GB2247514A

GB2247514A - Clothes dryer

Info

Publication number: GB2247514A
Application number: GB9019206A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tim Chung; Atmen Kwong
Original assignee: A & T Product Design Co Ltd
Current assignee: A & T Product Design Co Ltd
Priority date: 1990-09-03
Filing date: 1990-09-03
Publication date: 1992-03-04
Also published as: GB9019206D0

Abstract

A portable drier for articles comprising a substantially enclosed housing provided with an inlet 30 which inlet is so shaped, adapted and designed to accept the hot air outlet portion of a hair drier. <IMAGE>

Description

DRIER FOR WET ARTICLES This invention relates to a drying arrangement for wet articles, and in particular a portable drying arrangement for drying clothes or the like.

Presently, whilst traveling it is very inconvenient to have ones clothes or such articles cleaned and dried since usually this process takes two or three days and if one is only staying say at a hotel for one or two days, then there is no time for this process to occur.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome this problem.

In accordance with the invention a portable drier for articles such as clothing comprises a substantially enclosed housing provided with an inlet, which inlet is so shaped and designed to accept the hot air outlet portion of a hair drier.

In such an arrangement, it is very easy to dry for instance a pair of socks or the like, since one only has to place the socks within the housing and then place the outlet of the hair drier into the housing inlet and thereafter turn on the hair drier so that hot air from the hair drier passes into the housing and causes drying. of the articles to be dried.

Suitably the housing is collapsible between a first operable and extended position and a second inoperable and stored position. The advantage of this feature is that one can easily pack the portable drier in a piece of luggage, without taking up too much space, for subsequent use whilst travelling.

Suitably the housing inlet has a plurality of finger members which act to grab and secure the hot air outlet portion of the hair drier thereby ensuring that all the hot air passes into the portable drier.

Suitably the housing comprises two outer relatively rigid housing members and an inner relatively flexible housing member, in which inner member the article to be dried is placed. The two outer housing members are interconnected, whilst the inner member extends between the two outer members, whereby the inner member is easily collapsible within and between the outer housing members.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan perspective view of a portable drier in accordance with the invention, in its extended position; Figure 2 is a rear view of one of the outer housing members of the portable drier shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the outer housing member shown in Figure 2; along lines 3-3 of Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a front view of the inlet of the portable drier of Figure 1.

In Figure 1, a portable drier 10 for clothes or the like is shown in an extended and operable position.

The drier 10 comprises two outer relatively rigid housing members 12 and 14, to which is supported therebetween an inner flexible housing member 16 in which clothing or the like to be dried is placed.

The inner member 16 is secured to the outer members 12 and 14 by means of securing members 18 (see Figures 2 and 3) attached to supports 19 provided on the outer housing members.

Between the two outer housing members 12 and 14 on each side of the inner member 16 are provided extending arms 20 which connect the two outer housing members together. The lower ends of these arms 20 pivot about fixed mounts 21 provided in both outer housing members, whilst the upper ends of these arms 20 cooperate in slots 22 provided in both outer housing members (see Figures 2 and 3). The lower end of the slots 22 are slightly indented (see 25 in Figure 3) such that the upper ends of the arm 20 are slightly jammed therein to retain the apparatus in its extended position. The movement of the upper ends of these extending arms 20 within these slots allow the outer housing members to come together, in other words allow the portable drier to collapse from the extended and operating position shown in Figure 1 to a non extended and "stored" position (not shown).In the collapsed position, clasp members 27 provided on the outer member 12 engage and secure the other outer member 14 to the outer member 12. The inner housing member 16 meanwhile is of flexible material (for instance cloth) such that when the two housing members come together, the cloth collapses and is stored between the two outer housing members.

Between supports 23 provided on the two outer housing members, a piece of string 24 is also provided which extends through the middle of the inner housing member such that clothes or the like can be hung thereupon to dry. The inner member 16 also has a top flap 26 which allows the inner member to be opened whereby clothing can be placed therein. Finally, the inner member is provided with attachment means 28 such that the top flap can be closed for drying to occur.

In order to achieve drying, the housing member 12 is provided with an outlet 30 which is provided near the base of the housing member. The outlet 30 is provided with a plurality of finger members 32 (see Figure 4) which are used to locate and secure the hot air outlet portion of a hair drier. In use, a hair drier is placed on its side and the hot air outlet portion of the hair drier is placed within the outlet 30 and the hair drier switched on whereafter hot air passes through the outlet 30 and into the inner housing member, causing articles hanging on the line 24 to be dried. A cap (not shown) to cover the outlet 30 when not in use can also be provided.

The article is extremely simple in design and concept and has the advantage that it can be used to dry articles (especially when travelling) very simply and quickly. The article is also fully collapsible such that it can be packed and does not take up too much space in one's luggage whilst travelling.

Claims

1. A portable drier for articles comprising a substantially enclosed housing provided with an inlet, which inlet is so shaped, adapted and designed to accept the hot air outlet portion of a hair drier.

2. A drier as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the housing is collapsible between a first operable and extended position and a second inoperable and stored position.

3. A drier as claimed in either Claim 1 or 2 wherein the housing inlet has a plurality of finger members which grab and secure the hot air outlet portion of the hair drier, when the hot air outlet portion of the hair drier is positioned within the housing inlet.

4. A drier as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the housing comprises two outer relatively rigid housing members and an inner relatively flexible housing member, in which inner member the article to be dried is placed.

5. A drier as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the two outer housing members are interconnected, whilst the inner housing member extends between the two outer housing members.

6. A drier as claimed in either Claim 4 or 5 wherein the inner housing member is collapsible within and between the outer housing members.

7. A drier as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the two outer housing members are secured to each other when the inner housing member is collapsed.

8. A drier as claimed in any one of Claims 4 to 7 wherein the inner housing member is supported by the two outer housing members.

9. A drier as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the drier is for articles of clothing.

10. A drier as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the housing supports a line on which articles can be placed for drying.

11. A drier substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.