For Hollow Article Patents (Class 34/104)
  • Patent number: 11680672
    Abstract: A passivating flexible insulation blanket positionable about a pipe includes an insulation core, an enclosing fabric, and a non-consumable passivator. The insulation core is substantially hydrophobic and includes a microporous material. The enclosing fabric fully encapsulates the insulation core to form a capsule or pouch about the insulation core. The non-consumable passivator is non-consumable such that there is no appreciable change to a mass of the non-consumable passivator after an extended time of activation. The non-consumable passivator is deposited into the insulation core and has a composition soluble in water. The non-consumable passivator includes a leachable component that leaches from the insulation core and is capable of neutralizing acidic components. The leachable component is water soluble and is capable of reacting with a surface of the pipe to form a protective coating on the pipe to aid in inhibiting corrosion formation on the surface of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Ames Kulprathipanja, Marybeth Jones
  • Patent number: 11607964
    Abstract: A charging pile for sweeping robot including a main body, a storage component, a charging head, a charging cable, and a circuit board. The main body is provided with a first slot. The storage component, provided with a charging interface and an avoidance slot. The charging pile for sweeping robot includes a first mounting post movably connected to the main body. The charging cable is partly wound on the first mounting post, one end of which is detachably connected to the charging interface, and the other surrounds the first mounting post and penetrates through the avoidance slot and is fixedly connected to the charging head. The charging interface is electrically connected to the main body, so the charging cable can be wound on the first mounting post and contained in the first slot, prevented from being scattered on ground, and making the charging pile more beautiful when in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Shenzhen Shermon Technology Co., Limited
    Inventor: Shangliu Liu
  • Patent number: 11608584
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a drying device comprising a base with arms adjustably attached to each end. The arms each include an internal spring that allows the arms to adapt to a wide variety of dryers of different shapes, sizes, and models. The distal end of each arm also includes an attachment that is sized and shaped to fit into the interior of an item of footwear. Each attachment includes a plurality of apertures that promote air flow into the interior of the footwear when in use. In this way, the footwear remains compressed on the walls of the drying device. After the drying cycle has been completed, the footwear is dried on the exterior and interior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventors: Carlos Valdes, Emily Valdes
  • Patent number: 11590853
    Abstract: A cable drum for supplying power to an electrically powered utility vehicle, with an axially running winding body which can be set in rotation about a rotational axis in order to wind up and unwind an electrical cable, wherein on an inside, the winding body carries a plurality of fans which are configured to generate a cooling air stream directed radially outward with respect to a cylindrical drum wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Andre Klein, Nicolai Tarasinski, Simon Pfaffmann, Volker Kegel, Thorsten Koestermeyer
  • Patent number: 11578919
    Abstract: A drying apparatus includes a body, an air inlet, a flow generator to receive inlet air from the air inlet and generate an airflow, an air outlet at the body for exhausting the airflow from the flow generator, the air outlet extending along a vertical height of the body, and an outlet airflow steering mechanism operable to control a lateral extent of the airflow from the air outlet. A controller is configured to operate the outlet airflow steering mechanism to control the lateral extents of the airflow from the air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hyun sun Yoo, Seung Yup Lee, Sang Yoon Lee, Byung Soo Oh, Hyun-Joo Jeon, So Ra Cheon, Ji sun Yoon
  • Patent number: 11408679
    Abstract: A shoe dryer including a main body, a shoe receiver provided inside the main body and configured to receive a shoe, a blower configured to blow air toward the shoe received in the shoe receiving portion, a camera configured to obtain an image of the shoe by photographing the shoe received in the shoe receiver, and a control device configured to recognize information about the shoe from the image of the shoe obtained by the camera, and control a direction of air blown by the blower based on the information about the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroto Ohnari, Daisuke Fukuoka, Kazutoshi Takenoshita, Suguru Nakagawa, Toshiyuki Fujiyoshi
  • Patent number: 11110699
    Abstract: A printed film curing apparatus for accelerating cure time includes a film tube having an open tube top end, a tube sidewall, and an open tube bottom end defining a tube inside. The tube inside receives a roll of freshly printed media. An intake housing is selectively engageable with the tube top end. An intake fan is coupled within the intake housing to draw air through a plurality of intake slots of the intake housing into the tube inside. An exhaust housing is selectively engageable with the tube bottom end. An exhaust fan is coupled within the exhaust housing to draw air from the tube inside and push it out of a plurality of exhaust apertures of the exhaust housing. A control unit has a control panel, a microprocessor, and a power supply to operate the intake fan and the exhaust fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Inventors: Cesar Diaz, Nazareth Diaz, Alexis Diaz
  • Patent number: 10935316
    Abstract: A locker includes a pair of spaced-apart upstanding sidewalls and at least one shelf extending between the sidewalls, the shelf and sidewalls defining a compartment. A rack is disposed in the compartment and extends upwardly from the shelf. The rack is dimensioned and configured to support at least a pair of shoulder pads and preferably both pads and a helmet. The rack optionally includes a ventilation system, and the ventilation system, may be incorporated into a multi-locker ventilation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: Sam Allen
  • Patent number: 10890378
    Abstract: The herein described invention is a Negative Pressure Drying Apparatus. The preferred embodiment of the Negative Pressure Drying Apparatus is designed for drying saturated baseballs; however, the Negative Pressure Drying Apparatus could be used to dry most any article that would fit within the drying receptacle. The Negative Pressure uses mechanical means of moving air, generally an outward blowing fan mounted to a first end of a drying receptacle, which is comprised of a plurality of intake holes at a second end of the drying receptacle. The outward blowing fan creates negative pressure within the drying receptacle due to the output of the fan exceeding the intake of air through the intake holes. The negative pressure within the drying receptacle accelerates drying by drawing moisture out of the saturated articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Inventor: Chad K. Davis
  • Patent number: 10870944
    Abstract: A drying system embodying a method and glove dryer mountable to an outlet of an already-running furnace when in use so as to safely and efficiently dry out articles, and that dissembles into stackable elements when stored is provided. The glove dryer may include a base providing a plurality of detachable nozzles. The base may form a volumetric enclosure for both safely mounting the outlet of an already-running furnace as well as for storage purposes. The plurality of detachable nozzles may be stacked in a nest configuration when removed from the base for storing in the volumetric enclosure. When in use, the plurality of detachable nozzles each provide a plurality of holes through which heated air from the outlet reaches to tops of articles of clothing slidably received thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Inventor: Karen Smoots
  • Patent number: 10842904
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sterilization and drying device. The sterilization and drying device includes: a body configured to be coupled to the inside of a sterilization target, and to suck and discharge internal air of the sterilization target; a silicon carbide honeycomb heater installed inside the body, and configured to sterilize, purify, dry, and heat the sucked air and discharge the sterilized, purified, dried, and heated air; an air circulation fan installed behind the silicon carbide honeycomb heater, and configured such that the internal air of the sterilization target is sucked, passed through the silicon carbide honeycomb heater, and then discharged; and a battery installed on one side of the air circulation fan, and configured to supply power to the silicon carbide honeycomb heater and the air circulation fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Inventor: Jung Hee Yang
  • Patent number: 10377635
    Abstract: When a raw material graphite film bad in flatness is laminated onto another material, creases and other defects may be caused. In particular, when a graphite film having a large area is laminated, defects such as creases may be often caused. In order to solve such defects, a flatness correction treatment step is performed wherein a raw material graphite film is subjected to heat treatment up to 2000° C. or higher while a pressure is applied thereto. This flatness correction treatment gives a graphite film good in flatness. Furthermore, when the flatness of the raw material graphite film is corrected by use of a thermal expansion of a core, a graphite film small in sagging can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: KANEKA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke Ohta, Takashi Inada, Makoto Mishiro, Takashi Inada, Yasushi Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 10295258
    Abstract: An improved sports equipment frame includes frame having a main vertical member including an upper end and a lower end, and a plurality of extensions projecting laterally from the main vertical member; and a bowed hanger extending from the main vertical member for draping an article of clothing, the hanger elevationally located between the upper and lower ends of the vertical member. In a preferred embodiment, the sports equipment rack includes pant leg restrainers for suppressing movement of the legs of pants during spray washing, and a headgear support plate having a generally flat upper surface that is larger than the cross sectional area of the vertical member. The sports equipment rack is lightweight, compact and portable, and is suitable for storing, organizing, washing and drying various types of sporting equipment and clothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Inventor: Daniel L. Durham
  • Patent number: 10024599
    Abstract: A drying device includes a first compartment configured to removably receive a drying chamber. The drying chamber includes a tray capable of receiving one or more racks that are configured to hold a plurality of laboratory consumables. The first compartment includes one or more pistons capable of displacing the tray to agitate the laboratory consumables. A second compartment is attached to the first compartment. The second compartment includes one or more air flow sources for directing a flow of air to the plurality of laboratory consumables and an air filter located proximate to the one or more air flow sources. A method of drying laboratory consumables is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: GRENOVA, LLC
    Inventor: Ali Safavi
  • Patent number: 9902089
    Abstract: A tool (100) comprises a plurality of layers (102, 104, 106) which are arranged to provide a thermally agile tool face (110) and to protect control circuitry and delicate components (150) from excessive temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: SURFACE GENERATION LIMITED
    Inventor: Ben Halford
  • Patent number: 9834328
    Abstract: A heating-nozzle arrangement for heating a partly formed packaging container, comprises one or more nozzle assemblies, arranged to direct a heated air flow to portions of a packaging container to be sealed; a gas-supply portion, arranged to supply a mass flow of heated gas to the nozzle assembly, further the nozzle assembly comprises at least a first and a second hole pattern and that the heating-nozzle arrangement further comprises a selector for directing the mass flow of heated air towards the first hole pattern or the second hole pattern respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventor: Bent Madsen
  • Patent number: 9802377
    Abstract: An autoclave suitable for use for heating articles such as tires is described. The autoclave includes an elongated chamber having an interior section and an annular duct surrounding the interior section, wherein the annular duct is separated from the interior section by a dividing wall; said autoclave further including a heat source for heating the air, a fan for circulating the air in the chamber, and an air deflector mounted in a distal end of the chamber. The air deflector is positioned to redirect the airflow towards the interior portion of the chamber to eliminate air recirculation zones and improve the temperature uniformity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Gilles Reichling, Jean Luc Dheur, Michael William Schellenberger, II, Richard Alan Thomas, Michael William Diehl
  • Patent number: 9756922
    Abstract: A cordless electric blow-dryer system is a highly efficiency blow-dryer system that incorporates a steam generator, a heat exchanger, and a high efficiency battery into a cordless housing to eliminate draped and tangled power cords in professional hair styling stations and homes for safe, convenient use. The cordless electric blow-dryer system may also be used in locations where power outlets are unavailable. The handle may have a grip with resiliently deformable material, a power slide switch, a temperature limit setting, and a cool down button. The battery(s) slide into the bottom of the handle to power the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Inventors: Genevieve Duthe, Mathieu Giroux
  • Patent number: 9464843
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a shoe drier, comprising: a structure (16) having an enclosed space into which shoes (28) are placed for drying; a heating system (detailed in FIG. 4 and the description thereof), for heating air inside said structure, thereby drying said shoes; a first rack (36), disposed inside said enclosed space, onto which said shoes are placed for drying; a mechanism for lifting said first rack as a result of opening the top of said structure, and placing down said first rack as a result of closing the top of said structure (detailed in FIG. 3 and the description thereof); thereby facilitating the use thereof for a disabled user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Inventor: Alexander Karafinka
  • Patent number: 9140497
    Abstract: The clothes drying rack has a generally horizontal rectangular frame with a series of intermediate lateral members and support legs. The various elements are formed of hollow pipe or tube, with most being perforated. Additional perforated tubular members depend from the lateral members. A portable fluid supply unit is remotely situated from the frame and connected to a non-perforated leg of the frame by a suitable duct, with the fluid supply unit having a fan therein to provide air to the tubular frame to flow from the perforated tubes, thereby circulating through clothing suspended on the frame. The fluid supply unit may also include a water dispenser and a heating element therefor, to produce steam to reduce wrinkling of the clothing. A fragrance tank and dispenser may also be included with the fluid supply unit, to dispense a pleasant fragrance through the frame and to the clothing suspended thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: UMM AL-QURA UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Sarah O. Al-Shahrani
  • Patent number: 9103588
    Abstract: A forced air dryer for gas masks or other face pieces having a drinking tube attached. A housing having a blower is attached to a distribution manifold with a heater therein. Spaced riser tubes each with spaced tubular mask support arms attached thereto are releasably fastened to the manifold for receiving forced air therein. In one version, adapted for wall mounting, the riser tubes extend vertically downward from the manifold; and, in another free standing version, the riser tubes extend vertically upward from the manifold. Each support arm has a wire support frame or “basket” thereon configured to support a gas mask or face piece with attached drinking tube thereon with a nozzle discharging forced air upwardly through the wire frame to the interior of the gas mask. Each riser has a separate air discharge nipple proximate each support arm and configured for threaded engagement with a canteen cap connected to the drinking tube for concurrently forcing air through the drinking tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Williams Boot & Glove Dryers Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Williams
  • Patent number: 9072359
    Abstract: A wig drying apparatus and method are provided, the apparatus being adapted to support a wig and which may be used to direct air currents upward such that a wig may be dried quickly and easily without damaging the wig or unduly altering the wig's outer appearance, comprises, a stand adapted to hold a wig, the stand comprising a main body member comprising a base and a neck member, and upper members comprising a central member and side members. The neck member comprises a base tube comprising a base opening. The base opening is adapted to accept a hose/outlet portion of a dryer. In the preferred embodiment, the device's shape is generally that of a human head and neck. In one embodiment, the central member and base tube are removable and may be used to dry a wig not supported by the remaining portions of the stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Inventor: Kimberly Agoro
  • Patent number: 9033195
    Abstract: A glove drying basket assembly holds gloves in a position maximizing air flow in and around the gloves to promote drying. The assembly includes a basket having a bottom wall and a perimeter wall extending upwardly from a perimeter edge of the bottom wall. A handle is coupled to the basket. At least one glove holder is coupled to the basket. The glove holder has a palm section and a plurality of finger sections coupled to and extending from the palm section. The glove holder also has an open bottom end and a plurality of openings in environmental communication with the open bottom end. The openings are positioned in spaced relationship over and around the palm section and each of the finger sections wherein the glove holder is configured to provide air flow to a palm and each finger of a glove positioned over the glove holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: Nancy Y. Martinez-Ramos
  • Patent number: 8978266
    Abstract: A portable dryer for in situ drying multiple pairs of relatively small articles of apparel having a blower and heater for forcing air into a pair of attached oppositely directed manifolds, each with discharge ports and adjacent support members for the articles to be dried. One of the manifolds is attached by a quick-release slotted connection for assembly and removal without tools. In preparation for transport, the user removes, inverts and stacks the one manifold on the opposite manifold reducing the volume of bag or enclosure required for one person transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Williams Boot & Glove Dryers Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Williams
  • Publication number: 20140373380
    Abstract: A boxing glove drying device has a body member. The body member has an open end and a closed end. The closed end is curved and configured for inserting into a boxing glove. A plurality of openings is formed in the body member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: BERNARDO MONTES
  • Patent number: 8904669
    Abstract: A fuel system comprising a fuel tank, a vent tank having a duct open to the ambient atmosphere, a first vent line fluidically connecting the fuel tank ullage to the vent tank, a gas drying system including a pump and a dehumidifying device disposed within the vent tank, and a second vent line fluidically connecting a dry gas outlet of the dehumidifying device to the ullage, wherein the pump is operable to maintain a higher pressure within the ullage than in the vent tank so as to drive vapor rich gas from the ullage into the vent tank via the first vent line. Also, a method of operating the fuel system and a method of retro-fitting the gas drying system in an existing fuel system. The gas drying system may optionally be a gas drying/inerting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventors: Franklin Tichborne, Joseph K-W Lam, David Parmenter, Simon Masters
  • Publication number: 20140338212
    Abstract: A transportable or hand carriable forced air dryer for boots, gloves and facepieces such as gas masks and other headpieces with attached drinking tubes. A pair of manifolds having spaced parallel tubes extend in opposite directions from a blower housing/plenum structure. Each manifold has plural spaced upstanding air discharge tubes. Each air discharge tube has attached thereto a form expander in looped form extending in spaced parallel arrangement and terminating beyond the air discharge to prevent air blockage by the article to be dried. One manifold is permanently connected and the other is quick connected and quick disconnected, without tools for field reassembly. For transport, the released manifold is inverted and nested on the permanently connected manifold for compact installation in a tote bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Williams Boot & Glove Dryers Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Williams
  • Publication number: 20140331513
    Abstract: A shoe drying system for drying footwear is provided. The shoe drying system comprises a base platform and a housing is positioned on the base platform with the housing having a vertical wall extending in an upward direction. A collection tray is positionable upon the base platform. An angled draining tray is positionable upon the first end of the collection tray. A shoe rack is positioned upon the draining tray and the vertical wall of the housing. A drying mechanism within the housing directs warm, dry air in a general direction toward the shoe rack. Upon positioning the footwear in the shoe rack and activating the drying means, the footwear is dried enabling a user to maintain a like-new appearance of the footwear for extended periods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventor: Binh H. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8869423
    Abstract: A golf cart includes at least one external surface and an apparatus for coupling a glove to the at least one external surface. The apparatus comprises a body comprising an inner surface and an outer surface. The body is coupled to the golf cart such that the inner surface remains in substantial contact against the at least one external surface during operation of the golf cart. The body outer surface includes at least one fastening mechanism for removably coupling a glove to the body such that the glove remains coupled to the apparatus during operation of the golf cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: DJ Nicholson Enterprises LLC
    Inventor: Dennis Lawrence Nicholson
  • Patent number: 8857072
    Abstract: The mitten and boot dryer for use with a residential furnace includes a vent plate made of a ferrous material, which is mounted either one a forced air residential furnace or down line therefrom. The vent plate features a plurality of holes upon which a vent may be attached via an angled base support. The angled base support features a magnet embedded therein, which attaches itself onto the hole of the vent plate, and can rotate there about. Alternatively, the angled base support may feature a winged end that slides into a winged hole on the vent plate, and is rotated therein so as to lock into the vent plate. The vent has a cap on a farthest distal end and features a plurality of holes along the length. The angled base support includes a friction hinge to enable rotation of the vent with respect to the vent plate. The vents are ideally oriented at angles to enable a boot or mitten to rest thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventors: Mark Cocker, Cathy Cocker
  • Patent number: 8844154
    Abstract: A dryer system for a firefighting ensemble comprising a housing having an air intake port and an air outlet port, a forced air assembly including a heater and a blower accommodated within the housing, a plurality of flexible porous hose segments coupled to the air outlet port operable to receive and conduct forced air therefrom, and the plurality of flexible porous hose segments are operable to conduct forced heated air into elements of the firefighting ensemble to speed drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: ROM Acquisition Corporation
    Inventors: John E. McLoughlin, Neocles G. Athanasiades, Kiam Meng Toh
  • Publication number: 20140283405
    Abstract: Disclosed is a phase change material injection device, which is disposed in a housing or a vehicle headlamp in which a predetermined heat source is provided. The phase change material injection device is configured to eject a phase change material, which has been changed into a gas from liquid by heating of the heat source, into the housing, and may include: i) a container storing the phase change material in a liquid state; ii) a discharge unit disposed at the container for discharging a predetermined amount of the phase change material in a gas state; and iii) a valve unit having an ejection port connecting the discharge unit with the inside of the housing, disposed at the container, the valve unit selectively opening and closing the ejection port based on the internal temperature of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicants: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD., HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeong Gyu Yang, Byung-Ook Park, Sae-Jun Park
  • Patent number: 8795761
    Abstract: A coating device for coating a medical device with a drug-eluting material uses an in-process drying station between coats to improve a drug release profile. The drying station includes a heat nozzle configured for applying a uniform drying gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Bobson, Kurt Scheinpflug, Yung-Ming Chen, Jeff H. Smith
  • Patent number: 8793891
    Abstract: A novel collapsible aeration system is retrofitted into a grain bin with a discharge opening in the bottom. This grain bin may have a sloped or conical hopper or a flat bottom. The aeration system is formed from a set of connected (e.g. hinged) duct sections that define a round or multi-sided duct having a minimum of three sides or faces. The sides may be flat, curved or corrugated. The collapsible aeration system is folded (collapsed), inserted into the bin via a hole, and then unfolded inside the bin. An air duct is connected to the aeration system to enable the aeration system to dry the grain in the grain bin. This technology enables existing grain bins to be retrofitted with a dryer in an easy and efficient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: AG Growth International, Inc.
    Inventor: Imre Varro
  • Publication number: 20140184144
    Abstract: A coverage robot docking station includes a base having a robot receiving surface. The base defines a power receptacle for receiving a power supply. The base also defines a beacon receptacle for receiving a beacon. A side wall extends from the base, where the side wall and the receiving surface of the base define a robot holder. At least one charging contact is disposed on the robot receiving surface for charging a received robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Henricksen, Joseph Geringer
  • Patent number: 8739432
    Abstract: A drying apparatus for drying sports pads or apparel is provided. The drying apparatus may include a first member and a second member. The first member may be aligned substantially perpendicular to the second member and slid into the second member to form the drying apparatus. The drying apparatus may be inserted into the sports pads or a portion of the apparel to permit air to flow throughout the innards of the sports pads or apparel, thereby facilitating the drying of the sports pads or apparel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventor: Stephen N. Rydinsky
  • Publication number: 20140137424
    Abstract: A bottle drying stand for a standard bottle having a side wall, transitioning through a shoulder to a bottle mouth. The stand includes a peripheral side wall resting upon a base rim. The upper end of the side wall forms a support rim sized for the inverted bottle to rest upon at its shoulder. A drip cup extends inwardly and downwardly from the support rim, and the mouth of the bottle is received therein. The drip cup includes a cup opening for airflow, preferably coaxial with the bottle mouth. The side wall of the stand also includes wall openings permitting airflow inward to communicate with the cup opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Julie L. Yessin
  • Patent number: 8667707
    Abstract: A device (1) for refreshing garments comprises means (5) for supporting a garment and means (3) for generating an air flow at the location where a garment is present when it is put in place on the supporting means (5). The supporting means (5) comprise two parts (6, 7) which are both suitable to be used for supporting a garment, and which are displaceably arranged with respect to each other. In this way, an enhanced functionality of the device (1) may be achieved in comparison with a device having supporting means which comprise only a single part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Milind Date, Mohankumar Valiyambath Krishnan
  • Patent number: 8627579
    Abstract: Apparatus and methodology for applying heated-air flow to wet or damp copper cable and specifically to individual mutually-insulated copper conductors within that cable including their respective paper sheath coverings. This cable can be used in telecommunications applications. Disclosed embodiments permit drying of difficult to reach wet/damp areas within a cable and between and amongst layers of wet/damp cable. A heat gun muzzle-insert attaches, at one end, to a heat gun barrel's muzzle end to extend hot air flow from the gun through the insert and through a plurality of tubes attached to its other end, This allows air flow to be pin-pointed at wet/damp areas otherwise not reachable without the tubes. The muzzle-insert attaches via threaded connection and is made from the same material as the gun to have the same thermal expansion characteristic. The hot air flow extender mechanisms can be modularized, each ha mg differently-sized pluralities of tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon New York Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Rotondi
  • Patent number: 8621762
    Abstract: A multiple garment drying apparatus for drying garments that includes a hot air source and blower assembly attached to a garment hanging assembly that includes two upward extending hot air transfer tubes that connect to two hot air ports on the blower assembly. Attached to the ends of the two tubes is a hollow, transverse brace with two upward extending end brackets attached to its opposite ends. Attached to the two end brackets is an upper shoulder component used to support a jacket placed thereon. The upper shoulder component includes a plurality of air vents that enable air delivered below the upper shoulder component to travel upward and through the upper shoulder component. During operation, air from the hot air source and blower assembly is delivered to the two transfer tubes. The air from the two transfer tubes is then transmitted to the transverse brace and through the upper shoulder component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventor: Joel Beckett
  • Patent number: 8490291
    Abstract: A hand drying apparatus has a casing, a cavity formed in the casing for receiving a user's hands, a fan located in the casing and creating an airflow, and a plurality of openings communication with the fan and arranged to direct an airflow transversely across the cavity. The cavity has an entrance delimited by a front edge and a rear edge in which the openings are located. The shape of the front and rear edges is such that, when in use the user's hands are introduced to the cavity, the distance between the user's hands and the nearest opening is substantially uniform. Alternatively, one of the edges is substantially straight and the other of the said edges is curved so that the distance between the edges varies along the length of the cavity entrance. These arrangements enhance the drying efficiency of the dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: John Churchill, James Dyson, Peter David Gammack
  • Patent number: 8484860
    Abstract: Disclosed is a clothes treating apparatus, which treats clothes into a more wearable condition. A clothes treating apparatus includes a cabinet; an accommodating space defined in the cabinet to accommodate clothes, and maintained in a stationary state; an air supplying device generating dry air and supplying the dry air into the accommodating space such that the dry air is circulated in the accommodating space, wherein the air supplying device includes an inlet provided at a bottom of the accommodating space such that the air in the accommodating space flows into the air supplying device through the inlet; and a filter assembly installed in the inlet, and filtering the air passing through the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jung Wook Moon, Dae Yun Park, Sog Kie Hong, Jong Seok Kim, Seung Gyu Ryu, Hye Yong Park, Chang Gyu Choi, Dong Won Kim
  • Publication number: 20130086811
    Abstract: A portable dryer for in situ drying multiple pairs of relatively small articles of apparel having a blower and heater for forcing air into a pair of attached oppositely directed manifolds, each with discharge ports and adjacent support members for the articles to be dried. One of the manifolds is attached by a quick-release slotted connection for assembly and removal without tools. In preparation for transport, the user removes, inverts and stacks the one manifold on the opposite manifold reducing the volume of bag or enclosure required for one person transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventor: Gary Williams
  • Publication number: 20130081295
    Abstract: A bottle dryer is provided for drying beer bottles and includes a flat plane of notched bottle drying holes into which 12 oz, 22 oz, and/or Grolsch type beer bottles can be inserted top down. In some embodiments, a first angled plane of notched bottle drying holes is deposed to one side of said flat plane into which 12 oz, 22 oz, and/or Grolsch type beer bottles can be inserted top down at an angle from the flat plane. The bottle dryer can further include a second angled plane of notched bottle drying holes deposed to another side of said flat plane opposite the side to which the first angled plane of notched bottle drying holes is attached, and angled at a mirror image angle to said first angled plane of notched bottle drying holes, such that when bottle are inserted in each of the bottle drying holes in said flat plane and in said first and second angled planes, the bottles are displayed in a fan arrangement and do not contact each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventors: Brian D. Mathweg, Dave Mathweg
  • Patent number: 8356422
    Abstract: A drying system for drying a personal hydration system having a fill opening and a supply tube includes a dryer assembly providing a flow of forced air to be introduced into the fill opening of the personal hydration device. The dryer assembly includes seal-forming structure engageable with the fill opening to form a seal between the dryer assembly and the fill opening to enhance the pressurization and inflation of the personal hydration system. The dryer assembly also includes a channel defining a relief valve for permitting exhaust of air flow from the fill opening upon pressurization and inflation of the personal hydration system. The dryer assembly further includes a resilient cam arm for enabling the dryer assembly to sealingly fit variously sized fill openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Simple Matter, Inc.
    Inventors: Trent Ballentine, Jason Scott Andrews, Dennis Matthew Turner
  • Publication number: 20130008045
    Abstract: A dryer system for a firefighting ensemble comprising a housing having an air intake port and an air outlet port, a forced air assembly including a heater and a blower accommodated within the housing, a plurality of flexible porous hose segments coupled to the air outlet port operable to receive and conduct forced air therefrom, and the plurality of flexible porous hose segments are operable to conduct forced heated air into elements of the firefighting ensemble to speed drying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: JNT Link, LLC
    Inventors: John E. McLoughlin, Neocles G. Athanasiades, Kiam Meng Toh
  • Publication number: 20130008044
    Abstract: A dryer system for a firefighting ensemble comprising a housing having an air intake port and an air outlet port, a forced air assembly including a heater and a blower accommodated within the housing, a plurality of flexible porous hose segments coupled to the air outlet port operable to receive and conduct forced air therefrom, and the plurality of flexible porous hose segments are operable to conduct forced heated air into elements of the firefighting ensemble to speed drying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: JNT Link, LLC
    Inventors: John E. McLoughlin, Neocles G. Athanasiades, Kiam Meng Toh
  • Patent number: 8347522
    Abstract: A drying apparatus has a casing, a cavity formed in the casing for receiving an object, a fan located in the casing and creating an airflow, a motor arranged to drive the fan. At least one opening communicates with the fan and is arranged in the casing so as to direct an airflow transversely across the cavity. The motor and fan arrangement generate an airflow across the cavity, wherein, in use, the pressure of the airflow emitted through the opening is at least 8 kPa. The motor has a rotor which, in use, may rotate at a speed of at least 80,000 rpm. The high velocity, high pressure airflow provided by the apparatus is capable of drying an object efficiently and quickly and is suitable for use in a hand dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: James Dyson, Peter David Gammack
  • Publication number: 20130000142
    Abstract: A fuel system comprising a fuel tank, a vent tank having a duct open to the ambient atmosphere, a first vent line fluidically connecting the fuel tank ullage to the vent tank, a gas drying system including a pump and a dehumidifying device disposed within the vent tank, and a second vent line fluidically connecting a dry gas outlet of the dehumidifying device to the ullage, wherein the pump is operable to maintain a higher pressure within the ullage than in the vent tank so as to drive vapour rich gas from the ullage into the vent tank via the first vent line. Also, a method of operating the fuel system and a method of retro-fitting the gas drying system in an existing fuel system. The gas drying system may optionally be a gas drying/inerting system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Franklin Tichborne, Joseph K-W Lam, David Parmenter, Simon Masters
  • Patent number: RE43635
    Abstract: An apparatus for drying and storing an article, such as a baby bottle, after washing and rinsing includes a tray having a bottom face that is adapted to be supported by an underlying surface such as a counter-top, and an upper face. A plurality of pegs extend out from the upper face, and each peg is sized and arranged so as to be able to support an article, such as a baby bottle, after washing and rinsing. Each peg is mounted to the tray in such a manner as to be movable between a first storage position, wherein the entire peg is positioned relatively close to the upper face for storage and packaging, and a second, operative position. This permits the apparatus to be conveniently folded for packaging and storage purposes. Another aspect of the apparatus involves disk holding structure, connected to the upper face of the tray, for holding baby bottle disks in a location that is isolated from areas of the tray in which liquid may collect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventors: Steven B. Dunn, Tor H. Petterson, Grace C. Petterson, legal representative