Abstract: A coupling element to releasably secure a windscreen wiper blade to a wiper arm which has a coupling pin extending transversely therefrom comprises a body to engage between side walls of the wiper blade with pivot lugs on the body seating in pivot seats in the side walls to enable the body to pivot thereabout. The body is formed with a transverse passageway which aligns with apertures in the side walls and through which the coupling pin engages when the body is in a first position. The passageway is formed so that the body is pivotable from the first position to a second position whereat a latching element on the coupling pin engages with the body to prevent lateral withdrawal of the pin from the body.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a housing for reducing the noise and exhaust air velocity of a bypass type blower motor, particularly a motor used for a tank type vacuum cleaner. The entire housing sits atop the lid of the tank of the vacuum cleaner. The bypass type blower motor has a main, suction generating, centrifugal blower fan and a separate motor cooling fan. Outlet from the main blower fan is into a first expansion chamber above the lid. A spiral pathway baffle in the first expansion chamber defines a gradually increasing cross-section plenum which communicates from the fan to the outlet from the first expansion chamber. There is a tubular outlet from the first expansion chamber which is surrounded by a sound baffling cuff of foamed plastic material. A cooling air inlet to the motor cooling fan and a separate cooling air outlet from the casing for the motor cooling fan are provided.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a housing with an inlet which can be closed by a cover. A dust bag can be installed in the housing suspended from a plate which is located inwardly of the cover and has two openings both of which communicate with the interior of the bag. The cover carries a suction nipple which sealingly enters one of the openings when the cover is closed. A connecting nipple is also carried by the cover and sealingly enters the other opening when the cover is closed. The entire connecting nipple, or a diaphragm mounted in the same, moves in direction towards the cover when, in response to increasing filling of the bag and clogging of the filter pores thereof, the pressure in the bag rises to a level higher than the pressure at the other side of the connecting nipple or diaphragm, respectively. This movement is transmitted to an indicator observable from the exterior of the vacuum cleaner and provides an indication of the degree to which the bag is filled.

Abstract: A hinge unit is provided for doors and casement windows by an arrangement of four like pins each having a shank extending from an enlarged head. A first pin with a threaded bore through the head has the shank threadably secured to the door or window so that the bore therein is horizontal. A second pin with a like threaded bore through the head has its shank threadably secured to the first pin with the bore in the second pin vertically disposed. A third pin with an oversized smooth bore through the head has its shank threadably secured to the wall adjacent the door or window with the bore vertical. The head of the third pin is disposed above the head of the second pin so that the respective bores are in registration. The fourth pin has its shank journalled through the oversized bore of the third pin and threadably engaged in the head of the second pin. In an alternative arrangement, as a matter of choice, the second pin may be secured to the wall and the third pin secured to the first pin.

Abstract: A device for breaking the first joint of the forelegs of small animal carcasses during the slaughtering and processing of the animals, which device includes a pair of pivotally interconnected, manually operable, elongated handles. One of the handles carries a slotted leg-receiving subassembly at its end pivotally connected to the other handle. The second handle carries a tendon-cutting blade extending generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of the second handle, and spaced from the pivotal axis about which the handles pivot in their pivotal interconnection to each other.

Abstract: A machine for plucking feathers from game birds, such as ducks, may be made in a home workshop from readily available components. A housing is assembled from pieces of plywood and has a base, sides and a top. A square block is drilled from a shaft which is welded to plates on the ends of the block. Plucking fingers are lengths of hose formed with a series of notches near their ends. The fingers are received in holes in the sides of the block and retained by screws inserted through the block intersecting the fingers. The shaft is journalled in pillow blocks fastened to the base and is turned by a pulley drive from a motor mounted on the rear of the base.

Abstract: Apparatus for shucking scallops by subjecting scallops while moving them along a directed path of travel to an elevated temperature zone to heat the scallops, and moving the scallops to cause them to release their meats from their shells while removing the released meats out of the elevated temperature zone in one direction and discharging the scallop shells in a second direction away from the released meats.

Abstract: An adjustable deployment band comprising two watch band halves and a foldable closure member including a lower closure part to which one of the watch band halves is adjustably connected, an upper closure part to which one end of the other watch band is connected, and a folding part connecting the upper and the lower closure part for movement between an open and a closed position in which the closure parts interengage superimposed with each other to form a closed very shallow housing in which one end portion of the one watch band half and the folding part and the fastening member are located.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is a device which connects a transmission cable to a transmission tower. The device includes an elongated body, an insert member, and a wedge member. The cable extends through the body and is held securely between the insert member and wedge members within the body.

Abstract: A velvet type tape for use as closing means or fasteners for garments, curtains and the like. The fastener tape comprises a woven foundation structure, and a number of material-engaging elements carried on one side of the foundation structure. Each of the material-engaging elements is in the form of a loop raised from the foundation structure, the loop including a head section remote from the foundation structure and a pair of outwardly diverging leg sections. Each of the leg sections has on its outer side at least one material-hooking groove for receiving a loop on a companion fastener tape. A method of producing such a velvet type fastener tape is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electric resistance heating element of the hairpin type is provided by a molybdenum disilicide resistance wire loop transversely connected to molybdenum disilicide terminals. The resistance wire is sandwiched between the ends of two pieces of terminal wire and the ends of these pieces are butt welded together on the resistance wire, to form each terminal.

Abstract: An elongated knit web is flattened and guided by an apparatus having a support frame which extends longitudinally in a plane and which has an upstream and a downstream end. A pivot supports this frame for pivoting about a pivot axis transverse to the plane at the upstream end. A pair of transversely extending and longitudinally spaced spreader rollers are provided on the frame adjacent the upstream end and each has a pair of screwthread formations of opposite hand, these spreader rollers being driven to spread out the web transversely. A pair of transversely extending and longitudinally spaced guide rollers are provided on the frame between the spreader rollers and the downstream end, these guide rollers being freely rotating and having surfaces which are made to adhere to the web to prevent its edges from curling up. A control system pivots the frame about its pivot axis to position the edges of the exiting web.

Abstract: Disk surfaces for magnetic disk memories used in data processing systems are smoothened by a burnishing-like device consisting of a circular-cylindrical-shaped body (sliding block) having opposing flat base surfaces with at least one sharp-edged groove positioned on at least one of the base surfaces. This smoothening device is pressed manually or by a support mount similar to a magnetic data-head support mount of a magnetic disk memory against a disk surface while relative motion is provided between the device and the disk whereby the groove edges contact any surface irregularities on a disk surface being smoothened while the flat areas between the groove edges prevent undue disk surface damage.

Abstract: A process for the production of objects consisting of at least two parts, such as the inner and outer rings of a bearing movable relative to one another. One part is substantially enclosed within the other part and at least one of the parts comprises at least two separate elements. These elements are placed against one another and held in the correct position in relation to the other part. Thereafter, a high energy beam welding means such as a laser or electron beam is set up over the juncture line between the two elements and operated while at least the two elements are moved bodily in order to move the juncture line past the energy beam and weld the pieces together. The process also includes the use of one or more loose members such as rolling elements which are introduced at the time the two elements of one part are assembled in the correct position in relation to the other part and thereafter the two elements of the one part are welded together.

Abstract: A roll especially adapted for supporting alloy pipe and tubing during travel through an annealing furnace; the roll has a roll body constructed of at least one refractory casting mounted on a cooled shaft and having a reinforcing binder distributed substantially evenly throughout the refractory and a metal surface portion in surface contact with the pipe or tubing; there is no metal-to-metal contact between the cooled shaft and the metal surface portion of the roll body so that said surface portion is maintained at substantially the same temperature as the annealing furnace.

Abstract: The method of making elongated heat exchangers having outwardly projecting fins disposed at various angles to the length and width of the heat exchangers wherein elongated tubular members are fed longitudinally past cutters which are reciprocated into and out of the tubular members in skiving actions and the angles of the cutters relative to the length and width of the tubular members moving therepast are changed between at least some of the reciprocations of the cutters.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a molded wheel and brake assembly. The molded wheel has a housing or hub with an axial bore therein with a first diameter and a smaller second diameter. The surface of the second diameter is finished in order to establish concentricity between that portion of the axial bore and the peripheral surface of the wheel. A cylindrical member is machined to establish a guide section separated from a knurled section by a relieved section on the peripheral surface thereof between a first end and a second end. The first end is positioned in the first diameter of the axial bore and a force applied to move the cylindrical member in the axial bore. The guide surface engages the second diameter to align the knurled section in the axial bore. On further movement of the cylindrical member, the knurled section broaches the hub to thereafter prevent rotative movement between a brake assembly located in the cylindrical member and the housing or hub.

Abstract: A technique for manufacturing a uniform configuration for at least two video disc styli, each stylus having a shank and a tip at one end of the shank, comprising the step of attaching an edge of a first plate of shank material to one edge of a strip of tip material different from the shank material, the strip having a face thereof oriented along a predetermined crystallographic plane. The strip is cut into the individual tips while the plate remains attached to the strip. The plate is then separated into the individual shanks to form the separate styli, whereby the orientation of the crystallographic plane with respect to the shank is uniform for all styli.

Abstract: An assembly tool upon which a spring is secured for enabling the spring to be inserted within an orifice whose entrance diameter is smaller than the outside diameter of the spring is disclosed. The assembly tool includes (1) a mandrel consisting of a first and second section; (2) a securing device that locks one end portion of the spring to the mandrel as it is positioned upon the first section; and (3) a releasable locking device that is rotatably and slideably mounted upon the second section for securing the other end portion of the spring. Upon securing the ends of the spring in the securing device and the locking device, and rotating the locking device upon the second section of the mandrel, the outside diameter of the spring is reduced. The spring is then inserted within the orifice while it is secured to the mandrel, unlocked and thereby returned to its unwound position, and subsequently released from the mandrel.

Abstract: A hand-held tool to use in extracting ring seats from housings such as small engine carburetor needle inlet valves is disclosed. The tool has a generally cylindrical handle means. From one end of the handle means a helical or threaded arm projects, ending in a tip. By inserting the extracting arm into the housing, pressing the arm end opposite the seal and turning the tool, the seal threads itself on and up the arm. Withdrawing the tool with the threaded seal on it from the housing thus removes the seal. A further embodiment combines with the foregoing a tamping member which projects from the other end of the handle means. The tamper, with its tip, aids in inserting a fresh seal in the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for containing an annular body of fluid about a sleeve spanning the abutting ends of pipe lengths, and firing a charge of propellant, such as fast burning smokeless powder, in the liquid so as to radially shrink the sleeve into sealing engagement with the pipe lengths. If desired, the pipe lengths can be internally supported to avoid the possibility of collapse. Hard annular elements may be interposed between the sleeve and the pipe length ends to produce better mechanical locking.

Abstract: A connecting element is manufactured, which has two elongated profiled members bounding with one another a channel and provided with at least two separating members which subdivide the channel into an intermediate hollow space and two one-sidedly open sections which are separated from the intermediate space by the separating members forming bottom walls of the sections. A hardenable heat insulating material is supplied into the sections of the channel so as to harden and to form the heat insulating inserts separated from the intermediate hollow space by the bottom walls. The metallic profiled members together with the bottom walls form a unitary one-piece profiled element. A tool is inserted into the intermediate hollow space and separates the bottom walls from the remainder portions of the profiled members as well as removes the same from the intermediate hollow space.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing electrodes for use in a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator comprising the steps of preparing a billet having a core 10 of a first metal, a tubular sleeve 12 of a second metal, and an outer sheath 14, 16, 18 of an extrusile metal; evacuating the space between the parts of the assembled billet; extruding the billet; and removing the outer jacket 14. The extruded bar may be made into electrodes by cutting and bending to the shape required for an MDH channel frame. The method forms a bond between the first metal of the core 10 and the second metal of the sleeve 12 strong enough to withstand a hot and corrosive environment.

Abstract: An insulated wall section for prefabricated buildings; a method of producing such sections that involves assembling, maneuvering and securing the component parts thereof together; and apparatus therefor that includes a table structure actuable to square and align assembled parts, and to compress self sustaining sheets of insulating material within spaces therebetween.

Abstract: A novel hot top mounting method is disclosed for use in attaching insulation to the upper interior portion of an ingot mold. The mounting method comprises (1) applying a plurality of thin steel mounting straps to the insulation and suspending the insulation in position adjacent to the upper interior surfaces of the mold, and (2) driving fasteners through the mounting straps and into the mold in order to securely fasten the insulation to the mold.

Abstract: A chuck assembly and collet for retaining an end mill tool against axial pullout. The collet includes a radially compressible body having a tapered outer surface, a central bore and a radial aperture extending from the outer surface into the central bore. The radial aperture, which includes larger and smaller diameter portions, has a movable pin mounted therein and adapted to extend into the bore to retain the tool. The pin has an undercut portion, with a spring or snap ring mounted around the pin in the undercut portion, said spring having a free diameter slightly larger than the larger diameter to provide a pressure fit when mounted therein.

Abstract: A tube joint configuration and method of joining tubing wherein a curable adhesive is arranged on one portion and a resilient sealer is arranged on a second portion on the end portion of the male tube prior to its being telescoped with the female tube. The telescoped portion of the tubes is deformed so that a plurality of spaced grooves is formed containing areas for each of said adhesive and sealer to provide a first and second sealing area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading a recording medium such as a video magnetic tape into a magazine or cartridge employing an S-shaped running path. Both surfaces of the recording medium are placed over winding cores and held in the S-shape by stationary and movable forming pins. The reels of the winding cores are held so as to shift the assembly to a position above a body part of the magazine on a pallet transported by a conveyor belt. The assembly is then lowered so that the guide members forming the S-shaped running path are inserted into hollow lower end portions of the forming pins. The forming pins are then lifted from the guide members as the reels are released.

Abstract: A method for forming and assembling an apparatus for testing the minimum pullout strength of a ground anchor for an oil well derrick or other towers (as an antenna or guy line) comprises (1) forming an open ended housing, (2) inserting an elongated means in the open end of the housing, (3) connecting a tension means to the elongated means, (4) circumscribing the elongated means with a compression spring for damping movement of the elongated means, and (5) connecting a restraining means or shear pin of a predetermined strength between the housing and the elongated means so that while applying an increasing load to the elongated means, if the anchor does not move prior to breaking of the shear pin, a safe, satisfactory, and reliable anchor is indicated.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically stripping and terminating wires in a continuous manner includes a wheel on which a plurality of insulated wires are located which is mounted for intermittent rotation in a stepwise manner for feeding the wires successively to spaced operating stations, namely to a stripping station where the end region of insulation is stripped from the wires and then to a terminating station where the endmost one of a strip of interconnected terminal contacts is located over the bared end region of the wire, crimped thereto, the terminal contact then being severed from the strip. The stripping station includes a pair of insulation cutters mounted on a cutter holder member which itself is mounted for reciprocating movement in the direction of the axis of the wire located at the stripping location and apparatus for actuating the insulation cutters while gripping the wire.

Abstract: An automatic tool changer for a lathe is provided having a rotating drum-type tool storage magazine mounted to the cross slide of the lathe and rotatable to align anyone of a plurality of tool holder assemblies and their tools, supported by the magazine, with a guide channel through which a selected tool holder assembly and tool can be slid to the active position, or tool post, on the cross slide, for operating on the workpiece supported by the lathe. A stationary, double-acting, hydraulic piston is disposed in the central portion of the drum-type magazine, having its piston rod in alignment with the guide channel and having a tool holder assembly shuttle member attached to the rod, for transporting an active tool and holder assembly from its ready position in the magazine, in a straight line radially outward from the magazine to the tool post, and for returning the tool holder assembly and tool to their storage position on the magazine after use.

Abstract: An electrical component which includes a circuit element such as a solid electrolytic capacitor arranged within a metallic casing or can. One electrical lead of the component is connected to the casing; the other lead is connected to the circuit element and extends through an opening in the casing. This opening is filled with a first plastic material to seal the circuit element within the casing against environmental conditions. A conformable coating of a second plastic material is disposed over the outer surface of the casing and extends over the edges of the casing into the opening so as to join with the first plastic material disposed in the opening.

Abstract: An electrically alterable read only memory (EAROM) having a tunneling layer of an insulating material such as silicon dioxide which is grown on the substrate by thermal oxidation carried out at low pressure and a layer of silicon nitride laid down on the tunneling layer by a low-pressure chemical vapor deposition, the interface of the two layers forming a charge storage area with the EAROM having improved read/write switching capability and quality, and improved reliability and memory retentivity characteristics.

Abstract: A process for forming self-aligned, metal plated substrate regions and polysilicon members is described. Oxide lips or borders are formed along the sides of the polysilicon members beneath a masking member. An oxide damaging ion bombardment is used to damage the oxide on the substrate, however, the oxide lips remain protected because of the overlying masking member. A controlled etch is used to remove the damaged oxide leaving the polysilicon member separated from adjacent regions by the oxide lips. A tungsten deposition is used to form metal plating over the exposed substrate regions and over the polysilicon member, however, no metal is formed over the oxide lips.

Abstract: A controlled environment process for making diode arrays by depositing the sublimate of a semiconductor material through an aperture of a mask placed nearby a substrate and then subjecting part of the sublimate to ion implantation. The aperture causes diffraction of the sublimate vapor stream while the proximity of the edges of the aperture to the substrate causes the central plateau of the deposited thin-film to have a rounded rim leading to sides that taper smoothly in thickness to the substrate. Ion implantation to a controlled depth creates an isolated planar junction. Surface layers of a gold electrode running onto the substrate from different surface areas of the thin-film provide for off-mesa bonding of electrical leads.

Abstract: A material holder is fabricated by press-fitting and welding a series of discs into an open cylinder housing. Shrinkage of the cylinder from the welding of the first disc is accommodated by selecting a smaller disc for the second press-fit. A support post is welded to the last disc and shrinkage of that disc from welding of the support post is accommodated by selecting an oversize disc for attachment to the support post. Shrinkage of the last disc also compensates for additional shrinkage of the cylinder from welding of the second disc.

Abstract: An apparatus for pulling transverse fins onto a plurality of pipes which are arranged fixed in position alongside of each other by means of carriers the two ends of which are swingably supported on respective endless carrier conveyor chains between a work position engaging the fin plates and a disengagement position releasing the fin plates, the carriers being provided with a support foot which holds the carriers in the work position. The support foot is supported on support members of an endless control chain which extend over the respective length of the pull-on region for the transverse fins and are moved by the control chain opposite the direction of movement of the carrier conveyor chains for the displacement of the point of release of the carriers corresponding to the transverse fins which have already been pulled on.

Abstract: In order to facilitate the gang-insertion of a plurality of contact elements successively into a plurality of slots in each of a plurality of rows of slots in a plastic housing portion of a contact module of a connector system, an assembly fixture in the form of a block having a generally V-shaped trough formed therethrough is provided. The surfaces which form the V-shaped trough are generally normal to each other with one surface supporting portions of a surface of the plastic portion to which the slots open and the other surface supporting an edge surface of the plastic portion. A stepped surface is formed with each portion of the stepped surface adapted to support a plurality of contact elements at successively greater distances from the surface which provides edge support for the plastic portion and with overhanging portions to provide a passageway for receiving rows of priorly inserted contact elements.

Abstract: A holder enabling the user to easily and accurately split compressed medical tablets into equal halves having blunt, specifically curved steel jaws to which are permanently affixed resilient rubber cushioning pads, a means for securely holding compressed tablets of all shapes and sizes by means of the thumb and forefinger and to effect splitting by exerting a flexing force appropriately damped along a line which is congruent to the axis of said jaws of the device, a means to preserve the cohesion of the tablet's granulation so that after splitting, each half of the tablet will maintain its original state.

Abstract: A fish filletting knife consisting of a blade having a pair of extension members each pivoted at one end to the base of the blade, the extension members being movable between one position in which they form a carrying case enclosing the blade in order that it may be carried safely in the pocket or tackle box, and a second position in which they form a handle from which the blade extends in a use position, and a locking device operable to secure the blade rigidly relative to the extension members in either of said positions.

Abstract: The machine includes a power-reciprocated blade adapted to be driven by a conventional electric drill and adapted to strip cemented carpet away from a floor. The blade and the handle grips of the machine are adapted to be shifted to laterally compact storage positions to facilitate carrying and storage of the machine.

Abstract: A template for trimming coved linoleum positioned against a wall at a corner to form a symmetrical coved linoleum corner between two linoleum edges wherein the template includes an elongated guide support for clamping a linoleum end, which extends beyond a wall corner, against a wall and the elongated guide support terminates in an end which defines one side of a longitudinal cutting-tool receiving slot at the wall corner, a base plate which is adapted to be placed against the linoleum end which extends beyond the wall corner wherein the base plate terminates in an end which defines the other side of a longitudinal cutting-tool receiving slot and wherein the base plate is joined to the elongated guide support by a fastening means to form an assembly having a cutting-tool receiving slot wherein the slot has a predetermined width and angle relative to the corner and an elongated guide member having a selected length which is secured at one end to the bottom portion of the elongated guide support on the end oppo

Abstract: A measuring device for determining the oil level in a closed housing, especially of internal combustion engines and transmissions. The device is provided with a sleeve fixed to the housing, and a removable measuring rod or dipstick. A stopper to close the sleeve is secured to the dipstick, which also has an abutment to limit the insertion depth in the measuring position of the dipstick. That end of the sleeve inside the housing terminates below the minimum oil level, and the sleeve has holes or openings for equalizing the pressure to the interior of the housing located as far as possible above the maximum oil level. In the measuring position, during insertion of the dipstick up to the abutment, the stopper is located below the outer end of the sleeve by at least one and one-half times the oil column level corresponding to the overpressure in the housing.

Abstract: A measuring system and method is disclosed for accurately measuring the linear displacement of a longitudinal object having a straight longitudinal side, such as the displacement of a steel beam moving on a conveyor. The linear displacement of the object is measured by a metering device. The metering device includes a support frame, a plurality of spaced pulleys mounted on the frame, a continuous loop trained for travel around the pulleys with a portion of the path of travel of the loop extending parallel to the straight side of the object, and magnets or the like around the periphery of the loop to releasably attach the loop to the object. The measurement of the linear displacement of the object is provided by converting the movement of the loop to indicate the linear movement of the object. Preferably, two metering devices are positioned on either side of a limit switch.

Abstract: A length-measuring probe for gear measurement. The probe comprises a planar four-bar-guide with four hinges, each formed by plate springs; a stylus linearly guided by the bar-guide; a device for measuring the displacement of the stylus; and an additional coil spring which is adjustably arranged between the respective bars of each hinge in such a way that the plate springs are prestressed by a tensile force which decreases when the plate springs are deflected in either direction.

Abstract: The inventive device (FIG. 1) comprises a hollow head 14 accommodating a resilient bush 22 having a slider 26 which is axially adjustable by means of an adjusting screw 30. Said bush is slotted to give radial leaf springs which co-operate with balls 36 held in recesses provided in hollow head 14 so as to be maintained in spring engagement with a slot 38 provided within a sleeve 16, which slideably accommodates said head 14 and removably holds caliper gauge D. When the latter becomes accidentally jammed in pipe A, operative connection between hollow head 14 and said sleeve 16 is cut off and said head is conveniently allowed to move forward and then quickly backward to bump against the jammed caliper gauge and knock it out of the pipe.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for testing of the oppositely located position of mechanical thread and a contact shoulder associated therewith on a pipe. A first measuring support is movably supported on a guide block in a first direction of movement and a second measuring support is resiliently supported on the first support in a linearly second direction of movement. First and second measuring heads are provided for movement in the first and second directions for measuring the threads and shoulder positions.

Abstract: An alignment checking and measuring apparatus for vehicle frame and body portions includes two or more measurement scale carriers which have connectors on opposite end portions thereof for attachment transversely to the vehicle. One of the measurement scale carriers has targets movably mounted on the end portions and another of the measurement scale carriers has sighting instruments, such as laser beam emitting instruments, mounted on the end portions. The measurement scale carriers are longitudinally spaced from each other. Longitudinally aligning the sighting instruments with the targets facilitates determination and correction of any damaged or misalignment condition in the vehicle frame and body. Comparison is made of the deviation, if any, in the parallelism of the lines of sight created by the longitudinally aligned targets and sighting instruments. Angular deviation of the lines of sight to symmetrical points on the vehicle frame and body tends to indicate damage or misaligned conditions.

Abstract: Apparatus for high-efficiency drying of material includes a vacuum drying chamber (40) maintained at a low pressure by a vacuum pump (56). Material to be dried is introduced to the drying chamber through an air lock valve (36) and is transported through the drying chamber by an auger (45). In the preferred embodiment a second interconnected drying chamber (50) includes a further auger (52), and material that has been dried is removed from the drying chamber by another air lock valve (55). Microwave energy sources (30) apply energy to vaporize liquid from the material, and air inlets (72, 73) are provided at the processed ends to introduce air for sweeping generally across the material to the outlet (55) to the vacuum pump. The sweep of cool air causes an aerosol mixture to form, which is removed by the vacuum pump.

Abstract: An apparatus for aiding water removal from a moving paper web directs steam to a portion of the web and controls the distribution of steam in both the cross-machine and the machine direction of the web. In the preferred embodiment, a matrix of compartments is used to supply steam to the web, and the steam supply to each compartment is independently controlled.