GB2379495A

GB2379495A - A drying device

Info

Publication number: GB2379495A
Application number: GB0121404A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Guy William Tinsley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-09-05
Filing date: 2001-09-05
Publication date: 2003-03-12
Also published as: GB0121404D0

Abstract

A drying device comprising a desiccant within a housing 24, where the housing is made from a heat resistant material so that the device can be dehydrated after use by heating and then reused. The housing material may be resistant up to a temperature of 150 degrees centigrade and the desiccant may be silica gel. The drying device keeps objects such as boots 22, golf clubs or clothes dry by removing moisture from the surrounding air. A handle 14 and cord 18 may be provided to facilitate removal. The housing may consist of a number of housings connected together (Figs 3, 4).

Description

TITLE : Drying Device The present invention relates to a drying device.

It is known to provide a drying device in the body or packaging of saleable goods, such as shoes, binoculars and suitcases, for example in order to protect the goods from moisture prior to sale. Such a drying device commonly comprises a foraminous paper or fabric sachet, which contains a desiccant, such as silica gel. Silica gel is a hard amorphous granular form of hydrated silica which is highly hygroscopic, i. e. the granular material has an affinity for absorbing moisture, without liquefaction of the granular material. However, only a finite volume of moisture can be absorbed by a given mass of silica gel. Therefore, such a sachet containing silica gel has a saturation point, after which no more moisture can be absorbed, hence the sachet becomes redundant and the goods which the sachet was intended to protect are thus exposed to the effects of moisture.

It is an object of the invention to reduce, or substantially obviate, these and other disadvantages of known drying devices, of the type referred to above.

According to the broadest aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drying device comprising a housing and a desiccant contained within the housing, the housing being made from a heat resistant material.

It is an advantage of the invention, that due to the hygroscopic nature of the desiccant, the drying device may be used to remove moisture from an article which is prone to moisture ingress, or to protect an article which is stored in an area of high atmospheric moisture content, for example.

Preferably, the heat resistant material is capable of withstanding temperatures of up to150 oc.

The desiccant is preferably silica based, and is most preferably silica gel.

The invention is particularly advantageous, since the drying device can be placed in a heated environment, for example an oven, after use, to remove any moisture from the desiccant, in order for the drying device to be returned to its initial hygroscopic state, by virtue of the heat resistant material of which the housing is made.

In a further preferred embodiment, the housing is of composite design and consists of a pair of housings which are, for example, connected or moulded together.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a drying device according to the invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of a second embodiment of a drying device according to the invention, in use; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a drying device according to the invention; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a drying device according to the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, a drying device according to a first embodiment of the invention is indicated generally at 10. The drying device 10 consists of an elongate, cylindrical housing 12 made from a flexible heat resistant material. The heat resistant material can withstand temperatures of up to 150 C and is produced from a synthetic and/or natural textile.

The housing 12 contains a silica desiccant (not visible), for example silica gel. The silica desiccant is contained within the housing 12 and may not escape from the housing 12, unless the housing 12 is tom or cut open.

A handle 14, made from the same material as the housing 12, is provided on one end of the housing 12. The handle 14 creates a loop 16 on one end of the housing 12, by which the drying device 10 can be carried or hung, for example.

A length of cord 18 is attached to the handle 14, by tying, to enable the drying device 10 to be secured in an intended place of use, for example, on a coat hanger. In an alternative arrangement, not shown, a metal ring is attached to the end of the housing 12, in place of the handle 14.

The drying device 10 is suitable for use in a variety of applications, in protecting articles from the undesired effects of moisture. For example, the drying device 10 may be placed inside a rucksack, suitcase or tent bag to protect their contents from the effects of damp. Furthermore, the drying device 10 may be placed inside footwear (including walking boots and angler's waders) to dry out the footwear after use, or to keep the footwear dry in storage. The drying device 10 is also suitable for use with stored timber, tinder and kindling to help maintain it in a dry condition, and also in containers housing packaged dry and dehydrated foods. The drying device 10 is suitable for use in tool boxes to help prevent rusting of any metal tools and may be used to protect books, documents, other paperwork, and musical instruments from the effects of damp. The drying device 10 is also suitable for use in an area of archaeology, to help to dry and protect artifacts and equipment. Furthermore, the drying device 10 can be placed inside furniture or leatherwork to reduce the effects of moisture.

After use, the drying device's capacity for absorbing moisture water is reduced. Therefore, after use, the drying device 10 can be placed in an oven, to remove moisture absorbed by the desiccant, in order for the drying device 10 to be returned to its initial hygroscopic state for re-use. The drying device 10 may be placed in the oven, by virtue of the heat resistant material of which the housing 12 is made. Typically, the drying device is heated to a temperature of 150 C for a period often minutes. Alternatively, the drying device 10 may be heated in a saucepan on a stove. This is particularly useful when camping.

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the drying device, indicated at 20, in use in an item of foot wear 22. The drying device 20 differs from the drying device 10 of Figure 1 only in that the drying device 20 consists of a substantially L-shaped cylindrical housing 24. Since the housing 24 is made from a flexible material, the configuration of drying device 20 can be manipulated to into various configurations, i. e. in order to fit various shapes of footwear.

Figure 3 shows a drying device according to a third embodiment of the invention, indicated at 30. The drying device 30 consists of a pair of housings 32,34. Each housing 32,34 corresponds to the housing 12 of the drying device 10 of Figure 1, and includes a handle 36 and cord 37, as described above. An adjustable toggle 38 connects the respective cords 37 together. Hence, the housings 32,34 are held at a releasable and adjustable distance apart.

The drying device 30 is particularly suitable for use in a dry suit, for example, because the housings 32,34 can be placed inside separate legs of the dry suit, respectively. The housings 32,34 are easily removed from the dry suit by pulling on the respective cords 37 from the position of the toggle 38. Dry suits such as those used by divers, sailors and firemen, for example, are prone to dampness caused by sweating of the wearer when in use.

The toggle 38 can be used to connect together any number of such housings 32,34.

Figure 4 shows a drying device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, indicated at 40. The drying device 40 consists of a plurality of housings 42, the housings each being the same as the housing 12, as described with reference to Figure 1. The housings 42 are each joined to an adjacent housing 42 along their elongate length, by a suitable adhesive or by stitching, for example. Alternatively the drying device 40 is manufactured from a single sheet, or two sheets of heat resistant fabric in the manner of a quilt. The housings 42 are also flexible.

This type of drying device 40 is particularly suitable for placement under a mattress or in a car boot, for example, to remove any undesired moisture. Moreover, the drying device 40 can

be wrapped around the exterior of an article, for example a golf club, to prevent the undesired effects of moisture.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A drying device comprising a housing and a desiccant contained within the housing, the housing being made from a heat resistant material.
2. A drying device as claimed in claim 1, in which the heat resistant material is capable of withstanding temperatures of up t0150 oc.
3. A drying device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the desiccant is silica gel.
4. A drying device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the housing is a composite and consists of a pair of housings which are connected together.