US3728866A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Exhaustless clean room work stations
Assignee: Interlab Inc
•
Filing: 1971-07-08
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Granted: 1973-04-24
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Expires: 1991-07-08
Abstract
Abstract An exhaustless clean room work station in which work to be treated is subjected to a vapor-generating wet process, which vapor contaminates the atmosphere. To maintain clean room standards, the vapor produced at the station is drawn through a chimney containing chilling coils or other means functioning to condense the vapor to form a liquid which is returned to the process, the resultant dry air being forced through a submicronic filter to remove particulate matter therefrom before the air is returned to the station.
Inventors
- 👤 H Layton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:46
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F3/00; F24F3/12; F24F3/14; F24F3/1405; F24F3/16; F24F3/163; F24F3/167; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S55/00; Y10S55/18; Y10S55/29
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
In a clean room an exhaustless work station comprising: A. a wet-processing machine for treating parts with a liquid, said machine emitting residual vapors into the air in the vicinity of the machine, B. means including a chimney coupled to said machine for drawing the air containing said residual vapors therefrom, C. means in said chimney to condense said vapors and thereby produce a dry air stream in the output of said chimney, and D. means to force said dry air stream through a filter to remove particulate matter therefrom to produce clean, dry air and to direct same to said clean room
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
In a clean room an exhaustless work station comprising: A. a wet-processing machine for treating parts with a liquid, said machine emitting residual vapors into the air in the vicinity of the machine, B. means including a chimney coupled to said machine for drawing the air containing said residual vapors therefrom, C. means in said chimney to condense said vapors and thereby produce a dry air stream in the output of said chimney, and D. means to force said dry air stream through a filter to remove particulate matter therefrom to produce clean, dry air and to direct same to said clean room
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, further including means to return the liquid derived from said cooling device to said machine for re-use therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said condensing means are constituted by refrigerated coils.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
An arrangement as set forth in claim 3, wherein said machine is a degreasing machine including a tank for containing a volatile cleaning liquid, said tank having heating means to create a vapor zone and being provided with a cooling jacket at a point adjacent said zone to cool and condense said vapors, whereby the vapors emitted from the machine are residual vapors not condensed by said jacket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
An arrangement as set forth in claim 4, further including an air plenum mounted above said tank to collect said residual vapors, said chimney being coupled thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
An arrangement as set forth in claim 4, further including a freeboard secured to said tank above said zone and provided with a secondary cooling jacket to cool and condense vapors escaping beyond the first cooling jacket.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
An arrangement as set forth in claim 6, further including a first refrigeration unit operatively coupled to said cooling jackets, and a second refrigeration unit operatively coupled to said refrigeration coils.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
An arrangement as set forth in claim 5, further including apertures in said plenum to create an air curtain for effectively isolating said machine from the atmosphere in the clean room.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
An arrangement as set forth in claim 5, further including a sensor disposed above said plenum to detect the level of vapor present and to increase the cooling effect of said cooling jacket when the level exceeds a predetermined safety point.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, further including additional wet-processing machines, each having said chimney and said condensing means, said means to force said dry air stream through a filter being common to all machines.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-23 | 1976-10-23 | 1977-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-23 | 1980-10-23 | 1981-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-23 | 1984-10-23 | 1985-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |