Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BAG WITH AIR DISTRIBUTOR AND OZONE GENERATOR
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention is in the field of portable bags having air distributors for air
drying clothing, sporting and athletic equipment and ozone generators for
removing
odors, allergens, bacteria, molds and fungus from the air and equipment in the
bag.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Damp garments, sport and athletic equipment, boots and shoes have been
dried out in storage areas having natural air circulation. Garments and sport
equipment that retain water will mold, mildew and have unpleasant odors
without
adequate removal of the water. G.L. Dhaemers in U.S. Patent No. 5,369,893
discloses several self-contained dryers for accommodating articles, such as
clothing,
sporting equipment and shoes. The dryers have walls that cause heated air to
re-
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. The dryer
shown
in Figure 23 to 26 of U.S. Patent 5,369,892 is a chest or foot locker
structure having a
rigid housing. Wheels and a handle attached to the housing are used to
facilitate
manual movement of the dryer. The top of the housing has a cover movable to an
open position to allow access to the drying chamber. A motor driven fan
located in
an air mixing chamber within the housing draws air through a filter into the
drying
chamber. Air porous walls within the drying chamber allow air to flow from the
drying chamber back to the air mixing chamber for re- circulation back into
the
drying chamber. Air also flows out of the drying chamber through a filter
having
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activated charcoal to remove odors from the air discharge into the
environment. This
dryer requires an internal motor and fan associated with an electric heater,
and
specialized porous walls within a housing. While this dryer is effective to
dry articles
in the drying chamber it is complex and expensive to manufacture. The travel
and
sports bag equipped with an air distributor and ozone generator of the
invention
disclosed in this application is effective in air drying articles without
complex and
expensive structures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a portable bag, known as a sport bag, having an internal
chamber for storing articles, such as clothing, shoes, boots, ice skates, ski
boots,
sporting equipment and other objects. An air distributor located in the bottom
of the
chamber directs a plurality of streams of air into the chamber to dry the
articles
located in the chamber. Air under pressure is supplied to the air distributor
with a
blower connected to the air distributor positioned in the chamber to supply
air to
hollow articles, such as gloves, shoes, boots and ice skates. One or more air
filters
mounted on the bag allow air to flow out of the bag and remove odors and
particulates from the air. An ozone generator associated with the blower
creates
ozone which moves with the air into the bag. The ozone functions as an oxidant
and
germicide in the bag and on equipment in the bag.
The bag is an elongated flexible container having side walls joined to end and
bottom walls. The bag is made from canvas, vinyl, or fabric materials which
allow it
to be folded for storage and expanded for accommodating articles. One or more
zippers or hook and loop releaseable fasteners along the top of the bag
functions to
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close the bag and allow access into the bag chamber to facilitate the
introduction of
articles into the bag chamber and removal of the articles from the bag. A
modification of the bag includes side pockets for storing articles, such as
shoes, ice
skates and mittens. Air is introduced into the side pockets through tubular
members
mounted on the air distributor to dry the articles in the side pockets. Air
filters
mounted on the side pockets allow air to flow out of the side pockets and
remove
odors and particulates from the air. The air from the side pockets can be
routed back
into the chamber of the bag. The air will be exhausted from the chamber
through the
air filters mounted on the bag. The bag can have a longitudinal or vertical
orientation. A vertical bag has a side wall containing a releaseable closure
providing
admittance into the interior of the bag. An air distributor located at the
bottom of the
bag directs air up into the bag chamber to dry articles located within the bag
chamber.
An external blower discharges air into the air distributor. An ozone generator
supplies ozone to the air directed into the air distributor. The ozone along
with air is
expelled from the air distributor into the bag.
The air distributor has one or more internal chambers for accumulating air
under pressure supplied by an external located blower. The blower can be
equipped
with an electric heater operable to heat the air discharged by the blower into
the air
distributor. Holes in top wall of the air distributor dispense and spread out
the air
flow into the bag chamber so as to subject a large number of surfaces of the
articles in
the bag chamber to flowing air. This increases drying efficiency and reduces
damp
sections of the articles.
The air distributor has one or more manifolds that fit into the bottom of the
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bag. The manifolds are generally flat and utilize only a small amount of space
in the
bag chamber. When two or more manifolds are used for an air distributor they
are
hinged together to allow articulation between the manifolds. One manifold has
an air
inlet tube adapted to be coupled to the hose to receive air from the blower.
The moving air in the bag chamber picks up the moisture, foreign matter and
odors from the articles stored in the bag chamber. The odors, bacteria, molds
and
fungus are neutralized by the ozone in the air bag chamber. The foreign matter
carried by the air is collected by the filters mounted on the bag. The filters
have
activated carbon or other odor reducing materials that remove odors from the
air
discharged into the environment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a travel and sport bag equipped with the air
distributor of the invention connected to an air blower and ozone generator;
Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a top plan view of the air distributor;
Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the right side of the air distributor
of
Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the left side of the air distributor of
Figure 5;
Figure 8 is an end elevational view of the left end of the air distributor of
Figure 5;
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Figure 9 is an end elevational view of the right end of the air distributor of
Figure 5;
Figure 10 is a bottom plan view of the air distributor of Figure 5;
Figure 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 11-11 of Figure 5;
Figure 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 12-12 of Figure 5;
Figure 13 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 13-13 of Figure 5;
Figure 14 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 14-14 of Figure
5;
Figure 15 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 15-15 of Figure 6;
Figure 16 is a side elevational view of a modification of the travel and sport
equipment bag having an air distributor of the invention connected to an air
blower
and ozone generator;
Figure 17 is an enlarged top plan view of the bag of Figure 16;
Figure 18 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 18-18 of Figure 17;
Figure 19 is a sectional view taken along line 19-19 of Figure 18;
Figure 20 is a sectional view taken along line 20-20 of Figure 19;
Figure 21 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 21-21 of Figure 19;
Figure 22 is an enlarged plan view of the filter assembly attached to the end
of
the bag;
Figure 23 is a sectional view taken along line 23-23 of Figure 22.
Figure 24 is a rear elevational view of the ozone deodorizer of the invention;
Figure 25 is a rear elevational view of a first modification of the ozone
deodorizer of Figure 24;
Figure 26 is a rear elevational view of a second modification of the ozone
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deodorizer of Figure 24;
Figure 27 is a rear elevational view of a third modification of the ozone
deodorizer of Figure 24;
Figure 28 is a rear elevational view of the ozone deodorizer of Figure 24 with
a back panel removed diagrammatically showing the operating components of the
ozone deodorizer; and
Figure 29 is a perspective view of an air blower accommodating the ozone
deodorizer of Figure 25.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A travel and sports bag 10, shown in Figure 1, is connected to an air blower
or
pump 11 with an elongated flexible hose 12. Bag 10 is a flexible canvas,
plastic,
vinyl, or cloth container or grip used to store and carry sports equipment,
such as
hockey, basketball, soccer, football, tennis, hand ball, and baseball
equipment. The
equipment stored in bag 10 is at times moist and wet due to the weather and
body
sweat. Air is moved through bag 10 to dry and deodorize the equipment in the
bag.
An air blower 11 has an electric motor driving an impeller or fan to force air
through
an ozone producing unit 90 and hose 12 into an air distributor 441ocated along
the
bottom of bag 10. The air flows out of distributor 44 into the bag chamber 24.
The
air flowing through bag 10 picks up moisture, foreign matter, and odors from
the
equipment and is discharged through filters 31-34 mounted on the bag to
atmosphere.
The ozone moving with the air through bag 10 is a strong oxidizing agent that
destroys odors and allergens and kills bacteria, molds and fungus.
Air blower 11 is an electric motor driven pump located within a casing 13.
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The timer 14 mounted on top of casing 13 controls the operation of the
electric motor
for a predetermined time and shuts off the motor. Timer 14 also controls the
duration
of operation of the ozone production module or ozone generator 91. Blower 11
can
be equipped with an electric heater whereby hot air is discharged into hose 12
and air
distributor 44. A device operable to introduce a mist or vapors into the air
intake of
blower 11 to mitigate odors in bag chamber 24 and equipment stored therein can
be
operatively associated with blower 11. This device can be mounted on the
blower.
Ozone generator 91 is located in a casing 92 having a passage 93 for carrying
air from blower 11 to hose 12. Casing 92 has air inlet openings 94 to allow
air to
flow to the ozone generator 91. An interior wall 95 having holes 96 open to
passage
93 supports ozone generator 91 in casing 92. The air flowing in passage 93
draws air
through the ozone generator 91 and into passage 93. The ozone flows with the
air
into the air distributor which directs the air and ozone into the bag chamber
24 where
it functions as an oxidant and germicide. The ozone generator 91 is a
conventional
ozone producing module which produces ozone by passing through a corona
discharge between two parallel or concentric electrodes separated by a
dielectric. The
oxygen in the air is broken down to charged oxygen atoms which recombine to
form
molecules, of ozone which contain three atoms of oxygen.
Bag 11, as seen in Figure 3, has upright side walls 16 and 17 joined to end
walls 18 and 19. Walls 16-19 are joined to a generally flat bottom wall 21.
The top
wall 22 of bag 10 has a longitudinal zipper or linear releaseable fastener 23
that
extends into end walls 18 and 19 to facilitate access to the interior or bag
chamber 24
comprising the storage area of bag 10 and allow the equipment to be placed
into and
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removed from bag 10. Bag 10 can be made from canvas, fabric and plastic
materials.
A pair of straps 25 and 26 are secured to the side walls 16 and 17 of bag 10.
The
upper portions of straps 25 and 26 extend above top wall 22 of bag 10 and
provide
handles used to carry the bag. A second handle 27 is secure to end wall 19 to
facilitate towing of bag 10. Two sets of wheels 28 and 30 are attached to
opposite
bottom ends of end wall 18 with brackets 29. Each set of wheels 28, 30 has a
pair of
rollers rotatably mounted on a transverse axle. Other types of wheels or
rollers can be
used to provide movable support for bag 10 on surface 35.
Top wall 22 has air filters 31, 32, 33 and 34 in each corner to remove odors
and foreign matter from the air allowing air to flow from bag chamber 24 to
the
atmosphere. The filters absorb odors and collect particulates that are carried
by the
air. As shown in Figure 4, filter 31 extends through a hole 38 in top wall 22
and has a
cap 36 having a first grid 37 threaded on a holder 39 having a second grid 40.
Holder
39 has an annular lip 41 located in firm engagement with top wall 22 to clamp
filter
31 on top wall 22. Air filtering materials 42 including activated charcoal,
fiber
materials, or other odor reducing materials are located within holder 39 to
remove
odor and foreign matter from the air. Screens on opposite sides of filtering
materials
42 cooperate with the grids 37 and 40 to retain filtering materials 42 within
holder 39.
Filters 32, 33 and 34 have the same structure and function as filter 31. Air
within
chamber 24 flows through all filters 31-34, as shown by arrows 43, when zipper
23 is
closed. The air filters 31, 32, 33, and 34 are removable from their holders to
allow
the filters to be replaced with new filters. The air filters can be
replaceable cartridges
accommodating odor removing materials.
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An air distributor, indicated generally at 44 in Figures 2, 3, and 5, located
within chamber 24 on top of bottom 21 of bag 10 dispenses air into chamber 24.
The
air flows around the equipment and objects stored in bag 10 to remove moisture
and
odors from the equipment and objects. Air distributor 44 has three sections or
manifolds 46, 47 and 48. Hinge connectors 49 and 51 connect manifold 46 to
central
manifold 47. Manifold 48 is joined to manifold 47 with hinge connectors 52 and
53.
Hinge connectors 49, 51 and 52, 53 allow end manifolds 46 and 48 to be moved
upright adjacent the ends of bag 10 and folded side-by-side to facilitate
shipping and
storage.
Manifold 46, shown in Figure 12, has a top wall 54 and a bottom wall 56
joined together along middle section 57 which separates air chambers 58 and
59. A
U-shaped tubular edge 61 having an air passage 62 is joined to walls 54 and
56. An
air inlet tube 63, shown in Figure 11, having a passage 64 connected to
tubular edge
61 directs air from blower 11 into air passage 62. Walls 54 and 56 and edge 61
are
air impervious plastic members. The air blows from passage 62 through openings
63
into chambers 58 and 59 as shown in Figure 11. Top wall 54 has a plurality of
holes
66 open to chambers 58 and 59 for directing air from chambers 58 and 59 into
bag
chamber 24. Holes 66 are arranged in a generally square pattern adjacent the
outer
edge section of top wall 54 to allow air flow in the entire end of bag chamber
24.
Returning to Figures 5 and 12, a generally horizontal tubular member 67 is
mounted on top wall 54 with a connector 68. Member 67 is used to support
boots,
shoes, skates, gloves, mittens, and equipment and direct air into these items
to dry the
interiors thereof. The tubular member can be located in a vertical position to
allow
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gloves and mittens to be placed over the tubular member.
Manifold 48 has the same structure as manifold 46 with the exception of air
inlet tube 63. A U-shaped tubular edge 69 surrounds a top wall 71 having a
plurality
of holes 72 for directing air into bag chamber 24. The interior of manifold 48
has two
air chambers 73 which are charged with air from tubular edge 69. A horizontal
tubular member 73 attached to top wall 71 with a connector 74 is used to
direct air
into hollow objects, such as gloves, skates, boots, shoes, mittens to dry the
interiors
thereof. Member 73 can be located in an upright position.
As shown in Figure 13, manifold 47 has a top wa1174 and bottom wa1176
joined to linear side tubular members 77 and 78. The middle section 79 of
walls 74
and 76 are joined to provide two air chambers 81 and 82. Top wall 74 has a
plurality
of holes 83 to allow air to flow from chambers 81 and 82 into the central
portion of
bag chamber 24. Returning to Figure 5, holes 83 are arranged in a rectangular
pattern
adjacent the outer edge portions of top wall 74 to distribute air in the
central area of
bag chamber 24. A horizontal tubular member 84 mounted on top wall 74 with
connector 86 has open opposite ends to direct air into hollow objects, such as
skates,
boots, shoes, mittens, gloves, helmets, and hats.
Hinge connector 51, shown in Figure 14 and 15, is a U-shaped tubular
member 87 having a passage 88 allowing air to flow from chamber 58 of manifold
46
into chamber 81 of manifold 47. The ends of tubular member 87 snap into
lateral
holes in manifolds 46 and 47 to allow manifolds 46 and 47 to pivot relative to
each
other. Hinge connectors 49, 52 and 53 have the same structure a hinge
connector 51
to allow relative movement to manifolds 47 and 48. As shown in Figure 15, air
flows
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from passage 62 through hole 63 into air chamber 58. Air in chamber 58 flows
through passage 88 in hinge connector 51 into chamber 81 of manifold 47 and
out of
chamber 81 through hole 89 into the passage of tubular member 78 leading to
hinge
connector 53. Connector 53 directs the air into the air chamber of manifold
48.
Hinge connectors 49 and 52 also have passages that allow air to flow from
manifold
46 into manifold 47 and out of manifold 47 into manifold 48.
In use, air distributor 44 is placed in bag 10 with the top walls 54, 71 and
74
of manifolds 46, 47 and 48 exposed to bag chamber 24 and equipment and objects
stored in the chamber. Hose 12 connects blower 11 to air distributor 44 as
shown in
Figure 1. Zipper 23 is closed to contain the equipment and objects in a closed
environment. Blower 11 operates to move air through hose 12 into air
distributor 44.
The air flows through holes 66, 74 and 83 in manifolds 46, 47 and 48 into bag
chamber 24. The air flowing through chamber picks up moisture and odors from
the
equipment and object in air chamber 24. The air in chamber 24 is forced
through
filters 31 - 34 which absorb odors and removes particulate from the air. The
moisture laden air is discharged into the atmosphere adjacent the top of bag
10.
Ozone generator 91 continuously operates to produce ozone which is carried by
the
air flowing through casing 92 into passage 93. The ozone in manifolds 46, 47
and 48
destroys odors and bacteria that may be present and destroys odors, allergens,
bacteria, molds and fungus in the bag chamber 24 and on equipment and objects
stored in the bag chamber 24. A separate ozone producing unit located in bag
chamber 24 can be used to generate ozone to control odors in the air in
chamber 24
and on the equipment stored in chamber 24.
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A modification of the travel and sports bag 100, shown in Figures 16 to 23, is
equipped with an air distributor 144 operable to direct air into bag chamber
124 to dry
equipment and objects in chamber 124. Air distributor 144 is coupled to an air
blower or air pump 111 with a flexible hose 112. Blower 111 has a casing 113
enclosing an electric motor driveably connected to an impeller or fan 115
operable to
force air through hose 112 into air distributor 144. A motor control 114
mounted on
casing 113 includes a timer for operating the motor for a selected period of
time.
Blower 111 may include a heating element for heating the air discharged into
hose
112. The air inlet of blower 111 is in communication with an interior chamber
176 of
casing 177. Casing 177 has air inlet openings 178 to allow air to be drawn
into
chamber 176 during operation of blower 111. An ozone generator 179 attached to
casing 177 operates to discharge ozone into chamber 176. Blower 111 also draws
air
through ozone generator 179. Timer 114 is electrically connected to ozone
generator
to supply electric power to ozone generator 179 during operation of blower
111.
Bag 100 is a flexible canvas, plastic, or fabric container used to store and
carry sport equipment, such as hockey pads, breezers, soccer, football,
tennis,
handball, and baseball objects. The moisture on the equipment in bag chamber
124 is
removed by the air flowing through chamber 124 and filter 131. Bag 100 has
side
walls 116 and 117 joined to end walls 118 and 119 and bottom wall 121. Zipper
or
linear releaseable fasteners 123 are located longitudinally along the top of
bag 100 to
facilitate access to bag chamber 124 and pennit equipment to be placed into
and
removed from bag chamber 124. A pair of straps 125 and 126 are secured to side
walls 116 and 117. The upper portions of straps 125 and 126 extend above the
top
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of bag 100 and provide a handle 127 used to carry bag 100. A second handle 130
secured to end wall 119 is used to lift and tow bag 100 using wheels 128.
Brackets
129 secure wheels 128 to opposite lower portions of end wall 118.
As shown in Figures 22 and 23, filter 131 has a cylindrical casing 132
extended through an opening 133 in end wall 118. Casing 132 has an annular
outside
flange 133 and spaced vanes 134 providing openings 136 to allow air to flow
through
casing 132. A washer or ring 137 clamps flange 133 to end wall 118 to hold
filter on
end wall 118. An annular sleeve 138 holding a grid or screen 139 is threaded
into the
inner end of casing 132. A second screen 140 is located adjacent the inside of
vanes
140. The space between screens 139 and 140 accommodates filter materials
including a bed of charcoal 141 and fiber material 142 for removing odors,
particulates, and foreign materials from the air flowing through filter 131.
Air distributor 144, shown in Figures 18, 19 and 20, is a generally
rectangular
manifold located on the bottom wall 121 of bag 100. Air distributor 144 has a
top
wall 146, a bottom wall 147 and an interior chamber 148. An air inlet tube 149
is
attached to an end of distributor 144 adjacent wall 119 with a hose 151. Tube
149
projects through end wall 119 to accommodate hose 112 thereby allowing air to
flow
into manifold chamber 148. Top wall 146, as shown in Figures 19 and 20, has a
plurality of rows of holes 152, 153, 154 and 155 open to bag chamber 124 to
allow air
to flow into bag chamber 124 as indicated by arrows 156 in Figures 18 and 20.
Holes
152 and 153 are located in a raised rectangular section 157 of top wall 146. A
second
raised rectangular section 158 has holes 154 and 156.
A first pocket 159 secured to side wall 116 has a chamber 161 for storing a
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hollow object, such as a shoe, boot, or ice skate. The top of pocket 159 holds
an air
filter 164 to allow air to flow through pocket chamber 161. A curved tube 166
attached to air distributor 144 carries air to pocket chamber 161 to dry the
interior of
hollow items, such as ice skates placed over the outer end of tube 166.
A second pocket 167 secured to side wall 117 has a chamber 168 for storing a
hallow object, such as a boat, show, or ice skate. A flap 169 and zipper 171
closes
the top of pocket 167. An air filter 172 mounted on pocket 167 removes odors
and
foreign material from the air flowing through the filter 172. A curved tube
173
attached to air distributor 144 carries air into pocket chamber 168 to dry
hollow
objects placed on the end tube 173. The air in pocket chambers 161 and 168 can
be
routed back into bag chamber 124. This eliminates the need for filters 164 and
172 as
the air flows through bag filters 31, 32, 33 and 34 into the external
atmosphere.
In use, blower 111 is connected with hose 112 to air inlet tube 149 whereby
the blower discharges a stream of air into air distributor chamber 148. Blower
I 11
draws air from chamber 176 of casing 177 and ozone generator 179. The ozone
and
air mix in chamber 176. Blower fan 115 rotates with an electric motor (not
shown)
draws ozone and air from chamber 176 and discharges the ozone and air into
hose
112 which carries the ozone and air to air distributor 144 located in bag 100.
The air
flows through the rows of holes 152-155 into bag chamber 124. The air moving
through bag chamber 124 picks up moisture and odors from the equipment in the
bag
chamber 124. The ozone moving through bag chamber 124 destroys odors,
allergens,
bacteria, molds and fungus in chamber 124 and on equipment and objects stored
in
chamber 124. Filter 131 removes odors and particulates from the air flowing
through
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the filter to the environment adjacent bag 100. Air also flows through pocket
chambers 161 and 168 to remove moisture from objects 165 and 170 located in
the
pockets 159 and 167. Filters 164 and 172 remove odors and foreign materials
from
the air flowing out of pocket chambers 161 and 168.
As shown in Figures 24 to 29, ozone deodorizer is an apparatus herein termed
an ozone generator unit that operates to produce ozone using an electric
transformer
to convert standard 110 AC power to DC power to operate an ozone producer. The
apparatus also operates on DC power from one or more batteries. A three way
switch
is used to select OFF, turning the unit completely off, AC switch will run the
unit on
AC power or battery switch will run the unit on DC battery power. The ozone
generator unit is also designed to use a rechargeable battery that will charge
whenever
it is plugged into a conventional 110 AC outlet even when the unit is being
run on the
AC mode. The ozone generator unit has a male electrical plug mounted at
surface
level to the back side of a case. The back of the case also has Velcro or
other type
anchoring means to attach the apparatus to a support. A male electrical plug
and
Velcro anchors match in location to the female electrical receptacle and the
Velcro
anchors mounted on a surface of a blower used to provide air for a portable
dryer.
The blower unit starts and stops by means of a timer. When the blower unit is
ON, the blower motor sucks air into an air intake port and exhausts air to a
dryer type
of duct to provide air flow into the dryer. The blower motor is powered by
standard
110 AC power. When the blower unit is ON, power will be provided to the female
electrical receptacle. The male plug mounted on the back side of the portable
ozone
producer can be plugged directly into the blower unit's female receptacle. The
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matching Velcro anchor will hold the ozone generator unit in place. When the
ozone
generator unit switch is in the ON position, it will run when the timer on the
blower
unit is turned ON so that ozone is produced during the time that the blower
unit
operates to discharge air. When both units are running, ozone is discharged
through
the vented top end of ozone generator unit. The ozone is sucked into the air
intake
port of the blower unit and discharged into the portable dryer. The ozone rich
air
deodorizes the clothes or equipment being dried in the portable dryer as well
as
decontaminates the air and exhaust filters. The ozone deodorizes and kills
mold,
mildew, germs, bacteria and many spores. The portable ozone generator unit can
be
easily removed from the blower unit. The ozone generator unit can be used in
other
drying units, such as an armoire disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,546,678 and
5,369,892. This unit will have similar receptacle and anchor system to power
and
turn on the ozone generator unit when the dryer is running. The ozone
generator unit
can also be placed inside sports bags for deodorizing and equipment protection
during
storage. Examples of bags for storing equipment and objects are shown in
Figures 1
and 16.
The ozone generator unit has a rotating hook used to retain the ozone
generator unit in a closet or room to get rid of musty smells from the
storage, or
smoke odor absorbed by clothes at a night club or restaurant. The ozone
generator
unit can be hung up in a locker, such as used in a gym or spa. This will
reduce odor
of work out clothes, tennis shoes, and equipment as well as keeping the locker
fresh
so street clothes will not pick up unwanted odors while hung up in the locker.
The
ozone generator unit has a clip to anchor the unit to car visors. With the
battery
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capability the ozone generator unit can be used to deodorize a car or any
other place
where odor is a problem. The portable ozone generator unit can be used in the
bathroom or kitchen by simply plugging the unit into any AC outlet receptacle
by
turning the switch to the ON position. The switch is turned to the OFF
position when
not in use. Though this portable ozone generator unit is designed as an
optional
feature for use with my various dryers, there are many uses and applications
for a
portable ozone generator unit.
The ozone generator 200, shown in Figure 24, has a rectangular case 211 with
a removable back pane1212. The top of case 211 has an open grid 213 to allow
air
and ozone 214 to flow away from case 211. A hook 216 is pivotally connected
with a
bolt or pin 217 to the top of panel 212. Hook 216 is used to support ozone
deodorizer
200 on a horizontal member, such as a rod in a clothes closet or locker to
retain
deodorizer 200 in a select location.
As shown in Figure 25, a pair of vertical hook strips 218 and 219 are secured
to pane1212. Strips 218 and 219 have hook fibers that grip on loop fibers
known as
Velcro fasteners. An adhesive secures the back of strips 218 and 219 to the
outside of
pane1212.
As shown in Figure 26, a vertical clip 221 has an upper end 222 secured to a
middle portion of panel 212 and an outwardly turned lower end 223. Clip 221 is
used
to hold deodorizer 200 on a flat support, such as a sun visor of a motor
vehicle. Clip
221 can retain deodorizer 200 on a person's belt, pocket, shirts and coat.
As shown in Figure 27, a single panel 212 can be provided with hook 216,
hook strips 218 and 219 and clip 221. This allows deodorizer 200 to be used in
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different locations without changing panel 212.
As shown in Figure 28, case 211 is a box-shaped housing having an internal
chamber 224. An ozone producer 226 is located in chamber 224 adjacent the
inside
of grid 213. Ozone producer 226 generates a triatomic form of oxygen with high
voltage electronics. The ozone flows with air into the environment surrounding
the
case 211 and functions to disinfect and deodorize air and objects in this
environment.
Ozone producer 226 is connected to an electric DC power supply 227
comprising batteries connected in series. Conductor lines 228 and 229
electrically
couple power supply 227 to ozone producer 226. A three way switch 231 in line
229
connects ozone products 226 to power supply 227 or an AC to DC adapter 232.
Adapter 232 has a pair of prongs or fingers 233 for connecting adapter 232 to
conventional AC electric power.
As shown in Figure 29, ozone deodorizer 200 is located within an air blower
234 having a housing 236 surrounding an interior chamber 237. The front of
housing
236 has an air intake panel 238 located in front of fan or air blower (not
shown). The
fan draws air through intake panel 238, moves air through chamber 237, and
discharges air and ozone into a hose or conduit 239. Hose 239 can be connected
to a
dryer, such as a bag container, housing or cabinet used to dry objects and
clothing.
The motor for driving the fan is connected to an ON/OFF timer 241. The
electric
power supply for the motor can also be used to supply power to ozone producer
226
so that ozone is produced when the motor operates the fan.
The bags herein described are elongated horizontal sport and equipment bags.
The bags of the invention can have an upright or vertical orientation having
tops that
CA 02314815 2000-08-02
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include hanger bars to hold the bags on a fixed rod or support. The air
distributors
including upright air tubes are located at the bottom of the bags. One or more
of the
walls of the bags have zippers or other releaseable fasteners that allow
equipment and
clothing to be placed in and removed from the interiors of the bag. Blowers
and air
pumps are used to supply air to the bags. Filters mounted on the bags remove
odors
and foreign materials from the air moving through the filters to the external
atmosphere.
While there has been shown and described preferred embodiments of the bag,
air distributor, ozone generators and air filters of the invention, it is
understood that
changes in the structures, materials, and arrangement of structures can be
made by a
person skilled in the art without departing from the invention. The invention
is
defined in the following claims.
