Patent Application
20180361619
This invention relates generally to drying equipment in the field of ceramics and, more particularly, to a moisture control and drying apparatus having a damp box to hold a clay object and a heating assembly configured to dry the clay object more slowly and consistently so as to prevent cracking due to uneven drying.
Custom clay objects often require extensive processing, including a drying process, even though they may need to be completed in a short period of time. Heating and drying a wet clay object too quickly or unevenly immediately following its completion, however, is likely to result in cracking and degradation of quality. The moisture in the clay object sinks downward while water evaporates upwardly—a reality that results in the upper and outer parts of the clay object cracking.
Various equipment is used in the ceramic industry for drying clay. However, the unevenness and quickness of the traditional clay drying equipment often results in cracking of the clay object. In some instances, the existing equipment actually speeds up the drying technique and results in unsightly or weak products.
Therefore, it would be desirable to have a moisture control and drying apparatus for drying a clay object, such an ornamental porcelain piece, in a steady, slow, and distributed manner that minimizes cracks and other undesirable effects of fast and inconsistent drying techniques. Further, it would be desirable to have a moisture control and drying apparatus that collects condensed water that evaporates from a drying clay object.
A moisture control and drying apparatus for processing a clay object according to the present invention includes a heating chamber having a bottom wall and a continuous side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall that together define an interior area, the side wall having a peripheral upper edge thereof defining an open upper end. A heating assembly is situated in the interior area of the heating chamber that is configured to emit heat when actuated. A support platform is coupled to the peripheral upper edge of the heating chamber that is configured to block access to the interior area of the heating chamber, the support platform defining a water collection channel about an outer edge thereof.
A transparent evaporation cover includes a closed top cap and a continuous side wall extending downwardly from the closed top cap and has a lower edge removably nested in the water collection channel of the support platform and defines an open bottom. The support platform defines a plurality of apertures so that the heated air in the interior area of the heating chamber is in fluid communication with the interior space defined by the evaporation cover.
Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide moisture control and drying apparatus for drying a clay object, such an ornamental porcelain piece, in a steady, uniform, and distributed manner that minimizes cracks and other undesirable effects of fast and inconsistent drying techniques.
Another object of this invention is to provide a moisture control and drying apparatus, as aforesaid, having a heating chamber that heats ambient air therein and having a support platform configured to support the clay object while regulating an amount and speed with which the heated air is utilized to dry the clay object.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a moisture control and drying apparatus, as aforesaid, that seals moisture in a dry box environment so that it evaporates and condenses, the condensed moisture being directed to a water collection channel and then to a water collection reservoir.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a moisture control and drying apparatus, as aforesaid, in which an evaporation cover that encloses the clay object is constructed of a transparent material so that the drying process may be viewed.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention.
A moisture control and drying apparatus for processing a clay object will now be described with reference to
The heating chamber 20 serves as the base of the apparatus 10. The heating chamber 20 may include a bottom wall 22 and a continuous side wall 24 extending upwardly from a peripheral edge of the bottom wall 22. Preferably, the bottom wall 22 and upstanding side wall 24 have a circular and cylindrical configuration although having a square, rectangular, or other geographic configuration would also work. The side wall 24 of the heating chamber 20 includes an upper edge defining an open upper end. Together, the bottom wall 22 and upstanding side wall 24 define a chamber having an open interior area for containing other components and heated ambient air as will be described more fully below. A plurality of “feet” 23 may be coupled to an exterior surface of the bottom wall 22 to enhance grip or traction on a surface such as a countertop or the like. In an embodiment, the bottom wall may include a plurality of vent holes that may be selectively opened during the drying process and closed when used as a damp box.
The heating assembly 30 is situated in the interior area of the heating chamber 20 and may be coupled to an interior surface of the side wall 24 thereof. More particularly, the heating assembly 30 may include an electronic heating element 32 that heats the surrounding ambient air within the interior area when actuated and energized with current. Further, the heating assembly 30 may include a fan 34 configured to push or circulate the heated ambient air when energized. Preferably, the heating element 32 and fan 34 are energized simultaneously to heat and circulate heated air although they may be programmed to operate in another manner as controlled by a control module 60 or circuitry as will be described later.
The support platform 40 has a generally planar configuration coupled to and extending between upper peripheral edges of the heating chamber 20. The shape configuration of the support platform 40 is substantially similar to that of the heating chamber 20. For instance, if the heating chamber 20 has a circular configuration, then the support platform 40 also has a circular configuration. The support platform 20 is coupled to the upper edge of the side wall 24 of the heating chamber 20 so as to be positioned intermediate the interior area of the heating chamber 20 and the interior space defined by the evaporation cover 50 as will be described below. As such, the support platform 40 blocks upper access into the interior area of the heating chamber 20. An outer or peripheral edge of the support platform 20 defines a water collection channel 46 configured to collect condensed moisture as will be described later.
The support platform 40 includes a solid support portion 42 at a central point between opposed peripheral edges. The support portion 42 is particularly adapted to support a clay object thereon, such as a vase or other ornamental piece (
The evaporation cover 50 includes a closed top cap 52 and a continuous side wall 54 extending downwardly from a lower edge of the top cap 52, the side wall 54 having a lower edge selectively nested in the water collection channel 46 (
A water collection reservoir 70 may be coupled to the side wall 24 of the heating chamber 20 (
In another aspect, the moisture control and drying apparatus 10 may include a control module 60 (also referred to as an electronics box) in data or electric communication with the heating assembly 30. The control box 72 may include a processor, controller, or circuitry and may be programmed to operate the heating assembly 30. More particularly, the control module 60 may include an input controls 62 configured to energize the heating element 32 and fan 34 when appropriately operated by a use or as may be programmed. The input controls 62 may be buttons, a touch screen display, or the like. In addition, the control module 60 may be electrically connected to a power source such as a battery (not shown) or to a plug 64 (
In use, the evaporation cover 50 may be removed so that a clay object 12 that is still wet from being formed may be inserted and positioned upon the support portion 42 of the support platform 40. Then, the evaporation cover 50 may be returned to enclose the clay object 12, i.e. the lower edge of the side wall 54 of the evaporation cover 50 is nested in the water collection channel 46 as described above. A user may then actuate the heating assembly 30 using the input controls 62 of the control module 60 to start or set the heating assembly heating ambient air. Upon operation of the fan 34, the heated air is circulated or pushed through respective apertures 44 into the interior space of the evaporation container so as to dry the clay object in a controlled and consistent manner. As the clay object is dried, moisture is evaporated and rises and impacts the interior surface of the evaporation cover 50. The moisture condenses as water droplets and runs down the surface by operation of gravity. The condensed water is collected first by the collection channel 46 and second is received into the water collection reservoir 70 as described above.
It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.
