US4868996A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for vapor drying
Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
•
Filing: 1988-03-23
•
Granted: 1989-09-26
•
Expires: 2008-03-23
Abstract
Abstract An object to be dried is cooled and then held within an atmosphere of a drying medium vapor, until the temperature of the surface of the object rises to the temperature of the vapor.
Inventors
- 👤 Toshiaki Ohmori
- 👤 Masaharu Hama
- 👤 Takaaki Fukumoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:44
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10P; H10P70/00; H10P70/10; H10P70/15; F; F26; F26B; F26B21/00; F26B21/40; F26B21/471; H10P72/00; H10P72/04; H10P72/0402; H10P72/0406; H10P72/0408
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of vapor drying an object comprising: cooling an object to be dried; holding the cooled object within a vapor of a drying medium until the temperature of the surface of said object rises to the temperature of said vapor whereby vapor of said drying medium condenses on and drips from the surface of said object, carrying away another liquid that was present on said object.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of vapor drying an object comprising: cooling an object to be dried; holding the cooled object within a vapor of a drying medium until the temperature of the surface of said object rises to the temperature of said vapor whereby vapor of said drying medium condenses on and drips from the surface of said object, carrying away another liquid that was present on said object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said cooling and holding steps are executed cyclically and repeatedly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said drying medium is an alcohol.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said drying medium is isopropyl alcohol.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said drying medium is a fluorocarbon.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
124 words
An apparatus for vapor drying an object comprising: cooling means for cooling an object; a vapor tank disposed remotely from said cooling means for containing a liquid drying medium; heating means for heating and evaporating said liquid drying medium in said vapor tank to fill said vapor tank with the vapor of said drying medium; holding means for holding said object and for moving said object between a cooling position near said cooling means and remote from said vapor tank and a drying position within said vapor tank; and waste collection means disposed in said vapor tank for collecting liquid drying medium that condenses on and drips from said object in said drying position and for discharging the collected liquid from said vapor tank.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
124 words
An apparatus for vapor drying an object comprising: cooling means for cooling an object; a vapor tank disposed remotely from said cooling means for containing a liquid drying medium; heating means for heating and evaporating said liquid drying medium in said vapor tank to fill said vapor tank with the vapor of said drying medium; holding means for holding said object and for moving said object between a cooling position near said cooling means and remote from said vapor tank and a drying position within said vapor tank; and waste collection means disposed in said vapor tank for collecting liquid drying medium that condenses on and drips from said object in said drying position and for discharging the collected liquid from said vapor tank.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said cooling means includes a cooling section having a coiled cooling pipe, and a refrigerant supplying section for supplying a refrigerant to said cooling pipe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said vapor tank includes a substantially cylindrical vessel with a closed bottom and an open top and a vapor cooling portion disposed proximate said top.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1 including cooling said object to a temperature between the freezing point of water and the boiling point of said drying medium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4558524A
Cited
JPS59189276A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-09-25 | 1993-03-27 | 1993-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-09-25 | 1997-03-27 | 1997-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-09-25 | 2001-03-27 | 2001-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |