WO2019073346A1

WO2019073346A1 - Drying apparatus for garments and linen

Info

Publication number: WO2019073346A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/057722
Authority: WO
Inventors: Farida MILANI
Original assignee: Milani Farida
Priority date: 2017-10-09
Filing date: 2018-10-04
Publication date: 2019-04-18
Also published as: IT201700112766A1; EP3695045A1; US20200232153A1; CN111295473A

Abstract

A drying apparatus (1) for garments and linen, comprising a supporting element (10) delimiting a containment internal volume (V) and defines an access opening thereto (12), at least one drying rack element (15) connected to said supporting element (10), a ventilation assembly associated with the supporting element (10). The drying apparatus (1) is movable between an operating configuration and a non-operating configuration. In the operating configuration, the drying apparatus (1) defines a drying volume (A), towards which the ventilation unit is configured to generate an air flow and in which at least one drying rack element (15) is configured to support garments and linen. In the non-operating configuration, where the drying apparatus has minimum encumbrance, said drying apparatus (1 ) disengages at least partially said drying volume (A) and said at least one drying rack element (15) lies internally to said internal volume (V).

Description

DESCRIPTION

DRYING APPARATUS FOR GARMENTS AND LINEN

The present invention relates to the field of household laundry equipment. In particular, the present invention relates to a drying apparatus for garments and linen.

The drying of clothing and other fabrics after washing is a process that has been carried out for a very long time.

The most popular household systems are still making use of the natural evaporation of water in fabrics exposed to ambient temperature and humidity conditions. Natural drying apparatuses essentially include freestanding, wall-mounted and ceiling-mounted drying racks. Free-standing solutions usually support clothes with clotheslines attached to a frame at both ends, while ceiling-mounted solutions mostly use rods supported by cables that allow for height adjustment. Both solutions are used in the wall- mounted variants.

In general, the drawback of a free-standing drying rack is a reduced space efficiency with respect to the wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted drying racks. This drawback is however counterbalanced by the advantage of being easier to dismantle and / or to move than the wall-mounted and ceiling-mounted solutions.

Despite the undoubted advantage of simplicity, natural drying apparatuses have rather long and uncertain drying times, because they depend on environmental conditions. They also increase the humidity in the environment in which they are located, causing potential problems such as unhealthy premises, unpleasant smells, as well as risks of infiltration, mould and other surface damages due to humidity. All these problems are exacerbated when drying takes place in small to medium premises.

Another known high diffusion system consists of dryers and other closed hot air systems, in which the fabrics are placed in an insulated environment and then flooded with hot air. While these systems significantly reduce drying times and solve problems related to humidity and unpleasant smells, they also pose a new range of problems. These household appliances are indeed expensive, bulky and noisy. They also have a high energy consumption and risk damaging or ruining the most delicate garments.

Other known solutions are hanging out cloths on heated supports, hydraulically or by means of electrical resistances. These solutions marginally improve the drying speed of traditional drying racks, but do not solve the problems related to humidity and smells described above and create the additional drawback of uneven fabric drying.

In addition, devices have been developed that combine traditional drying racks with fans or other devices in order to generate an air flow to the garments to promote thermal convection and evaporation of humidity. In some variants they also have resistances to heat said air flow.

As with traditional natural drying systems, these devices have been developed for free-standing, ceiling-mounted and wall-mounted solutions. Disadvantageously, these apparatuses have the same problems of humidity release and foul smells mentioned in relation to natural systems. In addition, these drying rack apparatuses disperse a large part of the heat transferred to the air into the environment, thus resulting in thermodynamically inefficient performances and potentially unwanted environment heating.

Disadvantageously again, the addition of ventilation and/or heating systems to traditional drying racks has, in the disclosed embodiments, the drawback of affecting their versatility and worsen their aesthetics, when they are not in use, especially for wall-mounted and ceiling-mounted solutions.

In this context, the technical purpose of the present invention is to devise a drying apparatus for garments and linen that overcomes at least some of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the known art.

In particular, the aim of the present invention is to provide a drying apparatus for garments and linen, which can reduce the drying times of fabrics.

Another aim of the present invention is to provide a drying apparatus with increased versatility compared to known apparatuses, with a reduced encumbrance when not in use.

In addition, the present invention aims to provide a drying apparatus that can reduce moisture and smells resulting from fabric drying.

The above technical purpose and specified aims are substantially achieved with a drying apparatus for garments and linen, comprising the technical characteristics disclosed in one or more of the appended claims. The drying apparatus comprises a supporting element, preferably a box- shaped body, which can be mounted on a wall. The supporting element delimits a containment internal volume and defines an access opening thereto.

The drying apparatus also comprises at least one drying rack element, connected to the supporting element. Preferably, the drying apparatus comprises a plurality of drying rack elements; according to an embodiment there are five drying rack elements. Preferably, at least one of the drying rack elements is a clothesline or drying rack rod. In at least one embodiment, each drying rack element of the drying apparatus is a drying rack rod.

The drying apparatus also comprises a ventilation assembly associated with the supporting element.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the drying apparatus is movable between an operating configuration and a non-operating configuration.

In the operating configuration, or drying configuration, the drying apparatus defines a drying volume. Preferably, in the operating configuration, the ventilation assembly is configured to generate an air flow towards the drying volume. Also in the operational configuration, at least one drying rack element, preferably each drying rack element, is configured to support garments and linen in the drying volume. Advantageously, in the non-operating configuration, or minimum encumbrance configuration, the drying apparatus disengages at least partially the drying volume. Preferably, in the operating configuration, at least one drying rack element lies internally to the internal volume.

Preferably, at least one drying rack element can be moved through the access opening of the supporting element between a retracted position and an extracted position. Preferably, each drying rack element can be moved between the retracted position and the extracted position.

Preferably, the retracted position of the drying rack elements corresponds to the non-operating configuration of the drying apparatus. In the retracted position, at least one drying rack element, preferably each drying rack element, lies internally to the internal volume of the supporting element. In the extracted position, at least one drying rack element, preferably each drying rack element is placed externally to the internal volume (V) of the supporting element, preferably at a lower level than the retracted position, to allow an application and a removal of garments and linen on and from the drying rack elements.

Preferably, at least one drying rack element is further movable to a drying position, intermediate between a retracted position and said extracted position in a manner that allows to support said garments and linen in said drying volume. In a particular embodiment, each drying rack element can be moved in the drying position. Preferably, the drying position of the drying rack elements corresponds to the non-operating position of the drying apparatus.

Preferably, the drying apparatus comprises resistive elements associated to the ventilation assembly to heat the air flow generated by said ventilation assembly.

Preferably, the drying apparatus comprises an air dehumidification element facing the drying volume.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the drying apparatus comprises at least one shutter, movable between a closed position, in which it occludes the access opening, and an open position, in which it disengages the access opening. In particular, each shutter is in the closed position when the drying apparatus is in the non-operating configuration and in the open position when the drying apparatus is in the operating configuration.

Probably, the drying apparatus comprises at least two shutters, in particular exactly two, pivoted on opposite sides to the supporting element to rotate, counter rotating, from said closed position, wherein they result aligned and overlapping, and said open position, wherein they result opposed and facing to each other.

Preferably, each of the two shutters in the closed position occludes half of the access opening.

Preferably, each shutter shows a streamlined development starting from an enlarged portion, proximal to a hinge linking to a supporting element, until a terminal tapered portion so that, in the closed position, each terminal tapered portion of a shutter is overlapping to an enlarged portion of the other shutter.

Preferably, each shutter is associated with the ventilation assembly to receive the air flow and defines internally a duct having an output section. Preferably, each shutter presents an internal face which, in the open position faces toward the drying volume, on the top of which said output section is formed to direct said air flow toward said drying volume.

Preferably, the above-mentioned ventilation assembly comprises at least one fan housed internally to said duct within said shutter to originate said air flow.

Preferably, the ventilation assembly comprises a fan for each shutter. In particular, each fan is housed in a linking portion between the shutter and the supporting element. According to a further aspect of the present invention, the drying apparatus comprises a delimiting element, movable between an extended position and a retracted position.

Preferably, the delimiting element in the extended position envelops the drying volume laterally. Preferably, the extended position of the delimiting element corresponds to the non-operating configuration of the drying apparatus. Preferably, the retracted position of the delimiting element corresponds to the non-operating configuration of the drying apparatus. Preferably, the delimiting element comprises a folding sheet, foldable into four. Preferably, the folding sheet is folded into four when the delimiting element is in the retracted position. Preferably, the folding sheet is extended when the delimiting element is in the extended position.

Preferably, the delimiting element comprises a lower closing element, configured to occlude the drying volume at the bottom, when the delimiting element is in the extended position. Preferably, the lower closing element is configured to occlude below the internal volume of the supporting element when the drying apparatus is in a non-operating configuration. Preferably, the delimiting element is connected to a lower portion of the folding sheet.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description that follows of a preferred and non-exclusive embodiment of a drying apparatus for garments and linen, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 A shows a perspective view of a drying apparatus according to the present invention;

- Figure 1 B shows a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1 A in a different operating configuration;

- Figure 1 C shows a sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 1 B in a configuration of use;

- Figure 2A shows a perspective view of a drying apparatus according to a different embodiment according to the present invention;

- Figure 2B shows a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 2A in a different operating configuration; - la Figure 2C shows a sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 2B in a configuration of use;

- Figure 3A shows a perspective view of a drying apparatus according to a different embodiment according to the present invention;

- Figure 3B shows a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 3A in a different operating configuration;

- Figure 3C shows a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 3B in a configuration of use.

With reference to the Figures, a drying apparatus for garments and linen is generally indicated with 1 .

According to the invention, the drying apparatus 1 is movable between a non-operating configuration, where the drying apparatus has minimum encumbrance, and an operating drying configuration. The non-operating configuration is illustrated in the different embodiments in Figures 1 A, 2A and 3A, while the operating configuration is illustrated in the different embodiments in Figures 1 C, 2C, and 3C.

The drying apparatus 1 comprises a supporting element 10, preferably consisting of a box-shaped body delimiting a internal containment volume "V". Preferably, the supporting element 10 can be mounted on a wall or ceiling so that the drying apparatus 1 can be operated in that position. Preferably, the supporting element 10 defines an access opening 12 to the aforementioned internal volume "V", more preferably at a side which is different (preferably opposite) from the attachment side to said wall or ceiling. With reference to the attached figures, the access opening 12 to the internal volume "V" is located on a lower surface of the supporting element 10.

The drying apparatus 1 also comprises at least one drying rack element 15, preferably more than one, connected to the supporting element 10. The drying rack elements 15 are supports for garments and linen, in particular clotheslines or drying rack rods 16. The embodiment comprises five drying rack rods 16 connected to the supporting element 10 by means of supporting cables 17.

Advantageously, the drying rack elements 15 are movable through the opening 12 between a retracted position and an extracted position (Figures 1 B, 1 C, 2B, 2C, 3B, 3C), preferably vertically mobile by moving the supporting cables 17.

In the retracted position, the drying rack elements 15 lie internally to the internal volume "V" of the supporting element 10. This position of the drying rack elements 15 corresponds to the non-operating configuration of the drying apparatus 1 .

In the extracted position, the drying rack elements 15 are placed externally to the internal volume "V" of the supporting element 10, preferably at a lower level than the retracted position, to allow an application and a removal of garments and linen on and from the drying rack elements 15. Advantageously, the drying rack elements 15 are further movable to a drying position, intermediate between a retracted position and the extracted position, so as to support said garments and linen in a position suitable for drying them. This position of the drying rack elements 15 corresponds to the operating configuration of the drying apparatus 1 .

In a first embodiment, illustrated in Figures 1 A to 2C, the drying apparatus 1 comprises at least one shutter 20 movable between a closed position and an open position, in which it disengages the opening. Preferably, the shutter 20 is pivoted to the supporting element 10, in particular by means of a hinge 22 or more coaxial hinges 22.

In particular, the closed position of the shutter 20 corresponds to the non- operating configuration of the drying apparatus 1 and the open position of the shutter 20 corresponds to the operating configuration of the drying apparatus 1 .

In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus 1 comprises two shutters 20 pivoted on opposite sides to the supporting element 10.

The shutters 20 are rotationally movable, preferably mutually counter rotating, around the hinges 22 between the closed position, in which they occlude the access opening 12 to the internal volume "V" of the supporting element 10, and the open position, in which they disengage said opening 12.

Preferably, in the closed position, the shutters 20 are aligned and/or overlapping each other. In an embodiment, the shutters 20, in the closed position, are aligned and each of them occludes a part of the opening 12. With reference to Figures 1 A to 1 C, each shutter 20 occludes half of the opening 12.

With reference to the same embodiment, in the open position shutters 20 result facing and opposite each other.

Each shutter 20 has an internal face 24 facing, in an open position, towards the drying rack elements 15 arranged in the drying position and, in a closed position, towards the internal volume "V". Each shutter 20 also defines internally a duct having an output section 26 at said inner face 24. Preferably, each shutter 20 houses a fan 30 in the above-mentioned duct, so as to generate an air flow when the drying apparatus 1 is in the operating configuration. Preferably, each shutter 20 houses resistive elements 32 along the aforementioned air flow, configured to heat it.

In particular, the set of ducts, fans 30 and resistive elements, configured to move and/or heat the air flow of the drying apparatus 1 , forms a ventilation assembly of the aforementioned drying apparatus 1 . In non illustrated embodiments, the ventilation assembly is partially installed on the supporting element 10 and the air flow is directed to the inner face 24 of the shutters 20 by means of ducts.

In use, the air flows generated by each fan 30 flow through the respective duct inside the corresponding shutter 20 and protrude from the respective output section 26.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 A to 2C, the output sections 26 of the two shutters 20 in the open position are opposite to each other, and define output directions from the respective incident ducts.

In the operating configuration, the drying apparatus 1 defines a drying volume "A" at the space portion hit by the above-mentioned air flows.

In particular, in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 A to 2C, the drying volume "A" is defined by the volume operatively hit simultaneously by the air flow coming from one shutter 20 and from the air flow coming from the other one.

More specifically, as shown in Figure 1 C, each shutter identifies a trapezoidal cross section volume having the shorter base at fan 30 and an axis perpendicular to the shutter 20. The drying volume 'A' is defined by the intersection of the truncated cones corresponding to each shutter 20. Preferably, the above-mentioned drying position of the drying rack elements 15 is configured to arrange any garment and/or linen they support within the drying volume "A".

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2A to 2C, each shutter 20 has a streamlined development from an enlarged portion 21 a, proximal to hinges 22, until a terminal tapered portion 21 b so that, in the closed position, one shutter 20 is overlapping to the other, against said hinges. In particular, each terminal tapered portion 21 b of a shutter 20 configured in this way overlaps the enlarged portion 21 a of the other shutter 20 (Figure 2A). Advantageously, this structure allows the shutter 20 to fold over each other in the closed position. In this way, for the same width of the supporting element 10, the drying apparatus 1 can be provided with shutters 20, which allow a better diffusion of the air flow on the drying volume "A". Preferably, in this embodiment, the fan 30 is housed in a linking portion between the shutter 20 and the supporting element 10. According to a further aspect of the invention, illustrated in Figures 3A to

3C, the drying apparatus 1 comprises a delimiting element 39, connected to the supporting element 10 and movable between a extended position (Figures 3B to 3C) and a retracted position (Figure 3A).

The extended position of the delimiting element 39 corresponds to the operating configuration of the drying apparatus 1 , in this position the delimiting element 39 envelops the drying volume "A" laterally. In other words, according to the present embodiment, the drying volume "A" is peripherally delimited by the delimiting element 39.

The retracted position of the delimiting element 39 corresponds to the non- operating configuration of the drying apparatus 1 ; in this position the delimiting element 39 provides lateral access to the supporting elements 15.

In particular, the above-mentioned drying position of the drying rack elements 15 is configured to arrange any garment and/or linen they support within the drying volume "A".

Preferably, the delimiting element 39 comprises a folding sheet 40, connected to the supporting element 10, preferably at the opening 12.

Preferably, the folding sheet 40 is folded into four when the delimiting element 39 is in the retracted position and is extended when the delimiting element 39 is in the extended position.

Preferably, the delimiting element 39 in the retracted position is contained, at least partially, in the containment internal volume 'V or is collected at the opening 12 of said internal volume 'V.

Preferably, the delimiting element 39 comprises a closing element 42 connected to a lower portion of the folding sheet 40. In particular, the closing element 42 is configured to occlude the drying volume "A" below, when the folding sheet 40 is in the extended position.

Advantageously, when the drying apparatus 1 is in operating configuration, the drying volume "A" is delimited laterally by the folding sheet 40, at the top by the supporting element 10 and at the bottom by the closing element 42.

The supporting element 10 comprises at least a fan 30, housed in the internal volume 'V, so arranged as to generate an air flow when the drying apparatus 1 is in its operating configuration and to direct said air flow towards the drying volume "A".

In the illustrated embodiment, the drying apparatus 1 comprises two of said fans 30. Preferably, each fan 30 is associated with resistive elements 32 along the aforementioned resulting air flow, which are configured to heat it. Preferably, the drying apparatus 1 comprises a dehumidification element 34 facing the drying volume "A", configured to remove humid air from the drying volume "A" and restore the level of humidity. In the illustrated embodiment, the dehumidification element 34 is supported by the supporting element 10 and is configured to absorb humid air from the drying volume "A" and release dehumidified air outside the drying volume "A".

The present invention achieves the proposed aim, overcoming the drawbacks in the known art.

In fact, since the drying apparatus 1 is movable between an operating and a non-operating position, it increases the versatility compared to the known art, thus reducing the encumbrance in the non-operating phase. In addition, the drying action caused by fans, resistive elements and dehumidification element reduces the drying times and the release of moisture and smells resulting from the drying of garments and linen.

Claims

1 . A drying apparatus (1 ) for garments and linen, comprising:

- a supporting element (10) which can be mounted on a wall, wherein the supporting element (10) delimits a containment internal volume (V) and defines an access opening (12) to said internal volume (V);

- at least one drying rack element (15) connected to said supporting element (10);

- a ventilation assembly associated with the supporting element (10); wherein said drying apparatus (1 ) is movable between an operating configuration and a non-operating configuration,

wherein in the operating configuration, said drying apparatus (1 ) defines a drying volume (A), the ventilation assembly is configured to generate an air flow towards said drying volume (A) and said at least one drying rack element (15) is configured to support garments and linen in said drying volume (A),

and wherein in the non-operating configuration, where the drying apparatus has minimum encumbrance, said drying apparatus (1 ) disengages at least partially said drying volume (A) and said at least one drying rack element (15) lies internally to said internal volume (V).

2. The drying apparatus (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one drying rack element (15) is movable through said opening (12) between a retracted position, wherein said at least drying rack element (15) lies internally to the internal volume (V) of the supporting element (10), and an extracted position, wherein said at least one drying rack element (15) is placed externally to the internal volume (V) of the supporting element (10), preferably at a lower level than a retracted position, to allow an application and a removal of garments and linen on and from said at least one drying rack element (15).

3. The drying apparatus (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein said at least one drying rack element (15) is further movable to a drying position, intermediate between a retracted position and said extracted position in a manner that allows to support said garments and linen in said drying volume (A).

4. The drying apparatus (1 ) according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, comprising, alternatively or together, the following elements:

- resistive elements (32) associated to the ventilation assembly to heat the air flow generated by said ventilation assembly;

- an air dehumidification element (34) facing said drying volume (A).

5. The drying apparatus (1 ) according to at least one of the claims 1 to 4, comprising at least one movable shutter (20), between a closed position, wherein said at least one shutter (20) occludes said access opening (12), and an open position, wherein said at least one shutter (20) disengages said access opening (12), said at least one shutter (20) being in a closed position when the drying apparatus (1 ) is in a non-operating configuration and in open position when the drying apparatus (1 ) is in an operating configuration.

6. The drying apparatus (1 ) according to claim 5, wherein each shutter (20) is associated with the ventilation assembly to receive its air flow and defines internally a duct having an output section (26); said shutter (20) presenting an internal side (24), in open position being facing toward the drying volume (A), on the top of which said output section (26) is formed to direct said air flow toward said drying volume (A).

7. The drying apparatus (1 ) according to claim 6, wherein said ventilation assembly includes at least one fan (30) housed internally to said duct to originate said air flow.

8. The drying apparatus (1 ) according to claim 7, wherein said ventilation assembly includes a fan (30) for each shutter (20), said fan (30) being housed in a linking portion between said shutter (20) and said supporting element (10).

9. The drying apparatus (1 ) according to at least one of claims 5 to 8, comprising at least two shutters (20) pivoted on opposite sides to the supporting element (10) to rotate, counter rotating, from said closed position, wherein they result aligned and overlapping, and said open position, wherein they result opposed and facing to each other.

10. The drying apparatus (1 ) according to claim 9, wherein each shutter (20) shows a streamlined development starting from an enlarged portion (21 a), proximal to a hinge (22) linking to a supporting element (10), until a terminal tapered portion (21 b) so that, in said closed position, each terminal tapered portion (21 b) of a shutter (20) is overlapping to an enlarged position (21 a) of the other shutter (20).