US3707777A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Film drying apparatus
Assignee: Agfa Gevaert AG
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Filing: 1971-08-03
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Granted: 1973-01-02
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Expires: 1991-08-03
Abstract
Abstract A drier for strips of developed film has a housing wherein the film is transported downwardly and is dried by ascending streams of hot air furnished by several discrete blowers each of which is equipped with a composite air heating device. Each heating device has a first electric resistance heater which is started in response to closing of a master switch to furnish a basic heating action, a second resistance heater which is adjustable by a regulator having a manually adjustable potentiometer, and a third resistance heater which can be started by a temperature gauge. The latter monitors the temperature of air which circulates in or leaves the housing and starts the third resistance heater when the thus determined temperature is below a preselected value. Some of the spent air which leaves the housing is recirculated to the blowers.
Inventors
- 👤 H Koninger
- 👤 E Geyken
- 👤 G Schwarzmaier
- 👤 S Krauss
- 👤 F Kocourek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:40
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D15/00; G03D15/02; G03D15/022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
Apparatus for the drying of films or analogous strip- or sheet-like materials, comprising a housing; transporting means for conveying the material to be dried through said housing; at least one air circulating device for circulating through said housing at least one stream of drying air which sweeps along the conveyed material; and at least one heating device for said air stream, comprising a first heating unit arranged to subject the air stream to a first heating action, a second heating unit including first air heating means and regulating means for adjusting the air heating action of said first heating means, and a third heating unit having second air heating means and detector means arranged to monitor the temperature of air in said housing and to start said second air heating means in response to a drop in the temperature of air in said housing below a predetermined value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
Apparatus for the drying of films or analogous strip- or sheet-like materials, comprising a housing; transporting means for conveying the material to be dried through said housing; at least one air circulating device for circulating through said housing at least one stream of drying air which sweeps along the conveyed material; and at least one heating device for said air stream, comprising a first heating unit arranged to subject the air stream to a first heating action, a second heating unit including first air heating means and regulating means for adjusting the air heating action of said first heating means, and a third heating unit having second air heating means and detector means arranged to monitor the temperature of air in said housing and to start said second air heating means in response to a drop in the temperature of air in said housing below a predetermined value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said transporting means is arranged to convey the material to be dried downwardly and wherein said circulating device is arranged to furnish an ascending air stream which travels countercurrent to the material to be dried.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, further comprising duct means for returning a portion of said air stream from said housing to said circulating means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said detector means comprises a temperature gauge and said second air heating means comprises at least one electric heating element whose circuit is completed by said gauge when the latter detects that the temperature of said air stream is below said predetermined value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said regulating means comprises potentiometer means adjustable between a plurality of positions each corresponding to a different heating action of said first heating means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said circulating means comprises a plurality of discrete blowers spaced from each other as considered in a direction transverse to the direction of transport of the material to be dried.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6, further comprising duct means for recirculating at least some of the heated air from said housing to said blowers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6, comprising a discrete heating device with three heating units for each of said blowers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said heating units is operated by electric current and further comprising master switch means actuatable to simultaneously connect all of said heating units with a source of electrical energy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9, where said heating units are connected in parallel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-02 | 1976-07-03 | 1977-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-02 | 1980-07-03 | 1981-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-02 | 1984-07-03 | 1985-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |