Electric resistance heating devices – Heating devices – Concentrated heated air stream
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-02
2001-04-10
Jeffery, John A. (Department: 3742)
Electric resistance heating devices
Heating devices
Concentrated heated air stream
C219S202000, C034S090000, C034S443000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06215955
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for cleaning and drying chips in glass in preparation for repairing the chips.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
The present heating/dryer apparatus is specifically adapted for use in repairing chips in glass such as windshields and the like. It is uniquely adapted to decrease the time necessary for repairing chips for subsequent treatment. U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,639 discloses a method of drying windshield shatter crack cavities using a hand-held radiant heating device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,670,180 discloses another laminated glass and windshield repair device wherein the resin material is cured and hardened by exposing the resin to ultra-violet light. U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,056 discloses a device for drying windshield breaks utilizing dry air. U.S. Pat. No. 3,841,932 discloses a method and apparatus for repairing cracks in windshields. The present apparatus includes components which combine to provide for faster preparation of chips in glass for repair.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Before a chip in glass can be repaired, it must be cleaned and dried. Cleaning and drying, even with solvents, traditionally takes about fifteen (15) minutes. Utilizing the heating/dryer apparatus of this invention reduces the time necessary for preparing the chip for repair to no more than one (1) to two (2) minutes. Thus, there is a tremendous economic benefit to using the apparatus of this invention.
The heating/dryer apparatus of this invention includes a casing with a heating element incorporated into a tubular member inside the casing and with a fan immediately above the heating element adapted to move heated air rapidly through the apparatus to quickly dry the chip which has been previously treated with water and/or a solvent such as alcohol or a hydrocarbon solvent to remove any loose chips or other debris and to condition the chip for treatment with a resin injecting system, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,798. The casing of the apparatus of this invention includes a bottom portion with projections designed to retain the apparatus for positioning on a windshield, slightly removed from the surface of the windshield and the chip so that the air that traverses the apparatus can be quickly dissipated into the atmosphere. The bottom of the casing includes openings surrounding the heating element which are adjacent to the periphery between the legs which hold the apparatus slightly removed from the windshield. The top of the casing which houses the heating element and a fan also includes openings whereby air can be sucked into the apparatus and then passed onto the chip in heated condition in order to quickly remove any cleaning material from the chip. Using heated air is particularly useful when the chip is being cleaned with a solvent which has a low temperature of evaporation and which may be mixed with water. The heating element is recessed in a tubular member to project the heat from the heating element in a compact pattern and to avoid damage to the heating element when in service.
The fan unit is individually housed in a circular chamber housing which is frictionally engaged with the inside of the casing and which can be quickly snapped into and out of position in the casing. Preferably, the casing is made from two (2) component parts which may be connected by threads and grooves or by a snap-in system so that the fan and heating element are quickly and readily available for instant replacement when one or both become inoperable from use.
The heating element and the fan are actuated by means of an electric current, which is generally a twelve volt system with an adapter plug suitable for insertion in a cigarette lighter unit in an automobile. Other electrical sources may be utilized, such as a separate battery system or a 120 volt system which would require a converter which reduces the power source to 12 volts for use in the preferred embodiment of this invention. Obviously, it would be possible to utilize 110-120 volt systems of electricity, but this would requiring using a heating element and fan adapted for that voltage.
In summary, the heating/dryer apparatus of this invention uses forced heated air to quickly dry chips in glass, usually in less than two minutes. It takes only approximately 15 seconds for the apparatus to reach full operating temperature. The apparatus of this invention can be used also to repair stress line cracks in windshields which might require more than one resin injection. The controlled system of this invention enables the use of the apparatus to prepare elongated cracks without extending the cracks, because the heated air can be carefully controlled and dissipated rapidly which avoids creating further stress lines. The heating/dryer apparatus of this invention may also include an insulating material such as asbestos or fiber glass around the lower portion of the casing close to the heating element. However, such insulation is generally not necessary for use by experienced crack repairers. The apparatus of this invention is most useful when used with the chip repair equipment defined in U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,798, entitled APPARATUS FOR WINDSHIELD REPAIR, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,028,223, entitled MAGNETICALLY ATTACHED SUPPORT DEVICE FOR WINDSHIELD REPAIR APPARATUS which are presently owned, along with this application, by Liquid Resins International, Ltd.
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Haverstock, Garrett & Roberts LLP
Jeffery John A.
Liquid Resins International, Ltd.
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