Drying and gas or vapor contact with solids – Apparatus – Combined
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-16
2001-03-06
Gravini, Stephen (Department: 3749)
Drying and gas or vapor contact with solids
Apparatus
Combined
C034S666000, C015S345000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195907
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to devices which can be used to accelerate drying processes, particularly air blowing devices used to move volumes of air at speeds, and most particularly small and medium size blower units having a housing, a motor, and blade means for producing and directing an air flow.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are various types of air blowing devices and apparatuses available which are used or can be used, to accelerate drying processes including, for example, the drying of a freshly washed automobile. Generally all air blowing devices, including fans and blower units have a housing on which a motor is mounted, of which a propeller or blade means is attached, to create and direct an air flow through the housing. Generally, the housings serve two basic purposes which are to provide for the attachment of a motor, and, to provide an enclosed airway for the air flow produced by the motor. The housings can be very simple like a short tube, or elaborate like a molded scroll type housing. The motors are usually mounted within the housing and can be small like the motors used in a hair dryer or large like the internal combustion engines used in commercial size leaf blowers. Accordingly, the motors can be powered by electricity or some form of fuel. In virtually all instances the motor of an air blowing device will have a shaft, on which a propeller or “blade means” (any form of propeller or air blade) is attached to produce an air flow through the housing of the device. Generally, if the motor and blade means produce an air flow which is parallel to the motor shaft, it is considered an axial type fan or air blowing device, and, if the motor and blade means produce an air flow which is perpendicular to the motor shaft, it is considered a centrifugal type air blowing device.
When contemplating the acceleration of drying processes, for example, drying a freshly washed automobile, the axial or fan type devices usually do not produce sufficient air speed to fully affect the drying process. Centrifugal type air blowing devices tend to more fully affect the drying process by moving large volumes of air at high speeds, however, they are generally too cumbersome and heavy for extended use and manipulation by hand. In addition, the centrifugal type air blowing devices are, by design, very noisy and can be harmful or at least objectionable if operated by hand, close to a user's ears.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention involves an air blowing apparatus which has a blower unit, an attached base and a length of flexible hose used in combination to produce an air flow for the purpose of accelerating drying processes, for example, the drying of a freshly washed automobile. The apparatus is designed for operation with the blower unit remotely located from the user proximate ground level.
The present invention more particularly involves an air blower apparatus that comprises a blower unit having a housing formed with an inlet and an outlet, and a motor inside having a shaft with blade means attached thereto for producing an air flow through the housing. The blower apparatus also includes a base which is formed to attach the blower unit thereon for use close to or proximate ground level, and, the base is also formed to position the blower unit so that the inlet of the blower unit does not draw in debris close to or from the ground. The blower apparatus further includes a hose which is flexible and attached to the blower housing outlet and which has a sufficient inner diameter to substantially maintain the produced air flow.
Accordingly, it is an important objective of the present invention described herein to provide for an air blowing device or apparatus which can produce a high volume, high speed, air flow to effectively accelerate drying processes, with the drying of a freshly washed automobile contemplated. A high speed air flow tends to physically displace a liquid off of that which is being dried, while a high volume air flow tends to effectively evaporate and atomize the remaining liquid droplets.
It is another important objective of the present invention that it be operable by a user over extended periods without discomfort or fatigue.
It is another important objective of the present invention that it be operable by a user over extended periods without hearing discomfort.
It is yet another objective of the present invention that it be commercially viable, simple in design and cost-efficient to manufacture.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5727330 (1998-03-01), Cucchi et al.
patent: 5893218 (1999-04-01), Hunter et al.
patent: 5950331 (1999-09-01), Coggins et al.
Quick Fill Electric Pump displayed on INTEX web page, 1999.
Bodnar Paul
Gleason Rodger
Macor Richard J.
Glynn, Esq. Kenneth P.
Gravini Stephen
Quick Air, Inc.
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