Clothes dryer and method of drying clothes

A clothes dryer (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second curved surface (15) is arranged as, at least partly, opaque AND/OR capable of absorption of light energy.

A clothes dryer (10) as claimed in claims 1, wherein the device (10) further comprises at least one rib (17) arranged in co-operation with the first (11) and second (15) curved surfaces to further define at least one cavity (16), a length of the at least one rib being arranged comprised in a plane substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis (14) of the clothes dryer (10).

A clothes dryer (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one rib (17) comprises at least one aperture located proximate to the cavity (16) to permit a limited amount of airflow between the plurality of cavities (16) defined by the at least one rib (17) to regulate airflow and thermal gain between adjacent cavities (16).

A clothes dryer (10) as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one rib is curved and dimensioned to encourage drying air upwards from a base and provide an increased heat transfer surface area for air to pass over.

A clothes dryer (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light energy is solar energy or energy from at least one solar cell.

A clothes dryer (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first curved surface (11) and/or curved second surface (15) of the cavity wall comprise a wall shape in the form of one of:

• a ellipsoidal shape, an elliptic shape, an elliptical shape, an oblong, an ooid, an ovaloid, an ovate, an oviform, an ovoid, an egg shape, an acorn shape.

A clothes dryer (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cavity (16) is tapered or shaped or dimensioned according to a shape of the first curved surface (11) and/or second curved surface (15), to control air flow within the cavity (16).

A clothes dryer (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first material of the first curved surface (11) is arranged to comprise an absorptive transparent polymer material, preferably arranged to exhibit emissivity and reflectivity properties, AND/OR one of:

• polymethlamethacrylate, cellulose acetate butyrate, polycarbonate or PETG, AND/OR is arranged as UV resistant, AND/OR is waterproof, AND/OR is arranged to comprise a pattern or nano pattern.

A clothes dryer (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a second material of the second curved surface (15) is arranged to comprise a non-transparent absorptive polymer material or aluminium, AND/OR one of:

• polypropylene, polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride, AND/OR said second material is arranged to exhibit emissivity and reflectivity properties, AND/OR is implemented in the colour black AND/OR is arranged to comprise a pattern or nano pattern, AND/OR is arranged to maintain the drying chamber (31) in partial shade, shade or darkness.

A clothes dryer (10) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one exterior air inlet structure (26) AND/OR at least one lower vent (25) AND/OR at least one upper vent (24).

A clothes dryer (10) as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one exterior air inlet structure and/or at least one lower vent and/or at least one upper vent (24), are arranged to cooperate with at least one rib (17) to define at least one channel air path.

A clothes dryer (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clothes dryer (10) further comprises a fan (29).

A clothes dryer (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a base (12) is arranged to be rotatable, preferably continuously, periodically, manually or in a pre-determined way.

A clothes dryer (10) as claimed in claim 1 wherein a base (12) comprises at least one water outlet structure (27).

A clothes dryer (10) as claimed in claim 1 wherein base comprises a weight dimensioned to act as a ballast structure.

A clothes dryer (10) as claimed in claim 1 wherein a ballast structure is configured as a heat sink, arranged to provide a slow release of heat to maintain a drying temperature of the drying chamber and the air circulating or channeled into the drying chamber (31).

A clothes dryer (10) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the air pathway channel (42) is positioned substantially through the center of the drying chamber (31).

A clothes dryer (10) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the air pathway channel (42) is positioned proximal to a sidewall of the drying chamber (31).

A clothes dryer (10) as claimed in claim 1 wherein a funnel (41) directs the heated air from the cavity into the air pathway channel (42) and the funnel (41) comprises a curved surface to minimize turbulence due to an air direction change.

A clothes dryer (10) as claimed in claim 1 wherein a fan (29) is configured to urge heated air towards the base of the drying chamber via the air pathway channel (42).

A clothes dryer (10) as claimed in claim 1 wherein a fan (29) is positioned near the top of the drying chamber to ‘push’ the heated air towards the base of the drying chamber.

A clothes dryer (10) as claimed in claim 1 wherein a fan (29) is positioned near the bottom of the drying chamber to ‘pull’ the heated air towards the base of the drying chamber.

A clothes dryer (10) as claimed in claim 1 comprising a distribution plate (38) and perforated plate (39) positioned near the base and coupled with one end of the air pathway channel (42).

A clothes dryer (10) as claimed in claim 1 comprising a hanging mechanism mounted that allows both lateral (54B) and vertical movement (54A) of a drying rack (30A, B, C).