Patent Abstract:
A storage and drying container for storing and drying outerwear, sports clothing or equipment is provided. The unit comprises an enclosure having a back wall, a front wall, a top wall, and two side walls defining the internal storage portion of the container. The container may also include shelf members for supporting the outerwear, sports clothing or equipment. The shelf members may optionally include holes for allowing for air circulation throughout the container in order to facilitate the drying of the outerwear, sports clothing or equipment placed in the chamber. Further the design of the drying container is such that sports equipment may remain in a bag, such as a hockey bag, thereby allowing for easy storage and drying prior to the next use. The container may be provided with a heating element and drying fan to encourage airflow to facilitate drying and temperature uniformity throughout the container.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/341,741, filed, May 26, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     INTRODUCTION 
       [0002]    Lockers for storing athletic equipment are well-known in the art. Sports equipment is generally composed of fabric and plastic components which are not machine washable. When the equipment becomes wet from perspiration, the equipment must be dried in order to reduce or eliminate the growth of mildew and bacteria. In addition, the wet equipment can also be malodorous. Thus, many types of drying stands and racks have been proposed in the past for the sports equipment to be hung on to permit it to dry. However, these drying racks are classical for in-home use. Thus, using the drying rack requires that equipment must be brought into bedrooms or closets, where the malodorous sports equipment must be stored in the living space while drying. 
         [0003]    In addition to drying racks, specialized lockers have been proposed for the purpose of containing such sports clothing and equipment, as set out in the following examples. One version of a locker is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,524. However, while this design is an improvement over prior sports lockers due to its open air design, it is still largely unsuitable for locations of a house lacking in sufficient air circulation. Since the shelves of this locker are of a solid construction, they block any air flow up or down through the locker. Wet clothing and/or sports equipment placed inside the locker will still remain moist for quite some time before the moisture evaporates and the contents dry. Thus bacterial and mold formation and the resulting foul odors are still a problem with designs of this type. 
         [0004]    There have been prior attempts to create an air flow in lockers or to remove foul odors from lockers. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,997, there is disclosed an apparel equipment locker incorporating contamination and toxic materials extraction and evacuation system. However, lockers of this type require complicated ducting and venting paths to be built into the building and connected to the locker and are difficult and expensive to install. Moreover, the lockers are designed to be hermetically sealed so that inside air can be actively sucked out and passively replaced with outside air through separate pipes. 
         [0005]    As another example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,889,449 discloses a sanitizing cabinet for sports equipment. This design incorporates a system of fans for circulating ozone containing gas inside a closed cabinet. These cabinets are also intended to be hermetically sealed to prevent ozone from seeping from inside the cabinet into the room. Moreover, sanitizing cabinets of this sort are intended to be used on a commercial basis for sanitizing sports equipment and are not suitable for home use, such as storing sports clothing and equipment in a bedroom or walk-in closet. 
         [0006]    It is also known in the art, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,369,892, that one may use self-contained dryers for accommodating sports equipment. The dryers have walls which cause heated air to circulate in the drying chambers to decrease the moisture content of the air and increase the drying energy efficiency. Blowers and fans associated with electric heaters operate to circulate heated air through the drying chambers. However, such drying cabinets are similarly not intended to store and dry sports clothing and equipment in their bedroom. Further, this type of self-contained dryer is not manufactured in a manner that will allow for drying in cold temperatures. 
         [0007]    It is also known that, for example in US 2008/0252189, that storage units such as lockers and, more particularly, to lockers for storing outerwear, sports clothing, equipment and accessories. This storage unit prevents moisture associated with recently worn outerwear, sports clothing and sports equipment from encouraging the growth of bacteria and mold which tend to generate foul odors. The device encourages rapid drying of sweat and other moisture. However, this unit requires that the storage unit be in a location with an ambient temperature similar to the inside of a home. Thus, this storage locker cannot function in a garage, unheated storage facility or outdoors. Thus, this type of self-contained dryer is not manufactured in a manner that will allow for drying in cold temperatures because the heating element does not include both radiant and conductive heat. 
         [0008]    A problem with such prior inventions is that they are generally not designed to provide a low level heat within an enclosed area to allow for equipment to dry over the period of 4-12 hours. Furthermore, there is no container described in the prior art that is able to be used in unheated rooms and storage spaces under cold weather conditions. 
       Heated Storage Rack 
       [0009]    A storage and drying container for storing and drying outerwear, sports clothing or equipment is provided. The unit comprises an enclosure having a back wall, a front wall, a top wall, and two side walls defining the internal storage portion of the container. The container may also include shelf members for supporting the outerwear, sports clothing or equipment. The shelf members may optionally include holes for allowing for air circulation throughout the container in order to facilitate the drying of the outerwear, sports clothing or equipment placed in the chamber. Further the design of the drying container is such that sports equipment may remain in a bag, such as a hockey bag, thereby allowing for easy storage and drying prior to the next use. The container may be provided with a heating element and drying fan to encourage airflow to facilitate drying and temperature uniformity throughout the container. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a top front perspective view of a first embodiment of the drying container. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a top front perspective view of  FIG. 1  where the cover is removed. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of  FIG. 1  where the cover is removed. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a bottom front perspective view of  FIG. 1  where the cover is removed. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of  FIG. 1  where the cover is removed. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of  FIG. 1 . where the cover is removed with an exploded view of the top vertical panel. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a top front perspective view of a second embodiment of the drying container. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a top front perspective view of  FIG. 7  where the cover is removed. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a bottom front perspective view of  FIG. 7  where the cover is removed. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a top plan view of  FIG. 7  where the cover is removed. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a top front perspective view of a third embodiment of the drying container where the cover is removed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein the storage container  10 , generally comprises a frame  15 ; at least one panel  30 , thereby forming a shelf; a heating element  40 ; and a cover  50  sized, to fit over the frame thereby forming an internal compartment. 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7 , cover  50  forms a back wall (not shown), a front wall  11 , a top wall  12 , and two side walls  13 . The back, front  11 , top  12 , and side walls  13  define an internal compartment. According to at least one example embodiment, the storage container  10  is configured to be sized and shaped to ensure that the internal compartment is large enough to hold objects such as, outerwear, sports clothing and equipment stored within a athletic bag, such as a hockey bag. 
         [0023]    Referring in particular to  FIGS. 1 and 7  which depict two embodiments of the storage container  10 . As shown, cover  50  covers a substantial portion of the vertical and top portion of frame  15 . In this manner, cover  50  can be easily placed over frame  15  for use. 
         [0024]    Cover  50  can be made from non-woven polyester, woven polyester and cotton/polyester blends. Woven fabric is more durable than non-woven fabric, although both woven and non-woven fabric is within the scope of the invention. Woven fabric can be made from polyester, polyester/cotton mix or even 100% cotton. Although not wanting to be bound by any particular theory woven fabrics are more durable, than non-woven fabric. One additional benefit of a woven fabric is that it&#39;s typically washable. 
         [0025]    Cover  50  may also include a binding material  55  where the fabric used to finish the edges of cover  50 . Binding can be made from woven or non-woven fabric as well. Binding prevents the edges of cover  50  from fraying, thus increasing the life expectancy. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2-6 , where storage container  10  is configured with three horizontal panels  30  and three vertical panels  32  connected to frame  15 . In at least this example embodiment, frame  15  may be made of plastic or metal tubing. In at least this example embodiment frame  15  may easily assembled and disassembled. The frame  15  is structured in a manner to allow horizontal panels  30  to form a shelf. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2-11 , where frame  15  is made up of a plurality of vertical frame segments  16  and horizontal frame segments  17  joined at frame junction  19 . Each of the connections between frame segments may be assembled by mechanical means, such as bolts, screws or fasteners. Alternatively, frame segments may also be mechanically or chemically coupled. In addition segments  16 ,  17  can be connected by friction fit joints. It should be appreciated that each of the segments will form the general shape and size of the storage container  10 . To that end, as best shown in  FIG. 4 , horizontal frame segments  17  provide structural support to the bottom of frame  15 , but would not be covered by cover  50 , when in use. Alternatively, referring now to  FIG. 9 , where the bottom of frame  15  is configured with horizontal frame segments  17 , but this portion of frame  15  would be covered in use. In other related embodiments, frame  15  is adjustable so that the vertical and horizontal dimensions may be increased or decreased to adjust the overall size of the storage container  10 . 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7-10  where frame  15  is integrally related to mounts. In at least this example embodiment, the storage container  10  can be attached to a wall. One of ordinary skill in the art would be able to determine the size and number of mounts to adequately attach storage container  10  to a wall. 
         [0029]    In some examples embodiments frame  15  is constructed to support drying fan  70 . Furthermore, it is also contemplated that the drying fan may be coupled to a circulation chamber  75 . One of ordinary skill in the art would readily understand that the drying fan  70  may be placed in various positions within the internal compartments of storage container  10 . It will be understood that according to at least this embodiment, the drying fan will need to be adapted to attach to frame  15 . 
         [0030]    Drying fan  70  is sized, shaped and positioned within the storage container  10  to help move air through the circulation chamber  75  and in particular, to encourage airflow throughout the internal compartment, such that the temperature outside of the sporting equipment bags would be substantially uniform and the locker uniform temp would be less than the air temperature in the bag. Circulation chamber  75  coupled to the intake side of drying fan  70 . Circulation chamber provides a means to facilitate air circulation throughout storage container  10 . In at least one example embodiment at least one circulation chamber comprises a vertical orientation within the internal compartment of storage container  10 . 
         [0031]    In related embodiments the airflow through circulation chamber moves from the bottom to the top of storage container. In an alternative embodiment, the drying fan  70  would be positioned near the bottom of the storage container  10 . In at least this example embodiment, the airflow would circulate from the top of the circulation chamber  75  to the bottom, where the circulation chamber is again coupled to the drying fan  70 . In at least each of these described embodiments, the circulation chamber will have more holes the further the distance from the drying fan  70  connection to force air intake along the circulation chamber to occur through all vertical sections of the storage container  10 . 
         [0032]    In other alternative embodiments circulation chamber  70  comprise a horizontal orientation coupled to a drying fan adjacent the right side of the storage container  10 . In these example embodiments the airflow through circulation chamber moves from the left side to the right side of storage container. In an alternative embodiment, the drying fan  70  would be positioned near the left side of storage container  10 . In at least this example embodiment, the airflow would circulate from the right side of the circulation chamber  75  to the left side. In at least each of these described embodiments, the circulation chamber will have more holes the further the distance from the drying fan  70  connection to force air intake along the circulation chamber to occur through all horizontal sections of the storage container  10 . In other related embodiments, circulation chamber  70  includes a filtration system to reduce the odors from used sporting equipment. While not wanting to be bounds by a particular method of filtration, one example filtration system is a charcoal filtration system. 
         [0033]    One of ordinary skill in the art would readily understand that the internal compartment and the inside temperature of the bag would achieve equilibrium after an extended period of time. Most preferably the drying fan  70  should have a small profile in the internal compartment, to avoid limiting usable space within storage container  10 . However, it should be appreciated that the drying fan  70  should provide sufficient movement of air within the internal compartment for the purpose of drying the contents placed therein. 
         [0034]    It should be appreciated that they specific type of drying fan  70  will varying dramatically on the amount of airflow and energy consumption desired. For example, drying fan  70  may include a mechanism that uses a centrifugal fan system, similar to a fan used to ventilate bathrooms. In this manner a centrifugal system may measure at 50 CFM, while a circular fan may measure at 100 CFM. Thus, the desired ventilation and airflow will be readily determined by one of ordinary skill in the art in combination with the disclosure herein. 
         [0035]    While some embodiments of the drying fan  70  are described as have a single fan, multiple fans may be used for storage container  10  embodiments with larger internal compartment areas. Fans and electric motors such as these are well known in the art and will therefore not be described in further detail. 
         [0036]    The drying fan  70  may be controlled with a simple on/off switch or it may be outfitted with a programmable timer which may be set to turn off automatically after a set time or temperature has been achieved. It should further be appreciated that drying fan  70 , must be appropriately sized to allow for proper air flow through circulation chamber  75 . It is also contemplated that the number and locations of heating elements  40  will also be a factor in determining the proper drying fan  70  required. Preferably, the drying fan  70  is in communication with control box  80  for controlling the speed of the fan. Heating elements should be spaced to avoid localization of heat; such that the heating elements will heat the adjacent panels (i.e.  30  and/or  32 ), but not create large discrepancies in temperature between various portion of, for example mesh substrate  92 . The heating element  40  can be adjusted from 40 degrees to 108 degrees surface temp with the thermostat, which may optionally include a regulator. The regulator can be connected to or housed within the heating element  40  to provide a safety mechanism to limit the amount of current through the coil, therefore limiting the heat output. Unlike other heated storage lockers and the like, the heating element  40  can achieve desired results due to such a large amount of heated surface area. 
         [0037]    Referring specifically to  FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 11 , where storage container  10  comprises control box  80  that is electrically connected to heating elements  40 . Control box  80  generally includes a thermostat for temperature control. In addition, control box  80  may optionally comprise a humidistat that senses the humidity of the air in storage container  10 . When the temperature or humidity in the storage container is below a selected limit, control box will initiate heating element  40  to turn on. Conversely, once a particular temperature is achieved control box  80  will terminate the power to the heating system. The control box may also be connected to drying fan  70 . It should be appreciated that the control box  80  allows for adjusting temperature, fan, humidity, time etc. to achieve a desired dryness in a set amount of time. 
         [0038]    Mesh substrate  92  must be made of a material that has high heat conductivity. In one example embodiment, mesh substrate  92  comprises steel. One of ordinary skill in the art would be able to determine an adequate material, including metal and metal alloys that have proper heat capacity for use in storage container  10 . Mesh substrate  92  must also include apertures; see for example  FIGS. 2, 3, and 8 , so the heat from heating element  40  does not localize, which could be a fire hazard. 
         [0039]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 3, 5, 6, and 10 , horizontal panels  30  and vertical panels  32  generally include a mesh sheet  60  that is fabricated in a manner to have apertures to allow for airflow between the panels  30 ,  32 . Some panels  30  and  32  may further comprise a heating element  40 . As best shown in  FIG. 6 , panels  30 ,  32  may further comprise a heat dispersion layer  64  between heating element  40 . 
         [0040]    This heat dispersion layer  64  should comprise a material that allows for heat to dispersion substantially evenly to the mesh substrate  92 . One such material includes an aluminum facing to spread the heat load, so as to not localize the heat and burn the heat dispersion layer  64 . In other related embodiments, the heating element may optionally include heating element  40  and mesh substrate  92 , may also comprise heat resistant plastic edging which will prevent deformation under operation temperature. In some example embodiments, the panel ( 30  and/or  32 ) adjacent to heating element  40  may include an additional insulation layer. In one example embodiment, the insulation layer is between the heating element  40  and cover  50  when storage container  10  is in use. In alternative embodiments, the insulation is between the panel ( 30  and/or  32 ) and heating element  40 . In other embodiments, where heat dispersion layer  64  is included, the insulation may be between the heating element  40  and the heat dispersion layer  64 . In other embodiments, where heat dispersion layer  64  is included, the insulation may be between the heat dispersion layer  64  and mesh substrate  92 . The insulation is particularly beneficial for use to maintain optimal heating, in particular when outdoor areas are below freezing. For example, if the storage container  10  is adjacent to a garage wall that has a surface temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit, the use of an insulation layer(s) would provide improved results. 
         [0041]    When in use, cover  50  is removed and a sports equipment bags, with the equipment contained therein, are positioned on a shelf  30 . The control box  80  is set to preferred parameters and cover  50  is placed back over frame  15 . The sports equipment bag being directly positioned on shelf panels  30  which have heating elements connected thereto will allow the internal environment of the sports equipment bag to increase in temperature at a rate faster than other areas of the internal compartment of storage container  10 . Articles, such as clothing, shoes, skates and gloves will dry without the need to remove the equipment from the sports equipment bag. In addition the sport equipment bag may remain closed and still be able to achieve desired dryness. 
         [0042]    In one example, the control box is turned on and the heating element(s)  40  begin to heat sports equipment bags. After 4-6 hours, or alternatively after 6-10 hours, the equipment within the closed sports equipment bag(s) will be dry and ready for use. In other embodiments the equipment bags contained within the storage container  10  will reach equilibrium, equipment and bags will be dry in 8-12 hours, or shorter. 
         [0043]    It should be appreciated that the storage container  10  described herein may be used in external temperatures below freezing. In some examples embodiments, the external temperature may be below 15 degrees Fahrenheit. In other example embodiments, the external temperature may be below 10 degrees Fahrenheit. In other example embodiments, the external temperature may be below 5 degrees Fahrenheit. In other example embodiments, the external temperature may be below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. In other example embodiments, the external temperature may be −10 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Thus, the storage container  10  described herein can be used in garages, storage sheds, carports and the like and avoid the need to take up living areas within a residence. 
         [0044]    In addition the sports equipment does not need to be brought into the residence to be dried, thereby eliminating the malodorous equipment. In addition, the equipment does not need to be removed from the sports equipment bag, thereby reducing the chance of misplaced equipment prior to the next use. It is possible to use fewer heaters than there are shelves in the frame  15 . Alternatively, the heating elements may be associated with the vertical panels  32 . The invention could be used to keep things besides sports equipment warm. For example, the storage container described herein may be used on construction site for equipment that cannot freeze. 
         [0045]    It should be appreciated that the power supply to operate storage container  10  can include a power cord for use in a standard residential outlet. The power supply may optionally include additional outlets, similar to a power cord. This device could also be made mobile and run off of DC current instead of 120V AC. 
         [0046]    The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3