Hearing aid dryer

• US 7,017,276 B2
• Filed: 06/03/2004
• Issued: 03/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bernard Jay Greenspan, David K. Woodruff, Eliot N. Pierce
• Original Assignee: Bernard Jay Greenspan, David K. Woodruff, Eliot N. Pierce
• Inventors: Greenspan, Bernard Jay, Pierce, Eliot N., Woodruff, David K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rinehart, Kenneth
• Application Number:
  US10/859,807
• Publication Number:
  US 20040244215A1
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 993/31, 994/68, 342/01, 342/02, 34/87
• US Class Current: 34/80
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 21/083 by using sorbent or hygroscopic materials, e.g. chemical substances, molecular sieves
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 9/003 Small self-contained devices, e.g. portable

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for removing moisture from electronic devices such as hearing aids, using a desiccant material. The desiccant material is regenerated in place with heat from an embedded heater when the apparatus is open to the atmosphere. Drying of the hearing aids takes place when the hearing aids are placed in the apparatus and it is closed. Heat is not applied during drying to avoid potential damage to the hearing aids or other electronic device.

Claims

1. An apparatus for drying a moisture sensitive device, comprising:

a container with a removable cover and a lower portion, said cover forming a seal with the lower portion of the container when closed;

said lower portion of the container being divided into a first compartment and a second compartment, said first compartment fashioned to hold a device to be dried, and said second compartment containing a desiccant material and a circuit to heat said desiccant material, and said second compartment having a perforated cover to allow passage of moisture;

said circuit comprising a resistive heating element connected in series with a power source and a switch, said switch being controlled by the closure of the cover;

said circuit being activated when the cover is open and supplying power to the heating element sufficient to regenerate the moisture absorbing capacity of said desiccant material;

wherein said desiccant material is located in close proximity to said heating element.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said heating element is embedded in said desiccant material.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cover is connected by a hinge to the lower portion.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said heating element dissipates up to about 5 watts.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the heating element dissipates between 1 and 3 watts.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the heating element is a carbon resistor.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the heating element is a wire resistor.

8. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the temperature of the desiccant is maintained at about 67 degrees Celsius during operation of the heating element.