US4896010A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microwave drying & sanitizing of fabric
Assignee: MICRO DRY Inc
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Filing: 1988-12-15
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Granted: 1990-01-23
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Expires: 2008-12-15
Abstract
Abstract The invention features a sanitization method and apparatus utilizing multiple microwave sources. Bacteria are killed by the combination of microwave heated water vapor, which is allowed to accumulate within the sealed chamber, and the microwave field effect acting in synergy with the accumulated water vapor.
Inventors
- 👤 Mary E. O'Connor
- 👤 Michel J. Cloutier
- 👤 Robert D. Strattan
- 👤 James R. Sorem, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 01:29
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/02; A61L2/08; A61L2/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of sanitizing articles by microwave irradiation, comprising the steps of: (a) heating articles by microwaves in a sealed heating chamber containing heated water vapor below the boiling point; and (b) causing said heated water vapor to accumulate and become further heated below the boiling point within said sealed chamber, whereby said articles will be sanitized by the combination of the microwave field effect and said heated water vapor.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of sanitizing articles by microwave irradiation, comprising the steps of: (a) heating articles by microwaves in a sealed heating chamber containing heated water vapor below the boiling point; and (b) causing said heated water vapor to accumulate and become further heated below the boiling point within said sealed chamber, whereby said articles will be sanitized by the combination of the microwave field effect and said heated water vapor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3854219A
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US4405850A
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US4471192A
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US4365422A
Cited
US4771156A
Cited
US4795871A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-01-22 | 1993-07-24 | 1994-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-22 | 1997-07-24 | 1998-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-22 | 2001-07-24 | 2002-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |