Abstract: An apparatus for drying and conveying pistachios comprises a plurality of fixed and moveable slotted plates. The moveable plates are interleaved with the fixed plates and reciprocate to push pistachio nuts along the surface of the plates. Heated air is blown through the plates to dry the pistachios.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for drying and de-wrinkling an article of clothing; including a housing having an upper compartment, a lower compartment, and a dividing wall separating the compartments. An exhaust hole is disposed through one side of the upper compartment of the housing, and an intake hole and an outflow hole are disposed through the dividing wall. A mechanical assembly is disposed within the upper compartment and includes a fan, heater, thermostat and humidity sensor. An exhaust fan is in fluid communication with the exhaust hole and is adapted to control a flow of air through the exhaust hole in the side of the housing. A control system is disposed within the upper compartment and accepts an input from a user, a temperature input, and a humidity input, and controls the heater, the fan and the exhaust fan based upon the temperature input and the humidity input.

Abstract: The invention produces equipment for drying bales of forage comprising: at least one unit for generating hot air (30) channeled onto at least one pair of treatment units (A, B) stack one over the other, each having a rectangular bottom chamber (2, 5) and top chamber (4, 6), kept apart by spacing devices (40, 41; 60, 61; 103, 104) supporting the top chamber above the bottom chamber, and where one or more telescopic columns (A1, A2, A3; B1, B2, B3) set between the bottom chamber and the top chamber transfer the hot air from the bottom chamber to the top one. The bales are set in each treatment unit between the bottom chamber (2, 5) and the top chamber (4, 6) stacked in two layers so that they can be dried by the countercurrent flow of hot air. One or more of the telescopic columns (A3; A1, A2) is provided with shutoff dampers (20; 101, 102) suited to opening/closing the air flow from the bottom treatment unit (A) to the top treatment unit (B).

Abstract: A high-efficiency drying kiln, particularly for wood-like material, constituted by an internal chamber, which is covered with thermally insulating material and is provided with at least one opening for loading and extracting the material to be treated; two flues for recirculation of the air inside the chamber by aspirating and delivering air respectively from and into the outside environment; an air heating device; an air acceleration duct and air acceleration elements located inside the acceleration duct; the air acceleration duct has, at least at its output section, elements for orienting in an axial direction the air stream that is forced by the acceleration elements.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for reducing solvent residue in a solvent-type dryer for drying semiconductor wafers have been disclosed. The apparatus is constructed by a tank body, a wafer carrier, an elevator means, a tank cover, a solvent vapor conduit and an exhaust means. The exhaust means is provided for fluid communication with a compartment in the tank cover such that any residual solvent vapor or any organic residue in the compartment left from the wafer drying cycle can be evacuated to a factory exhaust system. The present invention novel method for reducing solvent or organic residue in the dryer can be carried out, after the removal of the dried wafers from the dryer, by evacuating the compartment in the tank cover for a time period of between about 30 sec. and about 300 sec. until all residual solvent vapor or organic residue is evacuated.

Abstract: A gas injection system for a reflow soldering oven includes a conveyor for moving reflow solder components to the oven from the input to the output through a plurality of heating zones; at least one conduit on one side of the conveyor is adapted for connection to a source of inert gas and a plurality of impingement holes in the conduit proximate at least one of the heating zones blankets the components with inert gas during the solder reflow to reduce the presence of oxygen.

Abstract: A kiln chamber has an air moving device for circulating air in the chamber interior space along a flow path, and pipe banks positioned in the chamber interior space. Each pipe bank includes finned pipes for having a heated medium flow interiorly therethrough, and each pipe bank is positioned in the flow path so that air circulated by the air moving device flows exteriorly across the finned pipes. Each finned pipe has an elongate portion having opposite ends and extending in a longitudinal direction between the opposite ends, with the longitudinal direction being at least generally perpendicular to the portion of the flow path that is proximate the finned pipe. The pipe banks are spaced apart from one another and arranged side by side with respect to one another so that a portion of the flow path extends between adjacent ones of the pipe banks.

Abstract: The invention concern a chamber for drying animal waste, in particular poultry manure, adapted to receive a mixture (M) of fresh waste and dry waste, the floor thereof being adapted to retain the mixture (M) while being permeable to air (A), said floor consisting of an assembly of elements (60, 60′) each capable of forming means for retaining the waste and including means (T) which periodically enable to transfer outside the chamber (1) and through said floor (6) a fraction of the dry waste.

Abstract: A crop dehydrator is disclosed that includes a large hollow cylinder, openable at one or both ends, that is air-tight and connected to an air-pump or vacuum pump capable of maintaining a moderate vacuum in the cylinder. As the air is pumped out of the cylinder, the water in a crop in the chamber vaporizes and is pumped out of the cylinder.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for continuously drying vegetables, particularly leaf vegetables, comprising a mechanical drying section and a thermodynamic drying section, said mechanical drying section comprising a preliminary dripping section and a water removal section, or de-watering section, and said thermodynamic drying section comprising a hot section and a cold section.

Abstract: The present invention is that of a new and improved ball dryer that is designed to pull the moisture away from wet and waterlogged balls, primarily footballs, at an accelerated rate, preferably 10 minutes or less. The present invention would be battery-powered or have a generator for a power source. The present invention works by blowing tremendous amounts of air by the ball. Alternatively, the present drying apparatus mechanism works as a high-powered dehydrator or as a convectional oven.

Abstract: A turning device (8) for sludge and deposits (3) is proposed which moves along differing paths spread out on a floor (6), through the sludge or deposit (3). The turning device (8) can be used in a solar drier for sewage sludge or other deposits.

Abstract: A protective device for use in protecting hay bales and preventing spoilage thereof, the device comprising a cover designed to substantially cover an upper surface of the hay bale, the cover being spaced from the upper surface thereof and having a vent to permit the egress of air from the space between the upper surface and the cover and to prevent the increase ingress of moisture therethrough. The cover preferably has means of securing itself to the hay bale. The cover minimizes deterioration of the hay and is particularly adapted for use with so called round bales stored on their side.

Abstract: An electromotive curtain machine for drying clothes using a rain sensor, a sunshine sensor, and a wind sensor which will send existing rain, sun, or wind conditions to a central processing unit so as to control a curtain driving unit. The curtain driving unit will close curtains to protect drying clothes from undesirable weather elements. When more desirable weather elements exist, the curtain driving unit will open curtains so that the clothes drying may continue. Curtain rails are used on the electromotive curtain machine capable of withstanding strong winds. The electromotive curtain machine is suitable for a narrow apartment veranda or a house where the space is limited.

Abstract: A sealed storage container includes a large storage compartment and a smaller cartridge chamber near the bottom of the storage container for a carbon dioxide gas cartridge. The cartridge chamber communicates with the storage compartment via a piercing orifice mechanism. The mechanism pierces the carbon dioxide gas cartridge when the cartridge is loaded into the cartridge chamber and pushed into the piercing orifice by a closure plug. When the cartridge is pierced; the carbon dioxide gas flows into the storage compartment and displaces the air in the storage compartment. The displaced air is exhausted through a small exhaust orifice near the top of a side wall of the storage container. When a sufficient amount of air is displaced, the exhaust orifice is sealed with a pipe plug.

Abstract: A lumber predrying/drying kiln comprises a multiplicity of panels, a multiplicity of mats, and resin. Each panel comprises a multiplicity of plates and a block of insulation. The plates comprise fibrous glass strands embedded in a resin. The plates surround and encapsulate each block of insulation. Panels are placed next to each other, and above and/or below each other, end-to-end, to form walls and a roof of the kiln. They are connected with several alternating layers of fiberglass mats and resin wide enough to cover the joint between, and rigidly and structurally connect, the panels.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for freeze drying of especially biologically or pharmaceutical material under sterile conditions, wherein the material to be dried is introduced into a container the sides of which consist at least partly of a hydrophobic, porous, micro-organism-impermeable, water vapor-permeable membrane, the container is tightly closed and the material is subsequently freeze dried in the closed container under the usual conditions. The present invention also provides a container for freeze drying materials under sterile conditions, wherein the sides of the container consist at least partly of a hydrophobic, porous, germ-impermeable, water vapor-permeable membrane.

Abstract: A clothes dryer door assembly adapted for mounting in alternate positions so that the door assembly can be made to open from either side. The door assembly includes an outer panel to which a handle, latching mechanism, and hinges are mounted, and inner liner having a bowed out lower portion forming an internal chamber through which air is exhausted to a lint filter. In reversing the mounting side, the inner liner is first disconnected from the door panel and then reconnected after the door panel has been inverted. Thus, the hinges, handle, and latching mechanism of the door panel are relocated for mounting to the opposite side of the access opening of the dryer cabinet, but the lower portion of the liner remains on the bottom.

Abstract: A kiln for the drying of lumber utilizing panels attached to the kiln structure. The attached panels form the interior surface and the exterior surface of the kiln. The panels have a cavity for the placement of insulating material. The insulating material is encapsulated in a liquid impervious container thus preventing condensates from infiltrating the insulating material. The isolation of the insulating material from the ambient moist air of the kiln maintains the insulating quality of the insulation normally lost due to exposure to moisture laden air and also aids in preventing the corrosive effect of moist insulation in contact with the metal surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for warming medical instruments, such as a stethoscope, includes a wall mountable, multi-walled, vented housing having a front access opening closed by a hinged translucent panel and an open bottom. A reflective, flexible metal liner having a lower portion overlying the open housing bottom reflects radiant heat from an electric lamp heat source in the housing toward an instrument to be heated vertically positioned in a support formed in the lower portion of the liner and aligned with a slot in the lower portion leading to the access opening. The heat source is thermostatically controlled.

Abstract: A clothes dryer door assembly adapted for mounting in alternate positions so that the door assembly can be made to open from either side. The door assembly includes an outer panel to which a handle, latching mechanism, and hinges are mounted, and inner liner having a bowed out lower portion forming an internal chamber through which air is exhausted to a lint filter. In reversing the mounting side, the inner liner is first disconnected from the door panel and then reconnected after the door panel has been inverted. Thus, the hinges, handle, and latching mechanism of the door panel are relocated for mounting to the opposite side of the access opening of the dryer cabinet, but the lower portion of the liner remains on the bottom.

Abstract: A clamshell housing encloses a nail dryer. The housing includes a cover pivotally connected to a base. The cover may be opened by applying leverage to it and exposing a nail drying zone. The cover may be pivotally closed to form a compact package when not in use. A nail drying fan is actuated when the cover is opened thus closing an electrical circuit. The electrical connection is interrupted when the cover is tipped into a closed position.

Abstract: A tunnel for cooling, heating, or drying products of the foodstuffs and especially confectionery industries. The tunnel has a base, especially one comprising several adjacent segments (4), a series of self-supporting hoods (5) that have a cross-section in the form of an inverted U and are made of rigid expanded plastic, tracks (9) between the edges of the base (2) and the walls (7) of the hoods to create a seal, and a belt (21) to convey the products (22) longitudinally through the interior (10) of the tunnel. Take-apart hinges (13 or 26) are positioned between the edges of the base and the walls of the hoods on each side of the tunnel.

Abstract: Apparatus including a platform including fixed forward legs and adjustable rear legs to permit tilting of the platform and effecting drainage rearwardly thereof through associated drainage openings and a sponge collector. A framework is fixedly mounted extending outwardly of the platform to define a support for a transparent cover sheet surroundingly overlying and encompassing the framework and securable to the platform utilizing complementary hook and loop fasteners formed to the platform and to the cover sheet. A vacuum blower directs drying air through the covering sheet and associated slots formed within the covering sheet through the vacuum source to effect drying of a pet contained within the cover sheet mounted on the platform. A front panel of the cover sheet includes an upper opening for positioning of a pet's head therethrough and a lower opening underlying the upper opening for securement of a leash and the like directed therethrough.

Abstract: In a pasta dryer (1) with an insulation cladding encasing the dryer, the side parts of which cladding consist of individual convex wall elements (10) which can be braced in their edge regions against frame parts (13) of the dryer, the wall elements (10) are of convex design in the shape of a cylinder section and the associated frame parts (13) are adapted correspondingly.

Abstract: A trailer for storing and/or drying harvested crops, such as peanuts, which trailer is economical to build yet will store a large volume of harvested crops and will prevent mold by natural air flow therethrough. The trailer has a front truck axle with a frame for a deep narrow box being mounted thereon. The frame is enclosed on the sides with cattle panel wire and hardware cloth attached to the frame. A perforated, galvanized, corrugated tin forms a floor of the deep narrow box. An inner cage provides extra air space for drying. A gate is provided at the lower rear of the deep narrow box and a hitch at the lower front. Welded angle iron forms the frame along with diagonal braces and cross rods. Ladder steps are formed by steps attached to the angle iron.

Abstract: A movable dryer for lumber products comprising a housing able to be displaced on rails secured to a slab and provided with a first roller bearing on the ground. A first motor is mounted on the housing and actuates a lifting jack which imparts a vertical movement to the housing. A second motor is mounted on the housing and actuates the first roller. A second roller assembly bears on the rails and is integral with the lifting jack. Provision is made for a fan for circulating the air through the housing and a heating device for supplying the required thermic operating gradient to the dryer. A control is provided for controlling the aforesaid dryer operations, thus enabling the dryer to be moved from a first resting location to a second one.

Abstract: A trailer for storing and/or drying harvested crops, such as peanuts, which trailer is economical to build yet will store a large volume of harvested crops and will prevent mold by natural air flow therethrough. The trailer has a front truck axle with a frame for a deep narrow box being mounted thereon. The frame is enclosed on the sides with cattle panel wire and hardware cloth attached to the frame. A perforated, galvanized, corrugated tin forms a floor of the deep narrow box. A gate is provided at the lower rear of the deep narrow box and a hitch at the lower front. Welded angle iron forms the frame along with diagonal braces and cross rods. Ladder steps are formed by steps attached to the angle iron.

Abstract: A procedure for boosting the ventilation in drying sections of paper machines provided with a closed hood (1). In the procedure, air is blown on such surfaces which are susceptible to condensate precipitation. Air jets (F.sub.1,F.sub.2) are blown mainly obliquely downward through air ducts (11A,11B) disposed adjacent to both side walls (7A,7B) of the hood (1), above all towards the inner surfaces of the door, hatch and/or window structures (12A,12B,16,17) in association with the lower part of the walls (7A,7B) of the hood (1). The blowing air is taken to the air ducts (11A,11B) from the air within the hood (1) or as a mixture of air within the hood (1) and of dry replacement air. For air ducts (11A,11B) are used horizontal air ducts (11A,11B) extending the length of the hood (1) and on which have been disposed blowing nozzles (8A,8B), of which the blowing direction is obliquely towards the inner surfaces of doors (12A,12B) or equivalent of the hood (1) adjacent to them or below them.

Abstract: A tunnel for refrigerating, heating, or drying products of the foodstuffs and especially the confectionery industry. The hoods that constitute the tunnel are connected to its base by spreaders and can be lifted off it independently of one another to above the conveyer belt.

Abstract: A canopy kiln system is provided in the form of a flat-topped tent of flexible material (lightweight canvas, etc.) having depending walls to form, when in use, an enclosure for housing one or more articles to be treated or cured, one example being in the curing of cast concrete pipe. One end of the roof of the tent is attached to a wall or the like and is stretched out overlying the articles and has its free end provided with a transverse stiffener, referred to as a strongback. The strongback is detachably connected to support structure remote from the wall and the sides or curtains of the canopy form walls. The folding mechanism comprises an overhead hoist that picks up the strong-back and moves it--and of course the canopy--toward the wall. During this movement, intermediate lift mechanism picks up an intermediate part of the roof to keep it from sagging.

Abstract: A thermally insulating wall comprises an air-permeable thermally insulating material layer and two panels cooperating therewith to define internal and external interstices, communicating with the space to be insulated. A blower is furthermore provided effective to draw air from the outside and deliver the drawn air into the external interstice through a throttling valve.

Abstract: Drying tower installation having a folding chamber built up of a number of individual interconnected sections formed by similarly shaped bearing members provided with an elastic outer covering. The top bearing member of an upper section has a means for holding the chamber on a support. Provision is also made for a chamber raising means, comprising at least three wire ropes which with one of their ends fixed on the bottom bearing member of the lower section, and with the other ends thereof linked to a rope reeling mechanism.

Abstract: A system for minimizing manual handling of tobacco leaves for bulk cure comprises a container for use in forced air curing of tobacco in bulk, a kiln having a floor arrangement to effect better control of air flow in achieving forced air cure in such containers and apparatus to facilitate handling of containers from the field, placement in and removal from a kiln. The bulk cure container sidewalls have a plurality of projections to define internally of the container a plurality of obstructions which impede the flow of air along container sidewall interior filled with tobacco in bulk form. The kiln has a floor arrangement which provides a plurality of cavities adapted to sealingly engage container bottoms. The apparatus for handling the containers includes a mobile frame supporting a pair of spaced-apart rails. Such rails cooperate with corresponding pairs of rails in kiln so as to be interconnectable therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for processing products aligned on a tape. In the present embodiment, the products are shown to be heat recoverable sleeves which are conveyed to a control station for insertion of a terminal. The work is then released from the control station and allowed to pass across a heater which recovers the sleeve about the terminal. To accomplish the above, a drive having a friction coupling and a positive coupling are employed to convey the work through the apparatus. A conditioned atmosphere process apparatus is employed for the heating of the sleeves and a controlled product feed apparatus controls the feeding of the work to the control station.

Abstract: A method and preferred apparatus for conditioning materials such as tobacco using an airflow distributor means. A conveyor transports the material along a path, and means to control the conditioning of the material are located at selected locations. A source of gas produces a gas stream, and means are operatively associated with the source of gas to selectively condition the gas stream. Flow straightening means having a structure such as a honeycomb panel are positioned upstream of the material being transported on the conveyor. The gas stream source is positioned to direct the gas stream through the flow straightening means to spread the gas stream evenly across the conveyor surface for uniform conditioning of the transported material. The conditioning may include heating and/or cooling the material, introducing moisture into the gas stream, adding chemicals into the gas stream, or selected combinations of these.

Abstract: A meat dehydrator is disclosed and process utilizing same for the preparation of dehydrated meat comestibles. The meat dehydrator comprises a circular pan member and a circular grill member contacting said pan and supported above a bottom surface of the pan. A cylinder member which opens upward and downward and has upper and lower rims is mounted on bracket means of the grill to thereby define a cylindrical dehydrating chamber above the grill and spaced apart from the grill to provide an opening between the lower rim and the pan member to allow air passage therebetween. A circular lid cover is also disclosed movably mounted at the upper rim of the cylinder member to define a top of the cylindrical chamber disposed below. The lid cover includes means for mounting a heating element to extend from the lid into the cylindrical chamber to provide the heat source for the dehydration of meat.

Abstract: A portable dryer for drying articles of clothing includes a rigid housing formed with openings near its bottom, attachment means located near the top of the housing for securing at least one external drying means thereto for operatively supplying heated air into the housing. Heated air operatively received from the hair dryer in the housing and passing therethrough is expelled from the housing through the openings.

Abstract: A curing module is provided of generally rectangular solid configuration of which the bottom is imperforate and includes runners to facilitate lifting by fork lift; the top is imperforate with means for minimizing air leakage between the tobacco and top inner surface; the rear wall is imperforate with horizontal ledges to support the ends of tines which penetrate the tobacco; the front is generally imperforate, but opens to facilitate loading and when closed enables insertion of sharp rods which penetrate the tobacco and provide vertical support; and two opposed perforate side walls which permit horizontal cross-flow of the curing gas. One wall of which may be hinged to permit mechanized unloading of the cured leaf. Also provided is a simplified curing structure to receive the modules which are stacked by conventional fork lift equipment and to direct curing air horizontally through the perforate sides of the modules at controlled temperature, himidity and velocity.

Abstract: Particulate foamed fertilizers and combination products in which other active ingredients are combined with such fertilizers. Methods and apparatus for making foamed fertilizers and combination products in which provision is made for combining ingredients, curing, drying, and comminuting the material thus obtained, separating and agglomerating fines and adding them to the comminuted product, and incorporating active ingredients into the comminuted product.

Abstract: A tobacco handling and curing system and method is provided and in one aspect includes a curing container of generally rectangular solid configuration of which four side walls are generally imperforate and a pair of opposed side walls are perforate for the passage of curing gas therethrough. Such container may include one or more perforate interior transverse walls parallel to the opposed walls; adjustable edge baffles for the perforate side walls; and means carried by a pair of imperforate side walls to assist in handling the container. In another aspect of the present invention, novel curing mechanism is provided to receive a plurality of the containers and to direct gas therethrough at predeterminable temperature, humidity and volume.