The disclosure generally relates to the field of aerating or drying clothing. Particular embodiments relate to a new and improved apparatus for aerating gloves wherein the invention can be easily assembled and disassembled for portability and may be used in conjunction with outside forced-air drying devices.
People utilize a variety of clothing articles in cool or cold weather to keep their bodies warm, including their hands and feet. For example, gloves are used for many occasions and to be effective, hand gloves must remain dry on the inside. While wearing gloves in cold or wet conditions, the inside of the gloves can retain moisture. Additionally, when wearing gloves in hot temperatures or while working outside, the perspiration from one's hand can also lead to moisture collection in the inside of the glove.
The general purpose of wearing gloves is to provide insulation to maintain warmth in a user's hands in cold and/or wet weather. If the inside of a glove becomes saturated with moisture, the glove cannot adequately serve this purpose. Most gloves will not keep the hand properly warm if the glove is wet. When a person is outside in cold temperatures for an extended period of time, it is almost inevitable that at some point, the inside of the glove, mitten, sock, or other clothing article will become saturated with moisture.
When the inside of the glove becomes saturated with moisture, the glove must be dried. Traditional methods of drying wet gloves involve airing the glove out. This usually takes time and the glove remains damp until a sufficient amount of time is provided for the glove to dry. This is because gloves lay flat when hands are not inside and because the gloves lay flat, air circulation is minimal.
Prior devices have tried to address this issue by developing an apparatus that uses a motor and heat to dry the inside of the glove. The problem with devices that use motors and heaters is they are not portable and require electricity. Often when one wants to dry his/her gloves, he/she is camping, hiking, traveling, or working out in the elements. Under these conditions, it is impractical to lug around a cumbersome glove drying device. Often individuals are away from electricity and unable to power such a device. The aerator provides a solution to these problems.
The purpose of the Summary is to enable the public, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Summary is neither intended to define the inventive concept(s) of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the inventive concept(s) in any way.
Accordingly, what is disclosed is a device for aerating gloves or other clothing items that has a duct, the duct having a first opening on a first end and a second opening on a second end, a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, with the longitudinal axis longer than the transverse axis. The duct is gas permeable, and can be cylindrical or non-cylindrical, with projections that extend outwards to create air channels protruding from the duct, and creating a standoff space around the outer surface. The longitudinal axis provides for the circulation. The aerator duct is formed from flat stock and is portable. It is made using a thermoform, thermoforming or vacuum form process. The aerator can have projections that are V-folds and may be powered by convection. It may also be configured for horizontal use. The term “glove” or “gloves” as used herein is not meant to limit the device only to gloves, but instead for use for drying any of a variety of clothing or footwear that a user may need to dry. These alternative clothing articles can include mittens or other clothing, such as socks, with which the inventive concepts herein may be used.
Still other features and advantages of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description describing preferred embodiments of the inventive concept(s), simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out the inventive concept(s). As will be realized, the inventive concept(s) is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the inventive concept(s). Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature.
In other embodiments of the aerator, the aerator has interlocking tabs that connect. The interlocking tabs can be male and female and join to hold the aerator together. The aerator is assembled by attaching these projections. The end edge projection of the first end lies inside of the end edge projection of the second end. This creates an apparatus that is easily assembled and disassembled, adding to the portability of the invention.
To assemble the aerator, the flat sheet is rolled in a cylindrical fashion, forming a duct or a tube. The duct is then attached by taking the first projection of the first end and seating it inside the last projection of the second end and connecting the interlocking tabs. The projections create a method of fastening the aerator to itself. The aerator is then ready to be used to dry one or more gloves. Once a glove is positioned on the aerator, the aerator can then be laid horizontally or propped up vertically.
The aerator can be made from various materials including but not limited to one of the following: acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyethylene terephthalate glycol, polycarbonate, styrene, or any thermo-forming material, vacuum forming material not listed. These materials provide for the durability while at the same time providing for lightweight flexibility.
The aerator can be configured for multiple cutouts that run the length of the non-projection channels. These cutouts allow for further airflow and enhanced circulation to guarantee faster drying times. These cutouts are optional and can be round, oblong, or any shape. The cutouts are numerous and run the entire length of the longitudinal axis of the aerator.
The thickness of the aerator can vary; however the usual range is between 0.020 inches to 0.1 inches thick. The manufacturing process involves thermoform, thermoforming or vacuum form.
When the user has finished using the aerator or when the gloves are dry, the gloves are removed and are ready to be worn again. The aerator can then be disassembled and flattened out again for storage and transportation. The aerator can be configured to allow gloves to be dried using only convection. To speed the drying of garments even further, the aerator can be placed on top of a vent that blows air, preferably hot air, such as a heating/cooling vent in one's home or car, or a vent on a forced-air glove and/or boot dryer. Though this feature is purely optional, it adds another benefit to the aerator.
Unlike some other glove or boot dryers comprising a motor, fan, blower, and possibly a heater, the present invention does not require an outside heating element or blowing element. The additional heating or blowing elements in the prior art come with limitations and problems. The present invention is small, portable, simple to use, and failsafe whereas other dryers can be large and difficult to operate, require a power source, and have the possibility of mechanical failure.
While certain preferred embodiments are shown in the figures and described in this disclosure, it is to be distinctly understood that the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/570,711, filed Oct. 11, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62570711 | Oct 2017 | US |