US3710450A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process and apparatus for removing liquids from solid surfaces
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
•
Filing: 1971-02-01
•
Granted: 1973-01-16
•
Expires: 1991-02-01
Abstract
Abstract Method for removing liquid from a non-absorbent article comprising immersing the article into a vigorously agitated solvent bath, transferring displaced liquid and solvent directly to a separation zone, withdrawing liquid which collects as one phase in the separation zone, removing solvent which collects as another phase in the separation zone, recycling this solvent to the solvent bath, and removing the article from the solvent bath. An alternative to the solvent bath is a spray treatment. Apparatus comprises various sumps and piping to accomplish the above, including at least one sump equipped with means for the vigorous agitation of liquid contained therein, such as ultrasonic vibration means if a solvent bath embodiment is employed, or at least one sump equipped with a spraying means if the spray treatment embodiment is employed. The above-described systems are particularly adapted for the removal of water from non-absorbent articles, and particularly articles with relatively inaccessible surfaces.
Inventors
- 👤 F Figiel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:29
CPC Classifications
F; F26; F26B; F26B5/00; F26B5/005; B; B01; B01D; B01D12/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 70
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
The method for removing liquid from a non-absorbent article which comprises: a. immersing an article containing a liquid contaminated surface into a solvent bath having a different density than the liquid and in which the liquid is between about 0.001-5 perceNt by weight soluble, which solvent bath is subjected to vigorous agitation to produce turbulence throughout the bath, thereby displacing liquid from the article, b. transferring the displaced liquid and solvent directly to a separation zone, and c. permitting the liquid and the solvent to separate into two phases therein, d. withdrawing from the system liquid which collects as one phase in the separation zone, e. removing from the separation zone solvent which collects as another phase in the separation zone, f. recycling the solvent removed from the separation zone to the solvent bath, and g. removing the article from the solvent bath.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
143 words
The method for removing liquid from a non-absorbent article which comprises: a. immersing an article containing a liquid contaminated surface into a solvent bath having a different density than the liquid and in which the liquid is between about 0.001-5 perceNt by weight soluble, which solvent bath is subjected to vigorous agitation to produce turbulence throughout the bath, thereby displacing liquid from the article, b. transferring the displaced liquid and solvent directly to a separation zone, and c. permitting the liquid and the solvent to separate into two phases therein, d. withdrawing from the system liquid which collects as one phase in the separation zone, e. removing from the separation zone solvent which collects as another phase in the separation zone, f. recycling the solvent removed from the separation zone to the solvent bath, and g. removing the article from the solvent bath.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method according to claim 1 in which the solvent bath is maintained at a temperature below its boiling point and wherein the displaced liquid and solvent are transferred to the separation zone by overflow from the top of the solvent bath.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 2 in which the agitation in the solvent bath is produced by ultrasonic vibration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 1 in which the agitation in the solvent bath is produced by vigorously agitating the article within the bath.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 1 in which the article which is immersed into the solvent bath comprises a plurality of articles having surfaces in contact with one another, and in which the degree of turbulence produced throughout the bath is sufficient to cause such contacting surfaces to separate from one another.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 2 in which the liquid is water.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 6 in which the solvent has a density greater than that of water and which therefore forms the lower phase in the separation zone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 6 in which the solvent is one in which water is between about 0.01-5 percent by weight soluble.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 8 in which the agitation in the solvent bath is produced by ultrasonic vibration.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 8 in which the agitation in the solvent bath is produced by vigorously agitating the article within the bath.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method according to claim 8 in which the article which is immersed into the solvent bath comprises a plurality of articles having surfaces in contact with one another, and in which the degree of turbulence produced throughout the bath is sufficient to cause such contacting surfaces to separate from one another.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 8 in which the article which is removed from the solvent bath is exposed to solvent vapors generated from a boiling solvent as defined herein in a second solvent bath.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method according to claim 12 in which the second solvent bath is established with substantially water-free solvent liquid removed from the separation zone and in which the solvent vapors from the second solvent bath are condensed and cycled to the first solvent bath.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 8 in which the article is rinsed with a spray of a solvent as defined herein prior to immersion in the solvent bath.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method according to claim 11 in which the solvent contains at least one substantially water-immiscible halogenated hydrocarbon component boiling between about 0*-100*C. and having a density greater than about 1.3 gm./cm.3 at 20*C. and at least one non-halogenated organic liquid miscible with the halogenated hydrocarbon component and with water which boils between about 0*-150*C. and has a density less than about 1.0 gm./cm.3 at 20*C.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 15 in which the solvent is a two component mixture in which the substantially water-immiscible component constitutes between about 80-99.5 weight percent of the mixture.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method according to claim 16 in which the substantially water-immiscible component is a member of the group consisting of 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane and tetrachlorodifluoroeThane and in which the water-miscible component is a member of the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, acetonitrile, acetone, nitromethane and dioxane.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 17 in which the agitation in the solvent bath is produced by ultrasonic vibration.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 18 in which the substantially water-immiscible component is 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane and in which the water-miscible component is isopropanol.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 18 in which the article which is removed from the solvent bath is exposed to solvent vapors generated from a boiling solvent as defined herein in a second solvent bath.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 20 in which the second solvent bath is established with substantially water-free solvent liquid removed from the separation zone and in which the solvent vapors from the second solvent bath are condensed and cycled to the first solvent bath.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 21 in which the substantially water-immiscible component is 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane and in which the water-miscible component is isopropanol.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 17 in which the agitation in the solvent bath is produced by vigorously agitating the article within the bath.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 23 in which the substantially water-immiscible component is 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane and in which the water-miscible component is isopropanol.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 24 in which the article which is removed from the solvent bath is exposed to solvent vapors generated from a boiling solvent as defined herein in a second solvent bath.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method according to claim 25 in which the second solvent bath is established with substantially water-free solvent liquid removed from the separation zone and in which the solvent vapors from the second solvent bath are condensed and cycled either to the first solvent bath or to the separation zone.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 26 in which the substantially water-immiscible component is 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane and in which the water-miscible component is isopropanol.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
151 words
The method for removing liquid from a non-absorbent article which comprises: a. spraying an article containing a liquid contaminated surface with a solvent having a different density than the liquid and in which the liquid is between about 0.001-5 percent by weight soluble, thereby displacing liquid from the article, b. collecting the displaced liquid and solvent, c. permitting the displaced liquid and the solvent to separate into two phases, d. causing the upper phase with accompanying amounts of the lower phase to overflow into a separation zone and permitting the liquid and the solvent to separate into two phases therein, e. withdrawing from the system liquid which collects as one phase in the separation zone, f. removing from the separation zone solvent which collects as another phase in the separation zone, g. recycling the solvent removed from the separation zone to the spray, and h. removing the article from the spray.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
151 words
The method for removing liquid from a non-absorbent article which comprises: a. spraying an article containing a liquid contaminated surface with a solvent having a different density than the liquid and in which the liquid is between about 0.001-5 percent by weight soluble, thereby displacing liquid from the article, b. collecting the displaced liquid and solvent, c. permitting the displaced liquid and the solvent to separate into two phases, d. causing the upper phase with accompanying amounts of the lower phase to overflow into a separation zone and permitting the liquid and the solvent to separate into two phases therein, e. withdrawing from the system liquid which collects as one phase in the separation zone, f. removing from the separation zone solvent which collects as another phase in the separation zone, g. recycling the solvent removed from the separation zone to the spray, and h. removing the article from the spray.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 28 in which the solvent is sprayed at a temperature below its boiling point.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 29 in which the liquid is water.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 30 in which the solvent has a density greater than that of water and which forms therefore the lower phase in the separation zone.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 30 in which the solvent is one in which water is between about 0.01-5 percent by weight soluble.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 32 in which the article which is removed from the spray is exposed to solvent vapors generated from a boiling solvent bath, said solvent being as described herein.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method according to claim 33 in which the boiling solvent bath is supplied with substAntially water-free solvent liquid removed from the separation zone and in which the solvent vapors from the solvent bath are condensed and cycled to the solvent spray.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 32 in which the solvent comprises a halogenated hydrocarbon boiling between about 0*-100*C. and having a density greater than about 1.3 gm./cm.3 at 20*C.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 35 in which the solvent is a member selected from the group consisting of 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2, 2-trifluoroethane and tetrachlorodifluoroethane.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method according to claim 32 in which the solvent contains at least one substantially water-immiscible halogenated hydrocarbon component boiling between about 0*-100*C. and having a density greater than about 1.3 gm./cm.3 at 20*C. and at least one non-halogenated organic liquid miscible with the halogenated hydrocarbon component and with water which boils between about 0*-150*C. and has a density less than about 0.0 gm./cm.3 at 20*C.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 8 which consists essentially of the steps described.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 12 which consists essentially of the steps described.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 14 which consists essentially of the steps described.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 17 which consists essentially of the steps described.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 32 which consists essentially of the steps described.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 34 which consists essentially of the steps described.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
123 words
Apparatus which comprises in combination: a. a first sump adapted to contain a liquid, b. means to vigorously agitate liquid contained within the first sump and to produce turbulence throughout said liquid, c. a second sump adapted to contain a liquid, d. means for transferring liquid which overflows from the first sump to the second sump, e. means for removing liquid which collects as an upper phase from the upper portion of the second sump, f. means for removing liquid which collects as a lower phase from the lower portion of the second sump, and g. means for transferring liquid removed either from the lower portion of the second sump or from the upper portion of the second sump to the first sump.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
123 words
Apparatus which comprises in combination: a. a first sump adapted to contain a liquid, b. means to vigorously agitate liquid contained within the first sump and to produce turbulence throughout said liquid, c. a second sump adapted to contain a liquid, d. means for transferring liquid which overflows from the first sump to the second sump, e. means for removing liquid which collects as an upper phase from the upper portion of the second sump, f. means for removing liquid which collects as a lower phase from the lower portion of the second sump, and g. means for transferring liquid removed either from the lower portion of the second sump or from the upper portion of the second sump to the first sump.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 44 in which the first sump is free of heating means.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 45 in which the second sump is positioned adjacent the first sump so that liquid which overflows from the first sump flows directly into the second sump.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 45 in which the agitation means comprises a source of ultrasonic vibration.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 45 in which the agitation means comprises a means for agitating articles immersed in liquid contained within the first sump.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 45 which includes means for spraying articles with liquid.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 49 in which the spray means is located in proximity to the top of the first sump.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 44 which includes a third sump which is free of means to create turbulence in liquid contained within said sump.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 51 which is provided with means for transferring liquid which overflows from the third sump to the second sump.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus according to claim 44 which includes: a. a boiling sump, including heating means, b. means for transferring liquid either from the lower portion the second sump or from the upper portion of the second sump to the boiling sump, c. means for condensing vapor generated in the boiling sump, d. means for cycling the condensate to the de-watering sump.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 53 in which the first sump is free of heating means.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 54 in which the second sump is positioned adjacent the first sump so that liquid which overflows from the first sump flows directly into the second sump.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 54 in which the agitation means comprises a source of ultrasonic vibration.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 54 in which the agitation means comprises a means for agitating articles immersed in liquid contained within the first sump.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 54 which includes means for spraying articles with liquid.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
118 words
Apparatus which comprises in combination: a. means to spray articles with liquid, b. a first sump adapted to receive liquid which is discharged from the spray means, c. a second sump adapted to contain a liquid, d. means for transferring liquid which overflows from the first sump to the second sump, e. means for removing liquid which collects as an upper phase from the upper portion of the second sump, f. means for removing liquid which collects as a lower phase from the lower portion of the second sump, and g. means for transferring liquid removed either from the lower portion of the second sump or from the upper portion of the second sump to the first sump.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
118 words
Apparatus which comprises in combination: a. means to spray articles with liquid, b. a first sump adapted to receive liquid which is discharged from the spray means, c. a second sump adapted to contain a liquid, d. means for transferring liquid which overflows from the first sump to the second sump, e. means for removing liquid which collects as an upper phase from the upper portion of the second sump, f. means for removing liquid which collects as a lower phase from the lower portion of the second sump, and g. means for transferring liquid removed either from the lower portion of the second sump or from the upper portion of the second sump to the first sump.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 44 which consists essentially of the components recited.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 47 which consists essentially of the components recited.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 48 which consists essentially of the components recited.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 49 which consists essentially of the components recited.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 53 which consists essentially of the components recited.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 56 which consists essentially of the components recited.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 59 which consists essentially of the components recited.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-16 | 1976-07-17 | 1977-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-16 | 1980-07-17 | 1981-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-16 | 1984-07-17 | 1985-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |