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US 4,283,279 AGranted
Method and apparatus for reclaiming drycleaning fluid
AssigneeKleen-Rite, Inc.
InventorRobert G. Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Drycleaning fluid is recovered from spent drycleaning fluid filter elements by passing steam through the elements to form a steam/drycleaning-fluid vapor mixture. The mixture is condensed into liquid state and the two constituents are separated. The apparatus includes a condensing chamber and a separating chamber with a novel valve for ensuring that drycleaning-fluid vapors do not escape into the work area.
Claims7
An apparatus for recovering drycleaning fluid from a mixture of drycleaning fluid vapor and water vapor comprising:
- a closed container;
- means for causing a mixture of drycleaning fluid vapor and water vapor to enter said container at the top thereof;
- condensing means mounted in said container for condensing said mixture;
- means for supplying a cooling medium from the exterior of said container to said condensing means;
- first outlet means for removing drycleaning fluid from said container and means associated with said first outlet means for preventing the level of drycleaning fluid in said container from declining below a predetermined minimum level;
- second outlet means located above said first outlet means for removing water from said container;
- said second outlet means including a valve which automatically opens said second outlet means only when the level of liquid in said container is above said second outlet means, thereby preventing the escape of vapors through said second outlet means.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.