Patent · US Expired

Vacuum-assisted rapid fabric dryer and method for rapidly drying fabrics

US5131169A · kind A · utility

14Cited by
7References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 22, 1991
Grant dateJul 21, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 22, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC D)Textiles; Paper
  • CPC primaryD06F2103/12
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A vacuum-assisted drying apparatus and method are provided for rapidly drying fabrics. A rotatable drum is enclosed in a nearly hermetic region. A valve is attached to an inlet of the region; a compressor is attached to an exit of the region. With the valve closed, the compressor reduces the pressure within the region to the saturated pressure of water at the temperature of the fabrics. At this point, free moisture in the fabrics evaporates. Continued operation of the compressor removes the vaporous moisture from the system. After most of the free water vapor has been depleted, the valve is opened to allow heated air to flow through the drum and to dry the remaining bound moisture.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.