Patent US5232476A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5232476A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Solvent recovery and reclamation system
Assignee: Baxter International Inc
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Filing: 1992-03-06
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Granted: 1993-08-03
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Expires: 2012-03-06
Abstract
Abstract A system for processing a product with a solvent containing volatile constituents, the system including a pressure chamber for receiving the product, a vacuum pump for evacuating the chamber, a solvent recirculating system for admitting the solvent at a predetermined pressure into the chamber, the solvent recirculating system including a heater for maintaining the temperature of the chamber at the saturation temperature of the solvent, gas liquid separator for separating the gas and liquid components of the solvent discharged from the chamber, a first closed loop system connected to the separator to return the gas constituent to the chamber and a second closed loop system connected to the separator to return the liquid component to the chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 David C. H. Grant
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:32
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D5/00; B01D5/0033; B01D5/0054; B01D3/00; B01D3/06; B01D5/0051; B01D53/00; B01D53/002; B01D53/005; C; C23; C23G; C23G5/00; C23G5/02; C23G5/04; D; D06; D06F; D06F43/00; D06F43/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for controlling atmospheric emission of volatile constituents from a solvent composition used in processing items by contact with a solvent composition having a low boiling point comprising the steps of: (a) positioning the items in a chamber capable of maintaining pressure of vacuum and a selected temperature, (b) evacuating the chamber to the atmosphere to reduce ambient air contamination, (c) pressurizing the solvent composition to or above the saturation pressure of the solvent composition, (d) admitting the pressurized solvent composition into the chamber, and (e) opening the chamber to allow the solvent composition to flow into a gas/liquid separator, (f) recirculating the gas component from the separator back to the chamber through a first closed loop system, and (g) recirculating the solvent composition back to the chamber through a second closed loop system.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for controlling atmospheric emission of volatile constituents from a solvent composition used in processing items by contact with a solvent composition having a low boiling point comprising the steps of: (a) positioning the items in a chamber capable of maintaining pressure of vacuum and a selected temperature, (b) evacuating the chamber to the atmosphere to reduce ambient air contamination, (c) pressurizing the solvent composition to or above the saturation pressure of the solvent composition, (d) admitting the pressurized solvent composition into the chamber, and (e) opening the chamber to allow the solvent composition to flow into a gas/liquid separator, (f) recirculating the gas component from the separator back to the chamber through a first closed loop system, and (g) recirculating the solvent composition back to the chamber through a second closed loop system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 including: (h) the step of filling the chamber with the solvent composition, (i) ultrasonically vibrating the chamber to cavitate the solvent, and provide scrubbing action, and (j) controlling the temperature of the solvent in the chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
110 words
A process for cleaning and relubricating a mechanical device comprising the steps of placing the device in a chamber, evacuating the chamber to a predetermined vacuum, discharging the contents of the chamber to the atmosphere, pressurizing the solvent to or above saturation pressure, admitting the pressurized solvent into the chamber, draining the solvent from the chamber to a gas/ liquid separator, circulating a solvent/lubricant solution from a receiver through the chamber and back to the receiver, heating the chamber and circulating dehumidified gas to evaporate the solvent whereby the lubricant is left in the mechanical device, evacuating the chamber and discharging the contents of the chamber to the gas/liquid separator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
110 words
A process for cleaning and relubricating a mechanical device comprising the steps of placing the device in a chamber, evacuating the chamber to a predetermined vacuum, discharging the contents of the chamber to the atmosphere, pressurizing the solvent to or above saturation pressure, admitting the pressurized solvent into the chamber, draining the solvent from the chamber to a gas/ liquid separator, circulating a solvent/lubricant solution from a receiver through the chamber and back to the receiver, heating the chamber and circulating dehumidified gas to evaporate the solvent whereby the lubricant is left in the mechanical device, evacuating the chamber and discharging the contents of the chamber to the gas/liquid separator.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for dry cleaning clothes comprising the steps of: placing the clothes to be treated in a rotary tube mounted in a chamber, evacuating the chamber to a predetermined vacuum, discharging the contents of the chamber to atmosphere, admitting solvent at a predetermined temperature into the chamber, rotating the tub as the solvent enters the chamber, recirculating the solvent to the chamber as the tub is rotated, draining the solvent to a gas/liquid separator, rotating the tub at a high speed to centrifugally remove the solvent liquid from the clothes, admitting warm dehumidified air into the chamber to evaporate the remaining liquid solvent, evacuating the chamber, discharging the contents of the chamber to the gas/liquid separator.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for dry cleaning clothes comprising the steps of: placing the clothes to be treated in a rotary tube mounted in a chamber, evacuating the chamber to a predetermined vacuum, discharging the contents of the chamber to atmosphere, admitting solvent at a predetermined temperature into the chamber, rotating the tub as the solvent enters the chamber, recirculating the solvent to the chamber as the tub is rotated, draining the solvent to a gas/liquid separator, rotating the tub at a high speed to centrifugally remove the solvent liquid from the clothes, admitting warm dehumidified air into the chamber to evaporate the remaining liquid solvent, evacuating the chamber, discharging the contents of the chamber to the gas/liquid separator.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
111 words
A system for processing a product with a solvent containing volatile constituents, said system comprising, a housing having a chamber for receiving the product, means for evacuating said chamber, means for admitting a solvent at a predetermined pressure into said chamber, means for maintaining the temperature of said chamber at the saturation temperature of the solvent, separator means connected to said chamber for separating the gas and liquid components of the solvent discharged from said chamber, a first closed loop system connected to the separator to return the gas constituent to the chamber, and a second closed loop system connected to the separator to return the liquid component to the chamber.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
111 words
A system for processing a product with a solvent containing volatile constituents, said system comprising, a housing having a chamber for receiving the product, means for evacuating said chamber, means for admitting a solvent at a predetermined pressure into said chamber, means for maintaining the temperature of said chamber at the saturation temperature of the solvent, separator means connected to said chamber for separating the gas and liquid components of the solvent discharged from said chamber, a first closed loop system connected to the separator to return the gas constituent to the chamber, and a second closed loop system connected to the separator to return the liquid component to the chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system according to claim 6 including a means in said first closed loop for condensing said gas component and returning the resulting liquid component to said separator means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system according to claim 6 wherein said second closed loop system includes means for pressurizing said liquid component.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system according to claim 5 wherein said first closed loop system includes in series a gas stripper, a pressure blower and a heater.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system according to claim 8 including an accumulator downstream from said blower which is responsive to the volume of gas in the loop to maintain system pressure and means for monitoring said accumulator to vent gas from said accumulator to atmosphere when said accumulator reaches a predetermined pressure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system according to claim 5 wherein said second closed system includes means in said chamber for spraying solvent on the product, and means for recirculating the solvent in the chamber to the spraying means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system according to claim 5 wherein said second closed loop includes a pump for pressurizing the liquid component and a heat exchanger for heating the pressurized solvent whereby solvents which are liquid at saturation pressures and temperatures other than atmospheric may be used as solvents.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system according to claim 11 wherein said second closed loop includes a solvent supply system connected to said separator, a receiver connected between said solvent supply system and said pump and a pressure relief valve connected between said pump and said receiver whereby solvent pressure in the loop is maintained at the saturation pressure of the solvent.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system according to claim 5 including means for circulating a solvent/lubricant solution through said chamber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system according to claim 3 including first means in said chamber connected to said second closed loop system for spraying the liquid component onto said product and a second means in said chamber for spraying the solvent/lubricant solution onto said product.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system according to claim 5 wherein said chamber includes a rotary tub for laundering and dry cleaning clothes, means for spraying a liquid solvent into said chamber, means for recirculating the liquid solvent to said spraying means, and means in said second loop for heating the liquid solvent.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system according to claim 5 wherein said second closed loop system includes two liquid supply systems, one for a solvent/detergent solution and the other one for a clean solvent system.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
100 words
A double closed loop recycling system for processing various products with a solvent composition having volatile constituents, said system comprising: a housing having a chamber for supporting the product to be processed, a gas/liquid separator connected to the chamber for separating the solvent components discharged from the chamber, a first closed loop system for recycling the solvent vapor component back to the chamber, and a second closed system for recycling the solvent liquid component back to the chamber, said second system including means for controlling the pressure and temperature of the solvent/liquid component to maintain the solvent in liquid form.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
100 words
A double closed loop recycling system for processing various products with a solvent composition having volatile constituents, said system comprising: a housing having a chamber for supporting the product to be processed, a gas/liquid separator connected to the chamber for separating the solvent components discharged from the chamber, a first closed loop system for recycling the solvent vapor component back to the chamber, and a second closed system for recycling the solvent liquid component back to the chamber, said second system including means for controlling the pressure and temperature of the solvent/liquid component to maintain the solvent in liquid form.
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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) | 1996-08-02 | 1997-02-01 | 1997-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-02 | 2001-02-01 | 2001-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-02 | 2005-02-01 | 2005-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |