WO2007012130A1

WO2007012130A1 - Insert for drying gloves boots, and clothin

Info

Publication number: WO2007012130A1
Application number: PCT/AU2006/001055
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ian Stuart Mcmullen; Jayson Craig Mcdonald
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-07-29
Filing date: 2006-07-28
Publication date: 2007-02-01
Anticipated expiration: 2008-01-29

Abstract

Drying apparatus (10) for insertion into gloves, boots, etc made wet by rain, snow or perspiration comprises hollow body (12) having ribs (26) on outer surface (16) to hold the item to be dried away from surface (16). A fan and heating element may be located inside apparatus (10) so as to force air through large inlet and outlet openings (20) at respective ends of body (12). Further sets of apertures (18, 19) connect the inside and outside of body (12) to provide extra airflow around the outside of body (12). Body (12) may carry projecting resilient prongs (38), eg for keeping the wrist portion of a glove open and may have UV lights (36) or other deodorising means.

Description

I NSERT FOR DRYI NG GLOVES, BOOTS AN D CLOTHI NG

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a drying apparatus envisaged for use in drying items of apparel such as gloves and footwear.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Items of apparel such as gloves, footwear, and other clothing, frequently become wet or damp during use. This is particularly the case when the items are being worn in conditions such as in rain, ice or snow. Dampness may also be a problem where the items have been worn in warmer conditions or during periods of physical exertion, where perspiration from the wearer causes the items to become damp.

It is often highly undesirable for a person to dress in an item which is wet or damp. It is also undesirable to store an item which is wet or damp, as this can contribute to the creation of odours due to microbial growth in or on the item. In such instances, the item must be substantially dried before worn again or being stored.

When the wearable item is a specialised item, such as ski gloves or boots, it may not always be practical to have a spare item available for use whilst the first item is being dried. It is thus desirable to have a device which will readily dry the item relatively quickly.

Devices for drying such items are known, but commonly known devices dry the item predominantly from the outside, leaving the inside, which is in contact with a wearer, still damp. Some devices which attempt to dry items from the inside are known, however these generally are not particularly effective. Frequently, known devices are not able to dry the item efficiently, due to difficulties in circulating air in and around the item. Known devices may also have limited capacity to reduce microbial activity caused by dampness.

The present invention attempts to overcome at least in part the aforementioned disadvantages of known drying apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a drying apparatus for drying items, characterised in that the drying apparatus comprises a body having an inner cavity and an outer surface, the body having at least one aperture extending between the inner cavity and the outer surface; the outer surface comprising a base and at least one protrusion extending outwardly from the base; whereby, in use, when an item to be dried is placed over the drying apparatus, the or each protrusion separates an inner surface of the item from the base of the outer surface such that a space is created between the base and the item, and air is able to pass from the inner cavity to the space by means of the at least one aperture. Advantageously, this allows for efficient drying of the inner surface of the item.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a drying apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a partially cut-away view of the drying apparatus of Figure 1 ; and

Figure 3 is a drying apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a drying apparatus 10 for drying items, particularly wearable items of clothing or footwear such as gloves. The drying apparatus 10 comprises a hollow body 12, having an inner cavity 14 and an outer surface 16. The drying apparatus 10 is of suitable size and shape to be inserted at least partially into an item to be dried.

The body 12 may therefore be formed in any shape or configuration suitable for insertion into at least one item, such as a glove, a boot, a sleeve or similar. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the body 12 is generally egg-shaped. However, in alternate embodiments the body 12 may be any suitable shape including spherical, cylindrical, oblong or conical.

The body 12 is typically constructed from a material that will be able to support an item. Suitable materials include plastic, rubber and metal. Preferably, the body 12 is constructed from a material that is partially deformable, permitting the body 12 to be deformed to better accommodate items of varying shapes and sizes and to assist in the insertion and removal of the body 12 from the item.

The body 12 has at least one aperture extending between the inner cavity 14 and the outer surface 16, the aperture allowing the passage of air between the cavity 14 and the outer surface 16. Preferably, the body 12 is provided with a plurality of apertures. In the embodiment shown in each of the Figures, the body is provided with a plurality of first apertures 18 and at least one second aperture 19 for this purpose.

The first apertures 18 are substantially circular, and are arranged in columns along the outer surface 16 of the body 12. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the first apertures 18 may be arranged on the body 12 in any suitable configuration as desired, and may be any size or shape, or a variety of different sizes and shapes. For example, the first apertures 18 may be arranged in a radial or staggered configuration, or may be substantially slot-shaped. Preferably, the arrangement of the first apertures

18 is such that air is able to flow relatively freely between the inner cavity 14 and the outer surface 16.

Each second aperture 19 comprises a substantially V- shaped channel through the body 12, with the channel arranged such that air passing through the second aperture is directed about the outer surface 16 of the body. hi other embodiments of the invention, at least some of the first apertures 18 and/or the second apertures 19 extend from the outer surface 16 into the cavity 14 at an incline, such that the apertures 18, 19 do not provide a continuous line of sight into the cavity 14. In this manner, each aperture 18, 19 is effectively a sloped air channel.

This arrangement acts to assist in circulation of air in and about the body 12, instead of merely moving the air to and from the inner cavity 14.

In the embodiment of the drawings, the body 12 is further provided with an air inlet

20. The air inlet 20 is located at an outer end of the drying apparatus 10, and comprises a substantially circular opening larger than the apertures 18, 19. The air inlet 20 allows the movement of air into the cavity 14. The body 12 is also provided with at least one air outlet 22. In the embodiment of the drawings, each air outlet 22 is located at an inner end of the drying apparatus opposed to the air inlet 20, and comprises a substantially circular opening larger than the apertures 18, 19. The relatively larger size of the air inlet 20 and air outlets 22 accommodates introduction and expulsion of a greater volume of airflow into and out of the cavity 14 than would be possible through the relatively smaller apertures 18 alone. That is, air is typically introduced through the inlet air 20 and leaves the cavity 14 through the apertures 18, 19 and the air outlet 22. It will be understood, however, that air may be introduced or vented through any of the first apertures 18, second apertures 19, air inlet 20 or air outlets 22 as is convenient or necessary. The direction of air flow through the cavity 14 may thus be reversed if desired. Both the air inlet 20 and the air outlet 22 may be covered by an air-permeable mesh to prevent the ingress of unwanted particles, and to guard against the insertion of objects, into the cavity 14. The mesh maybe integral with the body 12. The outer surface 16 of the body 12 of the drying apparatus 10 comprises a base 24, and at least one protrusion 26 extending outwardly from the base 24. Preferably, the outer surface 16 has a plurality of such protrusions 26. The protrusions 26 are provided to separate the base 24 from an inner surface of the item to be dried, hi this way a space (not shown) is created between the base 24 of the outer surface 16 and the inner surface of the item. As a result, the inner surface of the item will not be in direct contact with the majority of the base 24 of the outer surface 16, even in those instances where the item has little or no rigidity, as is the case with most items of clothing. The creation of a space between the inner surface of the item and the base 24 of the outer surface 16 allows for air to be circulated within the space and in some cases, through the wearable item, thereby assisting the drying process.

Optionally, providing one or more grooves (not shown) within the outer surface 16 may further increase the space between the base 24 of the outer surface 16 and the item being dried. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the protrusions 26 are not specifically provided for the purpose of directing air in and around the body 12 in any particular direction.

The protrusions 26 may be provided in any shape and arrangement upon the base 24 of the outer surface 16 as required. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the protrusions 26 comprise a series of ribs extending substantially or intermittently along the length of the outer surface 18 of the body 12. These ribs may be arranged continuously or intermittently in a substantially straight line between opposing ends of the body 12 or may curve about the body 12. Whilst in the embodiment of the drawings the ribs are shown with a relatively flat upper surface, in an alternative embodiment the ribs may have an undulating upper surface.

In an alternative embodiment, the protrusions may comprise a series of discrete humps arrayed about the outer surface 16.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in the accompanying Figures, the drying apparatus further includes an air moving means such as a fan 28. The fan 28 is preferably located within the cavity 16 adjacent the air inlet 20, but may be attached to the body 12 at any convenient location. The fan 28 is attached to the body 12 by any suitable means, preferably to allow the drying apparatus 10 to be used with or without the fan 28. The air movement means may be any device or apparatus having the ability to move or otherwise circulate air into, out of and around the body 12. In the embodiment shown, the air movement means is a fan 28 within the cavity 14, arranged to propel air from outside the body 12 into the cavity 14. Alternatively, the fan 28 can be used to propel air from within the cavity 14 to an exterior of the body 12. Preferably the fan 28 is associated with an air heating element 30, which is located adjacent the fan 28. The heating element 30 is provided so that air may be warmed for circulation in, out and around the body 12, thereby assisting the drying of the item. The fan 28 and heating element 30 may be powered by any suitable power source. In the embodiment of the drawing the fan 28 and heating element 30 are powered by a connection 32 to an external power source, such as, but not limited to, a connection to mains power. Alternatively, the fan 28 and heating element 30 may be provided with power internally, such as by batteries.

It should be understood, however, that the body 12 alone may be used to assist in the drying of the wearable item. That is, the body 12 can be inserted within a portion of the item to open up that portion of the item and assist in circulation of air in and about that portion, with or without the fan 28, and with or without the heating element 30. To further assist with circulation of air in and around the body 12, it is preferred that at least some of the apertures 18, 19 be provided with an air directing means 34. The air directing means 34 acts to promote the circulation of air along the outer surface 16 of the body 12. Each air directing means 34 may be any shape suitable to appropriately direct air along the outer surface 16. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in the drawings, each of the second apertures 19 is provided with a suitable air directing means 34, as are some of the first apertures 18. Air circulation in and about the body 12 may be further assisted by the inclusion of one or more baffles (not shown) at different locations inside the cavity 14 or adjacent the air inlet 20 the air outlet 22. The baffles may be provided in any shape or arrangement within the body 12 as desired or required.

The drying apparatus 10 may also be provided with further optional features. For example, it is envisaged that one or more UV light sources 36 could be arranged upon the outer surface 16 of the body 12, or at another convenient location such as within the cavity 14. These UV light sources 36 provide a means of minimising microbial activity, such as potentially pathogenic or odour causing microorganisms present on the inner surface of an item to be dried. Such a feature may be of particular advantage in those instances where the item has become damp due to excessive sweating or the. like, or has been damp for an extended period of time. The drying apparatus 10 may also optionally be provided with appropriate means for deodorising or conferring a scent to item being dried

It is further envisaged that the shape or configuration of the body 12 can be adapted to suit particular wearable items. For example, when it is desired to dry a glove, the shape of the body 12 would preferably include five outwardly extending portions (not shown), each outwardly extending portion being arranged to fit inside a respective finger of the glove. In this manner, the outwardly extending portions may assist in holding open respective finger portions of the glove. Each outwardly extending portion would typically be provided with apertures 14 and protrusions 26 substantially as described above. hi such an embodiment, it is envisaged that each outwardly extending portion may be provided with an opening means to further facilitate separation of inner walls of respective glove finger portions. It is envisaged that such an opening means would include a pair of outwardly opening members. The opening members would be moveable between a first position in which the opening members are substantially closed, to enable them to be readily inserted into the finger portion, and a second position in which the opening members are outwardly opened. When in the second position, the opening members would press outwardly on the inner walls of the glove finger portion.

The opening members would preferably be provided with a biasing means to move the opening members into the second position once inserted into the finger portions. In this manner, sides of the glove finger portions can be held open, thereby facilitating or enhancing air circulation. Preferably, the biasing means would include a simple spring mechanism, which may operate automatically or by a manually operable activation means.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown a further embodiment of the drying apparatus 10, wherein like parts are denoted by the same reference numerals used above, hi this embodiment, the drying apparatus 12 has a plurality of projections 38 extending outwardly from an end of the body 12 adjacent the air inlet 20. The projections 38 preferably extend outwardly from a periphery of the end of the body portion 12. hi an alternative embodiment (not shown), the projections 38 extend outwardly from a central portion of the body 12.

The projections 38 are typically elongate members having an outer surface 40. The outer surfaces 40 may be provided with apertures 18, protrusions 26 or grooves substantially as described above with reference to the body 12. The projections 38 are typically provided to hold open a portion of the item being dried. For example, when a glove is placed over the body 12, the projections 38 would act to keep a wrist portion of the glove in an opened position. To this extent, it is preferred that the projections 38 are outwardly biased, so that the projections 38 push outwardly on the item. The projections 38 may also be generally deformable or bendable, so that they may be deformed or bent into different shapes or angles to better accommodate a variety of items.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the projections 38 may be arranged so as to be bent over a point along their length. This will allow the resulting bend to be used to grasp a portion of the item, such as a wrist portion of a glove.

In use, the item to be dried is placed over the body 12 of the drying apparatus 10 such that the body 12 is at least partially inside at least a portion of the item. Outer ends of the protrusions 26 extending outwardly from the body 12 act to create the space between the inner surface of the wearable item and the base 24 of the outer surface 16 of the body 12.

The item may then be dried, or at least have the drying process assisted, by the ability of air to better circulate in and about the cavity 14 and the space. Preferably, however, the fan 28 is attached to the body 12 to better circulate air and thereby enhance the drying process. The drying process may be even further assisted by use of the air heating element 30 in conjunction with the fan 28.

Deodorising, scenting and/or elimination of some potentially pathogenic or odour causing microorganisms may be performed by actuation of any of the deodorising, scenting means or the UV light sources 36 as referred to above. Once the item has been dried or at least partially dried, it may be removed from the drying apparatus 10 and is generally ready for further use.

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A drying apparatus for drying items, characterised in that the drying apparatus comprises a body having an inner cavity and an outer surface, the body having at least one aperture extending between the inner cavity and the outer surface; the outer surface comprising a base and at least one protrusion extending outwardly from the base; whereby, in use, when an item to be dried is placed over the drying apparatus, the or each protrusion separates an inner surface of the item from the base of the outer surface such that a space is created between the base and the item, and air is able to pass from the inner cavity to the space by means of the at least one aperture.

2. A drying apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the outer surface includes a plurality of protrusions.

3. A drying apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the protrusions comprise a series of ribs.

4. A drying apparatus as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the ribs extend along the length of the outer surface.

5. A drying apparatus as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the ribs extend a substantially straight line.

6. A drying apparatus as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the ribs curve about the body.

7. A drying apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, characterised in that the ribs are continuous.

8. A drying apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, characterised in that the ribs are intermittent.

9. A drying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the protrusions comprise an array of humps.

10. A drying apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the drying apparatus has an air inlet at an outer end of the body, the air inlet allowing the movement of air into the cavity.

11. A drying apparatus as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that the drying apparatus has at least one air outlet at an end of the body opposed to the air inlet.

12. A drying apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the body has a plurality of apertures.

13. A drying apparatus as claimed in claim 12, characterised in that the apertures comprise a plurality of first apertures and at least one second aperture.

14. A drying apparatus as claimed in claim 13, characterised in that each first aperture is substantially circular.

15. A drying apparatus as claimed in claim 13, characterised in that each first aperture is substantially slot shaped.

16. A drying apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15, characterised in that the or each second aperture is substantially V-shaped.

17. A drying apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16, characterised in that the apertures are arranged in columns along the outer surface

18. A drying apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16, characterised in that the apertures are arranged in a radial configuration.

19. A drying apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16, characterised in that the apertures are arranged in a staggered configuration.

20. A drying apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 19, characterised in that at least some of the apertures extend at an incline.

21. A drying apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 20, characterised in that at least one of the apertures is provided with an air directing means.

22. A drying apparatus as claimed in claim 21, characterised in that the air directing means directs air along the outer surface of the body.

23. A drying means as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the drying means includes one or more grooves in the base of the outer surface.

24. A drying means as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the drying means includes an air moving means.

25. A drying means as claimed in claim 24, characterised in that the air moving means is located within the cavity.

26. A drying means as claimed in claim 24 or 25, characterised in that the air moving means is a fan.

27. A drying means as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 26, characterised in that the air moving means is powered by a connection to an external power source.

28. A drying means as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 26, characterised in that v the air moving means is powered by an internal power source.

29. A drying means as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the drying means includes an air heating element.

30. A drying means as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the drying means includes baffles located within the cavity.

31. A drying means as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the drying means includes UV light sources arranged to decrease microbial activity.

32. A drying means as claimed in claim 31, characterised in that the UV light sources are located about the outer surface of the body.

33. A drying means as claimed in claim 31, characterised in that the UV light sources are located within the cavity.

34. A drying means as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the body is generally egg-shaped.

35. A drying means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 33, characterised in that the body is substantially spherical.

36. A drying means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 33, characterised in that the body is substantially cylindrical.

37. A drying means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 33, characterised in that the body is oblong.

38. A drying means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 33, characterised in that the body is substantially conical.

39. A drying means as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the drying means is provided with outwardly extending portions arranged to engage with finger portions of a glove.

40. A drying means as claimed in claim 39, characterised in that each outwardly extending portion is provided with an opening means moveable between a first position in which the opening members are substantially closed and a second position in which the opening members are outwardly open and press on inner walls of the finger portions.

41. A drying means as claimed in claim 39, characterised in that the opening means is biased towards the second position.

42. A drying means as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the drying apparatus includes a plurality of projections extending outwardly from the body.

43. A drying means as claimed in claim 42, characterised in that the projections are outwardly biased.

44. A drying means as claimed in claim 42 or claim 43, characterised in that the projections are generally deformable.

45. A drying means as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the body is partially deformable.