GB2404968A

GB2404968A - Solar heated garment drying structure with heat retaining blocks

Info

Publication number: GB2404968A
Application number: GB0417426A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Antony Rudnicki
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-08-06
Filing date: 2004-08-05
Publication date: 2005-02-16
Anticipated expiration: 2024-08-05
Also published as: GB2404968B; GB2404724A; GB0318407D0; GB0417426D0

Abstract

A garment drying structure for outdoor use is able to absorb and retain energy (eg heat from the sun) and has hinged panels 14 which may be selectively opened to allow the passage of air. Blocks 40 of rock, concrete or metal at the structure base can absorb, retain and transmit heat to the interior. The structure has an aluminum frame 12, polycarbonate panels 14,19(16,17, fig 1), a hinged door 18, panel catches 30, closeable air vents (20, fig 1) and a line 26, gantry or shelving for supporting the garments. A baffle 42 at the roof apex with concave surfaces 44 promotes convection currents. Curtains or blinds may reflect light to prevent the interior becoming too hot, and retain heat at lower temperatures. A number of roof types may be used. The structure may be painted or camouflaged, and fixed to the ground or a building.

Description

DESCRIPTION

DRYING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to an external drying apparatus for drying and airing garments.

Drying and airing garments satisfactorily has always posed a number of problems, especially in climates which are prone to rainfall. Indeed, the drying of clothes in colder climates also has its associated problems such as extended drying times due to the deceased evaporation rate. The standard procedure for drying garments is usually to hang them on a line or similar structure and allow the moisture to evaporate from the garment into the atmosphere. On warm sunny days, this approach is not only economical but also effective. Should the climate be cooler or there be a threat of rainfall, the use of an electric drier for drying the garments indoors is often employed. The use of an electric drier (such as a tumble dryer) requires a large input of energy which is not environmentally friendly and often results in the shrinking of garments and/or in reducing the life of the garments. Hanging garments indoors is also associated with a number of problems. For example, the increased humidity caused by the drying of garments has been attributed in recent years to a number of serious medical conditions such as Aspergillus infections. Furthermore, the increase in humidity may also lead to wall paper peeling and warped floor boards.

There is therefore a need for a drying apparatus which does not require the input of energy in order to dry garments and which may additionally be used outdoors throughout most climatic conditions. i - 2

US 4, 429, 928, discloses a clothes drying structure attachable to the side of a motor home or the like which provides an enclosed area within which clothes may be hung for drying by the use of convective air currents, (which are produced by exhaust air from kitchen appliances and the like). Although such a drying structure requires no additional input of energy, it is reliant upon exhaust gases and would not necessarily work without such gases. Furthermore, the exhaust air may contain potentially dangerous compounds which may become impregnated into the garment and thus be potentially hazardous to the wearer of the garment.

US 4, 257, 173 discloses a clothes drier which can be used indoors and which does not require heat, but relies upon a drying chamber connected to a vacuum.

Although this device does not require the input of heat, energy will nevertheless be utilised by the vacuum pump.

GB 2, 286, 447, discloses a drying apparatus comprising a building containing a hanging rail for hanging wet clothes and a convection heater in order to dry the clothes. It would appear that this apparatus was intended to be a coin operated device which would allow yachtsmen to place clothes in discrete cubicles of the building and pay for a certain length of drying time. This apparatus has a number of inherent problems associated with it such as the requirement of a heater which requires the input of energy. Furthermore, the structure is preferably a prefabricated timber framed and clad shed which would be affected by the presence of moisture within the structure from the wet clothes.

It is an object of the present invention to address one or more of the problems associated with the prior art methods and apparatus for drying and airing garments.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which can allow for garments to be dried and/or aired without the requirement of electricity or non- renewable fuel.

In accordance with the present invention there is an external drying apparatus for drying garments comprising a structure with the ability to absorb and retain energy from the environment and whose interior is capable of being selectively opened and closed relative to the external environment by means of a plurality of hinged panels which can be selectively opened in order to allow the passage of air through the structure, said structure further comprising a material capable of absorbing and retaining heat energy from the environment, and emitting the heat to the interior when the input of energy from the environment is reduced. The apparatus is therefore not dependent upon energy sources which may be damaging to the environment (such as fossil fuels) and also allows for garments to be dried in environmental conditions which would not usually be conducive to drying (such as in rain or reduced temperatures). The term "drying" also refers to the airing of garments. The term "input of energy from the environment is reduced" refers to the situation whereby the abundance of heat energy (such as a hot sunny day) reduces to a point that is lower than the energy held within the structure (such as a cold night).

The apparatus may be in the shape of a shed or similar structure with four sides and a roof. Furthermore, the structure may have a door to allow access to the interior. The roof may be a number of different types and shapes but will preferably be a gable roof. The door may be able to seal the interior of the structure from the external environmental conditions. The structure may further comprises a venting means disposed along the upper half of the structure to allow the passage of air through the structure when the panels are closed. Such a venting means may additionally be variable in order to account for external environmental conditions.

For example, on a cold day the venting means may restrict the passage of air in order to assist in drying the garments by retaining heat, or on a warm and sunny day a larger passage of air may be allowed to travel to the exterior in order to assist in drying by allowing currents of air to assist with evaporation. The venting means may comprise one or more holes or vents disposed throughout the structure. Preferably, the one or more vents will be disposed adjacent to the over-hang of the roof in order that the air may be vented, but no rain water would be allowed to enter the structure.

A material capable of absorbing and retaining heat energy will preferably be disposed within the lower half or the interior so as to encourage convection currents to be established within the interior. It will be evident to one skilled in the art that a number of materials which are capable of absorbing and retaining heat energy may be used in accordance with the present invention, but it is preferred that an inexpensive material is used, for example rock, concrete or metal. In order to permit the material to be removed and repositioned within the structure, the material will preferably be in the form of removable blocks or rods or other such modular shapes.

The exact configuration of the material will largely be dictated by where the material is to be placed within the interior for them to be effective and may also permit the user to enter the structure as and when required. A number of roof types may be used in conjunction with the present invention and will preferably have a sloped - 5 configuration. Whilst a gable roof is preferred, a salt box roof, hip roof, munsard roof, gambrel or pyramid roof may also be used. A barns may be incorporated into the interior of the roof in order to assist formation of convection currents which will assist in the drying of the garments therein. Should a gable roof be employed for example, the bame may extend along the length of the apex and such a baffle may comprise two concave faces to form a baffle with a substantially V-shaped cross- section. Two concave faces may be joined along one edge to form a point and the opposing edges joined to the roof.

The external drying apparatus for drying garments may additionally comprise a holding means within the structure in order to hold the garments for drying. The holding means may comprise one or more horizontal lines. Standard clothes lines may be employed for this purpose, and may be arranged such that the drying space is maximised throughout the structure. Preferably, the lines are held to the structure by means of hooks or similar devices. Alternatively, or additionally, the holding means may comprise one or more horizontal shelves. Preferably, the horizontal shelves are disposed on a movable gantry. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, that such a movable gantry will allow for garments to be dried at the top and base of the structure which maybe inaccessible without kneeling or using a step stool or similar device. The holding means may also comprise devices capable of receiving garments placed on hangers.

The structure may be at least partially transparent in order to allow for solar radiation to penetrate the structure in order to elevate the internal temperature of the structure. The structure may be at least partially produced from a plastics material - 6 - in order to assist in the entrapment of solar energy within the structure. Preferably, the structure is at least partially produced from a polycarbonate material. It will be evident to one skilled in the art, that a number of similar materials may also be employed which have similar properties to polycarbonate. Alternatively, glass or a perspex (or similar material capable oftransmitting solar energy into the interior of the structure) may be employed for producing the structure. The structure may comprise a frame and a plurality of panels. The use of such a frame and panel arrangement will assist it in strengthening the structure and allow it to be built by a lay person in a modular fashion. The panels may be displaceable in order that replacement panels may be inserted or in order to assist the venting means. The frame is preferably made from aluminum or a material with similar attributes.

A reflection means may also be employed in accordance with the present invention so as to reduce the temperature of interior of the structure if it becomes too hot. Such a reflection means may be a curtain or similar device such as blinds etc. The apparatus may be adapted to be secured to the ground by a securing means. Preferably, the securing means is by use of screws or stakes embedded in the ground. It may also be envisaged, that the structure may be secured to the ground by incorporating elements of the structure in a concrete foundation or similar grounding material.

The structure may be coloured in order to help camouflage the structure with its surrounding. For example, the structure could be coloured green in order to help it blend in with the surroundings of a garden. Alternatively, the structure may have f prints of plants on the exterior of the structure in order to achieve a similar goal.

The structure may be portable and therefore may be easily disassembled or produced in such a manner as to facilitate the transport the structure to a different location. The structure may be adapted to be fixed to a building or other structure, therefore allowing garments to be dried in apartments or other building.

A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which: Figure I is a perspective view of one embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 2 is a horizontal crosssectional view of the apparatus as shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a vertical cross-section view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1.

With reference to Figure 1, there is provided an external drying apparatus for drying garments comprising a structure 10. The structure 10 comprises an aluminum frame 12 which supports panels 14, 16, 17 and 19. A door 18 is also provided in panel 19 in order to allow a user of the apparatus to enter the interior of the structure.

A number of vents 20 are also provided in order to allow the travel of air from the interior of the structure to the exterior.

With reference to Figure 3, it can be seen that two heat retaining blocks 40 are disposed at the base of the structure along with a baffle 42 which extends along the apex of the gable roof. The baffle 42 is realeasably attached to the roof and has two concave surfaces 44 which promote the formation of convection currents 46, 48 (in the direction indicated by the arrows) and commonly, the heat retention blocks 40 are

J - 8 -

manufactured from slabs of concrete or similar material which can either be arranged in particular fashion in order to promote the formation of the convection currents 46, 48, but alternatively the blocks 40 can be used to pave the floor of the structure not only to assist in weighting the structure down to the ground, but also as a surface which can be cleaned and walked upon.

With reference to Figure 2, the structure 10 comprises a panel 19 with a door 18 connected to a hinge 22 which allows access to the interior 28 of the structure.

Panels 14 can be opened by releasing catches 30 and allowing the panels 14 to pivot about further hinges 22 and may be used in place or in addition to the vents 20. A line 26 runs throughout the interior 28 of the structure and is held in place by hooks 24 which are disposed on the interior of the structure.

The structure 10 may be manufactured in such a way that it is assembled from a number of parts which produce the frame 12 in order that panels 14, 16,17 and 19 can be affixed thereon. In use, garments which are to be allowed to dry are placed ontheline26 which runs throughout the structure 10. The panels 14, 16, Wand 19 are produced from a polycarbonate or similar material which allows heat from the sun to become trapped within the interior 28 of the structure whereby the garments are dried via evaporation. The heat retention blocks 40 also trap the heat from the sun in readiness to emit the heat back into the interior when the environmental temperature and/or sunlight is reduced. Vents 20 provided along the length of the structure can be opened or closed depending upon the external environmental conditions. For example, should the weather be warm and sunny, the vents 20 may be opened fully in order to allow quick drying of garments laid on line 26, by means of increased evaporation. Alternatively, should the weather be cold and overcast, the vents 20 may be closed or substantially closed in order to prevent heat loss from the structure l O in order to assist drying, but allowing some moisture to be removed from the structure.

Using the panels 14 (and additionally 16) to vent the structure will also aid the dispersion of humidity from the structure 10 in order to allow quick drying of the garments. In place of the line 26, shelving units or a vertically adjusting gantry may be provided.

The baffle 42 promotes the formation of convention currents 46, 48 within the interior of the structure and such currents can also be encouraged by opening and/or closing the vents 20 accordingly. Should the temperature of the interior 28 become too hot, a reflecting curtain (not shown) may be placed underneath the panels 14, 16 in order to reflect the sunlight away from the interior 28. The use of such curtains may also assist in the retention of heat within the interior 28 then the environmental temperature and/or sunlight is greatly reduced. Therefore, the curtain may also be used at night time to help retain heat within the interior 28.

In order that the structure 10 is unobtrusive to the eye in a given environment, it may be coloured or painted in order to camouflage the structure in accordance with its surroundings. The structure 10 may also be permanently of temporarily fixed to the ground by means of screws or stakes or indeed embedded in concrete in order to stabilise the structure.

Claims

J - 10 CLAIMS

1. An external drying apparatus for drying garments comprising a structure with the ability to absorb and retain energy from the environment and whose interior is capable of being selectively opened and closed relative to the external environment by means of a plurality of hinged panels which can be selectively opened in order to allow the passage of air through the structure, said structure further comprising a material capable of absorbing and retaining heat energy from the environment, and emitting the heat to the interior when the input of energy from the environment is reduced.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the structure has a door to allow access to the interior of the structure.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim I or 2, wherein the structure further comprises a venting means disposed along the upper half of the structure to allow the passage of air through the structure when the panels are closed.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the venting means is variable in order to account for external environmental conditions.

5. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the material capable of absorbing and retaining heat energy is disposed with the lower half of the interior.

6. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the material capable of absorbing and retaining heat energy comprises rock, concrete or metal.

7. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the material capable of absorbing and retaining heat energy is in the form of removable blocks. - 11

8. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the structure has a gable roof.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the interior of the structure has a baffle extending along the length of the apex of the roof so to assist in the formation of convection currents.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the bame comprises two concave faces forming a baffle with a substantially V-shaped crosssection.

I 1. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the two concave faces are joined along one edge to form a point and the opposing edges joined to the roof.

12. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the structure further comprises a holding means within the structure to hold garments for drying.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the holding means comprises one or more horizontal lines.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the holding means comprises one or more horizontal shelves.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the holding means comprises one or more movable gantries.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the holding means comprises one or more devices capable of receiving garment hangers.

17. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the structure is at least partially transparent.

18. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the structure is at least partially produced from a plastics material. ! - 12

19. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the structure is at least partially produced from a polycarbonate material.

20. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the structure is formed from a frame and a plurality of panels.

21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the panels are displaceable.

22. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20 or 21, wherein the frame is made from aluminium.

23. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the structure is

portable.

24. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the structure is adapted to be fixed to a building or vessel.

25. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 22, wherein the structure is adapted to be fixed to the ground.

26. An apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein the structure is adapted to be secured to the ground by a securing means.

27. An apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein the securing means are screws or stakes embedded in the ground.

28. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the structure is coloured in order to help camouflage the structure with its surrounding.

29. An apparatus for drying garments substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying Figures.