Method to dry phonograph records after washing

Abstract

A method to dry phonograph records after washing, whereby the record 1 is mounted on a spindle 2 and rotated in static non-moving air to utilise airflow 6 induced by the physics of airflow over the surface of the rotating record. There may be cutouts 7 within enclosure cover panels 9 surrounding the record 1, and said panels 9 can have aerodynamic features 8 included to alter the speed and direction of airflow 6 over the surfaces of the record 1.

Description

Description Phonograph records gather dust and other debris on surfaces during use and storage. They require periodic cleaning to maintain and improve their audio playback quality and to maintain good condition during storage. There are various products and methods available to wash and clean them, after which they are dried by wiping the surfaces using squeegees or absorbent materials, followed by static or forced air drying. Forced air drying is not recommended for drying phonograph records, it promotes the generation of static electricity on the surfaces of the record which can then attract dust particles. Both static electricity and dust particles interfere with audio playback quality. Neither is it recommended to use heat above room temperatures to dry the records since they are manufactured from temperature sensitive materials. Gentle air drying without physical contact with the record’s surfaces is required for phonograph records to be maintained in optimum condition. This Patent application is for a method to gently dry phonograph records after they have been washed. Drying records by this method adds to the pleasure of phonograph record ownership by reducing the drying times after washing, yet does not require physical contact with the playing surfaces of the records and does not apply heat. The method is to rotate the record in static air and utilise the airflow generated by the physics of air flow over the surface of a rotating disc to dry the surfaces of the record. Aerodynamic features included in enclosure cover panels affect airflow speed and direction to further reduce drying times. The arrangement to do this is shown with reference to the following drawings: Drawings Figure 1 shows the record (1) mounted onto a spindle (2) and the axis and direction of rotation (3). Figure 2 shows a cross sectional side view of a rotating record (1) mounted onto a spindle (2) with indicator arrows showing induced airflow (4) over the surfaces of the record. Figure 3 shows a cross sectional side view of a rotating record (1) mounted onto a spindle (2) with indicator arrows showing induced air flow (5) affected by cutouts (7) in enclosure panels (9) to alter its speed and direction over the surfaces of the record. Figure 4 shows a cross sectional side view of a rotating record (1) mounted onto a spindle (2) with indicator arrows showing induced air flow (6) affected by aerodynamic features around cutouts (8) in the enclosure panels (9) to alter its speed and direction over the surfaces of the record. Figure 5 shows a flow diagram detailing the process of drying a record using the method described.

Claims

1. A method to dry phonograph records after washing, comprising a spindle onto which a record is mounted then rotated in static air to utilise the airflow induced by the physics of airflow over the surfaces of a rotating disc to dry the record.

2. A method to dry phonograph records according to claim 1, in which there are aerodynamic features included in enclosure cover panels to alter the speed and direction of the airflow over the surfaces of the record to further reduce drying times.

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