The invention to which this application relates is a drying apparatus for a drinks vessel and a method of manufacture thereof. Although the following description refers exclusively to the drying of glass drinks vessels, the person skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention could also be used with drinks vessels formed from other materials.

It is has become commonplace in pubs, bars, hotels etc. where drinks are served for the server, before pouring the drink, to invert the drinking vessel, usually a glass article, and push it down on a glass rinser or "star sink". A jet or spray of water is then propelled upwardly into the drinking vessel until the server raises the vessel off the rinser, at which point the water drains away. One of the main reasons for doing this is to provide a final clean of the glass before it is served to a customer— one function is to rinse away any residual sanitiser from the interior of the glass article that is present after its previous wash. It is also done in order to cool the glass down from the ambient room temperature and, it is believed, to provide a better "pour" of, for example, beer, in particular, lager. Wetting the interior of a glass article serves to reduce the friction between the glass and the beer or lager as it is poured, and so it is believed that this results in a more even, clean pour, and a more fragrant and fuller head of beer. However, it is also believed that the head created in a pre-wetted glass can become too much, and this can subsequently lead to a lot of wastage of beer through excess foam.

Some beer glasses are provided with small etchings on the interior base of the glass, which are provided so as to act as a means to create a nucleation point for dissolved C0 ₂ in the lager beer. This helps to maintain the head of the beer for longer and for most of the duration the beverage is being consumed, but importantly, does not create too frothy or foamy a head during the initial pouring. However, when the glasses are put through the initial rinsing process prior to serving, some of the residual water droplets remain in the etchings, and it is believed that these hinder the initial nucleation process of the beer when it comes into contact with the etchings, and further, the head on the beer becomes too big and the problem as previously mentioned arises.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide an apparatus that overcomes the aforementioned problems associated with the prior art.

It is another aim of the present invention to provide a method of manufacturing an apparatus that overcomes the aforementioned problems associated with the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for at least partially drying at least an interior of a drinks vessel, said apparatus including:

supply means for introduction of a gaseous fluid to said apparatus;

at least one outlet for said gaseous fluid;

actuation means arranged to permit selective release of gaseous fluid through said at least one outlet; and

characterised in that the at least one outlet is located or positioned on and/or along a conduit means, at least part of which is arranged to release said gaseous fluid to at least the inside of said drinks vessel in use.

In one embodiment, the apparatus is arranged such that relative movement of the actuation means in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of release of said gaseous fluid through the at least one outlet permits the release of said gaseous fluid. Typically, said selective release of gaseous fluid is directed at least to an interior of said drinks vessel, in use.

Typically, the conduit means is arranged along or on a substantially vertical axis. Further typically, said at least one outlet is located at an end of said conduit means, and arranged to release said gaseous fluid along or on a substantially vertical axis.

In one embodiment, said gaseous fluid may be provided as compressed gas or mixture of gasses. Typically the compressed gas is air, nitrogen, or other similar gas or mixture of gases. From here on in shall be referred to simply as "air", without restricting the scope as such.

In one embodiment, relative coaxial movement between said actuation means and said conduit means permits the release of air therethrough.

In one embodiment, said actuation means includes at least one valve means, having at least one inlet portion and at least one outlet portion. Typically, said at least one valve means is movable between a closed position, preventing the release of air through said conduit means and said at least one outlet, and at least a first open position, permitting the release of air through said conduit means and said at least one outlet.

Typically, said valve means is biased to the closed position.

Typically, said valve means is provided with at least one inlet portion and one outlet portion. In one embodiment, said at least one valve means includes a check valve member. Typically, said valve means may further include a push-button actuator and/or the like.

In one embodiment, said actuation means includes a movable member, movable between a first position and at least a second position. Typically, said movable member is biased to the first position and movable to at least the second position, in use.

In one embodiment, said movable member is in communication with said at least one valve means. Typically, movement of the movable member to at least the second position, urges the at least one valve means to the first open position, thereby permitting the release of air through said at least one outlet.

In one embodiment, said movable member includes at least one aperture located therethrough. In one embodiment, said at least one outlet is arranged on the conduit means to release air therefrom and through said aperture.

In one embodiment, said conduit means is provided as an elongate member having one or more outlets located thereon.

In one embodiment, said conduit means is arranged to extend through said movable member. Typically, said conduit means is arranged to protrude outwardly from said movable member. Further typically, said conduit means is located substantially centrally with respect to the movable member. In one embodiment, at least part of said conduit means can be arranged to be positioned inside said drinks vessel, in use.

In one embodiment, said conduit means is arranged to direct the release of air, through at least one outlet, in a substantially opposing direction to that of the movement of the movable member from the first position to the at least second position, upon said movement. Typically, a plurality of outlets is provided on or along said conduit means.

Typically, said movable member is arranged to receive an inverted drinks vessel or glass article thereon, said conduit means subsequently releasing air therethrough and out of said at least one outlet into at least an interior area of said drinks vessel, in use. In one embodiment, in use, a user may urge the drinks vessel on the movable member, moving the movable member from the first position to the at least second position.

In one embodiment, the movable member forms a platform or support member, on which a drinks vessel may be positioned.

In one embodiment, the apparatus is arranged to be located on or fitted to a substantially horizontal support surface. Typically, said support surface is a counter, under-counter, bar, drip tray of a pub, bar, hotel and/or the like.

In another embodiment, said conduit means includes second or further outlets thereon, arranged to release said gaseous fluid to an exterior of said drinks vessel in use. Typically, said second or further outlets are arranged to direct said gaseous fluid at or onto exterior walls of the drinks vessel, in use. Alternatively, the apparatus may include second or further conduit means, having one or more outlets located thereon and arranged to direct said gaseous fluid at or onto exterior walls of the drinks vessel, in use.

Thus, the present invention provides an apparatus that may be conveniently used to dry at least the interior of a drinks vessel, in particular, glass articles, by injecting a flow of air or other gaseous fluid into the vessel when the same is placed, in an inverted fashion, on top of the movable member and urged, in most instances, in a downward fashion to move the movable member from a first position to a second position. This in turn moves the valve means to a first open position allowing the flow of air to pass through and into the vessel. The mechanism for the working is similar to that of a traditional glass rinsing apparatus, however, compressed air or other gaseous fluid is imparted on the vessel instead and provides the desired drying effect on at least its interior.

In one embodiment, said conduit means includes or forms fluid movement and/or injection means. Typically, said fluid movement and/or injection means are provided to release said gaseous fluid utilising the Coanda Effect.

The Coanda Effect can be described as the tendency of a fluid jet to follow an adjacent flat or curved surface and entrain fluid from the surroundings so that a region of lower pressure develops. Thus, utilising the Coanda effect means that by injecting a small amount of compressed fluid, a large amount of surrounding air can also be entrained and consequently expelled through the outlet. Therefore, the present invention, by including a conduit means that is formed so as to utilise the Coanda Effect, increases the efficiency of expelling a jet of fluid through the outlet, while only requiring a relatively small amount of compressed fluid to be injected.

In one embodiment, said conduit means includes a motive or compressed fluid inlet portion, a fluid circulation portion, an ambient or atmospheric air inlet portion, a central bore and a fluid/ ir outlet portion. Typically, an annular inlet is provided at an interface between the fluid circulation portion and the central bore. In one embodiment, said central bore includes a lip portion adjacent said annular inlet. Typically, said lip portion has a convex profile. Thus, by providing a curved (convex) profile at the lip portion of the central bore, compressed fluid that is expelled through the annular inlet and into the bore follows this path and, ultimately, flows outward of the conduit means via the outlet, utilising the Coanda Effect as described above.

In one embodiment, the compressed fluid is a gaseous fluid. Typically, the compressed fluid is provided as compressed air or the like.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus further includes supply means for a liquid fluid. Typically, said liquid fluid is a supply of mains water, carbonated water, soda and/ or the like.

In one embodiment, said at least one valve means is provided as a three-way valve. Typically, said valve means is provided with at least two inlet portions and one outlet portion. Thus, said valve means can be provided with connection to both a supply means for a gaseous fluid and a supply means for a liquid fluid.

In one embodiment, said valve means is movable between a closed position, a first open position, and a second open position. Typically, said second open position is located intermediate said closed position and said first open position.

Typically, said closed position prevents the release of air and/or liquid through said conduit means and the at least one outlet, said first open position permits the release of air through said conduit means and the at least one outlet, and said second open position permits the release of liquid through said conduit means and the at least one outlet. Thus, in one embodiment, said conduit means including or forming fluid movement and/or injection means are further provided to release liquid fluid utilising the Coanda Effect.

In one embodiment, the movable member is movable between a first position, a second position and a third position. Typically, said third position is intermediate said first and second positions, and corresponds with a second open position on the at least one valve means.

Typically, movement of the movable member to the third position urges the at least one valve means to a second open position, thereby permitting the release of liquid through said at least one outlet.

In one embodiment, said conduit means is arranged to release air or liquid therefrom and through said at least one outlet, according to the position of the movable member and, consequently, the at least one valve means, in use.

In another embodiment, two or more outlets may be provided. Typically, first or further outlets are arranged to release air or other gaseous fluid therefrom, and a second or further outlets are arranged to release liquid therefrom.

In another embodiment, said conduit means may include further outlets thereon, arranged to release gaseous and/or liquid fluid to an exterior of said drinks vessel in use. Typically, said further outlets are arranged to direct said gaseous and/or liquid fluid at or onto exterior walls of the drinks vessel, in use. Alternatively, the apparatus may include second or further conduit means, having one or more outlets located thereon and arranged to direct said gaseous and/or liquid fluid at or onto exterior walls of the drinks vessel, in use.

Thus, the present invention can also be provided to accommodate a rinsing stage for a drinks vessel. A user may still press an inverted drinks vessel down on to the movable member, wherein it will at first, in the intermediate position, release liquid in the form of water, soda-water or similar into the vessel in order to rinse the same, and then a further press down to a second position will enable the release of compressed air or the like, thereby drying at least the interior of the vessel. Upon release, the movable member and valve revert back to the first and closed positions, respectively.

In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing, in which some or all component parts of the apparatus are located. Typically, the housing includes one or more side walls. Further typically, said one or more side walls are provided with one or more apertures to permit the in-flow of ambient or atmospheric air into the housing. Thus, by providing one or more apertures in the side walls of the housing, atmospheric or ambient air can circulate into the housing and allowing a constant supply of air to an ambient or atmospheric air inlet portion of the conduit means. This enables the conduit means to use the Coanda Effect as optimally as is possible when expelling fluid therefrom. Another advantage of providing apertures in the side walls is that the interior of the housing is allowed to be constantly ventilated, preventing any unwanted build-up of moisture, mould and/or the like.

In one embodiment, said housing includes a floor portion. Typically, one or more apertures are located in said floor portion. Provision of one or more apertures in said floor portion, as above, atmospheric or ambient air can be circulated into the housing. These apertures also provide a drainage solution for any excess moisture or liquid that builds up inside the housing.

In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a second valve means. Typically, said second valve means is provided as a diverter valve means.

In one embodiment, said second valve means is provided with at least two inlet portions and an outlet portion. Typically, said outlet portion is provided in fluid communication with said at least one inlet portion of the first valve means.

In one embodiment, said second valve means is provided with switch means in the form of a lever, switch, dial or handle member or the like. Typically, said switch means is movable between first and second open positions permitting passage into said second valve means through either the first inlet portion or the second inlet portion, and a closed position, thereby preventing any inlet of gaseous or liquid fluid.

Typically, said first inlet portion may be arranged to be connected to a supply means of gaseous fluid, and said second inlet portion may be arranged to be connected to a supply means of liquid fluid.

Thus, another embodiment of the present invention provides another means by which the apparatus can both rinse and dry a drinks vessel positioned thereon. In this embodiment, a second valve means may be provided, which via switch means can be used to selectively release either liquid or air to flow through and out of the apparatus and rinse or dry the drinks vessel, respectively. In this embodiment, the second valve means may be provided so as to retrofit existing rinsing units rather than replace units with another form of the present invention.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing an apparatus for at least partially drying at least an interior of a drinks vessel, said method including the steps of:

providing supply means for introduction of a gaseous fluid to the apparatus;

forming at least one outlet in the apparatus for said gaseous fluid;

providing actuation means arranged to permit selective release of gaseous fluid through said at least one outlet* in use, and

characterised in that the apparatus is formed such that the at least one outlet is to be located or positioned on and/or along a conduit means, at least part of which is arranged to release said gaseous fluid to at least the inside of said drinks vessel in use.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for at least partially drying a drinks vessel, said apparatus including:

supply means for a gaseous fluid;

at least one outlet for said gaseous fluid; actuation means arranged to permit release of gaseous fluid through said at least one outlet, in use, and

characterised in that the apparatus is arranged such that relative movement of the actuation means in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of release of said gaseous fluid through the at least one outlet permits the release of said gaseous fluid.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for rinsing and at least partially drying at least an interior of a drinks vessel, said apparatus including: supply means for introduction of a gaseous fluid to said apparatus;

supply means for introduction of a liquid fluid to said apparatus;

one or more outlets for said gaseous and/or liquid fluids; actuation means arranged to permit selective release of liquid and/or gaseous fluid through said one or more outlets, in use, and

characterised in that the one or more outlets are to be located or positioned on and/or along a conduit means, at least part of which is arranged to release said gaseous and/or liquid fluid to at least the inside of said drinks vessel in use.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for at least partially drying at least an interior of a drinks vessel, said apparatus including:

supply means for introduction of a gaseous fluid to said apparatus;

at least one outlet for said gaseous fluid;

actuation means arranged to permit selective release of gaseous fluid through said at least one outlet; and

characterised in that the at least one outlet is located or positioned on and/or along a conduit means, at least part of which is arranged to release said gaseous fluid to at least the inside of said drinks vessel in use, said release of gaseous fluid utilising the Coanda Effect.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

Figures l a — b a cross-sectional view and a schematic of an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figures 2a— c illustrate a cross-sectional view and schematics of an apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 4a— b illustrate perspective and cross-section views of a conduit means, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to Figure l a there is shown an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, in the form of a glass dryer 1 , which has a glass article in the form of a traditional pint glass 3 located thereon in an inverted manner. Broadly, the glass dryer 1 includes a supply 5 of a gaseous fluid in the form of compressed air, nitrogen or other inert gas . Generally, compressed air will be used and will be referred to as such, although it will be appreciated that other alternatives are possible. A conduit in the form of a nozzle 7 is provided, through which the compressed air may be expelled, exiting through at least one outlet located on the nozzle 7. Typically, the outlet will be located at the end of the nozzle 7 and the compressed air of other gas /gasses will be expelled therefrom. Preferably, the outlet will be positioned on the nozzle 7 such the air can be imparted into the interior of the glass 3 in an upward direction as it is placed in an inverted form on the dryer 1. As shown in Figure l a, the air is expelled into the interior of the glass 3 and directed primarily at the base of the glass 3, which then rebounds and circulates through the glass 3, removing most of the moisture therein. In order to permit the release of the compressed air into the glass 3, actuation means are provided, which enable and disable the flow of air, as a user requires. The actuation means are provided in the form of at least a first check valve or one-way valve 9. The valve 9 is movable between open and closed positions, wherein in the open position, compressed air is permitted to flow therethrough from its supply 5 and out of the nozzle 7. In the closed position, such flow is prevented, and the valve 9 is biased to the closed position, movable by a user to the open position. This mechanism is shown in the schematic in Figure l b, wherein the valve 9 is shown in closed position and thus the supply of air (A) is prevented from passing through the valve 9.

The actuation means may further include a movable member, in this embodiment, in the form of rest 11. The rest 11 forms an upper portion of the dryer 1 and a surface on which the glass 3 may be positioned prior to drying. The rest 11 is movable between a first, upper position and a second, lower position, being biased to the first position. The rest 1 1 is provided mechanically linked to the valve 9, and is consequently in the first position as the valve 9 is in its closed position. Therefore, as a user urges the rest 1 1 in a downward direction to move it from the first, upper position to the second, lower position, this movement causes the valve 9 to be moved to the open position, thereby allowing the flow of compressed air to pass through and out of the nozzle 7. The user will generally urge the rest 11 downward by placing the glass 3 in an inverted manner on the rest 1 1 , and pressed the same down. Consequently, the air is selectively released in the opposing, upward direction, directly into the interior of the glass 3. The rest 11 includes an aperture located therethrough in order to permit the air to flow through from below and into the glass 3. In the figures shown, the conduit is provided in the form of the nozzle 7, which extends upwardly through the rest 1 1 into the interior of the glass 3, and having at least one outlet located thereon. The nozzle 7 is positioned substantially centrally with respect to the rest 11. As discussed above, the at least one outlet may be positioned at the end of the nozzle 7, but may also be placed at another place thereon. In some embodiments, multiple outlets may be provided on or along the nozzle 7. However, in some examples, the nozzle 7 may not be required to extend upward into the interior of the glass 3 in use, and as such the nozzle 7 may be provided such that it does not protrude above the level of an upper surface of the rest 1 1 , in some examples such that it may be substantially flush with, or slightly below, the surface of the rest 1 1. The outlet of the nozzle 7 will therefore be directed in an upward manner at the end of the nozzle 7 to inject air into at least the interior of the glass 3 in use. In this way, a user is less likely to catch or knock the glass 3, potentially cracking it, when placing it on or removing it from the dryer 1. in other examples of the present invention, and depending on the user's preferences, a sprinkler head 13 may be provided at the end of the nozzle 7 to act as an outlet and disperse the air as it is released. This is illustrated by way of example in Figure 2a, however, it will be understood that this feature can be included in the embodiment of Figure l a and other embodiments, as required by a user. In use, therefore, the dryer 1 is formed so as to be located on or forming part of a counter or under-counter behind a bar of a pub, bar, hotel and/or the like. Typically, the dryer 1 will be extended to form part of a drip tray, and further drainage holes 15 may be provided in the rest 11 to allow moisture to drain away. The selective nature of the actuation means and, hence, the apparatus, enables a user to impart a flow or jet of air or other gas on or into at least the interior of a glass as is required by the user, ensuring that the drying is targeted to a particular region of the glass 3 — in this case, the interior. This is particularly advantageous over other drying devices which are not selective in nature and are indiscriminate in the direction/target the air/gas is imparted.

Other examples of the present invention may also be provided wherein further conduits/nozzles and respective outlets may be provided about the periphery of the rest 11 , in addition to the nozzle 7 located in a substantially central location. Such additional nozzles/outlets may be provided in order to inject or impart air onto the exterior walls of the glass 3, in order to dry and/or cool the same before use.

The present invention therefore provides a novel apparatus that may be conveniently used to dry the interior of drinks glasses, by injecting a flow of air into the glass 3 when the same is placed, in an inverted manner, on top of the rest 11 and urged, downwardly to move the rest 1 1 from its first, upper position to the second, lower position. This in turn moves the valve 9 to the open position allowing the flow of air to pass through and into the glass 3 through the outlet. The mechanism for the working is similar to that of a traditional glass rinsing apparatus, however, compressed air is imparted on the glass 3 instead and provides the desired drying effect on the interior of the glass article.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 2a. In this embodiment, the apparatus is provided with the same features and drying functionality as described above and depicted in Figures l a— b, however, the invention may also incorporate rinsing functionality prior to the drying using compressed air or the like. Consequently, dryer 101 now also includes liquid supply means, shown as water supply 17 in Figure 2a. While it is preferable simply to connect the supply 17 to a mains water supply, it may also be connected to supplies of carbonated water, soda water and/or the like, depending on the user's preferences for rinsing glassware. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2a and the accompanying schematic in Figure 2b, a second valve 19 is provided, having two inlets 21 , 23 into which both the air 5 and water 17 supplies may be fed, respectively. The valve 19 is therefore a three way or diverter valve and is provided with a lever/handle 25 to move the valve 19 to one of three positions. The first position is a closed position where flow of either water or air therethrough is prevented. A second position moves the detent 27 to a position allowing the flow of air therethrough, and the third position moves the detent 27 to allow passage of water through the valve 19. The water or air— whichever is permitted— subsequently flows through the valve 19 and out of its outlet point 29, which is connected to the inlet 31 of the first valve 9, which is provided in the same arrangement as described above.

Therefore, the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 2a provides a means by which the apparatus can both rinse and dry a glass 3 placed on the rest 11. In this embodiment, a second valve 9 is provided, which via the lever or handle 25 can be used to selectively release either water to rinse or air to dry the glass 3. The second valve 19 is provided in this example to enable a user to be able to retrofit existing rinsing units rather than replace units with another form of the present invention, if that is more convenient.

Another form of the present invention is illustrated most clearly in the schematic shown in Figure 2c. In this example, a single valve 9' is provided, as in the embodiment shown in in Figure l a. However, the valve 9' is provided as a three-way valve, having two inlet ports— one for a supply of compressed air (A) or the like and one for a supply of water (W) or the like— and a single outlet. The valve 9' is movable from a closed position, to which it is biased when not in use, to one of two open positions. The first open position permits the flow of air therethrough, as in the embodiment shown in Figure l a. The second open position is located intermediate the closed and first open positions and permits the flow of water therethrough. As before, the rest 11 is movable upon downward pressure by a user holding glass 3 and in this embodiment in addition to the first, upper position and second, lower position, has a third, intermediate position. Consequently, downward movement of the rest 11 will move the valve 9' firstly to the second open position permitting the flow of water, resulting in the rinsing of the glass 3 interior. A further press down moves the valve 9' to the first open position and the flow of air is then permitted, drying out the interior of the glass 3. As the supply of air will almost always be compressed air, when it is released it will enter the glass 3 at low temperatures, thereby providing a cooling effect on the glass 3, which serves not only to provide a better quality drink, it also aids in reducing the froth that results from pouring of the drink subsequently. As a user raises the glass 3 from the rest 1 , the valve 9' moves back to the closed position, bypassing the second open position.

The nozzle 7 and associated outlet of the apparatus, either in the form that extends upwardly from the rest 11 or that which lies flush with or below the surface of the rest 11 can therefore be utilised for the release of both water and air, and this is determined by the position of the valve 9'. In alternative embodiments, a pair of nozzles and associated outlets may be provided, one which exclusively has air/gas passing through it and one which exclusively has water/liquid passing therethrough. As with the example of the invention shown in Figures l a — b, the embodiments of Figures 2a - c, which include rinsing features in addition to drying, may also be provided wherein further conduits /nozzles and respective outlets are provided about the periphery of the rest 11 , in addition to the nozzle 7 located in a substantially central location. These additional nozzles/outlets may be provided in order to inject or impart both gas and/or liquid onto the exterior walls of the glass 3, in order to both rinse and dry the same before use.

The present invention therefore provides another means by which to accommodate a rinsing stage for a glass 3 in addition to the drying stage. A user may still press an inverted glass 3 down on to the rest 11 , wherein it will at first, in the intermediate position, release water into the glass 3 in order to rinse the same, and then a further press down to a second position will enable the release of compressed air, thereby drying the interior of the glass 3. Upon release, the rest 11 and valve 9' revert back to the first, upper and closed positions, respectively.

As described above, a glass dryer 1 is provided which, broadly, includes a supply 5 of a gaseous fluid in the form of compressed air, nitrogen or other inert gas. A conduit in the form of a nozzle 7 is provided, through which the compressed air may be expelled, exiting through at least one outlet located on the nozzle 7. Referring now to Figure 3, the glass dryer 1 still includes a supply 5 of gaseous fluid in the form of compressed air, nitrogen or other inert gas, however, the conduit is provided in the form of an air mover or injector 51 , which is provided to release and expel air out of the dryer 1 and into the glass 3 by utilising the Coanda Effect. Utilising the Coanda effect, as described above, in the present invention means that by injecting a small amount of compressed fluid, a large amount of surrounding air can also be entrained and consequently expelled through the outlet. This can be achieved by providing an air mover 51 , shown in more detail in Figures 4a— b. Figure 4a illustrates a perspective view of an air mover 51 of the type that can be used in the present invention, which appears as a simple to attach nozzle 51. Figure 4b illustrates a cross- sectional view of the nozzle 51 , showing the interior on more detail. The nozzle 51 includes a motive or compressed fluid inlet portion 53, a fluid circulation portion 55, an ambient or atmospheric air inlet portion 57, a central bore 59 and a fluid/air outlet portion 61. An annular inlet 63 is provided at the interface between the fluid circulation portion 55 and the central bore 59. At or adjacent the annular inlet 63, the end of the central bore wall is provided as a lip portion 65, having a convex, curved profile. Thus, by providing a curved (convex) profile at the lip portion 65 of the central bore 59, compressed fluid introduced (Arrow B) that is expelled through the annular inlet 63 and into the bore 59 follows this path (Arrow C) and, ultimately, flows outward of the nozzle 51 via the outlet 61 (Arrow D) , utilising the Coanda Effect as described above. In doing so, ambient/atmospheric air which enters the nozzle 51 via the inlet 57 (Arrow E) is induced and, via a suction effect of the injected air, combines with it and exits through the outlet 61. As the air exits the nozzle 51 through the outlet 61 , surrounding air from the exterior of the nozzle becomes entrained (Arrow F) and ultimately joins the expelled air (Arrow G) , thereby providing an output having an effect that is far greater than the pressure and volume of the compressed air that was originally introduced would have on its own.

The nozzle 51 described above may also be used for the introduction of liquid fluid in the apparatus, as shown in the embodiment depicted in Figure 5. In this instance, as with the embodiment described in Figure 2c, a single valve 9' is provided. The valve 9' is provided as a three-way valve, having two inlet ports - one for a supply of compressed air (A) or the like and one for a supply of water (W) or the like - and a single outlet. The valve 9' is movable from a closed position, to which it is biased when not in use, to one of two open positions. The first open position permits the flow of air therethrough, as in the embodiment shown in Figure 3. The second open position is located intermediate the closed and first open positions and permits the flow of water therethrough. The water can then be injected into the fluid circulation portion 55, as above, and ultimately through the annular inlet 65 and outward of the nozzle 51. This may be combined with the suctioned and entrained air to provide a jet of mist or vapour to rinse the interior of the glass 3, prior to the introduction of solely gaseous fluid to dry the same.

In order to maximise the air that follows Arrows E and enters the ambient / atmospheric air inlet portion 57 of the nozzle 51 , the housing 67 of the apparatus 1 in which the component parts are located needs to be well ventilated. As such, side walls 69 of the housing are provided with several apertures or holes 71 in order to permit such airflow. This also serves to keep the interior of the housing constantly ventilated, preventing any unwanted build-up of moisture, mould and/or the like. The provision of the apertures 71 enables the nozzle 51 to use the Coanda Effect as optimally as is possible when expelling fluid therefrom. Furthermore, the housing 67 includes drainage holes 15 which, as above, serve to permit movement and flow of the atmospheric air, but also provide a drainage solution for any excess moisture or liquid that builds up inside the housing 67.