The present invention relates to a heating support for objects to be heated and a heating closet comprising such heating support.

Such heating supports are well known. Typically, they are water-filled or oil-filled metal radiators with an electric heating element in the form of an electric cartridge inserted into the water-filled or oil-filled metal radiator. The heat transport within such radiators primarily works by convection within the water or oil with some contribution by heat conduction primarily within the metal walls of these radiators. The heating of the air surrounding such radiators primarily works by natural or forced convection and by radiation.

In order for convection within such type of radiator to work well, it has to be arranged with as much level difference between its uppermost portions and its lowermost portions. For typical box-like, plate-like, grid-like or comb-like radiators having a maximum dimension along a first radiator main axis, a medium dimension along a second radiator main axis and a minimum dimension along a third radiator main axis, this means that they have to be arranged at a wall or the floor of a room with their first or second main axis extending in a vertical direction to achieve reasonable convection and a uniform temperature at the radiator surface. In addition, when some air is left in the radiator it may form pockets of air blocking the flow of liquid in some portions of the radiator. As a result, convective liquid flow within the radiator may be seriously impaired and further contribute to non-uniform temperature at the radiator surface. Finally, due to the arrangement of the first or second main radiator axis extending in a vertical direction, such type of radiator provides a relatively small support area on top of the radiator for placing objects to be heated. It is an object the present invention to provide a radiator which does not suffer from these drawbacks.

Therefore, the present invention provides a heating support for objects to be heated, said heating support comprising a plurality of support elements arranged next to each other and together providing a support base for objects to be placed thereon, wherein at least some, preferably all, of said support elements comprise a hermetically sealed cavity filled with a fluid and having a first cavity portion thermally connected to at least one heat source and a second cavity portion thermally connected to at least one heat sink, said first cavity portion and said second cavity portion being in fluid connection with each other to allow liquid or steam to flow between the two cavity portions. According to the invention, the fluid can be evaporated in said first cavity portion with heat energy provided by said heat source and said fluid can be condensed in said second cavity portion, thus providing heat to said heat sink.

As a result, irrespective of the position or spatial orientation of the heating support, the evaporated fluid portion (steam) of the fluid will spread uniformly within the hermetically sealed cavity, thus contributing to a uniform temperature distribution at the radiator surface. In addition, the condensed fluid portion (liquid) of the fluid provides condensation heat at the heat sink at a location different from the heat source and can flow back to the heat source. The steam uniformly distributed within the hermetically sealed cavity contributes to a uniform temperature distribution, within the cavity and at the surface of the support elements which form a radiator surface.

In the heating support, at least some, preferably all, of said cavities are ducts may have a first end thermally connected to said heat source and a second end thermally connected to said heat sink.

Preferably, at least some of said cavities are in fluid connection with adjacent cavities and together constitute a hermetically sealed fluid-filled chamber. This is a precondition to or at least further helps to achieve a uniform radiator surface temperature.

Preferably, said plurality of support elements are tube portions. Such tube portions are easily provided with appropriate lengths and can easily be connected, for instance by welding, to form the heating support according to the invention. In the heating support, the tube portions may have circular, oval or rectangular cross sections. Such cross sections allow the condensed fluid (liquid) to easily flow back from a heat sink to the heat source.

Preferably, said tube portions are arranged next to each other with their first ends in fluid connection with each other through a connecting duct providing a liquid sump for condensed fluid. Such tube portions are dead-end ducts and their first ends may all be in thermal contact with the heat source while their second ends form separate heat sinks. In addition, the arrangement of the tube portions next to each other provides ample support for objects to be placed on heating support in order to be heated and dried, if wet.

Alternatively, at least some of the first ends are in fluid connection with each other through a first connecting duct providing a first liquid sump for condensed fluid and/or at least some of the second ends are in fluid connection with each other through a second connecting duct providing a second liquid sump for condensed fluid.

Alternatively, said tube portions are loop structures arranged next to each other, each loop structure having its first end and its second end in fluid connection with one connecting duct providing one liquid sump for condensed fluid. In other words, the tube portions are formed as loops extending away from said one connecting duct.

The portions may be shaped as tube portions, preferably straight tube portions, extending away from said connecting duct.

Preferably, at least some of said tube portions extend in a plane, thus providing well- defined support for all kinds of objects placed on the tube portions of the heating support.

In a first preferred version, the tube portions extend in parallel to each other. In this way, they may form a rack, preferably a comb-like rack, which is suitable for placing objects to be heated and dried, if wet.

In a second preferred version, the tube portions are tube portions extending in a non parallel fashion to each other. In that way, they may form a tree-like or cactus-like support where objects such as clothing to be heated and dried, if wet, can be suspended. Preferably, the hermetically sealed cavity comprises a wick-like element wettable/impregnable by said fluid and extending from said at least one heat sink to said at least one heat source. This allows condensed fluid (liquid) to easily flow back from the heat sink to the heat source by capillary action. This wick version for returning condensed fluid to the heat source allows condensed fluid (liquid) to flow back from the heat sink to the heat source even against the action of gravity.

As an alternative or in addition to the wick-like element, said hermetically sealed fluid- filled cavity is shaped such that the heating support has at least one set-up or mounting position where said heat source is at a lower location than said heat sink. This allows condensed fluid (liquid) to easily flow back from a heat sink to the heat source by the action of gravity when the heating support is in said at least one set-up or mounting position.

Preferably, the heating support is arranged such that liquid fluid can flow back from said at least one heat sink to said at least one heat source when the heating support is in said at least one set-up or mounting position.

Preferably, the heating support comprises at least one fixing means or is associated to at least one fixing means for fixing the heating support to a wall, bottom or ceiling of a room or a closet.

Preferably, said at least one fixing means allows the heating support to be fixed in at least two mounting positions or locking positions with respect to the fixing means.

One of these mounting positions or set-up positions corresponds to the position where said heat source is at a lower location than said heat sink which allows condensed fluid (liquid) to easily flow back from the heat sink to the heat source by the action of gravity.

At least some of said tube portions may be straight tube portions.

Alternatively, at least some of said tube portions may be bent tube portions.

Alternatively, the heating support may comprise both straight and bent tube portions.

Preferably, at least a portion of at least some of said tube portions extends in a plane. More preferably, at least a portion of all of said tube portions extends in a plane. This provides a planar support region in at least a portion of the heating support.

In an advantageous embodiment of the heating support, said at least one fixing means allows the heating support to be locked a) in a horizontal position or in a quasi-horizontal position, i.e. close-to- horizontal position, with said tube portions extending in a horizontal direction or in a quasi-horizontal direction, i.e. close-to-horizontal direction, with their remote ends (distal ends) at the same height position or at a slightly greater height position than their ends in fluid connection with the connecting duct; and b) in a non-horizontal position or in a quasi-vertical position with said tube portions extending in a non-horizontal direction or in a quasi-vertical direction with their remote ends (distal ends) at a much greater height position than their ends in fluid connection with the connecting duct.

Both positions allow condensed fluid to flow back from the tube portions, acting as heat sinks where the fluid is condensed, to the connecting duct portion, acting as a heat source, where the fluid is evaporated.

“Quasi-horizontal” or “close-to-horizontal” means that the tube portions extend at an angle between 0° and 10° with respect to the horizontal direction and sloping down from their remote ends to their ends in fluid connecting with the connecting duct. This allows fluid condensed within the heat sink tube portions to flow back to the liquid sump in the heat source connecting duct. The liquid is again evaporated and the vapor diffuses back into the heat sink tube portions, thus completing the evaporation->diffusion->condensation->flowback-> evaporation cycle.

More advantageously, the heating support is rotatably mounted at said at least one fixing means allowing the heating support to be rotated with respect to said fixing means around a horizontal axis of rotation and within an angular range. Rotating the heating support around an axis of rotation corresponds to changing the position of the heating support by tilting it.

Preferably, the heating support can be locked / engaged in different angular positions within said angular range, thus allowing the heating support to be adapted to different uses such as placing objects onto the heating support or hanging objects onto the heating support. In a further advantageous embodiment, the heating support is rotatably mounted at two fixing means, a first fixing means being located at a first position along said axis of rotation and a second fixing means being located at a second position along said axis of rotation. As a result, the heating support is solidly hinged to the fixing means.

The heat source may comprise an electric heating element.

Preferably, the heat source comprises an electric immersion heater or an electric heating cartridge extending within and being totally immersed in the liquid sump provided within said connecting duct. Preferably, the electric immersion heater or electric heating cartridge is immersed in the liquid sump irrespective of the position of the heating support, i.e. irrespective of the heating support being in its horizontal / quasi-horizontal / close-to-horizontal position or being in its non-horizontal / quasi vertical position.

Alternatively or in addition, the heat source comprises an electric heating foil extending around the liquid sump provided by said connecting duct. The heating foil may be attached to and extend along the internal surface of the connecting duct and/or it may be attached to and extend along the external surface of the connecting duct.

Preferably, 60% to 100% of the internal electric heating foil is immersed in the liquid sump irrespective of the position of the heating support, i.e. irrespective of the heating support being in its horizontal / quasi-horizontal / close-to-horizontal position or being in its non-horizontal / quasi-vertical position. In a similar way, preferably,

60% to 100% of the external electric heating foil is located on the external surface of the connecting duct opposite to the immersed portion of the internal surface of the liquid sump irrespective of the position of the heating support, i.e. irrespective of the heating support being in its horizontal / quasi-horizontal / close-to-horizontal position or being in its non-horizontal / quasi-vertical position.

This prevents overheating of the immersion heater or the heating foil by permanently exposing it, via good thermal contact, to liquid in the sump to be heated.

Preferably, the heating support comprises at least one fixing means for fixing the heating support to a wall, bottom or ceiling of a room or a closet. Preferably, the fixing means allows the heating support to be fixed in at least two mounting positions. A first mounting position or operating position may be a horizontal or almost horizontal position of a plate-like, grid-like or comb-like heating support providing a large support area for objects to be placed thereon. A second mounting position or non-operating position may be a vertical or almost vertical position of the same plate-like, grid-like or comb-like heating support when it is not needed and the space is used for a purpose other than heating and drying clothing.

In other words, the preferred fixing means allows the heating support to be fixed to a wall, bottom or ceiling of a room or a closet on the one hand and allows the heating support to be fixed in at least two mounting positions with respect to the fixing means on the other hand.

Advantageously, the fluid volume, measured with all of the liquid in its liquid form in the liquid sump of the connecting duct, is less than 50% of the inner volume of the connecting duct. Preferably, this fluid volume is between 5% and 45%, more preferably between 5% and 35%, and most preferably between 5% and 25% of the inner volume of the connecting duct. This allows rapid heating of the liquid sump in the connecting duct and rapid heating of the entire heating support with all its tube portions. As a result, the heating support rapidly reaches a stable operating mode with practically uniform temperature throughout the heating support and over its entire external surface.

Preferably, said connecting duct extends along a straight line (or longitudinal axis) parallel to said horizontal axis of rotation. Preferably, said connecting duct has a constant cross section (transverse to the longitudinal axis). This contributes to a constant depth of the liquid sump throughout its length.

Advantageously, said connecting duct has a rotationally symmetric cross section, preferably a circular cross section or a polygonal cross section, for instance an octagonal, hexagonal or square cross section.

Preferably, in a heating support having a connecting duct with a rotationally symmetric cross section, said electric heating element extending within the liquid sump and along the longitudinal direction of the connecting duct is arranged such that the transverse cross section of said electric heating element is centered on the angle bisector of the first lower quadrant of the transverse cross section of the connecting duct and closer to the connecting duct wall than to the connecting duct center when the heating support is in said horizontal position or quasi-horizontal position with said tube portions extending in a horizontal direction or in a quasi horizontal direction; and that the transverse cross section of said electric heating element is centered on the angle bisector of the second lower quadrant of the transverse cross section of the connecting duct and closer to the connecting duct wall than to the connecting duct center when the heating support is in said quasi-vertical position with said tube portions extending in a quasi-vertical direction.

This prevents overheating of the electric heating element, for instance immersion heater and/or heating foil, by permanently exposing it, via good thermal contact, to liquid in the sump to be heated.

Alternatively and preferably if the electric heating element is a heating foil extending around the liquid sump, said connecting duct may have an oval, rectangular or trapezoidal cross section.

These more eccentric cross sections allows higher surface to volume ratios of the liquid sump than the rotationally symmetric cross sections mentioned earlier.

Preferably, all of said tube portions extending away from said connecting duct extend in a plane eccentrically intersecting said connecting duct. This feature, combined with features described in the previous paragraphs, prevents condensed fluid from flowing into the tube portions which would slow down the warm-up time of the heating support after turning on the electric heating element(s) of the heat source.

Preferably, a temperature sensor is provided at and in thermal contact with the surface of the connecting duct. Preferably, said temperature sensor is connected to a control unit for controlling said electric heating element based on the surface temperature of the heating support.

This prevents overheating of the immersion heater or the heating foil.

Preferably, as mentioned above, the heat source is an electric heating element. It may be a point-like heat source extending around a point within the heating support, particularly around a point within the connecting duct. Or it may be a line-shaped heat source extending along a line within the heating support, particularly along a line within the connecting duct. Preferably, the location and extension of the heat source coincides with the location and extension of a liquid sump for receiving condensed fluid. This guarantees that enough condensed fluid is always present in good thermal contact with the heat source.

Preferably, the ratio of the fluid volume, measured with all of the liquid in its liquid form, to the volume of the hermetically sealed fluid-filled cavity is comprised between 1/100 and 1/5.

Preferably, the inner surface of said hermetically sealed fluid-filled cavity is coated with a sintered material having a grain size of less than 0.3 mm, preferably less than 0.1 mm.

The fluid may be water or a mixture of water with some additives. One type of additive may be a surfactant for reducing the surface tension of the condensed fluid. Another type of additive may be a nucleating agent for helping to start bubble formation with the fluid. Preferably, if the fluid comprises water, the wall material of the connecting duct and the tube portions does not contain any iron.

Preferably, the wall material of the connecting duct and the tube portions is diffusion tight to avoid loss of the fluid, if a fluid with high vapor pressure is used, and to avoid air infiltration, if a fluid with vapor pressure in the working temperature range below ambient pressure is used. Typically, a metallic material such as steel, copper or aluminum is used as a wall material. Alternatively, a polymer material, preferably a multi-layer polymer material may be used as a wall material.

For cost reasons and due to its mechanical strength, carbon steel is a preferred metallic material. If carbon steel is used as a wall material, a fluid must be selected that does not react with the carbon steel. In particular, any chemical reaction producing a non-condensable gas, for instance hydrogen, must be avoided.

For a typical fluid operating temperature range of 10°C to 70°C, a refrigerant with a low vapor pressure and a low greenhouse potential (Global Warming Potential,

GWP) is required. Preferred refrigerant fluids are propane, butane or isobutane. Further preferred refrigerant fluids are alcohols, preferably with corrosion inhibitors, or water, preferably with corrosion inhibitors. Still further preferred refrigerant fluids are R450a, R513A or R1234ze. The heating support according to the invention may be manufactured by

- providing a plurality of support elements arranged next to each other and together providing a support base for objects to be placed thereon, wherein at least some, preferably all, of said support elements comprise a cavity,

- thermally connecting a first cavity portion to at least one heat source,

- thermally connecting a second cavity portion to at least one heat sink,

- filling said cavity or cavities with a fluid, and

- hermetically sealing said cavity or cavities.

Preferably, before hermetically sealing said cavity or cavities, they are evacuated. Preferably, evacuation means removing air molecules such as N2, O2 and CO2 from said cavity or cavities.

Preferably, said evacuation is performed by alternate pumping and non-pumping periods, said non-pumping periods allowing time for volatiles dissolved in the liquid phase of the fluid to escape into the gas phase (steam) of the fluid.

Preferably, said evacuation is performed by heating and evaporating the fluid and using the gas phase (steam) of the fluid to displace molecules such as N2, O2 and CO2 from said cavity or cavities.

The heating support according to the invention may be operated by intermittently evaporating said fluid in said first cavity portion at a temperature provided by said heat source and condensing said fluid in said second cavity portion at a temperature provided by said heat sink.

The invention also provides a heating closet, comprising a heating support as defined in the preceding paragraphs.

Preferably, the heating closet comprises a ventilation unit which can be switched between an internal circulation mode for circulating air within the heating closet and an external circulation mode for circulating air into, through and out of the heating closet. This allows objects to be efficiently heated or dried when placed in the heating closet according to the invention.

Preferably, the heating closet comprises a humidity sensor for sensing the relative humidity of the air within the heating closet and connected to the ventilation unit, wherein the ventilation unit can be switched between the internal circulation mode and the external circulation mode as a function of relative humidity within the heating closet. This allows alternate drying of the objects and venting the air in the closed for optimized drying results.

Preferably, the heating closet comprises a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the air within the heating closet and connected to the heat source, wherein the heat source can be switched between a first heating mode providing a first heating power and a second heating mode providing a second heating power as a function of temperature within the heating closet. Preferably, the first heating power is a maximum heating power and said second heating power is a minimum or zero heating power.

Further objects, advantages and applications of the heating support and heating closet according to the invention will be apparent from the description of the drawings which are purely exemplary and not to be construed to limit the scope of the present invention, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a heating support according to a first embodiment of the invention (flat radiator with a bend in the middle half-way along its maximum dimension radiator main axis) in a use position;

Fig. 2 is a top view of the heating support according to the first embodiment of the invention in the use position;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the heating support according to the first embodiment of the invention in the use position;

Fig. 4 is a side view of the heating support according to the first embodiment of the invention in a non-use position;

Fig. 5 is a front view of two heating supports according to the first embodiment of the invention, with each of them in the use position and arranged next to each other at different heights;

Fig. 6 is a planar cross section along a plane parallel to the drawing plane of

Fig. 1 or Fig. 5 of a portion (heat source) of the heating support according to the first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 7 is a front view of a heating support according to a second embodiment of the invention (flat radiator without a bend in the middle half-way along its maximum dimension radiator main axis / flat radiator with straight linear heat source and liquid sump) in a use position;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a first arrangement of a plurality of heating supports according to the invention;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a second arrangement of a plurality of heating supports according to the invention;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a third arrangement of a plurality of heating supports according to the invention;

Fig. 11 is a front view of a fourth arrangement of a plurality of heating supports according to the invention;

Fig. 12 is a side view of a fifth arrangement, similar to Figs. 1 , 2, 3 and 4, of a heating support according to the invention;

Fig. 13 is a front view of a sixth arrangement, sim ilar to Fig. 10, of a heating support according to the invention;

Fig. 14 is a front view of a heating support according to a third embodiment of the invention (stand-alone tree-like radiator) in a use position.

Fig. 15 is a top view of the heating support according to the third embodiment of the invention in the use position;

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the heating support according to the third embodiment of the invention in the use position;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the heating support according to a fourth embodiment of the invention (heating support with loop-style tube portions) in a use position;

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the heating support according to a fifth embodiment of the invention (heating support with loop-style tube portions and equipped with a fixing means) in a use position; Fig. 19 is a cross sectional view of the fourth embodiment shown in Fig. 17 in the use position;

Fig. 20 is a cross sectional view of the fourth embodiment shown in Fig. 17 in a non-use position;

Fig. 21 is a cross sectional view of a sixth embodiment in a use position;

Fig. 22 is a cross sectional view of the sixth embodiment in a non-use position;

Fig. 23 is a cross sectional view of a seventh embodiment in a use position;

Fig. 24 is a cross sectional view of the seventh embodiment in a non-use position;

Fig. 25 is a cross sectional view of an eighth embodiment in a use position;

Fig. 26 is a cross sectional view of the eighth embodiment in a non-use position;

Fig. 27 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the fourth embodiment;

Fig. 28 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the sixth embodiment; and

Fig. 29 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a ninth embodiment.

Referring to Fig. 1, a front view of a heating support 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown. The heating support 1 is an approximately flat, comb-like radiator with a slight bend in the middle half-way along its maximum dimension radiator main axis. The heating support 1 is shown in a use position where objects to be heated can be placed on it. The heating support 1 has an electric heat source 2 located in the region of the slight bend in the middle of its main axis or along its largest dimension. Also shown is an electric cable 41 having a mains plug 42 at its first end and a heater plug 43 at its second end. The heating support 1 is hermetically sealed and filled with a fluid. A first portion of its inner volume is filled with a liquid (condensed vapor) and a second portion of its inner volume is filled with steam/vapor (evaporated liquid). The liquid and vapor portions of the fluid within the heating support are in thermodynamic equilibrium, with the mass ratio of the vapor portion to the liquid portion being a function of temperature or the partial pressure of the vapor being a function of temperature. The entire surface of the heating support 1 except for its region in immediate thermal contact with the heat source 2 constitutes a heat sink 3, i.e. a distributed heat sink, where heat from within the heating support 1 is transferred, by convection, radiation and heat conduction, to the air-filled space surrounding the heating support 1. As a result, objects H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, H6, H7 or H8 placed on the heating support 1, as shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, will be heated.

Referring to Fig. 2, a top view of the heating support 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention and in its use position is shown. The heating support 1 and the distributed heat sink 3 comprises a duct or duct system 5 having first ends 5a in fluid contact and in thermal contact with the heat source 2 and second ends 5b forming dead ends of the duct or duct system 5. As a result, steam/vapor formed by evaporating liquid in the region of the heat source 2 can be easily distributed within the heating support 1 by thermal action and contributes to a uniform temperature distribution within the heating support 1 and at the outer surface of the heating support 1 , thus forming a radiator surface having a uniform temperature distribution.

In its use position, the region of the heat source 2 of the heating support 1 is at a lowest position. As a result, liquid formed by condensing steam/vapor in the region of the distributed heat sink 3 can easily flow back from the distributed heat sink 3 of the heating support 1 to the heat source 2 of the heating support 1 by the action of gravity. The duct or duct system 5 of the heating support 1 provides a plurality of support elements arranged next to each other in a comb-like fashion and together providing a support base for objects to be placed on the heating element 1.

Referring to Fig. 3, a side view of the heating support 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention is shown in its use position. In this use position, all the duct ends 5b, best shown in Fig. 2, are at a slightly higher position, barely recognizable in Fig. 3, than the duct ends 5a. This improves liquid backflow form the distributed heat sink 3 to the localized heat source 2 of the heating support 1. Also shown is a chain 44 in its extended/stretched position with its first end fixed to the heating support 1 and its second end fixed to a wall mount 45. Preferably, a first chain 44 and a first wall mount 45 are located at the first lateral end (left-side end in Fig. 2) of the heating support 1 and a second chain 44 and a second wall mount 45 are located at the second lateral end (right-side end in Fig. 2) of the heating support 1.

Referring to Fig. 4, a side view of the heating support 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention is shown in a non-use position. In this non-use position, all the duct ends 5b, best shown in Fig. 2, are at their highest position much higher than the duct ends 5a. Thus, even after the heating support 1 having been used in its use position, liquid backflow form the distributed heat sink 3 to the localized heat source 2 of the heating support 1 is possible. Also shown is the chain 44 in its non- extended/slack position and the wall mount 45.

Referring to Fig. 5, a front view of two heating supports 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention is shown, with each of them in the use position and arranged next to each other at different heights. Each of the two heating supports 1 is fixed to a wall with a first wall mount 45 at the left-side end of the heating support 1 and with a second wall mount 45 at the right-side end of the heating support 1. Unlike the chain-mounted heating support 1 hinged to the wall mounts 45, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the two heating supports 1 shown in Fig. 5 are rigidly fixed to the wall mounts 45 with a slight slope between the duct ends 5b and the ducts ends 5a, i.e. permanently in the use position.

Referring to Fig. 6, a planar cross section along a plane parallel to the drawing plane of Fig. 1 or Fig. 5 of a portion of the heat source 2 of the heating support 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention is shown. The localized heat source 2 and a portion of the distributed heat sink 3 is shown. The distributed heat sink 3 is formed by the duct or duct system 5 of the heating support 1. Also shown is a portion of the duct or duct system 5 with its first ends 5a in fluid contact and in thermal contact with the heat source 2. The second ends 5b, best seen in Fig. 2 and forming dead ends of the duct or duct system 5, are not visible in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 6. The localized heat source 2 is in thermal contact with a first chamber C1 of the heating support 1 and second chambers C2 of the heating support 1 are in thermal contact with the distributed heat sink 3.

The heat source 2 comprises an electric heater cartridge 11 extending into a liquid sump filled with liquid (condensed fluid) of the first chamber C1 , as well as an electric connection unit 12 and a control unit 13 connected to the electric heater cartridge 11 for adjusting electric power fed into the liquid sump of the heat source 2. Due to the inclination of the duct or duct system 5, virtually all of the liquid L condensed from the steam/vapor S in the second chambers C2 of the distributed heat sink 3 flows back to the liquid sump in the first chamber C1. The liquid level in the liquid sump is defined by the liquid/steam interface LSI. By increasing or decreasing the electric power input of the electric cartridge 11 , the uniform temperature of the heating support 1 can be increased or decreased with a corresponding increase or decrease in vapor pressure and a corresponding decrease and increase in the liquid level.

Referring to Fig. 7, a front view of a heating support T according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown. The heating support T is flat radiator with a straight linear heat source 2’ and liquid sump, i.e. a radiator without a bend in the middle half-way along its maximum dimension radiator main axis and having a less localized heat source 2’ and less localized heat sump. Both the heat source 2’ and the liquid sump extend along the entire length of the radiator along its maximum dimension main axis. The top view of the second embodiment (not shown) looks very similar to the top view of the first embodiment (Fig. 2). As in the first embodiment, the distributed heat sink 3’ of the second embodiment is constituted by the duct or duct system 5. In the use position of the second embodiment, all the duct ends 5b, best shown in Fig. 2, are at a slightly higher position, barely recognizable in Fig. 3, than the duct ends 5a. Again, this improves liquid backflow form the distributed heat sink 3’ to the localized heat source 2’ of the heating support T.

The heat source 2’ comprises an elongate (oblong) electric heater membrane 21 extending along the entire length of the heating support T and attached to the outer surface of the heating support T in thermal contact with an elongate (oblong) first chamber (not shown), as well as an electric connection unit 22 and a control unit 23 connected to the electric heater membrane 21 for adjusting electric power fed into the liquid sump of the heat source 2’.

Referring to Fig. 8, a perspective view of a first arrangement of a plurality of heating supports 1 according to the invention is shown. On an upper heating support 1 , a group of first types of objects H1 , H2, H3 (e.g. hats, gloves and shawls) to be heated can be placed. On a lower heating support 1 , a group of second types of objects H8 (e.g. shoes and boots) to be heated can be placed. Referring to Fig. 9, a perspective view of a second arrangement of a plurality of heating supports 1 according to the invention is shown. On an upper heating support 1 , a group of third types of objects H4 (e.g. towels) to be heated can be placed. On a lower heating support 1 , a group of fourth types of objects H5 and H6 (e.g. sweaters and socks) to be heated can be placed.

Referring to Fig. 10, a perspective view of a third arrangement of a plurality of heating supports 1 according to the invention is shown. On an uppermost heating support 1 , a group of third types of objects H4 (e.g. towels) to be heated can be placed. On a lower heating support 1, a group of fifth types of objects H7 (e.g. shirts and socks) to be heated can be placed. On a lowermost heating support 1 , a group of fifth types of objects H7 (e.g. shirts) to be heated can be placed. Unlike the first and second arrangements shown in Figs. 8 and 9, this third arrangement comprises a partially cut away heating closet 4 including three heating supports 1 at different levels and an air duct 46 for evacuating the closet 4.

When heated, the steam/vapor within the heating support 1 or 1’ spreads rapidly and has the same temperature throughout the inner chamber(s) C2 of the heating support 1 or 1’. As a result, a very high thermal conductivity between any two different locations of the heating support according to the invention is achieved, thus preventing any localized temperature peaks even if the heating support is loaded with densely-packed objects to be heated.

Referring to Fig. 11, a front view of a fourth arrangement of a plurality of heating supports according to the invention is shown. This fourth arrangement is similar to the third arrangement shown in Fig. 10. Also shown is an air duct 46 cooperating with a fan/ventilator 47 for air flow adjustment.

Referring to Fig. 12, a side view of a fifth arrangement, similar to Figs. 1 , 2, 3 and 4, of a heating support 1 according to the invention is shown. This fifth arrangement includes an air duct 46 for evacuating a closet 4 (not shown).

Referring to Fig. 13, a front view of a sixth arrangement, similar to Fig. 10, of a heating support 1 according to the invention is shown. Also shown are an air duct 46 and a fan/ventilator 47, as in Fig.11 , as well as a switching unit 48 for air flow adjustment within a heating closet 4. Due to the switching unit 48, ventilation of the closet 4 can be switched between an internal circulation mode for circulating air within the heating closet 4 and an external circulation mode for circulating air into, through and out of the heating closet 4. This allows objects to be efficiently heated or dried when placed in the heating closet 4 according to the invention.

Referring to Fig. 14, a front view of a heating support 1” according to a third embodiment of the invention is shown. The heating support 1” is a stand-alone tree like radiator with a heat source 2” in its bottom part and a duct or duct system 5 extending upwardly from the heat source 2” in the bottom part. The heating support 1” also comprises a distributed heat sink 3 formed by a duct or duct system 5 having first ends 5a in fluid contact and in thermal contact with the heat source 2” and second ends 5b forming dead ends of the duct or duct system 5. As a result, steam/vapor formed by evaporating liquid in the region of the heat source 2” can be easily distributed within the heating support 1” by thermal action and contributes to a uniform temperature distribution within the heating support 1” and at the outer surface of the heating support 1”, thus forming a radiator surface having a uniform temperature distribution. As a result, liquid formed by condensing steam/vapor in the region of the distributed heat sink 3” can easily flow back from the distributed heat sink 3” of the heating support 1” to the heat source 2” of the heating support 1” by the action of gravity.

Referring to Fig. 15, a top view of the heating support 1” according to the third embodiment of the invention is shown.

Referring to Fig. 16, a perspective view of the heating support 1” according to the third embodiment of the invention is shown.

Referring to Fig. 17, a perspective view of the heating support 1* according to a fourth embodiment of the invention is shown in a use position. The heating support 1 * is a heating support with loop-style tube portions 71 , 72. These tube portions 71 , 72 are loop-shaped tubes. A first tube portion 71 forms a first loop structure. A second tube portion 72 forms a second loop structure. The tube portions 71 , 72 with their first and second loop structures, respectively are arranged next to each other. Each each loop structure 71 , 72 has its first end and its second end in fluid connection with a connecting duct 60 providing a liquid sump for condensed fluid. Each of the first loop structures 71 which is larger than the second loop structure 72 surrounds one of the second loop structures 72. The heating support 1* comprises three bent tube portions 71 and three bent tube portions 72 arranged next to each other along the connecting duct 60.

Referring to Fig. 18, a perspective view of the heating support 1* according to a fifth embodiment of the invention is shown in a use position. The heating support 1* is a heating support with loop-style tube portions 71 , 72 just like the fifth embodiment in Fig. 17, but now equipped with a cover 80 covering the connecting duct 60 (as shown in Fig. 17) and a fixing means 91, 92. The heating support 1* is rotatably mounted at the fixing means 91 , 92, thus allowing the heating support to be rotated with respect to the fixing means 91 , 92 around a horizontal axis of rotation and within an angular range extending between a use position and a non-use position. In the use position, the loop-style tube portions 71, 72 extend in a quasi-horizontal direction. In the non use position (not shown), the loop-style tube portions 71 , 72 extend in a vertically upward direction. The heating support 1* can be locked/engaged in different angular positions within this angular range. The fixing means 91 , 92 comprises a first fixing means 91 located at a first position along the axis of rotation and a second fixing means 92 located at a second position along the axis of rotation.

Referring to Fig. 19, a cross sectional view of a portion of the heating support 1* according to the fourth embodiment of Fig. 17 is shown in its quasi-horizontal use position. The connecting duct 60 has a square cross-section. There is shown an end region of a tube portion 71 where the end of this tube portion 71 is in fluid connection with the connecting duct 60. The heat source 2* is an electric immersion heater or electric heater cartridge extending along a longitudinal direction of the connecting duct 60, i.e. perpendicular to the drawing plane of Fig. 19. In the use position, the heat source 2* is located on an angle bisector of the lower left-hand side quadrant of the square cross-section of the connecting duct 60 while the tube portions 71 extend away from the connecting duct 60 in a rightward direction. The heat source 2* is completely immersed in the liquid sump below the liquid/steam interface LSI.

Referring to Fig. 20, a cross sectional view of the portion of the heating support 1* according to the fourth embodiment of Fig. 17 is shown in its quasi-vertical non-use position. In the non-use position, the heat source 2* is now again located on an angle bisector of the lower right-hand side quadrant of the square cross-section of the connecting duct 60 while the tube portions 71 extend away from the connecting duct 60 in an upward direction. The heat source 2* is still completely immersed in the liquid sump below the liquid/steam interface LSI.

Referring to Fig. 21 , a cross sectional view of a portion of a heating support 1 ** according to a sixth embodiment is shown in its quasi-horizontal use position. The connecting duct 60’ has a circular cross-section. There is shown an end region of a tube portion 71 where the end of this tube portion 71 is in fluid connection with the connecting duct 60’. The heat source 2* is an electric immersion heater or electric heater cartridge extending along a longitudinal direction of the connecting duct 60’, i.e. perpendicular to the drawing plane of Fig. 21. In the use position, the heat source 2* is located on an angle bisector of the lower left-hand side quadrant of the circular cross-section of the connecting duct 60’ while the tube portions 71 extend away from the connecting duct 60’ in a rightward direction. The heat source 2* is completely immersed in the liquid sump below the liquid/steam interface LSI.

Referring to Fig. 22, a cross sectional view of the portion of the heating support 1** according to the sixth embodiment of Fig. 21 is shown in its quasi-vertical non-use position. In the non-use position, the heat source 2* is now again located on an angle bisector of the lower right-hand side quadrant of the circular cross-section of the connecting duct 60’ while the tube portions 71 extend away from the connecting duct 60’ in an upward direction. The heat source 2* is still completely immersed in the liquid sump below the liquid/steam interface LSI.

Referring to Fig. 23, a cross sectional view of a portion of the heating support 1* according to a seventh embodiment is shown in its quasi-horizontal use position. The connecting duct 60 has a square cross-section. There is shown an end region of a tube portion 71 where the end of this tube portion 71 is in fluid connection with the connecting duct 60. The heat source 2** is an electric heating foil extending along a longitudinal direction of the connecting duct 60, i.e. perpendicular to the drawing plane of Fig. 23, and along a circumferential direction within an angular range of 90°, i.e. around a first 90° outside edge of the connecting duct 60 and covering a portion of each of the two outside surfaces next to the first outside edge. In the use position, the heat source 2** is located on an angle bisector of the lower left-hand side quadrant of the square cross-section of the connecting duct 60 while the tube portions 71 extend away from the connecting duct 60 in a rightward direction. Most of the electric heating foil of the heat source 2** attached to the outside surface of the connecting duct 60 is located opposite the inside surface of the connecting duct 60 contacted by the liquid sump. In other words, most of the electric heating foil of the heat source 2** is located below the liquid/steam interface LSI of the liquid sump.

Referring to Fig. 24, a cross sectional view of the seventh embodiment according to Fig. 23 is shown in its quasi-vertical non-use position. In the use position, the heat source 2** is now again located on an angle bisector of the lower right-hand side quadrant of the square cross-section of the connecting duct 60 while the tube portions 71 extend away from the connecting duct 60 in a upward direction. Most of the electric heating foil of the heat source 2** attached to the outside surface of the connecting duct 60 is now again located opposite the inside surface of the connecting duct 60 contacted by the liquid sump. In other words, most of the electric heating foil of the heat source 2** is again located below the liquid/steam interface LSI of the liquid sump.

Referring to Fig. 25, a cross sectional view of a portion of the heating support 1** according to an eighth embodiment is shown in its quasi-horizontal use position. The connecting duct 60’ has a circular cross-section. There is shown an end region of a tube portion 71 where the end of this tube portion 71 is in fluid connection with the connecting duct 60’. All of the tube portions 71 extending away from the connecting duct 60’ extend in a plane eccentrically intersecting the connecting duct 60’. The heat source 2** is an electric heating foil extending along a longitudinal direction of the connecting duct 60’, i.e. perpendicular to the drawing plane of Fig. 25, and along a circumferential direction within an angular range of 180, i.e. around a half-circle of the outer surface of the connecting duct 60’. In the use position, the heat source 2** is located on an angle bisector of the lower left-hand side quadrant of the circular cross-section of the connecting duct 60’ while the tube portions 71 extend away from the connecting duct 60’ in a rightward direction. Most of the electric heating foil of the heat source 2** attached to the outside surface of the connecting duct 60’ is located opposite the inside surface of the connecting duct 60’ contacted by the liquid sump. In other words, most of the electric heating foil of the heat source 2** is located below the liquid/steam interface LSI of the liquid sump.

Referring to Fig. 26, a cross sectional view of a portion of the heating support 1** according to the eighth embodiment is shown in its quasi-vertical non-use position. In the non-use position, the heat source 2** is located on an angle bisector of the lower right-hand side quadrant of the circular cross-section of the connecting duct 60’ while the tube portions 71 extend away from the connecting duct 60’ in an upward direction. Most of the electric heating foil of the heat source 2** attached to the outside surface of the connecting duct 60’ is again located opposite the inside surface of the connecting duct 60’ contacted by the liquid sump. In other words, most of the electric heating foil of the heat source 2** is located below the liquid/steam interface LSI of the liquid sump.

Referring to Fig. 27, a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the fourth embodiment (connecting duct with square cross-section) is shown in an effort to better illustrate the geometric relationships used to locate the electric heating element (immersion heater or electric heating foil) with respect to the connecting duct.

Referring to Fig. 28, a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the sixth embodiment (connecting duct with circular cross-section) is shown in an effort to better illustrate the geometric relationships used to locate the electric heating element (immersion heater or electric heating foil) with respect to the connecting duct.

Referring to Fig. 29, a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a ninth embodiment (connecting duct with octagonal cross-section) is shown in an effort to better illustrate the geometric relationships used to locate the electric heating element (immersion heater or electric heating foil) with respect to the connecting duct.

List of reference signs

1 heating support

V heating support

1” heating support

1* heating support

1** heating support

2 heat source

2’ heat source

2” heat source

2* heat source (immersion heater, cartridge)

2** heat source (heating foil, membrane)

3 heat sink (tube portion)

3’ heat sink (tube portion)

3” heat sink (tube portion)

3* heat sink (tube portion)

3** heat sink (tube portion)

4 heating closet

5 duct or duct system or connecting duct

3a first end (of tube)

3b second end (of tube)

11 electric heater (immersion heater, cartridge)

12 electric connections

13 control unit

21 electric heater (heating foil, membrane)

22 electric connections

23 control unit

C1 first chamber

C2 second chamber

L liquid (water)

S steam (water vapor)

LSI liquid/steam interface (water level)

41 electric cable

42 mains plug

43 heater plug 44 chain

45 wall mount

46 air duct

47 fan (for air flow adjustment)

48 switching unit (for air flow adjustment)

H1 object (to be heated)

H2 object (to be heated)

H3 object (to be heated)

H4 object (to be heated)

H5 object (to be heated)

H6 object (to be heated)

H7 object (to be heated)

H8 object (to be heated)

60 connecting duct (square cross section)

60’ connecting duct (circular cross section)

71 first loop structure (loop-shaped tubes)

72 second loop structure (loop-shaped tubes)

80 cover (of connecting duct)

91 first fixing means

92 second fixing means