WO2008093048A1

WO2008093048A1 - Apparatus for drying at least a part of a person or an animal

Info

Publication number: WO2008093048A1
Application number: PCT/GB2008/000228
Authority: WO
Inventors: Syed Ahmed; Peter Williams
Original assignee: Syed Ahmed; Peter Williams
Priority date: 2007-01-31
Filing date: 2008-01-23
Publication date: 2008-08-07
Also published as: GB2446122A; GB2446122B; GB0701854D0

Abstract

Apparatus (2) for drying at least a part of a person or an animal, which apparatus (2) comprising at least one vortex generator (4), an outlet nozzle (6) for the vortex generator (4), blower means (12) for blowing air to the vortex generator (4), and control means (8) for controlling operation of the apparatus (2), and the apparatus (2) being such that the vortex generator (4) generates a plurality of air vortices which strike the part to be dried such that water and/or moisture from the part is blown off the part, remaining water and/or moisture on the part is evaporated, and the water and/or moisture blown off the part is broken up into droplets thereby facilitating their evaporation before they fall to a floor on which the person or animal is standing.

Description

APPARATUS FOR DRYING AT LEAST A PART OF A PERSON OR AN ANIMAL

This invention relates to apparatus for drying at least a part of a person or an animal.

Usually, a person will dry their body with a towel. In commercial premises such for example as leisure centres, gymnasiums, hotels, hospitals and nursing homes, the constant provision of clean towels causes problems. Used towels have to be collected, and clean towels have to be dispensed. This requires appropriate personnel and associated cost. In addition, care has to be taken that the towels are cleaned with cleaning agents which are not likely to cause adverse skin reactions to persons with sensitive skins. The constant washing of towels with detergents is not good for the environment.

There are various known types of apparatus for drying a part of a person by blowing air at the part to be dried. These known types of apparatus avoid the use of towels and the problems associated with the towels. However the known types of apparatus have their own problems in that they are often not sufficiently effective and/or are expensive to run. Often the known apparatus takes too long to dry the part and/or overheats the person, causing the person to start to sweat and thereby to become wet again.

It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or reduce the above mentioned problems. Accordingly, the present invention provides apparatus for drying at least a part of a person or an animal, which apparatus comprising at least one vortex generator, an outlet nozzle for the vortex generator, blower means for blowing air to the vortex generator, and control means for controlling operation of the apparatus, and the apparatus being such that the vortex generator generates a plurality of air vortices which strike the part to be dried such that water and/or moisture from the part is blown off the part, remaining water and/or moisture on the part is evaporated, and the water and/or moisture blown off the part is broken up into droplets thereby facilitating their evaporation before they fall to a floor on which the person or animal is standing.

The apparatus of the present invention operates such that the air vortices rotate with a spinning action. This spinning air is able to strike the part to be dried at a tangent in order to cause the water to be blown off the part in an efficient manner. The air speed then decreases. The water and/or moisture that is blown off the part to be dried is broken up into droplets and this increases the surface area of the water and/or moisture blown off the part. This in turn gives the water and/or moisture blown off the part a greater surface area for enabling it to be evaporated.

The apparatus of the present invention may be used for drying all or part of the person or animal. Thus, for example, the apparatus may be used for drying the entire person or animal, or one or more of their body, face or feet. When used for drying animals, the apparatus may find a special use for drying dog and cats, either in appropriate animal parlors or in persons' homes. The apparatus may also find special use for drying horses during grooming of the horses. Generally, the apparatus of the present invention can be used with any humans and animals as appropriate.

Preferably, the apparatus is one in which there is a plurality of the vortex generators. There may however be only one of the vortex generators if desired.

When the apparatus comprises a plurality of the vortex generators, then the apparatus may be one in which the outlet nozzles for the vortex generators are arranged such that the air vortices from adjacent nozzles rotate in opposite directions. This contra-rotation of the air vortices from adjacent outlet nozzles helps to minimise on noise generation from the vortex generators.

The apparatus of the present invention may include heater means for heating the air to a temperature suitable for drying the part to be dried. The temperature may vary depending upon the part to be dried and/or whether it is a person or an animal being dried. Some animals may require more heat than others. Thus, for example, dogs with thick fur would generally require more heat than dogs with less fur.

The heater means is preferably positioned before the vortex generator so that the air is heated before it enters the vortex generator. The heater means may however be positioned after the vortex generator if desired.

The heater means may be an electrical heater means. Alternatively, the heater means may be a compression heater means. Alternatively, the heater means may be a combination heater means providing heat by radiation and heat by convection. Alternatively, the heater means may be an infrared heater means. Alternatively, the heater means may use heat from an existing heat source installed in a building in which the apparatus is also installed. The existing heat source may be a central heating radiator, or a boiler providing heated water for the central heating.

The heater means may use re-circulated heat from the apparatus to heat incoming air.

The control means may control the starting, stopping and duration of the operation of the apparatus. The control means may also vary the amount of heat generated by the heater means. The control means may also vary the velocity and/or amount of air provided by the blower means.

The apparatus may include a housing. The housing may be a longitudinally extending housing which is vertically mounted during use of the apparatus such that the person or animal is able to stand in front of the housing in order to dry the part to be dried.

The apparatus of the present invention may include air curtain generating means for generating a pair of spaced apart air curtains between which the part to be dried is located. The air curtains ensure that the part to be dried is subject mainly to the temperature of the air vortices, and is mainly isolated from the temperature of the surrounding environment which may perhaps be colder than is required. The air curtain generating means is preferably a pair of slits arranged one on either side of the apparatus. Other types of air curtain generating means may be employed. The apparatus may include mounting means for enabling the apparatus to be surface mounted, for example to be mounted on wall. Alternatively, the apparatus may include wheels for enabling the apparatus to be wheeled from place to place.

The apparatus may include pipe work and ducting which is made of a material providing sterilising properties during operation of the apparatus. The apparatus thereby becomes self-sterilising using use. This is advantageous in ensuring that, where the apparatus has been left unused, for example over night, the apparatus is able to self-sterilise when next used, for example next morning. A preferred material for providing the sterilising properties is copper. The presence of heat may facilitate the self-sterilising operation but the presence of heat is not necessary for the material to enable the apparatus to effect the self-sterilising.

The apparatus may include filter means for filtering air entering the apparatus.

The apparatus may include a heat exchanger for enabling air entering the apparatus from an outside environment to be heated before entering the vortex generator.

The apparatus may include reception means for being stood on by the person or animal, the reception means being such that it causes the apparatus to commence operation when it is stood on by the person or animal.

Advantageously, the reception means is a heated reception means. Thus a heated reception means is able to provide comfort for the person or animal standing on the reception means. The heated reception means also helps to prevent the collection of water on the reception means because the heat generated by the reception means will dry the water.

The apparatus is advantageously constructed to be thin and compact, thereby enabling the apparatus to be able to retro-fitted to existing installations. Examples of existing installations are showers, bathrooms and changing rooms in leisure centres. The thin and compact apparatus may use compact vortex generators and narrow air ducts.

The or each vortex generator may have its own integral blower means for blowing air through the vortex generator. Alternatively, a separate blower means may serve one or more of the vortex generators. The blower means may be a fan blower means, a turbo blower means, or a pump.

The apparatus may include a front fascia which is heated. The heated front fascia may be employed to supplement heat from the heater means in heating the air for the vortex generator or vortex generators. Additionally, or alternatively, the heat from the front fascia may be utilised to provide environmental heat for comfort rather than heat for drying.

Preferably, the front fascia is convex for aiding in projection of the air vortices to the part to be dried.

The apparatus may include light projection means for projecting an aesthetic light display from the apparatus onto an adjacent surface. The aesthetic light display may be for giving at least one of a calming, soothing, relaxing, entertaining or fun effect. Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of first apparatus of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top view showing in more detail the operation of one of the vortex generators used in the apparatus shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a side view of the vortex generator as shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a front view of second apparatus of the invention;

Figure 5 is a top view of the apparatus shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a side view of the apparatus shown in Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a block circuit diagram showing controls and operating parts of apparatus of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a front view of third apparatus of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a top view of the apparatus shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a side view of the apparatus shown in Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a top view showing an alternative vortex generator to that shown in Figure 2;

Figure 12 is a side view of the vortex generator as shown in Figure 11 ; and

Figure 13 is a front view of fourth apparatus of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3 there is shown apparatus 2 for drying at least a part of a person. The apparatus 2 comprises three vortex generators 4. Each vortex generator has an outlet nozzle 6. The apparatus 2 also has control means 8 for controlling operation of the apparatus 2. The apparatus 2 is such that each vortex generator 4 generates a plurality of air vortices which strike the part of the person to be dried such that water and/or moisture from the part is blown off the part, remaining water and/or moisture on the part is evaporated, and the water and/or moisture blown off the part is broken up into droplets thereby facilitating their evaporation before they fall to a floor on which the person is standing.

As can be seen from Figure 1 , there is one of the outlet nozzles 6 for each one of the vortex generators 4. More or less than the illustrated three vortex generators 4 may be employed. The outlet nozzles 6 are preferably arranged such that the air vortices from adjacent outlet nozzles 6 rotate in opposite directions. This minimises noise generation from the vortex generators 4.

As shown in Figure 1, the apparatus 2 includes heater means 10 for heating the air to a temperature suitable for drying the part to be dried. The heater means 10 is positioned before the vortex generators 4 as shown, so that the air is heated before it enters the vortex generators 4. Any suitable and appropriate type of heater means 10 may be employed.

The apparatus 2 also comprises blower means 12 for blowing air through the heater means 10, and then through a duct 14 to the vortex generators 4. The blower means 12 is separate from the vortex generators 4, and is positioned before the heater means 10.

Air for the apparatus 2 enters the apparatus 2 via an air filter 16. The air entering the air filter 16 is filtered and then passes to the blower means 12 via a duct 18, and from the blower means 12 to the heater means 10 via a duct 20. The control means 8 operates to control the heater means 10 and the blower means 12.

As shown in Figure 2, the air from the duct 14 enters each vortex generator 4 via an inlet tube 22. The air inlet path is then shown by the arrows 24. The air passes along a duct portion 26 which reduced in cross- sectional size as shown. The air then enters the vortex generating part 28 at right angles to its direction of travel along the duct portion 26. This causes the air to spin as shown by arrow 30. The air may spin at approximately 80,000 rpm. The spinning air then moves along a frusto-conical portion 32 where it continued to spin and a vortex is created. The air in the form of the created vortices leaves the outlet nozzle 6 where it is available for drying the part to be dried.

Referring now to Figures 4, 5 and 6 there is shown apparatus 34 for drying at least a part of a person. The apparatus 34 is shown having a housing 36. As can be seen from Figures 5 and 6, the apparatus 34 is slim and compact. The front of the housing 36 is shown provided with a plurality of outlet nozzles 6 from vortex generators such for example as the vortex generators 4. Also shown in Figure 4 are heater means in the form of infrared heaters 38. The housing 36 is provided with two longitudinally extending slits 40, provided one on each side of the housing 36 as shown in Figure 4. The infrared heaters 38 heat the air coming from the apparatus 34. The outlet nozzles 6 are staggered in position so that the air vortices from adjacent outlet nozzles 6 rotate in opposite directions, thereby minimising noise generated from the vortex generators. Two sheets or curtains of air exit the apparatus 34 from the slits 40 which form air curtain generating means. The two generated air curtains form air curtains or air walls which partially enclose a person standing in front of the apparatus 34 and thus protect the person from colder environmental air that might otherwise contact the person. This adds to comfort for the person.

The apparatus 34 is able to be surface-mounted, for example on a wall in commercial organisations such as leisure centres, hospitals and nursing homes, or in bathrooms in private houses.

Figure 7 shows an example of control means 42 for controlling the operation of the apparatus of the present invention. As shown in Figure 7, the control means 42 comprises a blower control 44 connected to blower means 46. The blower means 46 has a pressure and temperature sensor 48. The blower control 44 is connected to the blower means 46 by a line 50. The blower control 44 is connected to the pressure and temperature sensor 48 by a line 53.

A sequence timer and controller 54 is connected to the blower control 44 by a line 56, and to the blower means 46 by a line 58. The sequence timer and controller 54 is connected to reception means in the form of a heated mat 60 by a line 62, and to a start switch 64 by a line 66. The start switch 64 may be formed as part of the heater mat 60, or the start switch 64 may be separately sited from the heated mat 60. The heated mat 60 provides comfort for a person standing on the heated mat 60 and ensures that the person does not get cold feet if the floor on which they are standing is cold. Also, heat from the heated mat 60 helps to evaporate water dripping onto the heated mat 60, and thus stops water collecting on the heated mat 60. The start switch 64 may be arranged to operated automatically consequent upon a person standing on the heated mat 60.

A radio receiver 68 is connected to the sequence timer and controller 54 by a line 70. The sequence timer and controller 54 is connected by a line 72 to a fascia heating control 74. The fascia heating control 74 controls heating to a fascia part (not shown) of the apparatus of the invention. The fascia part is preferably convex in order to facilitate the projection of the generated air vortices towards a person standing on the heated mat 60. The fascia heating control 74 is connected as shown to fascia heaters 76, 78 by lines 80, 82 respectively. The fascia heating control 74 is also connected as shown to temperature sensors 84, 86 which are operatively connected to the fascia heaters 76, 78 respectively. The connection of the fascia heating control 74 to the temperature sensors 84, 86 is by lines 88, 90 respectively.

Air from the blower means 46 is heated by an electrical air heater 92. The heated air then passes to a left hand vortex nozzle 94 via a conduit 96, and to a right hand vortex nozzle 98 via a conduit 100.

The fascia heaters 76, 78 are each provided with a thermostat 102 for ensuring that the fascia heaters 76, 78 do not heat beyond a predetermined desired temperature.

The control means 42 shown in Figure 7 is able to operate such that the apparatus of the invention is under precise control at all times. The control means 42 may cause the apparatus of the present invention to be started either by a radio signal from the radio receiver 68, or upon a person standing on the heated mat 60. A complete drying cycle can be stopped at any point by using either a remote control unit sending a signal to the radio receiver 68, or by the person stepping off the heated mat 60. When the apparatus is operating at the required temperature, then electrical consumption can be controlled by the operation of the thermostats 102.

The control means 42 may have a summer/winter setting where either or both the fascia and the electrical heater 92 can be turned off for summer. In the winter, the fascia can be turned on without the blower means 46 being activated. This is for low ambient temperatures, and is able to provide space heating, for example while a person takes a shower or a bath. The control means 42 may operate to minimise use of electrical power, and to maximise comfort and effective drying for a user.

The use of the vortex generators in the apparatus of the invention enables the apparatus to operate to produce quick and efficient drying of the part to be dried. The vortex generators produce a cyclone-powered output which spirals out of the outlet nozzles. Due to the spiraling nature of the air, the air hits the part to be dried at an angle which produces an effective drying effect. The use of the vortex generators may also be advantageous in that the temperature inside the vortex generators may be sufficient to cause self- sterilisation inside the vortex generators.

Referring now to Figures 8, 9 and 10 there is shown apparatus 104 which is like the apparatus 34 shown in Figure 4, 5 and 6 except that the apparatus 104 does not have the infrared heaters 38, and also the vortex generators 6 are not staggered as shown in Figure 4. The parts shown of the vortex generators 6 are their outlet nozzles.

Referring now to Figures 11 and 12, there is shown a vortex generator 106 which is like the vortex generator 4 shown in Figures 2 and 3 except that it is provided with two inlet cones 108 rather than just one inlet cone as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Similar parts as in Figures 2 and 3 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. In Figure 11, it will be noted how the air from the two inlet cones 108 enters the vortex generator part 28 at diametrically opposite positions.

Referring now to Figure 13, there is shown apparatus 110 in the form of a hand drier for drying a person's hand. The apparatus 110 has infrared heaters 112 and vortex generators 114. Just outlet nozzles 116 of the vortex generators 114 are shown in Figure 13. The apparatus 110 has an elliptical housing 118 as shown. Blower means (not shown) are provided inside the housing for blowing air to the vortex generators 114.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the apparatus may be mounted on a vertical surface such as wall, stanchion or other upright. The apparatus does not require an enclosure such as a housing to function, but it can be used with one if desired. The vortex generators may each develop high velocity vortices, which in use strike the part to be dried at an oblique angle. The vortices from adjacent outlet nozzles may be contra-rotating in order to minimise interaction between them. Alternatively, if desired, the vortices from adjacent outlet nozzles may be arranged to rotate in the same direction. The outlet nozzles may be provided in any suitable and desired three dimensional arrangement.

When heater means are employed, then the heater means may be electrically operated heater means, or the heater means may be a compressor device which heats the device by compression. With compression heating, the temperature of the air may be controlled by varying the speed of the compressor device. The air from an outlet of the compressor device may be re-circulated back to an inlet of the compressor device, in order to reduce heat-up time. Infrared heaters may be employed since these give a fast response time, and they give a feeling of comfort at low ambient temperatures. The infrared heaters are also economical in their use of electricity.

The control means may operate to bring on the heater means, for example the infrared heaters, at a high setting. When the air flow from the vortex generators are established, then a control sequence may reduce the heater means to a lower setting, for example in order to enable a person using the apparatus to move nearer to the heater means.

Where formations are employed for providing one or more air curtains, then these may be employed to reduce interaction with adjacent mounted devices. The air from the air curtain or curtains may or may not be heated.

The material used for the internal pipe and duct work of the apparatus is advantageously made from an antiseptic material such for example as copper. The biological security of internal air paths is thus advantageously ensured and this is especially so where temperatures are used which are sufficiently high to pasturise the ducting. Advantageously, the apparatus is constructed to minimise the ingress of pathogens, for example using the filter means.

The air ingested into the apparatus of the present invention can either be from a space in which the apparatus is operating, i.e. re-circulated, or it can be air drawn from outside that space. The ingested air can also be drawn from outside the building, for example via an air-to-heat exchanger, in order to minimise energy loss and maintain the comfort of a person using the apparatus.

The apparatus shown in the drawings is shown for drying at least a part of a person. Any suitable and appropriate part of the person may be dried by the apparatus. In alternative uses of the apparatus of the present invention, at least a part of an animal may be dried rather than a person.

Claims

1. Apparatus for drying at least a part of a person or an animal, which apparatus comprising at least one vortex generator, an outlet nozzle for the vortex generator, blower means for blowing air to the vortex generator, and control means for controlling operation of the apparatus, and the apparatus being such that the vortex generator generates a plurality of air vortices which strike the part to be dried such that water and/or moisture from the part is blown off the part, remaining water and/or moisture on the part is evaporated, and the water and/or moisture blown off the part is broken up into droplets thereby facilitating their evaporation before they fall to a floor on which the person or animal is standing.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which there is a plurality of the vortex generators.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which the outlet nozzles for the vortex generators are arranged such that the air vortices from adjacent outlet nozzles rotate in opposite directions.

4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including heater means for heating the air to a temperature suitable for drying the part to be dried.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 in which the heater means is positioned before the vortex generator so that the air is heated before it enters the vortex generator.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5 in which the heater means is electrical heater means.

7. Apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5 in which the heater means is compression heater means.

8. Apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5 in which the heater means is a combination heater means providing heat by radiation and heat by convection.

9. Apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5 in which the heater means is an infrared heater means.

10. Apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5 in which the heater means uses heat from an existing heating source installed in a building in which the apparatus is also installed.

11. Apparatus according to any one of claims 4 - 10 in which the heater means uses re-circulated heat from the apparatus to heat incoming air.

12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including a housing.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 in which the housing is a longitudinally extending housing which is vertically mounted during use of the apparatus such that the person or animal is able to stand in front of the housing in order to dry the part to be dried.

14. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including air curtain generating means for generating a pair of spaced apart air curtains between which the part to be dried is located.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14 in which the air curtain generating means is a pair of slits arranged one on either side of the apparatus.

16. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including mounting means for enabling the apparatus to be surface mounted.

17. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 - 15 and including wheels for enabling the apparatus to be wheeled from place to place.

18. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including pipe work and ducting which is made of a material providing sterilising properties during operation of the apparatus whereby the apparatus is self- sterlising during use.

19. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including filter means for filtering air entering the apparatus.

20. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including a heat exchanger for enabling air entering the apparatus from an outside environment to be heated before entering the vortex generator.

21. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including reception means for being stood on by the person or animal, the reception means being such that it causes the apparatus to commence operation when it is stood on by the person or animal.

22. Apparatus according to claim 21 in which the reception means is a heated reception means.

23. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the apparatus is thin and compact, thereby enabling the apparatus to be able to retro-fitted to existing installations.

24. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including a front fascia which is heated.

25. Apparatus according to claim 24 in which the front fascia is convex for aiding in projection of air vortices to the part to be dried.

26. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including light projection means for projecting an aesthetic light display from the apparatus onto an adjacent surface.