APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CLEANING AND DRYING SOLID OBJECTS
First Claim
1. An apparatus for drying an object having a solvent on its surface comprising:
- a) a chamber containing one or more objects in a cartridge, the cartridge being capable of swaying the objects;
b) one or more nozzle sections comprising a plurality of nozzles, attached to the chamber and capable of delivering a drying agent;
c) an optical radiation heating source attached to the inside of the chamber; and
d) a vacuum section connected to the chamber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and a method are described to dry solid objects being manufactured in a chain of steps. The apparatus contains a cartridge to hold the objects, a chamber to house the cartridge, nozzle sections to spray drying agents on the objects, and a vacuum section to remove the drying agent and the released solvent. The apparatus also contains an optical radiation source such as an IR lamp for heating the objects, which can be used in conjunction with the vacuum section for removing solvent and drying steps. The cartridge or the nozzles can be swayed changing the orientation of the objects and the nozzles. The spraying step and evacuating steps can be repeated as needed.
36 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for drying an object having a solvent on its surface comprising:
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a) a chamber containing one or more objects in a cartridge, the cartridge being capable of swaying the objects; b) one or more nozzle sections comprising a plurality of nozzles, attached to the chamber and capable of delivering a drying agent; c) an optical radiation heating source attached to the inside of the chamber; and d) a vacuum section connected to the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An method of drying an object having a solvent on its surface, comprising:
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a) placing one or more objects in a cartridge, the cartridge being capable of swaying the objects; b) placing the cartridge in a chamber, the chamber further comprising one or more nozzle sections comprising a plurality of nozzles, an optical radiation heating source, and a vacuum section; c) spraying the objects with a drying agent while swaying the objects; d) removing the drying agent and solvent from the chamber using the vacuum section; and e) heating the objects using the optical radiation-heating source, while using the vacuum section. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus for drying an object having a solvent on its surface comprising:
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a) a chamber containing one or more objects in a cartridge; b) one or more nozzle sections comprising a plurality of nozzles, attached to the chamber and capable of delivering a drying agent; c) an optical radiation heating source attached to inside of the chamber; and d) a vacuum section connected to the chamber.
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20. An method of drying an object having a solvent on its surface, comprising:
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a) placing one or more objects in a cartridge and placing the cartridge in a chamber, the chamber containing one or more nozzle sections comprising a plurality of nozzles, an optical radiation heating source attached to inside of the chamber, and a vacuum section connected to the chamber; b) spraying the objects with a drying agent; c) removing the drying agent and solvent from the chamber using the vacuum section; and d) heating the objects using the optical radiation heating source, while using the vacuum section.
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Specification