Including Means To Suspend Work Patents (Class 34/621)
  • Patent number: 11896167
    Abstract: A portable towel dryer is provided in the present application, which comprises a main machine and a rack configured to hang a cloth, wherein the main machine comprises a shell, a heater mounted in the shell and a fan mounted in the shell, an air outlet is provided at a bottom of the shell corresponding to an outlet of the fan, the bottom of the shell is provided with an air inlet, and the heater is arranged on an airflow path of the fan, wherein the rack comprises a hanging rod, two supports respectively supporting both ends of the hanging rod, and a lifting mechanism configured to adjust the height of the supports, each of the supports is connected with the lifting mechanism, and the lifting mechanism is connected with the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SHENZHEN ANTOP TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Ruidian Yang, Xianquan Liao
  • Patent number: 11732399
    Abstract: A clothing treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a cabinet which forms a treatment space for accommodating clothing, a duct in which an inside air channel which sucks inside air from the treatment space and guides the inside air to discharge the inside air to the treatment space, and an outside air channel which sucks outside air from an outer space of the cabinet and guides the outside air to discharge the outside air to the treatment space are preset, a fan which moves air in the duct, and (i) an opening and closing module which is operated to change whether or not a through-channel including at least one of an outside air inlet channel between the outer space and the outside air channel and (ii) an exhaust outlet channel between the treatment space and the outer space is blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hyungha Kang, Jaehyung Kim, Semin Jang, Joosik Jung
  • Patent number: 11674261
    Abstract: A clothes treatment apparatus includes a cabinet defining a treatment chamber configured to accommodate hanging clothes and a cycle chamber configured to house machinery, the cycle chamber being positioned vertically below the treatment chamber. The clothes treatment apparatus also includes a partition plate that partitions the treatment chamber from the cycle chamber, a door configured to open and close the cabinet, a door liner disposed at an inside of the door and configured to guide condensed water generated in the treatment chamber to an upper side of the partition plate, a condensed water guide member disposed at the partition plate and configured to guide the condensed water from the door liner into the treatment chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Taejun Yoon, Hyungkyu Lim, Jeongryeol Choi
  • Patent number: 11674260
    Abstract: A clothes treatment apparatus includes a cabinet defining a treatment chamber configured to accommodate hanging clothes and a cycle chamber configured to house machinery, the cycle chamber being positioned vertically below the treatment chamber. The clothes treatment apparatus also includes a partition plate that partitions the treatment chamber from the cycle chamber, a door configured to open and close the cabinet, a door liner disposed at an inside of the door and configured to guide condensed water generated in the treatment chamber to an upper side of the partition plate, a condensed water guide member disposed at the partition plate and configured to guide the condensed water from the door liner into the treatment chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Taejun Yoon, Hyungkyu Lim, Jeongryeol Choi, Hyoungsup Park, Youngjin Doh, Sunghoo Park
  • Patent number: 11505891
    Abstract: A clothes treatment apparatus includes a cabinet defining a treatment chamber configured to accommodate hanging clothes and a cycle chamber configured to house machinery, the cycle chamber being positioned vertically below the treatment chamber. The clothes treatment apparatus also includes a partition plate that partitions the treatment chamber from the cycle chamber, a door configured to open and close the cabinet, a door liner disposed at an inside of the door and configured to guide condensed water generated in the treatment chamber to an upper side of the partition plate, a condensed water guide member disposed at the partition plate and configured to guide the condensed water from the door liner into the treatment chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Taejun Yoon, Hyungkyu Lim, Jeongryeol Choi
  • Patent number: 11499263
    Abstract: A clothes treatment apparatus includes a cabinet defining a treatment chamber configured to accommodate hanging clothes and a cycle chamber configured to house machinery, the cycle chamber being positioned vertically below the treatment chamber. The clothes treatment apparatus also includes a partition plate that partitions the treatment chamber from the cycle chamber, a door configured to open and close the cabinet, a door liner disposed at an inside of the door and configured to guide condensed water generated in the treatment chamber to an upper side of the partition plate, a condensed water guide member disposed at the partition plate and configured to guide the condensed water from the door liner into the treatment chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Taejun Yoon, Hyungkyu Lim, Jeongryeol Choi
  • Patent number: 11471008
    Abstract: Disclosed is a reinforced towel dryer, comprising hanger and main machine comprising casing, heater, and fan. Bottom of the casing is provided with air outlet and inlet, the heater is located in air flow path of fan. The hanger comprises hanging rod and two supports having supporting section and vertical section abutting against wall. Vertical section is connected to rear end of supporting section. End of the hanging rod is supported on corresponding supporting section, upper end of vertical section is fixedly connected to rear side of casing. When casing is installed on wall, vertical section abuts against wall, then when fabrics are on the hanger, wall acts as rear fulcrum and bears heavy weight, weight on casing can be reduced to support hanger. There is no need for metal plate in casing, so structure of the casing is simplified, weight of the casing and the cost are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: SHENZHEN ANTOP TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Ruidian Yang, Xianquan Liao
  • Patent number: 11453972
    Abstract: A clothes treatment apparatus includes a cabinet defining a treatment chamber configured to accommodate hanging clothes and a cycle chamber configured to house machinery, the cycle chamber being positioned vertically below the treatment chamber. The clothes treatment apparatus also includes a partition plate that partitions the treatment chamber from the cycle chamber, a door configured to open and close the cabinet, a door liner disposed at an inside of the door and configured to guide condensed water generated in the treatment chamber to an upper side of the partition plate, a condensed water guide member disposed at the partition plate and configured to guide the condensed water from the door liner into the treatment chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Taejun Yoon, Hyungkyu Lim, Jeongryeol Choi
  • Patent number: 11136709
    Abstract: A clothes treatment apparatus includes a cabinet defining a treatment chamber configured to accommodate hanging clothes and a cycle chamber configured to house machinery, the cycle chamber being positioned vertically below the treatment chamber. The clothes treatment apparatus also includes a partition plate that partitions the treatment chamber from the cycle chamber, a door configured to open and close the cabinet, a door liner disposed at an inside of the door and configured to guide condensed water generated in the treatment chamber to an upper side of the partition plate, a condensed water guide member disposed at the partition plate and configured to guide the condensed water from the door liner into the treatment chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Taejun Yoon, Hyungkyu Lim, Jeongryeol Choi, Hyoungsup Park, Youngjin Doh, Sunghoo Park
  • Patent number: 11064847
    Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to a heated towel rack that includes at least one lateral support, at least one forced air heating unit in fluid communication with a channel within a lateral support, and at least one cross bar coupled to the at least one lateral support. The at least one cross bar including at least one vent that traverses into a conduit within the cross bar. The channel is in fluid communication with the at least one vent by way of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Inventor: James Joseph Wallander
  • Patent number: 10676860
    Abstract: A clothes treatment apparatus includes a cabinet defining a treatment chamber configured to accommodate hanging clothes and a cycle chamber configured to house machinery, the cycle chamber being positioned vertically below the treatment chamber. The clothes treatment apparatus also includes a partition plate that partitions the treatment chamber from the cycle chamber, a door configured to open and close the cabinet, a door liner disposed at an inside of the door and configured to guide condensed water generated in the treatment chamber to an upper side of the partition plate, a condensed water guide member disposed at the partition plate and configured to guide the condensed water from the door liner into the treatment chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Taejun Yoon, Hyungkyu Lim, Jeongryeol Choi
  • Patent number: 10100459
    Abstract: An external accessory attachment for a drying appliance includes a housing defining a drying space. A suction attachment extends from the housing and is adapted to fit within a filter slot of the drying appliance. The suction attachment is capable of accepting airflow. A blocking flange is adapted to redirect an airflow path of the drying appliance through the housing and the suction attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen M. Groppel
  • Patent number: 9938657
    Abstract: A clothes treatment apparatus includes a cabinet defining a treatment chamber configured to accommodate hanging clothes and a cycle chamber configured to house machinery, the cycle chamber being positioned vertically below the treatment chamber. The clothes treatment apparatus also includes a partition plate that partitions the treatment chamber from the cycle chamber, a door configured to open and close the cabinet, a door liner disposed at an inside of the door and configured to guide condensed water generated in the treatment chamber to an upper side of the partition plate, a condensed water guide member disposed at the partition plate and configured to guide the condensed water from the door liner into the treatment chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Taejun Yoon, Hyungkyu Lim, Jeongryeol Choi
  • Patent number: 9010158
    Abstract: A fabric treatment apparatus is provided. The fabric treatment apparatus includes a treatment room which can receive and hold clothes; a motor which generates a rotational force; an eccentric unit which is rotated eccentrically by the rotational force generated by the motor; a contact unit which converts the rotating motion of the eccentric unit into a reciprocating motion; a clothes rack which is disposed in the treatment room and is coupled to the contact unit so as to move reciprocally in a linear path, and on which a number of hangers can be hung; and a heating unit which supplies at least one of hot air and steam into the treatment room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hea Kyung Yoo, Jong Seok Kim, Sung Min Kim, Sog Kie Hong
  • Patent number: 8789291
    Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly includes a housing at least partially bounding a chamber and a heat exchanger at least partially disposed within the chamber, the heat exchanger containing tubing adapted to allow a heated fluid to travel therethrough and fins outwardly projecting from the tubing, the fins being spaced apart such that air can freely flow between the fins. The heat exchanger also includes an inlet port into which an air mover can be received to provide blown air for the system and an outlet port through which the heated air exits the heat exchanger assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Bridgewater LLC
    Inventors: Jeremiah S. Reets, Gordon K. Hanks
  • Patent number: 8667707
    Abstract: A device (1) for refreshing garments comprises means (5) for supporting a garment and means (3) for generating an air flow at the location where a garment is present when it is put in place on the supporting means (5). The supporting means (5) comprise two parts (6, 7) which are both suitable to be used for supporting a garment, and which are displaceably arranged with respect to each other. In this way, an enhanced functionality of the device (1) may be achieved in comparison with a device having supporting means which comprise only a single part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Milind Date, Mohankumar Valiyambath Krishnan
  • Patent number: 8657998
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing particulate-carrying air from a moving web. The moving web has a first side and a second side. The apparatus includes a NACA duct positioned in a non-contacting relationship on a first side of the moving web, and at least partially submerged in a particulate-carrying boundary layer of the moving web. The NACA duct can have an intake opening and an exhaust opening such that when the intake opening is submerged in the boundary layer at least a portion of the particulate-carrying air from the boundary layer enters the intake opening and exits the exhaust opening, thereby scavenging particulate-carrying air from said boundary layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Brad Scott Lockhart, André Mellin, John Ferney McKibben, David Matthew Ogden, Brian Christopher Schwamberger, Peter Wiedmann, Richard Matthew Giachetto
  • Publication number: 20130232812
    Abstract: An arrangement for drying a web of cellulose pulp having a drying box which includes blow boxes that are operative for blowing air towards the web of cellulose pulp for drying the pulp in accordance with the airborne web principle. The drying box has a first drying zone, which includes first lower blow boxes arranged to bear the web, and a second drying zone, having second lower blow boxes arranged to bear the web, with the first lower blow boxes being different from the second lower blow boxes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: ANDRITZ TECHNOLOGY AND ASSET MANAGEMENT GMBH
    Inventor: Roland Kampris
  • Patent number: 8490293
    Abstract: A flat surface dryer (1) includes a sealed targeting box (2) with its replacement and exhaust air ports (12, 31; 20), and an air fan (3), the flat surface dryer (1) being an air circulating flat surface dryer, including an element (19, 21, 28, 30) for regulating the amounts of replacement air and exhaust air with respect to the total amount of air circulated by the air fan (3). Also described is a method for drying a flat surface (6) with the flat surface dryer (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Korpikorpi Oy
    Inventor: Juhani Vilhunen
  • Publication number: 20110203130
    Abstract: A device (1) for refreshing garments comprises means (5) for supporting a garment and means (3) for generating an air flow at the location where a garment is present when it is put in place on the supporting means (5). The supporting means (5) comprise two parts (6, 7) which are both suitable to be used for supporting a garment, and which are displaceably arranged with respect to each other. In this way, an enhanced functionality of the device (1) may be achieved in comparison with a device having supporting means which comprise only a single part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Milind Date, Mohankumar Valiyambath Krishnan
  • Patent number: 7941936
    Abstract: A garment drying apparatus including upper and lower housings with an expandable and collapsible wall extending therebetween. The apparatus may include at least one support pole and/or bracket to support the upper housing to expand the wall. The upper and lower housings may include openings to slidably receive ends of the at least one support pole and/or bracket. A blower assembly can be located within the lower housing configured to circulate air through one or more vents, wherein when the wall is in an expanded position, the blower assembly circulates air through the one or more vents and into the chamber to dry and press the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Ingenious Designs LLC
    Inventor: Joy Mangano
  • Publication number: 20110072682
    Abstract: A multiple garment drying apparatus for drying garments that includes a hot air source and blower assembly attached to a garment hanging assembly. The garment hanging assembly includes two upward extending hot air transfer arms that connect to two hot air ports on the blower assembly. The garment hanging assembly includes two upward extending air tubes. Attached to the ends of the two arms is a hollow, transverse hollow brace with two upward extending outer end brackets attached to the opposite ends of said hollow brace. Attached to the upper ends of the two end brackets is an upper shoulder component used to support a jacket placed thereon. The upper should component includes a plurality of air vents that enable air delivered below said upper shoulder component to travel upward and through the upper shoulder component. During operation, air from the hot air source and blower assembly is delivered to the two transfer arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventor: Joel Beckett
  • Publication number: 20090151193
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cloth treating apparatus, which supplies hot air to a accommodating space receiving clothes to dry the clothes. The cloth treating apparatus includes a cabinet including a accommodating space to receive clothes, and an electric component chamber, in which a moisture supply device to spray steam to the accommodating space and a air supply device to supply hot air are installed; and a condensed water treating unit to treat condensed water, generated by condensing the steam sprayed to the accommodating space or the hot air supplied from the air supply device. Therefore, the cloth treating apparatus treats the condensed water generated in the accommodating space, and thus prevents the generation of substances harmful to the human body, such as mold, in the accommodating space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jung Wook Moon, Dae Yun Park, Sog Kie Hong, Jong Seok Kim, Seung Gyu Ryu, Hye Yong Park, Chang Gyu Choi, Dong Won Kim
  • Patent number: 7080465
    Abstract: The present invention dries an ink absorption layer using a drying apparatus after applying an ink absorption layer application liquid containing inorganic particles and water-soluble resin to a continuously running web and thereby reduces a drying speed distribution in the width direction of the ink absorption layer to 20% or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Fujinami, Yutaka Kashiwabara, Katsuhiko Takada
  • Patent number: 7020983
    Abstract: Instead of desiccating articles of clothing by spinning the articles, the method and apparatus according to the invention removes moisture from these articles by pressing or drying them with the aid of hot air. Desiccation of the clothing articles occurs gently and with a low expenditure of energy by subjecting the articles to the action of at least one gas jet and, in particular, of a compressed air jet, which is not aligned parallel to the surface of the article of clothing to exert a force upon the article. Advantageously, the article of clothing is subjected to the action of gas jets on both sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Edwin Bolduan, Wolfgang Proppe
  • Patent number: 6944970
    Abstract: The invention provides a dryer for a printer such as a print on demand wallpaper printer. The dryer has a compartment with an opening across the top. The opening is in a path of a moving media web which is printed on by the printer. The opening is optionally covered by a door. A source of heated air is located above the opening and blows heated air downwardly onto the door, or the opening if the door is open. In general, the door covers the opening and acts to support the web when the door is closed. When the door is open, the moving web can enter the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research PTY LTD
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King, Janette Faye Lee
  • Patent number: 6895692
    Abstract: A device for heat treating metallic webs in-line, in particular for operation with a low-density protective gas, comprises stabilising nozzle systems which stabilise the course of the web and effect heat transfer, primarily by forced convection, in the heating portion and at least in the first portion of cooling. The web is guided in a non-contact process in the treatment portion localized by rollers. The course of the web exhibits a concave curvature (as viewed from above), at least in a partial area in the treatment portion. The area of said concave curvature can be in a fluid which is different from the fluid with which the web is blown in the heating portion and at least in the first portion of the cooling area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Inventor: Carl Kramer
  • Patent number: 6834441
    Abstract: A shirt-smoothing device includes a lower part and an inflatable body fixed thereon. Because the inflatable body must be at least the same size as the shirt to be smoothed, the device has considerable height, however, the rigid components in the area of the inflatable body are lowerable to handle the device more easily and, more particularly, to stow it away easily. An internally disposed supporting frame and a button strip tensioner disposed in front of the inflatable body can be lowered after use into the lower part, whereby the inflatable body, which is exclusively connected to the supporting frame at the top becomes folded. The same applies to flexible inflatable support bodied and support nets disposed between the inflatable body and the supporting frame. The storage space required for the shirt smoothing device can be substantially reduced by the invention and the handling and storage thereof simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Damrath, Klaus Grunert, Oliver Käfer, Markus Spielmannleitner, Gerhard Wetzl
  • Publication number: 20040211227
    Abstract: A garment refreshing appliance comprising: an enclosure for receiving at least one garment to be refreshed,a support positioned in said enclosure to receive and suspend said garment in said enclosure, an air moving device arranged to circulate a flow of air within said enclosure, and an air duct associated with said air moving device to direct said circulating flow of air within said enclosure, said air duct having a plurality of flow directing vanes associated therewith to direct said recirculating flow of air against said garment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Floyd G. Jackson, James C. Perso, Robert J. Pinkowski, Viktor N. Kopyrin
  • Publication number: 20040181963
    Abstract: An insert is disposed in a glove to open up the glove and allow the flow of drying air to the inner surfaces of the glove. A cruciform shaped opening is provided in a central portion of the insert. The opening is adapted to interlock with a mating cruciform member on a drying tree for drying in ambient air. Alternatively, the insert with glove mounted thereon can be disposed in a mechanical dryer (electric or gas) if desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventor: Sherilyn G. Morris
  • Patent number: 6745496
    Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for drying and de-wrinkling an article of clothing, which includes a housing having an upper compartment, a lower compartment, and a dividing wall separating the compartments. An exhaust hole is disposed through one side of the upper compartment of the housing, and an intake hole and an outflow hole are disposed through the dividing wall. A mechanical assembly is disposed within the upper compartment and includes a fan, heater, thermostat and humidity sensor. An exhaust fan is in fluid communication with the exhaust hole and is adapted to control a flow of air through the exhaust hole in the side of the housing. A control system is disposed within the upper compartment and accepts an input from a user, a temperature input, and a humidity input, and controls the heater, the fan and the exhaust fan based upon the temperature input and the humidity input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Anthony Cassella
  • Publication number: 20030226276
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying a coated web is taught that reduces dryer induced mottle. The apparatus comprises a plurality of ducts positioned in series within an enclosure, the coated web travelling through the enclosure in a direction of travel, each duct including an arcuate portion terminating in a discharge nozzle, each discharge nozzle directed such that air exiting therefrom is flowing generally parallel to the coated web and in the direction of travel of the web; and at least one of the plurality of ducts having a baffle plate extending back therefrom toward another one of the plurality of ducts upstream thereof, the baffle plate being generally parallel to the coated web. Each duct preferably also includes a plate extension projecting from a bottom portion of the discharge nozzle in the direction of travel of the web, the plate extension being substantially parallel to the coated web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Roger K. Yonkoski, Amy Schweighardt
  • Patent number: 6493962
    Abstract: Drying section of a machine for producing a material web. The drying section includes at least one web guidance device and at least one wire arranged to guide the material web through the at least one web guidance device. The at least one web guidance device is structured and arranged to direct pressurized gas at the material web so that, in a web travel direction, the material web is alternately lifted from the at least one wire and resting against the at least one wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Kahl, Markus Oechsle, Roland Mayer, Eddie Bowden, Robert Procter
  • Patent number: 6457257
    Abstract: The present invention is a completely portable film dryer. The film is hung in strips within an encircling shroud. A heater assembly positioned at the top of the shroud blows warm air downward over the suspended film strips and out through exhaust vents near the shroud's bottom. A drip pan at the bottom of the shroud catches any free water drops. The entire unit, with the film placed inside, can be hung from a clothes hanger, shower curtain rod, or other suitable point. Power is provided to the heater assembly via a 110 volt AC plug or a DC adapter (for automotive cigarette lighters and the like). When not in use, the invention collapses to a significantly reduced size so that it can be transported in a suitcase or equipment container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventor: Frank D. Hughes
  • Patent number: 6381867
    Abstract: A stabilised high vacuum drying installation for industrial hides and similar products includes a plurality of drying beds (2, 2′, 2″) with heating platforms (3, 3′, 3″) and hermetic covers (4, 4′, 4″), vacuum means (7) connected to the drying beds to extract vapours coming from the hides and to reduce the pressure to minimum working values (Pi), a circuit with valve means (10, 10′, 10″; 11, 11′, 11″) to selectively connect the drying beds to the vacuum means. The valve means include, downstream of every drying bed, at least one cutoff valve (10, 10′, 10″) for selectively connecting such bed, initially at atmospheric pressure, to the vacuum means (7), and at least one check valve (11, 11′, 11″) for isolating automatically the remaining beds already at working pressure so as to avoid pressure oscillations in their interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Antonio Polato
  • Patent number: 6363627
    Abstract: A clothes dryer includes a housing and a hollow tube connected to a first end of the housing. The housing has plural lengthwise narrow air inlets formed in a bottom, a wind leaves wheel rotated by a motor and a heater in its interior, and a wind outlet formed in the first end connected to a hollow tube extensible and shrinkable. The hollow tube has a lengthwise L-shaped rail for hanging plural J-shaped hooks for hooking washed wet clothes and two lengthwise lines of wind exhaust holes at two sides of the rail. Thus, outer cool air flows through the air inlet holes in the housing and heated up by the heater and then blown by the wind leaves wheel into the hollow tubes and then flows out of the wind exhaust holes to dry clothes hung on the hooks under the hollow tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: A-Chu Lai
  • Patent number: 6185834
    Abstract: A centrifugally rotating clothes hanger includes a motor for rotating the hanger, the centrifugal force resulting from rotation of the hanger being used to swing water off the clothes and assist in drying the clothes due to the wind-drying effect caused by rotation-induced airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 6088930
    Abstract: In a heat treatment installation a strip moves continuously past infrared radiant elements and elements for blowing air onto the strip. The installation comprises a succession of blower elements separated from each other by at least one infrared radiant element, each blower element having on each side of it a suction element near an infrared radiant element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Solaronics Process SA
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Robin, Yannick Lescanne
  • Patent number: 6072158
    Abstract: A method and apparatus heats a thin sheet of material prior to subjecting the sheet to a process for forming the sheet into a desired shape, such as by vacuum forming. The sheet is supported in a generally horizontal manner during transport through the apparatus, for example on a pair of conveyor chains or belts which carry and provide support to the longitudinal edges of the sheet by gripping same. The sheet is heated from above and below by heating elements and a diffuser plate is located between the upper and lower heating elements, and beneath the downwardly facing side of the sheet. The diffuser plate permits air flow therethrough from an air source and forms a film of heated air adjacent the downwardly facing side of the sheet to support the sheet and prevent excessive downward sagging thereof during heating thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Konal Engineering and Equipment Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas J. McNally
  • Patent number: 6018887
    Abstract: An enclosure having a back wall which is made of a net-like material and unto which photo prints can be placed. A front part of the enclosure has at least one source of hot air which is directed to the back wall and switches which turn on and off the source of hot air and control the speed of the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Inventor: Arsen Kalaydjian
  • Patent number: 6018886
    Abstract: Apparatus for drying coated web material and preferably moving web material comprises a nozzle, means for supplying air to the nozzle and means to distribute the air through said nozzle substantially uniformly across the web width, said nozzle arcing from a position perpendicular with respect to the plane of the web to a position substantially parallel with respect to the plane of the web, said nozzle having an exit slot wherein the air is discharged from the exit slot at an angle of between 1.degree. and 45.degree. with respect to the plane of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Brent C. Bell, George M. Cline, Jr., Christopher J. Klasner
  • Patent number: 5996249
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a portable garment dryer having a support member (10, 14, 60) with a centrally located opening (26) on a top surface thereof. A light but durable, air permeable garment bag (18) is secured about the opening (26) on a bottom surface of the support member (10, 14, 60). An elastic member (28) circumscribes the opening (26) on the other side of the support member (10, 14, 60) and snugly receives a barrel of a hair dryer (22) in an air tight relationship. A pair of adjustable straps (20) are secured to the sides of the support member (10, 14, 60) and supports the support member (10, 14, 60) so that the garment bag hangs freely beneath the support member (10, 14, 60). A damp garment can be hung in the interior of the bag (18) and the hair dryer unit turned on. In a preferred embodiment, foldable flaps (16, 17) extend from the support member (14) to enclose the garment bag (18) folded tightly against the bottom surface of the support member (14) when the garment dryer is not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Synergist, LLC
    Inventor: Roberta J Manning
  • Patent number: 5852883
    Abstract: The conceable drying bar for a clothes hamper provides a simple mechanism to receive and suspend wet or damp towels of clothing externally of the hamper structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Inventors: Paul Ziglar, Stephen A. Fausel
  • Patent number: 5813139
    Abstract: A method for facilitating the drying of carpet More specifically, the present invention relates to using a coiled corkscrew-like device to lift and hold wet wall-to-wall carpeting and padding off of the floor so that air may be blown under the carpet to dry the carpet. The present invention includes a coiled rod, a handle, and a mounting washer. The handle and the rod are welded to opposing sides of the mounting washer. The rod is made from 3/16 of an inch diameter stainless steel and is sharpened to a needle point at the terminal end. The sharpened end of the device is used to puncture a small hole in the carpet. The handle is then rotated about the axis of the coiled rod which raises the carpet off of the floor. Once all of the carpet has been lifted from the floor, one side of the carpet is opened and an air blower is installed to blow air under the carpet. The device is capable of lifting approximately nine square yards of carpeting and padding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Inventor: Ryan C. Lillicotch
  • Patent number: 5755042
    Abstract: Air-blowing nozzles 21 for blowing a hot air are provided in both sides of an electrode sheet 33 for a battery both surfaces of which an electrode compounding agent has been applied to. In each of the air-blowing nozzles 21, a pair of slit-shaped blowholes 65 being extended in the width direction of the electrode sheet 33 are provided on both of the upper and lower sides of the end face part 63. The hot air blown off from a pair of the upper and lower blowholes 65 dries the electrode compounding agent as well as pressurizes a space between the electrode sheet 33 and the end face part 63 to form a pressure room P, and the left and right pressure rooms P hold the electrode sheet 33 to suppress its sway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignees: Toshiba Battery Co., Ltd., Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Gen Takayama, Tsutomu Horikoshi, Shigeo Kasahara, Yoshiyuki Sakai, Toshihiko Kusago, Yasuhiro Kuroki
  • Patent number: 5729909
    Abstract: A clothes drying apparatus has the general shape of a drying sleeve with sufficient length and width to hold an article of clothing for drying. The article of clothing is placed in the drying sleeve and synch lines on each end of the drying sleeve are closed thereby retaining the article of clothing inside of the drying sleeve. The drying sleeve can then be hung out to dry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Chesnutt Engineering
    Inventor: Jackie L. Chesnutt Robison
  • Patent number: 5704135
    Abstract: An instant photographic print drying device. The device has a stand which carries a fan and a heating coil. Downstream of the fan the photograph is held in place by clips. A timer is provided which can be set to a prescribed time to dry the photographs. An on/off switch is provided and a momentary switch is optionally present to provide a little more drying time, without resetting the timer. A thermostat might be included to prevent overheating of the coils, and possible overheating and burning of the photograph. Optionally, the clips holding the photograph in place can be connected to a micro-switch, which activates the timer controlling the fan and heating coil when a photograph is placed on the stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Inventor: Sohrab Riahi
  • Patent number: 5642572
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a portable garment dryer that has a planar base member with a centrally located opening. A light but durable, air permeable garment bag is secured about the opening on one side of the planar base. An elastic grommet-like member circumscribes the opening on the other side of the planar base member and snugly receives a barrel of a hair dryer in an air tight relationship. A pair of adjustable straps are secured to the opposite side of the planar member and supports the planar base so that the garment bag hangs freely beneath planar member. A damp garment can be hung in the interior of the bag and the hair dryer unit turned on. Foldable flaps extend from the planar base member to enclose the garment bag folded tightly against the base member when the garment dryer is not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Synergist LLC
    Inventor: Roberta J. Manning
  • Patent number: 5642462
    Abstract: A rack assembly for drying and warming fabric articles which includes an elongated tube having an interior chamber housing an electrical dryer for warming the air and directing the air through the tube and over a plurality of elongated slots formed in the elongated tube to expel the air onto the fabric article. The slots may increase in length preceding away from the dryer and cooperate with a divider wall angling down preceding away from the dryer to reduce the transverse cross-section of the interior chamber to provide a uniform forced air flow from the elongated tube onto the fabric article. The elongated tube may further comprise a plurality ribs on its exterior for spacing the fabric article from the elongated slots. The rack assembly may be mounted to an existing towel rack bar by having openings at each end and a removable cover to extend to bar of the existing rack through the assembly and out the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Lyons Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary D. Huff
  • Patent number: RE35834
    Abstract: A warmer and dryer for fabric articles having a vertically disposed heated frame upon which one or more articles can be draped. .?.A heated fluid is circulated through the frame by a pump that is mounted in the base of the frame..!. The frame is enclosed by a flexible enclosure made from a material that retains heat while at the same time allowing moisture to pass therethrough into the surrounding ambient. Sufficient heat is provided to warm the atmosphere within the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: William R. Miller