Patents by Inventor Francis J. Figiel

Francis J. Figiel has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4762614
    Abstract: A novel apparatus is provided for removing with a treating fluid surface films that are hydrophilic in nature and comprise a less dense liquid component. The hydrophilic film is removed from non-absorbing surfaces such as metal, glass and plastics and may contain dissolved solids. The hydrophilic film is substantially immiscible in the more dense cleansing liquid. In a particular embodiment the more dense liquid is a cleansing fluid and the less dense hydrophilic component is present as a contaminant. The apparatus includes a tank (12), a separator chamber (14) and a holding chamber (16). The less dense liquid is removed from the upper part of the separator chamber 14. The configuration of separator chamber (14) effects rapid separation of overflow liquid into an upper layer of the less dense liquid and a lower layer of the more dense liquid. In another embodiment of the apparatus, a second separator chamber (89) and a second holding chamber (90) are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Francis J. Figiel, Harry F. Osterman
  • Patent number: 4752336
    Abstract: Temporary corrosion protection for fresh metal surfaces may be obtained by depositing a thin film of a protective organic compound, particularly a fatty acid ester, from a solvent, preferably a fluorocarbon on the surface to be protected. The film-forming esters are chosen to be self-removing by evaporation so that no cleaning is needed before carrying out processes which require a clean metal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1988
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventor: Francis J. Figiel
  • Patent number: 4724096
    Abstract: Improved article drying compositions which effectively remove water from the surface of non-absorbent articles to be dried, are provided. The solvents used to formulate the additive modified compositions are azeotropic binary mixtures, comprised of isobutanol and trichlorotrifluoroethane; and n-butanol and trichlorotrifluoroethane. The non-volatile additive, dissolved in the binary systems comprises a phosphate ester free acid type. These additives characterized as complex phosphate ester-free acid surfactants of the ethylene oxide type, which are commercially available, are preferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventors: Francis J. Figiel, Gary J. Zyhowski
  • Patent number: 4689170
    Abstract: A composition is disclosed comprising a low additive-water removal mixture consisting of a solution of about 0.15 to 0.01 weight percent phosphate ester free acid surfactant n an azeotropic composition of about 99.0 to 99.5 weight percent trichlorotrifluoroethane or trichloromonofluoromethane and about 1.0 to 0.5 weight percent t-amyl alcohol. A phosphate ester free acid surfactant that is commercially available and contains mixtures of both mono and diesters is incorporated. This mixture exhibits high solubility in the binary, azeotropic mixture and effectiveness even at low concentration. The concentration of said surfactant is about 100 ppm or 0.010 percent. The preferred binary system comprised of 99.25 to 99.50 weight percent of trichlorotrifluoroethane and 0.75 to 0.50 weight percent of t-amyl alcohol has a boiling point of about 47.2.degree. C. at barometric pressure of about 751.6 mm Hg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventors: Gary J. Zyhowski, Francis J. Figiel
  • Patent number: 4636320
    Abstract: A novel apparatus and process is provided for removing with a treating fluid surface films that are hydrophilic in nature and comprises a less dense liquid component. The hydrophilic film is removed from non absorbing surfaces such as metal glass and plastics and may contain dissolved solids. The hydrophilic film is substantially immiscible in the more dense cleansing liquid. In a particular embodiment the more dense liquid is a cleansing fluid and the less dense hydrophilic component being present as a contaminant. The apparatus includes a tank (12), a separator chamber (14) and a holding chamber (16). The less dense liquid is removed from the upper part of the separator chamber 14. The configuration of separator chamber (14) effects rapid separation of overflow liquid into an upper layer of the less dense liquid and a lower layer of the more dense liquid. In another embodiment of the apparatus, a second separator chamber (89) and a second holding chamber (90) are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventors: Francis J. Figiel, Harry F. Osterman
  • Patent number: 4476036
    Abstract: Quaternary azeotropic mixtures of 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, methylene chloride, methanol and cyclopentane are provided. These azeotropic mixtures are useful as solvents to remove buffing compounds residues. These mixtures are useful not only because of their high solvency characteristics but also because they exhibit essentially the constant boiling characteristics of an azeotrope which is formed between these components, thereby facilitating handling and purification of the solvent mixtures without significantly altering their compositions. [The quaternary mixtures disclosed herein exhibit certain advantageous solvency characteristics of glycol based compositions, over the known binary or ternary azeotropic systems containing 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, methylene chloride, methanol and cyclopentane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventors: Francis J. Figiel, Aaron Colbert
  • Patent number: 4383645
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel apparatus and process for generating a vapor spray from a volatile fluid. In the invention, the volatile fluid is heated to a temperature just below its boiling point prior to being discharged from heat exchanger (18, 46). In one embodiment of the apparatus, heat exchanger (46) contains a diffusion plate (48) to ensure that the volatile fluid is at the selected temperature when discharged from the heat exchanger. In this embodiment, the apparatus further includes a pressure-responsive valve (40) and a bypass line (42) so that a selected pressure is maintained downstream from pump (34).The novel process of the present invention includes the step of heating the volatile fluid within heat exchanger (18, 46) to a selected temperature just below its boiling point prior to discharge from the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1983
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventors: Francis J. Figiel, Harry F. Osterman
  • Patent number: 4279664
    Abstract: Azeotrope-like compositions consisting essentially of 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, acetone and n-hexane have utility as degreasing agents and as solvents to remove polymeric binders containing inks, such as carbon black which are used in copy machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1981
    Assignee: Allied Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Francis J. Figiel, Aaron Colbert
  • Patent number: 4279665
    Abstract: Azeotrope-like compositions consisting essentially of 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, acetone and cyclopentane have utility as degreasing agents and as solvents to remove polymeric binders containing inks, such as carbon black which are used in copy machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1981
    Assignee: Allied Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron Colbert, Francis J. Figiel
  • Patent number: 4062794
    Abstract: Solvent cleaning composition composed of azeotrope-like mixtures of 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol and nitromethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1977
    Assignee: Allied Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Francis J. Figiel
  • Patent number: 4052328
    Abstract: Solvent cleaning compositions composed of azeotrope-like mixtures of 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, ethanol, isopropanol and nitromethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1977
    Assignee: Allied Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Francis J. Figiel
  • Patent number: 4045365
    Abstract: Azeotrope-like compositions consisting essentially of 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, acetonitrile and acetone have utility as degreasing agents and as solvents to remove rosin fluxes from printed circuit boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1977
    Assignee: Allied Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Francis J. Figiel
  • Patent number: 4045366
    Abstract: Azeotrope-like compositions consisting essentially of 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, nitromethane and acetone have utility as degreasing agents and as solvents to remove rosin fluxes from printed circuit boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1977
    Assignee: Allied Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Francis J. Figiel
  • Patent number: 3945932
    Abstract: A composition which boils at a substantially constant temperature consisting essentially of trichloromonofluoromethane and an alcohol selected from ethanol, isopropanol or mixtures thereof and the process for using the composition in cleaning and lubricating applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1976
    Assignee: Allied Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Francis J. Figiel, Robert J. Tepper, Michael L. Dunn