Abstract: A spin dryer for centrifugally removing water droplets attached to a plurality of substrates comprises a rotor having a main shaft formed in a lower portion, substrate holding means for holding a plurality of substrates such that main surfaces of the substrates are perpendicular to the main shaft of the rotor, the holding means being positioned in symmetry with respect to the main shaft of the rotor and rotated together with the rotor, a treating vessel surrounding the rotor and the substrate holding means, an air inlet port formed in an upper portion of the treating vessel for introducing air into the treating vessel, and an exhaust port formed in a side portion of the treating vessel in a manner to extend upward from the bottom portion of the treating vessel to reach at least the height position of the rotor.

Abstract: An adaptor for holding paint rollers of smaller than standard size has a spindle, resilient elongate elements for clamping the roller on the spindle, a stem sized to be releasably retained on a spinning device, and a stop element for setting the position of the adaptor on the spinning device.

Abstract: A syringe encapsulation device having a melt chamber heated by forced hot air to sufficient temperature to melt the plastic bodies of the syringes, where the melt chamber is coaxially mounted onto a rotating shaft and rotated when the plastic is in the molten state such that the molten plastic is centrifugally driven to the outer periphery of the melt chamber to safely encapsulate the needles once the molten plastic has hardened.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for relatively rotatable components such as a salad spinner comprising a bowl, a colander adapted to rest within the bowl, a lid for the bowl and colander, and a drive mechanism associated with the lid and operatively connected to the colander for rotating the colander relative to the bowl. The drive mechanism includes a handle and a drive gear associated with the handle rotatably attaching the turret to the lid, a pinion gear in driving engagement with the turret, and a clutch interposed between the pinion gear and the turret. The pinion gear meshes with the drive gear whereby movement of the handle in one direction engages the clutch to transmit movement to the turret for spinning of the colander in one direction. Movement of the handle in the opposite direction disengages the clutch. The clutch comprises a clutch housing and a clutch assembly receivable within the clutch housing.

Abstract: A filter centrifuge includes a centrifuge drum having a solids removal opening for solids collected in the centrifuge drum. A solids drying housing into which the solids removal opening opens is provided. The solids drying housing has a sieve bottom, a gas inlet for introducing a drying gas, and a gas outlet for removing the drying gas.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning an optical component having opposed lens surfaces and an outer peripheral area. The apparatus includes a rotatable holder for supporting and retaining the optical component via the outer peripheral area so that at least a useful optical area of at least one of the opposed surfaces is fully exposed to air when the holder and optical component are rotated. A drive device is provided coupled to the holder for rotatably driving the holder to centrifugally force a liquid from the surface. The method includes the steps of, positioning the optical component within a holder and retaining the optical component in a region of the outer peripheral edge so that at least a useful optical area of one of the surfaces is fully exposed to air, applying a liquid to the exposed surface of the optical component, and spinning the optical component at a high rate of speed to clean and dry the optical component.

Abstract: An improved wafer holder with spindle assembly and wafer holder actuator is disclosed. In one embodiment, the vertical motion of a shaft drives an arm positioning member in a rotational motion. The arm positioning member is coupled to a first position of an arm such that the arm moves in a horizontal motion when the arm positioning member rotates. A substrate holding member is coupled to the arm at a second position, such that the horizontal motion of the arm moves the substrate holding member between an open and a closed position. The shaft of the above described embodiment is moved in a vertical motion by an actuator. A first cylinder of the actuator expands and engages a spring which moves the shaft upward and a second cylinder of the actuator retracts to disengage the first cylinder thereby moving the shaft downward.

Abstract: A spin dryer apparatus substrate such as a wafer can dry without degrading the cleanliness on both front and back sides of the wafer and without unnecessary cost increases. The spin dryer apparatus includes a holder section for holding a substrate in a substantially horizontal plane and defining a back space located beneath a back surface of the substrate, a driving section for rotating the holder section in the substantially horizontal plane, and a gas supply mechanism for supplying a clean gas into the back space. It is possible to avoid contamination of the back side of the substrate by preventing an ascending gas flow from approaching the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the drying of produce and particularly leafy vegetables. A spin dryer (100) is provided which releasably receives and holds a plurality of manually liftable field baskets (21). A turntable assembly (110) is rotatably mounted to a stationary support structure (105) and operatively coupled to a drive assembly (121). Turntable (110) is adapted to hold a plurality of baskets (21) preferably with the baskets (21) positioned on their sides with their perforated bottom walls (24) facing outwardly and away from the turntable spin axis (14). Produce pieces (22) are preferably stacked in baskets (21) in a parallel vertical orientation with their stems (31) proximate he bottom walls (24) of the baskets (21).

Abstract: A processor for processing semiconductor articles, such as integrated circuit wafers, flat panel displays, semiconductor substrates, and data disks. The processor has an interface section which receives articles in article carriers. The interface section transfers the articles from carriers into processing arrays. A conveyor having an automated arm assembly moves article arrays to and between processing stations. The processing stations are accessed from an enclosed area adjoining the interface section.

Abstract: A centrifugal semiconductor processing system having a rotor which holds articles for centrifugal processing. The rotor includes a rotor frame with a receiver for holding the wafers or other articles in a spaced array without a wafer carrier to improve fluid access to the wafers. The rotor also has one or more retainers which are pivoted relative to the rotor to controllably urge the wafers into their desired processing positions. The retainers are preferably constructed to provide initial spring biasing with added restraining forces being generated during rotation. The processing system also preferably includes an implement mounted on a robot for loading the rotor, and a vision system to aid in the loading operation.

Abstract: An implement (10) for supporting selectively each of at least two roller sleeves of different internal diameters for rotation about their axes comprises an elongate support (11) adapted to extend through each sleeve and carrying two supports (15, 21) for supporting the smaller-diameter sleeve (20) adjacent its ends, a mount (16) for supporting one end of the larger-diameter sleeve and adapter means (30) engageable with a support (21) for the smaller-diameter sleeve for supporting the opposite end of the larger-diameter sleeve, the adapter means and one support (21, 30) for the smaller sleeve being a resilient force fit in the respective sleeve to connect the sleeve for rotation with the elongate support (11).

Abstract: In a spin dryer for semiconductor wafers, the wafer is held beneath a platen with its active side (i.e., the side containing the components or circuitry) facing upward. One or more nozzles spray rinse water on the top surface of the wafer and the wafer is rotated to remove the excess rinse water, thereby drying the wafer. A splash guard adjacent the edge of the wafer insures that the excess rinse water thrown off by the spinning wafer is deflected downward where it cannot again come into contact with the active side of the wafer. The platen is rotated dry at the same time, with no rinse water being splashed back onto the active side of the wafer. The spin dryer also includes a separate section which cleans and dries the end-effector of the robot which inserts the wafer into the spin dryer while the wafer is being dried.

Abstract: A substrate gripper device for gripping a substrate has a rotatable substrate stage, a plurality of fixing fingers vertically mounted on an outer edge of the rotatable substrate stage and having respective horizontal substrate rests for placing thereon an outer edge of the substrate, and a plurality of swing fingers angularly movably supported on the fixing fingers, respectively, for vertically gripping the substrate in coaction with the fixing fingers. The swing fingers are normally biased to move in a closing direction toward the fixing fingers, respectively, by helical springs acting on the swing fingers. A plurality of opening pins are vertically movably disposed below the swing fingers, respectively, and movable upwardly for angularly moving the swing fingers in the opening direction against biasing forces of the helical springs. An opening mechanism is vertically movably disposed below the substrate stage for simultaneously moving the opening pins upwardly.

Abstract: Photoconductor scumming in an electrophotographic copying machine is substantially eliminated by using a synthetic fiber cleaning brush that is substantially free from low yield strength, low surface energy materials.

Abstract: A centrifuge of the type including a housing and a rotatable bowl, and including a heating jacket located therebetween. The heating jacket is established through inflatable seals which selectively seal a space located between the bowl and the housing. The seals may be inflated when the bowl is stationary. A heating fluid is then introduced into the heating jacket so that collected solids in the bowl may be heated and dried. A vacuum may be applied to the bowl to assist in the removal of moisture from the solids. A scraper assembly, including at least one scraper, is disposed within the bowl. The scraper assembly pivots between a stowed position and an operative position to remove the solid that has collected on the inside wall surface of the bowl.

Abstract: A production process for supported catalysts is described comprising:(a) preparing a coating suspension containing at least one refractory inorganic oxide and at least some of the elements intended to constitute catalytically active phase (A);(b) filling at least part of the open porosity of a support with this suspension;(c) drying the filled support by centrifuging;(d) a thermal treatment of the support to obtain a support coated by a wash coat;(e) optionally impregnating the coated support with a solution containing the rest of, or elements of, catalytically active phase (A); and(f) thermally activating the catalyst.This preparation process is of particular interest in the production of catalysts for treating exhaust gases of internal combustion engines, where the wash coat deposited on a support comprises in particular a refractory inorganic oxide, iron oxide and cerium oxide and, by way of a catalytically active element, at least one noble metal such as platinum, rhodium or palladium.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cleaning a workpiece such as a semiconductor element in which the element is placed on a chuck mounted on a rotation mechanism in which the rotation mechanism rotates around a first axis, and the element to be cleaned rotates around a second axis spaced from the first axis in a planetary manner. The cleaning process is programmed such that the element may be sprayed, immersed for a soak or pre-soak step, immersed while spinning, sprayed while spinning, and dried by heated gas, or any combination of these. The cleaning program is performed in a single chamber, which may be heated to a desired temperature.

Abstract: In a spin extractor according to the present invention, a basket drum for containing fabric articles is provided with a balance weight in a portion of its inner peripheral wall, giving the drum its own eccentric load. The magnitude and position of the resultant eccentric load constituted by both the drum's own eccentric load and the fabric articles unevenly distributed therein is detected based on the fluctuations in the motor current. If the magnitude of the eccentric load is out of a predetermined range or if the position of the eccentric load is not in the proximity to the position opposite at an angle of 180.degree. to the balance weight, the drum is rotated at such a speed that the centrifugal force acting on the fabric articles in the drum is smaller than the gravity force. Thus, the fabric articles are loosened, scattered and redistributed, and the magnitude and position of the eccentric load satisfy the required condition.

Abstract: A processor for processing semiconductor articles, such as integrated circuit wafers, flat panel displays, semiconductor substrates, and data disks. The processor has an interface section which receives articles in article carriers. The interface section transfers the articles from carriers into processing arrays. A conveyor having an automated arm assembly moves article arrays to and between processing stations. The processing stations are accessed from an enclosed area adjoining the interface section.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the drying of produce and particularly leafy vegetables. A spin dryer (100) is provided which releasably receives and holds a plurality of manually liftable field baskets (21). A turntable assembly (110) is rotatably mounted to a stationary support structure (105) and operatively coupled to a drive assembly (121). Turntable (110) is adapted to hold a plurality of baskets (21) preferably with the baskets (21) positioned on their sides with their perforated bottom walls (24) facing outwardly and away from the turntable spin axis (14). Produce pieces (22) are preferably stacked in baskets (21) in a parallel vertical orientation with their stems (31) proximate the bottom walls (24) of the baskets (21).

Abstract: The wafer drying apparatus disclosed includes a plurality of cradles, a turntable, a drying chamber, a balancing mechanism, a shielding plate, and an isolating chamber. The shielding plate is formed of half circular plates which are provided respectively to the supporting member, are partially overlapped near the axis of horizontal rotation, and are configured such that the balancing mechanism is covered thereby and that a peripheral portion thereof extends to a side wall of the drying chamber and is provided with a plurality of vanes. The isolating chamber is partitioned by the shielding plate and has a partition plate defining a vacant section surrounding the balancing mechanism and an exhaust opening from which the air in the drying chamber is drawn out by a pumping action of the vanes due to the rotation of the shielding plate and is exhausted to the outside through an external wall of the partition wall.

Abstract: A collision avoidance technique is provided in an automated semiconductor wafer processing system, wherein a magnet or magnetic strip is incorporated into each boat or carrier used to hold and transport the semiconductor wafers during the IC fabrication process. Additionally, a magnetic field sensing device is incorporated into the robotic arm of the system for sensing the presence of magnetic fields generated by the magnet(s) incorporated into the boats and/or carriers. Using this system, it is possible for the automated system controller to determine whether an imminent collision is about to occur by monitoring changes in the detected magnetic field. In this way, collisions between one boat/carrier and a second boat/carrier may be anticipated and avoided without relying upon physical contact between the two objects in order to detect collision.

Abstract: A semiconductor processing system for wafers or other semiconductor articles. The system uses an interface section at an end of the machine accessible from the clean room. A plurality of processing stations are arranged away from the clean room interface. A transfer subsystem removes wafers from supporting carriers, and positions both the wafers and carriers onto a carrousel which is used as an inventory storage. Wafers are shuttled between the inventory and processing stations by a robotic conveyor which is oriented to move toward and away from the interface end. The system processes the wafers without wafer carriers.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying vegetables, fruits, and other produce having a support including a base and at least two upstanding posts. A housing element is secured to the support. A roller conveyor for transferring a container from outside of the housing element to a position within the housing element and for transferring the container from within the housing element to outside of the housing element is secured to the housing element. A hold-down lid for securing and positioning the container within the housing element is secured by a hold-down lid shaft and may be manually or electronically controlled. A plate for supporting and for rotating the container is secured to the plate shafts. The plate is mounted within the housing element and includes a plurality of spaced centrifugal pins being positioned so as to secure the container on the plate. The plate also has a centrifugal pin activation mechanism for activating and positioning the plurality of spaced centrifugal pins as the plate is rotated.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in washing paint brushes, including a cylindrical casing, an inner retainer, an outer retainer, an inner tube, a rectangular transmission plate, a cap, a driving rod, a driven gear, and a coupling block, wherein: the driving rod as a stop arm for securing to the cap as the apparatus is used to drive a paint mixing tool; the coupling block has a coupling hole for holding the handle of the paint mixing tool used.

Abstract: A drive attachment device (10), particularly adapted to receive and transmit drive to the handle (31) of a paint brush (30) comprises a body (11) having a socket (12) for receiving the end of a paint brush, and resilient retaining means in the form of tension springs (17) mounted on pegs (16) to span an opening (18) through which the handle (31) of the paint brush (30) is introduced when being fitted to the device. The tension springs exert sufficient force on the paint brush handle both to retain it in position against axial displacement and to transmit rotation when the body (10) is rotated.

Abstract: A centrifugal pellet dryer is provided which has a housing, a generally cylindrical mesh member vertically disposed within the housing and a rotor that is coaxial with the mesh member. The rotor has lifters which tend to move a slurry of pellets and water upwardly and outwardly relative to the cylindrical mesh member so that water moving radially through the mesh member is separated from the pellets which are retained by the mesh member. The rotor has a hollow interior portion that communicates with the bottom of the rotor so that the slurry of pellets of water are introduced into the dryer through the hollow interior of the rotating rotor. The slurry of pellets and water is distributed uniformly about the periphery of the mesh member by the rotating rotor and the rotation of the rotor enhances the centrifugal force of the slurry to initially dewater the slurry more effectively as the water moves radially outwardly through the mesh member.

Abstract: An extractor for removing water from washed articles hung from hangers includes a hollow outer structure 11 containing therein a hollow inner structure 12 having side walls made of a perforated sheet metal and a motor 31 for rotating the inner structure 12. Both structures 11 and 12 are open at the top, and a plurality of hanger-supporting pieces 16 are attached to the inner structure 12 for suspending therefrom hangers 1 carrying washed articles. There are also a supply device 50A for causing hangers 1 to become suspended from the hanger-supporting pieces 16 from above and a discharge device 50B for removing hangers carrying dehydrated articles thereon from the hanger-supporting pieces 16 upward to above the inner structure 12.

Abstract: An improved drive shaft assembly (11) for a paint brush and roller cover cleaning machine (10) providing a blank clutch disk (40) having an opening (41) which does not substantially increase in size with use of the paint brush or roller cover cleaning machine. Because the opening does not wear with use, a flange (42) mounted to the lower marginal end portion of a drive rod (16) is less likely to be pulled past the blank clutch disk.

Abstract: A downflow spin dryer, includes a housing; a rotor rotating within the housing in a direction of rotation, the rotor including first and second opposite mounting holes at different heights; a cradle fitted within the rotor for accommodating semiconductor substrates to be dried, the cradle having a rear portion and a front portion as viewed with respect to the direction of rotation of the rotor, the cradle being fitted to the rotor such that the rear portion of the cradle is at a lower position than the front portion of the cradle, the cradle including first and second opposite mounting holes in alignment with the first and second mounting holes, respectively, of the rotor when the cradle is fitted within the rotor, the first and second mounting holes of the cradle being at the same height; screws for entering the first mounting holes of the cradle and the rotor, and for entering the second mounting holes of the cradle and the rotor, so as to mount the cradle within the rotor; an air inlet in an upper surface

Abstract: A wafer holder which grips a wafer by its edges is disclosed. The wafer holder is mounted on a spindle assembly which spins the wafer so held, for example, to spin dry both the front and back side of the wafer. The wafer holder includes two pairs of wafer holding bumpers, each pair coupled to one end of a reciprocating arm which swings each pair inward and outward to define an open position for releasing or loading a wafer, and a closed position for holding the wafer. Each arm is coupled to an insert and thrust bearing allowing for rotation to provide the reciprocating motion. After the insert and thrust bearing have toggled past a predefined position while the wafer holder is in the closed position, further motion is prevented, to lock the wafer holder in the closed position. Further, the insert member rotates back and forth in response to up and down movement of a rod within the spindle to allow for opening and closing of the wafer holder.

Abstract: A salad spinner comprising a bowl, a colander adapted to nest within the bowl, and a lid for the bowl and colander. Drive means are associated with the lid for rotating the colander relative to the bowl. The drive means include a handle having one end for manual engagement with the opposite end of the handle being pivotably mounted to the lid. A drive gear is positioned at the opposite end of the handle, and a turret is positioned on the underside of the lid. The turret is rotatably attached to the lid and a pinion gear is provided in driving engagement with the turret. This pinion gear meshes with the drive gear whereby movement of the handle transmits movement to the turret through the pinion gear. Drive tabs are carried by the turret for engaging the colander to impart spinning movement to the colander in response to movement of the handle.

Abstract: Moistened powder and granular materials, such as produced by an extrusion granulator, are disintegrated into uniformly sized and shaped granules by an apparatus having a cylindrical housing and a working plate rotatably disposed in the housing in coaxial alignment with said housing, with an opening at the center of the working plate. A working fluid is introduced into the interior of the housing above the working plate through a wall of the housing and moistened powder and/or granular raw materials are supplied into the housing onto the working plate. The treated materials are discharged through the central opening in the working plate.

Abstract: A processor for processing integrated circuit wafers, semiconductor substrates, data disks and similar units requiring very low contamination levels. The processor has an interface section which receives wafers in standard wafer carriers. The interface section transfers the wafers from carriers onto trays for processing. The interface unit can hold multiple groups of multiple trays. A conveyor having an automated arm assembly moves wafers supported on a tray. The conveyor moves the trays from the interface along a track to several processing stations. The processing stations are accessed from an enclosed area adjoining the interface section.

Abstract: An improved centrifugal fat extraction apparatus for removing surface liquid from food which comprises a housing assembly having mounted at its bottom a self-centering drive assembly having a shaft extending vertically from the self-centering drive assembly within the housing assembly, a rotatable spindle mounted onto the shaft, a means for rotating the spindle at a variable speed between 750 and 1200 rpm for approximately a 45 second time span, and a rotatable cylindrical slotted basket capable of holding foods. The self-centering drive assembly prevents undesirable vibration from being imparted to the housing assembly as the result of eccentric loading of the foods into the slotted basket.

Abstract: A centrifuge extractor designed for reclaiming industrial fluids from absorbent matts and pads is characterized by a fixed cylindrical housing and a rotating cylindrical screen concentrically arranged within the housing to define inner and outer housing chambers. With fluid laden matts and pads arranged in the inner chamber, the screen is rotated to separate the fluids from the matts and pads. The fluids pass through the screen and exit the outer chamber through an outlet at the bottom thereof. The fluids pass through coarse and fine particulate filters. Thus, the matts and pads are reusable and the fluids may be reused or recycled.

Abstract: A drying apparatus for drying a moist material includes a container having an opening for receiving the material therein. A top cover is provided for closing the opening of the container. A heater and fan are provided on the bottom of the top cover so as to confront to the opening of the container when the top cover is closed. The heater and fan produce and blow a heated air stream toward the material to vaporize the moisture therein. A rotary drive unit is provided under the container to rotates the container for mixing the material. By the mixing operation, the material is stirred such that the inside portion the of material is moved up and is exposed to the heated air stream. The vapor released from the heated material is vent ed to the outside of the apparatus through a ventilation unit.

Abstract: A mini-roller cleaning tool is disclosed including an adaptor for positioning adjacent the arms of a paint brush spinner, and a shaft for securing a mini-roller to the adaptor such that when the adaptor handle is rotated, the mini-roller is spun to remove paint from the mini-roller by centrifugal force. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, grips are provided to facilitate positioning the adaptor between the arms of the paint brush spinner without injuring the user's hands.

Abstract: A draining and drying apparatus of semiconductor materials capable of adjusting the rotation balance of a rotor for holding the semiconductor materials without requiring any filling works of dummy semiconductor materials. In a rotary casing, a rotor horizontal moving mechanism is mounted on a rotation main shaft of a rotor, and the rotor is mounted on this rotor horizontal moving mechanism, and the rotor is mechanically moved horizontally in the intersecting direction to the rotation main shaft by the rotor horizontal moving mechanism, so that the rotation balance of the rotor may be adjusted.

Abstract: An apparatus which performs solids particles separation from a liquids/solids slurry, and subsequent drying of such solids particles, within a single enclosure. Further processing functions, such as reslurry washing, plug washing, crystal growth and other reactions, can also be carried out within that single enclosure.

Abstract: A spindrier comprises a box enclosing a plurality of wafers, a motor for rotating the wafers in the box, upper and lower clamp bars for holding the wafers face to face and substantially perpendicular to a rotating shaft of rotating means, and gas introducing and discharging mechanisms for generating a flow of clean gas in the box. A sectional area of an open bottom of the box is smaller than a sectional area of an open top of the box, and the gas flows from the open top to the open bottom.

Abstract: In order to considerably reduce expenditures for the dewatering of sludges, particularly from sewage treatment facilities, and thereby perform the step from a sticky, wet solid to a flowable solid granulate practically without the re-admixture of material, it is proposed to employ a solid bowl sludge centrifuge as the dispersing member in a subsequently connected convection dryer for further dewatering of the wet solids particles that are ejected with a dry substance content of approximately 25-35 weight percent. The wet solids particles that are ejected at high speed in the form of a film of particles from the outlet of the solid bowl sludge centrifuge are surrounded by the hot drying gas while still on their trajectory and are pre-dried to a dry substance content of approximately 65 weight percent (FIG. 5).

Abstract: A system used to recycle remnant fiberglass that has been removed from bobbins by water jets. The fiberglass recycling system includes a conveyor system for transporting the fiberglass to a centrifuge which dewaters wetted fiberglass. A detector having photoelectric devices is positioned at a discharge end of the conveyor system to detect dimensions of clusters of fiberglass conveyed past the discharge section of the conveyor. The detector is connected to a control unit which calculates the approximate amount of fiberglass conveyed past the detector and deposited into the centrifuge. In response to the amount of fiberglass detected, the control unit directs the operation and timing of the recycle system by selectively controlling the speed of the centrifuge and by placing the conveyor system between a discharge mode and an accumulation mode.

Abstract: A spindrier according to the present invention includes a box body enclosing a plurality of wafers, a rotor for holding the wafers in the box body and rotated by a motor, and upper and lower clamp bars for holding the wafers face to face with their faces directed perpendicular to rotating shafts of the rotor. The lower clamp bars are connected and fixed to the rotating shafts so as to hold lower rim portions of the wafers thereon when the wafers are set in the rotor. The upper clamp bars are connected to one of the rotating shafts at their base ends so that they can be swung vertically erect and also and horizontally relative to the rotating shaft and they are locked to the other rotating shaft at their front ends when they are swung horizontally. They include a mechanism for swinging them, a locking mechanism for locking their front ends to the other rotating shaft, and an unlocking mechanism for releasing their front ends from the other rotating shaft.

Abstract: Rotary dryer having an enclosure surrounding a plurality of elongate blades positioned along an exterior portion of a fluid permeable sidewall. Rotation of the blades within the enclosure induces air to pass through the sidewall to improve drying characteristics of the dryer.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes an open-ended, non-spinning housing, which is fitted with an inner lining that rotates within the housing at speeds sufficient to de-water material loaded from within and along the length of the inner liner. A loading conveyor system has a discharge end that can be relatively positioned horizontally at various depths within the inner liner to deposit product at continuously variable layer depths on the inner liner while it is spinning. Once loaded, the inner liner is accelerated to a drying speed and the housing is swiveled to vertical on gudgeons. Once drying is complete, the inner liner is slowed down, or stopped, and the de-watered product can fall out to land on an unloading conveyor.

Abstract: A device for carrying out a method of sugar-coating and/or film coating is provided with a partially perforated drum (48) which rotates about an axis (50). The inner space (47) of the drum can be exposed to a fluid flow (gas, fluid). The inner space (47) is associated with an element for guiding a gas flow which guides the gas flow as a controlled shell-shaped flow through the plane of the drum opening (43) and, with at least one longitudinal component with respect to the axis, through the inner space (47) of the drum (48).

Abstract: A spindrying apparatus for removing retained rinse water from leafy product such as lettuce, cabbage, broccoli and spinach which includes a basket of wire mesh or perforated metal and a trapdoor in its floor. A liftbar extends across the top of the basket with a centrally located hole for attachment to the chain of a conveyor hoist providing that the basket may be filled with leafy product at a loading station then conveyed to a spindryer tank where it is lowered onto the rotatable platform within the tank. The platform and basket are spun to force the rinse water out of the leafy product. The chain is reattached and the basket is conveyed to an unloading station. A latch mechanism in the bottom of the basket is operated to release a trap door forming the floor of the basket thereby allowing the trapdoor to fall open and the leafy product to fall out of the basket. The trapdoor is then manually snapped shut and the basket is ready for the next drying cycle.

Abstract: A centrifugal pellet dryer in which centrifugal action is used to separate water from polymer pellets incorporating unique structural and functional features including but not limited to utilizing the pellet outlet nozzle as an air inlet, feeding the pellet/water slurry upwardly from underneath the dryer directly into the lower end of the rotor of the dryer, providing a sloped bottom in the dryer to facilitate ease of cleaning, providing a hinged cylindrical screen encasing the rotor to enable the screen to be removed for easier cleaning, closing the top of the dryer and using the pellet outlet for the air inlet which will eliminate flat spots in the pellet outlet to make it easier to clean and eliminate cross contamination which occurred in previous dryers as pellets frequently ricocheted or bounced into the air inlet filter housing and later fell back into the dryer, providing large panel doors to facilitate cleaning and constructing the dryer housing with flat sides which provide more versatility in the lo