Patent Abstract:
The invention described herein includes a dryer device comprising: a flexible main body comprising one or more flexible sheets, wherein the main body defines a plurality of slits; and a static eliminating patch portion of the main body.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/521,202, filed Mar. 10, 2004, which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a dryer device for use with a clothes dryer. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0003]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the dryer device. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The dryer device of the invention described herein at  10  in  FIG. 1 , reduces time for clothing drying in a dryer, saves energy, reduces wear and tear on clothing and fabric, reduces static cling, is reusable and is capable of being recycled. The dryer device is also environmentally friendly.  
         [0005]     For one embodiment, the dryer device, illustrated at  10  in  FIG. 1 , includes a flexible main body  12  with slits  14  and a moisture patch  16 . In one embodiment, the flexible main body includes multi-fabric layering for absorbency and static elimination. The slits  14  in the main body allow for the flow of heat and air from a clothes dryer. For one embodiment, the dryer device  10  has a size of about 18 inches by 28 inches. For some embodiments, the dryer device  10  is about one inch thick. While a rectangular shape is shown, it is understood that the dryer device  10  may have a round shape, triangular shape, or any other conventional shape.  
         [0006]     For some embodiments, the moisture patch  16  includes a mesh covering  18  that covers a chamber  20  defined by the main body  12 . For some embodiments, the chamber  20  includes foam for retaining water, and, for some embodiments, other anti-cling materials. The chamber  20  and mesh covering  18  of the moisture patch  16  encloses and retains water. For some embodiments, the moisture patch  16  additionally retains fragrance. For some embodiments, the moisture patch  16  retains a material inhibiting static cling. The moisture patch  16  allows a natural fragrance spray option and helps to further reduce static by staying moist.  
         [0007]     The dryer device  10  may be safely used repetitively. For some embodiments, the dryer device may be reused for up to about 300 loads of laundry. When the need for the use of the dryer device  10  is no longer desired it may be placed in storage or simply placed in a pocket or handbag. The dryer device  10  does not employ any aerosols, vapors or chemicals of any kind.  
         [0008]     The dryer device  10  lowers energy costs by reducing drying time and saves wear and tear of clothing and fabrics. The dryer device also conserves energy by reducing drying time. The dryer device eliminates a need for chemical static cling reducers although the reducers are usable for some embodiments.  
         [0009]     In operation, the dryer device is added to a load of clothing in a clothes dryer. When the dryer is operated, the dryer device  10  absorbs moisture from clothing in the dryer and releases the moisture through the drying slits  14 . Once the clothing dries in the dryer, the moisture patch  16  releases water, and for some embodiments, fragrance, to prevent static cling in the dried clothing. Thus, the dryer device acts as both a drying agent and an anti-cling agent without releasing chemicals other than water and, optionally, fragrance into the clothing in the dryer.  
         [0010]     While the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is manifest that many changes may be made in the details of the construction without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments sent forth herein for purpose of exemplification, but is to be limited only by the scope of the attached claim or claims, including the full range of equivalency to which each element thereof is entitled.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3