Fluid movement device

Abstract

According to the present invention there is provided a fluid movement device suitable for drying adjacent surfaces such as floors, walls or ceilings or items such as furniture, in which the device comprises an inlet for receiving pressurised fluid, and at least one vent to direct said fluid towards said surfaces or items, and at least one pathway to allow escape of humid air generated through drying from the surface being dried to the surrounding environment.

Claims

1. A device for drying a surface, the device comprises: a rigid body defining a chamber for receiving drying fluid is arranged to be placed against the surface and to direct a drying fluid past the surface to be dried, the body comprising: at least one inlet adapted to receive a current of drying fluid and at least one outlet for outputting drying fluid directly to an adjoining second device, the at least one inlet being adapted for selectable connection to either a flexible ducting to supply the current of drying fluid or the at least one outlet of an adjoining third device; at least one vent through which drying fluid vents towards the surface to be dried; at least one foot so as to space the body from the surface to be dried in order to accelerate evaporation, and a matching foot-receiving shape on an opposite surface of the body to receive a bottom of the at least one foot of another device stacked thereon; a textured upper face on the body to provide grip underfoot, so that a user can walk across an upper surface of the body with reduced risk of slipping on a wet surface, and a pathway that traverses the body to permit escape of humid air from the surface to be dried.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein at least nine of the devices are capable of connection by parts adapted to mate one with another.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of the devices are capable of connection by hook and loop means.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of the devices are capable of connection by magnetic means.

5. A device according to claim 1 wherein the body comprises a hollow body formed from a single mould.

6. A device according to claim 1 wherein the body is substantially cuboid in form.

7. A device according to claim 1 wherein the device is substantially rectangular in section.

8. A device according to claim 1 wherein the body is shaped to correspond to an area to be dried.

9. A device according to claim 1 is adapted to be weight bearing to tolerate a force in excess of 100N.

10. A device according to claim 1 wherein the device includes interlock portions to lock one device to another.

11. A device according to claim 1 includes ducting provided to connect and direct fluid to/from the at least one inlet or the at least one outlet.

12. A device according to claim 1 wherein a cap is provided for selectively closing the at least one inlet or the at least one outlet.

13. A system having a plurality of devices interconnected inlet to outlet as claimed in claim 1.

14. A system according to claim 13 including a pressurised fluid source.

15. A system according to claim 13 including a heater.

16. A system according to claim 13 including a dehumidifier.

17. A method of using the device as claimed in the system according to claim 13 including the steps of: positioning the plurality of devices adjacent the surface to be dried, connecting the plurality of devices to a source of propelled fluid by the at least one inlet of a first one of the plurality of devices, so as force flow of fluid from the respective body of each of the devices via the vents onto a wet surface whereby humidity of the fluid is raised as a result of evaporation of moisture from the surface to be dried, the evaporated moisture thereafter moving through the pathways away from the surface to be dried to a region of lower humidity.

18. A method of using the system according to claim 13 including the steps of: arranging at least two devices opposed and parallel one to another; providing a volume for sandwiching an object between the devices, the at least one vent of each of the devices being directed towards the object, so that planar items such as carpets, screens or rugs can be rapidly dried on both planar faces wherein evaporated moisture moves away from each of the devices through the respective pathways.

19. A method of using the system according to claim 13 including the steps of: arranging more than two of the devices to form a structure with each of the respective at least one vent facing inwards towards an item.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1A shows an isometric view of nine devices, according to one embodiment, shown interconnected as an array, matrix or network;

(2) FIG. 1B shows an isometric view of one embodiment of the devices, shown in FIG. 1A, with a piece of ducting connected to the device;

(3) FIG. 2A shows a side view of one of the nine devices, shown in FIG. 1A, connected to ducting at a centrally located aperture;

(4) FIG. 2B shows an alternative side view of the embodiment of the device, shown in FIG. 1A, and shows ducting connected to an aperture located at an end of a face;

(5) FIG. 3 shows an underside view of the embodiment of the device, shown in Figure and ducting and as shown in FIG. 1B;

(6) FIG. 4 shows a top view of the embodiment of the device and ducting and as shown in FIG. 1; and

(7) FIG. 5 shows a side view of the embodiment of the device and ducting and as shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

(8) Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 5, which show various views of a preferred embodiment of the device. Each device 100 is substantially rectangular and is in the form of a central, hollow, rectangular box. The bottom face is placed, in use against a surface to be dried or desiccated. Three pairs of fingers 10 extend symmetrically from opposite sides of the hollow box, from a forward position 10a and 10b; from an intermediate position 10c and 10d; and from a rearward position 10e and 10f (shown in FIG. 3). The central hollow box and the fingers 10 are all hollow and serve to define pathways 15. The device 100 is typically formed by an injection moulding, blow moulding or rotational moulding process.

(9) Devices 100 are formed from a rigid synthetic plastics material, such as polythene or polypropylene and the fingers 10 are of equal size and shape.

(10) Suitable connection means are provided so as to enable devices 100 to be connected, one to another, as described in detail below.

(11) An upper face 5 of the device 100 is textured, or otherwise formed with raised and lowered regions to provide grip underfoot, so that a user can walk across the surface with reduced risk of slipping, even if surfaces are wet/damp.

(12) At one or more face of the device 100 there is provided one or more inlet/outlets 1 through which pressurised air can pass. These inlets/outlets 1 are formed in locations such that when one device 100 is placed adjacent another device 100, as can be seen for example in FIG. 1A, air can flow from one device to an adjacent interconnected device 100.

(13) Each device 100 includes a plurality of feet 6 that serve to elevate the device 100 from a surface (not shown) against or on which it is arranged in order to allow circulation of air in a micro-climate as defined by the space between the face of the device 100 directed to the surface and the surface. Feet 6 are so formed as to enable devices 100 to be stacked when not in use, as upper surface 5 of a device is chamfered or tapered so as to receive feet of a second device placed thereon. In this way the devices 100 can be easily stacked for stowage or transportation and are prevented from toppling in transit/storage.

(14) FIG. 1A shows an array, matrix or network of nine devices 100 arranged adjacent one to another so as to extend over a rectangular area. A length of flexible ducting 3 is connected to one inlet 1 in order to pipe a supply of pressurised air from a pressurised air source (not shown).

(15) A plurality of vents 20 (not shown in FIG. 1A) are provided on a bottom face 7 of the devices (not shown in FIG. 1A) that allow air to be directed towards the surface to be dried.

(16) FIG. 1B shows a single device 100 connected to a length of ducting 3. The inlet/outlet 1 is shown provided on central finger 10c, 10d. The inlet/outlet 1 has a cap 4 which serves to close the inlet/outlet when not connected to another device, therefore preventing flow of air through that particular inlet/outlet.

(17) Devices are typically about 600 mm (wide)500 mm (long)150 mm (high). In this embodiment, devices 100 can be stacked and arranged in multiple layers, 22 on a standard pallet for storage and transportation. The upper face 5 of the device 100 has chamfered edges so as to allow the devices 100 to be stacked one atop another so that the feet fit about the chamfered edges.

(18) The vents 20 (shown in FIG. 3) are less than 20 mm and ideally less than 10 mm so that pressurised air is forced from the device as jets of air. Vent sizes are variable according to the application and severity of wetness/dampness to be treated, for different devices, systems and uses. For example vent sizes may be variable depending upon saturation. Another reason why vent sizes may be varied is to accommodate different pressures, different surface textures/profiles that require drying and/or different items to be dried. Additionally in some embodiments the vents may be shaped, for example by being tapered or rifled or fitted with a means to direct airflow or cause air to flow in a particular way, so as to accelerate drying.

(19) FIGS. 2A and 2B show side views of a single device connected to ducting 3 as can be seen in FIG. 1B. The feet 6 are arranged at each corner of the device and at a mid-point on each device. This configuration of feet provides strong support for the device to ensure that the bottom face 7, in which vents 20 are formed, remains elevated from the surface even during weight bearing.

(20) FIG. 3 shows an underside view of a single device connected to a length of flexible ducting 3 at one inlet/outlet 1. The further three inlet/outlets, one arranged on each of the other three sides of the device 100 are sealed by caps 4. Therefore pressurised fluid can only escape through the vents 20.

(21) The bottom face 7 of the device 100 includes a plurality of vents 20 that allow air to be released towards the surface to be dried. The vents 20 are regularly spaced across the bottom face 7 of the device 100 in a grid formation.

(22) FIG. 4 shows a top view of the device 100 as shown in FIG. 3. The upper face of the device 5 includes a cross hatched raised and lowered surface for enhanced grip.

(23) FIG. 5 shows a side view of the device as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The device 100 has a foot 6 at each corner of each finger 10.

(24) It may be envisaged that in some embodiments various sized or shaped bodies may be provided so as to accommodate different structures or objects so that they can be used beneath kitchen units and unusually shaped furniture, rooms or enclosures.

(25) The device will now be described briefly in operation and when connected to a source (not shown) of dry and/or heated air.

(26) A device or plurality of devices is laid upon or positioned against a surface wherein the bottom face 7 of the device 100 has vents 20 directed towards the surface to be dried. For example a network of nine devices 200 (as shown in FIG. 1A) may be laid across a floor, with the bottom face 7 against the floor. Each device 100 in the network 200 is connected to an adjacent device by means of an inlet/outlet 1. In this way air within one device is free to pass through the inlet/outlet to another connected device.

(27) At least one inlet 1 arranged on a periphery of the network, and therefore not attached to another device, is connected to a length of ducting 3 which is connected to a pressurised air source (not shown), such as a blower with heating means. In this way when the blower is activated heated air is forced along the ducting 3 from the blower into the device 100 to which the ducting 3 is attached via the inlet 1.

(28) The hollow chamber of the device 100 becomes filled with pressurised, heated air which escapes from the device 100 through vents 20 directed towards the surface to be dried, and through inlets/outlets 1. In this way heated, drying air is released over the area covered by the network 200 through the vents 20.

(29) As the inlets/outlets 1 are larger than the vents 20 air passes more freely to other devices first so that the network 200 becomes pressurised and thereby allowing an even release of forced air through the vents 20 to be generated across the network 200.

(30) The space between the device face interfacing the surface to be dried 7 and the surface itself is determined by size of the feet 6. For example foot height determines elevation of the device from the surface and therefore the area in which the micro-climate is formed.

(31) Air is forced from the vents at the area to be dried causing moisture from the surface to evaporate creating humid air. Continued release of pressurised air from the vents 20 encourages humid air to be forced from the micro-climate beneath the device 100 along the pathways 15 to the surrounding environment.

(32) Ideally a dehumidifier may be included as part of the drying process to extract moisture from the surrounding environment.

(33) The blower may be adjusted in order to alter force of air flow. This in turn alters pressure within the device (s) and force at which air is expelled through the vents 20. In some drying systems when a number of devices are used over a large area a number of pressurised air sources may be provided at different locations across the network.

(34) The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. It is also understood that inlets, when suitably modified, may operate as outlets in dependence upon the direction of flow of air and the intention of a user.

(35) Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, suitable modifications and equivalents are considered to fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto.