Assemblies and methods for drying apparel, for example, footwear or gloves, are provided. The assemblies include a panel; projections or pegs pivotally mounted to the panel, the projections each having an inlet, an outlet, an internal passage communicating the inlet to the outlet, and the projections can be oriented in a position adapted to receive the apparel; and a source of air having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlets of the projections. The air, for example, from a fan, passes into the inlets of the projections, through the internal passages, and out of the outlets to contact and dry the apparel mounted on the projections. The methods may include heating the air to enhance the drying. Projection modules that can be pivotally mounted to extend and retract into the panel are also disclosed. The retracted projection may be flush with the panel when not in use.

An improved drying stand is provided for drying clothing articles over a source of hot air. The drying stand includes a housing, which has a base with a plurality of holes in connection with the source of hot air, and sidewalls, defining a chamber. Conduits are connected to the openings in the base. The conduits may include a cap connected to the end, such that hot air flows through the openings in the base, through the conduits, and then is directed outwardly by the caps. The caps may serve both to direct hot air outwardly and to prevent any debris, such as dirty water, mud, dirt, etc. from falling out of the chamber through the conduits. In this manner, the drying stand provides a place for the clothing articles to dry and keeps the surrounding surfaces clean.

A sock holder is provided. The sock holder includes an elongated rod having a top end and a bottom end. A top hook is secured to the top end of the elongated rod. At least one plate is secured to the elongated rod and is disposed in a substantially horizontal position. At least one sock bracket is secured to the at least one plate and extends from the plate in a substantially vertical position. The at least one sock bracket is sized to be disposed within a sock and thereby support the sock in the substantially vertical position.

A sock holder is provided. The sock holder includes an elongated rod having a top end and a bottom end. A top hook is secured to the top end of the elongated rod. At least one plate is secured to the elongated rod and is disposed in a substantially horizontal position. At least one sock bracket is secured to the at least one plate and extends from the plate in a substantially vertical position. The at least one sock bracket is sized to be disposed within a sock and thereby support the sock in the substantially vertical position.

Super absorbent material used for drying that integrates super absorbent non-woven fibrous mats with other material, as for example wicking material, are described. The fibrous mats consist of polymeric material embedded with particles of super absorbent polymer. The wicking material may be lightweight knitted fabric that actively absorbs and wicks liquid across the fabric surface. The materials are fabricated as single layer or multiple layers and demonstrate a variety of form factors suitable to the intended use. The super absorbent materials may incorporate additional functionalities, such as antifungal or antibacterial, for biomedical uses.

Assemblies and methods for drying apparel, for example, footwear or gloves, are provided. The assemblies include a panel; projections or pegs pivotally mounted to the panel, the projections each having an inlet, an outlet, an internal passage communicating the inlet to the outlet, and the projections can be oriented in a position adapted to receive the apparel; and a source of air having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlets of the projections. The air, for example, from a fan, passes into the inlets of the projections, through the internal passages, and out of the outlets to contact and dry the apparel mounted on the projections. The methods may include heating the air to enhance the drying. Projection modules that can be pivotally mounted to extend and retract into the panel are also disclosed. The retracted projection may be flush with the panel when not in use.

Assemblies and methods for drying apparel, for example, footwear or gloves, are provided. The assemblies include a panel; projections or pegs pivotally mounted to the panel, the projections each having an inlet, an outlet, an internal passage communicating the inlet to the outlet, and the projections can be oriented in a position adapted to receive the apparel; and a source of air having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlets of the projections. The air, for example, from a fan, passes into the inlets of the projections, through the internal passages, and out of the outlets to contact and dry the apparel mounted on the projections. The methods may include heating the air to enhance the drying. Projection modules that can be pivotally mounted to extend and retract into the panel are also disclosed. The retracted projection may be flush with the panel when not in use.