Drying and gas or vapor contact with solids – Apparatus – For diverse operations on treated material
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-07
2001-09-11
Walberg, Teresa (Department: 3742)
Drying and gas or vapor contact with solids
Apparatus
For diverse operations on treated material
C034S666000, C034S090000, C134S123000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286228
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a drying system which comprises the use of a small or medium size air blower having a housing, a motor, and blade means for producing and directing an air flow. The blower device is used in combination with a surfactant applied to the surfaces of a vehicle to reduce the coefficient of friction between the surfaces of the vehicle and a wetting agent. The surfactant enhances the effects of the blower and subsequent drying process. Vehicles contemplated include automobiles, sport utility vehicles, all terrain vehicles and motorcycles to name a few.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are various types of air blower devices and apparatuses available which are used or can be used to accelerate drying processes including for example, the drying of a washed and wetted automobile. Generally, all air blower devices 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 blower device, and, if the motor and blade means produce an air flow which is generally perpendicular to the motor shaft, it is considered a centrifugal type air blower device.
When contemplating the drying of a washed and/or wetted vehicle, for example an automobile or motorcycle, the axial or fan type devices usually do not produce sufficient air speed to fully affect the drying process. Alternatively, centrifugal type air blowers tend to more fully affect the drying process by moving large volumes of air at high speeds, however, they do not perform well on all vehicles. This is because the coefficient of friction between the wetting agent and the surfaces of a vehicle can be relatively high preventing an effective removal of the wetting agent with any type air blowing device. In addition, centrifugal type air blowers are generally too cumbersome and heavy for extended use and manipulation by hand and they 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 a drying system for removing a wetting agent from surfaces of a vehicle. The drying system comprises an application of a surfactant to the surfaces of the vehicle to provide a reduction in the coefficient of friction between the surfaces of the vehicle and the wetting agent. The surfactant can be applied to the surfaces of the vehicle prior to, and/or during the wetting of the vehicle. The present invention also involves an air blower device for the removal of the wetting agent from the surfaces of the vehicle which when used in combination with the previously applied surfactant can provide an enhanced drying effect The air blower comprises a housing formed for use proximate ground level with an inlet and an outlet, and a motor therein having a shaft with blade means attached thereto for producing an air flow. The air blower housing is further formed so that the air blower does not draw in debris proximate ground level. The air blower device also comprises a hose which is attached thereto and has a sufficient inner diameter to substantially maintain the produced airflow. Some preferred embodiments of the present invention may include a centrifugal type air blower (as defined herein) and/or a motorized washing device.
Accordingly, it is an important objective of the present invention described herein to provide for an independent, relatively small, mobile drying system which is effective at removing a wetting agent from a washed and/or wetted vehicle, for example an automobile or motorcycle.
It is another important objective of the present invention described herein that it may include a motorized washing device so that the system can both wet and dry a vehicle.
It is another important objective of the present invention that it be operable by a user over extended periods without fatigue or hearing discomfort.
It is another important objective of the present invention that the present invention be operable using a single energy source, with one embodiment applicable for use where an electrical source is present, and another embodiment applicable for use where there is no electrical source.
It is yet another objective of the present invention that it be commercially viable, simple in design and cost-efficient to manufacture.
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Bodnar Paul
Gleason Rodger
Macor Richard J.
Fastovsky Leonid M
Quick Air, Inc.
Walberg Teresa
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