Drying and gas or vapor contact with solids – Apparatus – Sheet – web – or strand
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-08
2001-03-20
Doerrler, William (Department: 3744)
Drying and gas or vapor contact with solids
Apparatus
Sheet, web, or strand
C034S622000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202322
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to air blowers and, more particularly, to an air dispensing and heating floor drying apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the related art, many air blower and air heater devices have been improved and disclosed. However, none of the inventions of the prior art allow for the drying of carpet from underneath the carpet, from above the carpet in a rotational drying pattern, and also use of the device as a conventional portable blower.
A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related:
U.S. Pat. No.
Inventor
Issue Date
5,257,467
Lawrence W. White
Nov. 2, 1993
5,174,048
William K. Shero
Dec. 29, 1992
5,048,202
William K. Shero
Sep. 17, 1991
D359,823
Robert J. Buchness
Jun. 27, 1995
Of considerable relevance is U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,048, which discloses a carpet dryer similar in overall nature to the present invention. While a securing mechanism for maintaining the edge of a carpet on the upper surface of the air outlet portion of the device is incorporated into this invention in combination, other elements are different enough as to make the combination distinguished over this and other prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved carpet and flooring drying device that allows for the drying of carpet from underneath the carpet, from above the carpet in a rotational drying pattern, and also use of the device as a conventional portable blower.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved carpet and flooring drying device that can be used either as a conventional blower or a heated air blower.
It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved air dispensing and heating floor drying apparatus that can be adapted for directional heating for such tasks as thawing frozen pipes.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that rotates to allow for drying of a large area of carpet, floor, etc.
Briefly described according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for drying damp carpet and flooring materials in either a heated or non-heated manner is disclosed. Included in the apparatus is a blower which incorporates coils located near or at the air flow entrance. A fan is included to produce the air. Designed for commercial carpet cleaning, the invention sits at floor level. The air nozzle is at floor level, as well. Useable for both carpet and uncarpeted floors, the invention forces warm-to-hot air across the floor surface. A control is incorporated in the design to regulate the temperature of the forced air. Designed with a handle on the top portion for carrying ease, the invention utilizes a squirrel cage motor. An insulated power cord is incorporated as is a transformer.
Placed at floor level, the invention forces warm-to-hot air across the floor surface to cause drying. Designed for commercial use, the invention provides a steady flow of heated air that cuts the time needed for complete drying of the floor. A fan forces air over the heated coils at the nozzle of the invention. The coils warm the air increasing the drying ability of the forced air. Temperature is regulated to produce air within a range of warm-to-hot. A handle at the top of the invention allows it to be maneuvered to direct air around the room and to other areas. It can also serve as a carrier for the invention.
Located on the bottom of the present invention and releasably secured to the upper portion of the present invention is a base. The base is a component of the present invention. The present invention is designed to automatically rotate on the attached base, in an arc of 360 degrees in the horizontal plane, when desired. This feature allows the present invention to dry a large area of floor without constant supervision and handling of the present invention. An electric motor and drive assembly, located inside of the base, rotates the upper portion of the present invention. Rotation control means control the speed of rotation of the upper portion of the present invention.
Advantages of the present invention are many that would make it beneficial to both consumers and manufacturer. The simple design blends in with existing product lines at the manufacturing level, and can be used in conjunction with existing tools and hardware products. Regulated coils heats forced-air to desired temperature to increase drying power, and the ability to select temperature level allows for best results. The insulated housing protects components as well as people and exterior surfaces from hot coil.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3713346 (1973-01-01), Chamberlain et al.
patent: 5048202 (1991-09-01), Shero
patent: 5174048 (1992-12-01), Shero
patent: 5251281 (1993-10-01), Fravel
patent: 5257467 (1993-11-01), White
patent: 5367739 (1994-11-01), Johnson
patent: 5373580 (1994-12-01), Shao
Doerrler William
Gugliotta John D.
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