Patents Examined by Steve Gravini
  • Patent number: 5937534
    Abstract: A paint spinner uses a Yankee screwdriver or other mechanism having a driving rod with some combination of an unusually tight winding or gearing, an overlength rod, gearing of the drive shaft, a slip clutch and a flywheel to rotate a small diameter roller cover at speeds in excess of 800 revolutions per minute which are sufficient to clean the roller cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Inventors: David Anderson, Anthony Rosas
  • Patent number: 5933978
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for drying a fiber web, whereby the fiber web is dried in a cylinder drying unit (12) and in a band drier unit (11). The fiber web (5) is led from the cylinder drying unit (12) to the band drier unit (11) in such a way that it is easy to determine a desired dry content for the fiber web (5) in the cylinder drying unit (12) when the fiber web (5) is transferred to the band drier unit (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Jukka Lehtinen, Elias Retulainen
  • Patent number: 5933981
    Abstract: In the device disclosed, a paper web is carried on a belt and stabilized by an underpressure produced by a box opposite the roll, the paper web being sucked by the underpressure against the belt. Located in the box, immediately following the underpressure zone, may be a pressure zone which assists to transfer the paper web to the roll. In an alternative embodiment, a fan can be avoided. Instead the air entrained by the rapidly running belt is deflected by a wedge-shaped deflector and passed over a slit to generate an underpressure inside the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Andreas Meschenmoser
  • Patent number: 5933979
    Abstract: A drying section in a papermaking machine has a first section with a series of single-tiered drying cylinders having vacuum transfer rolls with external vacuum chambers therebetween for improving web runnability, and a second dryer section with a series of single-tiered drying cylinders having movable vacuum transfer rolls disposed therebetween for providing improved cross-directional web shrinkage restraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Beloit Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory L. Wedel
  • Patent number: 5930909
    Abstract: A process and system for impregnating garments with insect repellent, the ocess including the steps of placing the garments in a first machine and tumbling the garments therein, introducing into the first machine a mixture of liquid insect repellent and water so as to spray the mixture onto the tumbling garments, terminating the introduction of the mixture into the first machine and continuing the tumbling of the garments therein, terminating the tumbling of the garments in the first machine, and placing the garments in a second machine and tumble drying the garments therein; and the system comprising a reservoir for a mixture of the repellent in liquid form and water, a first machine for receiving and retaining the garments and tumbling the garments, a spray nozzle in the first machine for directing a spray of the mixture onto the garments during tumbling thereof, a conduit extending from the reservoir to the spray nozzle, and a pump in the conduit for flowing the mixture from the reservoir to the spray nozz
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Bartley F. McNally
  • Patent number: 5930912
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a collapsible, portable body dryer including a substantially rectangular base component having a planar upper surface and four peripheral side edges depending therefrom. Attached to each of two opposing side edges are a pair of lockable casters allowing the device to roll on a support surface. Attached to a third side edge is an elongated arm having a handle at a distal end thereof which may be grasped and pulled by a user. Perpendicularly extending from the upper surface of the base portion are a plurality of telescoping support legs each having a terminal end. Attached to the terminal end of each support leg is a substantially rectangular top portion having an upper surface, a lower surface and four peripheral side edges forming an interior chamber therebetween. Received within the top component interior chamber is an electrical fan and heating element for delivering hot air therebelow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Inventor: Kathy Carder
  • Patent number: 5930914
    Abstract: A method and device for drying a moving web including a first infrared radiator arranged on a first side of the web and a second infrared radiator arranged on a second side of the web at least partially opposite to the first infrared radiator and proximate to the first infrared radiator. The wavelength of the maximum intensity of the radiation generated by the first infrared radiator is shorter than the wavelength of the maximum intensity of the radiation generated by the second infrared radiator. The power density of the first infrared radiator is from about 450 kW per sq.m to about 700 kW per sq.m and the emitter temperature of the first infrared radiator is from about 2000.degree. C. to about 2800.degree. C. The second infrared radiator includes a surface layer made of a metal, metal alloy or ceramic material whose emissivity is substantially equal to or higher than about 0.6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Infrarodteknik AB
    Inventors: Leif Johansson, Borje Alexandersson
  • Patent number: 5930910
    Abstract: A desiccant media containing cartridge for use in a gas drying apparatus adapted to firstly function in a gas drying cycle in which a moist gas is permitted to pass upwardly through said desiccant media whereby at least a portion of the moisture is removed from said gas, and adapted to secondly function in a desiccant media purge cycle in which a portion of said dried gas is allowed to pass back downwardly through said desiccant media to absorb moisture therefrom thereby at least partially regenerating said desiccant media, including a means for concentrating the desiccant purge cycle at the bottom of the desiccant media, which means comprise a purge tube extending vertically partially through the desiccant media, and a flapper valve adjacent to an upper end of the purge tube adapted to close and restrict flow of gas through the purge tube when the gas is flowing upwardly in during the gas drying cycle and to open and promote gas flow through the purge tube when the gas is flowing downwardly during the desicc
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: Scott M. Trapp, Michael V. Kazakis
  • Patent number: 5930911
    Abstract: A mobile paint dryer is provided including a wheeled trailer. Also included is a heater unit mounted to the trailer for blowing heated air through the interior space of the trailer for drying paint on various entities removably situated therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Inventor: Ray Alward
  • Patent number: 5926973
    Abstract: An essentially non-contact holddown system for a corrugator double backer utilizes vacuum pressure through the lower heating section which supports the double face corrugated web. Continuous edge sealing membranes overlie the edges of the web and form, with the web edge and the surface of the heating section, vacuum chambers into which air is drawn from the flute spaces in the double face web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Marquip, Inc
    Inventor: Carl R. Marschke
  • Patent number: 5926972
    Abstract: An apparatus for grooming recently washed animals prior to exhibition at livestock shows, and made up of a portable plastic PVC canister housing in a T-Y configuration having three sections. Air intake openings housing electric blower motors are in the first two sections of the housing, and an exhaust outlet having a threaded nozzle for attaching a hose is in the third section. The housing has a handle to facilitate carrying and two legs attached to the housing to support the apparatus off the ground. A toggle switch controls the operation of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: Charles C. Di Peso
  • Patent number: 5926970
    Abstract: A wet and/or dry finishing machine for fabrics in rope or open-width form comprising a treatment tank in which a transporting means is installed for the fabric, for example in endless-loop form, the transporting means drawing the fabric from the base of the tank and feeding it against a counteracting fuller element, in proximity to at least one base wall portion of the tank there being positioned a duct provided with apertures and through which an air stream is circulated, a portion of the fabric bearing on the top of the duct. This improves drying and shortens the drying time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Zonco Federico & Figlio S.p.A.
    Inventor: Maurizio Zonco
  • Patent number: 5926968
    Abstract: A wood drying system to eliminate the discharge of liquid kiln water includes a kiln which is heated to dry a batch of wood, a basin to collect the water driven from the wood, and an evaporator in which the collected water is converted into steam. The steam is provided to the kiln to balance the drying and alleviate the splitting, warping, etc. caused by over drying. The steam is ultimately vented harmlessly into the atmosphere to effectively eliminate any discharge of the kiln water as a liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corporation
    Inventor: George E. Gipson
  • Patent number: 5925407
    Abstract: A method for drying a surface-treated paper web or equivalent in an after-dryer of a paper machine in which the paper web is first finished in a finishing section, e.g., surface-sized or coated, by a finishing device and then dried. In the after-dryer, the paper web is dried in at least one dryer group employing a normal single-wire draw and, in connection with or after the drying, the paper web is treated by at least one device in order to compensate for a tendency of curling of the paper web. The after-dryer is arranged after the finishing device and includes at least one dryer group that applies a normal single-wire draw so as to dry the paper web and one or more devices for compensating for a tendency of curling of the paper web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventor: Kauko Antero Ostman
  • Patent number: 5921001
    Abstract: The cooler/dryer includes a product inlet having an inlet discharge chute oscillatable about a horizontal axis corresponding to the direction of conveyance of the product within the dryer/cooler. The chute is at an opposite angle to the direction of conveyance and drops product onto a seal plate angled in the direction of conveyance. Through the combined oscillating motion of the chute and the opposed feed angles of the chute and seal plates in relation to the conveyor, an air seal between the conveyor and the seal plate and level distribution of product across the conveyor are provided. A secondary pivoting seal downstream from the inlet prevents air drawn in through the inlet along with the product from passing directly into the cooling/drying chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Consolidated Process Machinery, Inc.
    Inventor: Heath L. Hartwig
  • Patent number: 5921002
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for rapidly drying and curing a waterborne coating as applied by a spray gun, or other means, to a product traveling on a moving continuous conveyor track. The conveyor track passes through a drying section which uses recycled filtered air to dry the coating and then into a curing section which uses an irradiator and airflow to rapidly cure the coating. The irradiator is cooled using an air flow and a damper assembly system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Optimum Air Corporation
    Inventors: Fred G. Scheufler, Richard D. Scheufler, William H. Bayard, Nimalakirthi Rajasinghe
  • Patent number: 5915812
    Abstract: A universal blotter mount apparatus having a flexible blotter backing whose two side edges are received by inwardly and upwardly facing slanted retaining lips located on the surface of a mounting plate. The mounting plate is inserted into a recessed portion of another blotter top or many be formed integral therewith. The edges of the blotter paper and its flexible flush mounted backing are retained together only by their inherent flexible bent condition and the mount's lips. To remove or replace them, the backing and any inserted blotting paper is simply bent to a more severe angle and lifted from the retaining opposite side mounting lips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Inventor: Paul L. Terban
  • Patent number: 5915815
    Abstract: An apparatus method of separating organic mass into its component parts in environmentally contained hygienic conditions at high thermal efficiency. One example is extraction of aromatic oils from citrus fruit. Organic materials derive from plants which contain (A) dry matter; (B) aqueous solutions and (C) secretions. The apparatus and method separates organic mass into these three components to create positive valuable products, frequently from negative value wastes. The apparatus and method utilizes a drying medium comprising a mixture of self derived superheated steam generated from part of the moisture given off by the material itself and air. The apparatus is fully enclosed, thus being environmentally benign and eliminating odors and deleterious emissions common to non-contained and/or direct fired dryers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Responsible Recycling Limited
    Inventors: Philip Moore, David J Dickinson
  • Patent number: 5915814
    Abstract: An improved cyclone dryer is disclosed, having an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder, and a cone-shaped chamber. The outer cylinder has a tangential airstream orifice for injecting a high-speed stream of material and air, or other gases, into the dryer. The inner cylinder has a plurality of apertures and a plurality of deflectors that deflect air and material into a cavity defined by the inner cylinder and the cone-shaped chamber. The cone-shaped chamber, the outer cylinder, and the inner cylinder define an annular air chamber. An exhaust assembly is attached proximate the inner and outer cylinders, and is in fluid communication with the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Hydrofuser Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard S. Crews
  • Patent number: 5915811
    Abstract: A drier with a curvalinear chamber having a heat transfer surface at one end and baffles at the other end. A fan is provided to circulate air within the chamber. In the process for drying, the product to be dried is positioned within the chamber and air circulated across the heat transfer surface, toward the baffle, past the product, and back to the heat transfer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas
    Inventors: Jack B DeVore, James E. Snow