Abstract: Disclosed is a towel rack for use during a tennis or other sports event. In one example, the towel rack includes a support for supporting a towel, and at least one display panel for displaying a message. In a disclosed method, a message is displayed during the sports event, and the towel is placed on the support such that the message is unobstructed by the towel.

Abstract: A system for dehydrating raw produce without introducing excess heat to the produce, including a first chamber for holding warm, moist air, a second chamber connected in fluidic communication with the first chamber for cooling and drying warm, moist air received from the first chamber, and a filter operationally connected between the first and second chambers for removing suspended particulates from warm, moist air flowing therethrough with a drain operationally connected to the second chamber for removing water therefrom. A third chamber is connected in fluidic communication with the second chamber for receiving cool, dry air therefrom and for receiving raw produce for drying, and a wind current generator operationally connected to the second chamber to urge cool, dry air therefrom and into the third chamber.

Abstract: A food dehydrator includes a housing, a blower member, and a plurality of food trays. The housing has an air intake port, a rear chamber disposed downstream of the air intake port, and a front chamber which is disposed downstream of the rear chamber and which has a plurality of dehydration sub-chambers for the food trays to be removably and respectively disposed therein. The blower member is disposed upstream of the air intake port for introducing air into the rear chamber. Each of the food trays is configured to permit the introduced air, which flows through an internal port of a corresponding one of the dehydration sub-chambers, to pass therethrough and leave through an outlet port of the corresponding one of the dehydration sub-chambers.

Abstract: In a method and equipment for continuous sintering of pelletized mineral material, a partition wall (7, 8) arranged between two adjacent cooling chambers (4, 5; 5, 6) is in the height direction placed at a distance from the pellet bed (2), so that in between the partition wall (7, 8) and pellet bed (2), there is left a gap (s) that allows gas to flow between two adjacent cooling chambers (4, 5; 5; 6) through the gap (s) in order to equalize the pressure between the cooling chambers.

Abstract: A radial rotary dryer improves drying efficiency for sludge and other substances, prevents clogging phenomenon, and is realized in a simple structure. The radial rotary dryer includes spaces formed by inner and outer drums and partitioned by a plurality of radial plates. The substances, which have been introduced through a drum inlet together with hot blowing air, sequentially move throughout all spaces and are dried during drum rotation. The substances are discharged through an opposite side of the inner drum. A lift plate is attached at one surface of each radial plate to improve the drying efficiency. Hammers are attached to an opposite surface of the radial plate to free-fall according to the rotation of the drum, thereby crushing the substances. The radial rotary dryer is useful to dry sewage sludge, food waste, or other industrial substances with the best drying efficiency, the minimum installation space, and a crushing function.

Abstract: A food dehydrator apparatus comprising a plurality of modular food trays, each tray comprising a generally horizontal drying rack having an upper and lower surface and openings providing for air passage extending generally vertically through the tray, a wall located at the periphery of the tray, the wall extending generally vertically at the periphery, and having a top and bottom edge, and an inner and outer wall surface, and a plurality of legs extending from the lower surface of the tray and below the lower edge of the wall, where the trays are stackable, whereby when a first tray is adjacent a second tray, the top edge of the wall of the first tray and the bottom edge of the wall of the second tray form a close fit preventing air passage therebetween, and where when the first modular food tray is position with the legs set on a substantially flat support surface, a gap is formed between the wall bottom edge and the support surface.

Abstract: The machine is operable for continuously extracting moisture or dehydrating food. A plurality of food tray are insertable into a main chamber having an air diffuser mounted on one side and an air collector on the opposite side. Air is drawn through the chamber by a blower. Heat is applied to the food by heater element incorporated at the underside of the food trays. Dampers are located at the air inlet and air exhaust ducts, which may be monitored and adjusted by temperature and moisture sensors for maintaining a selected temperature and moisture condition to extract the moisture content of the food to a desirable condition. The processed food may be retrieved from the machine while a new tray of food is being placed into the chamber.

Abstract: Liquid is removed from batches of substrates by apparatus and methods for drying substrates that have been wet in an elongated liquid bath. The substrates are moved relative to the bath and an elongated gas-filled volume at rates of movement selected according to the location of the batches of substrates in the bath or the volume. As an example, the substrates and the bath are separated at a controlled rate to form a thin layer of liquid on each substrate as each substrate enters the gas-filled volume. The gas-filled volume is defined by an elongated hot chamber and hot gas directed into the volume and across the substrates and out of the volume continuously transfers thermal energy to the substrates . The flow rate of the gas into the volume is related to introduction of the substrates into the bath to avoid disturbing the liquid in the bath.

Abstract: Liquid is removed from batches of substrates by apparatus and methods for drying substrates that have been wet in an elongated liquid bath. The substrates are moved relative to the bath and an elongated gas-filled volume at rates of movement selected according to the location of the batches of substrates in the bath or the volume. As an example, the substrates and the bath are separated at a controlled rate to form a thin layer of liquid on each substrate as each substrate enters the gas-filled volume. The gas-filled volume is defined by an elongated hot chamber and hot gas directed into the volume and across the substrates and out of the volume continuously transfers thermal energy to the substrates. The flow rate of the gas into the volume is related to introduction of the substrates into the bath to avoid disturbing the liquid in the bath.

Abstract: A dehydration apparatus and process utilizing a closed system are provided and enable substantial dehydration of biological products while enabling retention of the essential flavor and fragrance of the natural product. The apparatus comprises a heat exchanger and dehydration chamber connected in closed fashion by appropriate conduits or ducting. Appropriate blowers are provided, as are controls for the system parameters of the dehydration process.

Abstract: An oven for warming food, which includesa carcass (2) delimiting a warming chamber;a rack (8) provided with two opposed perforated sidewalls (12) and placed inside of the carcass (2) so as to create first and second lateral spaces (13A, 13B);a blower unit (14) mounted on the back wall (7) of the carcass (2);unit (15) for guiding the air blown by the blower unit (14).The unit (15) for guiding the air blown by the blower unit (14) and heated directs the air only toward the first lateral space (13A). The blower unit (14) draws the air from the second lateral space (13B).

Abstract: A fruit dehydrator is composed of a base, an isolator, a rotating frame, a screen and a cover. The base has a whirlwinder and a motor and on the top is covered with the isolator which has a blow hole. The motor has a spindle inserted through the center portion of the isolator which top portion is seated with a screen and the rotating frame. The spindle is inserted through the center portions of the isolator, the rotating frame, the screen and the cover so as to link together, which allows the wheels of the rotating frame to rotatably stand on the edge of the base, whereas food are placed on the screen and covered by the cover. By activating the motor, the food on the screen are evenly dehydrated.

Abstract: An apparatus for dehydrating fruits, vegetables and foods includes a stand having a recess, a blowing chamber having a top formed with a plurality of perforations, a fan chamber under the blowing chamber and communicated with the blowing chamber, and a tubular member close to a vertical inner wall of the recess, an electric motor fixedly mounted within the recess of the stand, a fan fitted within the fan chamber and drivingly connected with the electric motor, a base having a center hole fitted over the blowing chamber and a tubular portion close to an edge of the base, a plurality of trays each having a tubular portion aligned with the tubular portion of the base, a cover adapted to fit on an uppermost one of the trays and provided with a plurality of holes, an axle extending through the tubular member of the stand and the tubular portions of the trays, and a leg frame telescopically mounted on a bottom of the stand, whereby the trays can be easily turned open or closed as desired.

Abstract: A dryer for drying dental models includes a solid base member, a top member, a variable plurality of modular drying units, each of which includes a frame and a slidable, foraminous tray, an air blower and an articulated support arm. In use, the modular drying units are positioned in an over-and-under stacked relation, such that the slidable trays therein form a column of trays. Each slidable tray contains a central aperture and a duct extending upward from the perimeter of the central aperture. The aperture and duct in the center of each tray collectively form a channel running through the center of the column of trays. The base member is fixedly connected to the articulated support arm, which supports the dryer. The top member, which is positioned on top of the uppermost modular drying unit, includes a central aperture with an inlet tube inserted therein and exhaust vents around the perimeter of its top surface for the release of air.

Abstract: A far infrared radiation heater 33 is disposed on the back of a ceiling of a drying chamber 11. The inside of the drying chamber 11 is evenly heated by the heat emitted from the far infrared radiation heater 33. The drying chamber 11 is provided with air charge means 16 and air exhaust means 17 each communicating with the inside thereof. Outside air is introduced into the drying chamber 11 by means of the air charge means 16. On the other hand, the air exhaust means 17 continuously maintains the inside of the drying chamber 11 in a state of reduced pressure. Thus, objects to be dried which are placed in the drying chamber are dried by heating under reduced pressure while continuously introducing fresh air. Therefore, the present invention provides a system for drying objects to be dried whereby not only can dried products be produced within a short period of time but also the flavor is satisfactorily retained in the dried products.

Abstract: A system for drying fruits, spices, vegetables and the like comprises a heating compartment having an inlet for introducing a flow of drying gas and heating arrangement for elevating the temperature of the drying gas. A drying compartment is connected to and in communication with the heating compartment for holding the material to be dried. A driving arrangement is disposed in the heating compartment for directing heated drying gas through the heating compartment and into drying relationship with the material to be dried in the drying compartment. An exhaust arrangement is provided in the drying compartment for withdrawing a portion of the spent drying gas and recirculating another portion of the spent drying gas back onto the drying compartment.

Abstract: A baking oven comprises means forming an oven heating chamber, a heating means, a turbine that propels hot air toward the heating chamber, at least one hollow bridge located in the heating chamber and provided with hot air outlets, guides which guide the hollow bridge so as to shift the hollow bridge, and a bridge shifting unit arranged so as to force the bridge to make shifting movements on the guides.

Abstract: The present food dehydrator may be substantially cylindrical in shape including a base member, an air heating and circulation means, a plurality of stackable trays, and a top. Each tray includes an outer wall structure and a platform section which may be separated from each other. Removal of a platform section when the trays are stacked allows for dehydration of larger items, and otherwise allows for easier cleaning of the tray and for replacement of the platform section. Attachment and detachment is performed by rotation of the platform section with respect to the outer wall structure. A method of forming the two-piece tray for the dehydrator is also disclosed.

Abstract: A food dehydrator for drying food with a heated airflow is disclosed, the food dehydrator having a base defining a base inlet, a plurality of stackable trays defining an outer duct along the circumference of each of the plurality of trays, and a top member having an outer outlet defined along the circumference of the top member, the outer outlet being in substantial alignment with the outer duct defined by the trays.

Abstract: An enclosure is disclosed for heating or cooling food products on a pan. The enclosure preferably has transparent side walls, a closure member and a rack comprising a plurality of vertically spaced-apart pan supports each comprised of a plurality of interconnected tubular fluid carrying members, each support is maintained in spaced-apart relationship by fluid carrying conduits which communicate with the tubular members to thereby transfer heated or cooled fluid between supports from a fluid supply inlet to a fluid discharge outlet.

Abstract: A vegetable dehydrator has a base unit of a bow shape adapted to rest a whirlwind unit therein and a tray which is not limited in one, sitting on top thereon and capped by a cap. The whirlwind unit includes an upper and a lower air inlets which are passage for air sucked in by a fan both from outwardly and inwardly, a heating element located therein to raise temperature of air therein. The tray has a plurality of apertures at bottom portion for air to flow therethrough, a plurality of cut-off portions at outside surface of the tray. Each cut-off portion includes a number of notches which is to be engaged with protuberances extending outwardly from the other tray that put on top of the tray. Adjusting knob is provided on the cap so as to adjust warm air to be blown out therefrom.

Abstract: A process for drying and sterilizing items, such as laundry articles, bed clothing, leather goods, hair care instruments, medical instruments, etc., in a cabinet having an internal air circuit and an external air circuit which are in contact with one another through a condensation and refrigeration unit thereby permitting drying of an article at a warm air temperature not exceeding 100.degree. C. followed immediately by sterilization of the article in a temperature range of 121.degree. C. to 135.degree. C.

Abstract: A dryer having a drying chamber and an inlet housing structure wherein a heating device is located in the inlet housing structure. An outlet structure is provided with a main chamber and a secondary chamber wherein the flow of gas exiting the drying chamber is divided into a main flow of gas passing from the main chamber to the inlet housing structure and a secondary flow of gas passing from the secondary chamber past a condenser which is located in the secondary chamber to the inlet housing structure. Side chambers located in the housing have side walls which are formed from a perforated sheet of metal. The dryer will function in a recycled-air operation as well as a fresh-air operation.

Abstract: A dryer, especially for wood, has at least two drying chambers separated from each other by at least one partition wall, at least one fan in each of the drying chambers, and at least two connection passages for the reciprocal connection of the drying chambers. Each of the connection passages can be constricted or blocked off by blocking devices. To properly convey drying agent to where it is to be used, a fan is mounted in at least one of the drying chambers connected together by the connection passages, is associated with one connection passage, and is arranged directly adjacent to the connection passage. The blocking device includes a flap on one side only. When the flap is closed, it forms a part of the side wall of one connection passage. The flap is arranged directly in front of and in the conveying direction of the fan, such that, when it is open, it forms a deflector for the drying agent conveyed by the fan.

Abstract: Apparatus for the drying and sterilizing of fabrics, the apparatus comprising a drier cabinet provided with means for suspending therein fabric articles, and with means for generating, distributing and circulating warm air for drying purposes and hot air for the sterilization of the fabric articles.

Abstract: A baking oven comprising a housing having a proofer compartment and a baking compartment. Doors are provided for access to the compartment. Support racks are disposed in the compartments for supporting dough products therein. A heating element and conduit are associated with the proofer compartment for recirculating hot humid air therein. The baking compartment has a rear wall supported in spaced relationship to interior surfaces of the baking compartment to define an outer circumferential convection opening thereabout. An air intake port is provided in the rear wall and an impeller fan draws air through the intake port and directs it through heating elements and then expels it through the circumferential opening forwardly of the rear wall creating a recirculated heated air flow distributed through the baking compartment.

Abstract: A food processor (20), such as a smokehouse, cooker, dryer or the like, includes a food receiving chamber (22) having left and right ports (24 and 26) closed and opened by air flow control means provided by pivoted perforated louvers (44 and 46). For rightward horizontal air flow across flat-lying food products, the left set of louvers is closed such that air flow is restricted to passage only through the perforations or orifices (48) as an input port. The right set of louvers are open to provide lower resistance to and a higher volume of output air flow. This enables the discharge of th extra volume of water vapor due to moisture evaporating from the food in the chamber and in turn enables uniform air flow circulation and food processing without the accumulation of water vapor and consequent increased humidity in the chamber which would otherwise retard drying.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for blow drying hair in which the air is dehumidified by passing it through a special housing fitted with a moisture-absorbing filter insert placed ahead of the air which impinges against the hair. A regeneratable drying agent such as aluminum oxide, silica gel, or the like constitutes the moisutre absorbing filter insert. In a preferred embodiment a fan driven by an electric motor sucks the drying air through a slit in a double-walled hood which fits over the hair so that the air sucked through the slit must pass through the filter insert into an inside wall portion of the hood which is perforated and lies next to the hair which is being dried. A holder for the hood is swivelably mounted so that it can be fixed to a wall. Moist air which reaches the outside hood is recirculated to the inside wall and again fed to the filter insert for repeated dehumidification. In this manner at least part, if not all, of the air is dehumidified.

Abstract: A novel tray drying chamber having a tray-truck is provided, wherein moist material supported on the trays supported on the tray-truck are dried by the gas circulation method. The tray-truck and the drying chamber proper are constructed to form a functional unit, wherein the chamber-walls temperature controllable chamber walls and functionally cooperate with the external parts of the tray-truck to define gas-conducting passageways.

Abstract: A portable unit for heating packages containing pre-cooked cold food, the unit acting to rapidly heat up the food to a service temperature level and to thereafter maintain this level. The unit includes a case having a rack therein divided by shelves into a series of compartments, each adapted to receive a food package. Standing vertically behind the rack is an air modulator including a stationary outer tube having a series of longitudinally-aligned ports communicating with the respective compartments. Rotating within the outer tube is an inner tube having a series of angularly-displaced holes which successively register with the ports in the course of a rotary cycle. Air drawn from the free region in the front of the rack is conveyed through a heater station and from there blown into the inner tube to create a pressure differential between the free region and the inner tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for polymerization of adhesive resin applied to the junctions of tennis racket netting, comprising a container having a plurality of superimposed compartments communicating with one another and each arranged to receive a racket, a source of heat arranged below the compartments and a fan arranged above said compartments for circulation of heated air from said source of heat through said compartment and a vertical passage adjacent said compartments back to the bottom of said container.

Abstract: A freezing unit for use in a cold chamber to effect freezing of a load of pre-cooked food packages at a rate more rapid than the freezing rate of that load that would take place in the chamber in the absence of the unit. The unit includes a vertical plenum provided with a perforated wall and having an open input and a closeable output. The food packages are stacked in a rack adjacent the perforated wall of the plenum, with air spaces between the packages. Cold air drawn from the chamber atmosphere at a temperature below the freezing point of the food is forced into the input of the plenum to produce a positive pressure therein when the output is closed, thereby causing the pressurized cold air to penetrate the perforated plenum wall and pass through the air spaces in the stack at high velocity, the air returning to the cold chamber whereby rapid cooling of the packages is effected.

Abstract: The rack comprises a plurality of hollow, sheet metal shelves supported in spaced, horizontal planes by four tubular corner posts. Two rows of animal cages of generally box-like configuration are removably suspended beneath each shelf, with the upper, open end of each cage disposed in near sealing engagement with the underside of the shelf from which it is suspended. Each shelf is divided into three compartments which extend between opposite ends of the rack. The middle compartment of each shelf overlies adjacent portions of the cages in each of the two rows suspended therebeneath, and has in its bottom a plurality of spaced openings so that each cage is in communication at its upper end with the middle compartment. The two outer compartments of each shelf overlie, respectively, the remaining portions of the cages in the two rows thereof, and also have in their lower sides spaced openings which communicate with the interiors of the cages positioned therebeneath.

Abstract: A food holding cabinet having a closed loop air circulating system to control both heat and humidity, the system including a blower having an air inlet at the front-top-center of the interior of the cabinet, the outlet of the blower being connected to an elongated heating tube the discharge end of which directs heated air over a water reservoir containing a plurality of upwardly projecting removable heat transfer plates. The quantity of moisture introduced into the flowing air is controlled by varying the number of heat transfer plates. The heated and humidified air flows downwardly through a duct at the rear of the cabinet, the duct having rows of perforations aligned with the undersides of product containing trays or baskets in the cabinet, the air being drawn through the cabinet for return to the blower inlet. Heat is controlled by a temperature controller having a probe mounted in the inlet to the blower.

Abstract: An electrically operated dehydrator in the form of perforated trays stacked one on top of the other where the bottom tray is equipped with a blower-heater package and the top tray forms a solid cover. Air is drawn in by the blower from underneath the bottom tray, it is heated and then forced to rise through the perforated trays. A portion of the air is being recirculated into the blower through a central duct whereas the remainder of the air is allowed to bleed-out through a series of openings in the top.

Abstract: A cylindrically shaped food dehydrator is disclosed including a base member, a plurality of stackable trays and a top member. The base member has a blower for moving air through the trays. The air flow in the trays moves from the circumference of the tray to the center of the tray.

Abstract: A cabinet dehydrator for home preservation of food under relative humidity, pressure, and temperature restraints. Intake air is obtained from the surrounding atmosphere and displaced into the dehydrator over heating elements by a blower. This heated air is ported through a manifold defined by the cabinet walls having a sloping chamber which narrows toward the top of the cabinet to evenly displace the heated air over the tops of removable drying trays. The heated air withdraws moisture from the articles of food placed on the drying trays, and is partially exhausted through exhaust portals, depending upon the relative humidity, temperature, and pressure of the surrounding atmosphere. The remaining heated air is mixed with an amount of surrounding air entering through intake portals to replace the amount exhausted. This mixture of heated air and intake air is then heated and recirculated by the blower until the articles of food are dried.

Abstract: A food service system for institutional or other use is provided by a stack of insulated trays and a cart. In one embodiment the cart includes a heating and/or cooling source with an outlet and a return. The trays are provided with openings to permit the passage of heated or cooled air from the outlet through the stack to the return. In another embodiment the trays and cart are combined with a refrigeration unit and a heating unit to permit simultaneous heating and cooling of food portions held in the trays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for subjecting commodities to treatment through contact with fluid media including a plurality of movable conveyances having walls and being arranged so as to form a conveyance train which forms a part of a single endless fluid conveying duct.

Abstract: Shown is a baking oven or other gas treating apparatus having a novel gas distribution-box construction for circulation or impingement of a gaseous treating medium around or against goods conducted through the apparatus. The present invention is particularly applicable to the baking of baked goods, but also is applicable to the drying or treating of particulate material or webs of material and has other uses.

Abstract: A food service system for institutional or other use is provided by a stack of insulated trays and a cart. In one embodiment the cart includes a heating and/or cooling source with an outlet and a return. The trays are provided with openings to permit the passage of heated or cooled air from the outlet through the stack to the return. In another embodiment the trays and cart are combined with a refrigeration unit and a heating unit to permit simultaneous heating and cooling of food portions held in the trays.

Abstract: A tunnel oven for bakery purposes has a plurality of horizontally- and vertically-spaced hot air supply orifices in each of its vertical walls. At least some and preferably all such orifices are individually adjustable slots. Each wall also has air extraction orifices connected to suitable ducting.

Abstract: A dehydrator for the drying of small articles including a cabinet having a series of vertically spaced trays offset from a relatively large diameter fan blade structure. The fan blade structure drives air through a first airflow zone of cylindrical configuration while a second airflow zone, located interiorly of the first zone, is occupied by an airflow opposite in direction to the first airflow and induced by a negative pressure area rearward of the fan blade. The negative pressure area is communicated to the dryer by means of the fan blade's apertured central area. Said negative pressure area rearward of the fan blade receives a flow of air through the fan blade which flow is recirculated past a heat source whereupon the fan vanes again drive the air past the articles being dried. A modified form of fan blade structure incorporates vane components located in the central area of the blade to assist in air recirculation.

Abstract: A drying kiln for lumber. The kiln comprises a drying chamber having two spaced drying sections each to receive a stack of lumber. There is a second chamber above the drying chamber and drivable, reversible, circulating means in the second chamber. The kiln also has heating means for air circulated by the circulating means. A first passageway permits the circulating means to force heated air across the drying sections, across the space between them and back to the circulating means. A second passageway extends downwardly into the space between the dryer section. There is a first and a second closable inlet for the second passageway. Each inlet is positioned on a side of the circulating means to receive a proportion of air forced towards it by the circulating means. A plurality of outlets to said space are in said second passageway. Means control the first and second inlets whereby if one is open the other is closed.

Abstract: A system for drying a large quantity of wood efficiently, which includes: a wood drying room capable of being sealed; a combustion-gas generator provided with an air-inlet conduit for introducing fresh air for combustion use into a combustion chamber provided in a lower area of the combustion-gas generator; a combustion-gas supplying passage extending from an upper area of the combustion-gas generator to an upper area of the wood drying room; an exhaust-gas discharging conduit extending from a bottom area of the wood drying room to a chimney; a combustion-gas recovery conduit extending from the bottom area of the wood drying room to the combustion-gas generator, and a gas flow-rate control unit provided in at least one of the exhaust-gas discharging conduit and the combustion-gas recovery conduit.