A Cabinet

Abstract

A cabinet 1 for housing one or more portable battery powered devices, especially during a batter charging process has at least one compartment formed from at least one wall 3 with at least one ventilation inlet 7a-c for a cooling gas, such as ambient air, and at least one ventilation outlet 8a-c for exhausting warmed cooling gas. The inlets and outlets are offset on the horizontal and vertical axes. For each compartment, at least one inlet is provided lower than at least one outlet. Multiple compartments may be provided. Each compartment may have multiple shelves 9a,b 10a,b which may each have an aperture 11a,b to allow gas to flow through a compartment. The cabinet may be used for communal charging of devices in schools or workplaces. The cabinet can have separate service areas for chargers (fig 2B). The cabinet may have overall door (fig 2a) or an array of lockable access doors (fig 3b)

Description

The present invention relates to cabinets for housing portable electronic devices, and, in particular, to such cabinets incorporating a cooling system. Many public places, workspaces and schools have communal charging places / cabinets for portable electronic devices. When many portable electronic devices are charged in the same contained space a significant amount of heat can be produced. If the heat is not dissipated, then this can lead to one or more of the devices overheating and causing issues whether temporary or permanent. Further, there is a significant fire risk. Accordingly, cooling systems for charging cabinets have been developed. However, these systems often use fans which are noisy and use electricity. In a world where resources are limited it is helpful, where possible, to use systems which can be run with reduced electricity consumption. Further, other cooling systems have moreover been developed with complicated air-cooling paths to ensure that the air being drawn into the cabinet is not the heated air that is being exhausted therefrom. If exhaust air is being drawn in to cool the devices, then insufficient cooling will take place because the inlet air will already be warm. The complicated air-cooling paths generally require two faces of a cabinet to be spaced from adjacent walls or furniture so that air can be drawn in on one face and exhausted out a difference face, for example, the back and front of the cabinet or the side and the back of the cabinet. If two or more faces of a cabinet need to have space around them then the cabinet requires a larger footprint in the designated area for the cabinet while charging. Further, if space is limited and adequate space is not given then the devices may overheat which, as mentioned previously, may result in device failure and / or a fire hazard. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to seek to alleviate the above identified problems. According to the present invention there is provided a cabinet for housing one or more portable battery powered devices, the cabinet comprising at least one compartment, wherein the least one compartment is formed from at least one wall with vertical and horizontal axes, wherein provided on the at least one wall is at least one inlet for a cooling gas and at least one outlet for warmed cooling gas wherein the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet are offset on the horizontal and vertical axes and wherein the at least one inlet is provided lower on the at least one wall than the at least one outlet. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a cabinet for housing one or more portable battery powered devices, the cabinet comprising one or more compartments, wherein the or each compartment comprises (i) a floor and a ceiling; (ii) one or more shelves positioned between the floor and the ceiling forming (a) a lower chamber between the floor and a shelf, (b) an upper chamber between the ceiling and the or a shelf, and, optionally (c) when the compartment comprises a plurality of shelves, one or more intermediate chambers being formed between two of said shelves, wherein each of the one or more shelves comprises one or more apertures for the passage of gas therethough; (iii) one or more inlets for cooling gas to enter the lower chamber, and (iv) one or more outlets for warmed cooling gas to exit the upper chamber, wherein a lowest of the one or more inlets is positioned lower than a lowest of the one or more outlets and wherein the one or more inlets are not vertically aligned with the one or more outlets. In this regard, a portable battery powered device comprises a portable electronic device such as, but not limited, to laptops, tablets, handheld computer game consoles, computer game consoles, virtual reality and / or augmented reality headsets, controllers, power banks and robotic programmable hubs and mobile phones. Technology in this area moves forward at a rapid pace and, therefore, this term is intended to encompass any electronic device powered by a battery which can be transported by lifting by one person. Further, portable battery powered devices should also be interpreted as including the batteries for such devices themselves, for example, if the battery is detachable from the device, for example but not limited to, a device such as a drill, screwdriver, impact driver, caulking gun, saw, jigsaw, mitre saw, nail gun, multitool, disc cutter, secateurs, garden shears, earth auger. On large building sites provision may be made for secure storage and / or charging of battery powered tools. Batteries for such tools are expensive and interchangeable and, therefore, it is important that tradesmen can feel safe that their battery will not be stolen while being stored and / or charged. Alternatively, or in addition, such provision may be made in commercial gardens or estates where battery powered gardening tools are used. As well as being a storage area for one or more portable battery powered devices the cabinet can be used as a charging station for said devices. Charging can take place whether by plugging into a power source, placing in a docking station or placing on a mat which provides charging provision. Accordingly, the cabinet can be further provided with such a power source, docking station, a charging mat, and / or any other suitable charging mechanism. It is possible to have a mixed provision of power sources so that the cabinet can charge multiple types of devices. Such charging stations are found in, among other places, public spaces, workplaces, leisure facilities, shopping centres and places of learning such as schools, colleges and / or universities. Workplaces and schools may have a portable charging station where portable electronic devices are docked at the end of a day to charge overnight. Reducing the heat buildup and the risk of fire is especially important in such charging stations because they are often not attended to overnight. Any suitable gas could be provided for circulation within the cabinet. However, preferably, air will be used. The gas may be artificially cooled and provided to the area surrounding the cabinet, the gas may be at room temperature, or the gas may pass through a cooling system when entering the cabinet. The present invention uses the principle that hot gases rise. Cooling gas is brought into the bottom of the cabinet or a chamber within the cabinet and as the cooling gas is warmed by the portable battery powered devices, which will produce heat whether in a charged / semi-charged state or a charging state, the warmed gas will naturally flow upwards. An important aspect of the present invention is that the inlet(s) and outlet(s) are not aligned in substantially the same vertical axis. A further important aspect of the present invention is that the inlet is spaced below the outlet. These aspects reduce the likelihood that a substantial part of the warmed gas being exhausted from the outlet will enter the inlet or if it does it will already have been mixed with cooler external cooling gas. The cabinets according to the present invention allow cooling gas to be brought into the cabinet, follow a path through the cabinet or part thereof and be exhausted from the cabinet without the need for any mechanical means, such as a fan. However, a fan could be provided to enhance the cooling effect of the cabinet cooling system. Further, the present invention allows the inlet(s) and outlet(s) to be provided on a single wall / face of a cabinet so that the cabinet can placed against a wall, in a corner or next to one or more of the same or other cabinets, thereby reducing the space requirement for the cabinet of the present invention. Preferably the inlet has an inlet horizontal extent, and the outlet has an outlet horizontal extent and wherein the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet are positioned such that they are spaced horizontally on the wall of the cabinet so that the horizontal extents do not overlap. Ensuring the horizontal extents do not overlap will prevent or reduce the warmed exhausted gas being pulled back through the inlet(s) in the cabinet. Preferably the inlet horizontal extent and the outlet horizontal extent are spaced apart by at least 1cm, preferably at least 3cm, preferably at least 5cm. This space provides that the warmed gas being exhausted from the outlet does not flow directly into an inlet without first mixing with cooler gas surrounding the cabinet. Preferably there is provided a plurality of inlets. When a plurality of inlets is provided, they may form a substantially vertical column. Preferably there is provided a plurality of outlets. When a plurality of outlets is provided, they may form a substantially vertical column. Preferably the inlet vertical column is spaced horizontally from the outlet vertical column. However, when a plurality of outlets are provided the uppermost outlet or group of outlets need not be offset on the horizontal axes from the at least one inlet as there is little likelihood of the warm gas venting from the outlet mixing with the gas being drawn into the inlets which are provided lower in the cabinet. Preferably the space between the inlet vertical column and outlet vertical column is at least 1cm, preferably at least 3cm, preferably at least 5cm. Such inlet and outlet columns merely need to run substantially parallel to each other such that the horizontal extents of grouped inlets and grouped outlets which are in the vicinity of each other do not overlap. In this regard, the horizontal extents of a group of inlets do not need to be aligned. The same principle applies for a group of outlets. Preferably the plurality of inlets and / or outlets are provided in groups of between 2 to 8, preferably 3 to 5. The number of inlets and outlets does not need to be the same in each group. In other words, there could, for example, be provided a group of 5 inlets at the bottom of the cabinet above which there is provided a group of 4 inlets. In a separate column there could, for example, be provided a group of 3 outlets above which is provided a group of 4 outlets. The exact number of inlets / outlets in each group will be determined by the items which are being housed in the cabinet and their requirement for cooling. An item which requires significant cooling will require a larger inlet or a larger number of inlets and an equivalent size or number of outlets. The gas flow through the cabinet and, therefore, the cooling effect can be altered by changing the size / number of inlets / outlets. The exact number for any given task can be calculated by a person skilled in the art of, among other things, fluid dynamics or thermodynamics. Blanks can be provided either in the form of magnetic blanks or adhesive blanks which can be used to cover the inlets / outlets / apertures which means that the flow of gas can be altered if the purpose of the cabinet changes. A cabinet according to the present invention preferably further comprises one or more shelves, which splits the compartment into two or more chambers. Alternatively, or in addition, a cabinet according to the present invention preferably further comprises one or more shelves comprising one or more apertures to allow cooling gas to flow therethrough, wherein the one or more shelves comprising one or more apertures splits the compartment into two or more chambers. More than one shelf increases the storage area in the cabinet as each shelf can accommodate one or more portable devices. A shelf comprising an aperture allows gas to flow from an inlet through the shelf to an outlet provided above the shelf so a single inlet and outlet can service more than one chamber. Where the shelf / shelves provided are substantially solid (i.e. without apertures) these will act as a barrier to gas flow. Accordingly, provision of such a shelf / shelves can be used to direct gas towards the outlet(s). Preferably, a shelf is provided above an outlet or a group of outlets. If the shelf provided at the highest point of the outlet or group of outlets does not have an aperture provided therein this barrier will direct gas towards said outlet or group of outlets. Alternatively, if a shelf comprising apertures is provided above an outlet some of the warmed gas will be exhausted which will pull more cooling gas through the cabinet which will result in cooler warmed gas rising through the aperture to the next chamber. Preferably, a shelf comprising apertures is provided between the inlet or group of inlets and an outlet or group of outlets. With the addition of an aperture shelf above the inlet and a further solid shelf above the outlet, which is above the outlet, this configuration will allow a single inlet / group of inlets and a single outlet / group of outlets to service two chambers. This formation can be replicated within a compartment to produce many chambers and, therefore, spaces for storage / charging of electronic battery powered devices. Preferably there is provided an aperture at a central position of the one or more shelves. In addition or alternatively, there is provided at least one aperture off-centre (i.e. within the central area of the shelf by not equidistant from the edges) or towards at least one edge area of the one or more shelves, for example along a back wall or a side edge. A central position will allow devices to be placed at either side of the aperture whereas apertures along the edge of the shelf can be located to encourage gas flow across the entire shelf. One or more apertures can be provided within the shelf and the positioning of the aperture will be dependent upon whether a front access panel is used and whether or not the shelf / shelves abut the internal face of the cabinet. Apertures can be provided over the whole shelf, for example, in the form of a grill or rack. Preferably the aperture further comprises a guard. The guard would allow gas flow even if a device was placed upon the top of the aperture. In this regard, the guard may allow gas flow through the side of the guard if a device is placed on the top of the guard. Equally, the mere provision of an uneven surface may make users place their devices elsewhere on the shelf. In addition or as an alternative, grooves or guide rails could be provided in the shelves to ensure that the devices are placed in a certain location away from the aperture(s). For clarity the cabinet of the present invention is the entire piece of furniture. The at least one compartment is the space provided within the cabinet. More than one compartment can be provided by the provision of a vertical wall. The vertical wall may allow fluid flow or may be a barrier to fluid flow. Any barrier to fluid flow whether provided by a vertical / horizontal wall or a shelf does not need to be a tight seal. Not all compartments in the cabinet need be provided with the inlet / outlet arrangement of the present invention, only one compartment need be provided with the inlet / outlet arrangement of the present invention. The compartment(s) can be further sub divided into chambers by the provision of one or more shelves. The shelves may be detachable and / or may be moveable or an integral part of the cabinet body. The shelves may be solid or have apertures therein. Preferably there are provided between 1 to 20 chambers per at least one outlet and / or per at least one inlet, preferably 1 to 15 chambers, preferably 2 to 20, preferably 2 to 10, preferably 4 to 8. The number of chambers per inlet or outlet or group thereof will be dependent upon the sizing of the inlet / outlet / group thereof and / or the amount of cooling which is required. Preferably the one or more shelves are mounted on the internal face of the cabinet. Preferably the mounting of the one or more shelves allows gas flow around at least one edge or part of at least one edge of the one or more shelves. Preferably the cabinet further comprises one or more access panels. Such mounting of the shelf allows the gas to flow around at least one side of the shelf and, therefore, from chamber to chamber and / or also up the front access panel side. Alternatively, the shelf can be secured to the cabinet on the side which has the inlet and outlet so that gas will flow from the inlet through the chamber and through an aperture and / or up the access panel before reaching the outlet. The access panel can cover the entire cabinet or can cover just a single compartment or smaller area, such as a chamber or part thereof within the compartment / cabinet. If a smaller area is covered by a access panel, then this allows the secure storage of one or more devices provided that the front access panel is supplied with adequate locking facilities. Such locking facilities will be known to those skilled in the art. A single access panel can be provided if the cabinet is used communally. The access panel can abut any shelf / shelves and provide a barrier to fluid flow or it can be spaced from any shelf / shelves and allow fluid such as gas to flow between the shelf / shelves and the access panel. The shelf (with or without apertures) can be spaced from the front access panel or abut the front access panel. If there is a space this will allow gas flow up the front panel, or the abutment can direct gas flow across and through the chamber. Preferably the cabinet according to the present invention further comprises one or more gas cooling devices. Preferably there is a gas cooling device fluidly coupled to each at least one inlet. Preferably there is provided a single gas cooling device and a means of supplying cooled gas to each at least one inlet. The means of supply can be in any form, such as a pipe or a conduit. Although room temperature gas should allow for sufficient cooling of the devices in some situations such as storage and / or charging of high capacity batteries or a fast charging station, when a significant amount of heat may be created, it may be necessary to cool the cooling gas before or as it enters the cabinet. A gas cooling device may also be necessary if the air temperature is naturally warm, such as during the summer or in a naturally hot country. The cooling feature can be provided by any suitable means. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Example embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which Figure 1A shows a perspective view of a cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention from the rear and one cut away side. Arrows show the flow of gas through the cabinet. Figure IB shows a cut away side view of the internal configuration of the cabinet of Figure 1A. Arrows show the flow of gas through the cabinet. Figure 2A shows the front view of an alternative cabinet according to the present invention with a single charging / storage compartment access panel and a single services compartment access panel. Figure 2B shows the front view of the cabinet of Figure 2A without the access panels. Figure 2C shows a cut away side view of the cabinet of Figure 2A. Figures 3A and 3B show the front view of two possible embodiments of the cabinet of the present invention with varying configurations of multiple front access panels. Figure 4 shows alternative configurations of inlets / outlets; A - inlet B - outlet. Figure 5 shows alternative configurations of inlets / outlets; A - inlet B - outlet. Figures 6A and 6B show respectively a cut away side view and a cut away front view of a portable cabinet. Figures 7A, 7B and 7C show alternative configurations of raised guard which may be used over the aperture. Arrows show the flow of gas through the guard. An embodiment of the present invention relates to a cabinet 1 which is shown in Figures 1A and IB with planar faces, however, for example, a single curved faced cabinet could also be provided. Accordingly, the cabinet has a front wall 2, a back wall 3, a side wall 4, a top 5 and a base 6. There are provided in the back wall 3 multiple groups of three inlets (only 7a, 7b and 7c are labelled), for cooling gas and multiple groups of three outlets (only 8a, 8b, 8c are labelled), for the exhaust of warmed cooling gas. Although shown in groups of three, any suitable number of inlet(s) and outlet(s) can be provided including for example, even a single inlet and / or single outlet. Further, the inlets 7a, 7b, 7c and outlets 8a, 8b and 8c are shown of uniform size and shape to each other. However, the inlet(s) could be of differing size to each other as could the outlet(s). Further the inlet(s) and the outlet(s) could be of different sizes (e.g. large inlets and small outlets or vice versa). There are provided in the cabinet multiple shelves, only 9a and 9b are labelled, which are solid (i.e. no apertures provided therein) and multiple shelves, only 10a and 10b are labelled with apertures Ila and lib (others not labelled) therein. Apertures Ila and 11b are provided centrally at the side edge of the shelf. However, any suitable placement of the aperture can take place, for example, at the front wall, at the back wall, equally spaced from the shelf edge in the centre or slightly off centre. The apertures Ila and lib do not need to be in line which each other. Further, more than one aperture can be provided on each shelf. As shown more clearly in Figure IB, the aperture shelves 10a and 10b are secured to the side wall 4 and the side wall (not shown) which allows the shelves containing apertures to be spaced from back side wall 3 thereby allowing gas to flow internally up through gaps 51 and 52 adjacent the back wall 3 of the cabinet (see arrow B2). The solid shelves 9a and 9b are additionally secured to the back wall 3, which creates a barrier to the gas flow up the internal of the back wall 3, thereby forcing the warmed cooling gas to follow, for example, the path A to Bl to DI to El or path A to B2 or path A to Bl to C to D2a to D2b to E2 to F before reaching outlets 8a and 8b and 8c (not shown in Figure IB). The aperture Ila is directly below aperture lib in Figures 1A and IB, however, the apertures on each shelf could be spaced across the shelf in order that there is not a direct path for the cooling gas thereby encouraging flow across the entirety of the shelves. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the aperture shelves could extend to the back wall and front access panel which would force the gas to flow through the apertures in the shelves. The configuration of the cabinet in Figures 1A and IB shows two aperture shelves 10a and 10b situated between two solid shelves 9a and 9b creating chambers a, P and y- However, alternative configurations (not shown) could, among other things, involve having no aperture shelves between solid shelves, or more than two aperture shelves situated between the solid shelves (see Figure 2B). The chambers a, p and y created by the spacing between the shelves whether containing an aperture or not, accommodates the space required for the portable battery powered device (not shown) which is intended to be used in the cabinet. The solid shelves and aperture shelves can be moveable so that different sizes of portable battery powered device can be housed within the cabinet. Should a front panel access (not shown) be provided this could meet with solid shelves 9a and 9b creating a barrier, although not necessarily a tight seal, for gas flow. In use, in a normally ventilated room, air flows through the group of inlets 7a, 7b and 7c across solid shelf 9a, the arrows are a mere representative of possible air flow direction, where it heats up as a result of the heat caused by the presence of the portable battery powered device (not shown). As a result, the air flows up through apertures Ila and 11c provided in aperture shelf 10a and up the side of the aperture shelf 10a through gap 51. The warmed air continues to rise and flow through apertures 11b and lid provided in shelf 10b as well as up gap 52 at the side of the aperture shelf 10b. One or more further portable battery powered devices (not shown) may be situated on shelves 9a, 10a and / or 10b. The warmed air reaches the shelf 9b and, due to the barrier nature of this shelf, the gas is directed towards the outlets 8a and 8b as shown and 8c (not shown). The movement of the warmed air pulls more air through inlets 7a, 7b and 7c. Figures 2A, 2B and 2C show an alternative embodiment of the present invention with two compartments 100 and 200. Cabinet 21 has side walls 12 and 13, back wall 14, internal wall 212, top 15 and a base 16. The internal wall 212 creates two compartments; storage / charging compartment 100 and a services compartment 200. Cabinet 21 is provided with a storage / charging compartment access panel 300 which extends over approximately 2 / 3 of the front of the cabinet 21 and matches the dimensions of compartment 100. The access panel 300 can be opened on hinges (not shown) and is opened and locked by the handle 400 and locking hardware 500. The part of the cabinet 21 not covered by the access panel 300 is covered by access panel 600, which covers services compartment 200. The access panel need not be hinged, it can be attached to the cabinet by any suitable means and / or merely a lift off panel. Compartment 100 is used to store portable electronic devices and is vented according to the present invention whereas compartment 200 is used to house the electronics required to charge the electronic devices, for example, a number of AC chargers, multiple USB ports or hardware to run charging mats which could be placed on the shelves. Compartment 200 is vented by a simple in-line cold air in 87 and hot air out 88 system. However, such a compartment could also be supplied with a cooling system according to the present invention. Shelves 210a, 210b, 210c, 210d, 210e, 210f, 210g are provided in compartment 200 to accommodate relevant electronics required for the cabinet 21. The spacings of the shelves can be any suitable spacing or no shelves may be provided if a single charging unit (not shown) is provided in the compartment 200. The shelves when provided may or may not allow fluid flow depending upon the placement of the inlet(s) and outlet(s). A port 86 is provided to allow provision of electricity into the cabinet. The cooling system of compartment 100 comprises a column of inlets 17a, 17b, 17c and 17d and outlets 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d. Outlets 18a, 18b and 18c are all in vertical alignment and spaced horizontally from inlets 17a, 17b, 17c and 17d. However, outlet 18d is vertical alignment with the inlets 17a, 17b, 17c and 17d. This arrangement including the horizontal orientation of the outlet maximises warm airflow out of the cabinet. There are provided three shelves without apertures 109a, 109b and 109c. These solid shelves are placed below inlets 17b, 17c and 17d and above outlets 18a, 18b and 18c. Aperture shelves are provided between each of the solid shelves 109a, 109b and 109c. Only aperture shelves 110a, 110b, 110c, llOd, IlOe, llOfand 110g are labelled which create various chambers only 6, e, £ and n are labelled. However, the shelf organisation is replicated in the remainder of the cabinet. As can be seen in Figure 2C the shelves 110a, 110b, 110c, llOd, IlOe, IlOf and 110g are split into two parts creating apertures Illa, 111b, 111c, Hid, llle, 11 If and Illg, which allows hot gas to rise from chamber to chamber from inlet 17a to outlet 18a. Figures 3A and 3B show alternative front access panel configurations. Figure 3A shows a relatively tall cabinet 31 which could have a similar internal configuration to Figures 2A, 2B and 2C, however, there are provided two lockable access panels 1600a and 1600b over the services compartment. There are provided multiple lockable access panels 1300a, 1300b, 1300c etc behind each of which is a chamber (not shown) in which the portable electronic devices can be stored and / or charged. Suitable locking hardware 1500a, 1500b, 1500c, 1500d etc is provided on each access panel. No handles are provided in this embodiment, but the door could be provided with, for example, springs to allow easy access. Figure 3B is an alternative cabinet 41 which does not have a services compartment but instead has two compartments (not shown) split into chambers (not shown) for storing / charging portable electronic devices. There are once again provided multiple lockable access panels 2300a, 2300b, 2300c, 2300d etc behind each of which is a chamber (not shown) in which the portable electronic devices can be stored and / or charged. Suitable locking hardware 2500a, 2500b, 2500c, 2500d etc is provided 2500a, 2500b, 2500c, 2500d etc on each access panel. Figures 4 and 5 show alternative configurations of inlet(s) and outlet(s). Figure 4 shows a column of eight stadium shaped inlets 47a, 47b, 47c, 47d, 47e, 47f, 47g, 47h which are grouped into groups of four inlets. The inlets are not placed directly above each other, but they do form a column shape. A column of six outlets are shown 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d, 48e and 48f. As with the inlets, the outlets are not placed directly above each other, but they do form a column shape. The potential placement of shelves is shown in dotted lines. The shelves could be solid shelves or aperture shelves. Figure 5 shows an alternative arrangement of inlets and outlets. The inlets 57a, 57b, 57c, and 57d which are grouped into a group of four inlets are shown on the opposite side of the wall to which they have been previously shown. The inlets are noteiongate but are grouped together and are horizontally and vertically offset from the outlet 58. The relative position of the inlets / outlets on the wall (i.e. left side or right side) is not relevant. The solid lines are the top 55 and base 56 of the cabinet. The cabinet can be sized to hold multiple devices or a single device. The cabinet may be static or moveable. A moveable embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 6A and 6B. Cabinet 61 is provided with a set of four castors (three shown 6900a, 6900b, 6900c), which allows the cabinet 61 to be moved from place to place as needed. Cabinet 61 has external walls 62, 63 and 64, an access panel 6300 and an internal wall 612 which vertically splits an internal space of the cabinet and creates a services compartment 6200, which has a services port 686 in wall 64, and a charging / storage compartment 6100. In the present embodiment of the invention, the services compartment and the charging / storage compartment share a cooling system. In this connection, there is provided in wall 64 an inlet 67 towards a base 66 of the cabinet 61 and an outlet 68 towards a top 65 of the cabinet 61. As there is a shared cooling system, services compartment 6200 and storage / charging compartment 6100 are in fluid communication. Any suitable means of fluid communication can be provided, for example, internal wall 612 may be formed from a mesh (not shown) or may have apertures (not shown) provided therein. Charging / storage compartment 6100 is provided with multiple shelves (only 610a, 610b, 610c and 610d are labelled) to create multiple chambers (only 0, k, and p are labelled). As with the cabinet in Figure 2C, the shelves are provided in two parts such that air can flow up through apertures created by the two parts of the shelves; only apertures 611a, 611b, 611c and 611d are labelled. The shelves are secured to internal wall 612 and wall 63 but are spaced from wall 64 and front access panel 6300 such that gaps (only 651a, 651b, 651c, 651d, 651e, 651f labelled). The top 65 of the cabinet 61 can be provided with means such as a handle or handle holes (not shown) to help with manoeuvring the cabinet 61. In use, air will, for example, flow through inlet 67 into chamber 0 through aperture 611a and gaps 651a and 651b rising into chamber k and then further up to chamber A through aperture 611b and gaps 651c and 651d as it is warmed or pulled through by air warmed further up in the cabinet. Due to the inlet 67 straddling chamber 0 and chamber k, at the same time as air flowing into chamber 0, it will flow into chamber k and then up through aperture 611b and gaps 651c and 651d. The warmed air will continue to rise through the various apertures and gaps provided in the compartment until the air reaches outlet 68. Figure 7A, 7B and 7C are examples of aperture guards which can be used in the present invention. The guards 116, 117, 118 sit over the apertures 611, 711, 811 in the shelves 610 710 and 810. Guard 116 sits as a house with a flat roof 116a spaced from the aperture 611 by sides 116b and 116c. The open sides on two sides allow the gas to flow through them (see arrows) and the roof allows a device to sit on top of the aperture 116 without blocking it. Any form of open sided house structure could be used; the roof does not necessarily need to be flat and only one side need be open or alternatively posts could be provided to hold up the roof of the house thereby creating 4 open sides. Guard 117 is formed from a mesh structure which allows gas to flow from the sides and the top thereof (see arrows). Even if a device is placed on top of guard 117 the gas would flow from the sides. Guard 118 is a tower structure with no roof and slits 118a and 118b in the side. As can be seen from the arrows, gas can flow out of the slits 118a and 118b and out of the open top, if no device is placed thereon. Similar slits can be provided on all faces of the tower. Within this specification embodiments have been described in a way which enables a clear and concise specification to be written, but it is intended and will be appreciated that embodiments may be variously combined or separated without parting from the invention. For example, it will be appreciated that all preferred features described herein are applicable to all aspects of the invention described herein and vice versa. For example, although the walls have been designated front, back and side, the features herein described in these walls could be in any wall (i.e. those described for the back wall could be in the side wall etc). The designations are merely for convenience as in use the walls could be any orientation according to the user especially in a portable cabinet. 5 Within this specification, the term "about" means plus or minus 20%, more preferably plus or minus 10%, even more preferably plus or minus 5%, most preferably plus or minus 2%. It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently 10 preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications are covered by the appended claims. 15 It will be appreciated that reference to "one or more" includes reference to "a plurality".

Claims

1. A cabinet for housing one or more portable battery powered devices, the cabinet comprising at least one compartment, wherein the least one compartment is formed from at least one wall with vertical and horizontal axes, wherein provided on the at least one wall is at least one inlet for a cooling gas and at least one outlet for warmed cooling gas wherein the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet are offset on the horizontal and vertical axes and wherein the at least one inlet is provided lower on the at least one wall than the at least one outlet.

2. A cabinet according to claim 1 wherein the inlet has an inlet horizontal extent and the outlet has an outlet horizontal extent and wherein the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet are positioned such that they are spaced horizontally on the wall of the cabinet so that the horizontal extents do not overlap.

3. A cabinet according to either claim 1 or 2 wherein the inlet horizontal extent and the outlet horizontal extent are spaced apart by at least 1cm.

4. A cabinet according to any preceding claim wherein there is provided a plurality of inlets.

5. A cabinet according to claim 4 wherein the inlets are provided in a substantially vertical column.

6. A cabinet according to either claim 4 or 5 wherein there is provided a plurality of outlets.

7. A cabinet according to claim 6 wherein the outlets are provided in a substantially vertical column.

8. A cabinet according to any of claims 4 to 7 wherein the plurality of inlets and / or outlets are provided in groups of between 2 to 8.

9. A cabinet according to any of claims 6 to 8 wherein when a plurality of outlets are provided the uppermost outlet or group of outlets need not be offset on the horizontal axes from the at least one inlet.

10. A cabinet according to any of claims 7 to 9 wherein the inlet vertical column is spaced horizontally from the outlet vertical column.

11. A cabinet according to claim 10 wherein the space between the inlet vertical column and outlet vertical column is at least 1cm.

12. A cabinet according to any preceding claim further comprising one or more shelves, which splits the compartment into two or more chambers.

13. A cabinet according to claim 12 wherein the one or more shelves comprises one or more apertures to allow cooling gas to flow therethrough.

14. A cabinet according to either claim 12 or 13 wherein a shelf is provided above an outlet or a group of outlets.

15. A cabinet according to any of claims 13 or 14 wherein a shelf comprising apertures is provided between the inlet or group of inlets and an outlet or group of outlets.

16. A cabinet according to any of claims 13 to 15 wherein there is provided an aperture at a central position of one or more shelves.

17. A cabinet according to any of claims 12 to 16 wherein there is provided an aperture towards at least one edge areas of the one or more shelves.

18. A cabinet according to any of claims 13 to 17 wherein the aperture further comprises a guard.

19. A cabinet according to any of claims 12 to 18 wherein there is provided between 2 to 20 chambers per at least one outlet and / or per at least one inlet.

20. A cabinet according to any of claims 12 to 19 wherein one or more shelves is mounted on the internal face of the cabinet.

21. A cabinet according to claim 20 wherein the mounting of one or more shelves allows gas flow around at least one edge or part thereof of the shelf.

22. A cabinet according to any preceding claim further comprising one or more access panels.

23. A cabinet according to any preceding claim further comprising one or more gas cooling devices.

24. A cabinet according to claim 23 wherein one of said one or more gas cooling devices are fluidly coupled to each at least one inlet.

25. A cabinet according to claim 24 wherein there is further provided a means of supplying cooled gas to each at least one inlet.

26. A cabinet for housing portable battery powered devices, the cabinet comprising one or more compartments,wherein the or each compartment comprises(i) a floor and a ceiling;(ii) one or more shelves positioned between the floor and the ceiling forming (a) a lower chamber between the floor and a shelf, (b) an upper chamber between the ceiling and the or a shelf, and, optionally (c) when the compartment comprises a plurality of shelves, one or more intermediate chambers being formed between two of said shelves, wherein each of the one or more shelves comprises one or more apertures for the passage of gas therethough;(iii) one or more inlets for cooling gas to enter the lower chamber, and(iv) one or more outlets for warmed cooling gas to exit the upper chamber,wherein a lowest of the one or more inlets is positioned lower than a lowest of the one or more outlets and wherein the one or more inlets are not vertically aligned with the one or more outlets.

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