Device for transporting and drying wet items

• US 10,641,550 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2018
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dylan John Reed
• Original Assignee: Dylan John Reed
• Inventors: Reed, Dylan John
• Primary Examiner(s): Yuen, Jessica
• Application Number:
  US15/911,043
• Publication Number:
  US 20180252471A1
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 19/005 Self-contained mobile devices, e.g. for agricultural produce movable devices with radiation means F26B3/28; small self-contained devices for drying objects at rest F26B9/003
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 5/00 Drying solid materials or objects by processes not involving the application of heat separating liquids from solids by straining B01D; replacing liquids in wet solids by other liquids, e.g. water by spirit, B01D12/00; drying by electrophoresis B01J

Abstract

A drying apparatus promotes drying of a wet item while protecting a surrounding environment from moisture escaping the wet item as it dries. The apparatus includes a waterproof casing comprising one or more waterproof materials and constructed (a) to receive a wet item and (b) prevent the moisture in the wet item from contacting items in the surrounding environment. The waterproof casing also includes a drain structure at one end having an opening through which moisture from the wet item escapes the drying apparatus and one or more rigid structures extending from within the waterproof casing through the opening to create a pathway for the escaping moisture. The drying apparatus also has an intake vent positioned to draw air into the drying apparatus and direct the air over the wet item within the apparatus and through the opening in the drain structure.

Claims

1. A drying apparatus for use in promoting drying of a wet item as it hangs within a passenger compartment of an automobile, the drying apparatus comprising:

a waterproof casing comprising one or more waterproof materials and constructed (a) to receive the wet item, (b) to prevent moisture in the wet item from contacting items in the the passenger compartment, and (c) to penetrate a weatherproof seal formed between a chassis and a closed door of the automobile as the wet item hangs within the passenger compartment, the waterproof casing having a drain structure at one end comprising;

an opening through which moisture from the wet item escapes the drying apparatus outside the automobile; and

one or more rigid structures extending from within the waterproof casing through the opening, each constructed to hold shape and create a pathway for the escaping moisture while penetrating the weatherproof seal formed by the closed door as the wet item hangs within the passenger compartment; and

an intake vent positioned to draw air into the drying apparatus and direct the air over the wet item within the drying apparatus and through the opening in the drain structure.

2. The drying apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a ventilated access panel that comprises the intake vent and is coupled to the waterproof casing in a manner to allow placement of the wet item within the waterproof casing.

3. The drying apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a zipper device coupling the ventilated access panel to the waterproof casing to allow access within the waterproof casing.

4. The drying apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an internal hanger coupled to the waterproof casing to support the wet item as it dries within the drying apparatus.

5. The drying apparatus of claim 4, further comprising an external hanger coupled to the internal hanger to allow (a) hanging of the drying apparatus from an external structure and (b) transfer of weight from the internal hanger to the external structure.

6. The drying apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more attachment mechanisms operable to allow temporary closure of the drain structure to prevent water from escaping the drying apparatus.

7. The drying apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a conduit coupled to the water-proof casing to direct air from an external air source directly into the drying apparatus.

8. The drying apparatus of claim 1, further comprising multiple hanger coupled to the waterproof casing and operable to receive and support multiple wet items within the drying apparatus.