The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 15, 2003
Filed:
Sep. 10, 2001
John Tony Kinard, Greer, SC (US);
Michael John Maich, Greenville, SC (US);
Brian John Melody, Greer, SC (US);
Duane Earl Stenzinger, Simpsonville, SC (US);
David Alexander Wheeler, Williamston, SC (US);
Keith Lee Moore, Greenville, SC (US);
Kemet Electronics Corporation, Greenville, SC (US);
Abstract
An apparatus is disclosed for drying materials wet with one or more solvents, particularly hygroscopic materials and materials wet with a high boiling point (low vapor pressure) solvent that are sensitive to heat. Wet material is loaded into a chamber, which is then sealed and caused to oscillate back and forth. Vacuum is enlisted to provide rapid evaporation of solvent at a lower temperature than possible at standard atmospheric pressure. The material is oscillated until a sudden decrease in the residual pressure of the chamber, which indicates completion of the drying cycle. Because vacuum is applied to an oscillating chamber, a rotary vacuum seal is not required to accomplish drying in accordance with the practice of the instant invention.