Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing whole head vegetables, characterized by a core end, and an open leafy end, is disclosed. Whole head vegetables pass through a washer which has a bottom belt which runs through the length of the washing line and passes through a first and a second tank (or more tanks) of cleaning water. Between the first and second cleaning tanks, a plurality of spray bars further clean the whole head vegetables. Top belts at each of the cleaning tanks above the bottom belt to secure the produce as it passes through the first cleaning tank and through the second cleaning tank. The lower belt, and the upper belts are controlled by a single speed control system resulting in less damage to the produce. Additionally, the angle of the belts conveying the produce through the two cleaning tanks is chosen for optimum performance.

Abstract: A drying apparatus is provided for drying objects such as citrus fruit that has been coated with an aqueous coating such as wax. The apparatus includes a housing that is divided into four distinct zones, two each above and below a conveyor for conveying fruit through the dryer. An indirect fired heater is provided, and fans that circulate drying air at high velocity in a reverse air flow pattern. The housing of the dryer is constructed in a unique shape so each successive zone is alternately converging and diverging. With this arrangement, air is balanced in the treatment zones and passes over the fruit twice, first in one direction, and then in the other, to achieve even and complete drying.

Abstract: The objects of the present invention are a barn and a procedure for curing Virginia type tobacco. The barn consists of an air heating device with an impulsion fan (9) connected by means of an inlet duct (10) to several curing units (1-8) where the Virginia type tobacco leaves are contained said curing units (1-8) being mutually connected. The heated air introduced into the barn by the fan (9) flows continuously and sequentially through the curing units (1-8), said air thereby acquiring the adequate moisture and temperature for each step of the Virginia type tobacco curing process.The barn and procedure of the invention provide improved fuel efficiency and ease of management.

Abstract: A method and drying apparatus for drying a quantity of sludge.

Abstract: An air drying cartridge for use in an air drying system is disclosed. The air drying cartridge comprises a telescoping casing resiliently self adjustable in height which has an inner cylindrical apertured wall and an outer cylindrical apertured wall. The inner apertured wall has a facing surface, an upper end and a lower end. The outer apertured wall has a facing surface, an upper end and a lower end. The facing surface of the inner apertured wall is disposed to face the facing surface of the outer apertured wall thereby defining an opening therebetween. The air drying cartridge also includes a porous filter liner, a pair of sealing caps and a moisture absorbing material for extracting moisture from air flowing through the air drying cartridge. The porous filter liner is situated adjacent to each of the facing surfaces within the opening. One of the pair of sealing caps affixes to the upper ends of the apertured walls and another affixes to the lower ends of the apertured walls.

Abstract: The dryer for a motor vehicle washing and drying system includes three downwardly-facing nozzles. The nozzles oscillate in a synchronized manner, with two side nozzles oscillating over a limited range only. A center nozzle, disposed between the two side nozzles, oscillates over a wider range to drive water on the upper surface of the vehicle towards the side nozzles. The side nozzles then drive the water along the contours of the vehicle surface down the sides of the vehicle using the Coanda effect. One of the side nozzles as well as the center nozzle is moved in an inward or outward direction depending upon the sensed width of the vehicle. The center nozzle is rotated in a forward or rearward direction as the vehicle moves underneath the dryer. Each nozzle contains a unique ovoid-shaped member disposed in the nozzle to accelerate and concentrate the output of the nozzles.

Abstract: Apparatus for contacting a circuit board substrate with etching fluid or some other chemical includes a conveyor system comprised of upper and lower rotating disks for receiving and transporting the circuit board substrate while the substrate is contacted with fluid. The apparatus includes a labyrinth seal which is used to prevent fluid from escaping from the apparatus. A shunting system permits the type of fluid applied to the substrate to be readily altered. Housing units incorporated in the apparatus are readily secured together with a resilient clamp.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for coating a product such as a medicament in the shape of a tablet. The apparatus includes a plurality of plates for receiving and retaining the products and means for advancing the plates on a conveyor to various processing stations. At a dipping station, a dipping means lowers and raises at least one plate into a first coating tank for coating at least a portion of the product. At a rotating station, a rotation means rotates one of the plates containing the product for spreading the coating on the product. After rotation, a first elevator transfers the plates from the conveyor to a dryer disposed above the conveyor. A second elevator transfers the plates from the dryer back to the conveyor for further processing. The dryer includes complementary acting pusher bars for transporting a plurality of plates horizontally along a plurality of vertically spaced guides.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a process as well as an apparatus for the production of elongated pasta products, particularly lasagna, wherein the pasta products are formed via a pasta production apparatus in parallel lines, positioned on drying rods, dried and upon solidification, cut into packaging lengths and packed for consumer use. After cutting, the lasagna are moved, in series, via slides, and stacked in portions, of predeterminable numbers, at a conveyor. The conveyor preferably takes the form of a ring-type conveyor for the serial packaging of these portions, whereby inspections, additions and exact weight determination of these portions can be accomplished.

Abstract: An improved food warmer is provided and consists of a cabinet having a chamber therein. A pair of doors are hinged to the front of the cabinet, so as to gain access into the chamber. A mechanism is for emitting heat into the chamber of the cabinet, so as to warm up food placed within the chamber.

Abstract: A cake decorating utensil organizing container is disclosed for providing a container to store a variety of cake decorating utensils in a secure, organized and readily accessible manner. Clean, wet pastry tips may be stored in an erect position in individual sleeves in outwardly rotatable holders, with moisture from the pastry tips caught on outwardly rotatable drip trays. Evaporation of moisture is facilitated by ventilation holes. Additional cake decorating utensils may be stored in a removable utensil tray and also in a base portion. The container may be rapidly disassembled into component parts for cleaning.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for drying timber in which the timber is fed gradually through a drying tunnel while at the same time being permeated by a drying air with a temperature below 80.degree. C. transported primarily in the longitudinal direction of the tunnel. Said drying tunnel is divided into two separate sections with said drying air divided into two circulating substreams, of which one flows through the first section of the tunnel in the direction of motion of the timber and the other through the second section of the tunnel contrary to the direction of motion of the timber, after which said substreams are conditioned and returned to their section.

Abstract: The invention permits the ends of a hollow fiber bundle to be dried, without drying the intermediate portions of the bundles, thereby enabling the bundle to be potted. The apparatus includes at least one drying member having two couplings for coupling a source of forced hot air to respective ends of a sheath designed to contain a bundle of hollow fibers. At each of its ends, the sheath includes at least one axial opening through which the hot air penetrates into the sheath, and at least one lateral opening through which the hot air leaves the sheath after passing over the ends of the fibers. The inlet air flow rate to the sheath and the dimensions of the openings are selected so that all of the air entering each of the ends of the sheath leaves via a corresponding lateral opening.

Abstract: A dryer used to remove a flammable solvent or vapors from a traveling web of material supported in flotation by opposing air bars. The dryer consists of a large metallic cylinder through which the web of material moves longitudinally. Seals in the ends of the metallic cylinder at the point of entry and point of exit of the traveling web provide for a control system to maintain the desired environment under controlled pressure within the metallic cylinder. The web of material travels successively through one or more zones within the metallic cylinder. In each drying zone, the web of material is exposed to pressurized atmosphere at predetermined temperatures. The solvent is recovered from the pressurized atmosphere by rapid cooling, membrane separation, or absorption. Sensors within each zone of the dryer measure the oxygen content of the pressurized atmosphere. If the oxygen content exceeds a given threshold, pressurized nitrogen or other inert gas is added.

Abstract: A solvent vapor control apparatus used in conjunction with a degreaser or defluxer into which articles to be degreaser or defluxed are conveyed into intimate contact with liquid solvent and/or a vapor phase thereof is disclosed. The vapor control apparatus includes a housing having a conveyor flow path with an inlet opening in communication with solvent vapor in the degreaser/defluxer and an outlet in communication with ambient air. The inlet is preferably disposed elevationally above the solvent vapor zone to impede outflux of solvent vapor. A baffle defining the uppermost extent of the conveyor flow path establishes a low point in the path disposed elevationally below adjacent upstream and downstream sections of the path. The low point is provided with chilled air which condenses solvent vapor as the articles are forced to enter the chilled air section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drilling a wellbore in the earth from a location in a body of water wherein the drilling operation generates a substantial amount of a mixture of solid drilling cuttings, water, and at least one hydrocarbonaceous oil, wherein the water and oil are removed from the solid drilling cuttings so that the cuttings are put into a condition in which they can be disposed of in the body of water or elsewhere without adverse effects.

Abstract: This invention comprises a treating apparatus and method that, in one continuous process, applies a treating solution to a wood article by utilizing a radial dipping apparatus, removes excess treating solution from the treated wood article, dries the remaining protective coating on the wood article by utilizing a radial drying apparatus, and then, if desired, paints the coated article and finally cures the paint to provide immediate assembly of the wood article into a window or door frame.

Abstract: Double-flow dehydration tunnel characterized in that it comprises, above an intermediate space (5), a collecting and channelling means (20) arranged to collect separately the current of hot air (10) coming from the recycling duct (7) containing the heater (9) and the current of less hot air (15) coming from the recycling duct not containing a heater, to divert these two substantially horizontal currents into substantially vertical currents and to channel them in the form of a multitude of laminar streams (32, 33) parallel to the vertical axial plane of the tunnel, the streams (32, 33) from one source and the other being in alternate positions and axially offset at least on one edge, in such a manner that their mixing produces an air current comprising two zones (34, 35) at different temperatures in the axial direction and substantially homogeneous in the transverse direction, the less hot zone (35) being oriented on the side where the parallel flow section (4) is located.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing water from solid drill cuttings is disclosed. The apparatus includes a rotatable, cylindrical retort vessel having a counter rotating auger-type conveyor therein, with the vessel heated by an induction heating coil surrounding the vessel and travelling along the length thereof. In a preferred embodiment the apparatus includes a general assembly of a pair of retort vessels each with a counter rotating auger-type conveyor therein, located generally in the same vertical plane, with the downstream end of the upper vessel being in communication with the upstream end of the lower vessel. A method of removing water from drill cuttings is also disclosed.

Abstract: A drier cabinet for drying fire-hoses of other similar hoses comprises an elongated horizontal receptacle (10), in which a plurality of hoses (19) may be placed side by side in extended positions to undergo drying in said receptacle. In order to permit a continuous operation of the drier cabinet, the receptacle (10) is divided into two parallel drying chambers (11), extending in side by side relationship along the length of the receptacle. At their upper ends, the drying chambers (11) have longitudinally extending openings which are individually closable by means of appurtenant covers (13). The two covers (13) are rigidly mounted on a common rotatable shaft (14), located between them and connected to a single driving motor (16). Additionally, the two covers (13) act as counterweights for each other to reduce the required driving power.

Abstract: In regenerating an adsorbent by eliminating water and an adsorbed matter which are contained therein, the adsorbent is indirectly heated while descending within a drying furnace and is indirectly heated while ascending within a regenerating furnace in order to prevent the adsorbent from scattering due to water vapor and the adsorbed gas separated by the heating of the adsorbent and to prevent the adsorbent from burning itself due to heat.

Abstract: A system for reducing sulfur dioxide to elemental sulfur in which a reactor vessel is divided into a plurality of compartments, and coal is fed from a single source into each of the compartments. A sulfur dioxide rich gas is distributed to each of the compartments and is contacted with the coal to form substantially pure sulfur.