Abstract: A tumble dryer, in particular a household tumble dryer, includes a housing, a drum intended for laundry to be dried, which is supported rotatably in the housing, and a container positioned on an outer face of the lateral surface of the drum and holding an extinguishing agent. The container has a first temperature-activated release facility which automatically releases the extinguishing agent into a space outside the drum, in the presence of a temperature produced by a fire.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for deodorizing and refreshing petroleum group solvent used in a dry cleaning apparatus, and a dry cleaning apparatus using such a method, which can maintain the circulating solvent in a fresh condition for a long time, eliminate a bad smell of the solvent, provide highly stable cleaning ability and good cleaning finish, and prevent ignition and explosion of the solvent to ensure safety.

Abstract: A wafer drying apparatus incorporated in a semiconductor wafer cleaning system includes a bath for storing IPA. A heater for generating an IPA vapor is arranged on the bath. The bath is surrounded by a housing. The housing has opening portions at three positions. The opening portions are opened/closed by shutters. A sensor for detecting a fire and a nozzle for discharging CO.sub.2 gas into the bath are arranged around the bath. A plurality of wafers are held by a chuck of a convey robot and are conveyed from the outside of the housing into the housing via the opening portions. When a fire is detected by the sensor, the chuck immediately retreats from the housing, and the shutters are closed. Signals for closing the shutters are transmitted to shutter drive sources again 10 seconds after the fire is detected, and discharging of CO.sub.2 gas is started 20 seconds after the fire is detected.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning textiles by means of FCHC-free solvents on a benzine basis, comprising a cleaning machine, distillation section, recovery section and drier, and is characterized by a means for injecting protective gas into the drier.

Abstract: To permit the use of combustible and potentially explosive solvents used in dry-cleaning operations, based on hydrocarbon compounds, the dry-cleaning machine is formed with an explosion-resistant housing (8) surrounding a perforated, rotatable drum (1) into which the goods are introduced. After carrying out the normal dry-cleaning procedure, and draining of dry-cleaning solvent, a vacuum pump generates an under-pressure, in the order of below 500 mbar, and preferably about 230 mbar, while heating the mixture to effect drying. A cooling coil, located at a lower portion of the machine, provides for condensation of solvent out of the solvent-air mixture and, after the major portion of the solvent has been evaporated, the heat exchanger is switched over to cooling for final condensation of any remanent solvent. The vacuum continues to be maintained, so that the boiling point of solvent, due to the under-pressure, is lowered by at least 40.degree. C., and preferably 50.degree. C.

Abstract: A washing machine is arranged to reuse and accordingly recycle rinse water for a laundry procedure, wherein a plurality of solenoids are operative and in cooperative relationship relative to one another to arrange for initial directing of rinse water into a recycling tank and subsequently directing the rinse water from the recycling tank back to the washing machine tub permitting subsequent drainage of the rinse water subsequent to its reuse.

Abstract: A spray cleaning system is designed to use a flammable solvent, such as isopropyl alcohol, and includes safety features to maintain the concentration of solvent vapor within the cleaning chamber below a safe limit. The system includes a chamber for containing the article to be cleaned, a nozzle for directing a spray of solvent against the article, and a pump for supplying solvent to the nozzle. The chamber is ventilated with a flow of air to maintain the concentration of solvent vapor within the chamber below a predetermined safety limit, such as the lower explosive limit for the solvent, and the air is exhausted to create a negative pressure within the chamber. A sensor detects combustion or an explosion within the chamber. Additional sensors can be included to monitor leakage of solvent from the cleaning chamber or solvent supply tank. The flow of solvent to the nozzle is automatically halted in the event of combustion or explosion, or if solvent leakage is detected.

Abstract: A recirculating type cleaner for paint spray guns. The apparatus includes a cabinet supporting a sink and a pair of solvent receptacles each containing a pump and motor for circulating solvent from the receptacles through outlet nozzles and into the sink. In use, the gun is given one or more initial rinses with solvent, from one receptacle, after which a final cleaning rinse is made with new solvent from another receptacle. The sink drain is arranged so that all of the solvent is returned to a single container. Clean solvent passes in use from the clean solvent receptacle to the used or dirty solvent receptacle, leaving fresh solvent uncontaminated, while the contaminated solvent is used repeatedly. The sink includes a fire safety cover secured over the sink opening by a fusible link, and the solvent receptacles are positioned for ready removal to facilitate periodic servicing.

Abstract: In the regions of a drying zone within a tunnel (2) exposed to fire danger a sample of the air streams is drawn off via an intake pipe (11) disposed transversely to the longitudinal extent of the tunnel. The sample is supplied to a measuring device which contains two regeneratable filters which are alternatingly acted upon by the sample via switch-over valves. The measuring device contains a sensor acted upon by the cleansed gas which sensor reacts to CO and is connected to an alarm system and or an extinguisher device. From the extinguisher device an extinguisher agent line (16) leads to an extinguisher pipe (14) which is likewise in the direction of flow of the air steam guided through the tunnel (2) arranged transversely to the longitudinal extent of the tunnel (2) and provided with extinguisher agent exit nozzles.

Abstract: In the regions of a drying zone within a tunnel (2) exposed to fire danger a sample of the air streams is drawn off via an intake pipe (11) disposed transversely to the longitudinal extent of the tunnel. The sample is supplied to a measuring device which contains two regeneratable filters which are alternatingly acted upon by the sample via switch-over valves. The measuring device contains a sensor acted upon by the cleansed gas which sensor reacts to CO and is connected to an alarm system and or an extinguisher device. From the extinguisher device an extinguisher agent line (16) leads to an extinguisher pipe (14) which is likewise in the direction of flow of the air steam guided through the tunnel (2) arranged transversely to the longitudinal extent of the tunnel (2) and provided with extinguisher agent exit nozzles.

Abstract: A solvent reclaiming dryer having an endless duct system including an evaporating chamber, fan, heater, condenser and condenser bypass duct in its circuit and having means to alternately pass heated solvent-laden gas through the condenser and through the bypass duct to increase the vapor pressure of the solvent that is passing through the condenser, thereby increasing solvent reclamation efficiency. Also shown are an explosion hatch and an automatic fire extinguishing system for use in tumblers evaporating inflammable solvents.