Drying and gas or vapor contact with solids – Apparatus – For diverse operations on treated material
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-06
2001-03-13
Gravini, Stephen (Department: 3749)
Drying and gas or vapor contact with solids
Apparatus
For diverse operations on treated material
C034S666000, C015S345000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199293
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device which can both wash and dry something, for example a freshly washed automobile. More particularly, the present invention relates to a motorized washing and drying system that combines a motorized washing device with a motorized drying device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are various types of motorized washing devices available which are used or can be used to wash and clean something, including for example, an automobile. These devices generally have an electric or internal combustion type motor to pressurize and discharge cleaning fluids including, for example, water to enhance the washing and cleaning effect. These devices can be large, fixed machines for commercial and industrial applications like car washes, and or, smaller portable, pressure washing machines. Even though these smaller, portable type pressure washing devices can wash something, these machines are not equipped to also dry that which has been washed, for example, a freshly washed automobile.
When considering various known drying devices which belong to a separate field of technology, there are various types of motorized drying devices available which are used or can be used to accelerate drying processes including, for example, the drying of a freshly washed automobile. Generally, these devices are used in commercial type car washes and they are large, fixed motorized air blowing devices. Applicants are not aware of any drying device which is designed small and mobile, and for the drying of a freshly washed automobile. There are, however, smaller motorized air blowing devices which are used to accelerate drying processes for example, a hair dryer. In almost all instances, known drying devices which include various fans and blower units, each 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. Usually 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 motors used in commercial car washes. 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 drying device or air blower produces an air flow which is parallel to the motor shaft, it is considered an axial type fan or air blowing device, and, if the drying device or air blower produces 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, applicants have determined through extensive testing and “know how” that the axial or fan type devices usually do not produce sufficient air speed to fully affect the drying process; whereas, 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.
Applicants are not aware of any apparatus or machine that currently exists which is relatively small and mobile, and that combines a motorized washing device with a motorized drying device for the purpose of both washing and then drying that which has been washed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention involves a motorized washing and drying apparatus which includes a mobile cart or base which is formed for the attachment of both a motorized washing device and a motorized drying device. The motorized washing device is attached to the base and has a motor capable of pressurizing and discharging washing fluids for the washing and cleaning of something, for example, an automobile. The motorized drying device is also attached to the base and has a housing formed with an inlet and an outlet and a motor therein. The motor of the drying device has a shaft with a blade means attached thereto for producing an air flow. The drying device further has a hose extending from it to direct the produced airflow for drying for example, a freshly washed automobile. In some embodiments, the motor of the washing device and the motor of the drying device are both electric; and, in other embodiments the motor of the washing device and the motor of the drying device are both internal combustion type.
Accordingly, it is an important objective of the present invention described herein to provide for a relatively small, mobile apparatus that can both wash then dry that which has been washed.
It is another important objective of the present invention that the present invention be operable with a single energy source, with one embodiment manufactured for use where an electrical source is present, and another embodiment manufactured for use where there is no electrical source.
It is another important objective of the present invention that the drying device produce a high volume, high speed, air flow to effectively accelerate drying processes, with the drying of a freshly washed automobile contemplated.
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.
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Bodnar Paul
Gleason Rodger
Macor Richard J.
Glynn, Esq. Kenneth P.
Gravini Stephen
Quick Air, Inc.
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