U.S. patent application number 10/711553 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-30 for mist delivery system.
This patent application is currently assigned to THE BOEING COMPANY. Invention is credited to Wing Cheung, Vicki A. Curtis, Douglas E. Emsley, Bethany L. Franko, Donald R. Furlong, Jeanne Guerin, Dennis C. Lin, Peter R. Mitchell, William Sanford, Cynthia Vandewall, Kevin S. Zielke.
Application Number | 20060064815 10/711553 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35335398 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060064815 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Guerin; Jeanne ; et
al. |
March 30, 2006 |
Mist Delivery System
Abstract
A mist delivery system includes an enclosure having at least one
misting nozzle coupled thereto. The enclosure includes a primary
wall and a secondary wall, whereby an air channel is defined
between the primary wall and the secondary wall. A controller
directs misted air through the misting nozzle and further activates
an air flow system such that misted air within the shower area
flows through and is dried in the air channel.
Inventors: |
Guerin; Jeanne; (Mukilteo,
WA) ; Emsley; Douglas E.; (Bothell, WA) ;
Furlong; Donald R.; (Woodinville, WA) ; Lin; Dennis
C.; (Everett, WA) ; Franko; Bethany L.;
(Seattle, WA) ; Zielke; Kevin S.; (Seattle,
WA) ; Vandewall; Cynthia; (Snohomis, WA) ;
Mitchell; Peter R.; (Marysville, WA) ; Sanford;
William; (Mukilteo, WA) ; Curtis; Vicki A.;
(Stanwood, WA) ; Cheung; Wing; (Shoreline,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARTZ & ARTZ, P.C.
28333 TELEGRAPH RD.
SUITE 250
SOUTHFIELD
MI
48034
US
|
Assignee: |
THE BOEING COMPANY
100 North Riverside
Chicago
IL
|
Family ID: |
35335398 |
Appl. No.: |
10/711553 |
Filed: |
September 24, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/596 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 3/28 20130101; E03C
1/055 20130101; B60R 15/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
004/596 |
International
Class: |
A47K 3/28 20060101
A47K003/28 |
Claims
1. A portable misting system for misting an object comprising: a
portable enclosure comprising a first end and defining, at said
first end, a receiving area for inserting the object, said
enclosure further comprising an internal surface and an external
surface, said internal surface comprising a hydrophobic material
and further defining a drain opening receiving misted air during a
drying cycle, said external surface comprising a condensing
surface; a plurality of mist dispensers positioned within said
enclosure; and a control device directing said misted air through
said plurality of mist dispensers, said control device further
activating an air flow system such that misted air within said
enclosure exits said enclosure through said drain opening during
said drying cycle and flows along and condenses on said condensing
surface.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein said enclosure comprises at least
one of an inflatable material, a disposable material, a material
molded for a specific use, or a collapsible material.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein said misted air comprises at
least one of an insect repellant, water, an ionized liquid, a
tanning solution, a suntan solution, a soap, a shampoo, a
disinfectant, a fuel, a fertilizer, or a spa treatment.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein said internal surface is
removable and disposable.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein said control device comprises at
least one of an electronic controller, a user operated pump system,
or a series of ports for receiving pressurized air, misted air,
misted gas, mist free air, scented air, or mist free gas. The
system of claim 1, wherein said enclosure comprises at least one of
a helmet shape, a tubular shape, a free standing chamber, or a
collapsible chamber.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein said receiving area is defined
such that it may receive at least one of a head, an animal, a
vehicle, or an individual.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein said control device comprises
logic activating a misting cycle wherein a mist is directed out of
said mist dispensers and said logic activating a soaping cycle.
8. The system of claim 8, wherein said control device further
comprises logic activating a drying cycle.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein said controller further comprises
logic activating a cleaning cycle in response to the object leaving
said enclosure.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein said control device controls
blowing air into said enclosure or sucking air from said enclosure,
thereby forcing misted air out of said enclosure and into an air
channel partially defined by said condensing surface.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein said mist dispensers comprise
nozzles or spouts.
12. The system of claim 1, wherein said control device is powered
through at least one of CO2 cartridges, solar panels, human
movements, gravity pressure, fuel cells, wind, reactors, propane,
pressurized water, solid fuel, or gas.
13. The system of claim 1 further comprising a removable collector
positioned at a base of said enclosure such that condensed water
may descend into said collector for removal from the portable
misting system.
14. The system of claim 1 further comprising a mount coupled to
said enclosure such that said enclosure may be coupled to country
houses, cabins, rest areas, camping facilities, beaches, and
military instillations, RVs, maritime vessels, hospital beds,
trucks, trains, airplanes, space vehicles, buses, mobile medical
units, bus stations, truck stops, cruise lines, submarines, and
leisure crafts.
15. The system of claim 1, wherein said misted air comprises an
ionized substance, said enclosure further comprising electrostatic
collectors for attracting said ionized substance and directing said
ionized substance toward the object.
16. The system of claim 1 further comprising a hand held nozzle for
spraying the user in areas not sufficiently covered by said mist
dispensers.
17. A drying system for drying an object comprising: an enclosure
comprising a primary wall and a secondary wall, said primary wall
comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface, said
interior surface of said primary wall defining a drying area, said
interior surface comprising a hydrophobic surface, said exterior
surface comprising a first condensing surface, said secondary wall
comprising an inner surface, said inner surface of said secondary
wall comprising a second condensing surface, wherein an air channel
is defined between said exterior surface of said primary wall and
said inner surface of said secondary wall such that water within
mist flowing through said air channel condenses on said first
condensing surface and said second condensing surface; at least one
blower coupled to said primary enclosure either blowing air into
said enclosure or sucking air from said enclosure; a control device
activating said blower such that misted air within said enclosure
is blown through said drain opening and flows along and condenses
on said condensing surface; and a collector positioned at a base of
said air channel such that condensed water may descend into said
collector for removal from the drying system.
18. The system of claim 18, wherein said collector comprises a
drain or a removable basin.
19. The system of claim 18 further comprising a plurality of mist
dispensers positioned within said enclosure, wherein said control
device directs misted air through said plurality of mist
dispensers.
20. The system of claim 20 further comprising a hand held nozzle
for spraying the object in areas not sufficiently covered by said
mist dispensers.
21. A misting system for misting a user comprising: an enclosure
defining a receiving area for receiving the user, said enclosure
further comprising an internal surface and an external surface,
said internal surface further defining a drain opening receiving
misted air during a drying cycle, said external surface comprising
a condensing surface; a plurality of mist dispensers positioned
within said enclosure such that the user may receive a uniform
coating of a misted substance; and a control device directing said
misted substance through said plurality of mist dispensers, said
control device further activating an air flow system such that
misted air within said enclosure exits said enclosure through said
drain opening during said drying cycle and flows along and
condenses on said condensing surface.
22. The system of claim 22, wherein said internal surface comprises
a mist repellant material or coating.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein said misted substance comprises
at least one of water, an ionized liquid, insect repellant, medical
equipment sterilizer, soap, skin moisturizer, nasal decongestant,
artificial suntan, suntan lotion, or spa treatments.
24. The system of claim 22, wherein said enclosure comprises a
cylindrical, cubicle, conical, or irregular shape.
25. The system of claim 22 further comprising a user accessible
misted substance input tank receiving a substance to be misted from
the user.
26. The system of claim 22 further comprising an input display,
whereby commands are entered for physical dimensions of the user
such that the system conserves the misted substance by either said
plurality of mist dispensers aimed at the user or only operating a
portion of said plurality of mist dispensers corresponding with
said physical dimensions of the user.
27. The system of claim 22 further comprising at least one height
sensor generating a height of user signal.
28. The system of claim 22, wherein said control device receives at
least one of: a height of user signal, a temperature within said
enclosure signal, or a distance signal and adjusts said plurality
of mist dispensers as a function thereof.
29. The system of claim 22 further comprising at least one distance
sensor generating a distance signal as a function of a distance
between said plurality of mist dispensers and the user.
30. The system of claim 22, wherein said enclosure defines at least
one drain for receiving said misted substance.
31. The system of claim 22 further comprising a disposable or
removable enclosure liner lining said internal surface of said
enclosure.
32. The system of claim 22, wherein said misted substance is
ionized, said enclosure further comprising electrostatic collectors
for attracting said ionized misted substance and directing said
misted substance toward the user.
33. The system of claim 22 further comprising a mount coupled to
said enclosure such that said enclosure may be coupled to country
houses, cabins, rest areas, camping facilities, beaches, and
military instillations, RVs, maritime vessels, hospital beds,
trucks, airplanes, space vehicles, trains, buses, and mobile
medical units.
34. The system of claim 22 further comprising a hand held nozzle
for spraying the user in areas not sufficiently covered by said
mist dispensers.
35. The system of claim 22, wherein said control device is powered
through at least one of CO2 cartridges, wind, solar panels, human
movements, gravity pressure, fuel cells, reactors, propane,
pressurized water, solid fuel, or gas.
36. The system of claim 22 further comprising user adjustable
nozzles.
37. A misting system for misting a user comprising: an enclosure
defining a receiving area for receiving the user, said enclosure
further comprising an internal surface and an external surface,
said internal surface further defining a drain opening receiving
misted air during a drying cycle, said external surface comprising
a condensing surface; a disposable or removable enclosure liner
lining said internal surface of said enclosure; a plurality of mist
dispensers positioned within said enclosure such that the user may
receive a uniform coating of a misted substance; a hand held nozzle
for spraying the user in areas not sufficiently covered by said
mist dispensers; and a control device directing said misted
substance through said plurality of mist dispensers, said control
device further activating an air flow system such that misted air
within said enclosure exits said enclosure through said drain
opening during said drying cycle and flows along and condenses on
said condensing surface.
38. The system of claim 38, wherein said misted substance is
ionized, said enclosure further comprising electrostatic collectors
for attracting said ionized misted substance and directing said
misted substance toward the user.
39. The system of claim 38 further comprising a mount coupled to
said enclosure such that said enclosure may be coupled to country
houses, cabins, rest areas, camping facilities, beaches, and
military instillations, RVs, maritime vessels, hospital beds,
trucks, airplanes, space vehicles, trains, buses, and mobile
medical units.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present invention is related to application (application
Ser. No. 10/708,749) entitled "Shower System," filed on Mar. 23,
2004 and incorporated by reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to shower systems
and drying systems, and more particularly to a showering system for
optimizing space and water usage and a drying system therefor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Current shower and shower related systems are generally
costly, and many use excessive amounts of water. These systems also
require significant water supply storage, which adds to the overall
weight of vehicles including those systems and limits operation of
remote shower systems. These drawbacks make portable and remote
shower systems impractical and generally unavailable for commercial
use.
[0004] In addition to the excessive burden on the vehicles due to
excess water weight, it has heretofore been difficult to absorb
costs associated with substituting a shower system for an otherwise
useful space. Systems limited by this burden include such vehicles
as airplanes, spacecrafts, RVs, boats, maritime vessels, trucks,
trains, buses, and mobile medical units.
[0005] Many current shower systems also limit outer space
applications that require operation in zero or reduced gravity.
These applications include space stations and interplanetary
reduced gravity stations.
[0006] As discussed above, many current shower systems are
unavailable for various uses requiring maximizing limited supplies
of water, such as medical facilities, country houses, cabins, rest
areas, camping facilities, beaches, and military instillations.
[0007] Still further, current showering systems are not applicable
to various other liquid distribution operations, such as cooling
stations, agricultural field irrigation, animal cleaners, barn or
stable cleaners, pesticide application, medical equipment
sterilization, humidifiers, hair washers, skin moisturizers, nasal
decongestion units, suntan sprayers, and spa treatments.
[0008] In view of these burdens, offering showers or mist
distribution systems has been difficult to implement in the
aforementioned applications, even where demand has been high.
[0009] The disadvantages associated with current shower systems
have made it apparent that a new technique for showering or
distributing mist is needed. The new technique should minimize
water and space requirements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] For a complete understanding of the invention, there will
now be described some embodiments thereof, given by way of example,
reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle with a section
broken away illustrating a mist delivery system according to one
embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a partial top view of the mist delivery system of
FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is schematic diagram of air flow within a mist
delivery system in accordance with another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0014] FIG. 4a is perspective view of a portable mist delivery
system in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 4b is the system of claim 4a in operation;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a drying system in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a disposable mist delivery
system in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The present invention is illustrated with respect to a
misting system and related drying system, particularly suited to
the aerospace field. The present invention is, however, applicable
to various other uses that may require misting systems, such as
campers, spacecrafts, railroad cars, buses, maritime vehicles, and
other such vehicles, as will be understood by one skilled in the
art. In each of the following figures, the same reference numerals
are used to refer to the same components.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle 8 including the misting
system 10 is illustrated. A perspective view of the vehicle 8 is
shown having a piece of the vehicle skin removed such that the
misting system 10 (mist delivery system) is visible. The misting
system 10, in the present embodiment of the invention, is
illustrated with an enclosure 12 and an adjacent changing area 14
or restroom. The misting system 10 is illustrated in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention. As was previously
mentioned, the misting system 10 may be incorporated in various
other vehicles, and the vehicle embodiment is merely used for
illustration. Various other applications will be discussed in
detail regarding FIGS. 4a, 4b, 5, and 6
[0020] The misting system 10 further includes a plurality of
misting spouts or nozzles 16, a user controlled display 18, and a
control device or controller 20 for the system 10. Also, between
the enclosure 12 and the changing area 14, a door 22 is positioned
such that a user may change in the changing area 14 and immediately
enter the enclosure 12 without requiring a separate changing room
other than the included changing area 14.
[0021] The nozzles or spouts 16 expel a heated or misted substance
that may include at least one of water, an insect repellant, a hair
growth formula, an ionized liquid, a tanning solution, a suntan
solution, a soap, a shampoo, a disinfectant, a fuel, a fertilizer,
or a spa treatment.
[0022] The system 10 may be powered by solar panels, nuclear power,
energy from a battery, wind, tides, condensation, fuel cells,
reactors, pressure created by weight and gravity, electrostatic
power, human movements for energy, hand/foot pumps, CO.sub.2
cartridges, pressurized water, ion magnets, propane, solar panels,
chemical reactions, solid fuel, wind, reactors, gas, and any other
power source known in the art.
[0023] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the misting system 10 is
illustrated in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention. The enclosure 12 of the misting system 10 includes a
shower stall or primary wall 24 and a shower stall housing or
secondary wall 26 wherein an air channel 28 is defined
therebetween. The misting system 10 is mounted on the vehicle 8
though a mount 25 coupled to the system 10.
[0024] The primary wall 24 of the misting system 10 includes at
least one misting nozzle 16, though preferably a plurality of
nozzles 16 are coupled thereto. The enclosure 12 also includes a
fan 30 for circulating air through the air channel 28 and inside
the primary wall 24. The enclosure 12 still further includes a
water drain 32 allowing water to drain from within the primary wall
24 or the secondary wall 26. The misting system 10 may be
controlled by a controller 20 operating in response to commands
from a user input device such as display 18.
[0025] The primary wall 24 of the enclosure 12 substantially
encloses the shower area 41. The illustrated primary wall 24 is
cylindrical; however various other shapes of the internal primary
wall 24 are also included in the present invention, such as
cubicle, conical, spherical, irregular, or any other known three
dimensional enclosure. The primary wall 24 includes a sidewall 34,
a base 36, and a ceiling 38. The sidewall 34 includes an inner
surface 40 facing the shower area 41 of the enclosure 12, and an
outer surface 42 facing the secondary wall 26.
[0026] The primary wall ceiling 38 is coupled to the top of the
sidewall 34, and the primary wall base 36 is coupled to the bottom
of the sidewall 34. Both the base 36 and the ceiling 38 have
openings defined respectively therein.
[0027] The base 36 is embodied as perforated whereby warm moist air
from within the shower area 41 may escape or be drawn out of the
shower area 41. Alternate embodiments of the present invention
include a single hole or plurality of holes defined within the base
36 such that the warm moist air may be removed from the shower area
41.
[0028] The ceiling 38, in accordance with one embodiment, includes
at least one opening 39 defined therein such that air from the fan
30 may be blown into the shower area 41 both for the purposes of
drying the user or user 43 and for blowing warm moist air out
through the base 36. The fan 30 may also be positioned at any other
section of the enclosure 12, and the ceiling 38 need not include an
opening therefor. An alternate embodiment of the present invention
includes a fan or blower sucking air out of the enclosure 12 such
that water may be directed in a weightless environment.
[0029] The walls of the shower area 41 including the inner sidewall
surface 40, an inner surface of the base 44, and an inner surface
of the ceiling 46 are embodied as either coated with or made of a
hydrophobic surface, such that little or no water from the mist
sprayed from the misting nozzles 16 condenses on their surfaces.
Alternate embodiments of the present invention include only
portions of the shower surfaces coated or made of a hydrophobic
surface such that water condenses on some or all of the shower area
surfaces and is therefrom drained from the system 10.
[0030] The shower area 41 is entered through the door 22, which is
embodied as a swinging door or a sliding door on the inside or
outside of the enclosure 12. One embodiment of the system 10
activates in response to opening and closing of the door 22 such
that the system 10 halts operations when the door 22 is opened.
Important to note is that for portable embodiments or free standing
embodiments, the misting system 10 may include an opening rather
than a door, as will be discussed in detail later.
[0031] The sidewall 34 is embodied as cylindrical such that
substantially optimal misting may be arranged. Coupled to an inner
surface 40 of the sidewall 34 is a plurality of misting nozzles
16.
[0032] Numerous arrangements of misting nozzles 16 are also
included in the present invention, such as having any number of
misting nozzles 16 arranged in rows or including diagonal
arrangements of nozzles or individual nozzles fed by a series of
water pipes.
[0033] The nozzle arrangement, in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention, includes a plurality of nozzles activated to
receive water or another substance as a function of the user's
height. For example, a taller user would either activate or require
activation of all nozzles 16 whereas a shorter user may require
only use of the lower nozzles. The nozzles 16 may be activated in
response to a sensor arrangement evaluating a user's height, or in
response to inputs from the user into the user display 18, which
activates the controller 20.
[0034] The controller 20, in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention, receives signals from height sensors 56, such
that the user's height may be determined, whereby the controller 20
activates nozzles 16 dependant on that height. Alternate
embodiments of the present invention include the user inputting the
user height into the display 18 such that the controller 20
receives the input signal and activates nozzles 16 as a function of
that signal.
[0035] The controller 20 may control water pressure and temperature
as a function of the distance of the nozzles 16 from the users for
perfect water coverage and water temperature. Alternately,
temperature sensors 58 and pressure sensors 60 are positioned
around the inner surface 40 such that actual misting temperature
and pressure at various points of the shower area 41 may be
determined and adjusted through logic within the controller 20. For
areas not sufficiently covered by the nozzles 16, a hand held
nozzle for spraying the user may be included such that the user may
spray the aforementioned areas.
[0036] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, distance sensors 62 generating signals as a function of
a distance of the user from the nozzles 16 are included in the
system 10. Signals generated therefrom are received in the
controller 20, which adjusts temperature and pressure accordingly
to provide maximum user comfort.
[0037] The controller 20 may also include logic such that the water
pipe is drained between various user showers so that water
temperature coming out of the nozzle 16 may be accurately
controlled.
[0038] The controller 20 also may control mood lighting 64 and the
LED display 18, such that as the various cycles of the shower
operation are activated and completing various signals such as the
changing of lighting texture or color, and/or signals on the LED
display 18 are activated. Other signals may include informing the
user how much time remains before the next cycle and what will
occur during the next cycle.
[0039] One embodiment of the controller 20 controls cycles height
adjustment, automatic system activation in response to closing the
door 22, a time limited water cycle, a time-limited soap cycle
(during which the water cycle may be halted or paused). The
controller 20 may also control a rinse cycle, a drying cycle, and a
cleaning cycle that activates in response to the closing of the
door 20 and the exiting of the user.
[0040] Important to note is that the controller 20 may include
default settings that are adjustable by the user; or it may be
fully automated, such that no user input is required. Also, the
control device or controller 20 may include at least one of an
electronic controller, a user operated pump system, or a series of
ports for receiving pressurized air, misted air, misted gas, mist
free air, scented air, or mist free gas.
[0041] Another embodiment of the present invention includes the
secondary wall 26 and the primary wall 24 defining an air channel
therebetween. The interior surface 66 of the secondary wall 26 and
the outer surface 42 of the primary wall 24 are embodied as
including condensing surfaces 68 (first condensing surface and
second condensing surface).
[0042] Generally, condensing surfaces 68 are cooler in temperature
than the mist that is cycled past them, such that the mist
condenses on the condensing surfaces 68. Examples of condensing
surfaces 68 include stainless steel and various other metals and
substances that are generally cooler than the mist from the nozzles
16.
[0043] In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, misted
air from the nozzles or spouts 16 is ionized or includes an ionized
substance. The ionized mist is directed by electrostatic collectors
positioned on the user or within the enclosure 12, which attract
the ionized mist and direct the ionized mist toward the user or an
object in the enclosure 12. The electrostatic collectors may move
in response to controller signals to collect liquid in the air and
to vary mist intensity in different areas of the enclosure 12.
[0044] Water is supplied to the system through a water tank 70,
which receives a small amount of water as required for the entire
misting cycle. Individual users may bring their own water and input
it into the water tank 70, thereby ensuring that the water is fresh
and clean. The water is later heated in a heater 72. Alternate
embodiments of the present invention include water supplied from
the main water storage area of the vehicle including the misting
system 10.
[0045] Water from the nozzles 16 is generally drained to a water
drain 32, whereby condensed water on the condensing surfaces 68
flows downward into the drain position near the bottom of the
misting system 10 in response to gravity. Alternate embodiments of
the present invention include a removable basin coupled to the
enclosure 12.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 3, the air flow dynamics of misting system
10, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention,
is illustrated. As was previously discussed, air is blown into the
shower area 41 both to dry the user and, during the cleaning cycle,
to blow the misted air out of the shower area 41. The misted air is
illustrated as blown out of the shower area 41 through openings in
the base 36; however alternate embodiments of the present invention
include the misted air blown out of openings defined in the walls
34 or ceiling 38, as will be understood by one skilled in the
art.
[0047] The misted air may be directed out of the system or through
the air channel 28 such that water within the misted air condenses
on condensing surfaces within the air channel 28. The dried air is
then redirected into the shower area 41 until the fan 30 is halted
by the user 43 or the controller 20.
[0048] Referring to FIGS. 4a and 4b, an alternate embodiment of the
misting system is illustrated. The portable mist delivery system 90
is illustrated with a user 92 in FIG. 4b and without the user in
4a. The portable mist delivery system 90 includes the drying
system, as was discussed above, but is a portable unit rather than
a larger shower unit.
[0049] The portable system 90 includes a liquid delivery hose 94
for supplying nozzles 96 within a head unit 98 with pressurized and
misted water and shampoo. In other words, a shampoo solution may be
misted or sprayed into the system 90. The system 90 further
includes a drainage tube 100 receiving condensed mist from the
condensing surfaces in a similar manner as discussed regarding
FIGS. 1-3. The system 90 may be used for applications including
washing and conditioning hair, washing faces, moisturizing skin,
nasal congestion, spa treatments, etc.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 5, an alternate embodiment of the present
invention including a drying system 120 is illustrated. The drying
system 120 includes a stall 122, whereby a user 124 may enter for
the purpose of drying, for example, wet clothing. The drying system
120 includes the hydrophobic walls 126 and condensing surfaces 128,
as discussed regarding the misting systems referred to above. The
system 120 further includes a blower or plurality of blowers 130
for blowing moist or misted air out of the stall 122 and along the
condensing surfaces 128 within the stall walls. One application for
this dryer system 120 includes an outdoor station for drying off
and warming skiers. One skilled in the art will realize numerous
other applications for the dryer system 120.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 6, a disposable embodiment of the shower
system is illustrated. The disposable shower system 140 includes a
collapsible bag 142 having a plurality of spouts or nozzles 144
therein. The system 140 also includes a control device, here
embodied as a pump 146, for pumping misted air into the enclosure
148 formed by the bag 142. The internal surface 150 of the
enclosure 148 includes a hydrophobic surface and may be removed for
cleaning or disposal. The system 140 is applicable to uses
requiring compact shower systems such as camping or military field
operations. A larger version of the system may be used in
greenhouses (either as the walls of the greenhouse or for localized
plant misting) or other known agricultural applications.
[0052] In operation, a user generally prepares for the misting
shower by removing clothing and inputting water into the water tank
70. At this point, a heater 72 activates and warms the water in
preparation for misting from the nozzle 16. The user may then input
his height.
[0053] The user opens the door 22 and closes it, which may
automatically activate misting from the nozzles 16. A misting cycle
then begins wherein a specific signal, such as a light glows to
indicate how much time remains before the next cycle. The next
cycle, a soaping cycle, may include a pause in the misting to
conserve water. The misting then reactivates, and a rinse cycle is
engaged. A dry cycle is then activated, and the fan 30 blows air
through the shower area, and the air is cycled whereby mist within
the air is condensed on the condensing surfaces 68 and continually
blown within the shower area 41.
[0054] Upon completion of the drying cycle, the user exits and
closes the door behind them, and an automatic self-cleaning process
activates, whereby remaining water in the water pipe or within the
nozzles 16 is drained and dried.
[0055] Important to note is that if during any of the cycles, the
user wishes to exit, an automatic stop cycle may be included such
that a timer 74 activates and allows the user a specific amount of
time in which to resume the shower. If the user does not resume the
shower within the timer-specified allocation, the cleaning process
of the shower is activated.
[0056] From the foregoing, it can be seen that there has been
brought to the art a new shower system 10. It is to be understood
that the preceding description of one embodiment of the present
invention is merely illustrative of some of the many specific
embodiments that represent applications of the principals of the
present invention. Numerous and other arrangements would be evident
to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the
invention as defined by the following claims.
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