DRYING APPARATUS

• US 20090113746A1
• Filed: 06/07/2006
• Published: 05/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited (Beeswax Holdings UK Limited)
• Original Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited (Beeswax Holdings UK Limited)
• Inventors: Hackwell, Paul Cedric Campbell, Macnaughton, Roy, Dyson, James, Gammack, Peter David, Nicolas, Frederic, Churchill, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,347,521 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 34/202
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/48 Drying by means of hot air hair-drying devices A45D20/00; curative hot-air baths A61H33/06; electric heating elements H05B

Abstract

A drying apparatus has a casing, a cavity formed in the casing for receiving an object, a fan located in the casing and creating an airflow, and at least one slot-like opening communicating with the fan and arranged in the casing so as to direct an airflow transversely across the cavity. The slot-like opening has a maximum width which is no greater than 0.8 mm. This produces a very narrow, high velocity, high pressure airflow which is capable of drying an object efficiently and quickly and is suitable for use in a hand dryer.

Claims

1. A drying apparatus, comprising a casing, a cavity formed in the casing for receiving an object, a fan located in the casing and creating an airflow, and at least one slot-like opening communicating with the fan and arranged in the casing so as to direct an airflow transversely across the cavity, wherein the slot-like opening has a maximum width which is no greater than 1.0 mm.

2. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the width of the slot-like opening is at least 0.3 mm.

3. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the width of the slot-like opening is no more than 0.7 mm.

4. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the velocity of the airflow emitted through the slot-like opening is at least 80 m/s.

5. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the velocity of the airflow emitted through the slot-like opening is at least 100 m/s.

6. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the velocity of the airflow emitted through the slot-like opening is at least 150 m/s.

7. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the velocity of the airflow emitted through the slot-like opening is approximately 180 m/s.

8. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the pressure of the airflow emitted through the slot-like opening is at least 15 kPa.

9. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the pressure of the airflow emitted through the slot-like opening is at least 22 kPa.

10. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the slot-like opening has a constant width along its length.

11. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the slot-like opening has a width which varies along its length.

12. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the width of the slot-like opening is greatest at its center.

13. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the maximum width of the slot-like opening is less than twice the minimum width thereof.

14. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein substantially half of the length of the slot-like opening has a width which is greater than the minimum width.

15. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein two opposed slot-like openings are provided, one slot-like opening being provided on each of the front and rear walls of the cavity.

16. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the two slot-like openings have different widths.

17. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the width of the slot-like opening in the front wall of the cavity is smaller than the width of the slot-like opening in the rear wall of the cavity.

18. The drying apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 17, wherein the opposed slot-like openings are arranged such that, in use, the airflows emitted therethrough are inclined towards the innermost end of the cavity.

19. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the opposed slot-like openings are arranged such that, in use, the airflows emitted therethrough are substantially parallel to one another.

20. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the drying apparatus is a hand dryer.

21. (canceled)