Abstract
The present invention provides, among other things, a clothing and fabric storage container including a heat exchanger operable to reduce the temperature of clothing and fabric located in an interior of the container in order to reduce or eliminate odor causing bacteria from the clothing and fabric. In some embodiments, the container includes a controller. In some such embodiments, the controller operates the heat exchanger to reduce an interior container temperature and to maintain the temperature of the interior of the container below a pre-determined temperature. In some embodiments, the clothing storage device generates cold air inside of the clothing storage device with at least one cooling mechanism that is powered by an electrical cord and plug that is plugged into an electrical wall socket. The clothing storage device is designed to cool the clothing while the clothing is inside the clothing storage device.
Claims
1. A clothing and fabric storage container including a heat exchanger operable that when executed, perform the step of: Reducing the temperature of the clothing and fabric located in an interior of the container; Maintaining the temperature of the interior container below a pre-determined temperature.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1.0 is a perspective view, showing the container according to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 1.1 is a perspective view, showing the lid of the container according to some embodiments of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 2.0 is an exploded perspective view, showing the exterior shell separated from the interior shell.
[0016] FIG. 2.1 is an exploded perspective view, showing the exterior lid shell separated from the interior lid shell.
[0017] FIG. 3.0 is a schematic view, showing the separate components according to some embodiments of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 4.0 is a schematic view, showing the interior of the container according to some embodiments of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 5.0 is a schematic view, showing the interior of the container according to some embodiments of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 6.0 is a schematic view, showing the interior of the container according to some embodiments of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 7.0 is a schematic view, showing the interior of the container according to some embodiments of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 8.0 is an exploded perspective view, according to some embodiments of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 9.0 is a cross-sectional view according to some embodiments of the invention.
[0024] FIG. 10.0 is a cross-sectional view according to some embodiments of the invention.
[0025] FIG. 11.0 is a cross-sectional view according to some embodiments of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 12.0 is a perspective view, showing the circuit board according to some embodiments of the invention.
[0027] FIG. 13.0 is a schematic view, showing the exterior lid according to some embodiments of the invention.
[0028] FIG. 14.0 is a perspective view according to some embodiments of the invention.
[0029] FIG. 15.0 is a perspective view according to some embodiments of the invention.
REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS
[0030] 10. Exterior shell
[0031] 11. Interior shell
[0032] 12. Insulation with embedded charcoal
[0033] 13. Noise reduction film tape
[0034] 14. Exterior lid shell
[0035] 15. Lid insulation with embedded charcoal
[0036] 16. Interior lid shell
[0037] 17. Removable hanging devices
[0038] 18. Removable mesh netting bag
[0039] 19. Removable bag/sack
[0040] 20. Cooling plates
[0041] 21. Cooling devices
[0042] 22. Control panel
[0043] 23. Stir rod
[0044] 24. Electrical cord and plug
[0045] 25. Hinge
[0046] 26. Base
[0047] 27. Handle
[0048] 28. Cooling fan
[0049] 29. Power supply
[0050] 30. Relay
[0051] 31. Arduino hardware
[0052] 32. Cover flange
[0053] 33. Base flange
[0054] 34. Seal
[0055] 35. Circuit board
[0056] 36. Microprocessor
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0057] FIG. 1.0 is a perspective view of the present invention in an assembled state. Insulation and embedded charcoal 12 are housed between exterior shell 10 and interior shell 11. The inside of the cooling storage device is accessible through the lid 15 mounted to the top. The illustrated integrated cooling device mechanism 21 and cooling plates 20 are mounted inside the clothing storage device at the top and bottom in order to cool the inside of the clothing storage unit. The electrical cord and plug 24 are inserted into an electrical outlet to power the cooling device. The illustrated control panel 22 is located on the exterior of the clothing storage device, which allows the user to manually turn the device on and off, automatically turn the device on and off, and adjust the temperature inside the clothing storage device.
[0058] FIG. 1.1 is a perspective view of the lid 15 of the present invention. The illustrated control panel 22 is located on the top of the exterior part of the lid 15. The control panel 22 can have digital functionality.
[0059] FIG. 2.0 is an exploded perspective view of the exterior shell 10 separated from the interior shell 11. Insulation with embedded carbon 12 can be housed between exterior shell 10 and interior shell 11 in order to help retain the cool air within the clothing storage device. The illustrated insulation 12 contains charcoal to reduce odor wafting from inside the clothing storage device. A hinge 25 can secure the lid to the exterior shell 10.
[0060] FIG. 2.1 is an exploded perspective view of the exterior lid shell 14 separated from both the lid insulation 15 and interior lid shell 16. Lid insulation 15 helps retain the cool air within the clothing storage device. The illustrated lid insulation 15 also contains charcoal to reduce odor wafting from inside the clothing storage device.
[0061] FIG. 3.0 is a schematic view of the separate exterior components of the invention. The illustrated lid 14 is located at the top of the storage clothing device, which allows the user to access the interior of the clothing storage device. The illustrated control panel 22 is located on top of the lid 14 in order for the user to manually turn off and on, automatically turn off and on, and to adjust the temperature inside the clothing storage device. The electrical cord and plug 24 are connectable to an electrical outlet to power the cooling device 21, which cools the inside of the clothing storage device. The illustrated exterior shell 10 establishes the perimeter of the clothing storage device.
[0062] FIG. 4.0 is a schematic view of the interior of the clothing storage device. The illustrated cooling plates 20 and cooling devices 21 are integrated at the top and bottom of the interior of the clothing storage device. The illustrated embodiment includes a stir rod 23 that is integrated into the clothing storage device to assist in rotating the clothing while it is stowed inside the clothing storage device. Removable hanging devices 17 can also be integrated inside the clothing storage device in order to hang or drape clothing.
[0063] FIG. 5.0 is a schematic view of the interior of the clothing storage device. Noise reduction film 13 can be integrated around the inside lid shell 15, around the interior shell 11, and at the bottom of the clothing storage device. Noise reduction film 13 can also be integrated around the cooling plates 20 and cooling devices 21. A removable mesh bag(s) 18 can line the interior of the clothing storage device to enable the user to remove and transport clothing that is inside the clothing storage device.
[0064] FIG. 6.0 is a schematic view of the interior of the clothing storage device. In the illustrated embodiment, a removable bag 19 lines the interior shell 15 of the clothing storage device to enable the user to remove and transport clothing that is inside the clothing storage device.
[0065] FIG. 7.0 is a schematic view of the inside lid shell 15 of the clothing storage device. In the illustrated embodiment, cooling plates 20 and cooling device mechanisms 21 are integrated into the interior lid shell 15 and at the bottom of the interior shell 11. The illustrated cooling plates 20 and cooling device mechanism 21 generate cool air in order to cool the inside of the clothing storage unit.
[0066] FIG. 8.0 is an exploded perspective view showing the components of the device according to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0067] FIG. 9.0 is a cross-sectional view of components of the device according to some embodiments of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, a power supply 29 is integrated into the bottom base of the clothing storage device.
[0068] FIG. 10.0 is a cross-sectional view of components of the device according to some embodiments of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, cooling plates 20 and cooling device mechanisms 21 are integrated into the interior lid shell 15 and at the bottom of the interior shell 11. The illustrated cooling plates 20 and cooling device mechanism 21 generate cool air in order to cool the inside of the clothing storage unit. A power supply 29, relay 30, and arduino 31 can be integrated into the bottom base 26 of the clothing storage device. A circuit board 35 and microprocessor 36 can be integrated in between the exterior lid shell 14 and the interior lid shell 16. A control panel 22 can be integrated into the exterior lid shell 14 or handle 27.
[0069] FIG. 11.0 is a cross-sectional view of components of the device according to some embodiments of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, a cooling fan 28 is integrated into the exterior lid shell 14. A control panel can be integrated into either the exterior lid shell 14 or handle 27. A cooling plate 20 and cooling devices 21 can be integrated between the exterior lid shell 14 and the interior lid shell 16 below the cooling fan 28.
[0070] FIG. 12.0 is a perspective view, showing the circuit board and microprocessor according to some embodiments of the present invention. The illustrated circuit board and micro-processor are positioned outside of the lid. A circuit board 35 and microprocessor 36 can be integrated between the exterior lid shell 14 and the interior lid shell 16. A control panel 22 can be linked to the circuit board 35 and micro-processor 36. The control panel 22 can be integrated into the exterior lid shell 14 or the handle 27. A cooling fan 28 can be integrated into the exterior lid shell 14.
[0071] FIG. 13.0 is a schematic view, showing the exterior lid according to some embodiments of the present invention. A control panel 22 can be integrated into the exterior lid shell 14 or the handle 27. A cooling fan 28 can be integrated into the exterior lid shell 14 or handle 27.
[0072] FIG. 14.0 is a perspective view of the container according to some embodiments of the present invention with the top in an open position.
[0073] FIG. 15.0 is a perspective view of the container according to some embodiments of the present invention with the top in a closed position.
