GB2536404A

GB2536404A - Dehumidifer

Info

Publication number: GB2536404A
Application number: GB1423197.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Howard Michael; Kun Wong Hoe
Original assignee: Vale Mill Rochdale Ltd
Current assignee: Vale Mill Rochdale Ltd
Priority date: 2014-12-24
Filing date: 2014-12-24
Publication date: 2016-09-21
Anticipated expiration: 2034-12-24
Also published as: GB2536404B

Abstract

A dehumidifier 10 comprises a support grid 14 supporting a desiccant material, a reservoir 15 receiving liquid drained from the desiccant and having a closed base region 22, an open upper region and a side wall 20 between the base and upper regions. The reservoir is surrounded by a stabilisation skirt 25, which in use is in contact with a surface upon which the dehumidifier is placed. Only the skirt may come into contact with the surface the dehumidifier is placed upon. The reservoir and skirt may have a uniform wall thickness with their side walls spaced from one another. The reservoir internal cross-section may be uniform or decreases from the upper to the base region. The skirt cross-section may increase from an upper region to a lower edge 26 thereby defining a frusto-conical shape. The dehumidifier may comprise an upper section 12 detachable from a transparent lower section 11 having scale markings (33, fig 1) and a ventilation lid 13. The lid may comprise a first apertured disc (35, fig 4) rotatably connected to a second fixed aperture disc (36) so that radially curved apertures (40) and side gaps (42, figs 5a, 5b) may be opened and closed.

Description

DEHUMIDIFIER

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a dehumidifier and in particular, though not exclusively, to a portable type dehumidifier that operates without the need for an electrical supply.

Background to the Invention

A typical problem arising with currently known portable type dehumidifiers, known also as damp traps, is that they are prone to being accidentally tipped over. This results in an undesirable spillage of accumulated liquid. Because the liquid often is a saline solution there is a significant risk of staining of the surface material that has been contacted by the spilt liquid.

The risk of spillage could be minimised by providing a dehumidifier which has a low centre of gravity. Thus, for example, that may be achieved by providing a dehumidifier with a weighted base region. That, however, reduces the handleability of the dehumidifier, especially when the weight of the dehumidifier is added to by accumulated liquid. Furthermore providing a weighted base adds to material and manufacturing costs as well as being a disadvantage in respect of transportation and handleability at the point of sale.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved dehumidifier in which the limitations and disadvantages of hitherto known dehumidifiers are mitigated or overcome.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a dehumidifier comprising a support for supporting desiccant material and a body which defines a reservoir for receiving liquid from the desiccant material, said reservoir having a closed base region, an open upper region at which water is received from the desiccant material and a side wall extending between said base and upper regions, and said reservoir being surrounded by a stabilisation skirt which, in use of the dehumidifier, is in contact with the surface on which the dehumidifier is placed.

The body of the dehumidifier may be dimensioned such that both the base region of the reservoir and the lower edge of the stabilisation skirt contact a support surface. Preferably, however, only the stabilisation skirt comes into contact with a support surface such that any minor irregularities of the support surface do not adversely affect stability of the dehumidifier.

The reservoir may have a side wall of substantially uniform thickness. The stabilisation skirt may have a substantially uniform wall thickness. Preferably each of the reservoir side wall and stabilisation skirt have substantially uniform wall thicknesses.

Preferably the reservoir has an internal cross-section which is uniform or decreases in size from the open, upper region to the base region as considered in cross-sectional planes perpendicular to the direction between said upper and base regions. Thus the reservoir conveniently may be formed by injection moulding of plastics material and without the need for unduly complex multi-part moulds and inserts.

Similarly, preferably the stabilisation skirt has a cross-section which increases progressively from an upper end region to a lower edge of the skirt, and preferably the skirt lies spaced from the outer surface of the reservoir side wall by a distance that increases progressively towards the base region of the reservoir and lower edge of the skirt. Thus, with a skirt of uniform wall thickness the skirt conveniently may be formed by injection moulding of plastics material, and optionally integrally with the reservoir, without the need for unduly complex multi-part moulds and inserts.

The skirt may, for example, have an outer surface which is of a frusto conical shape or barrelled shape.

Typically the reservoir of a dehumidifier is transparent to allow a user to view the level of accumulated liquid. For a dehumidifier of the present invention it is taught that at least a part of the skirt and at least a part of the reservoir are each transparent at aligned positions whereby said aligned positions allow sight of the liquid level within the reservoir. Either the skirt or reservoir may be provided with markings that serve as a water gauge, for example in the form of a water gauge window, An apertured cover may be provided to extend over the desiccant support.

An apertured cover may be of a kind which permits a user to adjust the size of aperture(s) thereby to control the ambient exposure of the desiccant material within the dehumidifier. The provision of a cover having an adjustable ventilation aperture may be provided in a dehumidifier which comprises a stabilisation skirt, but is not limited to use with dehumidifiers of type having a stabilisation skirt.

Thus in accordance with another aspect of the present invention a dehumidifier comprises a body having a support for supporting desiccant material, and the dehumidifier further comprising an apertured desiccant cover wherein said apertured desiccant cover comprises at least one ventilation aperture of adjustable size.

The cover may comprise two apertured members arranged one superimposed on the other and which are moveable relative to one another, for example by relative rotation or linear sliding movement, thereby to vary the size of the aperture(s).

A stop formation may be provided to limit the relative movement and thus define maximum and minimum aperture sizes.

A dehumidifier in accordance with aspects of the present invention may comprise a two-part body comprising an upper body section and a lower body section. The lower body section may comprise an integral formation of a stabilisation skirt and liquid reservoir, and the upper body section may be removable therefrom for the purpose of emptying the reservoir.

The upper body section may provide a receptacle or other support for desiccant material, and may have secured thereto an apertured cover which is removable for allowing access to the desiccant material when that material needs to be dried or replaced.

A particularly suitable desiccant material for use in a dehumidifier of the present invention is calcium chloride.

It is to be understood that the various features described herein of a dehumidifier in accordance with an aspect of the present invention may be provided both separately or in any suitable combination having regard to preferred requirements of the dehumidifier.

Detailed Description of the Invention

One embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dehumidifier in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view in the direction of the arrow A of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view of part of the dehumidifier with the cover positioned for location on the dehumidifier body; Figure 4 is a perspective view of components of the ventilation cover of the dehumidifier of Figure 1, and Figures 5a and 5b shown part of the assembly of the ventilation cover when in two relative positions.

A dehumidifier 10 (see Figure 1) comprises a transparent lower body section 11, an upper body section 12 and a ventilation lid 13.

The upper body section 12 comprises a support grid 14 for supporting desiccant material and allowing drainage of liquid from the desiccant material. The lower body section is shaped to define a reservoir 15 for collection of liquid which has drained through the grid 14.

An upper end 16 of the lower body section is shaped to provide an annular shoulder 17 which cooperates with an annular shoulder 18 at the lower end 19 of the upper body section whereby the two sections are firmly securable to one another but readily separable for emptying of liquid from the reservoir. The reservoir 15 has a side wall 20 the internal and external faces of which are of a frusto conical shape. Thus the cross-sectional shape within the reservoir, in planes parallel with the plane of the reservoir base 22, increases progressively in size from that at the base 22 towards the obliquely extending upper end 16.

The lower body section additionally comprises a stabilisation skirt 25 which extends around the reservoir and is formed integrally with the upper end 16 of the reservoir. The stabilisation skirt is of a half barrel shape with a cross-section that increases progressively to a maximum at a lower edge 26. The stabilisation skirt is of uniform wall thickness and thus the spacing between the external surface of the reservoir side wall 21 and the internal surface 27 of the stabilisation skirt increases progressively in a direction away from the upper end 16.

Accordingly the shape of both the reservoir and stabilisation skirt readily facilitate manufacture of the lower base section by an injection moulding technique and without the need to employ for that purpose complex multi-part moulds and inserts.

The stabilisation skirt extends further from the upper end 16 of the lower section than the base 22 of the reservoir. Accordingly in use with the dehumidifier positioned on a substantially flat support surface the base 22 is spaced above that support surface such that any small irregularities in the support surface do not result in the reservoir contacting the support surface and potentially adversely affecting stability. Additionally, although not illustrated, the lower edge 26 of the support skirt may comprise three circumferentially spaced foot sections such that portions of the lower edge 26 between the foot sections are maintained slightly spaced from a support surface, thereby further assisting in providing stability.

The lower section 11 is provided with scale markings 33 to give an indication of the proportion of the reservoir which contains liquid, or the quantity of contained liquid.

Referring now to the upper body section, the upper end 28 thereof has an internal surface 29 (see also Figure 3) formed from three channels 30 for respective location of three lugs 31 formed integrally with a part of the ventilation cap 13.

The ventilation cap 13 comprises two apertured discs 35,36 (see Figure 4) one 35 of which has a central, integrally formed spindle 37. The spindle is longitudinally split such that the two halves are slightly spaced apart but may be urged together at their distal ends. In the cap assembly the spindle 37 extends through a central opening 38 in the other disc 36. The end of each spindle half is integrally formed with an outwardly extending rib 39 that is of a tapered shape such that the two halves are urged to flex inwards towards one another when the spindle is inserted through the opening 38 but then return to a spaced apart position so as to retain the two discs in contact with one another.

Each of the discs (see Figures 5a and 5b) comprises five curved but generally radially outwardly extending apertures 40. The apertures 40 are identically positioned in each disc 35,36 such that they may be aligned to a fully open position or rotated to a closed position. Additionally each disc has a frusto conical edge formation 41 of a short axial length, the edge formation 41 of the disc 36 that lies sandwiched between the other disc 35 and the retention washer 39 being of a slightly smaller diameter to facilitate a nested type assembly. Each edge formation 41 is provided with gaps 42 such that each edge formation is circumferentially discontinuous. Accordingly relative rotation of the discs will increase or decrease the size of side ventilation aperture defined by the edge gaps 42. A stop 43 is formed integrally with the internal surface above the outer edge formation of the disc 35 to be engagable by an edge formation end surface 44 at a position adjacent a gap 42 so as to limit the range of relative rotational movement of the two discs.

Having regard to the foregoing it will be appreciated that the present invention provides a dehumidifier having good stability without the need to incur the cost and other disadvantages of providing stabilisation weights to lower the centre of gravity of the product. Furthermore the construction of the dehumidifier readily permits provision of a controlled rate of air circulation over the desiccant material.

VM4DE2

Claims

Claims 1. A dehumidifier comprising a support for supporting desiccant material and a body which defines a reservoir for receiving liquid from the desiccant material, said reservoir having a closed base region, an open upper region at which water is received from the desiccant material and a side wall extending between said base and upper regions, and said reservoir being surrounded by a stabilisation skirt which, in use of the dehumidifier, is in contact with the surface on which the dehumidifier is placed.
2. A dehumidifier according to claim 1 wherein only the stabilisation skirt comes into contact with a support surface when, in use, the dehumidifier is placed on a support surface.
3. A dehumidifier according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the reservoir comprises a sidewall of substantially uniform thickness.O
4. A dehumidifier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein cr) the stabilization skirt has a substantially uniform wall thickness.

O
5. A dehumidifier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the reservoir has an internal cross-section which is uniform in size from the open, upper region to the base region as considered in cross-sectional planes perpendicular to the direction between said upper and base regions.
6. A dehumidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the reservoir has an internal cross-section which decreases in size from the open, upper region to the base region as considered in cross-sectional planes perpendicular to the direction between said upper and base regions.
7. A dehumidifier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the stabilisation skirt has a cross-section which increases progressively from an upper end region to a lower edge of the skirt.
8. A dehumidifier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the stabilisation skirt is spaced from the outer surface of the reservoir sidewall by a distance that increases progressively towards the base region of the reservoir and lower edge of the skirt.
9. A dehumidifier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the skirt has an outer surface which is of a frusto-conical shape.
10. A dehumidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the skirt has an outer surface which is of a barrelled shape.
11. A dehumidifier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the stabilisation skirt is formed integrally with the reservoir.
12. A dehumidifier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the stabilisation skirt and reservoir are formed by injection moulding of plastics material.O
13. A dehumidifier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at O least a part of the stabilisation skirt and at least a part of the reservoir are each transparent at aligned positions whereby said aligned positions allow sight of a liquid level within the reservoir.
14. A dehumidifier according to any one of the preceding claims and comprising an apertured cover which extends over the desiccant support.
15. A dehumidifier according to claim 14 wherein the apertured cover permits adjustment of the size of aperture(s).
16. A dehumidifier comprising a body having a support for supporting desiccant material and the dehumidifier further comprising an apertured to desiccant cover wherein said apertured desiccant cover comprises at least one ventilation aperture of adjustable size.
17. A dehumidifier according any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein the cover comprises two apertured members arranged one superimposed on the other and moveable relative to one another to vary the size of the aperture(s).
18. A dehumidifier according to claim 17 wherein the two apertured members are moveable relative to one another by rotation.
19. A dehumidifier according to claim 17 or claim 18 and comprising a stop formation to limit relative movement of said two apertured members.
20. A dehumidifier according to any one of the preceding claims and comprising an upper body section and a lower body section.
21. A dehumidifier according to claim 20 wherein the lower body section comprises an integral formation of a stabilisation skirt and a liquid reservoir.
22. A dehumidifier according to claim 20 or claim 21 wherein the upper O body section is removable from the lower body section for the purpose of emptying the reservoir.O
23. A dehumidifier according to any one of claims 20 to 22 wherein the upper body section comprises a support for desiccant material.
24. A dehumidifier according to claim 23 wherein the upper body section comprises an apertured cover which is removable for access to the desiccant material support.
25. A dehumidifier according to claim 1 or claim 16 and substantially as hereinbefore described.