Rotating Drum Patents (Class 34/499)
  • Publication number: 20100186254
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary drum in which the hygienic status of pourable solids separated from liquid cattle manure is modified by aerobic heating in such a manner that said solids can be reused as bedding in cattle sheds. The object of the invention is to obtain a high loading factor amounting to 60-70% filling of the drum which is located horizontally for installation in an insulated container. In accordance with the invention, the loaded solid is kept in a chamber and is only transferred to the drum when there is no solid surrounding the chamber. The crucial element is a flap of the chamber which only opens and closes in this area. If there is any solid resting on the outside of the flap then opening of the flap is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: Dietrich Eichler
  • Patent number: 7735239
    Abstract: A drying machine according to the present invention includes an interface unit connected to a separate washing machine with a data communication line for receiving load information from the washing machine, a rotatable drum containing a load of wet clothes which are previously washed by the washing machine, and an air supply system coupled to the drum for supplying dry air into the drum. The machine further includes a heater coupled to the air supply system for heating the dry air, and a dryer controller generating a control signal to the heater in accordance with a set of operation values which are determined based on the load information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hae Deog Jeong, In Haeng Cho, Jae Suk Yang
  • Publication number: 20100139116
    Abstract: This invention discloses systems, apparatuses and methods for drying or dehydrating high moisture content feedstock to dry or low moisture products. The equipment systems comprise a gas turbine generator unit (preferred heat source), a dryer vessel and a processing unit, wherein the connection between the gas turbine and the dryer vessel directs substantially all the gas turbine exhaust into the dryer vessel and substantially precludes the introduction of air into the dryer vessel and wherein the processing unit forms the dried material from the dryer vessel into granules, pellets, flakes or other desired form for the final product. The systems, apparatuses and methods of this invention also provide for prevention of release of HAP, including VOC, emissions from manufacturing facilities in conjunction with or independent of the above treatment of high water content feedstock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: EARTHRENEW, INC.
    Inventors: Christianne Carin, Brian N. Gorbell, Christianne Carin, Alvin W. Fedkenheuer, John S. Jonasson, Alexander Starosud
  • Publication number: 20100132219
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving drying efficiency are disclosed. The systems may include a dryer a motor operatively connected to the drum and configured to cause the drum to rotate. The systems further include a controller for controlling operation of the dryer and configured to alter a drum rotation direction during a drying cycle. The methods may include, at the beginning of the drying cycle, causing the drum to rotate in a first rotation direction thereby causing the contents of the dryer to traverse along the drum centerline. In addition, causing the contents of the dryer to traverse along the drum centerline comprises reversing the rotation direction during the drying cycle. Reversing the rotation direction promotes movement of the contents within the drum in the opposite direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Soheil Etemad, Arnold R. Estravillo, Joseph Hardy Frazar
  • Publication number: 20100132215
    Abstract: In a mixer, in particular a tumbling mixer, the components to be mixed often still have to be dried during mixing, therefore the wall portions of the mixer are air permeable for force inducting drying air. In order to operate such a mixer contamination free for the ambient, it is proposed to cover the portions of the mixer with permeable walls on the outside with a cover, in particular a flexible foil, which is held tight at the mixer above and below the air permeable portions, so that drying air can be inducted between the foil and the mixer into the air permeable portions. Subsequently, the contaminated foil and the drum are provided to reprocessing or disposal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventor: Richard Denk
  • Patent number: 7721463
    Abstract: An oven includes a conveying interior for moving produce through the oven and a gas fired heat source for cooking the produce conveyed through the oven. The conveying interior preferably comprises a rotating drum with a conveying spiral extending inwardly from an inner wall of the rotating drum. The rotating drum may further be sloped downward to facilitate progress of the produce through the oven, and the time spent in the oven may be controlled by controlling the rotating rate of the drum. The gas fired heat source may comprise a thermostatically controlled burner residing under the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Inventor: Ricardo Leon
  • Publication number: 20100050466
    Abstract: A retort apparatus includes a primary rotating pipe within a second rotating pipe within a fixed pipe (27). The interior area of the primary rotating pipe is bounded by a heated pipe. A first annulus is formed between the primary and second rotating pipes. A second annulus is formed between the second rotating pipe and the heated pipe. A third annulus is formed between the primary rotating pipe and the fixed pipe. A heater is positioned within the interior area of said primary rotating pipe. In one embodiment, an inlet gate is provided for introducing a liquid and solid mixture into the first annulus proximate the second end thereof. A first conveyor is provided to move the mixture toward the hot end of the primary rotating pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: James Titmas
  • Publication number: 20100050465
    Abstract: An operating method for a drum type laundry machine including a drum (300) for receiving laundry, an air supply unit (600) for supplying air into the drum (300), and a steam generation unit (400) supplying steam into the drum (300), the operating method comprising the steps of supplying cool air into the drum (300) to remove dust from the laundry; supplying steam into the drum (300) to remove wrinkles from the laundry; and resupplying cool air into the drum (300).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Myong Hun Im, Soo Young Oh, Jae Won Chang, Kyung Chul Woo, Kyeong Hwan Kim
  • Publication number: 20100050467
    Abstract: A steam dryer control method controls the amount of water supplied to a heater to adjust an amount of steam. The steam dryer control method includes turning on a steam heater, turning on a water supply valve and counting the number of lapses of unit water supply duration at any time when the unit water supply duration elapses, and rotating a drum when the number of lapses of the unit water supply duration reaches a preset number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: DAEWOO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ju Dong LEE
  • Patent number: 7654010
    Abstract: A substrate processing method for a substrate processing system comprising at least a substrate processing apparatus that subjects a substrate to processing, and a substrate transferring apparatus having a transferring device that transfers the substrate, which enables the yield to be increased without bringing about a decrease in the throughput. The substrate processing method comprises a jetting step of jetting a high-temperature gas onto at least one of the transferring device and the substrate transferred by the transferring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Moriya, Kazuya Nagaseki
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7644512
    Abstract: A method of drying a surface of a substrate is provided. The method includes supporting and rotating a substrate; applying a liquid to the substrate surface at or near a rotational center point via a liquid dispenser (so that a film of the liquid is formed on the surface); applying a drying fluid to the substrate surface at a predetermined distance from the rotational center point via one or more drying fluid dispensers; and manipulating the drying fluid dispenser(s) so that the location at which the drying fluid is applied to the substrate is moved in a direction toward the rotational center point, while at the same time manipulating the liquid dispenser so that the location at which the liquid is applied to the substrate is moved in a direction outward from the rotational center point. The liquid dispenser and drying fluid dispenser(s) noted above can be located on and/or within an assembly. The assembly can include a first dispenser, a second dispenser, and a third dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Inventors: Zhi (Lewis) Liu, Ismail Kashkoush, Hanjoo Lee
  • Patent number: 7644513
    Abstract: Method for controlling a drying course of a laundry dryer including the steps of (a) starting a drying course by using high temperature drying air, and sensing dryness of a drying object periodically, (b) determining a dryness saturation time point at which the dryness sensed thus exceeds a preset reference value Q, (c) determining a load of the drying object according to the drying saturation time point T_sat, and (d) varying a drying algorithm depending on the load of the drying object determined thus, whereby preventing a small amount of laundry from sticking to a drum in a drying course by varying a control algorithm of the drying motor in a case an amount of the drying object is determined to be small accurately with reference to a saturation time point of an electrode sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sun Cheol Bae, Ja In Koo, Jin Seok Hu, Yang Hwan Kim
  • Publication number: 20100000115
    Abstract: A method for operating a dispenser dryer to remove treating chemistry in the dispenser dryer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: FREDRICK E. CHERNETSKI, MICHAEL T. DALTON, KAUSTAV GHOSH, KARL D. MCALLISTER
  • Publication number: 20090320321
    Abstract: A mixing laundry dryer vane has a general profile which is scooped or “saddle” shaped. The mixing dryer vane has two relatively tall end portions and a reduced height central portion. The mixing dryer vane may have an upper surface that extends arcuately from one taller end portion to the other taller end portion. The arcuate shape may define along the length of the vane a relatively deep concavity which defines the reduced height central portion. The mixing dryer vane's taller end portions may be configured and positioned to cause “wiping” of clothes off and away from an exhaust duct grill within the dryer. The taller end portions of the vane may have a generally propeller-like twist that directs clothes towards the scooped central portion of the vane. The scooped mixing vane in combination with other non-scooped dryer vanes can reduce or eliminate the tendency of harmonic tumbling of a load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS
    Inventors: John M. Jergens, Michael P. Ricklefs, Brian D. Ripley
  • Publication number: 20090320322
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dryer having a function of spraying steam onto laundry. The dryer includes a cabinet, a drum rotatably disposed inside the cabinet, an exhaust part communicating with the drum and provided with a ventilation fan, a drive unit rotating the drum and the ventilation fan; and a drive force transmission unit selectively transmitting a drive force from the drive unit to the ventilation fan. A method of controlling the dryer is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: Daewoo Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Chang Hoo Kim
  • Publication number: 20090320318
    Abstract: An operating method for a laundry machine capable of efficiently removing dust and start smell from clothes without using washing water and efficiently removing wrinkles from clothes in a convenient manner is disclosed. The operating method for a laundry machine which includes a tub (200) for storing washing water, a drum (300) for acommodating laundry, a steam generator (400) that is supplied with water for generating steam separately from the washing water to supply steam to the laundry and an air supply device (600) for compulsorily supplying air into the drum (300), the operating method including supplying hot air into the drum (300) to increase a temperature of the laundry and an innen temperature of the drum (300) and remove dust or volatile smell particles contained in the laundry, supplying steam into the drum (300) to dissolve non-volatile smell particles and relieve wrinkles of the laundry, and resupplying hot air into the drum (300) to remove moisture and wrinkles from the laundry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Pyoung Hwan Kim, Su Hee Shin, Seong Hae Jeong, Young Soo Kim, Deug Hee Lee
  • Publication number: 20090282694
    Abstract: A method of treating wet or dry fabrics in a dryer having a drum capable of tumbling, a liquid delivery system, an air inlet, an air current provider, an air outlet having a lint screen and optionally a venting system, the method comprising the steps of: a) placing the fabrics into the drum; b) delivering a treatment solution into the drum to deposit onto the fabrics either when the drum is stationary or when the drum is tumbling and either in the absence or presence of an air current; and c) optionally tumbling and/or passing a current of air though the drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Euan John Magennis, Graeme Duncan Cruickshank
  • 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: 20090193679
    Abstract: A method for roasting a load of plant biomass, includes the following stages: generation of a treatment gas stream by a thermal generating apparatus, the treatment gas stream being an inert gas consisting essentially of CO2; generation of a bed of material at high temperature, called the thermal base; treatment of the load of biomass with the treatment gas stream, the treatment gas stream being laden with gaseous components including a water steam and volatile organic compounds originating from the load of biomass during the treatment; and recycling of at least a portion of the water steam by passing at least a portion of the laden gas stream through the thermal base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventor: Raymond Guyomarc'h
  • 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: 7504784
    Abstract: With the use of three inverter circuits controlled by a single processor, the controller of the motor-driving apparatus provides a rotation drum-driving motor, a compressor-driving motor and a blow fan-driving motor with a simultaneous sinusoidal-wave control. The configuration above offers stable sinusoidal-wave drive, reducing vibration noise of the rotation drum, the compressor and the blow fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Asada, Mitsuyuki Kiuchi, Hisachi Hagiwara, Hiroyuki Saito
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20080083133
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and system is provided for treating sewage sludge by heating the same in a container to drive off pathogens and/or pasteurize the sewage sludge while the material is tumbled in the container and with moisture gases being) evaporated therefrom and drawn off from the container. After treatment the treated sludge is discharged from the container. There is provided at least one weight-responsive member on which the container is mounted, and a control is provided connected to the one or more weight-responsive member whereby the solids content of the treated material can be determined by measuring the difference in weight of material in the container, before and after moisture is drawn off from the material and prior to its discharge from the drum. The control is preferably effected by means of a computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Richard W. Christy, Robert Van Bramer, Michael Quici
  • Publication number: 20070193062
    Abstract: A substrate processing method for a substrate processing system comprising at least a substrate processing apparatus that subjects a substrate to processing, and a substrate transferring apparatus having a transferring device that transfers the substrate, which enables the yield to be increased without bringing about a decrease in the throughput. The substrate processing method comprises a jetting step of jetting a high-temperature gas onto at least one of the transferring device and the substrate transferred by the transferring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi MORIYA, Kazuya Nagaseki
  • Patent number: 7117613
    Abstract: A laundry machine includes a cabinet and a laundry holding drum rotatably supported therewithin. The drum includes a wall and a drum hatch comprising a section of the wall. A motor is connected to rotate the drum. A controller is configured to operate the motor to drive the drum through a closing operation. The closing operation includes rotating the drum in a direction to bring the drum opening toward the drum hatch to re-close the opening with the drum hatch and to detect stopping of the drum rotation. The controller may provide user feedback that a closure disruption has occurred. The drum hatch is configured to close circumferentially, with a leading edge of the drum hatch approaching a leading edge of the remaining wall. The leading edges are shaped such that interposition of fabric between the leading edges during closure stops the drum hatch reaching a fully closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances Limited
    Inventors: Allen James Guinibert, Russell Joseph Jackson, Hugh Griffith Johnson, Bradley Clive Abraham, Daniel Keith Raphael Pitt, Bruce Reginald Frank McGregor, Geoffrey Simon Frazerhurst, Daryl Leonard Hirst
  • 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: 7047666
    Abstract: A clothes dryer includes at least one clothes drum for receiving textiles and at least one ultrasound atomizer disposed in the dryer for generating an aerosol from a liquid. The invention further relates to a method for introducing an aerosol into the clothes drum of the clothes dryer. A liquid is conducted from a reservoir to an ultrasound atomizer disposed in the clothes dryer, atomized there, and conducted into the clothes drum. The invention relates to further applications for an ultrasound atomizer, such as a washing machine, dishwasher, and/or motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: BSH und Siemeus Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Iris Hahn, Ruth Männer, Gabriele Preu, Carsten Schuh
  • Patent number: 7024795
    Abstract: A drying apparatus having a purpose of shortening a drying time of laundry, comprising an accommodating chamber in which the laundry is accommodated, and executing a washing operation of the laundry and a drying operation after end of the washing operation in the accommodating chamber, the machine comprising: a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, a gas cooler, an expansion valve, and an evaporator are successively connected to one another in an annular form via a piping; an air circulation path for discharging air which has exchanged heat with the gas cooler into the accommodating chamber by a blower to exchange the heat of the air passed through the accommodating chamber with the evaporator; and a control device for operating the compressor and the blower to perform the drying operation, wherein the control device starts the operation of the compressor before entering the drying operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Tadano, Shinichi Akiyama, Nobuo Koumoto, Toru Kawabata, Ryoko Kubo, Hiroshi Mukaiyama, Kazuyoshi Tomochika, Koji Ono
  • Patent number: 7017280
    Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of a dryer including both a variable heat source and a variable speed blower includes varying only one of the variable heat source and the variable speed blower, while maintaining the other one in a fixed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeremy Michael Green, Douglas Allen Riddle
  • Patent number: 7013578
    Abstract: System and method for controlling an appliance for drying clothing articles is provided. The appliance has a container for receiving the clothing articles. A motor is provided for rotating the container about an axis. A heater is provided for supplying heated air to the container during a dry cycle. A sensor is provided for providing a signal indicative of moisture content of the articles. Memory is provided memory for storing historical stop time data of respective dry cycles. A noise-reduction filter is coupled to receive the signal from the moisture sensor to provide selectable filtering to that signal. A timer provides a signal indicative of elapsed time upon start of the dry cycle. A module is responsive to the historical data in the memory for determining an initial estimate of the stop time of the dry cycle to be executed. A processor allows for estimating the stop time of the dry cycle as the cycle is being executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Joseph Wunderlin, Michel Dion, Alexander Carswell Cambon, Mahmoud Fariz Ismail, Zubair Hameed, Cathy Diane Emery
  • Patent number: 7003897
    Abstract: A coffee roaster is an oven with a roasting drum. The roasting drum turns on a horizontal axis within the oven to tumble coffee beans while roasting and to even out differences in heating. The roasting drum is fitted with a bearing journal at each end and just fits within the length of the oven. Opposite ends of the oven have four rollers each that receive the turning weight of the roasting drum by riding along the bearing journals. Each roller wheel is carried at the distal end of a rocker arm attached by its near end to the lower end wall of the oven below a corresponding drum opening. Each in a set of four roller wheels are height adjustable at the 4-o'clock, 5-o'clock, 7-o'clock, and 8-o'clock positions. The two outer rockers and wheel rollers adjust the lateral position of the roasting drum in the oven, and the two inner ones adjust the vertical height of rotation within the oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventors: James B. Lingle, Alexandru Scantee
  • 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: 6718654
    Abstract: Device for a drying section useful in the manufacture of paper or paperboard as a fibrous web. The drying section includes a drying drum rotatable about a first axis of rotation and arranged such that the fibrous web runs in contact with a surface of the drying drum, at least about a part of its circumference, and is dried thereby. The device includes at least one press roller rotatable about a second axis of rotation which is essentially parallel with the first axis of rotation, and is arranged, with a line load, to bear against the fibrous web, whereby the drying drum supports the at least one press roller. The at least one press roller is positioned at a corresponding longitudinal edge of the fibrous web, the least one press roller having a first cross-sectional diameter (D) at outer short ends in the device, and a second cross-sectional diameter (d) at inner short ends of the device, the first cross-sectional diameter (D) being larger than the second cross-sectional diameter (d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Stora Kopparbergs Bergslags Aktiebolag (publ)
    Inventor: Lennart Westman
  • Publication number: 20040006886
    Abstract: A dryer having a filter sensing system that warns a user that a filter requires servicing. The dryer includes a drum that retains laundry. Hot air is drawn through the drum (for drying) and out an exhaust casing having a filter for removing lint and other particles. The temperature difference of the air in front of the filter (on the drum side) and behind the filter is determined using temperature sensors. When that temperature difference exceeds a predetermine threshold a control unit causes a notice unit to produce a warning signal that informs a user that filter service is required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Soon-Jo Lee, Hae Deog Jeong
  • Publication number: 20030213145
    Abstract: The invention provides a device for treatment fabrics in a tumble dryer during multiple tumble drying cycles. The device comprises: a reservoir for storing a fabric treatment composition, means to expose fabric treatment composition from the reservoir to airflow generated inside the tumble drier and/or to directly contact fabrics in the dryer, thereby transferring a portion of the fabric treatment composition into contact with fabrics in the tumble dryer during a tumble drying cycle; means for attaching the device to the inside of the tumble dryer door preferably a hook and sucker; and optionally means for indicating to a user when the fabric treatment composition is used up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Uwe Hagemann, Steven Hayes, Raymond Honey, Colin Watt Kerr
  • Patent number: 6609310
    Abstract: The method for safety control of the drying cycle in hydrocarbon-solvent dry-cleaning machines, comprising, in the first step of the drying cycle, when the temperature of the mixture of hot air and solvent at the outlet of the drying drum reaches values which are higher than a preset safety value passing, the drying air, before being returned to the drum, through an additional separator-heat exchanger having a high thermal capacity. The apparatus is constituted in particular by the additional separator-heat exchanger connected through at least one valve driven by a detection to the drying circuit of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Donini International S.p.A.
    Inventor: Salvatore Carnovale
  • Publication number: 20030115773
    Abstract: A paper web drying apparatus and process is provided in which the heated air drying medium is replaced with between 10 percent to 100 percent of live steam. The addition of a steam component to the drying medium provides for a higher drying temperature to be supplied to the wet moving web. The introduction of live pressurized steam contributes to the load of force of the drying medium, thereby decreasing the energy requirements of blower motors. The introduction of pressurized live steam also lowers the free atmospheric oxygen content of the drying medium which reduces the burning or scorch hazard associated with high temperature drying of a cellulose web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip S. Lin, Ronald F. Gropp, Kevin B. Sartain
  • Patent number: 6581301
    Abstract: A paper drying apparatus to dry a paper web carried on a fabric sheet includes a first rotatable drum to carry a paper web. A second rotatable drum is positioned downstream of the first drum with respect to the paper web carried by the first and second rotatable drum. A third rotatable drum is positioned downstream of the second rotatable drum to carry the paper web. A first air supply directs air through the first rotatable drum in a first direction to dry a paper web carried on the first rotatable drum. A second air supply supplies air through the second rotatable drum in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A third air supply supplies air through the third rotatable drum in the first direction. The first direction is one of a direction from an inside of a respective drum toward an outside of the respective drum and from the outside of the respective drum toward the inside of the respective drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corporation
    Inventor: Benjamin A. Thorp
  • Patent number: 6460269
    Abstract: A wafer dryer for drying a wafer includes a chamber and a support adapted to support the wafer in the chamber. A spray nozzle is disposed in the chamber. A source gas supply tank is in fluid communication with the spray nozzle. At least one heater is operable to heat the chamber and the source gas supply tank. A pumping line is in fluid communication with the chamber. Drive means are operable to rotate the chamber and the spray nozzle. A method for drying a wafer using a wafer dryer including a chamber and a revolving spray nozzle includes the steps of: loading the wafer in the chamber; reducing the pressure in the chamber in which the wafer is loaded to a near vacuum state; creating a temperature controlled atmosphere in the pressure-reduced chamber to quicken drying of the wafer; and spraying the source gas on the wafer while rotating the chamber and the revolving spray nozzle in opposite directions in the pressure-reduced temperature controlled atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-joon Cho, Gyu-hwan Kwag
  • Patent number: 6446357
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the drying cycle of a dryer by utilizing fuzzy logic control. Control is accomplished by first monitoring the moisture level of a clothes load in the dryer. From the monitored moisture information, variables such as the elapsed time from the start of the drying cycle to a point when no significant moisture is detected for a specified time period and the number of times higher moisture registrations occur during another specified time period are determined. Based on the determined variables, fuzzy logic is used to determine characteristics particular to the clothes load being dried, such as size of the load. Using the determined characteristics in conjunction with user settings more accurate control of the time of drying heat application, reduced drying heat application and cool down time can be accomplished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Woerdehoff, Patrick J. Glotzbach, Andrew C. Reck, Joseph M. Szynal, Beth A. Maddix
  • Patent number: 6409929
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method are presented for the mechanical removal of moisture from a filter cake. Differential pressure causes the flow of a treatment fluid through the filter cake. The treatment fluid displaces liquid originally present in the filter cake to prevent cracking of the filter cake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: BOKELA Ingenieurgesellschaft fur Mechanische Verfahrenstechnik mbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Bott, Robert Kern, Thomas Langeloh
  • Patent number: 6401362
    Abstract: Tumble drying apparatus and method in which fabric articles are placed in a horizontally disposed cylindrical basket with a stringer which extends across the basket along an arcuate path that passes near the axis, and the basket is rotated about its axis with the stringer causing the fabric articles to tumble through the central portion of the basket in a loosely packed manner as they fall from one side of the basket toward the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Schultz, John F. Gerling
  • Patent number: 6393725
    Abstract: Compact microwave clothes dryer and method in which the dryer is small enough to be placed on a countertop, and air is circulated past microwave generator and power supply components to the drying chamber to transfer heat from the components to clothes in the chamber to supplement the microwave drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Smith, John F. Gerling, Stephen D. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20010049885
    Abstract: The method for safety control of the drying cycle in hydrocarbon-solvent dry-cleaning machines, comprising, in the first step of the drying cycle, when the temperature of the mixture of hot air and solvent at the outlet of the drying drum reaches values which are higher than a preset safety value passing, the drying air, before being returned to the drum, through an additional separator-heat exchanger having a high thermal capacity. The apparatus is constituted in particular by the additional separator-heat exchanger connected through at least one valve driven by a detection to the drying circuit of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: DONINI INTERNATIONAL S.p.A.
    Inventor: Salvatore Carnovale
  • Patent number: 6199300
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the heat input of a dryer where the initial heat input to a clothes load is set at full power until a first predetermined temperature or time condition occurs. The heat input of the dryer is then reduced to in order to reduce power consumption while effectively removing moisture from the clothes load. When the moisture content of the clothes load falls below a predetermined amount, full heat input is once again applied to remove remaining moisture in the clothes load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy E. Heater, Shawn Richard Oltz, Gregory J. Markert, Mark F. Kendall
  • Patent number: 6158148
    Abstract: The method detects impermissible operating states in a hot-air clothes dryer with a laundry drum. The temperature in the incoming air flow is detected periodically downstream of an incoming air heater and upstream of the drum. A differential value (difference value or gradient) is formed from two successively detected values. The differential value is compared with a predetermined differential value, and if the newly formed differential value is absolutely greater than the predetermined differential value, then a counting value is incremented by one step. The counting value is compared with a predetermined counting value and, if the current counting value is greater than the predetermined counting value, then the heating of the dryer is turned off and/or an operating state display is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe-Jens Krausch
  • Patent number: 6154978
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for confirming the initial conditions of a clothes dryer prior to the start of the drying cycle is provided. The clothes dryer comprises a drying chamber with air inlet and outlet ports. A blower powered by a first motor is arranged in the outlet port to draw air into the drying chamber through the inlet port. A burner for heating the air before it enters the drying chamber is arranged in the inlet port. Also arranged at the inlet port is an air proving device for measuring the air flow through the drying chamber. A second motor is provided for the drive system which creates the tumbling action in the drying chamber. The air flow proving device must be enabled before the second motor is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: American Dryer Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis Slutsky
  • Patent number: 6125550
    Abstract: The field of the invention is food drying apparatus and methods. In particular, the invention discloses a rotary dryer which dries food granules, such as rice, by rotation within a perforated cylindrical barrel, to prepare the rice for packaging. The dryer provides high velocity drying zones along its length, and high temperatures may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignees: Riviana Foods, Inc., Satake Corporation
    Inventors: John Hugh Kendall, Ranvir Biki Mohindra, Duane Stephen Rutherford, Satoru Satake, Sigeharu Kanamoto, Katsuyuki Kumamoto
  • Patent number: 6122840
    Abstract: A clothes dryer includes a control system for determining the drying time for a partial load in a clothes dryer. The system includes a humidity sensor, a signal processor, and a fuzzy logic control system. The humidity sensor generates a humidity signal representative of the humidity of air flowing through the trap duct. The humidity sensor transmits the humidity signal to the signal processor, and the signal processor determines a drying span utilizing the humidity signal. The fuzzy logic control system then utilizes the drying span to estimate the clothes load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nicolas Wadih Chbat, Vivek Venugopal Badami