US4151657A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Film dryer
Assignee: Pako Corp
•
Filing: 1977-03-03
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Granted: 1979-05-01
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Expires: 1997-03-03
Abstract
Abstract A drying chamber wherein photographic film is dried by non-turbulent recirculating conditioned air passing therethrough while the film is suspended from a conveyor system and foreign material is prevented from entering thereinto by an air curtain.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald A. Jensen
- 👤 Clare K. Miller
- 👤 Ray J. Seiler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:23
CPC Classifications
F; F26; F26B; F26B15/00; F26B15/10; F26B15/12; F26B15/14; F26B21/00; F26B21/20; F26B25/00; F26B25/008; F26B3/00; F26B3/02; F26B3/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A photographic film drying chamber wherein film is suspended in a substantially vertical manner and wherein the drying chamber is defined by substantially vertical side walls with a top, a bottom, and open entrance and exit ends, the drying chamber comprising: means for providing a substantially vertical flow of drying air within the drying chamber, wherein the means for providing a substantially vertical flow provides a greater concentration of warm drying air in the drying chamber proximate the entrance end than proximate the exit end; means for preventing foreign matter from entering the drying chamber through the open ends, the means comprising: a plurality of holes distributed in the side walls in an array adjacent to the open ends to allow a portion of the drying air to flow therefrom thereby forming air curtains which prevent foreign matter from entering the drying chamber; overhanging collecting hood means extending beyond the drying chamber open ends to collect the air discharged from the plurality of holes distributed in side walls; and conveyor means for transporting the film through the drying chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
A photographic film drying chamber wherein film is suspended in a substantially vertical manner and wherein the drying chamber is defined by substantially vertical side walls with a top, a bottom, and open entrance and exit ends, the drying chamber comprising: means for providing a substantially vertical flow of drying air within the drying chamber, wherein the means for providing a substantially vertical flow provides a greater concentration of warm drying air in the drying chamber proximate the entrance end than proximate the exit end; means for preventing foreign matter from entering the drying chamber through the open ends, the means comprising: a plurality of holes distributed in the side walls in an array adjacent to the open ends to allow a portion of the drying air to flow therefrom thereby forming air curtains which prevent foreign matter from entering the drying chamber; overhanging collecting hood means extending beyond the drying chamber open ends to collect the air discharged from the plurality of holes distributed in side walls; and conveyor means for transporting the film through the drying chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the means for providing a substantially vertical flow of drying air comprises: air collecting and conditioning means located within the drying chamber; a plurality of holes distributed across the bottom of said drying chamber; and duct means for interconnecting the air collecting and conditioning means and the plurality of holes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein the duct means comprise hollow substantially vertical side walls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein the air collecting and conditioning means comprises: filter means to remove particulate contamination from the air discharged into the drying chamber; blower means for causing the drying air to be pressurrized; and heater means for heating the drying air.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein the blower means and the heater means are positioned proximate the entrance end of the drying chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein the blower means and the heater means are positioned at the top of the drying chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the overhanging collecting hood means includes filter means to remove particulate contamination from air collected thereby prior to re-introduction of the air into the drying chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the substantially vertical flow of drying air is substantially from the bottom upward to the top.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
114 words
A photographic film dryer comprising: a drying chamber defined by first and second side walls, a top, a bottom, and open entrance and exit ends; conveyor means for transporting photographic film through the drying chamber while the photographic film is suspended in a substantially vertical manner, means for providing a substantially vertical upward flow of drying air past the photographic film, wherein the means provides a greater concentration of warm drying air proximate the entrance end than proximate the exit end; means for forming first and second air curtains at the open entrance and exit ends; and means for collecting air from the first and second air curtains for reuse in the drying chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
114 words
A photographic film dryer comprising: a drying chamber defined by first and second side walls, a top, a bottom, and open entrance and exit ends; conveyor means for transporting photographic film through the drying chamber while the photographic film is suspended in a substantially vertical manner, means for providing a substantially vertical upward flow of drying air past the photographic film, wherein the means provides a greater concentration of warm drying air proximate the entrance end than proximate the exit end; means for forming first and second air curtains at the open entrance and exit ends; and means for collecting air from the first and second air curtains for reuse in the drying chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
81 words
The photographic film dryer of claim 9 wherein the means for providing a substantially vertical upward flow of drying air comprises: air collecting means for collecting air used in the drying chamber; air conditioning means for conditioning air collected by the air collecting means for use in the drying chamber; conditioned air discharge means for discharging air from the air conditioning means into the drying chamber; and duct means for interconnecting the air conditioning means and the conditioned air discharge means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The photographic film dryer of claim 10 wherein the air collecting means is positioned proximate the top of the drying chamber and the conditioned air discharge means is positioned proximate the bottom of the drying chamber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The photographic film dryer of claim 11 wherein the conditioned air discharge means comprises a plurality of holes in a bottom plate of the drying chamber.
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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) | 1982-04-30 | 1982-10-30 | 1983-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-04-30 | 1986-10-30 | 1987-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-04-30 | 1990-10-30 | 1991-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |