GB2095807A

GB2095807A - Drying linen

Info

Publication number: GB2095807A
Application number: GB8206203A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: TERSON
Current assignee: TERSON
Priority date: 1981-03-05
Filing date: 1982-03-03
Publication date: 1982-10-06
Also published as: IT8206937V0; ES263570Y; FR2501251A1; ES263570U; FR2501251B3; DE8206362U1

Abstract

A suitcase contains various parts including a cover (9). With the case open, the lower part of the cover (9) can be fixed to it while the upper part of the cover can be suspended from an external support (13) such as a door through the agency of a frame (12) and angle pieces (14, 15). The upper panel of the cover (9) has openings (18). An electric fan (4) and an electric heating element (5) are fixed to the inner surface of one of the parts (2) of the suitcase (1) facing openings (6) in the said part (2). Linen to be dried can be suspended on the frame (12) in the cover. Air drawn in by the fan (4) through the openings (6) and heated by the element (5) sweeps over the linen and leaves at the upper part of the cover. After drying, the cover (9), the frame (12) and the angle members (14, 15) are put away in the suitcase, thus ensuring easy transportation of the apparatus for the user, particularly whilst travelling. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Portable apparatus for the rapid drying of linen articles The present invention relates to a portable apparatus for the rapid drying of linen articles which may be easily taken and used when travelling.

According to the present invention, there is provided portable apparatus for the rapid drying of linen articles, comprising a suitcase (1) in which are disposed an electric heating element (5) and an electric fan (4), a cover (9) open at its lower part and having means (10, 11) for fitting the said lower part onto the suitcase when the latter is in an open position, means (12, 14, 15) for suspending the upper part of-the cover on an external support (13) and means (19) for suspending linen to be dried inside the cover, the upper part of the cover having at least one opening (18), the arrangement being such that, during a drying operation, with the cover fitted to the suitcase, air is drawn in by the fan and forced upwards in the cover after being heated by the heating element, so as to sweep the linen to be dried and thereafter leave by the opening or openings in the upper part of the cover.

The accompanying drawings represent, by way of example, an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view in the operative position and Figure 2 is a side view in partial section corresponding to Figure 1.

The illustrated apparatus comprises a suitcase 1 formed in two parts 2, 3 hinged to one another.

An electric fan 4 and an electric heating element 5 are fixed to the interior of the major surface of the part 2 of the suitcase as can be seen from Figure 2. Openings 6 are provided in the major surface of the part 2 facing the region where the fan and the heating element are located. A supply lead is shown at 7 and at 8 a switch is shown to put the fan 4 and the heating element 5 into and out of operation.

The suitcase 1 is shown in the open position for use, the part 3 resting on the floor and the part 2 being vertical.

The apparatus also comprises a cover 9 of prismatic rectangular shape, preferably in transparent plastics material, which the figures 1 and 2 show in the position of use of the apparatus. The lower portion of the cover 9 is open and is arranged to be fitted to the previously opened suitcase 1, on the one hand passing beneath the part 3 and, on the other hand, being detachably fixed to the part 2 by means of two strips 10 and 11 of "Velcro" (Registered Trade Mark).

The apparatus also comprises a rectangular metal frame 12 which is fitted in the upper portion of the cover 9 and which serves for suspending the latter from an external support such as the upper edge 13 of a door, through the agency of two parts in the form of angle pieces 14, 1 5, one bent part 16, 17 of which hooks over the support 13.

The cover 9 has openings 18 in its upper panel.

It could have only a single central opening of much larger size.

Small loops 19 are provided on two opposite sides of the frame 12. They serve for hooking suspension bars, not shown, on which supports for the linen articles to be dried will be suspendedd Zip fasteners 20, 21 serve for opening and closing the cover.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows.

Having arranged the different parts as shown, the zip fasteners 20, 21 are opened, the linen to be dried is suspended in the cover, the latter is closed and the heating and ventilation is switched on by the switch 8. The fan draws in air through the opening 6 in the suitcase and forces it upwards into the cover 9 after it has been heated by the heating element 5. Then, the hot air sweeps the linen suspended in the cover and leaves by the upper openings 18. Thus, a rapid drying is provided.

Drying having finished, the current is switched off, the dried linen is extracted and the cover 9 (after having undone the strips (10, 1 1), the frame 12, the suspension bars and the parts 14, 15 may be put away in the suitcase after which the suitcase 1 can be closed and transported manually.

Claims

1. Portable apparatus for the rapid drying of linen articles, comprising a suitcase (1 ) in which are disposed an electric heating element (5) and an electric fan (4), a cover (9) open at its lower part and having means (10,11) for fitting the said lower part onto the suitcase when the latter is in an open position, means (12, 14, 15) for suspending the upper part of the cover on an external support (13) and means (19) for suspending linen to be dried inside the cover, the upper part having at least one opening (18), the arrangement being such that, during a drying operation, with the cover fitted to the suitcase, air is drawn in by the fan and forced upwards in the cover after being heated by the heating element, so as to sweep the linen to be dried and thereafter leave by the opening or openings in the upper part of the cover.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the suitcase has openings (6) in one of its major surfaces for drawing in air, the fan 4 being fixed against the inner face of said surface opposite said openings.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means ( 12) for suspending the cover and the means for suspending the linen within the cover are dimensioned so as to be contained in the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Portable apparatus for the rapid drying of linen articles The present invention relates to a portable apparatus for the rapid drying of linen articles which may be easily taken and used when travelling. According to the present invention, there is provided portable apparatus for the rapid drying of linen articles, comprising a suitcase (1) in which are disposed an electric heating element (5) and an electric fan (4), a cover (9) open at its lower part and having means (10, 11) for fitting the said lower part onto the suitcase when the latter is in an open position, means (12, 14, 15) for suspending the upper part of-the cover on an external support (13) and means (19) for suspending linen to be dried inside the cover, the upper part of the cover having at least one opening (18), the arrangement being such that, during a drying operation, with the cover fitted to the suitcase, air is drawn in by the fan and forced upwards in the cover after being heated by the heating element, so as to sweep the linen to be dried and thereafter leave by the opening or openings in the upper part of the cover. The accompanying drawings represent, by way of example, an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention. Figure 1 is a perspective view in the operative position and Figure 2 is a side view in partial section corresponding to Figure 1. The illustrated apparatus comprises a suitcase 1 formed in two parts 2, 3 hinged to one another. An electric fan 4 and an electric heating element 5 are fixed to the interior of the major surface of the part 2 of the suitcase as can be seen from Figure 2. Openings 6 are provided in the major surface of the part 2 facing the region where the fan and the heating element are located. A supply lead is shown at 7 and at 8 a switch is shown to put the fan 4 and the heating element 5 into and out of operation. The suitcase 1 is shown in the open position for use, the part 3 resting on the floor and the part 2 being vertical. The apparatus also comprises a cover 9 of prismatic rectangular shape, preferably in transparent plastics material, which the figures 1 and 2 show in the position of use of the apparatus. The lower portion of the cover 9 is open and is arranged to be fitted to the previously opened suitcase 1, on the one hand passing beneath the part 3 and, on the other hand, being detachably fixed to the part 2 by means of two strips 10 and 11 of "Velcro" (Registered Trade Mark). The apparatus also comprises a rectangular metal frame 12 which is fitted in the upper portion of the cover 9 and which serves for suspending the latter from an external support such as the upper edge 13 of a door, through the agency of two parts in the form of angle pieces 14, 1 5, one bent part 16, 17 of which hooks over the support 13. The cover 9 has openings 18 in its upper panel. It could have only a single central opening of much larger size. Small loops 19 are provided on two opposite sides of the frame 12. They serve for hooking suspension bars, not shown, on which supports for the linen articles to be dried will be suspendedd Zip fasteners 20, 21 serve for opening and closing the cover. The operation of the apparatus is as follows. Having arranged the different parts as shown, the zip fasteners 20, 21 are opened, the linen to be dried is suspended in the cover, the latter is closed and the heating and ventilation is switched on by the switch 8. The fan draws in air through the opening 6 in the suitcase and forces it upwards into the cover 9 after it has been heated by the heating element 5. Then, the hot air sweeps the linen suspended in the cover and leaves by the upper openings 18. Thus, a rapid drying is provided. Drying having finished, the current is switched off, the dried linen is extracted and the cover 9 (after having undone the strips (10, 1 1), the frame 12, the suspension bars and the parts 14, 15 may be put away in the suitcase after which the suitcase 1 can be closed and transported manually. Claims

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means ( 12) for suspending the cover and the means for suspending the linen within the cover are dimensioned so as to be contained in the closed suitcase together with the folded cover when the apparatus is not in use.

4. Portable apparatus for the rapid drying of linen articles, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.