US 10,480,115 B2 · Dehumidification system and method used for drying fibers

Abstract

A system and method is provided for drying for fibers or fibrous materials, such as flax, hemp, jute, sisal, banana and coir, among others by dehumidifying the fibers in a temperature and humidity-controlled environment. The dehumidification system does not detrimentally affect the fiber's properties (e.g., strength) by evenly drying the fibers and not subjecting the fibers to repeated high temperature environments, allowing the fibers to be used in more biocomposite applications, such as a reinforcement material. Also the dehumidification method reduces/prevents fiber discoloration, odor, and decomposition.

Claims19

Dependent claims

An apparatus for drying fibrous materials to remove moisture from the fibrous material without damaging the fibrous material, the apparatus comprising:

a) a cabinet having at least one compartment therein defining an interior, and a door for sealing the at least one compartment from an exterior environment;
b) a shelf positioned within the interior of the compartment, wherein the shelf includes a bottom surface including a number of apertures therein;
and
c) a dehumidifier operably connected to the interior of the at least one compartment;
and
d) a channel disposed on the shelf below the apertures in the bottom surface and configured to direct moisture flowing through the apertures in the bottom surface away from the shelf.

3 more elements

A method for drying fibrous materials to remove moisture from the fibrous material without damaging the internal structure of the fibrous material, the method comprising:

a) placing the fibrous material within an apparatus comprising:
i) a cabinet having at least one compartment therein defining an interior, and a door for sealing the at least one compartment from an exterior environment;
ii) a shelf positioned within the interior of the at least one compartment, wherein the shelf consists of a bottom surface including a number of apertures therein and a number of side surfaces extending upwardly from the bottom surface;
and
iii) a dehumidifier operably connected to the interior of the at least one compartment;
and
iv) a channel disposed on the shelf below the apertures in the bottom surface and configured to direct moisture flowing through the apertures in the bottom surface away from the shelf;
and
b) operating the dehumidifier to remove moisture from the material.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

14/640,500Filed 6 Mar 2015 · us provisional application

Priority

6 Mar 2014

Published

US 2015/0252515 A110 Sep 2015

Granted

19 Nov 2019

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

D06F 34/26
Arrangements for detecting or measuring specific parameters: condition of the drying air, e.g. air humidity or temperature
D06F 58/10
Domestic laundry dryers: drying cabinets or drying chambers having heating or ventilating means
F26B 9/06
Machines or apparatus for drying solid materials or objects at rest or with only local agitation; Domestic airing cupboards: in stationary drums…
F26B 13/00
Machines and apparatus for drying fabrics, fibres, yarns, or other materials in

Dehumidification system and method used for drying fibers

Life of this patent

Dehumidification system and method used for drying fibers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19