GB2376881A

GB2376881A - Body drying cubicle

Info

Publication number: GB2376881A
Application number: GB0115947A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter William Hawkins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-06-29
Filing date: 2001-06-29
Publication date: 2002-12-31
Also published as: GB0115947D0

Abstract

The cubicle has a framework with internally fitted pipes to direct heated or cooled air from a pump to outlets along the pipes. The pipes may form a number of separate "circuits" to which air is provided by a controllable valve unit. A conventional shower may be plumbed in, with the air pipe outlets being designed to prevent water ingress.

Description

Description This invention-The Drying Unit-relates to a shower cubicle plumbed in to perform as a normal shower, but which is able to dry the occupant (s) by means of temperaturecontrolled jets of air, pumped at high pressure into the cubicle.

The Drying Unit provides a convenient method of drying oneself which can be as quick or quicker than conventional drying by towel. It is also ecologically beneficial as it reduces the need for the laundering of towels. This is particularly important when used in'multi-cubicle'establishments such as hotels, or where shower-drier cubicles are used several times each day, for instance leisure centres, swimming pools, sports clubs etc.

Using The Drying Unit is a pleasant, luxurious and sensual experience that will enhance the comfort and enjoyment of anyone installing one in their home.

Predominantly intended for use as a means of drying after taking a shower, it can also be used to'cool down'during those occasional heat waves; or to warm up on cold winter's nights, (in a way not dissimilar to the way people may use a sauna); or simply to dry one's hair.

Here follows a description of the The Drying Unit with reference to to the accompanying drawings in which :- Figure 1 (a) shows the approximate external dimensions of The Drying Unit cubicle Figure 1 (b) shows the framework of internally-fitted pipes and tubes through which hot, warm or cold air is pumped at high pressure into the cubicle.

Figuress 2 (a) & (b) show sections of the internally-fitted pipes/tubes with outlets through which the air is blasted into The Drying Unit at pressure.

The Drying Unit is a cubicle spacious enough to accomodate one or two people in reasonable comfort in which to shower and dry, measuring about 3-feet wide by 3-feet deep by 61/2-feet tall.

Plumbed in to perform as a normal hot or cold-water shower The Drying Unit has the added benefit of providing the occupant (s) with drying facilites by means of temperature-controlled jets of air directed at pressure into the cubicle.

The air is supplied through a system of pipes or tubes fitted to the internal side of the shower cubicle. These pipes/tubes have several built-in outlets (holes) which direct air under pressure, at the occupant (s) allowing them to be dried within the The Drying Unit in comfort.

The air-jet outlets can be organised in such a way as to allow all of them, or only some of them, to be switched on simultaneously. Thus the occupant can dry all or part of his/her body at one time. (It can be used for instance to dry somebody's hair-if only the head-height outlets are switched on; or if later hair-drying is preferred these outlets can be switched off).

The temperature and pressure of the air being directed into The Drying Unit can be controlled so as to provide hot, cold, or warm air The essential features of the The Drying Unit are as follows: 1. A shower cubicle similar to most domestic showers, with plumbing to operate as a normal hot and cold-water domestic shower. See Figure 1 (a) 2. The cubicle has a warm air pump housed adjacent to it which blasts hot, warm or cold air, at high pressure through a system of pipes and tubes fitted to the interior of the cubicle. See Figure 1 (b) 3. The pipes and tubes contain outlets (holes) which direct the warm/cold air into all areas of the The Drying Unit cubicle, and the air is blasted at sufficiently high pressure to dry the occupant inside after he/she has showered. See Figure 2 (a) & (b) 4. The outlets set into the pipes and tubes are designed in such a way as to not allow water from the shower to enter the pipe and tube framework, for instance by pointing downwards and/or by including a valve mechanism. See Figure 2 (a) & (b) 5. The temparature and pressure of the pumped air can be controlled by switches mounted on the pump unit or within the The Drying Unit cubicle.

6. The pipes and tubes- (which may be made of plastic or metal)-are designed in such a way as to enable the user to switch on or off certain'circuits'of air which are directed at different areas of the The Drying Unit cubicle. Each'circuit'of tubing is closed-ended in order to produce sufficient air pressure to make the cubicle an efficient drying environment.

7. There may be one or more circuits of tubing depending on the sophistication of each particular model of The Drying Unit

Claims

Claims 1. A drying-unit comprising a cubicle, a framework of internally-fitted pipes and tubes, an air pump housed adjacent to the cubicle, and a valve mechanism.
2. A drying-unit as claimed in 1, whereby the cubicle is large enough to house one or two people in reasonable comfort, and includes a framework of internally- fitted pipes and tubes which directs air, pumped at pressure, into the body of the cubicle.
3. A framework of internally-fitted pipes and tubes, as claimed in 2, which contains outlets and/or outlets with a valve mechanism, that allows air which is pumped through the framework to be directed to specific areas of the cubicle.
4. A pump and valve mechanism which is housed adjacent to the drying unit cubicle, as claimed in 1, which allows for the distribution of air, pumped under pressure, to be controlled and directed into the internally-fitted pipe and tube framework.
5. A valve mechanism as claimed in 4, which is capable of directing air, pumped under pressur, through different'circuits'within the internally-fitted pipe/tube framework.