Patent Publication Number: US-2019186833-A1

Title: Forced air apparatus

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present application relates generally to a forced air apparatus for removing moisture, more specifically it relates to a forced air apparatus for removing moisture, adding decontaminating scents and increasing temperature. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This section provides background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the invention. It should be understood that the statements in this section of this document are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. 
     Sports bags and gym bags often end up with a smell to them due to the sweaty or wet clothing and items that are stored in them on a regular basis. Clothing and other items stored in these bags may not dry fully between uses and as a result may end up with an odor or bacterial growth. This may require washing of the clothing and other items, as well as the bag, on a regular basis to control odor and bacterial growth. Washing of the bag may be difficult depending upon the material the bag is made from and the type of hardware on the bag. Having a way to dry the contents of the bag and treat for odor and bacterial growth without requiring removal of the contents from the bag would be beneficial. 
     In areas with cold or wet weather conditions, it is common to end up with wet footwear, gloves and clothing. In addition to taking time to dry, it is common for the drying and dried footwear, gloves and clothing to give off an odor. The ability to quickly and efficiently dry these items could result in less odor and bacterial growth inside the footwear. 
     Natural disasters such as tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes and tornados can have devastating effects on the people who live through them. Disaster relief efforts often include finding appropriate shelters to keep people warm and dry in an attempt to alleviate some of the hardships that are faced following these disasters. Having a system that can create a warm and dry environment could be beneficial. This same type of system could be enjoyed by outdoor enthusiasts who utilize tents. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     There is provided a forced air apparatus. The forced air apparatus has an air blower, an air conduit and a diffusion body. The air blower has an air intake, an air outlet and a blower motor. An air conduit is provided that has a first end and a second end with the first end being connectable to the air outlet of the air blower. The diffusion body has an air conduit connection and at least one air outlet. The air conduit connection allows for removable connection of the second end of the air conduit to the diffusion body such that air flows from the air blower to the diffusion body. The at least one air outlet allows air to flow out of the diffusion body. 
     In one embodiment, the air blower has a treatment compartment for holding a material to treat the air flowing through the air blower. Material to treat the air may be used for odor control, odor elimination or bacteria elimination. 
     In one embodiment, the air blower has a timer for managing the amount of time the blower motor is running. The timer may automatically shut off the blower motor after a predetermined amount of time or may elicit an audible signal to inform the user of the predetermined amount of time. 
     In one embodiment, the air blower has a pressure channel to direct air to travel from the blower motor to the treatment compartment prior to the air flowing through the air outlet. 
     In one embodiment, the blower motor is electric and requires a power source. In one embodiment, the power source is a rechargeable battery. In another embodiment, the power source is AC power. 
     In one embodiment, the air blower heats the air as it passes from the air intake to the air outlet. 
     In one embodiment, the diffusion body is a diffusion mat. The diffusion mat has a first surface, a second surface, a plurality of air outlets and an air conduit connection. The plurality of air outlets allows air flow between the first surface and the second surface such that air flows from the air conduit to the second surface of the diffusion mat. 
     In another embodiment, the diffusion body is a diffusion hanger. The diffusion hanger is shaped like a clothing hanger and has a plurality of air outlets. The diffusion mat may be used within bags or suitcases or may also be useful as a bed warmer or drying mat. 
     In one embodiment, the air conduit used in association with the diffusion hanger is rigid and has a plurality of air outlets to allow air to flow out of the air conduit to act upon material draped over the diffusion hanger. 
     In another embodiment, the diffusion body is a diffusion ball with a plurality of air outlets. The diffusion balls may be useful for the drying of shoes, socks, gloves and other items into which the diffusion balls may fit. 
     In one embodiment, at least one diffusion ball is supported by a rigid air conduit on a hollow base. The hollow base has an air conduit connection for connecting the air conduit to the hollow base. 
     In another embodiment, the diffusion body is shaped such that it correlates to an interior surface of a sports helmet. This shape of diffusion body may be used with sports helmets and other headgear. 
     In one embodiment, the air conduit used in association with the diffusion body shaped to correlate to an interior surface of a sports helmet is rigid to provide support to the diffusion body. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features will become more apparent from the following description in which references are made to the following drawings, in which numerical references denote like parts. The drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to in any way limit the scope of the invention to the particular embodiments shown. 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevation view, in section, of the air blower. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the forced air apparatus with a diffusion mat. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the forced air apparatus with a diffusion hanger. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the forced air apparatus with diffusion balls. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the forced air apparatus with a diffusion body shaped to correlate to an interior surface of a sports helmet. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A forced air apparatus, generally identified by reference numeral  10 , will now be described with reference to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 5 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2  through  FIG. 5 , a forced air apparatus  10  has an air blower  12 , an air conduit  14  and a diffusion body  16 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , air blower  12  has an air intake  18 , an air outlet  20  and a blower motor  22 . Referring to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 5 , air conduit  14  has a first end  24  that is removable connectable to air outlet  20  of air blower  12  and has a second end  26  that is removable connectable to diffusion body  16 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , air blower  12  has an outer housing  36  which is preferably made of molded plastic. Molded plastic helps to keep air blower  12  from becoming hot to the touch, which may be useful in the prevention of fire due to overheating. It will be understood that outer housing  36  may be made of other suitable materials. Air blower  12  may be hung from a wall through the use of brackets around outer housing  36  or by using a hook, nail, screw or other hanging implement to hang air blower  12  using hanging aperture  40 , shown in  FIG. 2 . It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that other methods of hanging air blower  12  are possible. Air outlet  20  has a quick connect  41  to allow for quick connection and disconnection of first end  24  of air conduit  14 . A suction fan  42  is positioned within outer housing  36  and runs at approximately 28000 to 35000 rpms to pull air into air blower  12  through air intake  18 . Suction fan  42  is operated by blower motor  22 . Air channels  44  on the sides of blower motor  22  allow for the dissipation of excess heat. Blower motor  22  may be an electric motor that is connected to a power source with power cord  45 . It will be understood that different power sources may be used such as batteries, solar power or any other suitable power source known in the art. 
     Air blower  12  has a treatment compartment  38  positioned near air intake  18 . Treatment compartment  38  holds a material that treats the air flowing through air blower  12 . Material that treats the air may include, but is not limited to, essential oils, deodorizers, antibacterial agents or any other suitable treatment. The materials that treat the air may be placed on a fabric pad, such as cotton or other suitable material. Using a fabric pad can make it easier to change out the material and can make clean up more simple Treatment compartment  38  has a cap  46  to allow for easy removal or replacement of treated material. A pressure channel  48  connects air channels  44  to treatment compartment  38  to direct air to travel from blower motor  12  to treatment compartment  38  prior to air flowing through air outlet  20 . 
     Air blower  12  has a timer  50  for managing the amount of time blower motor  22  is running. Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a timer dial  52  is used to set the amount of time timer  50  will run for. Referring to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 5 , timer  50  may be electronic. Referring to  FIG. 1 , timer  50  may be set up such that blower motor  22  is on while timer is active and is automatically turned off after a predetermined amount of time. This allows a user to turn on blower motor  22  for a set amount of time without requiring the user to remember to turn off blower motor  22 . Air blower  12  may heat the air as it passes from air intake  18  to air outlet  20 . Referring to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 5 , a temperature regulator  51  may be provided to allow a user to choose a predetermined temperature for heat. This heated and treated air may be used to dry, deodorize and remove bacteria from clothing and other items. Referring to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 5 , air blower  12  may have a handle  53  for easier transport. It will be understood that handle may be able to pivot in relation to air blower  12  or may be stationary. 
     Forced air apparatus  10  may be used for a number of different purposes. Forced air apparatus may be used for heating, drying or deodorizing rooms, buildings, tents and portable shelters. In these cases, diffusion body may be the rooms, buildings, tents or portable shelters and outlets may be windows, doors, vents or other outlets that allow for the egress of air. Forced air apparatus  10  may also be used for heating, drying or deodorizing clothing, sports equipment and other items. The type of diffusion body used is dependent upon the purpose of the user. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that the diffusion bodies  16  described below may be used for purposes other than those specifically described and that other styles of diffusion bodies  16  may be used. Forced air apparatus  10  may also have usb ports  55  to allow for use with electronics. This allows forced air apparatus  10  to provide additional benefits when turned on. Emergency LED lights, not shown, may also be provided for additional benefit of the user. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , in the embodiment shown, diffusion body  16  is a diffusion mat  27 . Diffusion mat  27  has a first surface  28 , a second surface  30 , a plurality of air outlets  32  and an air conduit connection  34  positioned on first surface  28 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , first surface  28  is the top surface and the second surface  30  is the bottom surface. It will be understood that first surface  28  may be the bottom surface and second surface  30  may be the top surface. The plurality of air outlets  32  allow air to flow between first surface  28  and second surface  30 . Air conduit connection  34  allows for removable connection of second end  26  of air conduit  14 . Air flowing from air blower  12  travels through air conduit  14  and air conduit connection  34  to beneath second surface  30  of diffusion mat  27 . Air then travels from second surface  30  to first surface  28  through the plurality of air outlets  32 . In the embodiment shown, air conduit  14  is flexible. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that air conduit may be flexible or rigid. 
     Diffusion mat  27  may be placed in the bottom of a bag, such as a sports bag, or opposite the zipper side of the bag such that second surface  30  contacts the bag. It will be understood that diffusion mat  27  may be placed on top of clothing or other items or may be placed in any other suitable orientation that promotes air flow within the bag. When second surface  30  contacts the bottom of the bag, first surface  28  may have clothing or other items resting on it. Air conduit connection  34  is orientated away from second surface  30 . Diffusion mat  27  may remain in the bag indefinitely or may be removed as needed for washing. Diffusion mat  27  may also be replaced in the event of damage. Second end  26  of air conduit  14  is removable connectable to air conduit connection  34 . The length of air conduit  14  may vary depending upon the distance between air blower  12  and diffusion mat  27 . Diffusion mat  27  is shown as being rectangular in shape, however it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that diffusion mat  27  may be any shape. Diffusion mat  27  is used to diffuse air flow throughout the bag in which it is placed. Diffusion mat  27  may be incorporated into a bag at the time of bag manufacturing. Diffusion mat  27  may also be used for other purposes such as bed warmers and drying mats. Diffusion mat  27  may also be used in conjunction with treated materials such as cinnamon and other materials known in the art that act to exterminate bed bugs and other bugs from a bed or surface. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that diffusion mat may also be used for other purposes. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , in the embodiment shown, diffusion body  16  is a diffusion hanger  64 . Diffusion hanger  64  is shaped like a clothing hanger and has a plurality of outlets  66  through which air may pass out of diffusion hanger  64 . Diffusion hanger  64  may have an air conduit connection  34  that allows for removable connection of second end  26  of air conduit  14  from diffusion hanger. Air flowing from air blower  12  travels through air conduit  14  and air conduit connection  34  to diffusion hanger  64  where it is diffused through outlets  66 . In the embodiment shown, air conduit  14  is rigid and provides support for diffusion hanger  64 . A plurality of air outlets  68  allow air to flow from air conduit  14  to act upon material draped over diffusion hanger  64 . Jerseys, protective sports gear, shirts, sweaters and other clothing like materials may be dried, heated or deodorized using the diffusion hanger from the inside out. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , in the embodiment shown, diffusion body  16  is a diffusion ball  56 . In the embodiment shown, four diffusion balls  56  are supported by rigid air conduits  58  on a hollow base  60 . Hollow base  60  has an air conduit connection  62  for connecting air conduit  14 , shown in  FIG. 2 , to hollow base  60 . Air travels from air blower  12 , through air conduit  14 , shown in  FIG. 2 , into hollow base  60 . From hollow base  60 , air travels through rigid air conduits  58  and into diffusion balls  56 . Diffusion balls  56  have a plurality of air outlets  63  through which the air may pass out of diffusion balls  56 . Diffusion balls  56  may be placed inside shoes, socks, gloves, sleeves of clothing, bags or any other suitable location to provide air for drying, heating or deodorizing as preferred. It will be understood that hollow base  60  is not required for use of a diffusion ball  56 . Diffusion ball  56  may be attached to air conduit  14  in a similar manner as diffusion mat  27  and a flexible air conduit  14  may also be used. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , in the embodiment shown, diffusion body  16  is shaped such that it correlates to an interior surface of a sports helmet. A sports helmet, ball cap or other headgear may be placed on diffusion body  16 . An air conduit connection  34 , not shown, allows for removable connection of second end  26  of air conduit  14 . Air flowing from air blower  12  travels through air conduit  14  and air conduit connection  34  to diffusion body  16  where air is diffused through a plurality of air outlets  32 . Air conduit  14  is preferably rigid to provide support to diffusion body  16 . 
     Any use herein of any terms describing an interaction between elements is not meant to limit the interaction to direct interaction between the subject elements, and may also include indirect interaction between the elements such as through secondary or intermediary structure unless specifically stated otherwise. 
     In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements. 
     It will be apparent that changes may be made to the illustrative embodiments, while falling within the scope of the invention. As such, the scope of the following claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples and drawings described above, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.