AU5942899A - Solar dehydrator - Google Patents

Description

P/00/0011I Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT a a a a a. a

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicants: Actual Inventors: Address for service in Australia: Invention Title: SHARRON BATT and JOHN MCLEAN SHARRON BATT and JOHN MCLEAN CARTER SMITH BEADLE 2 Railway Parade Camberwell Victoria 3124 Australia SOLAR DEHYDRATOR The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us SOLAR DEHYDRATOR Field of the Invention The invention relates to a portable dehydration device, which is adapted to use heat energy from the sun and assists in dehydrating a variety of substances.

Background to the Invention Dehydration has long been used as an important means of preserving :foodstuffs, particularly fruit and vegetables. Removal of moisture by this method has enabled long periods of storage and ease of transportation of such substances.

Known commercial methods of dehydration utilise non-renewable resources, 006 0including electrical and mechanical energy and are confined to particular locations.

The present invention aims to overcome these limitations by providing a portable, compact dehydrator which utilises solar energy to facilitate the dehydration process.

It is further desired to protect the material to be dried from rain, dust, insects and 0 animals.

0:00 00 Brief Summary of the Invention 0:06*:The present invention provides a solar dehydration device for the removal of moisture from a variety of substances, the device being an enclosed cabinet which is capable of utilising solar energy, is collapsible and transportable, and which comprises: panels composed of a transparent material; (ii) a means of ventilation; (iii) a series of supports and associated trays; (iv) a means of accessing the trays; and a means of collapsing the device.

Brief Description of the Drawings The accompanying drawings illustrate an embodiment of the solar dehydration device according to the invention.

KLM:HHF:#32981IDlY1 Nvmer19 15 November 1999 Figure 1 is an isometric view of the device in its assembled state.

Figure 2 is a side view of the device in its assembled state.

Figure 3 is a front view of the device in its disassembled state, folded flat for storage purposes.

Detailed Description of the Invention Preferably the solar dehydration device comprises the following desirable :*::*features: a vent or vents may be provided both at the top and bottom of the device positioned in such a way that a convection current is setup; and/or mot(b) the convection current passes through material supported by all or motof the trays; and/or one or more of the vent or vents is or are set at an angle to the vertical to alter or improve the convention current; and/or the trays are staggered or otherwise altered in relative positions in order to maximise contact of sunlight on the material to be dried; and/or the trays are so arranged that a ventilation shaft is formed at the rear to improve airflow through the device and, hence, over and through the material; and/or legs to raise the device above the ground.

Thus, the invention provides a dehydrating device comprising an enclosed cabinet which is preferably composed of base, side, rear and top panels. The base, rear and top panels are preferably rectangular in shape, and the side panels are preferably triangular in shape. There is preferably an additional panel which is located adjacent to the top panel which allows access to the interior of the cabinet.

This door panel is also preferably rectangular in shape and should preferably be removable from the cabinet to allow internal access. The framework of these panels is preferably constructed from wood, or a metallic or plastics material. The outermost covering of these panels should preferably be composed of appropriate transparent material, preferably ultra violet stabilised, rigid plastics material such as polycarbonate, glass or fibreglass.

KLM:HHF:#3298 1.DIV 1 oebr19 15 November 1999 There are preferably two vents which are preferably located at the front aspect of the base panel and at the top edge of the top panel, whereby heated moisture laden air rises and exits from the upper aspect and fresh air is introduced through the vent at the base of the apparatus, to facilitate the movement of air in the form of a convection current. The vents are preferably protected with mesh or an equivalent material.

The supports are preferably attached to the main framework of the device in a manner such that they can be collapsed into a compact state when the device is .*disassembled and folded flat for storage. The framework of these racks is 10 preferably constructed from wood, or a metallic or plastics material.

The trays are preferably of an appropriate size such that they can be fitted removably by sliding into the supports. The trays should preferably consist of a to:. wooden, metallic or plastics frame. The tray proper should preferably comprise .o plastics mesh or wire mesh. The tray framework preferably comprises wood, hardened plastics material, or metal.

The device of the invention should preferably be connected by a series of oo*hinges and other devices which enable it to be assembled and disassembled to form a compact configuration for storage.

Another aspect of the invention comprises a set of legs for the device which are preferably hinged to the top panel to enable them to be folded for storage.

Preferably, in the assembled apparatus, the legs are reversibly attached to the base panel and side panels by a series of bolts or similar devices.

Preferably the back and bottom of the inside of the device are covered with black, flexible plastics material.

Detailed Description Of The Drawings Turning now to the accompanying drawings (Figures 1, 2 and the frame comprises a base panel 1 which is attached to a floor panel 2 and comprises a covered vent 3 located to one end of the panel.

Adjacent to the base panel is the side panel. This comprises a frame 4 to which are attached a series of supports 5. The side and base panels are joined by a KLM:HHF:#32981.DIV 15 November 1999 series of hinges, to allow for movement between the panels and enable disassembly of the device.

The top panel comprises a frame 7 which is covered, as are the adjacent side panels, with rigid ultra-violet stabilised plastics sheeting, or glass or fibreglass 8.

The top panel also incorporates a vent 9 at its top edge. The top panel is attached to the base panel by hinges 10 which enable this panel to fold down flat for storage.

The legs 11 are connected by hinges to the top panel against which they lie flat when the device is not assembled. On assembly the legs are reversibly attached S" to the base panel.

The door panel 12 is adjacent to the top panel and comprises a frame, overlaid with rigid ultra-violet stabilised plastics sheeting, or glass or fibreglass 8.

This can be removed to gain access to the interior of the device.

A series of trays, one of which is indicated by number 13, insert reversibly into the series of supports. To disassemble the device for storage, the door panel, the trays, and the leg bolts 14, securing the frame are removed and the side panels, top panel and legs fold down to enable the device to be stored flat.

S"To operate the dehydrator it is placed with the front facing north in a position allowing full exposure to the sun for as much of the day as possible.

The device works, it is believed, by combination of three factors: transparent covering on its front and sides allows entry of virtually of all the heat impinging on the cabinet from the sun; heat entering is absorbed by the internal structure of the cabinet and by the substances placed on the shelves. This subsequently heats the air inside the cabinet.

The trapping of heat is assisted by having black covering on the floor and inside of the door to absorb heat and reduce the amount of heat which is reflected out; and provision of vents at top and bottom. The top vent allows the rising hot air to exit the cabinet taking with it moisture from the material being dehydrated. Fresh, dry air is then drawn in through the bottom vent.

KLM:HHF:#32981.DIV 15 November 1999

Claims (8)

1. A solar dehydration device for the removal of moisture from a variety of substances, the device being an enclosed cabinet which is capable of utilising solar energy, is collapsible and transportable, and which comprises: panels composed of a transparent material; (ii) a means of ventilation; (iii) a series of supports and associated trays; (iv) a means of accessing the trays; and a means of collapsing the device. C. 10

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a vent or vents may be provided both at the top and bottom of the device positioned in such a way that a convection S current is set up. G'

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the convection current passes through material supported by all or most of the trays.

4. A device as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein one or more of the vent or vents is or are set at an angle to the vertical to alter or improve the convention current.

A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the trays are staggered or otherwise altered in relative positions in order to maximise contact of sunlight on the material to be dried.

6. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the trays are so arranged that a ventilation shaft is formed at the rear to improve airflow through the device and, hence, over and through the material.

7. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, which is provided with legs to raise the device above the ground.

8. A device as claimed in claim 1, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED: 15 November 1999 CARTER SMITH BEADLE Patent Attorneys for the Applicants: SHARRON BATT and JOHN MCLEAN KLM:HHF:#32981.DIV 15 November 1999