Running Length Patents (Class 34/421)
  • Patent number: 12145293
    Abstract: A method of drying a green ceramic honeycomb body (20) comprising: moving the body (20) through a drying system (50) comprising interconnected microwave devices (60), wherein each microwave device (D1, D2, D3) comprises an entrance (62a, 62b, 62c) located at an upstream end and an exit (64a, 64b, 64c) located at a downstream end of the microwave device (D1, D2, D3), the ends defining a downstream direction (72) and an upstream direction (74) in each of the devices (D1, D2, D3); removing moisture from the body (20) by irradiating the body (20) with microwave radiation within each of the devices (D1, D2, D3); and flowing air against the outer peripheral wall (22) of the body (20) while the body (20) is located in each of the microwave devices (D1, D2, D3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Colby William Audinwood, Brett Alan Terwilliger
  • Patent number: 11104768
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for the processing of perfluoropolymer materials, and to the use of the resultant products in different potential applications, such as in the medical device field. The process can include, for example, the steps of: (i) dissolving one or more uncured perfluoropolymer materials in a solvent containing one or more liquid perfluorinated solvent(s) to form a solution; (ii) optionally adding one or more porogens and/or one or more functional additives to the solution formed in (i) to form a mixture; (iii) applying the resultant solution or mixture formed in steps (i) and (ii) to a substrate to form one or more partial or continuous deposited layers on the substrate; (iv) curing the perfluoropolymer within the deposited layer to form a perfluoroelastomeric product; and (v) optionally removing the porogen from the perfluoroelastomeric product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: ESP TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Christopher John Underwood, Robert Stevens
  • Patent number: 10689804
    Abstract: A textile product is disclosed having a latent image created from water-based ink which is applied using a screen printing process. The image is thereafter hidden underneath a second image created from a plasticizing emulsion such as plastisol which is partially cured. The partial cure causes a portion of the plasticizing emulsion to be removed from the textile product during washing and after repeated washings, the latent image becomes revealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Inventors: Robert T. Rubin, Ricardo Fonseca Nuño
  • Patent number: 10173440
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a printing section that performs printing by adhering an ink to a medium, a transport section that transports the medium, and a heating device that heats the medium, on which printing is finished. The heating device includes a first partitioning wall that has an infrared ray emission surface that faces a third support member via a heating region, and a heating section which heats the first partitioning wall, and an area of the infrared ray emission surface is greater than a projection area obtained by projecting the infrared ray emission surface toward the third support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shuichiro Nakano, Tsuneyuki Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8925217
    Abstract: Method for steam recapture in the drying of a tissue paper web with a cylinder that is fed from a live steam network and with a hot air hood that flows hot air onto the tissue paper web, includes the steps of: removing condensate from the cylinder; compressing the condensate to a first pressure level essentially corresponding to that of the live steam network; heating the condensate by heat exchange with the exhaust air from the hot air hood; vaporizing the condensate; and feeding generated steam into the live steam network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Martin Wiens, Bruno Dexler, Jan Hieke, Josef Heintz
  • Patent number: 7958650
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved apparatus (1) for drying food-stuffs, comprising at least a centrifugation basket (5) for drying said product by its rotation, the lateral surface of said basket (5) being holed; a pin (13) rotating coupled with said at least a centrifugation basket (5); and a motor (12), mechanically coupled with said rotation pin (13); said apparatus (1) being characterised in that said motor (12) is a synchronous three-phase electric motor (12) and in that it comprises means (16) for controlling rotation of said motor (12) for adjusting the torque output by said motor (12) with respect to its rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Turatti S.R.L.
    Inventor: Antonio Turatti
  • Publication number: 20080206455
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for drying a coating film comprising drying a coating film of an organic solvent-containing coating liquid applied to a running band-shaped flexible substrate, the drying method comprising the steps of: providing a heater at a position opposed to the band-shaped flexible substrate at a running position immediately after coating; and heating the band-shaped flexible substrate by the heater; wherein when TW (° C.) denotes the surface temperature of the band-shaped flexible substrate; TH (° C.) denotes the surface temperature of the heater; ? (W/m·K) denotes the heat-transfer coefficient of air; d(m) denotes the distance between the heater and the band-shaped flexible substrate (web); ? denotes the efficiency of heat transfer; and ? denotes the Stefan-Boltzmann constant (5.670×10?8 W/m2K4), the ratio of radiant heat transfer represented by QR/(QR+QC) is 0.25 or more and 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Sonobe, Takashi Yahiro
  • Patent number: 6928747
    Abstract: A method and a device for decorating objects made of a material such as glass or metal, which includes coating at least part of the surface of the objects with a substance adapted to form patterns during polymerization. The method also includes drying and dusting the objects by blowing; conditioning the objects so as to place them in specific physical conditions, for a certain time interval; applying, on the surface of each of the objects, the polymerizable substance; and placing the objects in an environment suitable for their polymerization by drying while forming the desired patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Sarl LB de la Rosiere
    Inventor: Fabien Lecart
  • Patent number: 6412190
    Abstract: A combined infrared and hot air dryer includes a pressurized hood which is fed with combustion air through an air delivery duct. Each cross-direction zone of the hood includes a mixer. The air enters the mixer without any direct connection between the delivery duct and the mixer. Gas is supplied to each mixer from a gas manifold having a gas supply tube for each mixer. Excess air from the hood is fed through thin-walled tubes into the IR exhaust duct in a counter flow fashion to provide pre-heated clean air for air bars trailing the infrared zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas Smith
  • Patent number: 6401356
    Abstract: A method of drying veneer sheets by continuously shingling discrete wood veneer-sheets to form a layup where the leading edges of adjacent sheets are offset by a distance X with the lower, veneer sheet leading in the direction of movement the one there above and continuously feeding the so formed layup in the direction of movement into a drier where the veneer sheets while still in the layup are dried. The dried veneer sheets are then separated into discreet dried veneer sheets and are thereafter individually tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Company
    Inventors: Mark Trelawny Churchland, Robert Leeson Pike, Norbert Kott
  • Patent number: 6401360
    Abstract: A drying apparatus and method utilizes the combination of radiant heat and air to quickly dry photosensitive material. The arrangement of the drying apparatus is such that radiant heat said assembly including a heating bar and a reflective cover positioned on one side of said conveying path, and a reflective member disposed on the other side of said conveying path, said reflective cover and said reflective member reflecting the heat from said heating bar toward said conveying path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Ralph L. Piccinino, Jr., Kevin H. Blakely
  • Patent number: 6368459
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating a moving web of paper or board from on sides with at least one coat layer. The coat is applied to the web by means of a film transfer coater (12) and next the web is passed to a dryer cylinder group (4) via an air-cushion cylinder (18) supported by a wire (14), whereby the web can run fully supported all the way from its entry to the coater up to the winder. The apparatus further comprises a belt calender (8) and a belt-supported winder (9), whereby the web is thus supported over its entire passage in the machinery from the unwinder or paper machine up to winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventor: Jorma Kinnunen
  • Patent number: 6345453
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus of drying a fiber web (5) which is dried between two tight bands (1, 2) that move in parallel and turn around turning rolls (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b), the first band (1) being heated and the second band (2) being cooled, the fiber web (5) being arranged to run through the drying zone defined by the bands (1, 2) together with at least two felts or wires (3, 4) such that the fiber web (5) is in contact with the surface of the first band (1), a coarse wire (4) is in contact with the surface of the second, cooled band (2), and a fine wire (3) is between the fiber web (5) and the coarse wire (4). The fine wire (3) is cleaned with a cleaning device (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Jari Ilomäki, Seppo Mustonen, Timo Ojala
  • Patent number: 6195909
    Abstract: A combination infrared/air convection dryer or oven for travelling webs. A shutter assembly is provided between the infrared radiation source and the moving web in order to selectively expose the web to infrared radiation, and to create a sealed air chamber when in the closed position. Enhanced drying of the web and/or a coating on the web at high speed is achieved without a concomitant increase in dryer length. When the drying atmosphere has a high concentration of solvent, exposure of that atmosphere to the heating elements, which can cause explosions, is eliminated by actuation of the shutters. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, air bars are used to floatingly support the moving web to avoid contact of the web with dryer elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Megtec Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan Wallace Rogne, Jeffrey Donald Quass
  • Patent number: 6134808
    Abstract: A gap drying system moves a substrate having a coated side and a non-coated side between a heated platen disposed on the non-coated side of the substrate and a condensing platen disposed on the coated side of the substrate. An insulation layer is disposed between the heated platen and the non-coated side of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Yapel, Gary Lee Huelsman, Tom M. Milbourn, William Blake Kolb
  • Patent number: 6131306
    Abstract: An apparatus for drying and smoothing a fibre web between two tight bands that move in parallel and run around turning rolls, the first band being heated with hot steam and the second band being cooled with water, and the fibre web being conducted through the drying zone that the bands define together with at least one felt or wire such that the fibre web is in contact with the surface of the first, heated band and that the felt or wire is between the fibre web and the second, cooled band. The apparatus and method further comprise spreading the fibre web in its transverse direction before it is led into the drying apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventor: Elias Retulainen
  • Patent number: 6092303
    Abstract: A drying apparatus and method utilizes the combination of radiant heat and air to quickly dry photosensitive material. The arrangement of the drying apparatus is such that radiant heat is first applied to photosensitive material at a radiant heat application section to substantially dry the photosensitive material without emulsion side contact and, thereafter, an air flow is directed onto both sides of the photosensitive material after it leaves the radiant heat application section. A plurality of air flow nozzles are used to direct the air onto the photosensitive material with the nozzles being oriented so as to direct air away from the radiant heat application section of the drying apparatus. This provides for an efficient and quick drying of photosensitive material in a compact unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Ralph L. Piccinino, Jr., Kevin H. Blakely, Daniel C. Davis, Raymond E. Wess
  • Patent number: 6067726
    Abstract: A combination infrared/convection dryer or oven for drying travelling webs. A shutter assembly is provided between the infrared radiation source and the moving web in order to selectively expose the web to infrared radiation. Drying efficiency is optimized by adding heated impinged air at high velocity on the machine direction ends and between the infrared elements. The air being discharged on the web is heated as it is pulled across the elements to a centralized return air duct. The return air is pulled into the inlet of a close coupled supply fan which then discharges the air to the nozzles. A portion of the air is also exhausted to atmosphere to maintain the oven enclosure in a negative pressure state, thus drawing fresh make-up air into the oven housing through the web inlet and outlet slots. Flotation nozzles can be used where contactless support of the running web is desired. Enhanced drying of the web and/or a coating on the web at high speed is achieved without a concomitant increase in dryer length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Megtec Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Allan W. Rogne, Jeffrey D. Quass, Michael G. Tesar
  • Patent number: 6058621
    Abstract: A drying apparatus and method utilizes radiant heat and forced air to provide for rapid drying of photosensitive material without emulsion side contact. The forced air is supplied through air passages formed between cover members that partially surround radiant heating bars, and is directed onto the photosensitive material where it impinges upon the photosensitive material. As the air passes through the air passages, it is heated by radiant heat from the heating bars. The heated air increases the drying effect of the drying apparatus and at the same time, impinges on the photosensitive material in a manner which assists in holding the photosensitive material firmly against, for example, drive rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Ralph L. Piccinino, Jr., Kevin H. Blakely, Daniel C. Davis, Raymond E. Wess
  • Patent number: 6041516
    Abstract: An article for cooling an imaging material which has been heated to a first temperature by a thermal processor. The article includes a first cooling section on which the imaging material rides after the imaging material exits the thermal processor. The first cooling section is at a lower temperature than the first temperature. The first cooling section has a curved shape such that the imaging material is curved when riding on and being cooled by the first cooling section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing
    Inventors: Duane A. Preszler, Kent R. Struble, David J. McDaniel, George G. Lunde
  • Patent number: 5906862
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating and drying coated substrates without introducing significant surface imperfections while running at higher web speeds than known drying methods. The substrate is preferably coated within the drying enclosure or the coating bead may form a closure at the entrance of the drying enclosure. The substrate is moved through a first drying enclosure along a first axis. The first drying enclosure is substantially isolated from an external environment. A first low velocity, substantially laminar flow field of a drying gas is directed across the front surface of the substrate. The first flow field is generally parallel to the front surface and generally perpendicular to the first axis to minimize the formation of surface imperfections during the evaporation of the coating solvent. The substrate may then be moved to subsequent drying enclosures through transition enclosures that minimize surface imperfections due to high velocity interaction between the adjacent drying enclosures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Yapel, Omar D. Brown, Wayne P. Ray, Daniel V. Norton, Bernard A. Scheller, Manley C. Marcellus
  • Patent number: 5813133
    Abstract: Drying a coated substrate which includes magnetic particles includes a condensing surface spaced from the substrate. This creates a longitudinal gap between the substrate and the condensing surface. Liquid is evaporated from the substrate to create a vapor and the vapor is transported to the condensing surface without requiring applied convection. The vapor is condensed on the condensing surface to create a condensate which is removed from the condensing surface. Removal is performed, using more than gravity, without allowing non-uniformities of the condensate film to occur. The magnetic particles are oriented on the coated substrate by subjecting the coated substrate to a magnetic field created at a location outside of the dryer space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: John D. Munter, William B. Kolb, Gary L. Huelsman
  • Patent number: 5783006
    Abstract: Method and equipment for the manufacture of corrugated paper products includes separate heaters for preparing liner and medium components. Data regarding these components is collected and an optimum conditioning for the components is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Inland Paperboard and Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome J. Klockenkemper, Dennis M. Judge, Charles D. Moore
  • Patent number: 5765294
    Abstract: A wide printed paper web is longitudinally separated into at least two partial paper webs after the last printing unit of a printing press and before being dried. The plural partial paper webs are dried in a drying device on separate or the same level. The partial paper webs are dried in a smudge-free manner and are free of longitudinal creases or folds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer-Albert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Helmut Puschnerat
  • Patent number: 5737851
    Abstract: A thermal processing unit for the processing of plastisol-based floor coverings comprising a radiant heat transfer section which raises the temperature of a plastisol-based floor covering to an approach temperature followed by a convection heating section which raises the temperature of the plastisol-based floor covering to a predetermined target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Congoleum Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Novak, Peter J. Rohrbacher, Rudolph Kist, III
  • Patent number: 5694701
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of drying a substrate uses a condensing surface located adjacent the substrate on the side of the substrate being dried. The liquid from the substrate is evaporated and then condensed on the condensing surface without applied convection. The condensed liquid is removed from the condensing surface while the condensed liquid remains liquid. Evaporation can be performed by heating the substrate without applied convection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gary L. Huelsman, William B. Kolb
  • Patent number: 5606805
    Abstract: A process for drying a web of material moving at a speed of at least about 150 feet per minute. In the first step of the process, a web of material is contacted with a first mixture of air and flue gas while passing the web under a first air nozzle. Thereafter, a portion of the first air/flue gas mixture is exhausted through a first exhaust nozzle disposed less than 12 inches away from the first air nozzle. Thereafter, the web is passed under a multiplicity of gas fired infrared radiation emitting burners while contacting said moving web with infrared radiation and flue gas and heating said moving web to a temperature of from about 100 to about 280 degrees Fahrenheit. Thereafter, the web is contacted with a second mixture of air and flue gas while passing it under a second air nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Inventor: Jens-Uwe Meyer
  • Patent number: 5581905
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of drying a substrate uses a condensing surface located within 15 cm of the substrate on the side of the substrate being dried. The liquid from the substrate is evaporated and then condensed on the condensing surface without applied convection. The condensed liquid is removed from the condensing surface while the condensed liquid remains liquid. Evaporation can be performed by heating the substrate without applied convection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gary L. Huelsman, William B. Kolb
  • Patent number: 5537925
    Abstract: An infra-red dryer utilizes high velocity air jets which scrub and break up the moist air layer which clings to the surface of a freshly printed and/or coated sheet. The high velocity air jets are directed through multiple air flow apertures across an array of infra-red lamps onto the freshly printed and/or coated sheets. An extractor exhausts the moisture-laden air from an exposure zone while short wave infra-red radiation heats the ink and/or protective coating. The effective exposure to pressurized air is increased by the air jets which produce a balanced pressure air blanket along the sheet travel path. The moist air layer is displaced from the printed and/or coated sheet and is extracted from the press as the sheet moves through the exposure zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Howard W. DeMoore
    Inventors: Howard C. Secor, Ronald M. Rendleman, Paul D. Copenhaver
  • Patent number: 5425851
    Abstract: Web offset printing paper having a high level of gloss and smoothness is prepared by finishing a paper web, either by supercalender or with a synthetic roll calender at a moisture content greater than the moisture content typically used for web offset finishing, and then drying the web to a moisture content of less than about 3.5% using convection, radiation or conduction. Under the preferred post-drying conditions, bonding of the previously wet paper fibers takes place to lock in the desirable printing characteristics and to prevent heat roughening on the offset press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Westvaco Corporation
    Inventors: David B. Cason, Paul A. Huijing, Eric D. Johnson, Bryan J. Ortman, S. Craig Petro
  • Patent number: 5323546
    Abstract: A method for drying photographic materials from an initial moisture content to a desired final moisture content is provided. At least one side of a photographic material having an initial moisture content is heated, with a first heater stage, to achieve an intermediate moisture content in the material. The intermediate moisture content is less than the initial moisture content of the material and greater than the desired final moisture content. The intermediate moisture content of the material is measured and an output signal corresponding to the intermediate moisture content is provided to a control means. The material is then heated with a second heater stage to the desired final moisture content. The second stage heating is controlled using the output signal and the desired final moisture content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Edward C. T. S. Glover, Martyn S. Glover
  • Patent number: RE38412
    Abstract: Drying a coated substrate which includes magnetic particles includes a condensing surface spaced from the substrate. This creates a longitudinal gap between the substrate and the condensing surface. Liquid is evaporated from the substrate to create a vapor and the vapor is transported to the condensing surface without requiring applied convection. The vapor is condensed on the condensing surface to create a condensate which is removed from the condensing surface. Removal is performed, using more than gravity, without allowing non-uniformities of the condensate film to occur. The magnetic particles are oriented on the coated substrate by subjecting the coated substrate to a magnetic field created at a location outside of the dryer space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: John D. Munter, William B. Kolb, Gary L. Huelsman