GB2140295A - Personal body dryer - Google Patents

Abstract

A device to facilitate the drying of the 'Human Body', at the touch of a control. This is made possible as air is heated when drawn through a fan/heat unit, it is then directed to the desired body areas by being channelled through a non electrically conductive heat proof material. For the first time it is possible with this invention to dry hair in the confines of the bath by means of a flexible extension attached to the main system. The fan/heat unit is mounted outside the bathroom complex thus producing complete electrical safety. Fast and efficient body drying is achieved, as heated air is directed over body, therefore rendering large bathroom towels redundant. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Personal body dryer Air is drawn into the system by a fan, heated to a safe and controllable temperature, passed through associated pipe-work into the drying area. Air is then chanelled to selected body areas, via suitable outlets. See drawings 1/5 and 4/5 figures 1.2.

Due to the dangers associated with electricity, and the use of, within the confines of the bathroom, our invention gives COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SAFETY. This is achieved by mounting the fan heat unit outside the complex of the drying area. Tubes, nozzles and the control device all have complete electrical isolation. Our invention maintains the high safety standards even under adverse levels of steam and condensation. So electrically safe is our invention, the user can dry his or her hair, if so desired whilst still in the bath.

A filter is positioned on the inlet side of the fan/heat unit to ensure that only clean air is passed through the heated electrical element.

The air then flows through pipe-work made up of a non inflamable, electrically insulated material to the top of the Body Dryer.

As the air enters the junction see drawing 1/5 it is divided equally down the tubes.

As shown in drawing 2/5 figures 2.3 a number of adjustable swivelled nozzles are fitted at equal and/or variable distances or heights along the tubes. The nozzles, allow the user to direct air, as and if required to specific parts of the body.

Fitted before the junction of the two tubes is a self sealing orifice valve, see drawing 3/5 figures 1.2.3. The purpose of this is for the fitting of a connection, see drawing 3/5 figures 4.5., when fitted it diverts the air flow away from the nozzle outlets, and allows air flow through the fiexiable hose, thus allowing the user to facilitate in drying selected parts of the body, away from the main system. On removing the connection the unit reverts back to its normal condition.

The control of the fan/heater is achieved by operating a handwheel/lever, as shown in drawing number 5/5. This device is fitted either in the cabinet or on the wall of drying area, it is connected by a ridged or flexible drive made of a non electrical conducting material to the fan/heat unit. The user has complete control through from cold to a safe maximum temperature.

The element control is achieved by using a triac, and the associated gate circuit. The potentiometer, which is mechanically linked to the on/off switch, will carry out this requirement. For additional safety a thermal cut out device is fitted, this gives full protection from overheating.

When the Body Dryer is used within the confines of the bathroom the fan/heater unit must either be fitted to the outside of an internal facing wall, or above ceiling level.

1. What we claim is a device for drying the whole of the body. By having a fan/heat unit placed away from the drying area, and allowing a controllable heated air flow to be channelled through a non electrically conductive heat proof material, into the drying area.

Depending on which mode the user requires, air can either be channelled to the nozzle outlets or allowed to flow through an extended flexible air way.

2. A body dryer as claim 1 fitted into a purpose built shower cabinet.

3. As claim 1 but built into an existing shower cabinet.

4. As claim 1 but built into a purpose built body drying cabinet.

5. A body dryer as claim 1 made without a cabinet.

6. As claim 5 but fitted directly to the wall.

7. A body dryer as claim 1 made with any number of air ways.

8. As claim 7 but fitted with any number of nozzles.

9. As claim 8 fitted with fixed or moving nozzles.

10. A body dryer as claim one made with or with a flexible air channel.

11. As claim 10 with flexible air channel designed to take personal attachment.

1 2. As claim 1 but with a controllable air flow.

1 3. A body dryer made as claim 1 but with cold air blowing facilities.

CLAIMS (14 May 1984) 1. What we claim is a device for drying the whole of the body. By having a fan/heat unit placed away from the drying area, and allowing a controllable heated air flow to be channelled through a non electrically conductive heat proof material, into the drying area.

Depending on which mode the user requires, air can either be channelled to the nozzle outlets creating an all over drying effect or allowed to flow through an extended air way, thus directing the air to selected parts of the body.

10. A body dryer as claim one made with a self sealing orifice valve, allowing the air to be diverted from the nozzle outlets into an extended air way.

11. As claim 10 with extended air way designed to take personal attachment.

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

Claims (11)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Personal body dryer Air is drawn into the system by a fan, heated to a safe and controllable temperature, passed through associated pipe-work into the drying area. Air is then chanelled to selected body areas, via suitable outlets. See drawings 1/5 and 4/5 figures 1.2. Due to the dangers associated with electricity, and the use of, within the confines of the bathroom, our invention gives COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SAFETY. This is achieved by mounting the fan heat unit outside the complex of the drying area. Tubes, nozzles and the control device all have complete electrical isolation. Our invention maintains the high safety standards even under adverse levels of steam and condensation. So electrically safe is our invention, the user can dry his or her hair, if so desired whilst still in the bath. A filter is positioned on the inlet side of the fan/heat unit to ensure that only clean air is passed through the heated electrical element. The air then flows through pipe-work made up of a non inflamable, electrically insulated material to the top of the Body Dryer. As the air enters the junction see drawing 1/5 it is divided equally down the tubes. As shown in drawing 2/5 figures 2.3 a number of adjustable swivelled nozzles are fitted at equal and/or variable distances or heights along the tubes. The nozzles, allow the user to direct air, as and if required to specific parts of the body. Fitted before the junction of the two tubes is a self sealing orifice valve, see drawing 3/5 figures 1.2.3. The purpose of this is for the fitting of a connection, see drawing 3/5 figures 4.5., when fitted it diverts the air flow away from the nozzle outlets, and allows air flow through the fiexiable hose, thus allowing the user to facilitate in drying selected parts of the body, away from the main system. On removing the connection the unit reverts back to its normal condition. The control of the fan/heater is achieved by operating a handwheel/lever, as shown in drawing number 5/5. This device is fitted either in the cabinet or on the wall of drying area, it is connected by a ridged or flexible drive made of a non electrical conducting material to the fan/heat unit. The user has complete control through from cold to a safe maximum temperature. The element control is achieved by using a triac, and the associated gate circuit. The potentiometer, which is mechanically linked to the on/off switch, will carry out this requirement. For additional safety a thermal cut out device is fitted, this gives full protection from overheating. When the Body Dryer is used within the confines of the bathroom the fan/heater unit must either be fitted to the outside of an internal facing wall, or above ceiling level. CLAIMS

1. What we claim is a device for drying the whole of the body. By having a fan/heat unit placed away from the drying area, and allowing a controllable heated air flow to be channelled through a non electrically conductive heat proof material, into the drying area.

Depending on which mode the user requires, air can either be channelled to the nozzle outlets or allowed to flow through an extended flexible air way.

2. A body dryer as claim 1 fitted into a purpose built shower cabinet.

3. As claim 1 but built into an existing shower cabinet.

4. As claim 1 but built into a purpose built body drying cabinet.

5. A body dryer as claim 1 made without a cabinet.

6. As claim 5 but fitted directly to the wall.

7. A body dryer as claim 1 made with any number of air ways.

8. As claim 7 but fitted with any number of nozzles.

9. As claim 8 fitted with fixed or moving nozzles.

10. A body dryer as claim one made with or with a flexible air channel.

11. As claim 10 with extended air way designed to take personal attachment.

11. As claim 10 with flexible air channel designed to take personal attachment.

1 2. As claim 1 but with a controllable air flow.

1 3. A body dryer made as claim 1 but with cold air blowing facilities.

CLAIMS (14 May 1984)

1. What we claim is a device for drying the whole of the body. By having a fan/heat unit placed away from the drying area, and allowing a controllable heated air flow to be channelled through a non electrically conductive heat proof material, into the drying area.

Depending on which mode the user requires, air can either be channelled to the nozzle outlets creating an all over drying effect or allowed to flow through an extended air way, thus directing the air to selected parts of the body.

10. A body dryer as claim one made with a self sealing orifice valve, allowing the air to be diverted from the nozzle outlets into an extended air way.