GB2488443A

GB2488443A - Laundry dryer comprising side wall with movable elements

Info

Publication number: GB2488443A
Application number: GB1203346.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steve Page
Original assignee: DRI DOME Ltd
Current assignee: DRI DOME Ltd
Priority date: 2011-02-25
Filing date: 2012-02-27
Publication date: 2012-08-29
Anticipated expiration: 2032-02-27
Also published as: GB201203346D0; GB2488443B; WO2012114128A2; WO2012114128A3; GB201103325D0

Abstract

A laundry dryer 10 for use in laundry drying outdoors comprises an enclosure 12 which defines a drying chamber 14 into which wet or damp laundry may be arranged. The enclosure includes a side wall 13 provided with a plurality of movable elements 30 which are movable from a first position to a second position to permit air to flow into the drying chamber 14 through the side wall 13 of the enclosure 12. The dryer 10 includes a vent 20 arranged above the drying chamber 14 for exhausting air upwards from the drying chamber 14. The movable elements 30 may extend vertically, and the enclosure 12 may have a base 24 that is arranged above ground level and defines a passageway (25, Fig 2) for the flow of air up into the drying chamber 14 through the base 24. The dryer 10 may have a window portion 35 for exposing the chamber 14 to solar radiation. The movable elements 30 may overlap when in the first position to restrict the flow of air into the drying chamber 14.

Description

Apparatus for drying clothes The present invention relates to an apparatus for use in drying laundry, such as items of clothing and the like. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to an apparatus for drying clothing and linen outdoors.

It is well known that a desirable method of drying wet clothes is to arrange them outdoors in a position where they will be dried by wind and solar radiation. This method is efficient and cost effective, using as it does natural, cost-free energy resources. In addition, clothes dried outdoors tend to be fresher and softer than those dried in tumble driers or hung indoors, reducing the need for products such as fabric softeners.

However, there are problems associated with arranging clothes outdoors to dry. Clothes hung outside are not protected from the elements, so can fail to dry or become wet if not taken inside at the first sign of rain. Clothes can be blown from lines in strong winds, or be spoiled by airborne debris. The time for which clothes can be left outside is limited, particularly in winter, as they are exposed to dew and so must be taken inside before dusk. There is also a risk that clothes hung outside may be stolen.

What is required is a means of hanging clothes outside to dry that protects clothes from adverse weather conditions.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a laundry dryer for use in drying laundry such as clothing and linen outdoors, the dryer comprising an enclosure which defines a drying chamber into which wet or damp laundry may be arranged. The enclosure includes a side wall provided with a plurality of movable elements which are movable from a first position to a second position to permit air to flow into the drying chamber through the side wall of the enclosure. The dryer includes a vent arranged above the drying chamber for exhausting air upwards from the drying chamber.

The movable elements may extend substantially vertically.

The enclosure may have a base which is arranged above ground level, and may define a passageway for the flow of air up into the drying chamber through the base. The base may define an annulus to allow air flow to pass up into the drying chamber through the annulus.

The enclosure may define a lower region comprising said plurality of movable elements, and an upper region comprising a window portion configured for exposing the drying chamber to solar radiation. The window portion may be annular. The lower region may comprise vertical movable elements.

The movable elements may be pivotable between the first position and the second position.

The movable elements may be parallel to one another. Adjacent movable elements may overlap one another when in the first position, to restrict the flow of air into the drying chamber. One or more of the movable elements may extend only partway of the length of the side wall.

The side wall may include a window portion, which may be annular, configured for exposing the drying chamber to solar radiation. The window portion may be translucent.

The vent may be selectively closable, and/or may include a shroud configured to draw air upwards through the drying chamber, and/or may include a selectively closable valve.

The vent may include a rotor to be driven by air flow through the drying chamber, and may include a generator connected to the rotor.

The enclosure may include an access panel for loading items to be dried into the drying chamber. The access panel may include at least one of said movable elements, and/or a window portion for exposing the drying chamber to solar radiation.

The drying chamber may include a hanger arrangement for hanging clothes or linen in the enclosure.

At least one of said movable elements may take the form of a plate, sheet, vane, sail or aerofoil configured for assisting airflow across its surface and into the drying chamber in the second position, and/or may have an outer surface for assisting airflow across its surface and into the drying chamber in the second position. At least one of said movable elements may be resiliently biased towards the closed position.

The drying chamber may include a deflector configured for deflecting airflow up through the chamber towards said vent, and/or may include an airflow restrictor plate configured for restricting airflow up through the chamber towards said vent.

Other aspects and prefened features of the invention will be readily apparent from the claims and following description of preferred embodiments made, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective, partially cross-sectional view of a dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional plan view of the dryer of Figure 1 in a closed position; Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional plan view of the dryer of Figure 1 in a partially opened position; Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional side view of the dryer of Figure 1 in a partially opened position; Figure 5 shows a perspective, partially cross-sectional view of a dryer according to a further embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional plan view of the dryer of Figure 5 in a partially opened position; and Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional plan view of the dryer of Figure 5 in a partially opened position.

With reference to Figure 1, an apparatus for drying objects is indicated generally at 10. The apparatus 10 provides an enclosure 12, which defines a drying chamber 14. The primary purpose of this embodiment of the apparatus 10 is for drying wet or damp laundry items, such as items of clothing or linen and the like. The apparatus 10 therefore provides an alternative to a conventional outdoor clothes line. Hence, the apparatus 10 may be referred to as a laundry dryer or a laundry drying enclosure.

In general terms, objects to be dried are placed inside the chamber 14, for the purpose of drying those objects. As will be described in more detail below, the enclosure 12 is configured for protecting the objects in the chamber 14 from adverse weather conditions, and for selectively allowing airflow into and up through the drying chamber 14, in order to provide a drying effect for wet or damp objects placed inside the chamber 14.

In this embodiment, the drying chamber 14 is generally cylindrical and is defined, at least in part, by an annular wall 13 of the enclosure 12. Although illustrated as being generally circular in cross-section, in further embodiments the drying chamber 14 may be octagonal or hexagonal, or another polygonal shape.

The drying chamber 14 defines upper and lower ends 16, 18 in use. A roof 23 for the enclosure 12 is provided at the upper end 16. The roof 23 has a vent or chimney 20, for exhausting air from the chamber 14. In this embodiment, the vent or chimney 20 has a substantially cylindrical wall 22, circular in cross-section (but may be of any suitable shape).

In this embodiment, the roof 23 overhangs the side wall 13 and provides a gap 21 between the side wall 13 and the roof 23. The gap 21 allows air to be drawn in to the upper end 16, inhibiting the formation of condensation that might otherwise drip into the chamber 14.

The vent or chimney 20 can be partially covered by a cap or shroud 44. The shroud 44 provides an increased drawing effect. In other embodiments, the vent or chimney 20 may include a valve, such as a butterfly valve, or other mechanism (not shown), which is configured to open selectively, e.g. so as to be closed in the absence of substantial airflow.

The enclosure 12 includes a generally annular base 24, which defines a central aperture 25.

In this embodiment, the base 24 is in the form of an annular plate 26. In further embodiments, the base 24 may have a different annular configuration, e.g. formed from beams, struts or tubular members. The annulus 26 defined by the base 24 may take any suitable shape, e.g. circular, square or otherwise polygonal.

The base 24 is supported by legs 28, so as to be spaced from the ground. This enables air to pass from outside the enclosure 12, under the base 24 and up through the central aperture 25 defined by the annular base plate 26. The legs 28 are radially spaced from one another around the circumference of the base 24.

The enclosure 12 includes movable elements 30 extending substantially vertically, as viewed in Figure 1. These elements 30 serve as vanes which can be opened (e.g. by pivoting) to allow air to pass into the chamber 14 from outside the enclosure 12. In this embodiment, each element 30 can be pivoted between a closed position or substantially closed position (e.g. in which each element 30 overlaps with the elements 30 or other structures to either side to prevent significant airflow into the chamber 14 from outside the enclosure), to a fully open position (e.g. in which an outer surface of the vane is substantially perpendicular to the outer edges of the annular plate 26, to define a maximum window or aperture through which air may pass).

In this embodiment, the elements 30 have a curved profile in plan view, for promoting the flow of air across their outer surface and into the enclosure 12 when in an open position. The elements 30 may be specifically configured to promote optimal airflow into the drying chamber 14, e.g. in unfavourable, low wind conditions. As such, the elements may take the form of a series of plates, sheets, vanes, sails or aerofoils, or other shapes configured to divert air flow into the enclosure.

It may be preferable, in certain embodiments, for the closed position to define a small gap, e.g. to provide a degree of ventilation for the chamber 14. Hence, the term closed' will not necessarily mean that airflow via the vane 30 is prevented, in certain embodiments. Rather, the term closed may be taken to mean substantially closed'. In other embodiments the elements 30 may be pivoted into a fully closed position. In such embodiments, the roof 23 creates a slight vacuum at the upper end 16 of the chamber 14 and draws air upwards from the lower end 18 of the chamber 14.

In this embodiment, the elements 30 are resiliently biased towards a closed position by a spring damping arrangement 29 (see Figures 2 and 3). The spring damping arrangement is configured to retain the elements 30 in the closed position when there is no or little wind or other actuating force, but to allow the elements 30 to move to an open position when there is wind, or when some other actuating force is applied. The spring damping arrangement 29 may be configured to allow the elements 30 to open when there is a very small amount of wind, or may be configured to open only when the wind is stronger. Once the wind or other force stops, the spring damping arrangement 29 returns the elements 30 to the closed position. The spring damping arrangement 29 provides a low cost method of ventilation of the chamber 14.

The spring damping arrangement 29 is configured to be overcome by any control mechanism for adjustment of the elements that my be provided. In alternative embodiments there is no such damping arrangement, and the elements 30 may pivot freely or be restrained by some other arrangement.

In this embodiment, the enclosure includes both full-length elements 31 and part-length elements 33. The full-length elements 31 are pivotably mounted between an upper annular plate 32 at the top end 16 of the enclosure 12 and the lower annular plate 26. The part-length elements 33 are pivotably mounted between an intermediate annular plate 34 and the lower annular plate 26. The annular plate 34 of this embodiment is positioned at mid-height of the enclosure 12 and the part-length elements 33 are half the length of the enclosure 12, as can be seen in Figure 1. In other embodiments the part-length elements 33 may be some other proportion of the enclosure 12, and the annular plate 34 may be at a corresponding height of the enclosure 12.

In further embodiments, the enclosure 12 may include only full-length elements, only part-length elements, or any combination thereof. The part-length elements may be of any suitable length, and may be positioned towards the top end 16 or the bottom end 18 of the drying chamber 14, or between the two.

In this embodiment, the elements 30 are mounted at regular intervals at a distance apart from one another less than the width of each elements 30. The elements 30 thus overlap when in the closed position, forming a closed circle perimeter (see Figure 2).

The enclosure 12 further includes a translucent window 35 of glass, plastic or some other translucent material positioned in or forming part of chamber 14, e.g. as part of the side wall 13. In this embodiment, the window 35 is positioned between the intermediate plate 34 and the top end 16 of the enclosure 12. The translucent window 35 allows the dryer to take advantage of solar radiation without exposing objects within the drying chamber 14 to too much sunlight, so reducing the risk of fading of laundry placed inside the chamber 14. When the sun is shining on the panel, the air within the drying chamber 12 is warmed, increasing airflow up through the chamber 14 due to convection cunents, and decreasing drying time.

In further embodiments, the window 35 may be transparent. In one further embodiment where the enclosure 12 comprises only part-length elements, the part-length elements are located towards the lower end 18 of the chamber 14 and a window 35 is included towards the top end 16 of the chamber 14. Such an embodiment takes full advantage of warming by solar radiation of the air in the upper part of the chamber 14, whilst allowing air to be drawn into the lower part of the chamber 14 via the part-length elements.

A meshed screen 38 (see Figure 4) is positioned at the upper end 16 of the drying chamber 12, e.g. beneath the roof 23. Hanging means, e.g. conventional clothes or linen hangers or other suitable hanging devices, may be suspended from the screen 38. The meshed screen 38 extends across the space defined by the upper annular plate 32 and advantageously prevents or limits access to the roof 23. In other embodiments, instead of or in addition to the meshed screen 38, the drying chamber may be crossed at the top end 16 by a framework of dowels, a scissored, expandable frame, or a number of rails or wires with incorporated pegs, clasps, clips or other fastener type objects, suitable for removably securing objects to be dried in place in the chamber 14. Other forms of support may be included, preferably in a form suitable to avoid creating an obstacle to airflow up through the chamber 14.

In this embodiment, the enclosure 12 includes an access panel in the form of a hinged door 36 (see Figures 2 and 3) through which clothes and other items to be dried are loaded into and removed from the drying chamber 14. The door may include the translucent window 35, and/or may include one or more elements 30. The access panel may extend for part or all of the height of the enclosure 12. In further embodiments, the access panel may include hangers or fasteners for the attachment of items to be dried. Such hangers or fasteners may be connected to the access panel such that opening the access panel may bring the hangers or fasteners out of the drying chamber 14 so that the items to be dried may be easily attached thereto.

In use, wet clothes, linens or other laundry items such as sheets are loaded into the drying chamber 14 through the door 36 and hung from the meshed screen 38 or other support on suitable hangers. One or more of the elements 30 is then opened to allow air to flow into the drying chamber 14. The curved nature of the elements 30 allows the capture and channelling of air flowing over their surfaces through a controlled gap (between the open' elements), to divert air flow into the drying chamber 14. The agitated air dries the clothes or other items contained within the drying chamber 14 and is exhausted through the open vent 20. Under certain conditions, the air within the drying chamber 14 may form a swirling vortex, improving drying efficiency. The elements 30 can be arranged in various open and closed configurations to allow optimum air flow (see Figure 3). For example, in high winds, it may be preferable to have only a few elements 30 in the open position, or to only partially open the elements 30. In this way different air flow configurations may be created. In an embodiment having only full-length elements 33, gaps may be created on opposing sides of the chamber 14, allowing air to enter at one side of the chamber 14 and exit at another.

Figure 4 shows air flow within the drying chamber 14. In Figure 4, the dryer is arranged to have some open elements 30 (on the left side of Figure 4) and some closed elements 30. The embodiment shown in Figure 4 includes a deflector 40 configured to direct the flow of air within the drying chamber 14. In this embodiment the deflector 40 is cone-shaped and is supported on the ground. In further embodiments (not shown) the deflector 40 may be some other shape conducive to assisting air flow up through the chamber 14 and may be supported by some other means, e.g. by a platform or framework supported by or forming part of the enclosure 12. In yet further embodiments no deflector is used, particularly embodiments having a shroud 44, as the shroud 44 assists air flow up through the chamber 14. In yet further embodiments an airflow restrictor plate (not shown) is fitted to the chamber 14 at the base aperture 25 to limit airflow through the chamber 14. The airflow restrictor plate may be adjustable to allow variable airflow.

In use, air enters the drying chamber 14 through the open elements 30 and the base aperture and is directed upwards by the deflector 40 and/or drawn upwards by convection currents.

Air is then exhausted via the vent 20.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7. In this embodiment, like parts are illustrated by similar reference numerals but with the addition of the prefix "1".

The apparatus 110 of this embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that it comprises only part-length elements 133.

The enclosure 112 of this embodiment defines an upper region 1 12a and a lower region 1 12b.

The lower region 1 12b of the enclosure 112 is made up of an annulus of elements 133. As in the previous embodiment, the elements 133 are pivotably mounted between the intermediate annular plate 134 and the lower annular plate 126. The lower region 1 12b in this embodiment has a height of less than 50% of the height of the side wall 113, e.g. 30 to 50% of the side wall height, i.e. the elements 133 are in this embodiment 30 to 50% of the height of the side wall 113. In alternative embodiments the lower region 1 12b may have a height of more than 50% of the side wall 113, e.g. 50 to 70% of the side wall height.

The upper region 1 l2a is formed by an annular window 135, allowing warming by solar radiation throughout the upper region 1 12a from any direction.

This arrangement (an upper radiation region and a lower air capture region) has been found to be particularly effective.

The enclosure 112 also defines an access panel (not shown) that extends the length of the upper 1 12a and lower 1 12b regions. The access panel of this embodiment has an upper and a lower part corresponding to the upper 1 12a and lower 1 l2b regions. The upper region 1 12a defines the upper part of the access panel in the form of a hinged part of the window 135. The lower region 1 12b defines the lower part of the access panel in the form of a hinged portion of the elements 133. The two parts of the access panel can be opened independently of one another. In alternative embodiments, the access panel comprises a single part, or more than two parts, and/or may be defined by the upper 1 12a or lower 1 12b region only.

The vent or chimney 120 is larger than that of the previous embodiment to allow increased air flow through the drying chamber 114. A cap or shroud 144 covers the vent or chimney 120 and provides an increased drawing effect as well as protection from rain. The vent or chimney 120 in this embodiment extends into the drying chamber 114 to allow fitting of an energy generation device such as a rotor 142 at the vent or chimney 120. The rotor 142 is in this embodiment a propeller such as that found in a conventional fan which is configured to be driven by airflow through the drying chamber 114 and to drive in turn a shaft (not shown).

A generator (not shown) is connected to the rotor 142 by the shaft for the generation of electricity. Energy can thus be produced by airflow through the chamber 114. The rotor 142 is also driven by airflow through the gap 121 between the roof 123 and the side wall 113.

Access to the rotor 142 from the chamber 114 is prevented by the meshed screen 138.

Figure 6 shows the elements 133 arranged in a partially open configuration, with elements 133 at one side of the chamber 114 in an open position to allow air to enter the enclosure 112.

Such a configuration allows airflow through the chamber 114 as shown in Figure 7. Air enters the chamber 114 at the lower region 1 12b, passes through the upper region 1 12a and leaves the chamber 114 via the vent or chimney 120. The previous embodiment may be arranged in the partially opened configuration of Figure 6, and may allow airflow as shown in Figure 7.

In alternative embodiments, the dryer 10, 110 may include further meshed screens, rails or wires positioned towards the middle of the drying chamber 14, 114. These may be removable, so that the drying chamber 14 can be adapted to house layers of shorter items of laundry or linen or a single layer of longer items of laundry or linen. Although the embodiments described above have only vertically extending elements 30, 133, further embodiments may include elements 30, 133 extending horizontally or on a diagonal, or in some other direction. The elements may include a twist in order to encourage air to move into the chamber in an upwards direction. The elements may be fully closeable. Different caps may be provided for varying environmental conditions, e.g. varying wind and/or rain conditions.

The dryer 10, 110 may include a control mechanism for adjustment of the elements, for example a computer-operated control mechanism configured to automatically adjust the elements according to the weather, or a lever and linkage mechanism or damping arrangement as described above, configured to keep the elements in a selected position (open or closed) unless biased by wind.

The dryer 10, 110 as described provides all of the advantages of outdoor drying whilst overcoming or mitigating the typical disadvantages. Clothes are exposed to wind and solar radiation whilst being protected from rain, dew and debris. Clothes can be left in the dryer 10, 110 without the need for supervision in case of precipitation. The dryer 10, 110 is a deterrent to thieves, as clothes are housed within it. Alternative embodiments of the dryer 10, include provision for the door to be secured, providing further protection against theft.

The dryer 10, 110 is preferably of a size suitable for a full load from a household washing machine, yet small enough to be located within a typical domestic garden space. The dryer is simple and relatively inexpensive to produce, is robust and is easy to clean.

Claims

Claims 1. A laundry dryer for use in drying laundry such as clothing and linen outdoors, the dryer comprising an enclosure which defines a drying chamber into which wet or damp laundry may be arranged, wherein the enclosure includes a side wall provided with a plurality of movable elements which are movable from a first position to a second position to permit air to flow into the drying chamber through the side wall of the enclosure, and wherein the dryer includes a vent arranged above the drying chamber for exhausting air upwards from the drying chamber.
2. A dryer according to claim 1 wherein the movable elements extend substantially vertically.
3. A dryer according to any preceding claim wherein the enclosure has a base which is alTanged above ground level, and defines a passageway for the flow of air up into the drying chamber through the base.
4. A dryer according to claim 3 wherein the base defines an annulus to allow air flow to pass up into the drying chamber through the annulus.
5. A dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the enclosure defines a lower region comprising said plurality of movable elements, and an upper region comprising a window portion configured for exposing the drying chamber to solar radiation.
6. A dryer according to claim 5 wherein the window portion is annular.
7. A dryer according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the lower region comprises vertical movable elements.
8. A dryer according to any preceding claim wherein adjacent movable elements overlap one another when in the first position, to restrict the flow of air into the drying chamber.
9. A dryer according to any preceding claim wherein one or more of the movable elements extend only partway of the length of the side wall.
10. A dryer according to any preceding claim wherein the side wall includes a window portion configured for exposing the drying chamber to solar radiation.
11. A dryer according to any preceding claim wherein the vent is selectively closable.
12. A dryer according to any preceding claim wherein the vent includes a shroud configured to draw air upwards through the drying chamber.
13. A dryer according to any preceding claim wherein the enclosure includes an access panel for loading items to be dried into the drying chamber.
14. A dryer according to any preceding claim wherein the drying chamber includes a hanger arrangement for hanging clothes or linen in the enclosure.
15. A dryer according to any preceding claim wherein at least one of said movable elements takes the form of a plate, sheet, vane, sail or aerofoil configured for assisting airflow across its surface and into the drying chamber in the second position.
16. A dryer according to any preceding claim wherein at least one of said movable elements has an outer surface for assisting airflow across its surface and into the drying chamber in the second position.
17. A dryer according to any preceding claim wherein at least one of said movable elements is resiliently biased towards the closed position.