Abstract: A washing device comprises a manifold dispenser comprising at least one liquid input and a plurality of liquid outputs that operably direct fluid to contact a plurality of laboratory consumables held by a rack in the washing device, an ultra-violet (UV) light source, and a plurality of fiber optic channels coupled to the UV light source, each of the fiber optic channels extending into a corresponding one of the liquid outputs. The plurality of liquid outputs may each comprise a nozzle having an opening into which a respective one of the plurality of fiber optic channels extends.

Abstract: A drying station for a vehicle wash facility includes at least one rotatable drying wheel positioned adjacent a vehicle treatment area. The at least one rotatable drying wheel has a drying material disposed thereon and which can engage an exterior of the vehicle to remove water accumulated thereon. The drying station includes a beater device disposed adjacent the at least one rotatable drying wheel with the beater device and the drying wheel being engageable as the at least one rotatable drying wheel rotates. As the rotatable drying wheel spins, the drying material contacts the beater device to help minimize its level of saturation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a water removing roller device for removing excess water from the hide of a cattle, which uses pliable urethane roller stacks that can be attached by an arm structure. The roller structure can be mounted on a hinge to an arm thereby allowing the structure to swivel. The arm can be attached to a stationery device with a hinge, which is also allowed to swivel. A tension device, for example, a spring or a hydraulic cylinder can be attached to the back of the arm and connected to the stationery device to provide enough tension on the structure to keep the rollers in contact with the cattle hide, thereby pressing out the water allowing it to run off prior the blood plasma saving section.

Abstract: A liquid extraction assembly for extracting liquid from a mass comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet. The housing further includes a path between the inlet and the outlet. The housing is configured to have the mass forced into the inlet to move the mass from the inlet to the outlet. The housing includes two substantially parallel rotating screens rotating side by side and apart from one another, with the path extending between the screens. Each screen defines one wall of the path. Each rotating screen includes a plurality of non-circular openings located at the path. Pressure from mass forced into the input presses the mass against the non-circular openings of the rotating screens to thereby force at least a portion of liquid in the mass to pass through the non-circular openings of the rotating screens.

Abstract: There is disclosed a de-watering squeeze roll which is particularly intended for use in the watering operations in textile industries. The roll comprises a shaft, a relatively thick resilient sub-layer provided around the shaft, and a relatively thin resilient outer cover provided around the sub-layer. The sub-layer has a hardness greater than the hardness of the outer cover such that the sub-layer is formed from material having a Shore A hardness of between 85 and 105 whilst the outer cover is formed from material having a Shore A hardness of between 60 and 80.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a water removing roller device for removing excess water from the hide of a cattle, which uses pliable urethane roller stacks that can be attached by an arm structure. The roller structure can be mounted on a hinge to an arm thereby allowing the structure to swivel. The arm can be attached to a stationery device with a hinge, which is also allowed to swivel. A tension device, for example, a spring or a hydraulic cylinder can be attached to the back of the arm and connected to the stationery device to provide enough tension on the structure to keep the rollers in contact with the cattle hide, thereby pressing out the water allowing it to run off prior the blood plasma saving section.

Abstract: An automatic ground surface dryer, system and method for automatically, conveniently, quickly and effectively drying a ground surface without the need for manual labor and capable of quickly drying a large ground surface is described. The automatic ground surface dryer has a frame, a drying apparatus mounted to the frame, a support for the frame to facilitate movement of the frame over the ground surface, a motor coupled to the frame to move the frame over the ground surface, and a controller coupled to the motor and the drying apparatus to drive the motor and to operate the drying apparatus in response to a rainfall data signal from a rainfall data gathering system which gathers rainfall data.

Abstract: Examples of dehumidifying processes for clothes include spinning, extracting the moisture by pressure, or drying the clothes using heat and air. To dehumidify the clothes gently and economically in terms of energy consumption, a method and apparatus for dehumidifying clothes includes bringing the clothes into contact with at least one absorption body of an absorbent material. Advantageously, a rotating absorbent body is used, its sections being continuously alternately brought into contact with an item of clothing and dehumidified by pressing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically drying a tennis court or other flat surface after rainfall is provided. A robotic vehicle cooperates with a sensing unit preferably mounted on a fence adjacent the court or other paved surface. A sensing unit detects the onset and cessation of rain and then waits a predetermined amount of time. After waiting, the sensing unit transmits a signal to the robotic vehicle which actuates the vehicle. The robotic vehicle includes an on-board controller which is internally programmed with a map of the court including obstructions. The robotic vehicle automatically sponge rolls the entire court. A thermal imaging camera connected to the sensing unit then scans the court to determine if any wet spots remain. The location of any remaining wet spots is recorded and transmitted to the on-board controller of the robotic vehicle. The robotic vehicle then returns to the location of the wet spots and automatically sponge rolls and fan dries those remaining wet spots.

Abstract: A blotter having a flexible blotter backing and a rigid mount with two slanted slots. The ends of the backing are mounted at two opposite side edges into the mount slots along with the edges of the blotting material. Serrations along the edges of the backing are positioned within the mount slots and bear against the ends of the blotting material. The blotter material impacted edges and the inherent flexibility of the backing provide for the firm retention of the blotting material to the mount.

Abstract: A drying apparatus has a support frame mounted on a handle. A drying spool is rotatably mounted on the support frame and has a web of liquid absorbent material which is incrementally scrolled from the drying spool onto a take-up roller during use of the apparatus. A user grips the handle on the support frame to move the apparatus back and forth over a wet floor surface with the web in contact with the floor surface to dry the floor surface. Indexing means is provided for incrementally advancing the drying web from the drying spool to the take-up roller to advance the wet web onto the take-up roller. On the forward stroke the web is held immobile to dry the wet floor surface as it is pushed over the wet floor surface. On the reverse stroke the indexing means releases the take-up roller to wind the wet web portion onto the take-up roller and pull a dry portion of web from the drying spool at the start of the next forward drying stroke.

Abstract: Examples of dehumidifying processes for clothes include spinning, extracting the moisture by pressure, or drying the clothes using heat and air. To dehumidify the clothes gently and economically in terms of energy consumption, a method and apparatus for dehumidifying clothes includes bringing the clothes into contact with at least one absorption body of an absorbent material. Advantageously, a rotating absorbent body is used, its sections being continuously alternately brought into contact with an item of clothing and dehumidified by pressing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating an aqueous-containing sludge in which the sludge is filtered on an elongate moving sheet of a water permeable unwoven fabric on paper. The moving sheet is folded and compressed between rollers whereby to express water therefrom. The folded moving sheet and contained sludge is dried, and the dried sheet and sludge is incinerated. Combustion heat from the incineration step is used in the drying step.

Abstract: A method and several exemplary apparatus for capillary dewatering of foam materials. The apparatus may include felt which is applied to an exposed face of the foam material, or a double felt arrangement applied to two opposed surfaces of the foam material. The apparatus may provide a temperature differential between the two exposed surfaces of the foam material. An alternative embodiment utilizes a roll having a capillary dewatering medium. The capillary dewatering medium may be maintained at a vacuum either above or below the breakthrough vacuum of the capillaries. The disclosed apparatus and method is particularly useful for dewatering foams having relatively fine open capillaries.