Abstract: A cleaning device for either carpeted or hard surfaces which utilizes pressurized cleaning fluid to clean the surface. The fluid nozzles are arranged on two or more heads which are in turn mounted on two or more arms. The arms rotate about a common axis causing the heads to move in a circular pattern. The heads rotate about their own central axis. The nozzles are angled relative to the surface being cleaned and preferably rotate towards the direction of the fluid jet. Preferably, at least two of the heads counter-rotate. Also preferably, the heads are arranged at somewhat different radial distances from the rotational axis of the arms so that their coverage patterns partially overlap. The combination of the counter rotation and the overlap provides an alternating, or beating, pattern to the angle of incidence of the fluid on the surface being cleaned.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a backpack enclosure that removably encloses an impeller/motor unit. The backpack enclosure has a substantially block-shaped outer configuration and is made from a pliable cloth material, preferably composed of woven NYLON fibers. Two shoulder straps are attached to the backpack enclosure for carrying the vacuum cleaner. In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, a vacuum cleaner includes a fanny pack enclosure that removably encloses an impeller/motor unit. The fanny pack enclosure is made from a pliable cloth material, preferably composed of woven NYLON fibers. A harness in the form of a waist strap is attached to the fanny pack enclosure for carrying the vacuum cleaner on the waist of a user.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided including a nozzle assembly, an agitator brush mounted for relative rotation on the nozzle assembly, a motor and fan assembly carried on the vacuum cleaner and a handle and canister assembly pivotally mounted to the nozzle assembly. The handle and canister assembly includes a cavity for holding a dust bag, a removable access door for accessing the cavity and a retention flap across the corner of the access opening for engaging and retaining the dust bag fully in the cavity when the access door is installed following dust bag replacement. Preferably, one retention flap is provided at each corner of the access opening.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner head has a housing having a turbine chamber and a connection tube connecting the turbine chamber to a suction aggregate of a vacuum cleaning machine. The housing has a suction opening and the turbine chamber has an inflow opening communicating with the suction opening. Air flow is sucked in by the suction aggregate through the suction opening and the inflow opening. A rotary roller brush is mounted in the housing close to the suction opening such that bristles of the roller brush project outwardly through the suction opening when the brush is in a lowest position. An air turbine is mounted in the turbine chamber such that the air turbine is acted upon by the air flow passing through the inflow opening. A device is provided for axially displacing the air turbine relative to the inflow opening when the power uptake of the roller brush is reduced.

Abstract: A door closer with a door piston, which door piston is acted on by a driven shaft during the opening of a door. The door piston has an extension attached to it. The door closer also can have a pressure piston and an energy storage mechanism which acts on the pressure piston. The pistons can be axially guided and can interact with hydraulically connected pressure chambers to connect and disconnect the pistons during the opening and closing of the door closer.

Abstract: A door stop, which includes a locating block fixedly mounted on the wall, the locating block having a longitudinal front hole and two transverse side holes in communication with the front hole, two locating pins respectively mounted in the side holes and forced by a respective spring member into the front hole, and a necked bolt fixedly mounted on the door, the bolt having a ball head and a neck adjacent to the ball head, wherein the locating pins are forced backwards by the ball head of the bolt and then pushed forwards by the respective spring members into engagement with the neck at the bolt when the door is opened to force the bolt into the longitudinal front hole at the locating block.

Abstract: Disclosed is a front-mounted hinge for mounting a door to a vehicle structure. The hinge includes a housing, a translating base, a hinge strap, and a cover assembly. The housing mounts to the exterior surface of the vehicle structure, and the hinge strap mounts to the exterior face of the door. The translating base is slidably mounted to the interior surface of the housing. The translating base moves relative to the housing between an abutting position, in which the translating base abuts a mounting plate of the housing, and an elevated position, in which the translating base is moved away from the mounting plate. The hinge strap is pivotally connected to the translating base so that when the hinge strap is pivoted, the translating base is caused to move between the abutting and elevated positions and the door moves between closed and open positions.

Abstract: A hinge having a housing with a flush mountable flange. A hinge member having pivotally connected upper and lower portions with the lower portion pivotally connected within the housing. A portion of the lower portion is engageable with a slot in the housing for locking the lower portion in an upright position. Upon unlocking the lower portion from the housing the hinge member can be pivoted into a flush relationship with the housing.

Abstract: A lockable piano-type hinge assembly including a locking hinge piece in addition to two hinge pieces which include the hinge pin barrels. The hinge pin is secured to the locking hinge piece which has an opening aligned with a locking loop secured to one of the hinge pieces. When the hinge assembly is assembled, the locking loop extends through the opening of the locking hinge piece and a locking device is insertable through the locking loop to prevent relative movement of the locking hinge piece and removal of the hinge pin from the barrels.

Abstract: A handle assembly includes a ring-shaped body which has three tapered passages defined radially therethrough, each passages having a large diameter opening defined in the inside of the handle and a smaller diameter opening defined in the outside of the handle. A resilient rope extends through at least one of the tapered passages. A locking device has a teardrop member and a shank extending from the teardrop member. The shank has a collar connected thereto, and the collar has a clamping member movably engaged therewith. The resilient rope in the tapered passage is securely held by the teardrop member. The resilient rope extends through the collar and is engaged by the clamping member.

Abstract: A pair of finger rings used for mounting around finger holes in a rubber boot used with a water ski, a wake board and the like. The two finger rings include a first annular mounting plate and a second annular mounting plate. The two mounting plates are identical in structure. The first and second mounting plates include a first ring hole and a second ring hole. The first and second ring holes are dimensioned for indexing around the finger holes in the boot. The two mounting plates include a plurality of outwardly extending male posts and female posts. The male posts on the first mounting plate are dimensioned for receipt in the female posts of the second mounting plate. Likewise, the male posts of the second mounting plate are dimensioned for receipt in the female posts of the first mounting plate. During installation of the finger rings, the first mounting plate is positioned on one side of rubber boot with the first and second ring holes disposed next to and around the finger holes in the boot.

Abstract: A sliver guiding assembly for the passage of a sliver bundle discharged in a sliver advancing direction by output rolls of a drawing unit forming part of a draw frame. The assembly includes a sliver guide having a wall face converging in a direction of the advancing direction and a passage provided in the wall face. The sliver bundle is adapted to travel through the passage in the advancing direction. A sliver leading element is disposed upstream of the passage as viewed in the advancing direction for gathering the sliver bundle and for guiding it toward the passage. An arrangement is provided for maintaining communication between a zone of the sliver guide and enviromental air; the zone is defined between the outlet of the sliver leading element and the inlet of the passage.

Abstract: A flexible tie comprises a flexible strap having a head portion and an opposing end portion. The head portion of the strap includes first and second slots. Loops are formed in the strap by inserting the end portion of through the first and second slots. The first slot is a non-locking slot that permits the strap to move in both directions. The second slot is a locking slot that limits movement of the strap to a single direction. In use, the loops are tightened around a prisoner's arms or legs. The non-locking slot prevents the loops from over-tightening and cutting off circulation to the prisoner's arms and legs.

Abstract: A center panel for use in a casket top includes a panel frame and a section of flexible material. The panel base includes a panel base and a plurality of folded-under tabs, the panel base having a first side and a second side. Each of the folded-under tabs is integrally formed with the panel base and is folded under a portion of the panel base, thereby defining at least a portion of a periphery of the panel base. Each of the folded-under tabs is furthermore affixed to the second side of the panel base. The section of flexible material substantially covers the first side of the panel base and is affixed to said folded-under tabs.

Abstract: Dual glass fibers can be processed into coherent webs and felts by first blending the dual glass fibers with an equal or greater amount of uncrimped fibers. Optionally, other crimped fibers can be added without significant impact on processibility.

Abstract: An apparatus (V) for the singeing of threads (1), preferably of a thread assembly, for example for use in the manufacture of a carpet, the thread assembly comprising twisted threads of a plastic material, such as nylon (polyamides), polyester and the like. The apparatus (V) comprises a heat section, and a burner (5) which produces a singeing flame (7). The threads (1) run, upstream and/or downstream of the singeing flame (7), through the heat section (18), the heat section being formed independently of the burner (5) and being set at a temperature influencing the macromolecular structure of the plastic material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for converting a fixed middle portion of a vehicle seat into a selectable seat back or arm rest. The apparatus is a "t-bar" which is inserted into the hollow tubing which supports the seat back. Once the t-bar is inserted, one leg is inserted into the remaining tubing sticking up from the lower seat portion to place the seat back in an upright position; another leg of the t-bar is inserted into the upright tubing to place the seat back in the arm rest position. A method is provided for converting the fixed seat back into a selectable upright or arm rest type device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pre-adjusting, prior to engagement of an engine and a transmission, a self-adjusting clutch such as a self-adjusting clutch manufactured by Dana Corporation's Spicer Clutch Division of Auburn, Indiana, known as the Spicer Solo, Adjustment-Free Clutch. The method includes the steps of: a) releasing the clutch pressure to allow the indicator wear tab of the clutch to move; b) positioning an adjustable contact element against the indicator wear tab to limit the movement of the indicator wear tab so as to specifically locate the position of the wear tab and, hence, the position of the release bearing; c) reapplying the clutch pressure; d) taking a reading of the position of the release bearing. Steps a) through d) can be repeated as needed. The adjustable contact element is preferably mounted on a generally U-shape frame having means to attach the frame proximate the clutch and means to adjust the position of the contact element.

Abstract: A candle is made by first positioning a core element centrally in an upwardly open candle mold with the element spaced from an inner wall surface of the mold and from a lower wall of the mold, then extending a thin rod up through the lower wall of the mold to a position at least at a lower end of the core element in the mold, and then filling the mold around the core element and rod with molten wax. This wax is then cooled and hardened around the core element and rod to a hard body and the core is withdrawn upward out of the hard body to leave a central cavity in the body. The hard body is pushed up out of the mold and off the thin rod to leave in a lower end of the body where the rod was a passage extending to the central cavity. Finally a wick is fitted to the cavity and passage and the cavity is filled around the wick with wax. This last step can be carried out by fitting to the cavity a small-diameter hard body of wax itself molded around the wick.

Abstract: A predetermined number of sprags 21 are consecutively inserted into sprag pockets 45 in a boss 44 on a rotary index table by means of a sprag inserting section 50. Then, a ribbon spring 22 is fitted to the boss 44 by means of a ribbon-spring fitting section 50, and an outer retainer 23 is fitted to the boss 44 by means of an outer-retainer fitting section 70. At the same time, the boss 44 is continuously rotated to move the sprags 21 toward the radially outward side of the boss 44 by the centrifugal force acting in the sprags 21, thereby allowing the sprags 21 to be inserted and fitted into sprag inserting windows 28 and 30 of the ribbon spring 22 and the outer retainer 23. Further, an inner retainer 24 is fitted to the boss 44 by means of an inner-retainer fitting section 80 to insert and fit the sprags 21 into the sprag pockets 45 of the inner retainer 24.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for detecting ionizing radiation, having: a waveguide having a first end and a second end, the waveguide formed of a scintillator material wherein the therapeutic ionizing radiation isotropically generates scintillation light signals within the waveguide. This apparatus provides a measure of radiation dose. The apparatus may be modified to permit making a measure of location of radiation dose. Specifically, the scintillation material is segmented into a plurality of segments; and a connecting cable for each of the plurality of segments is used for conducting scintillation signals to a scintillation detector.

Abstract: A chip inductor of a sealed type having a square-shaped winding comprises a bobbin for winding, which has a square-shaped flange on its both ends, and a metal terminal sticking out from the outer side surface of each respective flange and each respective metal terminal being bent inside each respective flange upward so as to stick out to the upper side surface of the flange, also have the foregoing metal terminal further bent along the upper side surface of the flange, and further make insert-molding of the foregoing bent terminal possible to form the bobbin for winding.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for manufacturing a surface mount resistance-temperature-detector (RTD) on a substrate.

Abstract: Automated method and machinery for fabricating a wrought-iron fence panel. The machinery includes (a) automated programmable machinery for welding vertical pickets to horizontal runners to form a fence panel; (b) automated programmable machinery for straightening the fence panel; (c) automated programmable machinery for washing the fence panel; (d) automated programmable machinery for drying the fence panel; (e) automated programmable machinery for painting the fence panel; and (f) automated programmable conveyor machinery for conveying the vertical pickets, the horizontal runners, and the fence panel from station to station.

Abstract: An assembly machine has a frame defining at least one work station, a transfer mechanism for feeding a succession of workpieces one at a time through the station, and at least one tool at the station movable between an operative position engageable with the workpiece in the station and a retracted position out of engagement with the workpiece in the station. A push-pull operating element has an outer end connected to the tool and an inner end connected to a cam carried on an output of a drive mounted on the frame for displacing the tool between its positions synchronously with feeding of the workpieces through the station. A pneumatic spring mounted on the frame is braced against the tool and has a compartment pressurizable to urge the tool into the operative position. The back compartment is continuously pressurized with a gas under a generally constant pressure.

Abstract: A system and method for conveying wireline tools between a wellsite and a logging truck and for assembling the tools at the wellsite is disclosed. The conveying system includes a taut line extending between a wellsite and the logging truck, a mechanism for anchoring the taut line at the wellsite, and a mechanism for tensioning the taut line. A trolley on the taut line is attachable to a logging tool and operable to convey the tool between the truck and the wellsite. Preferably, the logging tools are stored in a tool bed adjacent the rear axle of the logging truck so that they can be easily displaced and connected to the trolley for conveyance along the taut line to the wellsite. At the wellsite, the operators use a remote winch control for controlling the rotation of the logging cable winch and the position of any tools at the wellsite connected to the logging cable. A spanner is provided which permits the operator to connect two tools together (or disassemble) using one hand.

Abstract: A multilayer circuit board 10 has a laminate 11 formed by stacking together a plurality of insulating sheets with intervening inner circuit elements (not shown). In a first main surface of the laminate 11, there is formed a cavity 12 in which electronic parts such as integrated circuits (not shown) are mounted. Further, for example, in each of the four side surfaces of the laminate 11, there is formed a step portion 13 that is at the boundary between upper and lower halves 111 and 112 of the laminate 11. That is, due to the presence of the step portions 13, the lower half 112 having a height h2 protrudes from the upper half 111 having a height h1. Further, external electrodes (not shown) are formed on the second main surface of the laminate 11 by screen printing. By this structure, there is provided a small-sized multilayer circuit board in which the cavity side walls are not chipped off when the multilayer circuit board is separated from the mother laminate.

Abstract: An installation method for installing machines of different heights at an installation site includes provision of a flexible power cord of particular length, affixed to an upper region of each machine. The power cord is terminated in a power-rated male connector. At the intended installation location, the power cord origination location is identified, which is the location at which the power cord will originate after installation. An interface box having a NEMA female connector is installed at a location such that the female connector is at a radius from the power cord origination location which is less than the length of the flexible power cord. The interface box is installed, connected to a power source, and tested, before physical installation of the machine. At the time of physical installation of the machine, there is no delay attributable to hard-wiring of the power connections to the machine, and it is connected with the flexible power cord.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a blank raw material for a hose end fitting includes several steps, The method includes providing a rod-shaped material having a socket end and a screw-connecting end, and forming at the socket end of the rod-shaped material a pipe-shaped socket portion and a rod-shaped nipple portion surrounded by the pipe-shaped socket portion. A flange portion is formed having a diameter larger than that of the socket portion in an intermediate portion of the rod-shaped material by fitting a second pipe-shaped mold to the screw-connecting end so as to sandwich and compress the intermediate portion between the first pipe-shaped mold and the second pipe-shaped molds A screw-connecting portion is formed at the screw-connecting end by inserting a punch in a center portion of the rod-shaped material when an external periphery of the rod-shaped material is supported by the second pipe-shaped mold.

Abstract: A wrought or powder metal gear preform is mounted for rotation about a first axis and then driven in meshing engagement with a roll forming die supported for rotation about a second axis transverse to the first axis. The roll forming die includes a helical worm thread that moves radially as well as axially across the face of the preform teeth to displace the material of the preform. In the case of a powder metal preform, displacement of the material acts to densify the teeth, whereas in the case of a wrought preform the gear teeth are burnished. The preform and roll forming die are separately driven to control densification.

Abstract: A coin holder opener having a housing with a central axis and a set of rollers rotatably mounted at an acute angle with respect to the housing and in a spaced relationship from each other and a central axis so that when a roll of wrapped coins are inserted into pressure contact and rotated, the rollers force the wrapper against an edge of a coin to compressively cut the coin wrapper located therebetween.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a dry shaving apparatus, with an electric motor arranged in a housing and with at least one shaving head comprising two inner cutters which are operatively associated with a common outer cutter and are arranged to be driven in relative opposite directions by a drive element against the force of at least one spring element, wherein the inner cutters and the spring element are guided for movement in relative opposite directions by means of a common guide element, the guide element is carried in bracket elements, and the inner cutters are adapted to be acted upon by drive elements movable in relative opposite directions.

Abstract: A hollow cutter body having an opening is adapted to slidably receive an end of a cigarette lighter. The opening is defined by a cutter body wall that has a slot extending from an end of the cutter body opposite to the opening, and at least partway along a length defined by the cutter body. An aperture is also defined by the cutter body opposite and approximately aligned with the slot and includes a sharpened peripheral edge, against which a cigarette can be trimmed. The cigarette is trimmed by sliding an end through the aperture and the slot and actuating the cutter body by moving it along the lighter, causing an end of the cigarette to be cut.

Abstract: A device for cracking the shells of fruit, such as in particular walnuts, of the type comprising two elements adapted to pivot, by one of their respective ends, about a transverse pin, comprising a fruit-gripping area adjacent to the pivot axis in which the fruit, whose shell it is desired to crack, is placed. This device is characterized in that at least the inner face of one of these elements is covered, at least in part, with an elastically deformable product.

Abstract: A resilient, deformable shield for a hand tool comprising a guard, a guard handle, and an attachment means for attaching the shield to a hand tool. The guard provides a volumetric enclosure having an aperture for passage of the cutting edge of a hand tool. The guard handle provides a first end and a second end; the guard handle is attached at the first end to the guard. The guard handle's second end is detachably connected to a hand tool. The guard handle may resiliently deform and pivot perpendicular to its long axis, thereby permitting movement of he cutting portion of a hand tool into and out of the volumetric enclosure.

Abstract: An attachment for a construction machine is disclosed The attachment includes: a frame body; a first frame member attached to the frame body; a second frame member attached to the frame body in opposing relation with the first frame member. The first frame member and the second frame member are provided at the respective opposing inner surfaces with cutting means and crushing means. The first frame member and/or the second frame member are(is) movable toward each other for the engagement therewith. The first frame member or the second frame member is further provided with a hydraulic breaker having a chisel.

Abstract: A shaving apparatus is provided including a housing having an inboard portion and an outboard portion having a hollow configuration. Also included is a flexible wire mesh having a circular configuration being mounted within an end of the outboard portion of the housing. A drive assembly includes a motor situated within the inboard portion of the housing for rotating upon the actuation thereof. A blade unit includes an elongated rod with a disk-shaped blade fixedly coupled thereto and situated adjacent to the wire mesh. The rod has an inboard end which is coupled to the motor for rotating the blade upon the actuation thereof, thereby cutting hair of a user and depositing clippings within the hollow outboard portion of the housing.

Abstract: Ceramic blade (1) of a cutting tool, in particular a knife, with a cutting edge (10) and a rounded off upper edge (12) running opposite to the cutting edge (10). The rounded off upper edge (12) makes possible, in comparison to the conventional sharp-edged transitions, a substantial increase in the break resistance in the case of bending forces.

Abstract: A levelling apparatus for a builder's laser level includes a base having a central axis and a sphere-shaped socket component mounted to the base. A sphere-shaped ball device is received in the socket component for relative movement with respect thereto. A retention mechanism is spaced radially outwardly from the central axis and includes first and second locking members in overlapping relationship to one another, thereby retaining the ball device in the socket component. In a second embodiment of the levelling apparatus, the sphere-shaped ball device is mounted to the base and the sphere-shaped socket component mounted to the ball device for relative movement with respect thereto. The retention mechanism is in registry with the central axis and includes first and second locking members in overlapping relationship to one another, thereby retaining the socket component to the ball device.

Abstract: A new laser beam for sight alignment for projecting a beam of a light out of gun for the sight to be adjusted until it aligns with a dot formed by the beam on a target. The inventive device includes a hollow cylindrical casing having a main cylindrical portion and a tapered end portion. The tapered end portion is coextensive with the main cylindrical portion. The main cylindrical portion has an open interior end. The tapered end portion has an opening in an outer end thereof. The cylindrical casing is dimensioned for being slidably received within a chamber of a gun. A lens is disposed within the opening in the outer end of the tapered end portion of the cylindrical casing. A laser module is disposed within the tapered end portion of the cylindrical casing inwardly of the lens.

Abstract: A novel adjustable hand grip device for use with a three dimensional coordinate measurement system provides an ergnomically formed pistol grip rotatably positioned on a manually manipulated multijointed measuring arm allowing a plurality of angular positions convenient to an operator. The adjustable hand grip includes a clamp for releasably securing the device n a preselected position. An embodiment of the present invention includes a ball and detent device for releasably positioning the hand grip in a plurality of preselected positions. In yet another embodiment the hand grip device includes a swivel joint allowing rotation of the pistol grip relative to the clamp.

Abstract: The waterstop joining tool is a two piece tool in which each piece is a nonsuperimposable mirror image of the other piece. Each piece is composed of a flat, planar body having depending side flanges defining a bottom channel adapted for sliding engagement with a section of waterstop. One end of each piece is formed at a 90.degree. angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tool, and the opposite end is formed at a 45.degree. angle, both ends having a vertical flange extending superiorly to the plane of the body. The body of each piece is bisected by an arch along the medial longitudinal axis, the arch being adapted for supporting the walls of the center bulb of the waterstop. In an alternative embodiment, each piece is arched on both sides, and optionally hinged to a bottom tool, to accommodate waterstop sections having a dumbbell shape in cross section. In use, the tool pieces are used as templates to cut the ends of two waterstop sections at either 90.degree. or 45.degree. angles.

Abstract: A roll profile measuring method uses a displacement detector mount provided movably in a reciprocating manner along an axial direction of a work roll, and a displacement detector set of two displacement detectors mounted at a center distance L.sub.c from each other on the displacement detector mount for measuring irregularities in the surface of the work roll in the axial direction of the work roll. The roll profile measuring method comprises: measuring irregularities in the surface of the work roll over the total length of the work roll by moving the displacement detector mount in the axial direction of the work roll; and processing a data stream of composite measured values obtained on the basis of the difference between measured data provided by the displacement detectors to determine the surface profile of the work roll in the axial direction of the work roll.

Abstract: Registration system and method provide for alignment of films with circuit panels. The exact position of tooling holes in the panel are found using tapered pins. After the exact position of the tooling holes are found tapered registration pins are inserted into the tooling holes. The top of the registration pin is narrower than the tooling hole so that the pin will easily slide into the tooling hole. The middle part of the registration pin is substantially the same size as the tooling hole, thereby ensuring a snug fit between the tooling hole and the registration pin. Where a tooling hole is comprised of overlapping holes, the registration pin contacts several of these holes. A loading apparatus provides pneumatic pressure beneath the registration pin to push the registration pin into the tooling hole. After the registration pins are placed in the tooling holes of the panel, a film is placed on the panel such that the registration pins are inserted into the holes of the film.

Abstract: A rotational alignment device centers a shaft-mounted transducer on a rotating shaft. The alignment device includes a moveable base that is configured to receive the shaft-mounted transducer through a coupling device; a mounting base that connects to the rotating shaft; and a radial alignment assembly which connects the moveable base to the mounting base in a manner whereby the alignment error between the transducer and the rotating shaft can be corrected. The alignment error is corrected by making polar-coordinate type adjustments (i.e., correcting angular error and radial offset error) rather than traditional X-Y coordinate type adjustments.

Abstract: An apparatus for heat treating an object and specifically a substantially flat object described. The apparatus may be a hot plate post-baking apparatus for heat treating a substantially flat object such as a photomask used in a semiconductor photolithographic process. The apparatus is provided with an upper heat reflector plate that is equipped with upwardly curved edge portions such that the amount of heat reflected by the reflector can be controlled and the center region on the substantially flat object can be temperature compensated for achieving more uniform temperature profile across the entire surface of the mask. By utilizing the heat reflector plate in a post-baking apparatus, the normally observed 5.degree. C. temperature difference across a mask surface is substantially eliminated.

Abstract: A material drying apparatus having a sealable chamber for receipt of wet material, such as clothing. Material placed into the chamber is dried upon the evacuation of air from the chamber wherein moisture drawn from the material is condensed on a condensate coil placed in the chamber. Heating coils placed around the chamber or beneath a drawer elevate the temperature to enhance condensate operation providing an energy efficient material dryer requiring no make-up air. Drum or thermal blanket enhances temperature elevation. Condensed water is purged after the drying process although provisions provide for an interim purge should excess liquid be drawn from the material.

Abstract: A substrate drying device includes a reduced pressure enclosure including an airproof door, and an exhaustion device. Inside of the enclosure is caused to be a sealed state when the airproof door is closed. After a substrate to which an application material is applied is received into the reduced pressure enclosure, the airproof door is closed to make inside of the reduced pressure enclosure be an airproof state. Subsequently, inside of the reduced pressure enclosure is exhausted by the exhaustion device to perform for eliminating air bubbles in the application material and drying the application material on the substrates. The exhaustion device may include a reserve tank that has a volume capable of rapidly reducing a pressure of the internal volume of the reduced pressure enclosure to maintain a predetermined negative pressure. A rapid exhaustion of the inside of the reduced pressure enclosure is performed by connecting the reserve tank to the reduced pressure enclosure.

Abstract: A device is known for heat treatment of permeable webs of goods with a housing in which at least one screen roller is mounted and a pumping device is associated endwise with the roller, said pumping device drawing a processing medium in the formal of a vapor and/or gas out of the screen roller, with the through-flow area of the roller, in other words the working width of the screen roller, being capable of being determined by a width-adjusting device on the screen roller. A screen roller of this kind is improved according to the invention ifa) at least in the area covered by the web of goods, it has two coaxially mounted permeable screen roller jackets located with a distance between them,b) a width-adjusting device is provided between the outer and inner screen roller jackets, said devicec) being adjustable by a spindle on the axis of the screen roller, andd) the inner screen roller jacket is made permeable only in the area that corresponds to the minimum working width of the roller.

Abstract: In a process and an apparatus (1) for spray drying or spray cooling of the so-called Filtermat.RTM. type, a more uniform product layer (7) is achieved by collecting and/or treating the product on a screen means (8, 14, 19) providing a pressure difference being at least 1.5, preferably from 1.5 to 30 and particularly from about 2 to about 20 times that provided by the product layer, when collected.