System, method and apparatus for drying a shower

• US 8,713,814 B2
• Filed: 04/05/2013
• Issued: 05/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Josh Martin
• Original Assignee: Josh Martin
• Inventors: Martin, Josh
• Primary Examiner(s): Gravini, Steve M
• Application Number:
  US13/857,256
• Publication Number:
  US 20130219736A1
• Time in Patent Office: 396 Days
• Field of Search: 34/90, 341/04, 341/05, 342/01, 342/10, 342/18, 236/19, 236/94, D23/271, 454/184, 454/187, 452/5, 459/6, 459/7, 392/380, 392/382
• US Class Current: 34/90
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 3/281 Accessories for showers or bathing douches, e.g. cleaning devices for walls or floors of showers A47K3/30, A47K3/38, A47K3/40 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 21/004 Nozzle assemblies; Air knives; Air distributors; Blow boxes F26B3/082, F26B13/104, F26B13/108, F26B21/006 take precedence
• 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 shower drying system directs air downwardly onto the walls, surfaces and/or shower curtain of a shower enclosure. In one embodiment, the air is heated. The movement of the air in the downward direction helps urge droplets of water on the shower surface towards a drain at the lower level of the shower enclosure. Remaining water on the surfaces is evaporated into water vapor that is exhausted from above the shower enclosure, thereby reducing mold and mildew.

Claims

1. A shower area drying system comprising:

a first blower, the first blower forcing air downward onto surfaces of a shower enclosure from a ceiling above the shower enclosure;

a means for aiming the air onto the surfaces of the shower enclosure, urging water downwardly along the surfaces of the shower enclosure, a portion of the water exiting the shower enclosure through a drain and the air creating water vapor from a second portion of the water; and

a humidity sensor, the humidity sensor situated to measure a humidity of the air mixed with the water vapor, the operation of the shower drying system terminated when the humidity sensor detects a predetermined percentage drop in the humidity.

2. The shower area drying system of claim 1, wherein the surfaces of the shower enclosure includes rigid walls.

3. The shower area drying system of claim 1, wherein the surfaces of the shower enclosure includes a shower enclosure door.

4. The shower area drying system of claim 1, wherein the surfaces of the shower enclosure includes a shower curtain.

5. The shower area drying system of claim 1, further comprising a second blower, the second blower mounted on the ceiling, the second blower exhausting the air and the water vapor from the shower enclosure.

6. The shower area drying system of claim 1, further comprising a timer switch electrically interfaced to the first blower, the timer switch operating the first blower for a predetermined period of time.

7. The shower area drying system of claim 1, wherein the means for aiming comprises louvers, the louvers aiming the air onto walls of the shower enclosure.

8. The shower area drying system of claim 1, wherein the means for aiming comprises nozzles, the nozzles aiming the air onto walls of the shower enclosure.

9. The shower area drying system of claim 8, wherein airflow through the nozzles is adjustable.

10. The shower area drying system of claim 8, further comprising a source of heat interfaced with the air, heating the air before the air reaches the surfaces of the shower enclosure.

11. A shower area drying system comprising:

a first blower, the first blower forcing air downward onto surfaces of a shower enclosure from a ceiling above the shower enclosure; and

louvers in the ceiling above the shower, the louvers aiming the air downward onto walls of the shower enclosure urging water downwardly along the surfaces of the shower enclosure and drying the surfaces of the shower enclosure, a portion of the water exiting the shower enclosure through a drain and the air creating water vapor from a second portion of the water.

12. The shower area drying system of claim 11, further comprising a humidity sensor, the humidity sensor situated to measure a humidity of the air mixed with the water vapor, the operation of the shower drying system terminated when the humidity sensor detects a predetermined percentage drop in the humidity.

13. The shower area drying system of claim 11, further comprising a second blower, the second blower mounted on the ceiling, the second blower exhausting the air and the water vapor from the shower enclosure.

14. The shower area drying system of claim 11, further comprising a timer switch electrically interfaced to the first blower, the timer switch operating the first blower for a predetermined period of time.

15. A shower area drying system comprising:

a first blower, the first blower forcing air downward onto surfaces of a shower enclosure from a ceiling above the shower enclosure; and

nozzles, the nozzles in the ceiling above the shower, the nozzles aiming the air downward onto walls of the shower enclosure urging water downwardly along the surfaces of the shower enclosure and drying the walls of the shower enclosure, a portion of the water exiting the shower enclosure through a drain and the air creating water vapor from a second portion of the water.

16. The shower area drying system of claim 15, further comprising a humidity sensor, the humidity sensor situated to measure a humidity of the air mixed with the water vapor, the operation of the shower drying system terminated when the humidity sensor detects a predetermined percentage drop in the humidity.

17. The shower area drying system of claim 15, further comprising a second blower, the second blower mounted on the ceiling, the second blower exhausting the air and the water vapor from the shower enclosure.

18. The shower area drying system of claim 15, further comprising a timer switch electrically interfaced to the first blower, the timer switch operating the first blower for a predetermined period of time.

19. The shower area drying system of claim 15, wherein airflow through the nozzles is adjustable.