Moisture sensitive item drying appliance
First Claim
1. An appliance for conditioning a moisture sensitive item such as an electronic hearing aid or the like, comprising housing means formed by wall means and providing substantially enclosed chamber means adapted to contain a substantially singular quantity of conditioner gas, said chamber means containing support means for carrying one or more items and a desiccant means, electrically operated control means for heating said gas and moving the same within said chamber means in a gas flow circulation path wherein the moving heated gas can substantially continuously contact said support means and an item and desiccant means carried thereby, whereby said item is exposed to drying conditions during a conditioning period, first port means thru said wall means for allowing said item to be placed within said chamber means or removed therefrom, electrial circuit means for energizing and de-energizing said control means, switch means in said circuit means, switch closing means on said support means for placing said circuit means in an operational condition when at least one said item and/or said desiccant means is placed in a predetermined position within said chamber means, and first removable closure means for substantially sealing said first port means against the passage of air therethrough.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dryer appliance for demoisturizing a moisture sensitive item such as an electronic hearing aid, tooth brush, or the like, having a housing with a removable closure cap or door for providing a substantially sealed chamber and access thereto, a desiccant component mounted in the chamber, wall means substantially dividing the chamber into first and second regions, a support in the chamber for supporting at least one item within the first region, one or more passages interconnecting the first and second regions for providing a gas flow circulation path therethrough, gas moving and heater means mounted in the chamber, the circulation path of air in the chamber being such as to bring the air into recirculating contact with the gas moving and heater means and the item for a prescribed period of time to demoisturize the item.
455 Citations
46 Claims
- 1. An appliance for conditioning a moisture sensitive item such as an electronic hearing aid or the like, comprising housing means formed by wall means and providing substantially enclosed chamber means adapted to contain a substantially singular quantity of conditioner gas, said chamber means containing support means for carrying one or more items and a desiccant means, electrically operated control means for heating said gas and moving the same within said chamber means in a gas flow circulation path wherein the moving heated gas can substantially continuously contact said support means and an item and desiccant means carried thereby, whereby said item is exposed to drying conditions during a conditioning period, first port means thru said wall means for allowing said item to be placed within said chamber means or removed therefrom, electrial circuit means for energizing and de-energizing said control means, switch means in said circuit means, switch closing means on said support means for placing said circuit means in an operational condition when at least one said item and/or said desiccant means is placed in a predetermined position within said chamber means, and first removable closure means for substantially sealing said first port means against the passage of air therethrough.
- 44. A desiccant package for use in a sanitizing appliance for moisture sensitive items, wherein the appliance has an electrical circuit means for controlling the operation of electrical components of the appliance, and wherein the circuit means is provided with normally open safety switch means, said package having switch closing means which is adapted to contact portions of said safety switch means to close said switch means upon operative placement of said package within said appliance.
Specification