FR2788416A1 - Umbrella drying system comprises droplet catcher having Velcro fastener, network of porous air distributing sheaths and retention volumes containing water absorbing material - Google Patents

Abstract

Droplet catcher has protection envelope creating sheath having Velcro fastener (5,6), over all its length, and Velcro strip (7), at its end, enabling lower opening of sheath to be gripped around umbrella tip. Drying system is constituted by network (1) of porous air distributing sheaths supplied through valve (2) and retention volumes containing high power surplus water absorbing material (3,4).

Description

-1- The present invention relates to a drip catcher device drying

  for umbrella, the use of which allows: - to fold a wet umbrella, and then dispose of it without having to undergo wet contact for oneself for the environment and for public hygiene. - dry the umbrella at the same time. According to the invention, this device is characterized by - an envelope which, flat, represents an isosceles trapezoid (or some other well-adapted figure) and which closes on itself to form, in the example considered, a sheath in the form of a truncated cone with two openings:: a large opening called the upper opening, corresponding to the large base of the trapezoid, and a small opening known as the lower opening, corresponding to the small base of the trapezoid.15 The upper extendable opening can accommodate n ' any umbrella, and the bottom hole is adjustable on any umbrella tip. One of the sides of the envelope forms the inside of the sheath: this is the inside: The other side is the outside: - a water retention and ventilation system on the inside of the '' envelope: this system comprises: - a valve formed at the upper part of the envelope and through it, in order to allow an air supply (possibly in hot air, forced or not) - a certain number of volumes of water retention, containing a material with very high absorbency, intended to retain the temporary excess moisture, and to prevent any outward flow, especially when the device is horizontal: note that it will be always possible, if necessary, to express the aqueous excess from top to bottom, so as to

  expel the liquid through the lower opening.

  - possibly, and always on the inside of the envelope, an air distribution network which may consist of flexible ducts, made of a material porous to water and air, heat resistant. The envelope can be made of a flexible, waterproof material

  heat resistant, treated against mold, able to withstand antibacterial treatment.

  - 2 - The device Drip catcher drying for umbrellas opens and closes laterally over all or part of its length, thanks to an adhesive strip, or any other closing process: it can be folded up under a very small volume, and stay permanently fixed5 to the handle of the umbrella by a micro-reel flexible, be removable or not, be10 if necessary supplied by an air source derived from the vehicle's ventilation system, finally be provided or not with a duct allowing the charged air to be exhausted to the outside humidity, and if necessary, excess water. The attached photos and drawing illustrate the invention: Photo 1 (plate 1/3) and the drawing (plate 3/3) show the envelope arranged flat, and representing a trapezoid, inside face of the visible sheath We can see clearly - The tree network (but which could also be formed in a spiral or otherwise) of air distribution ducts

(number 1 on the drawing).

  - The upper bands (light color on photo 1)

  (number 3 on the drawing) and lower (number 4 on the drawing) indicating the volumes which have the function of rete-

  remove the aqueous excess. 25 On the drawing (plate 3/3) we can also see: - The side Velcro closure (figures 5 and 6) - The Velcro adjustment band (figure 7) which allows to tighten the lower opening of the scabbard around any

  which umbrella tip.30 Photo 2 (Plate I / 3) represents the external face of the pipe, showing the valve (or valve) supplying the re

  air distribution bucket (dotted circle on the drawing of the board 3/3.). Photo 3 (plate 2/3) represents the device in vertical position 35 containing an umbrella in the process of drying: one can see there the network of air distribution ducts (figure 1

  on the drawing of plate 3/3) Photo 4 (plate 2/3) shows the device in a horizontal position, containing a wet umbrella, and resting on a car seat, in contact with sensitive documents.

- 3 -

  The drying drip tray for umbrellas is a means of

  individual protection which, in the most general case, is linked to the umbrella to which it is assigned, and allows, when it is wet, to convert it into a dry object, which everyone can put without inconvenience in contact with their personal effects5, or deposit in the immediate vicinity of increasingly complex and delicate interior equipment of recent vehicles. -4 -

Claims (9)

R E V E N D I C A T I ON S   I) Drip catcher device for an umbrella in order to preserve itself and its close environment, projections and rainwater flows coming from the handling of a folded up wet umbrella, and to ensure the drying of said umbrella ( photos 3 and 4), characterized in that it includes an enveloping protection, provided with a drying system for   air distribution, which can be supplemented by a number of volumes containing a material with very high absorbency, intended to retain the momentary excess of humidity.   2) device according to claim 1 characterized in that the enveloping protection appearing flat an isosceles trapezoid (photo I), or any other well-adapted figure, can be closed on itself, in the manner of a sheath, by a Velcro tape or any other type of closure   disposed over all or part of its length, and thus closed, it leaves practicable an expandable upper opening through which one can insert any20 umbrella, and an adjustable lower opening on any tip of umbrella.   3) Device according to claims I and 2, characterized in that the drying air distribution system is   supplied with air (possibly hot air, pulsed or not) 25 through a valve (or a valve) formed in the upper part of the envelope, and in that it may be formed of   sheaths of a flexible material, permeable to water and air. 4) Device according to claims I and 2, characterized in that the enveloping protection is waterproof, resistant   aunt with heat, treated against mold, able to withstand without damage an antibacterial maintenance treatment   nothing, and possibly biodegradable. 5) Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the sheaths which can form the drying network are made of a flexible, tear-resistant material, resistant to heat, and in that they are permeable to water and   in the air (either by the effect of their natural porosity, or due to the existence of small holes). - R E V E N D I C A T I ON S   6) Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the absorbent system can comprise, on the inner face of the envelope, a certain number of volumes containing a material with very high absorbent power intended to retain the momentary aqueous excess, and to prevent any flow outside.   7) Device according to claims 1 to 6, characterized   in that, while remaining removable, the device in question is capable of being supplied by a source of hot air, derived (if necessary by construction) from a ventilation system (possibly that of a motor car), hot air penetrating inside the drying system, through the valve (or valve) of which it is question to claim 3.   8) Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the device in question is capable of being made of rigid material, and of being fixed permanently (possibly inside a motor car)   9) Device according to claims 1,2, and 8, caractèrisè   in that the device in question, rigid or flexible which would be permanently installed in a motor vehicle, while remaining removable if necessary, may include, instead of water retention volumes, a conduit making it possible to evacuate towards outside, air   moisture load, and, if necessary, excess water.   IO) Device according to claims 1 to 6, characterized   in that the device in question can be folded into a very small volume, while remaining permanently fixed by   a micro-reel to the handle of the umbrella.