Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a warming apparatus for warming textile objects such as towels, clothes etc. The warming apparatus comprises a profile and an electric calorific means arranged in the profile. The invention further relates to a method for providing such a warming apparatus.

Technical background

Towel holders and towel warmers exist in several different variants, including panels and racks. A conventional towel warmer includes an outer casing on which towels are arranged and an electric calorific means, for example a resistance heater, which is enclosed by an inner casing. The electric calorific means heats a fluid arranged between the outer and inner casing. In this case, the electric calorific means heats the fluid, which in turn heats the outer casing. Due to energy losses occurring, this solution is not as efficient as desirable.

Furthermore, towel warmers exist in many different designs. For example, the outer casing may have the shape of tube forming a rack on which towels are to be arranged. Not only towels may be warmed or dried by means of a towel warmer, clothes and other textiles may as well be warmed or dried by arranging the clothes or textiles on the towel warmer.

Prior art discloses different solutions in this field of technology. For example, US 3,244,858 discloses a heating panel for drying towels wherein heating element wire is wound around a core which is encased in an outer casing made of for example aluminium. The outer casing forms a surface on which towels may be placed. Heat must be transferred from the heating element to the outer casing.

A similar solution is described in US 6,080,974 disclosing clothes- and linen warming apparatus in which a resistive material is arranged in a track on a substrate. The resistive material arranged on a substrate is encapsulated in an electrically insulating and thermally conducting container.

Alternative solutions are disclosed for example in EP 1 1760 413 and in DE 20 2007 014256 U1 . The towel warmers described in these documents comprise an electrical calorific means in form of a sheet or film placed on a panel forming a surface on which towels are to be placed.

However, due to the general want to reduce energy consumed by apparatuses used in our homes, it is desirable to improve the energy efficiency of a towel warmers and the like.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvement over the above described techniques and prior art.

A further object is to provide a warming apparatus for textile objects which has reduced energy consumption.

At least some of these and other objects and advantages that will be apparent from the description have been achieved by a warming apparatus for warming textile objects. The warming apparatus comprises a profile extending in a longitudinal direction, the profile having a heat transfer surface for warming textile objects by contact and a duct having an extension in the longitudinal direction, and an elongated electric calorific means comprising an electrically insulating outer layer. The elongated electric calorific means is arranged in the duct such that the electrically insulating outer layer is in contact with said profile.

By arranging the elongated electric calorific means in the duct such that the electrically insulating outer layer is in contact with said profile, heat transfer from the electric calorific means to the profile by means of conduction is enabled.

With textile objects are meant towels, clothes, linen etc. Towels, clothes, linen are to be placed on the heat transfer surface in order to be warmed, dried, dehumidified etc. The textile objects are warmed mainly by contact, but may also be warmed by radiant heat or convection.

An advantage of the inventive warming apparatus is that energy consumption of the warming apparatus is reduced compared to conventional warmers. The warming apparatus presents improved energy efficiency compared to conventional warmers or heaters.

In the inventive warming apparatus, the electrically insulating layer is arranged in contact with the profile and no housing is enclosing the electric calorific means. Heat generated by the electric calorific means does only have to pass through the electrically insulating layer before being transferred to the heat transfer surface. Consequently, heat generated by the electric calorific means does not have to pass through a housing or encapsulation before transferring the heat to the heat transfer surface. Thereby, energy losses are reduced. Further, due to the heat is directly transferred to the heat transfer surface, the warming apparatus operates at low power. The difference in temperature between the temperature of the electric calorific means and the temperature of the heat transfer surface is lower compared to a conventional towel warmer.

Since the warming apparatus operates at constant low power and temperature, no thermostat is required. The warming apparatus thus represents a reliable design.

Another advantage is that heat is uniformly transferred to heat transfer surface. Heat is transferred from the electric calorific means arranged in the duct to the heat transfer surface. The whole surface of the profile forming the heat transfer surface is heated. Additionally, the warming apparatus generates less noise or sounds compared to a conventional towel warmer due to the fact that it contains fewer components.

Further, the heat transfer surface provides a large surface on which the objects may make contact with and consequently be heated by thermal contact.

By providing the profile with a duct in which the electric calorific means may be arranged, the warming apparatus represent a simple design containing few components, thereby offering a possibility for rational manufacture of the warming apparatus.

Since the warming apparatus include few components, the warming apparatus may be recycled to a high extent without difficulties.

Furthermore, using a profile as a warming apparatus, a flexible warming apparatus is obtained. The design and the length of the profile may easily be changed, and more than one profile may be combined in order to provide a warming apparatus that suits a specific room or specific needs. Profiles of the warming apparatuses may be arranged adjacent each other, together forming a large heat transfer surface. The warming apparatus may not only be arranged in a bathroom, it may as well be arranged in a bedroom, an entrance hall, in a laundry room etc.

The profile of the warming apparatus forms a heat transfer surface on which not only textile objects may be placed. The heat transfer surface may also provide heating of the room or warm a person after the shower or bath by radiant heat. The elongated electric calorific means may be arranged to generate heat to such an extent that a maximum surface temperature of the heat transfer surface is 80°C. A maximum temperature of approximately 80°C is suitable in order to reduce the risk for burn injury of a person touching the heat transfer surface. The surface temperature of the heat transfer surface when in use may be between 50-80°C. The warming apparatus may be provided with an arrangement for adjusting the surface temperature of the heat transfer surface.

The profile may be an extruded profile. By using an extruded profile, many different designs are easily obtainable at low cost. For example, a specific design for each producer may be obtained at low cost. By extruding the profile, the duct may be formed integrally with the forming of the profile.

The profile may be made of aluminium, and may for example be an extruded aluminium profile. Aluminium also has favourable properties relating to thermal conductivity. Aluminium easily transfers the heat from the electric calorific means to the heat transfer surface. Aluminium may also be provided with different coatings improving the emissivity. A profile of aluminium may easily be recycled.

The duct may be extending along essentially the full length of the profile in the longitudinal direction.

The elongated electric calorific means may be extending along essentially the full length of the duct. Thereby, heat is transferred from the calorific means along the full length of the duct.

The duct may be symmetrically arranged in the profile. Thereby, heat is uniformly transferred to the whole heat transfer surface.

The heat transfer surface may be provided with a surface coating such as a layer of paint or an anodized layer. Thereby, the emissivity of the heat transfer surface is improved. Additionally, by the heat transfer surface being anodized but not the rear surface of the profile facing wall, the heat transfer of the warming apparatus may be directed in the desired direction, i.e. towards objects arranged on the warming apparatus and towards the room, not towards the wall.

The warming apparatus may comprise wall mounting means arranged on a surface of the profile opposite the heat transfer surface for mounting the profile to a wall. Consequently, the warming apparatus may easily be mounted to a surface such as a wall. The warming apparatus may comprise suspension means for arranging textile objects on the profile. Any object such as towels, clothes or linen may then be easily arranged on the warming apparatus. The suspension means may be a knob on which for example a towel may be arranged without being folded over the profile.

The elongated electric calorific means may comprise a resistance element. Heat is then generated by means of resistance heating.

The electrically insulating outer layer may comprise a mineral material, a ceramic material, plastics or rubber. The electrically insulating outer layer electrically insulates the resistance element.

The electrically insulating outer layer may comprise magnesium oxide.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the present invention is realised by a method for providing a warming apparatus for warming textile objects by contact. The method comprises

providing a profile extending in a longitudinal direction, the profile having a heat transfer surface for warming textile objects by contact and a duct having an extension in the longitudinal direction,

arranging an elongated electric calorific means comprising an electrically insulating outer layer in the duct such that the electrically insulating outer layer is in contact with said profile.

By arranging the elongated electric calorific means directly into the duct of the profile, such that the electrically outer layer is in contact with the profile, heat is transferred directly from the calorific means to the profile comprising the heat transfer surface. Consequently, the heat transfer is more efficient and the energy consumption of the warming apparatus is reduced.

Further, by providing the profile with a duct and arranging the calorific means therein, the warming apparatus represent a simple design containing few components, thereby offering a rational manufacture of the warming apparatus.

The step of providing the profile may include extruding an element into a profile. By extruding a profile, different shapes may easily be formed and varied for different producers. Further, the duct may be integrally formed with the profile. Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will by way of example be described in more detail with reference to the appended schematic drawings, which show an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a schematic front view of a warming apparatus.

Figure 2 shows a schematic rear view of the warming apparatus.

Figure 3 shows a cross-section of the warming apparatus.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the warming apparatus.

Figure 5 shows a plurality of warming apparatuses arranged adjacent each other.

Detailed description

With reference to figs. 1 -5, a warming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described. The warming apparatus 1 is adapted to warm, heat or dehumidify textile objects 10, such as towels, clothes, linen or other objects. The warming apparatus 1 may be a towel warmer, or a warmer for textile objects etc. The warming apparatus 1 may for example be placed in a bathroom, an entrance hall, a bedroom etc.

The warming apparatus 1 comprises a profile 2 and an electric calorific means 3. The profile 2 has an extension in a longitudinal direction L. In the embodiment shown in figs.1 -5, the profile 2 is elongated. Further, in the embodiment shown in figs.1 -5, the profile 2 has a rectangular shape.

However, the profile 2 may have any other shape, such as square, circular, elliptic, irregular shapes etc. Common for all possible shapes is that the profile 2 has an extension in a longitudinal direction L. By a profile 2 is also meant elements such as a panel, a plate, a sheet etc.

In cross-section, the transverse extension of the profile 2 may be curved, which is shown in fig. 3, or may have any other shape such as linear, wave-shaped etc. Further, the profile 2 may comprise profiled portions.

Preferably, the profile 2 is an extruded profile 2. By extruding the profile

2, it is easy to vary the shape of the profile 2, especially the shape in cross- section.

The profile 2 may be made of aluminium. Other material would also be possible, such as steel, other alloys, or other metallic materials, or ceramic materials. Preferably, the profile 2 is an extruded aluminium profile.

Alternatively, the profile may be moulded. The profile 2 further comprises a front surface 4 and a rear surface 5. When the warming apparatus 1 is mounted to a wall, the front surface 4 is adapted to face the room. In the shown embodiment, the front surface 4 comprises partly a wave-formed pattern. The rear surface 5 is adapted to face the wall. The front surface 4 forms, at least partly, a heat transfer surface 7. The heat transfer surface 7 is adapted to warm, heat and/or dehumidify textile objects 10 arranged on the warming apparatus 1 . At least portions of the textile objects may be directly abutting the surface 7. The heat transfer surface 7 is adapted to make contact with the textile object 10.

The heat transfer surface 7 may be provided with suspension means 6 for suspending objects on the warming apparatus 1 . The suspension means 6 may be in form of knobs arranged on the front surface 4and on which textile objects 10 may be arranged. Preferably, the suspension means 6 is arranged on an upper part of the profile 2 such that the area of the objects arranged thereon abutting the heat transfer surface 7 is maximised. Alternatively, objects 10 may be arranged directly on the profile 2, for example by hanging over the profile 2.

The heat transfer surface 7 may be provided with a surface coating, for example a layer of paint, an anodized layer, or a surface treatment. For example, the heat transfer surface 7 may be anodized in order to improve the emissivity of the heat transfer surface 7. By anodizing the heat transfer surface 7 facing the room, the heat transfer from the warming apparatus 1 may be directed towards the room and towards objects 10 arranged on the heat transfer surface 7. If the rear surface 5 is not anodized or provided with any other surface coating, and if the heat transfer surface 7 is anodized, the heat transfer is directed towards the room and objects arranged on the heat transfer surface 7, and not towards the wall.

The rear surface 5 is provided with grooves 1 1 , 12 extending in the longitudinal direction L of the profile 2 at each side of the profile 2, which is shown in figs. 2-3. The grooves 1 1 , 12 are adapted for attaching wall mounting means 9 to the profile 2. The wall mounting means 9 is adapted to attach the profile 2 to a surface such as a wall. The wall mounting means 9 comprises a bracket. The outer ends of the bracket 9 are arranged in the grooves 1 1 , 12 at each side of the profile 2. The distance between the grooves 1 1 , 12 is slightly smaller than the width of the bracket 9, such that the bracket 9 is attached to the profile 2 by means of a gripping force. The bracket 9 is attached to the wall by means of any conventional fixing means, such as a screw. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the warming apparatus 1 may be mounted to a wall by any other means.

A duct 8 is integrally formed in the profile 2, which is shown in fig 3 disclosing a cross-section of the profile along section A-A. In the shown embodiment, the duct 8 is extending along essentially the full length of the profile 2 in the longitudinal direction L. However, it is contemplated that the duct 8 may extend along only a portion of the profile 2. Further, the duct 8 has an extension parallel with the longitudinal extension L of the profile 2. The duct 8 is extending in a linear direction. Further, the duct 8 may be

symmetrically arranged in the profile 2. With symmetrically arranged is meant that the duct 8 divides a surface of the profile 2 into two portions having an equal area. By arranging the duct 8 symmetrically, a uniform heat transfer is obtained over the area of the heat transfer surface 7. However, in other embodiments, the duct may be asymmetrically arranged in the profile. In the embodiment shown in figures 1 -5, the duct 8 is formed in the rear surface 5 of the profile 2. The duct 8 may as well be centrally arranged in the profile 2, as seen in a cross section, or may be formed in the front surface 4 of the profile 2.

The duct 8 has a circular cross-section. However, it is contemplated that any other cross-section also would be possible, such as elliptic, rectangular, square etc.

With reference to fig. 3, an electric calorific means 3 is arranged in the duct 8. By electric calorific means 3 is meant any kind of electric heat generating means. The electric calorific means 3 has an elongated extension. In the shown embodiment, the electric calorific means 3 has a linear extension. Further, in the embodiment shown in the figures, the electric calorific means 3 has an extension essentially along the full length of the duct 8, which in turn extends along essentially along the full length of the profile 2. This is advantageous in order to uniformly distribute heat. However, it is contemplated that the electric calorific means 3 may extend along only a portion of the duct 8. In the shown embodiment, the duct 8 and the electric calorific means 3 arranged therein end at a distance from the end of the profile 2 in the longitudinal direction L. Thereby, connection means 15 for connecting the electric calorific means 3 to power supply may be hidden and not visible from the front surface 4 of the profile 2.

The electric calorific means 3 is insertable in the duct 8. The electric calorific means 3 comprises a resistance element 13 and an electrically insulating outer layer 14. The resistance element 13 is arranged in the duct 8. The resistance element 13 is arranged in the duct 8 such that it does not make contact with the profile 2. More specifically, when arranged in the duct 8, the resistance element 13 does not make contact with the walls of the duct 8. The electrically insulating outer layer 14 is enclosing the resistance element 13. The electrically insulating outer layer 14 is arranged in the duct 8 such that the electrically insulating outer layer 14 is in contact with profile 2. Thereby, electrical insulating of the resistance element 13 is provided.

The resistance element 13 is an element being conducting or semi- conducting such that the resistance element 13 is electrically conductive. The resistance element 13 has a predetermined resistance. The resistance element 13 may be a resistance wire. The resistance wire may be made of a metallic material. Alternatively, the resistance element is a semi-conductor.

The electrically insulating outer layer 14 is a layer comprising a mineral material, plastic material, a ceramic material, rubber. Preferably, the electrically insulating outer layer 14 comprises magnesium oxide. The magnesium oxide is arranged in the duct 8 in form of a powder.

The electric calorific means 3 further comprises connecting means 15 for connecting the electric calorific means 3 to a power supply. The

connecting means 15 is arranged at one end of the calorific means 3 and thereby at the end of the duct 8. As previously described, the connecting means 15 is preferably hidden behind the rear surface 5 of the profile 2 and not visible from the front surface 4 of the profile 2.

Heat is generated by means of resistance heating when the electric calorific means 3 is connected to an electric power supply and current passes through the conductor in form of the resistance element 13. The heat is transferred from the electric calorific means 3 to the profile 2 and its heat transfer surface 7. Since no outer casing is enclosing the electric calorific means 3, thermal losses are reduced. Especially if the profile 2 is made of a material having high thermal conductivity, such as aluminium, thermal losses are reduced. As an example, the resistance element 13 may have a temperature of 150°C, and the heat transfer surface 7 will have a temperature of 60-70°C. Since the resistance element 13 is heated to a temperature lower than in prior art solutions, the energy consumption of the warming apparatus 1 is reduced. As an example, a warming apparatus comprising a profile having a length of 1300 mm and a width of 124 mm consumes 90 W in order to obtain a surface temperature of 60°C of the heat transfer surface.

The textile objects 10 are placed on the profile, for example by means of the suspensions means 6, which is shown in figs. 4-5. The textile objects 10, or at least parts of the textile object 10, are thus in contact with the heat transfer surface 7. Heat is thereby transferred to the textile objects 10 by contact with the heat transfer surface 7. In addition to thermal contact conduction, heat may also be transferred to the textile objects 10 by means of thermal radiation radiating from the heat transfer surface 7. Thereby, distal parts of the textile objects 10 not making direct contact with the heat transfer surface 7 will also be warmed.

Fig. 5 shows a number of warming apparatuses 1 arranged adjacent each other. Any number of warming apparatus 1 may be combined into an arrangement, and the warming apparatuses 1 may be arranged at the wall at different heights. By arranging the profiles 2 adjacent each other, a large heat transfer surface formed by the individual heat transfer surfaces of each profile is obtained.

In the following, a method for providing a warming apparatus 1 for warming textile objects 10 by contact will be described with reference to figs 1 -5. The method comprises providing a profile 2 having an extension in the longitudinal direction L. As previously described, the profile 2 has a heat transfer surface 7 for warming textile objects 10 by contact and a duct 8 having an extension in the longitudinal direction L. Preferably, the profile 2 is formed by extrusion. By extruding the profile 2, the duct 8 is integrally formed in the profile 2 when extruding the profile 2.

The method further comprises arranging an elongated electric calorific means 3 comprising an electrically insulating outer layer 14 in the duct 8 such that the electrically insulating outer layer 14 is in contact with the profile 2. This step may include arranging a resistance element 13 in the duct 8 and arranging the electrically insulting outer layer 14 around the resistance element 13 in the duct 8, thereby enclosing the resistance element 13. In an embodiment, the resistance element 13 is in form of a resistance wire and the electrically insulating layer 14 is formed of a powder comprising magnesium oxide. The resistance wire 13 has a helical shape when being inserted in the duct 8. The resistance wire 13 is then stretched to a state wherein the wire does not make contact with the walls of the duct 8, and thereby does not make contact with the profile 2. The duct 8 is then filled with the magnesium oxide powder such that the magnesium oxide powder is enclosing the resistance wire 13. Thereby, the electrically insulating outer layer 14 is in contact the walls of the duct 8 and consequently the profile 2. The duct 8 is then compressed by applying pressure to the outer walls of the duct 8 in order to evacuate air remaining in the duct 8 and improve the heat transfer capacity.

Before or after the electric calorific means 3 has been arranged in the duct 8, the heat transfer surface 7 may be provided with a surface coating or be anodized.

In additional steps, the profile 2 may be provided with wall suspension 9 means and suspension means 6 for suspending textile objects 10 on the profile 2.

It is contemplated that there are numerous modifications of the embodiments described herein, which are still within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, it is contemplated that more than one elongated calorific means may be arranged in the profile, and that the profile consequently is provided with more than one duct.

Thereby, a larger warming apparatus is obtainable. It is also contemplated that the shape, length and curvature of the profile may vary.

In the shown embodiments, the profile is extending in a vertical direction when mounted to a wall. It is also contemplated that the profile may extend in a horizontal direction when mounted to a wall.

It is also contemplated that the warming apparatus may include a lightening device, for example arranged in the profile. The warming apparatus may in such an embodiment also be provided with a sensor unit connected the lightening device. Thereby, the lightening device may be automatically turned on when a person is in the same room, for example in the bathroom, as the warming apparatus.