Temperature Of Treating Chamber Regulated Patents (Class 34/497)
  • Patent number: 7997006
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a laundry machine and a control method thereof. The control method includes supplying steam, generated by a steam generator, into a drum, and supplying hot air into the drum to dry clothes wetted by the steam. According to the present invention, it is possible to effectively removing wrinkles on clothes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Chang Woo Son, Sang Hun Bae, Chul Jin Choi, Dong Hyun Kim, Young Bok Son, Heung Jae Kim
  • Patent number: 7997003
    Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for drying plate-shaped products in a multi-level throughflow dryer, moist air stagnated under the housing ceiling is sucked away and delivered into the suction area of axial blowers arranged in the lower levels, where the moist air is then differentially admixed into a quantity of re-heated drying air, and the mixture is delivered to the nozzle boxes of the dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Lindauer DORNIER Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Alfred Dotzler, Anton Hecht
  • Publication number: 20110146101
    Abstract: A method for controlling a clothes dryer based on a characteristic of the load determined by temperatures provided by an infrared sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: RYAN R. BELLINGER, FREDRICK E. CHERNETSKI, CHRISTOPHER J. WOERDEHOFF
  • Patent number: 7964105
    Abstract: A method for increasing the removal of a higher fraction of liquid from the press cake in any belt press is described. Specifically, the invention incorporates a series of rollers that create multiple pinch points to compress the solid fraction while removing liquid. After each pinch point, the solid material is allowed to separate from the belt, fall by gravity, and repack so that more liquid can be released at each successive pinch point than is possible if the material is fed to multiple rollers and pinch points in series without decompressing as is done is prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventor: William Harris Moss
  • Patent number: 7921577
    Abstract: A sprinkler system and a method for mitigating scaling, microbiological influenced corrosion and oxidative corrosion are disclosed. The system includes a piping network in fluid communication with a source of pressurized water and an air pump. The network is vented to the ambient. The air pump moves initially dry ambient air through the system, either by maintaining a negative or a positive air pressure within the network. The dry air absorbs residual water within the network and exhausts it to the ambient. Rate of air flow through the system is controlled by restrictor elements such as orifices, throttle valves or venturies within the piping network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Victaulic Company
    Inventors: William J. Reilly, Kevin J. Blease
  • Patent number: 7900373
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for conditioning semiconductor wafers and/or hybrids having the steps: preparation of a space (1) which is at least partially enclosed and has a wafer/hybrid holding device (10) which is located therein and has the purpose of holding a semiconductor wafer and/or hybrid; and conduction of a dry fluid through the wafer/hybrid holding device (10) in order to heat-treat the wafer/hybrid holding device (10); wherein at least a portion of the fluid leaving the wafer/hybrid holding device (10) is used to condition the atmosphere within the space (1). The invention also provides a corresponding device for conditioning semiconductor wafers and/or hybrids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: ERS Electronic GmbH
    Inventor: Erich Reitinger
  • Patent number: 7877896
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a process for drying solid organic substances in aqueous phase including the steps of: feeding a continuous flow of such organic substances having a water content=50% by weight into a turbodrier having a cylindrical tubular body with horizontal axis, equipped with inlet and outlet openings, a heating jacket for bring the inner wall of the tubular body to a predetermined temperature, a bladed rotor extending inside the cylindrical tubular body (1) where it is made to rotate at speeds between 15 and 40 m/s, so as to disperse the continuous flow of organic substances into a flow of particles of organic substances; centrifuging the particles of organic substances against the inner wall of the turbodrier heated to a temperature above 130° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Geoline S.R.L.
    Inventor: Guiseppina Cerea
  • Publication number: 20100297231
    Abstract: This invention provides methods, systems and compositions to preserve bioactive materials in a dried foam matrix. Methods provide non-boiling foam generation and penetration of preservative agents at temperatures near the phase transition temperature of the membranes. Bioactive materials can be preserved with high initial viability in a freeze-foam process employing low temperature secondary drying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: MEDIMMUNE, LLC
    Inventors: Reinhard Vehring, Yi Ao
  • Patent number: 7828274
    Abstract: Vaporizable material is supported within a vessel to promote contact of an introduced gas with the vaporizable material, and produce a product gas including vaporized material. A heating element supplies heat to a wall of the vessel to heat vaporizable material disposed therein. The vessel may comprise an amoule having a removable top. Multiple containers defining multiple material support surfaces may be stacked disposed within a vessel in thermal communication with the vessel. A tube may be disposed within the vessel and coupled to a gas inlet. Filters, flow meters, and level sensors may be further provided. Product gas resulting from contact of introduced gas with vaporized material may be delivered to atomic layer deposition (ALD) or similar process equipment. At least a portion of source material including a solid may be dissolved in a solvent, followed by removal of solvent to yield source material (e.g., a metal complex) disposed within the vaporizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: John N. Gregg, Scott L. Battle, Jeffrey I. Banton, Donn K. Naito, Ravi Laxman
  • Patent number: 7748138
    Abstract: A substrate transfer mechanism for transferring a substrate includes a mounting table on which the substrate is mounted; an arm member connected to the mounting table and moving it. The substrate transfer mechanism further includes a temperature control unit for controlling temperature of the mounting table, wherein the temperature control unit forms a temperature gradient in the mounting table. The temperature control unit includes a detector for detecting temperature in an environment or a chamber in which the substrate transfer mechanism is installed a heater for heating the mounting table and a controller for controlling an operation of the heater based on the temperature in the environment or the chamber detected by the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Moriya, Hiroyuki Nakayama, Kikuo Okuyama, Manabu Shimada
  • Patent number: 7716850
    Abstract: A paper machine configured as a swing machine capable of producing both light and heavy grades providing a Yankee hood split into a wet end half and a dry end half, at least one hood half being a flex-hood half wherein the supply for that half is capable of being run with either combustion heat or recycled heat and is capable of either recirculating the exhaust from the hood or discharging it to the atmosphere. The heater for the flex-hood half comprises both a primary combustion heat source and an indirect heat source capable of extracting by-product heat from another operation. The exhaust system for the flex hood half is capable of being run in either a straight through mode or in a recirculating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Charles E. Deem, Mark S. Hunter, Donald J. Hodkiewicz, Steven W. Monore, Scott M. Thomson, Thomas H. Barrie, Timothy D. Jadin, Steven M. Gardner, Scott L. Giannunzio
  • Patent number: 7694432
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and apparatus for dehumidifying, drying or the like of different materials. The invention is developed primarily for dehumidification of sewage sludge (7), but it may be utilized for many different materials including foodstuffs as crispbread and pasta. The sludge (7) or other material is dehumidified or dried in a chamber (1) by means of thermal radiation. The thermal radiation is given by means of one or more elements (2) for thermal radiation. The thermal radiation is concentrated to one or more distinct wavelength ranges at which water has peaks for absorption of radiation energy. Air is circulated in the chamber (1), to take up moisture evaporated from the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventors: Niclas Eriksson, Lars Svenningsson
  • Publication number: 20100011611
    Abstract: A method for controlling fragrance spray for a clothes dryer, comprising: a clothes inputting step of inputting an object to be dried into a drum of a clothes dryer; a steam spraying step of spraying steam into the drum of the clothes dryer; a first fragrance spraying step of spraying fragrance into the drum of the clothes dryer during the steam spraying step; and a second fragrance spraying step of spraying fragrance into the drum of the clothes dryer after the steam spraying step has finished. Since fragrance is firstly sprayed into the drum of the clothes dryer while steam is sprayed to the clothes during the drying step. Then, the fragrance is secondarily sprayed into the drum after the steam spraying step has finished. This may allow fragrance to be more effectively deposited onto the clothes inside the drum, and may enhance a drying effect by steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Min-Ji KIM, Sang-Hun BAE, Chul-Jin CHOI
  • Publication number: 20090265953
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dryer and a method for controlling the same. The method for controlling a dryer includes a steam supply step for supplying steam generated in a steam generator to a dram, and a hot air supply step for supply hot air generated in a hot air heater to the drum. The method according to the present invention has an advantageous effect of removing wrinkles efficiently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sang Hun Bae, Chang Woo Son, Chul Jin Choi, Dong Hyun Kim, Young Bok Son, Heung Jae Kim
  • Publication number: 20090260780
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling bread just after baked are proposed in which bread f just after baked is transferred on a conveyor 2 into a cooling chamber 1 and carried out therefrom after it is allowed to reside therein for a period of time needed for cooling, inside temperature of the cooling chamber is maintained at 5-20° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: MAYEKAWA MFG., CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoichi Katori, Toru Ota, Satoshi Tsutsumi
  • Patent number: 7603793
    Abstract: An end-face heating apparatus of the present invention comprises: a heating tool that is placed almost in parallel with an end face of a honeycomb aggregated body in which a plurality of pillar-shaped honeycomb fired bodies are integrated with one another by interposing a sealing material paste layer formed on the side face of the honeycomb fired body; a heating tool translation device for translating said heating tool toward said honeycomb aggregated body; and a holding jig that holds said honeycomb aggregated body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Ibeden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takafumi Hoshino, Koji Takahashi, Tomonori Ban
  • Publication number: 20090223082
    Abstract: Drum type washing machine and dryer and method for automatic drying by using the same is disclosed, wherein an accurate and detailed laundry amount is determined by using a temperature sensor mounted on a condensing duct of the drum type washing machine and dryer, and a user desired dryness is achieved according to the determined laundry amount, for which a structure is provided therein for enabling an accurate measurement of a temperature change of an inside of the duct, to perform an automatic drying algorithm, accurately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Seung Myun Baek, Sun Cheol Bae, Chang Woo Son, Dae Woong Kim
  • Patent number: 7581335
    Abstract: The present invention provides a drying apparatus capable of satisfactorily drying a workpiece by using a dry vapor The drying apparatus has a control device for controlling a supply of a carrier gas and a supply of a dry vapor into a processing tank holding workpieces. A drying process carries out a carrier gas supply step of supplying the carrier gas and a mixed fluid supply step of supplying a mixed fluid prepared by mixing the carrier gas and the dry vapor alternately. A total mixed fluid supply time for which the mixed fluid supply step is executed is not shorter than 57% of a total processing time for which the carrier gas supply step and the mixed fluid supply step are executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tanaka, Hidetoshi Nakao, Naoki Shindo, Atushi Yamashita, Tsukasa Hirayama, Kotaro Tsurusaki
  • Patent number: 7571554
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a ventilation system includes a heat-recovery device for pre-heating make-up air with exhaust air from multiple drying chambers (e.g., dry kilns for drying lumber). The ventilation system includes ductwork connecting the drying chambers to the heat-recovery device in a parallel arrangement. Supply ductwork for supplying pre-heated make-up air from the heat-recovery device to the drying chambers includes a main supply duct, or conduit, in fluid communication with the heat-recovery device and plural branch supply conduits, each of which establishes fluid communication with the main supply conduit and a respective drying chamber. Return ductwork for delivering exhaust air from the drying chambers to the heat-recovery device includes a main exhaust duct, or conduit, in fluid communication with the heat-recovery device and plural branch exhaust conduits, each of which establishes fluid communication with the main exhaust conduit and a respective drying chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Inventor: Michael M. Sprague
  • Publication number: 20090183385
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control method of a dryer that is capable of sensing whether a fire occurs inside the dryer and capable of extinguishing the fire. A control method of a dryer includes steps of: performing drying by using dry hot air; measuring temperature inside a drum during the step of performing drying by using dry hot air; and primarily and secondarily sensing whether a fire occurs inside the drum based on the sensed temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Dong Geun Lee, Young Jin Doh
  • Patent number: 7556244
    Abstract: Vaporizable material is supported within a vessel to promote contact of an introduced gas with the vaporizable material, and produce a product gas including vaporized material. A heating element supplies heat to a wall of the vessel to heat vaporizable material disposed therein. The vessel may comprise an ampoule having a removable top. Multiple containers defining multiple material support surfaces may be stacked disposed within a vessel in thermal communication with the vessel. A tube may be disposed within the vessel and coupled to a gas inlet. Filters, flow meters, and level sensors may be further provided. Product gas resuting from contact of introduced gas with vaporized material may be delivered to atomic layer deposition (ALD) or similar process equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: John N. Gregg, Scott L. Battle, Jeffrey I. Banton, Donn K. Naito, Ravi K. Laxman
  • Publication number: 20090126220
    Abstract: A method for detecting the standstill of a drum in a tumble drier during the drying of damp laundry by means of process air which is heated by a heating device in an inflow channel in front of the drum and passes into an outflow channel after passage through the drum, wherein the conductivity of the laundry is measured in the drum and the change in the conductivity is evaluated with regard to the detection of the standstill of the drum. Here, the temperature of the process air is measured by means of a temperature sensor which is arranged in the outflow channel after the drum, and the change in the temperature of the process air is evaluated with regard to the detection of the standstill of the drum. The invention also relates to a tumble drier which is suitable for this purpose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgrate GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Nawrot, Ulrich Nehring
  • Publication number: 20090113754
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a process for drying solid organic substances in aqueous phase including the steps of: feeding a continuous flow of such organic substances having a water content=50% by weight into a turbodrier having a cylindrical tubular body with horizontal axis, equipped with inlet and outlet openings, a heating jacket for bring the inner wall of the tubular body to a predetermined temperature, a bladed rotor extending inside the cylindrical tubular body (1) where it is made to rotate at speeds between 15 and 40 m/s, so as to disperse the continuous flow of organic substances into a flow of particles of organic substances; centrifuging the particles of organic substances against the inner wall of the turbodrier heated to a temperature above 130° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: GEOLINE S.R.L.
    Inventor: Guiseppina Cerea
  • Patent number: 7487956
    Abstract: Vaporizable material is supported within a vessel to promote contact of an introduced gas with the vaporizable material, and produce a product gas including vaporized material. A heating element supplies heat to a wall of the vessel to heat vaporizable material disposed therein. The vessel may include an amoule having a removable top. Multiple containers defining multiple material support surfaces may be stacked disposed within a vessel in thermal communication with the vessel. A tube may be disposed within the vessel and coupled to a gas inlet. Filters, flow meters, and level sensors may be further provided. Product gas resuting from contact of introduced gas with vaporized material may be delivered to atomic layer deposition (ALD) or similar process equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: John N. Gregg, Scott L. Battle, Jeffrey I. Banton, Donn K. Naito, Ravi K. Laxman
  • Publication number: 20080168679
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a laundry machine and a control method thereof. The control method includes supplying steam, generated by a steam generator, into a drum, and supplying hot air into the drum to dry clothes wetted by the steam. According to the present invention, it is possible to effectively removing wrinkles on clothes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Chang Woo Son, Sang Hun Bae, Chul Jin Choi, Dong Hyun Kim, Young Bok Son, Heung Jae Kim
  • Patent number: 7347006
    Abstract: A processing apparatus includes a first detection unit for detecting a temperature of an inner wall of the vacuum vessel, a second detection unit for detecting a temperature of the processing unit, and a first control unit for controlling a temperature of the gas. The first control unit controls the temperature of the gas based on a temperature gradient between the temperatures of the inner wall and the gas or a temperature gradient between the temperatures of the processing unit and the gas. A method for removing particles from a processing apparatus includes a first detection step for detecting a temperature of an inner wall of the vacuum vessel, a second detection step for detecting a temperature of the processing unit, a first control step for controlling a temperature of the gas, and a gas introduction step for introducing the gas into the inner space of the vacuum vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Moriya, Hiroshi Nagaike, Hiroyuki Nakayama, Kikuo Okuyama, Manabu Shimada
  • Patent number: 7347008
    Abstract: A system includes a device for setting a material, such as ink, deposited on a textile or graphic. A programmable logic controller includes a power intensity selector and an application module and is operably connected to the device. The application module is capable of generating a power intensity output signal in response to the power intensity selector. The power intensity output signal is transmitted to the device for a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: M&R Printing Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel K. Zupancic, Tomasz P. Kocjan
  • Patent number: 7347007
    Abstract: A vacuum dryer and method for drying granular or powdery material including at least one canister for holding said material being movable among a series of locations including material heating and vacuum drying locations, means for moving said canister among said locations, and means for directing heating air to a canister for delivery to said canister at a selected position on said canister for heated air passage though material in said canister in a selected direction corresponding to the selected position at which said heated air is delivered to said canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Inventor: Stephen B. Maguire
  • Patent number: 7343700
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying particulate material in which the drying and discharge of the particulate material may be superimposed in such a way as to permit continuous drying of particulate material even when the supply is not continuous. The quantity of heat supplied to the particulate material is controlled as a function of signals (i; hi) from temperature sensors mounted in the particulate material, which signals represent temperatures detected locally, and also as a function of a preselectable residence time (Tv) of the particulate material at a temperature within a preselectable target temperature range (min, max) and a preselectable throughput of dried particulate material such that the particulate material discharged has a temperature within the target temperature range (min, max) at least during the residence time (Tv).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Mann & Hummel ProTec GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Zlotos
  • Patent number: 7337553
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses of for detecting lint are disclosed. In one embodiment, a light is directed to a plate. The light can be being emitted by a light source. A reflectometer is calibrated to a specific thermal emissivity of the plate. The thermal emission resulting from the light directed to the plate is received at the reflectometer. Lint is permitted to deposit on the plate. A change in thermal emission is detected if lint deposits on the plate. The change in thermal emission can be detected by the reflectometer. An indication that lint is present within the clothes dryer is provided if a change in thermal emission is detected by the reflectometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Inventors: Richard Stein, David Whitehead, Richard Scholl, Mark Sumner
  • Patent number: 7300038
    Abstract: Structure helps support material in a container with an increased exposed surface area to help promote contact of a gas with vaporized material. For at least one disclosed embodiment, the structure may help support material for vaporization in the same form as when the material is placed at the structure. For at least one disclosed embodiment, the structure may help support material with an increased exposed surface area relative to a maximum exposed surface area the material could have at rest in the container absent the structure. For at least one disclosed embodiment, the structure may define one or more material support surfaces in an interior region of the container in addition to a bottom surface of the interior region of the container. For at least one disclosed embodiment, the structure may define in an interior region of the container one or more material support surfaces having a total surface area greater than a surface area of a bottom surface of the interior region of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: John N. Gregg, Scott L. Battle, Jeffrey I. Banton, Donn K. Naito, Ravi Laxman
  • Patent number: 7146747
    Abstract: A multichamber timber drying kiln in which different conditions are maintained in each chamber and methods of drying timber using such a kiln. In one aspect timber is rapidly heated within a first chamber (2; 202; 207) and then transferred to a further chamber (3; 203; 208) for further drying. Timber may be transferred from the first chamber (2; 202; 207) when the moisture content of the timber approaches the fibre saturation point A preheating chamber (1; 201; 206) may be provided to preheat the timber before passing to the first chamber (2; 202; 207). A conditioning chamber (4; 204; 209) may be provided after the further chamber (3; 203; 208) to condition the timber. Energy transfer means (49–53; 54–58) may be provided to transfer energy between chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Windsor Engineering Group
    Inventors: William Paul Studd, Vaughan Raymon Furniss, Peter Gibbs
  • Patent number: 7082695
    Abstract: A power-saving drying machine control method used in a drying machine is disclosed to include the steps of (a) enabling the temperature (or relative humidity) control unit of a central control unit to start working and to detect the temperature (or relative humidity) at the exhaust port of the drying machine through a temperature (or relative humidity) sensor once per a predetermined time unit when the temperature (or relative humidity) sensor detected a predetermined temperature (or relative humidity) value, and (b) driving the central control unit to shut off the drying machine when at least two temperature (or relative humidity) differences of at least three proceeding temperature (or relative humidity) values obtained from the exhaust port of the drying machine through the temperature (or relative humidity) sensor are within the precision of the temperature (or relative humidity) sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Inventors: King-Leung Wong, Huann-Ming Chou, Tsung-Lieh Hsien, Jenn-Fa Lee
  • Patent number: 7080464
    Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a synthetic fabric load during an automatic drying cycle in an automatic dryer avoids premature termination of the automatic drying cycle and ensures that the synthetic fabric items are dried according to a user's desired dryness level. The presence of the synthetic fabric load is detected by determining a duration of a first heating cycle, determining a duration of a second heating cycle, and determining the presence of the synthetic fabric load based on the durations of the first and the second heating cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Tarnowski, Mark F. Kendall
  • Patent number: 7066412
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus, methods, and compositions for dispensing a fragrance onto laundry in a dryer without substantial loss of that fragrance during the drying process. The apparatus includes an electrostatic vapor generator capable of dispensing a fragrance composition into a dryer. The invention also provides electrostatically dispensable fragrance compositions containing glycols, vegetable oils, and perfumes. The invention further provides a kit and method for enhancing residual fragrance on laundry by adding a fabric conditioning composition and a fragrance composition in separate steps during the laundering process. The invention includes embodiments wherein the dispensation of the fragrance compositions is computer controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: JohnsonDiversey, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel G. Conley, Claudio L. K. Lins, Allan J. Morris, William E. Simpson
  • Patent number: 6944968
    Abstract: A process for drying/heat-treating nonwoven webs in which the web is partially dried under tension in a first drying zone and further heat treated under low tension or in a substantially tensionless state a second drying zone. The process significantly reduces the occurrence of stretch-type defects in the nonwoven webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: John C. Cleary, Michael C. Davis, Todd A. McCoy, Edgar N. Rudisill
  • Patent number: 6921062
    Abstract: A vaporizer delivery system for use in semiconductor manufacturing processes including a plurality of vertically stacked containers for holding a vaporizable source material. Each of the vertically stacked containers includes a plurality of vented protuberances extending into the interior of the each stacked container thereby providing channels for passage of a carrier gas between adjacent vertically stacked containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: John Gregg, Scott Battle, Jeffrey I. Banton, Donn Naito, Marianne Fuierer
  • Patent number: 6910284
    Abstract: The objective of the present invention is an accelerated drying process for wood, capable of use with all species and of maintaining the quality of the dried wood intact, in which the temperature of the system is kept within the glass transition temperature range, for an appropriate period so as to attain the intended humidity ratio of the wood. It relates to an accelerated drying process for wood based on the rheological properties (hygro-thermalviscoelastic) of the latter, where the glass transition temperature of lignin is used as a relaxant or neutralization agent for the residual growth stress of trees, as well as those from the drying process. The process is controlled by monitoring the temperatures of the wood through the use of thermocouples placed along the length of the pieces. Furthermore, the use of the process of the present invention provides a significant reduction in the drying time and a reduction of the defects because molecular fluidity is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignees: Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria-Embrapa, Ecole Nationale du Genie Rural des Eaux et des Forets-Engref
    Inventors: Osmar José Romeiro de Aguiar, Patrick Perré
  • Patent number: 6877250
    Abstract: In an apparatus for a treatment of a wafer at elevated temperatures, the wafer is taken out of the reactor after heat treatment with the help of a mechanical transport apparatus which preferably grips the wafer around the circumference and on the under side. The transport apparatus includes a wafer surrounding ring. The wafer is placed in a floating wafer reactor where it is cooled in a controlled manner. Transport for further action or treatment then takes place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: ASM International N.V.
    Inventors: Ernst Hendrik August Granneman, Vladimir Ivanovich Kuznetsov, Gert Jan Snijders
  • Patent number: 6772537
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a pressure-heat drying method which allows a catalytic substance and the like to be deposited uniformly onto a workpiece to be dried in a dramatically short time as compared to a prior art method, and also an apparatus therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Koy Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Masaru Kawahara
  • Patent number: 6748670
    Abstract: Method of drying a medium for producing a porous matrix from a solution, a paste, an extract, a granulated material or such, where a liquid inert agent is fed into a vessel (5) at controlled pressure and amount through a valve (7), transferring the pressurized liquid inert agent to a mixing vessel (4), said mixing vessel (4) also receiving the solution, such as paste, extract or granulated material, through an inlet valve (10), adjusting the pressure and temperature inside the mixing vessel (4) to desired levels by a release valve (6), upon complete mixing of the inert agent with the solution, the mixture is expanded into a porous matrix and injected into a drying circuit through a drying chamber (3), the matrix thereby being kept suspended in the drying chamber by the flowing drying medium, supplied by the blower (2), the matrix moisture being removed from the mixture through a heat exchanger coil comprising a first heat exchanger (11) where the water vapour is condensed and removed from the circuit and fina
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: DTech AS
    Inventors: Ola Jonassen, Ingvald Strømmen, Per Arne Schieflo, Odilio Alves-Filho
  • Patent number: 6745495
    Abstract: A dryer tumble drying articles includes a drum including a cavity configured to hold articles to be dried, a first motor drivingly coupled to the drum to rotate the drum, a heat source in flow communication with the cavity, and a variable speed motor drivingly coupled to a blower positioned to deliver heated air from the heat source to the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Douglas Allen Riddle, Jeremy Michael Green, James Alan Meyer, Emile Edward Abi-Habib, Zubair Hameed
  • Patent number: 6725570
    Abstract: A clothes dryer having a fire protection system. The clothes dryer chamber has an inlet which receives drying air and an exhaust for removing moisture laden air. The temperature within the drying chamber is monitored, and a determination is made from the dryer electronic controller whether or not a fire exists in the tumbler. The fire detection conditions are based on determining whether a certain temperature rise exists within the tumbler when the drying air ceases. The fire suppression system when activated will inject a fire suppressing substance into the tumbler for suppressing the fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: American Dryer Corporation
    Inventors: Michael W. Confoey, Dennis Slutsky
  • Patent number: 6694638
    Abstract: A vent check strip for checking a dryer or a vent pipe connected to a dryer. The vent check strip has a temperature sensitive area that changes its color at a threshold temperature within a working temperature range of the dryer when the dryer functions normally. The vent check strip can be placed inside the dryer or the vent pipe so that after the dryer is turned on to perform its normal drying function for a period of time until the dryer reaches the working temperature range, the vent check strip can be retrieved for examination. If the vent check strip does not change its color, then it indicates that the dryer is malfunction or the vent pipe is clogged, kinked, broken or otherwise damaged and needs to be serviced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventors: Oleg Krioukov, Zoya Krioukova
  • Patent number: 6634118
    Abstract: Wood is disposed in a container having at least one flexible wall, and vacuum is applied to the container. The flexible wall presses against a surface of the wood. The container and wood are them immersed in a heated bath (e.g. comprising water, air, or other fluids). The wood is heated by conduction through the flexible wall, and maintained at accurate temperature by the bath. The wood is thereby rapidly dried by heat and vacuum. The present invention is energy efficient, and provides rapid, uniform drying of the wood without checking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhangjing Chen, Fred M. Lamb
  • Patent number: 6625901
    Abstract: A dryer for drying a substrate includes: a bath containing a fluid; a chamber; and an isopropyl alcohol delivery system supplying isopropyl alcohol vapor to the interface between the substrate and the fluid when the substrate is removed from the fluid of the bath into the chamber. The isopropyl alcohol vapor is supplied perpendicularly to a vertical axis of the substrate. The dryer further includes a chamber environment control system that supplies a gas into the chamber to dry the substrate and controls temperature and humidity in the chamber and a chamber heater attached to the chamber to transfer thermal energy into the chamber. A drying method includes: immersing a substrate into a fluid contained in a bath; removing the substrate from the fluid into a chamber; and supplying isopropyl alcohol vapor into an interface between the substrate and the fluid perpendicularly to a vertical axis of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Oliver Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Yassin Mehmandoust, Donald E. Stephens
  • Patent number: 6620368
    Abstract: A process which uses sol-gel to process oxide-based monoliths which are virtually free of cracks, without nullifying the desired attributes of the oxide-based monoliths. The method comprises substantially drying a wet porous gel monolith by removing a portion of the liquid from the pores of the gel monolith while the gel monolith remains wet, shrinking in size, and becoming correspondingly more dense, then removing the remaining portion of the liquid from the pores of the gel monolith such that the outer region of the gel monolith is not dried before the inner region of the gel monolith is dried. The gel monolith is substantially dried under conditions in which the liquid evaporation rate is no greater than the pore liquid diffusion rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Simax Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Shi-Ho Wang, Chih-Hsing Cheng, Sharon Doh
  • Patent number: 6519871
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating an automatic cycle of a clothes dryer wherein after initiation of an automatic cycle, a CPU displays the expected time remaining during the current cycle. At various times during the cycle, the expected time remaining is updated by comparing the time required to reach certain moisture levels of the articles contained therein to reference times. The comparison also results in the expected times being updated for future uses of the clothes dryer. Finally, the invention includes a system for updating the amount of time required to reach a desired final temperature during a cooldown sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas W. Gardner, Michael D. Lafrenz, Kim L. Wright
  • Patent number: 6381873
    Abstract: An method for the formation of coating films on substrates which consists of a main high-temperature and high pressure drying chamber with two additional chambers located in front and behind the working chamber, respectively. The front drying chamber, which is installed between the loading station and the working chamber, is intended for drying the coating films at room temperature, while the rear drying chamber is intended for cooling after drying at high temperature and high pressure in the main working chamber. The front and rear chambers are provided with means for adjusting the respective drying and cooling processes by means of respective heating and cooling systems. This allows initial drying in a wider temperature range and final cooling under most optimum conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventors: Vladimir Peremychtchev, Joseph Kristul, Igor Rakhvalsky
  • Patent number: 6357142
    Abstract: A system for high-pressure drying of semiconductor wafers includes the insertion of a wafer into an open vessel, the immersion of the wafer in a liquid, pressure-sealing of the vessel, pressurization of the vessel with an inert gas, and then the controlled draining of the liquid using a moveable drain that extracts water from a depth maintained just below the gas-liquid interface. Thereafter, the pressure may be reduced in the vessel and the dry and clean wafer may be removed. The high pressure suppresses the boiling point of liquids, thus allowing higher temperatures to be used to optimize reactivity. Megasonic waves are used with pressurized fluid to enhance cleaning performance. Supercritical substances are provided in a sealed vessel containing a wafer to promote cleaning and other treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Bergman, Ian Sharp, Craig P. Meuchel, H. Frederick Woods