System, method and apparatus for drying a shower

An application for a shower drying system that directs air downwardly onto the walls, surfaces and/or shower curtain of a shower enclosure. In one embodiment, the air is heated. The movement of the air in the downward direction helps urge droplets of water on the shower surface towards a drain at the lower level of the shower enclosure. Remaining water on the surfaces is evaporated into water vapor that is exhausted from above the shower enclosure, thereby reducing mold and mildew.

FIELD

This invention relates to the field of bathroom fixtures and more particularly to a system for drying a shower area.

BACKGROUND

Many homes have showers consisting of a shower head that directs water on a person who seeks to wash themselves. Many showers have at least three walls and either a shower door or a shower curtain, preventing water either directly from the shower head or indirectly from the walls or person from wetting areas outside of the shower stall. Even though the primary purpose of the shower head is to apply water to the person's body for wetting before soaping and for rinsing, it is difficult to prevent water from wetting the walls of the shower and, if present, the shower curtain. The water that wets the walls is of concern, in that, in many environments, the water accumulating, especially in corners, causes mold, mildew, fungus, etc. Furthermore, as water on the walls evaporates, it leaves behind any impurities such as iron, calcium, soap residue, etc, as deposits on the walls and, if present, shower curtain. This residue makes the shower look dirty, covering the shine of wall materials such as tile, glass, etc. Furthermore, the residue provides additional resistance to water flow downward towards the shower drain. During subsequent showers, the residue from previous showers leads to additional retention of water on the walls, thereby leading to additional buildup of deposits, until the walls are later cleaned using cleaning fluids that break down the deposits and rinse them away, often requiring the use of a bristle brush to free the deposits from the wall surfaces.

Early attempt for correct this problem and/or warm a person who is within the shower are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,128,161 to Marie Antoinette Hudon and U.S. Pat. No. 6,962,005 to Michael Khosropeur. Both provide warm air directed at the occupant of a shower/shower stall from the shower walls. It is unclear that moving air, even heated air, across a wet object (person) will indeed warm the wet object, but perhaps the air is heated to a very high temperature. As for the cleaning aspects, the heated air will increase the rate of drying of the water which was deposited on the walls of the shower during bathing. This may reduce mold and mildew, but has limited effect on reducing build-up of residue and may even increase the build-up due to faster drying not allowing the water to flow down the walls and out the drain. Excessive humidity caused by the rapid evaporation of the water from the walls of the shower may, lead to mold and mildew buildup in other locations in the bathroom and/or house.

What is needed is a system that will dry a shower area, reducing accumulations on the shower walls, floor and/or shower curtain while reducing humidity increases to other areas of the, for example, home.

SUMMARY

A shower drying system directs air downwardly onto the walls, surfaces and shower curtain of a shower enclosure. In one embodiment, the air is heated. The movement of the air in the downward direction helps urge droplets of water on the shower surface towards a drain at the lower level of the shower enclosure. Remaining water on the surfaces is evaporated into water vapor that is exhausted from above the shower enclosure, thereby reducing mold and mildew.

In one embodiment, a shower area drying system is disclosed including a first blower and a second blower. The first blower forces air downward into the shower enclosure from a ceiling above through an aiming device (e.g. louvers or nozzles) and onto surfaces of the shower enclosure, pushing water downwardly along the surfaces of the shower enclosure. The air also creates water vapor from evaporation of some of the water. The second blower exhausts the air and the water vapor from an area above the shower enclosure.

In another embodiment, a method of drying a shower is disclosed including providing a shower drying system comprising a first blower and a second blower. The first blower forces air downward into a shower enclosure from a ceiling above through a device for aiming the air onto surfaces of the shower enclosure (e.g. louvers or nozzles). The air pushes water downwardly along the surfaces of the shower enclosure and also creates water vapor from some of the water evaporating. The second blower exhausts the air and the water vapor from an area above the shower enclosure. The method includes starting the first blower and the second blower then measuring a humidity of the air mixed with the water vapor, stopping the first blower and stopping the second blower when the humidity is at a certain level.

In another embodiment, a shower drier is disclosed including a first blower and a second blower. The first blower receives air from a location external to the shower enclosure and forces the air through a heating element, through input ducting and through a device for aiming (e.g. louver or nozzle). The air is directed downward onto walls of the shower enclosure, pushing water downward along the walls and also evaporating some of the water into water vapor. The second blower exhausts the air mixed with the water vapor from the shower enclosure through a vent and through exhaust pipes to an outside area. The vent situated above the shower enclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG. 1, a perspective view of a system of the prior art is shown. A typical shower enclosure10is shown with a drying system20of the prior art. In general, a valve16is operated to control the flow of water from the shower head14in the direction of a person (not shown) who desires to become cleaner. Ideally, a stream of water flows from the shower head14, soaking the person, and then exiting the shower enclosure10through a drain18in the floor area. In reality, the water is often, at least partially, directed at one of the walls12of the shower enclosure10. Additionally, the water often reflects off of the person and onto the walls12, carrying with it mineral and soap that is dissolved in the water.

The drying system20of the prior art blows heated air during cleaning (to “warm” the person) and after the person leaves the shower enclosure10. Since the warm air is directed towards the central local of the shower enclosure10, air flow reaching distal sides of the shower enclosure10is minimal and results in a gradual drying of the walls12by evaporation. The evaporated water, instead of going down the drain18, enters the air around the shower enclosure10as humidity and, potentially, creates a mold and mildew issue in other parts of the containing structure (e.g. home).

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 2A, a perspective view of a system a shower drying system is shown. A typical shower enclosure40is shown with a drying system41is shown. In general, a valve16is operated to control the flow of water from the shower head14in the direction of a person (not shown) who desires to become cleaner. Ideally, a stream of water flows from the shower head14, soaking the person, and then exiting the shower enclosure10through a drain18in the floor area. In reality, the water is often, at least partially, directed at one of the walls12of the shower enclosure10. Additionally, the water often reflects off of the person and onto the walls12, carrying with it mineral and soap that is dissolved in the water.

The drying system41blows heated air during cleaning, preferably after the person leaves the shower enclosure40, from an input ducting system52through adjustable louvers42. The louvers42direct warm air downwardly, pushing water droplets13(seeFIGS. 3 and 4) in a generally downward direction towards the drain. The result is an improved drying of the walls12by both channeling the water into the drain18and through evaporation. Some of the water, instead of going down the drain18, evaporates and enters the air around the shower enclosure10as humidity. The humid air is evacuated from the central area of the shower enclosure40through a grill44and exhaust plumbing54.

The exhaust grill44is located in a place where it will receive the most humid air rising from the shower enclosure40. Likewise, the louvers42are located where air or heated air from the louvers42is effectively directed onto at least one wall12of the shower enclosure (or the shower curtain) to channel water from the walls12to the drain18. Any number of louvers42and exhaust grills44are anticipated, including one louver42and one exhaust grill44. In embodiments having exactly one louver42and one exhaust grill44, it is preferred that the louver42be positioned for aiming air at the wall12that receives the most deflected water (e.g., the water that is likely to contain dissolved soap, dirt, dander, etc. from the person using the shower). This is sometimes the wall in which the shower head14is located.

In some embodiments, the louvers42and/or exhaust grills44are mounted in a ceiling of the shower enclosure40, as shown inFIG. 2. It is anticipated that the louvers42and/or exhaust grills44are either integrated into the ceiling of the shower enclosure40when the shower enclosure40is manufactured or added later by the shower installer or, even after the shower is installed, for example by a home owner.

In some embodiments, the louvers42and/or exhaust grills44are mounted in a ceiling59of the bathroom above the shower enclosure40, as shown inFIG. 2A. It is anticipated that the louvers42and/or exhaust grills44are installed into the ceiling59above the shower enclosure40when the bathroom is constructed or added later, for example by a home owner.

It is anticipated that the drying system41is controlled in any way known, including a simple on/off control switch (not shown), variable speed controls, push buttons for start/stop, separate controls for each blowers, etc. as known in the industry. In some embodiments, a humidity sensor62is integrated into the exhaust plumbing54. The humidity sensor62measures the amount of humidity in the exhausted air. In some embodiments, the blowers56/58and/or heaters60(seeFIGS. 3 and 4) of the drying system41are started and operate until the humidity sensor62measures a specific level of humidity or a specific decrease in humidity. In some embodiments, there is a minimum running time to allow for evaporation to begin. For example, the blowers56/58and/or heaters60(seeFIGS. 3 and 4) of the drying system41operate until the humidity sensor62measures humidity less than 50%. As another example, the blowers56/58and/or heaters60(seeFIGS. 3 and 4) of the drying system41start, the humidity sensor62measures the humidity a few seconds after starting and the blowers56/58and/or heaters60operate until the humidity sensor62measures a decrease in humidity of 8%.

In another embodiment, a room humidity sensor64measures the humidity outside of the shower enclosure40in, for example, the bathroom. In this, the blowers56/58and/or heaters60(seeFIGS. 3 and 4) of the drying system41run until a humidity that is within a specific range of the humidity measured by the outside sensor64is measured by the humidity sensor62. In this embodiment, the drying system41is started, then operated until the humidity within or about the shower enclosure40approaches the humidity outside of the shower enclosure40. This accommodates operation in a building that is not climate controlled, in which it is possible that the normal humidity level becomes very high at times. Humidity sensors62/64are well known in the industry. There are many ways to control the operation of the shower drying system41, these being examples of such.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 4, cross sectional views of a system a shower drying system are shown. For brevity, the shower head14and valve16are not shown. Although shown in a closed loop, fully enclosed shower enclosure40, an equivalent system is anticipated for mounting in a ceiling59above an open-top shower enclosure as inFIG. 2A.

The shower drying system41blows air or heated air downwardly over the shower walls12, urging the water droplets13towards the drain18. It is anticipated that, as air flows downwardly, the upper water droplets13will move downward and meet lower droplets, becoming heavier and eventually migrating downward to meet even more droplets13, until reaching the floor of the shower stall40and eventually the drain18. It is anticipated that some droplets13or moisture on the walls will not flow down the walls12, but that moisture or droplets13will dry faster due to the air flow and/or heated air flow.

In bothFIGS. 3 and 4, a first fan or blower58blows outside air onto the walls. In preferred embodiments, the air is heated by heating elements60(as known in the industry) before reaching the walls12. Although it is preferred that the air be heated downstream of the first fan58, it is also anticipated that the heating element60is located upstream of the first fan58, although it is preferred to have the heating element60as close to the louvers42and/or nozzles72as possible. Furthermore, it is anticipated that in some embodiments, the first fan58and/or heater60is part of a home forced air heating system.

In bothFIGS. 3 and 4, a second fan or blower56blows humid air from the shower enclosure to an exhaust vent (not shown), preferably outside of the building which houses the shower stall40. The first fan58forces air (or heated air from the heating element60) through either louvers42(FIG. 3) or nozzles72(FIG. 4) over the walls12. The air, now laden with humidity from evaporating water droplets, then circulates upwardly though the center core area of the shower enclosure40and is drawn out through the exhaust grill44by the second fan/blower56. In embodiments in which the operation is automated by humidity sensors62/64, an exhaust humidity sensor62is interfaced to the exhaust plumbing54for detecting the humidity of the exiting air flow and, optionally, a room humidity sensor64is mounted outside of the shower stall40, for example on an outside surface of the shower stall wall12or on another wall of the, for example, bathroom.

There are many ways to aim/direct the forced air coming from the first fan/blower58onto the shower walls12.FIG. 3shows a first example of aiming/directing the forced air coming from the first fan/blower58onto the shower walls12. In this, the air is directed by blades43of the louver42as known in the air conditioning industry. It is anticipated that the blades43are adjustable at various angles, either together or independently, providing for directing the air over the desired area of the shower stall40(or shower curtain, etc).FIG. 4shows a second example of aiming/directing the forced air coming from the first fan/blower58onto the shower walls12. In this, the air is directed by nozzles72. In some embodiments, the nozzles are fixed in position while in other embodiments, the nozzles rotate or swivel on the nozzle base71, providing for aiming and directing the air over the desired area of the shower stall40(or shower curtain, etc). In some embodiments, the rate of flow through each of the nozzles72is controlled by a valve or baffle70. In this, each nozzle72is provided with a different percentage of the forced air from the first fan/blower58. The adjustable nozzles72are useful when there are restrictions on locating of the shower drying system41in the ceiling59, making some nozzles72closer to the walls12and some nozzles72further away from the walls72.

Referring toFIG. 5, a plan view of a typical, integrated shower drying system49is shown. The air (preferably heated by heating elements60) is directed at the walls of the shower enclosure10by the louvers42or in some embodiments by nozzles72(not shown). Humid air from within the shower enclosure10is evacuated out the exhaust vent44. Although it is anticipated that the humidity sensor62is mounted at any location in the exhaust pipes54, in this example, the humidity sensor62is mounted just above the exhaust vent62. In this embodiment, optional lighting47is shown, for example, four sets of LED lights47or any known light emitting devices.