Abstract: A towel wrap is provided that includes an absorbent cloth having a neck portion for securing the cloth around a neck of a user, and at least two corner portions, wherein each corner portion is moveable between a wiping configuration and a hood configuration. The neck portion includes two straps operatively engaging each other to hold the cloth on the user. The straps operatively engaging each other using at least one fastener.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dewatering mine tailings with water-absorbing polymers. The systems and methods may include combining a mine tailings slurry, which includes mine tailings and water, with a water-absorbing polymer. The water-absorbing polymer may absorb water from the mine tailings, thereby increasing a solids content of the mine tailings. The mine tailings may be combined with the water-absorbing polymer prior to, during, and/or subsequent to transfer of the mine tailings to a mine tailings dewatering and/or disposal site. In some embodiments, the water-absorbing polymer may be an encapsulated water-absorbing polymer.

Abstract: A method for drying a seal material for use in manufacturing an ignition device, e.g., a spark plug. A free-flowing or loose seal material having a moisture content is provided and brought together with a desiccant for a time sufficient to produce a dry seal material by reducing the moisture content of the loose seal material to a desired level. Thereafter, the dry seal material and the desiccant may be separated from one another so that the dry seal material can be used to form a seal within an internal bore of a spark plug.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for drying coal using activated alumina. The method and system dries the coal by combining coal with the activated alumina. While in combination, the mixture is agitated to maximize surface contact between the activated alumina and the coal. As the coal contact the activated alumina, the surfactant moisture on the coal is then absorbed by the activated alumina. The activated alumina allow for the water molecules to pass into the sieves, thus being removed from the coal. After a period of agitation, the method and system thereby separates the activated alumina and the coal.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, compositions and systems for drying coal fines.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for controlling moisture from substrate being processed. Particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods for removing moisture from polymer materials adjacent bond pad areas. One embodiment of the present includes providing a moisture sensitive precursor and forming a compound from a reaction between the moisture to be controlled and the moisture sensitive precursor.

Abstract: A garment drying device is provided. The garment drying device has a flexible outer layer, with a flexible inner layer attached. The outer layer may be substantially planar and may have an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner layer may be substantially planar and formed of an absorbent and flexible material. The device may further have a closure structure capable of holding the device in a rolled position when closed, and allowing the device to be in an unrolled position when open.

Abstract: The drying mat includes layers of a microfiber material and a foam layer. The drying mat may be used, as by way of example and not in any limiting sense, by: (i) placing wet dishes on the drying mat, (ii) placing a dish drying rack on the drying mat and placing dishes in the drying rack, (iii) placing produce on the drying mat; and/or (iv) placing cooking utensils on the drying mat. Other embodiments include an absorbent or protective mat which includes at least one layer of a microfiber material and at least one layer of a foam material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for drying seeds using zeolite particles, said method comprising: contacting said seeds with premoisturized zeolite particles and allowing said zeolite particles to take up moisture from said seeds.

Abstract: A method for drying shoes comprising the steps of: providing a pair of wet shoes with insole; utilizing a plurality of newsprint sheets; crumpling up the newsprint sheets; stuffing the crumpled newsprint sheets into the wet shoes; setting the wet shoes aside for a specific amount of time, so that the crumpled newsprint sheets will absorb the moisture from within the wet shoes; removing the wet crumpled newsprint sheets out of the dry shoes; and disposing the wet crumpled newsprint sheets in a proper manner.

Abstract: A drying device comprising a titano-alumino-phosphate with thermal management for the more efficient drying of objects and appliances, and its production. Further, a drying method for obtaining dried objects and appliances, as well as a method for regeneration accompanied by the desorption of water from water-containing titano-alumino-phosphate.

Abstract: A liquid extraction assembly for extracting liquid from a mass comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet. The housing further includes a path between the inlet and the outlet. The housing is configured to have the mass forced into the inlet to move the mass from the inlet to the outlet. The housing includes two substantially parallel rotating screens rotating side by side and apart from one another, with the path extending between the screens. Each screen defines one wall of the path. Each rotating screen includes a plurality of non-circular openings located at the path. Pressure from mass forced into the input presses the mass against the non-circular openings of the rotating screens to thereby force at least a portion of liquid in the mass to pass through the non-circular openings of the rotating screens.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for absorbing condensation on beverage cups are provided. The apparatus consists of an inner layer of absorbent material fixed or bonded to an outer layer of non-absorbent material. The two layers are formed into a cylindrical sleeve, which is then placed over the outside of a beverage cup.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising one, two or more microchannel structures (101a-h), each of which comprises a reaction microcavity (104a-h) intended for retaining a solid phase material in the form of a wet porous bed. Each of said one, two or more microchannel structures comprises the solid phase material in a dry state together with a bed-preserving agent comprising one or more compounds having bed-preserving activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for at least partially drying separated electronic components comprising: a carrier for the electronic components; a moisture-absorbing material; and a holder covered with the moisture-absorbing material, wherein the holder and the carrier are displaceable relative to each other such that the electronic components for drying can be brought into contact with the moisture-absorbing material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a water removing roller device for removing excess water from the hide of a cattle, which uses pliable urethane roller stacks that can be attached by an arm structure. The roller structure can be mounted on a hinge to an arm thereby allowing the structure to swivel. The arm can be attached to a stationery device with a hinge, which is also allowed to swivel. A tension device, for example, a spring or a hydraulic cylinder can be attached to the back of the arm and connected to the stationery device to provide enough tension on the structure to keep the rollers in contact with the cattle hide, thereby pressing out the water allowing it to run off prior the blood plasma saving section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a storage device (1), and more specifically to a device (1) for storing and drying articles, in particular tennis balls (4), to maintain their performance and preserve their longevity. The device (1) comprises a layer (6) of a wicking material, and the drying of articles is achieved through direct contact of the wicking material with the articles to be dried.

Abstract: A method of drying an object. The method includes donning a drying expedient, the drying expedient being an absorbent fabric having a top and bottom, width and length, the length defining the distance between the top and bottom. An opening sized and positioned proximate the top is configured within the object to receive the head and neck of a user and a pair of openings are also configured within the drying expedient so that once donned, the drying expedient extends from the neck over the chest terminating below the waist of the user. The method includes grasping a wet object and wrapping the bottom of a drying expedient about it to dry the same.

Abstract: This invention provides novel devices and methods for manipulation of moisture/fluid levels in and/or upon objects and is used to, e.g., safely dry wet books and documents with minimal deleterious side effects or to add humidity to such books/documents or other objects or areas.

Abstract: A drier apparatus for removing water or other liquids from various materials includes a mixer, drying chamber, separator and regenerator and a method for use of the apparatus. The material to be dried is mixed with a heated media to form a mixture which then passes through the chamber. While passing through the chamber, a comparatively cool fluid is passed counter current through the mixture so that the mixture becomes cooler and drier and the fluid becomes hotter and more saturated with moisture. The mixture is then separated into drier material and media. The media is transferred to the regenerator and heated therein by the hot fluid from the chamber and supplemental heat is supplied to bring the media to a preselected temperature for mixing with the incoming material to be dried. In a closed loop embodiment of the apparatus, the fluid is also recycled from the regenerator to the chamber and a chiller is utilized to reduce the temperature of the fluid to a preselected temperature and dew point temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying a travelling wet fibrous web is provided which comprises a rotating air-permeable drum. The drum is at least partially surrounded by a hood which has an interior space for receiving a flow of air and directing the flow of air through a permeable inner wall towards the outer surface of the drum. At least a portion of the hood is divided into individual sections in a cross-machine direction. Apparatus is provided for supplying a flow of drying air at a first temperature to the hood, and for supplying profiling air at a selected different temperature different from the first temperature to at least one of the individual sections.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for mixing sewage sludge with spent water-softener lime in a ratio of approximately 10:1 on a wet basis. The mixture is introduced to a rotary pre-dryer kiln and a rotary combuster kiln to kill pathogens. An ash by-product and gases are thereby produced. The ash by-product can be disposed of at much less cost or can be incorporated in a variety of applications such as an aggregate substitute.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for improving the keeping of photographic elements comprising placing said elements in a container and placing a material comprising a blend of polymer and molecular sieve particles in said container with said element.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying solid and liquified products using heating gas and a plurality of spherical balls having contacting surfaces. A drying chamber is established between a housing and a central body which is coaxially positioned through the center of the housing. Located within the drying chamber are a plurality of balls which form a drying bed. A screw auger is coaxially positioned through the center of the central body to circulate the balls through the drying chamber by moving them from the bottom to the top of the drying chamber where they are redeposited into the bed. A rotatable balls dispersing chute is coupled to the screw auger at the upper end of the central body to evenly distribute balls over the top of the bed of balls as it rotates.

Abstract: A process for the production of pourable, free-flowing granules which are suitable for use as wetting agents, detergents or cleaning products from aqueous solutions or suspensions of such materials in a fluidized-bed spray granulation apparatus employing a hot fluidizing gas. The aqueous selections or suspensions are dried with superheated steam as the fluidizing and drying gas wherein the drying step is carried out in a closed-loop system comprising a steam circuit from which the water evaporated from the aqueous solutions or suspensions of starting materials is removed as a partial stream and the thermal energy released is returned to the steam circuit. The granules are discharged from the granulation apparatus before they can be damaged by heat.