Combined Patents (Class 34/90)
  • Patent number: 8341853
    Abstract: A drying apparatus has a casing, a cavity formed in the casing for receiving an object, a fan located in the casing and creating an airflow, a motor provided in the casing for driving the fan and ducting for carrying the airflow from the fan to at least one opening arranged to emit the airflow into the cavity, wherein the ducting includes at least one air duct in which at least one vane is located, the vane extending in the direction of airflow and dividing the air duct into a plurality of airflow portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Timothy Alexander French, Peter Nigel Hutchinson, Frederic Nicolas
  • Publication number: 20120311881
    Abstract: A drying pad includes a flexibly bendable pad body, an air-blowing device and an ultraviolet sterilization device. The pad body is sheet-shaped. A supporting blower is disposed on a bottom-layer sheet of the pad body. An air-blowing device is provided one side of the pad body and communicated with the air-blowing device. The pad body has a plurality of outlet-air vents on a top surface thereof. The supporting blower has a plurality of inlet pipes communicated with the air-blowing device, round casings, and joining pipes. Each round casing has an outlet hole formed on a top thereof. Channels are defined in the supporting blower for guiding the air from the air-blowing device to the outlet holes through the outlet hole. The present invention is capable of blowing air, drying and sterilizing the feet by ultraviolet lights, so that the feet can be dried sufficiently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventor: Pi-Fen LIN
  • Patent number: 8322541
    Abstract: A method of assembling a towel rail having vertically extending, elongate, tubular supports opposed and spaced apart from each other, and spaced apart, horizontally extending, tubular beams, the method including: a) threading an elongate flexible heating element through a respective support; b) looping an appropriate length of the element through each hole of the support to form a plurality of looped sections; c) threading each looped section through a respective beam from the second end; d) inserting the second end of each beam through a respective hole of the respective support to bring an abutment surface of the second end into contact with an inner surface of the support; and e) locking the second end of each beam to the support by passing a fastener at least partially through the support to engage with a recess formed in the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: Andrew Keith Maclaren-Taylor
  • Publication number: 20120291300
    Abstract: An air drying apparatus includes a main body, a work cabinet, a first air blower and a second blower. The work cabinet includes a plurality of air knives. The first air blower and the second air blower are connected to the work cabinet through a number of pipes, and the power of the first air blower is higher than the second air blower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicants: FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED, SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: JUN-KAI WANG, YING-SHU CHEN, XIAO-GANG ZHANG, BING YU
  • Publication number: 20120291307
    Abstract: A device for removing liquid from a part of a vehicle, the liquid removal device including an intake (11) for receiving matter containing gaseous component and non-gaseous components, a separator (14) for separating the gaseous and non gaseous components of matter entering the inlet (11), and an outlet (9, 10) for directing a gaseous component of the matter leaving the separator (14) towards the part of the vehicle from which liquid is to be removed, so as to remove liquid therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventor: Gregory Keyes
  • Patent number: 8312638
    Abstract: A multiple laundry treating machine, in which an auxiliary laundry treating device (120) is coupled to a general laundry treating device (110), is disclosed. The multiple laundry treating machine includes a main laundry treating device (110) for washing or drying laundry contained in an interior of the main laundry treating device (110), an auxiliary laundry treating device (120) arranged at one side of the main laundry treating device (110), the auxiliary laundry treating device (120) having a volume and a height respectively smaller than a volume and a height of the main laundry treating device (110), and having a laundry container (121) formed in an interior of the auxiliary laundry treating device (120), and a connecting unit (300) for connecting the main and auxiliary laundry treating devices (110, 120), to enable communication or control operations between the main and auxiliary laundry treating devices (110, 120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seong Ho Park, Phal Jin Lee, Seong Hae Jeong, Seong Jin Jo
  • Publication number: 20120285032
    Abstract: A work surface device for a domestic household appliance and a household appliance having a work surface. The work surface device includes a housing having a cavity accessible by an opening formed in a sidewall of the housing, and a pivotally-deployable work surface supported by the housing at a pivot point, wherein the pivotally-deployable work surface is movable about the pivot point from a stored position within the cavity to a deployed position outside of the housing, and wherein the pivotally-deployable work surface has a planar upper support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: BSH HOME APPLIANCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sam Rhodes, Oliver Schöne
  • Patent number: 8296968
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for quickly and effectively drying ground surfaces are disclosed and claimed. The invention has particular utility in the drying of a race track surface. The invention consists of a means for blowing air upon the surface, a means for heating the air and a means for moving the apparatus with respect to the surface to provide flexibility and control in the degree of drying/heating performed. The apparatus and method may be applied to a variety of surfaces including earthen (dirt) surfaces, concrete and asphalt. One of the objectives of the device is to enable the drying of a track surface such that the surface will not be damaged by overheating which can otherwise occur with other track drying devices applied to an asphalt surface in particular. The design of the invention makes specific use of enhanced turbulent air flow at the surface in order to improve performance over a purely laminar air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Charles Hensley
  • Patent number: 8296967
    Abstract: A present invention relates to a fabric treating apparatus including an inside cabinet which forms a treating chamber which the fabrics treated in, and a heating unit for supplying any one between hot wind and steam to the treating chamber, and a hanger rack disposed in the treating chamber, and a driving unit for generating rotary power outside the treating chamber and is disposed upper part of the inside cabinet, and a transmission unit for reciprocating the hanger rack by transmitting the rotary power of the driving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sung Min Kim, Sog Kie Hong, Dong Won Kim, Jong Seok Kim, Dae Yun Park, Hea Kyung Yoo
  • Patent number: 8296888
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a cloth treating apparatus, such as a laundry treating machine, and methods of control and operation which sanitize the machine. The laundry treating machine can include an accommodating space which supplies air and moisture in order to remove unpleasant odors, wrinkles, or dampness from the laundry. The laundry treating machine may further include a circulation duct to circulate, dehumidify, or heat air inside the accommodating space. Operation of the laundry treating machine can use steam-sanitizing to remove odors, moisture, bacteria from the accommodating space and circulation duct. Steam-sanitizing can be performed based on a user's selection or the occurrence of a condition, such as unloading of laundry from the accommodating space after treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hea Kyung Yoo, Sog Kie Hong, Dong Won Kim, Jong Seok Kim, Dae Yun Park
  • Patent number: 8286365
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus for cooling objects from a painting device is disclosed. The cooling apparatus comprises a housing enclosing a cooling zone, a transport device for transporting workpieces through the cooling apparatus along a transport direction from an entry region through the cooling zone and through an exit region. A heat exchanger is configured for cooling air from the cooling zone and to redirect cooled air into the cooling zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventor: Gerd Wurster
  • Patent number: 8276289
    Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing a torrefied biomass fuel are disclosed. Moisture is initially extracted from relatively wet biomass fuel to produce a relatively dry biomass fuel. Remaining moisture is then extracted from the relatively dry biomass fuel in a final drying stage, using steam at a temperature of about 900° F. The resulting dried biomass fuel is conveyed downward using gravity and undergoes torrefaction, which produces torrefied biomass fuel and torrefaction gases. A gaseous mixture of steam and torrefaction gases is vented to a heat exchanger, where the gaseous mixture is heated by a flue gas, and the heated gaseous mixture is used to support the extraction of the remaining moisture in the final drying stage and to support the torrefaction of the dried biomass fuel. Embodiments disclosed herein efficiently use available energy resources to the benefit of manufacturers, consumers, and the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Terra Green Energy, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas P. Causer
  • Patent number: 8272144
    Abstract: An electric household appliance (1) having a casing (2); a rotary drum (3) housing laundry to be dried and mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis (L) inside the casing (2); a door (4) which rotates to and from a work position closing an opening (2a) in the casing (2) to close the drum (3); a hot-air generator (5) for circulating hot air inside the drum (3); a steam generator (15) for circulating a steam jet inside the drum (3); an exhaust manifold (11) communicating with the drum (3) to allow outflow of air/steam from the drum (3); and a shutter device (30) for selectively opening/closing the exhaust manifold (11) to permit /prevent free outflow of air/steam from the drum (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventor: Luigi Arreghini
  • Publication number: 20120233872
    Abstract: A description is given of an apparatus (1) for treating a bed (2) of particulate material which is supported by an aeration bottom (3), subject to the application of a conditioning gas being directed to and flowing up through the aeration bottom (3) and the material bed (2) from an underlying compartment (4) which comprises side walls (5), end walls (6) and a bottom (7). The apparatus is peculiar in that it comprises a space (8) for inspection which extends into the compartment (4) from one of its side walls (5), end walls (6) or bottom (7) and allowing access for a person for visual inspection by direct sight of the compartment (4) through a number of inspection openings (9). Hence it will be possible during the operation of the apparatus to inspect by direct sight the equipment in a significantly extended area of the compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: FLSMIDTH A/S
    Inventor: Per Petersen
  • Patent number: 8266813
    Abstract: An exhaust air dryer with a drying chamber for items to be dried. The dryer includes a process air fan, a heat exchanger which includes a heat source, a heat sink of a heat pump, and a flushing device for flushing of a first inflow surface of the heat source and a second inflow surface of the heat sink with a liquid which is assigned to the heat source and the heat sink for removing of soil; and air ducts interconnecting the drying chamber, the process air fan, and the heat exchanger for conducting process air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Grunert, Uwe-Jens Krausch, Günter Steffens, Andreas Stolze
  • Patent number: 8266815
    Abstract: A cleaning device for a component, especially a heat exchanger, operatively disposed within a process air circuit of a household tumble dryer, the cleaning device comprising a rotatable brush device for removal of lint deposits from the component; a linear drive mechanism for driving the brush device along the component; and a rotary drive mechanism for driving the brush device about an axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Roman Goldberg, Klaus Grunert
  • Patent number: 8266819
    Abstract: An air drying system for use in a concentrated solar power generation system using a fluid heat transfer medium includes a first vent pipe and a first desiccant pack. The first vent pipe extends from the concentrated solar power generation system and includes a first inlet open to ambient air, and a first outlet open to an interior of the solar power generation system in fluid communication with the fluid heat transfer medium. The first desiccant pack is positioned within the first vent pipe between the first inlet and first outlet and is positioned to reduce moisture content of ambient air flowing into the first vent pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Zillmer, Daniel P. Cap
  • Patent number: 8266816
    Abstract: Disclosed are a clothes dryer and a door thereof. The door includes a glass assembly provided with a door glass; and a door cover connected to the glass assembly. The door cover has a vertically symmetrical structure, and is rotated against the glass assembly and then connected to the glass assembly, when the opening and closing direction of the door is changed. Thereby, when the opening and closing direction of the door is changed, only the door cover is rotated, and thus the opening and closing direction of the door is easily changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyung Sub Lim
  • Publication number: 20120216419
    Abstract: An exemplary system for removing soil from seed comprises an auger portion, a centrifuge portion and/or a dryer portion. The auger portion comprises an inclined enclosure and an auger positioned within the enclosure and is configured to mix seed with a liquid, remove soil from the seed, and separate washed seed from the liquid and the removed soil. The centrifuge portion comprises at least one centrifuge having an outer drum and a rotatable inner basket positioned within the outer drum. The inner basket comprises a side wall having a plurality of apertures. The inner basket is configured to receive washed seed from the auger portion within the inner basket and to centrifugally separate additional liquid from the washed seed, the separated liquid passing through the plurality of apertures into the outer drum. The dryer portion further reduces moisture content of the seed using heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Bill L. Rose, Thomas R. Miles, SR., Thomas R. Miles, JR., Agostino Gaude
  • Publication number: 20120216416
    Abstract: A compact, skid mounted system for handling of solids generated in wellbore operations. A cuttings drying unit and solids/liquid separator are mounted on a skid. A feed auger moves wet cuttings from the discharge on a rig to the cuttings drying unit. A first discharge auger moves the dried cuttings discharged from the cuttings drying unit to a disposal point, which may be a container such as a cuttings box. The fluid discharge from the cuttings dryer is routed to a solids/liquid separator. A second discharge auger moves the solids discharge from the separator to a disposal point. The liquid discharge from the solids/liquid separator is routed back to the fluids circulating system on the rig. The augers are mounted on the skid such that they can be rotated to within the width of the skid for transport, then rotated out to discharge the solids away from the skid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Environmental Drilling Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Hollier, Joseph Cyprian Templet
  • Publication number: 20120210594
    Abstract: An ergonomic dual bath towel assembly used to dry simultaneously both the hair and torso of a bather includes a large body towel and a smaller towel for the hair connected by elastic straps to a larger body towel, which is located spaced apart from the smaller hair towel, thereby freeing the neck and upper shoulder area of the bather from being constricted by the wrapped towels. The two towels are used together and the straps keep the shoulders and neck in the un-encumbered spaced apart region while the hair is drying with the smaller towel and the body is dried by the larger towel. The free region between the head and the torso does not constrict the face, neck and upper shoulder areas while the user is drying the hair and torso/legs with the larger towel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventor: Norman Heyman
  • Publication number: 20120186214
    Abstract: A turf treatment trailer attachable to a ride-on lawnmower. The turf treatment trailer comprises a drawbar which is detachably attachable to the ride-on lawnmower, a frame connected to the drawbar, a first ground-bearing trailer wheel rotatably mounted on the frame, a second ground-bearing trailer wheel rotatably mounted on the frame and at least one turf treatment unit detachably attached to the frame. The turf treatment unit is positioned on the frame to trail the first ground-bearing trailer wheel so that in use when the turf treatment trailer is attached to the ride-on lawnmower which is moving forward over the ground, a substantially common area of the turf on the ground is sequentially traversed by the first ground-bearing trailer wheel and treated by the turf treatment unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventor: David Michel
  • Patent number: 8225523
    Abstract: A clothes-treating apparatus and a controlling method thereof are disclosed. According to a controlling method of a clothes-treating apparatus, a clothes-treating apparatus is capable of steam-cleansing a heat exchanger of a heat pump provided therein automatically. An additional device may not be provided in the clothes treating apparatus to cleanse and sterilize a heat exchanger of a heat pump provided in a mechanism compartment to supply dry or heated air to clothes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: 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: 8215028
    Abstract: A system for slurrifying drill cuttings including a cuttings dryer, a pump, and a transfer line fluidly connecting the cuttings dryer and the pump, the transfer line having a fluid inlet for receiving a fluid. Furthermore, the system for slurrifying drill cuttings including a storage vessel fluidly connected to the pump for storing a slurry. Additionally, a method for slurrifying drill cuttings including drying drill cuttings in a cuttings drying to produce dry cuttings and combining a fluid with the dry cuttings to produce a slurry. Furthermore, the method includes mixing the slurry and the dry cuttings in a mixing pump and transferring the slurry to a storage vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventor: Jan Thore Eia
  • Publication number: 20120159803
    Abstract: Method for transfer of containers, such as vials (101), between a freeze dryer (1) that is located at a first location and a separate transport vehicle (30) that is mobile with respect to the freeze dryer, wherein the freeze dryer (1) comprises a freeze dryer housing (2) with an access opening (11) towards an inner freeze drying chamber (10) inside the freeze dryer housing (2), multiple shelves (21-24) that are arranged spaced apart above each other inside the freeze dryer chamber (10) and each provided with a horizontally extending first flat supporting surface (25) for supporting the containers, wherein the mobile transport vehicle (30) comprises a mobile undercarriage (31) supporting a storage housing (33) with an access opening (40) towards an inner storage chamber (39), a carrier provided with a second flat supporting surface (58) for supporting the containers inside the storage housing (33), and a container shifter (60) for pushing out containers away from the second flat supporting surface (58) in a pu
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Johannes Van Veen, Franciscus Antonius Damen, Alexander Clemens Henricus Josef Schaepman, Florentinus Adriaan Cornelis Marie Jongenelen
  • Patent number: 8205351
    Abstract: A dispensing vessel for introducing moisture into a clothes drying environment includes a sponge-like core configured to at least temporarily retain a moistening substance therein, a generally oblong-shaped cover substantially surrounding the core and retaining the core in a compressed condition, and a moistening substance retained within the core. The cover includes a fill opening defined therethrough, the fill opening providing access to an interior of the cover from an exterior of the cover, a plurality of protuberances spaced generally evenly from one another, each protuberance having a generally conical shape, and one or more dispensing openings, each dispensing opening disposed at a distal end of a protuberance of the plurality of protuberances, and each dispensing opening providing access to an exterior of the cover from an interior of the cover. Furthermore, each of the dispensing openings is not positioned generally opposite the fill opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Edison Nation, LLC
    Inventors: William Howe, Richard Payne
  • Patent number: 8205352
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an apparatus and methods for rinsing and drying substrates. One embodiment provides an end effector comprising a body having a contact tip for contacting an edge area of a substrate, wherein the end effector is configured to support the substrate while the substrate is in a rinsing bath and while the substrate is being dried from the rinsing bath, and the contact tip comprises a hydrophilic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Lewis, Michael Biese, Garrett H. Sin, Chidambara A. Ramalingam, Balaji Chandrasekaran, Tak Fan (Kerry) Ling
  • Patent number: 8191280
    Abstract: Described herein are devices and techniques for spray drying a fluid to produce a dried powder. Assemblies include a spray drying head attachable to a gas supplier and a liquid sample, such as a standard unit of blood product. The spray drying head can be adapted to provide an aerosolized flow of liquid sample exposed to a drying gas. The assembly also includes a drying chamber adapted to separate the aerosolized flow of liquid sample into a dried powder and humid air. The assembly can be disposable, provided in a sterilized kit and having simplified attachments allowing quick connect and disconnect from the gas and liquid sample. Separation of the powder from the humid air exiting the drying chamber occurs within a filtered collection bag. In some embodiments, one or more of the drying chamber and collection bag are formed form a thin-walled, collapsible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Velico Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Brian Hubbard, Jr., Michael Haley, John Charles Rosenfelder, George T. Perivolotis
  • Publication number: 20120111477
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a honeycomb structure including a honeycomb unit includes forming a honeycomb molded body having a plurality of cells extending from a first end face to a second end face of the honeycomb molded body along a longitudinal direction of the honeycomb molded body and separated by a plurality of cell walls, placing the honeycomb molded body in a degreasing apparatus so that the first end face faces downward and the second end face faces upward, feeding introduced gas into the degreasing apparatus, degreasing the honeycomb molded body at a temperature of approximately 200° C. to approximately 400° C., and firing the degreased honeycomb molded body at a temperature of approximately 500° C. to approximately 900° C. to obtain the honeycomb unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: IBIDEN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji Haga, Yusuke Fujii, Tadafumi Ohashi
  • Patent number: 8166666
    Abstract: A compact gas dryer (100) comprises a primary heat exchanger (200) exchanging heat between hot, incoming, contaminated gaseous medium and outgoing dry, cool gaseous 5 medium, a secondary heat exchanger (300) exchanging heat between incoming cold gaseous medium from the primary heat exchanger (200) and a refrigerant, and a condense trap (400) trapping condensable matter in the cooled gaseous medium exiting the secondary heat exchanger (300). 10 Afterwards, the dry, cool gaseous medium exchanges heat with the incoming contaminated gaseous medium in the primary heat exchanger. The primary heat exchanger (200), the secondary heat exchanger (300) and the condense trap (400) are combined into a single unit (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Swep International AB
    Inventor: Björn Felgenhauer
  • Publication number: 20120084994
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of drying and sanitizing sports gear or other clothing includes an upward-extending rack; a support base to support the rack; a plurality of arms on the rack to support the clothing, the arms angled like the arms of a tree; an ozone generator; and a removable, flexible enclosure that covers the rack and is secured to the rack so as to retain the ozone near to the clothing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventor: Jeff Alston
  • Patent number: 8151481
    Abstract: A universal hair dryer holder includes a base including suction mechanism for releasably attaching the base to a generally flat surface and an adjustable arm extending from the base. The holder also includes a cradle for holding a hair dryer at an end of the arm opposite the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: The Licensing Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles B. Perez, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8141270
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining flow rate of air or other gas through a conduit independently of conduit cross sectional area include providing apparatus for and measuring temperature of the air or other gas at a first position along the conduit; providing apparatus for and heating the air or other gas in the conduit of the location downstream from the first position by application of a known power level to the air or other gas in the conduit; providing apparatus for and measuring air or other gas temperature at a second position downstream of the heating position along the conduit; providing apparatus for and subtracting air or other gas temperature at the second position from air or other gas temperature at the first position to obtain a temperature difference and thereafter providing apparatus for and dividing power applied to heat the air or other gas by the product of the temperature difference and the specific heat of the air or other gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Maguire Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael E. Gera, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8141268
    Abstract: The present document describes a bag for storing and drying garments or sports equipment. The bag comprises an external envelope substantially made of flexible resistant material. The bag further comprises a frame supporting the external envelope and comprising frame sections capable of adopting a retracted position and an extended position in which the frame occupies more space than in the retracted position. The bag further comprises a tubular structure for hanging the garments or sports equipment and through which air can be blown for drying the hung garments or sports equipment. The tubular structure is mounted on the frame and comprises tube sections capable of adopting a retracted position and an extended position in which the tubular structure occupies more space than in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventors: Jean-François Vezina, Pierrot Lebel
  • Publication number: 20120066924
    Abstract: A nutrition-enriched grain manufacturing apparatus includes a heating processing portion including a far infrared ray radiator which emits far infrared rays to a flow-down path along which grain flows down, an upper rotary valve device and a lower rotary valve device which adjust a flow rate of the grain, an accumulation portion which accumulates the grain, a lower screw conveyer and a bucket conveyer which transport the grain which has flown down from the heating processing portion to the discharge portion to the accumulation portion, a moisture meter which measures a moisture content of the grain, a grain temperature sensor which measures a grain temperature, a main controller which controls output from a burner and operations of the upper rotary valve device and the lower rotary valve device such that the grain temperature is a predetermined grain temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Toshiharu Ando, Tsuyako Ando
  • Patent number: 8136262
    Abstract: A drier information system is provided including display means relating to a given region of the system which means serves, at least while a drying cycle is in operation, to provide a visual display indicating at least one of the following parameters: the extent of the region; a boundary of the region; direction or example of manipulation of a pair of hands or other article while in the region to provide for a preferred drying sequence. The visual display can represent the parameters as a two dimensional array within or adjacent the region. Alternatively the visual display can represent the parameters as a virtual or actual three dimensional array within or adjacent the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Airdri Limited
    Inventor: Peter Collins
  • Publication number: 20120055502
    Abstract: Disclosed is a portable hair care product that is configured to store, receive, and play music such as in an electronic format. A portable hair care device comprises a grasping region sized and shape to be grasped and held by the hand of a user such that the user can carry the hair care product. The device also includes an internal speaker, a digital storage element configured to store a digital music file, and a processor configured to process the digital music file and send a signal to the internal speaker for playing music from the digital music file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventor: Clifford Wright
  • Patent number: 8112899
    Abstract: A wall-mounted, hot air body blow drying apparatus comprising a plurality of round nozzles located along a front surface of the apparatus is herein disclosed. Said nozzles are adjustable and capable of directing jets of warm air over a person's body. A flow of heated air is provided by a resistance heater, an electric blower, and a plurality of distributing ductwork. The apparatus may be hard-wired thereto a standard household power circuit or by using a standard power cord. The apparatus is variably controlled by a temperature and fan speed controlling system and a timer. To use, a person would stand in front of the dryer apparatus and slowly turn around, allowing the multiple heated forced air streams to dry their body in a similar fashion as a forced warm air hand dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Russell L. Duckworth
  • Publication number: 20120024801
    Abstract: A household laundry dryer has at least one filter container which includes a chamber with an inlet for condensate water to be cleaned. The chamber has a first outlet, a second outlet and a filter element which is arranged between the inlet and the first outlet and which divides the chamber into an inlet-side first chamber part and a second chamber part. The filter container can be configured in such a way that the inlet is arranged below the filter element and the filter element is arranged below the first outlet, and the second outlet opens into the first chamber part. Particles deposited on the filter element by water being pushed through the inlet into the chamber are detachable from the filter element by water flowing back into the chamber, when no water is being pushed through the inlet, and removable through the second outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERÄTE GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus Grunert, Frank Kohlrusch, Andreas Ziemann
  • Publication number: 20120027389
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling air flow of a drying unit. The apparatus includes a housing mounted below the dryer unit and a frame member coupled to the housing member. The frame member functions to intersect and deflect the air flow in a direction away from a floor surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Justin Klabin
  • Patent number: 8104190
    Abstract: A moisture metering calibration method and system for, e.g., determining the moisture lumber within a lumber drying kiln is disclosed. Calibration of moisture indicative electrical signals obtained from, e.g., moisture sensing capacitive plates spaced apart within a stack of drying lumber is performed, wherein long lengths (e.g., up to 1000 linear feet or more) of coaxial cable can be used for transmitting the signals, and effectively removing signal anomalies induced in such cabling so that accurate lumber moisture measurements result. Such extended cable lengths provides flexibility with respect to placement of electronic moisture metering equipment. This flexibility allows such equipment to be placed in an environmentally-controlled enclosure, rather than on the weather exposed exterior of a kiln whose lumber is being monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Signature Control Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Magill
  • Publication number: 20120017462
    Abstract: A fragrance dispenser system for use in a dryer includes a scented composition that is located in a dispenser device having perforations in the wall. The scented composition has a water-soluble, particulate carrier and a scented substance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Theodor Völkel, Hans Bouten, Dietmar Schröter
  • Publication number: 20120017457
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dryer having a liquid spraying function, and according to one aspect of the present invention, a laundry treating apparatus including a plurality of laundry treating courses which have different laundry treating methods is provided. The apparatus comprises: a drum for receiving the laundry; a hot air supply means for supplying hot air to the inner side of the drum; a spraying means for spraying a fragrant solution to the inside of the drum; a manipulating means including a course selecting means for selecting the laundry treating courses; and a controller for controlling the apparatus according to the instructions inputted by the manipulating means, wherein a plurality of laundry treating courses includes at least one scent spray course for spraying the fragrant solution during the laundry treating process, and the course selecting means comprises a scent spray course selecting means for selecting one of the scent spray courses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang-Hun Bae, Sung-Ho Song, Min-Ji Kim, Yong-Cheol Jin
  • Patent number: 8096062
    Abstract: A towel drying system includes a housing that has a bottom wall, a top wall, a back wall, a front wall, a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall. The front wall has a primary air inlet extending therethrough and a primary air outlet extending therethrough. A blower is mounted in the housing and pulls air into the housing through primary air inlet and directs it outwardly through the primary air outlet. A towel support member is positioned in the housing. The front wall has at least one access door to access an interior of the housing and the towel support member. One or more towels may be placed on the towel support member. A dwelling return duct is fluidly coupled to the primary air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Inventor: Mark L. Bellen
  • Publication number: 20120005914
    Abstract: A rinsing device for rinsing at least one component to be cleaned of a laundry drying machine by means of a rinsing fluid includes a rinse container having an outlet opening for draining the rinsing fluid to the component. A sealing part selectively opens and closes the outlet opening, with the sealing part having a sealing head for sealing the outlet opening. A spring element connects the sealing head to the rinse container and urges the sealing head against the outlet opening. The sealing part of the rinse container is activated by an activation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERÄTE GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Kohlrusch, Günter Steffens
  • Patent number: 8082677
    Abstract: A home laundry drier (1) having a drying tub (3) housing the laundry to be dried, and a closed-circuit, heat-pump-type, hot-air generator (4) for circulating a stream of hot air inside the drying tub (3); the hot air generator (4) also having a tank (15) containing a predetermined amount of water, heating means for converting the water in the tank (15) to steam, and an exhaust manifold (17) for feeding the steam produced in the tank (15) to the drying tub (3); the heating means being defined by at least one portion (16) of the pipe (10) feeding refrigerant from the compressor (7) to the condenser (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation, N.V.
    Inventor: Flavio Noviello
  • Publication number: 20110305897
    Abstract: A wood chip drying system for drying wood chip includes a furnace, a drier for the wood chip and a recirculation apparatus for the recirculation of exhaust vapors into their drier. The recirculation apparatus has an exhaust vapor heater, and the wood chip drying system is designated to reduce organic compounds present in the exhaust vapor prior to the recirculation into the drier. The exhaust vapor heater includes a regenerative and/or catalytic heat exchanger which is arranged downstream after the drier and which is designated so as to heat up the exhaust vapor to a temperature which is high enough to oxidize at least a majority of particles present in the exhaust vapor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: KRONOTEC AG
    Inventors: Joachim Hasch, Matthias Iredi
  • Patent number: 8074370
    Abstract: A device for removing moisture from a rug or other item, such as a tent or a tarp, etc. in a short time while preventing compression of the rug or the item and the resultant crushing of fringe comprising a shaft disposed on a horizontal axis having a large diameter with a rotatable smaller diameter inner tube therein, the smaller diameter inner tube having apertures therethrough, the smaller diameter inner tube being open at both ends, the inner tube being driven to rotate, and fluid removal means connected to the larger diameter tube for removal of fluid from the device, whereby when a wet rug is loaded into the smaller diameter inner tube, and rotated the moisture in the rug is spun from the rug through the apertures into the larger diameter outer tube and the moisture is drained from the device. A wet item can be loaded from either end and the item can be unloaded from either end after the moisture has been removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas Monahan, Greg Turcotte
  • Patent number: 8074371
    Abstract: Evaporator apparatus (1) for the treatment of viscous media comprised of at least a feed chamber (2) having a perforated tray (3), a tube-bundle heat exchanger (4) connected thereto having perpendicularly arranged tubes (8) and a devolatilization chamber (5) connected thereto, a discharge unit (6) for the product and a vapor take-off (7) for removing volatile components, the tubes (8) of the heat exchanger (4) having a rectangular cross section over the greater part of their length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Bayer Technology Services GmbH
    Inventor: Klemens Kohlgrüber
  • Publication number: 20110296704
    Abstract: A rotating bathroom floor mat device is disclosed, comprising a series of carpeted, rotatable assemblies, a heating means and a gear and pulley mechanism. The device provides a wide, rectangular enclosure that allows a user to step directly onto its flat, upper surface, which is comprised of a series of adjoining, rotatable surfaces. Control buttons along one side of the upper service are operable via depression of a user's foot, which in turn activates a heating means and fan convection means to rapidly dry a user's feet and remove moisture from the carpeted assemblies. The assemblies are triangular sections that allow three distinct working surfaces. Once a first user has dried his or her feet, the assemblies are rotated to reveal a fresh, dry surface for a second user. The heating and convection means dries the previously used, moist carpet while in a stowed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Curtis Jefferson, Kimberly Jefferson