into and out of the dryer, the control system periodically switches the incoming flow of untreated air between the two desiccant chambers. The control system thus determines which desiccant chamber will operate in a drying mode, with the other being operated in a purge mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: Scott M. Trapp, Michael V. Kazakis
  • Patent number: 5979073
    Abstract: A method of making a dried porous ceramic body having interconnected surface pores and interior channels. The body is formed by extrusion from a paste and is irradiated with microwave radiation to heat it for an initial period at a rate of at least 15.degree. C./minute, after which the irradiation is reduced so that the body is heated at a rate of at most 1.degree. C./minute. Heat loss from the external surface of the body, during heating, is resisted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Implico B.V.
    Inventors: Paul F Fuls, Johann D Le Roux
  • Patent number: 5979074
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process and an apparatus to dry cut timber or other hygroscopical plate-shaped or bar-shaped goods in subatmospheric pressure in a vacuum-solid drying chamber, which is equiped with ventilators (fans) effecting crosswise to the length axis of the chamber to revolve a gaseous drying medium, with one or several heating coils extending over the length of the chamber, and with a dehumidifying device (condenser). It is task of the invention to regulate the heat energy supply for individual stack areas and thus the removal of humidity contained in the wood, independent of other stack areas of the same charge in the drying chamber. Thereby, existing or arising dispersions of the wood moisture in different stack areas due to inhomogeneous conditions inside and outside the drying chamber, ought to be eliminated during the drying stage before entering the final equalizing and conditioning stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventors: Reinhard Brunner, Kal Brunner
  • Patent number: 5974680
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer scrubbing and drying apparatus is capable processing wafers in a vertical orientation from start to finish. The apparatus moves the wafers in a generally vertical direction from an entry station of the apparatus to a dryer of the apparatus. The wafers enter the apparatus in a cassette and exit in another cassette in the same order as they were in the entry cassette to preserve individual wafer identity. The apparatus is constructed so that the compartment in which the wafers are handled is isolated and the components handling the wafers in that compartment are made of a fluorinated plastic. The actuators driving the motion of the wafer handling components are located in another compartment. A rinsing device in the wafer handling compartment is activated and deactivate for rinsing one of the wafers without the use of valves in the rinse line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Anderson, Keith Wilson
  • Patent number: 5974689
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for drying and/or cleaning a workpiece, such as an electronic part, semiconductor wafer, printed circuit board or the like. As the workpiece is withdrawn from a processing liquid, a selected drying liquid, such as hydrofluoroether (HFE) or an HFE azeotrope, that has a very small surface tension, is volatile, and has a density that is greater than the processing liquid density, is sprayed on, dribbled on or otherwise transferred to an exposed surface of the workpiece. The workpiece can be dried in 7-45 seconds, or less, in most situations and can be cleaned using the invention. Drying and/or cleaning can be performed in a single workpiece process, a single workpiece continuous process or a batch process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Gary W. Farrell
    Inventors: Gary W. Ferrell, Robert J. Elson, John F. Schipper
  • Patent number: 5974688
    Abstract: A method and drying apparatus for drying a quantity of sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Sludge Drying Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Hille Domingue, James A. Martin
  • Patent number: 5974686
    Abstract: A vacuum sealed preservation container comprises a container main body and a lid made of a synthetic resin which is heat resistant and cold resistant and has microwave permeability, in which the lid has on the upper surface thereof a check valve constituted such that gases in the container flow out only in one direction to the outside of the container through a vent hole and a packing mounted in a packing case disposed in contiguous with the circumferential edge thereof, and the container is constituted such that the lid and the container main body are in airtight contact with each other by way of the packing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Hikari Kinzoku Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Nomura, Shigeru Nomura
  • Patent number: 5974684
    Abstract: A suction device for a machine to produce a fibrous pulp web is provided that includes a suction unit extending transverse to a web run direction over a width of the web, a vacuum source coupled to the end of the suction unit, and a plurality of suction openings distributed over the web width, where the plurality of suction openings form an entire suction zone extending over the width of the web, and where the entire suction zone includes a plurality of partial suction zones successively arranged transverse to the web run direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Steiner, Hans Prinzing, Karl Gaugenmaier
  • Patent number: 5974681
    Abstract: A spin dryer assembly for drying workpieces such as semiconductor wafers includes a workpiece platform for receiving a workpiece to be dried. A motor is coupled to and spins the platform to effect removal of water and particulates from the workpiece. Gripping fingers are pivotally mounted around the platform and securely grip the workpiece during drying. Spring loaded plungers maintain the gripping fingers in a secured position during drying. A cam ring is vertically movable into and out of contact with the gripping fingers to bias the gripping portions of the fingers outwardly to a release position after drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: SpeedFam-IPEC Corp.
    Inventors: Jose R. Gonzalez-Martin, Arthur Hamer
  • Patent number: 5974692
    Abstract: An apparatus for air-treatment of products comprises an endless conveyor belt following through part of its length a helical path forming a stack of tiers. Side plates at one longitudinal edge of the conveyor belt form an outer cylinder wall delimiting the stack radially outwards. An inner cylinder wall delimits the stack radially inwards. Thereby, a central space is defined by the inner cylinder wall and an annular space is defined between the outer cylinder wall and the inner cylinder wall. An end closure substantially adjoins the outer cylinder wall at one end of the stack. Means are provided for blowing air through the central space towards the end closure and back through the annular space between the outer and inner cylinder walls for air-treatment of products carried by the conveyor belt in the helical path. The air is conditioned and blown through the annular space between the outer and inner cylinder walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Frigoscandia Equipment AB
    Inventor: Sten P.ang.hlsson
  • Patent number: 5974691
    Abstract: A method for drying a cellulose web, in particular a moist paper web evincing a dry-state specific surface weight of between 10 and 80 g/m.sup.2 and initially a solids content between 8 and 30% approximately, and including supporting the web on a permeable conveying fabric and having a high-speed flow of hot air pass through the web, is characterized in that the flow of air is generated by a relative negative pressure of 100 to 500 mbars generated underneath the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: James River
    Inventors: Paul Marchal, Claude Lesas, Jean Lehervet, Emmanuelle Kientz
  • Patent number: 5974687
    Abstract: In a method for drying coating films on coated components, microwaves are generated by at least one magnetron (3A) in at least one microwave generator module (3) and introduced into a drying chamber (2A) through one or more waveguides (4). Air or another gas is blown from a blower (5) into the drying chamber (2A). An additive agent comprising a dipolar or polarizable molecular composition is mixed into the gas to form a gas mixture within the drying chamber (2A). The coated components (9) are placed into the drying chamber (2A) in a batch or continuous flow-through process. The microwave energy vibrationally excites and heats the additive agent in the gas mixture, which in turn heats the coating film (9') on the components (9). Alternatively, the additive agent may be mixed or applied directly in the coating film substance, so as to achieve direct heating of the coating film, or so as to evaporate from the coating film into the gas to form the gas mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Aerospace
    Inventors: Thomas Gante, Dieter Buetergerds, Armin Fangmeier
  • Patent number: 5970626
    Abstract: A drier for broad articles such as plasterboard has a conveyor in entraining the plasterboard along a drying path in a transport plane and the nozzle boxes for contacting the plasterboard with the drying air have their orifice surfaces inclined to the plasterboard to achieve uniformity of drying in terms of residual moisture content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Babcock-Bsh GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Schmidt, Karl Maurer, Gerhard Lehn, Friedrich Bahner, Klaus Hentschel, Karl-Friedrich Lang
  • Patent number: 5970627
    Abstract: An active web stabilizer including a structure having a leading edge and a working surface coupled by a curved surface, the working surface being positioned proximate to a passing web. An internal pressurized air duct extends along the working surface orthogonally to the passing web. An air nozzle is provided at the leading edge and is in fluid communication with the air duct, the nozzle directing air flow around the curved surface and along the working surface. The air duct includes first and second chambers separated by a perforated baffle. An extension surface extends from the working surface and includes a trailing end which is angled away from the passing web. A comb is associated with the nozzle to promote web spreading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Thermo Wisconsin, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas S. Stenz, Paul H. Stibbe
  • Patent number: 5970622
    Abstract: The present invention is designed to allow a user to dry and style hair using both hands while controlling the temperature and air flow using one or both feet. An electric hair dryer is mounted to a flexible arm. The flexible arm is connected to a floor stand such that the floor stand supports the flexible arm with the electric hair dryer mounting. A foot panel is electrically and mechanically connected to the foot control panel allowing foot operation of the invention. A button on the foot control panel allows a user to control hot or cool air for drying the head of the user and an air flow selection device is operated by a foot control device on the foot control panel which allows said user to chose a volumetric amount of air flow with a range of air flow starting from a low flow and gradually increasing to a high flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Sima Bahman
    Inventor: Sima Bahman