With Drum Or Receptacle Enclosing Housing Patents (Class 34/595)
  • Patent number: 7958650
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved apparatus (1) for drying food-stuffs, comprising at least a centrifugation basket (5) for drying said product by its rotation, the lateral surface of said basket (5) being holed; a pin (13) rotating coupled with said at least a centrifugation basket (5); and a motor (12), mechanically coupled with said rotation pin (13); said apparatus (1) being characterised in that said motor (12) is a synchronous three-phase electric motor (12) and in that it comprises means (16) for controlling rotation of said motor (12) for adjusting the torque output by said motor (12) with respect to its rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Turatti S.R.L.
    Inventor: Antonio Turatti
  • Patent number: 7950257
    Abstract: A dryer or a washing machine includes a cabinet which forms an exterior of the dryer or the washing machine. A drum is rotatably mounted in the cabinet and a steam generator is provided outside the drum to supply steam to the drum, where the steam generator includes a water chamber to hold water, the water chamber having a heater mounted thereto for heating the water. The steam chamber is provided above the water chamber to hold steam generated as the water is heated, where the steam chamber has a steam discharge opening for discharging the steam, where the steam discharge opening is provided with a separator for isolating a steam discharge area from other areas and where the water chamber has a vertical direction length relatively greater than a horizontal direction length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Mun Kim, Jong Deuk Bae, Heung Gi Kim, Ki Chul Woo, In Geun Ahn, Kyeong Hwan Kim, Kyung Chul Woo, Kyu Won Lee, Young Soo Kim, Ji Maeng Kim
  • Patent number: 7926202
    Abstract: A base module for a condenser tumble dryer housing the functional parts and air conduction components and additionally being configured as part of the support structure of the tumble dryer. The base module comprises perpendicular joint faces in relation to the front end shield and the rear process air cover. The joint faces lie essentially on at least one perpendicular plane or on at least two perpendicular planes that are offset in a staggered manner in relation to one another, have a large surface area and preferably extend over the entire width of the tumble dryer. The proposed base module has significant advantages in terms of its mechanical stability as an individual structural component and as part of the entire support structure and in terms of the effective conduction of the air streams, the production of the individual parts and the assembly of the final module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Lothar Dittmer, Holger Löffler
  • Patent number: 7913419
    Abstract: A non-tumble dryer comprises a cabinet and a drawer configured to support an article to be dried and slidably mounted to the cabinet. An air supply system provides air to a drying chamber formed at least partially by one of the cabinet and the drawer for drying the article supported by the drawer. The non-tumble dryer can function as a pedestal whereby the top of the cabinet can be configured to support a laundry appliance in an elevated position. Alternatively, the cabinet can overlie one or more laundry appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Donald M. Tomasi, Robert W. Meyer, Matthew D. Rhodes, Richard A. Sunshine
  • Patent number: 7908766
    Abstract: A clothes dryer is provided. In the dryer, air flowing into a drying container is provided with heat from heat pump. The clothes dryer comprises a cabinet, a drying container rotationally mounted in the cabinet, a motor providing the container with rotational force, a first air path connected to a side of the container, a second air path connected to another side of the container and to the outside of the cabinet, and a first heat exchanging member and a second heat exchanging member in the first air path. A damper may be additionally included in the second air path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seung-Phyo Ahn, Seung-Myun Baek, Jung-Wook Moon, Dae-Woong Kim, Byeong-Jo Ryoo
  • Patent number: 7900372
    Abstract: A clothes dryer has horizontally extending louvres located in its rear cabinet wall that permit ambient air to enter the dryer cabinet during normal dryer operation. U-shaped cover brackets are positioned to horizontally extend and cover the louvres where the brackets each define a horizontally extending airflow channel having opposing open ends. Air entering the dryer flows through the louvres along the airflow channels and out through the open ends. The cover bracket helps to contain a fire within the dryer cabinet should one occur by restricting flow of ignited particles and other debris as a result of a fire from exiting through the louvre.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Mabe Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Silvia Ionelia Prajescu, Pasquale Antonio Renzo, Dominique Larochelle
  • Patent number: 7895770
    Abstract: A steam laundry dryer is disclosed. The steam laundry dryer includes a drum rotatably mounted in a cabinet, a hot air heater to heat air to supply hot air into the drum, a steam generator to supply steam into the drum, a water supply source to supply water into the steam generator, and a container drawably mounted in a portion of the cabinet. The water supply source is detachably mounted in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Hun Bae, Chang Woo Son, Chul Jin Choi, Dong Hyun Kim, Young Bok Son, Heung Jae Kim
  • Patent number: 7866061
    Abstract: A clothes dryer includes a water tub, a rotating container located in the tub, a drive unit rotating the container, an air circulation blower circulating air in the tub, and a heat pump formed by circularly connecting an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, a discharge airflow path leading to the outside of the clothes dryer, an airflow path switching unit switched so as to open the portion between the container and the evaporator in an airflow path in the drying operation, and to open the discharge airflow path in cooling a place where the clothes dryer is placed, an air inlet located in an upper wall between the evaporator and the condenser in the airflow path, an air discharge blower introducing air outside the airflow path from the air inlet to be passed through the evaporator, and a cooling device that cools down the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Ha Products Co., Ltd., Toshiba Consumer Marketing Corporation
    Inventors: Hisao Tatsumi, Koji Kashima
  • Patent number: 7836607
    Abstract: A drum assembly of a laundry dryer includes a cylindrical drum main body formed through a seam-welding process, a drum head including a main head rim having a predetermined width in a direction toward a center of the drum main body, the main head rim being coupled to a first end of the drum main body and provided with a plurality of elevated portion, and a support sleeve bent from an end of the main head rim, a drum rear wall coupled to a second end of the drum main body and provided with a plurality of hot wind introducing holes, and a lift coupled to an inner circumference of the drum main body to lift the laundry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Chang Wook Kim
  • Patent number: 7665228
    Abstract: A flow enhancing air grill for a laundry dryer includes a plurality of apertures through which air flows from a rotatable drum to an air duct. The air grill is positioned over the air duct and extends beyond the air duct. In addition, a primary surface of the air grill is positioned in spaced overlying relationship to a front bulkhead surface so as to form a gap between the primary air grill surface and the underlying front bulkhead surface. The air grill may extend arcuately in conformance to the circular shape of an access port of the dryer in which it is positioned, up inclined wall surfaces of the access port. The arrangement reduces airflow obstruction by allowing adequate air flow in the event the portion of the air grill directly overlying the air duct inlet becomes covered by items of the laundry load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Paul Ricklefs, Brian Douglas Ripley, Bradley Steven Hoogendoorn
  • Patent number: 7661202
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a clothes dryer, in which mounting/dismounting of a fan is made easy by clamping a motor shaft with a tool, such as a spanner, effectively in cases when the fan is dismounted/mounted from/on the motor shaft for service of the product. For this, a motor shaft structure, in a clothes dryer including a drying drum rotatably mounted in a body, a motor bracket fixed to a bottom of an inside of the body, a motor mounted on the motor bracket for generating a rotating power, and a fan coupled to the motor with a shaft, includes chambered parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: In Hee Han, Soo Won Park
  • Patent number: 7658015
    Abstract: A clothes drying device for using a vacuum to dry clothes includes a housing being positioned on a support surface. The housing includes a top wall, a bottom wall and a perimeter wall extending between the bottom wall and the top wall to define an interior space of the housing. A drum assembly is mounted in the interior space of the housing. The drum assembly receives clothes to be dried. A hole in the perimeter wall of the housing is in communication with the drum assembly to allow the clothes to be placed in the drum assembly. A vacuum pump is mounted in the interior space of the housing. The vacuum pump is in fluid communication with drum assembly to create a vacuum in the drum assembly to draw moisture out of the clothes in the drum assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher M. Gardell
  • Patent number: 7644514
    Abstract: A clothes dryer which comprises a housing, a rotatable drum for receiving the clothes and a bearing for rotatably receiving the drum in the housing. In order to protect the bearing from overheating, a cooling air device for cooling the bearing is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Heyder, Thomas Nawrot, Andreas Ziemann
  • Patent number: 7614162
    Abstract: A clothes dryer door assembly with a viewing window is adapted to be reversibly mounted to a clothes dryer cabinet and has an inner door assembly supporting an inner window and an outer door assembly supporting an outer window. The inner door assembly removably carries a hinge and the outer door assembly is removably secured with the inner door assembly. In order to reverse the door, the outer door assembly is removed from the inner door assembly and rotated 180 degrees. The hinge is removed from the inner door assembly and re-positioned 180 degrees on the inner door assembly. The outer door assembly is then reattached to the inner door assembly. This reversing of the door assembly of the present invention does not require complete disassembly of either of the inner or outer door assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Mabe Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Pasquale Antonio Renzo
  • Publication number: 20090272004
    Abstract: A clothes dryer having a drum having an inner surface at least partially defining a treating chamber in combination with a dispensing system that sprays a fabric-condition substance onto an inner surface of the drum for subsequent distribution to the fabric articles. The dispensing system may have a variable delivery system to vary the distribution pattern of the fabric-condition substance into the treating chamber. The flow characteristic of the fabric-conditioning substance may also be varied as it is dispensed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fredrick E. Chernetski, Michael T. Dalton, Karl D. McAllister
  • Publication number: 20090260246
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a laundry dryer. The laundry dryer has a drum rotatably provided to a cabinet, a hot air heater heating air to supply hot air to the drum, a steam generator selectively supplying steam to the drum, and a water supply source provided to one side of the cabinet. And, the water supply source has an accommodating part for storing water supplied to the steam generator and a water supply means for supplying the water within the accommodating part to the steam generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Sang Hun Bae, Chul Jin Choi, Dong Hyun Kim, Young Bok Son
  • Patent number: 7559156
    Abstract: A door assembly having a viewing window for use with a clothes dryer cabinet has a mask frame for masking the view of the door assembly and for securing an inner window in the assembly. The door assembly further utilizes the hinge structure and a horizontally disposed retainer to retain the inner window in place when the door assembly is complete. The inner window is mounted within the door assembly to slope downwardly and rearwardly of the inner door frame support. When the door is closed, the sloping inner window is positioned to cover a lint trap opening in the dryer while optimizing space within the dryer due to the sloping window wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Mabe Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Pasquale Antonio Renzo
  • Publication number: 20090133283
    Abstract: To control a temperature of a dryer system, particularly a laundry dryer, an ON/OFF relay control is employed to switch heater loads. A plurality of heating elements is used in order to more precisely regulate the temperature inside the dryer system. Further, a heating control system that includes a plurality of symmetric heating elements and a control circuit is used to maintain equal distribution of relay switching loads, resulting in an extended lifetime of each individual relay. Asymmetric heating elements may also be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Michael Paul Ricklefs, Brian Douglas Ripley, Sean Florian Myers, Scott David Tosten, Brian James Kierzek, Ian Tomas Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20090113754
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a process for drying solid organic substances in aqueous phase including the steps of: feeding a continuous flow of such organic substances having a water content=50% by weight into a turbodrier having a cylindrical tubular body with horizontal axis, equipped with inlet and outlet openings, a heating jacket for bring the inner wall of the tubular body to a predetermined temperature, a bladed rotor extending inside the cylindrical tubular body (1) where it is made to rotate at speeds between 15 and 40 m/s, so as to disperse the continuous flow of organic substances into a flow of particles of organic substances; centrifuging the particles of organic substances against the inner wall of the turbodrier heated to a temperature above 130° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: GEOLINE S.R.L.
    Inventor: Guiseppina Cerea
  • Publication number: 20090071033
    Abstract: A ductless type clothes drier comprises: a heat pump system including a condenser configured to supply hot air into the drum, and an evaporator configured to remove moisture inside air exhausted from the drum; and a lint removing unit configured to inject water to the evaporator so that lint on the evaporator can be removed. Accordingly, without using water, moisture included in exhausted air can be removed as a heat exchange process is performed at the evaporator. Water for removing moisture included in air does not have to be supplied to the ductless type clothes drier, thereby solving cost increase due to increase of a water consumption amount. Furthermore, since clean water remained after being used for heat exchange is not discarded, waste of water resources is prevented. Also, the conventional problem that the ductless type clothes drier has a difficulty in being commercialized due to increase of a water consumption amount is solved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Seung-Phyo AHN, Byeong-Jo Ryoo, Sung-Ho Song, Yang-Hwan Kim, Yoon-Seob Eom, Yang-Ho Kim, Jae-Hyuk Wee
  • Publication number: 20090056161
    Abstract: A ductless type clothes drier comprises a dew condensation preventing cover configured to remove moisture included in finally exhausted air discharged to a wall surface behind a body via the heat exchanger. Accordingly, finally exhausted air including moisture is prevented from directly contacting a wall surface, thereby preventing dew condensation phenomenon occurring as moisture included therein is condensed on the wall surface. As a result, can be solved the conventional problem that stains or fungi are reproduced on the wall surface thus to cause appearance degradation and sanitary problems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Seung-Phyo AHN, Byeong-Jo Ryoo, Sung-Ho Song, Yang-Hwan Kim, Yoon-Seob Eom, Yang-Ho Kim, Jae-Hyuk Wee
  • Patent number: 7458171
    Abstract: The dehumidifier clothes dryer apparatus provides for drying clothes with a closed loop air system. The system does not require an external air source, nor does the system require an exhaust, the apparatus thereby not constrained as to location. The compressor system provides for condensing moisture from air passed through the clothes within the drug, the moisture collected in a sump tank for removal, optionally with a float controlled sump pump. Dual lint traps with optional removable filters insure proper operation. An optional accessory heating coil is provided. Relatively low energy requirements allow 110 volt operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Inventor: Luke E. Lentz
  • Publication number: 20080235984
    Abstract: A drying machine in which a rotary drum is stably supported is disclosed. The drying machine includes a cabinet; a drum rotatably installed in the cabinet for containing laundry to be dried; a first housing connected to the drum; a second housing connected to the first housing; first and second bearings respectively provided in the first and second housings; and a shaft supported by the first and second bearings, and rotatably connected to the drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Myoung Kee Yoon
  • Publication number: 20080235978
    Abstract: A lint collector for a dryer in which clothes are dried by heated air supplied to a rotating drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Epstein
  • Patent number: 7415781
    Abstract: A fabric article treating apparatus for dispensing a benefit composition through a nozzle that directs the benefit composition as droplets or particles into the chamber of the fabric article drying appliance. The droplets or particles provide benefits to the fabric articles within the drying appliance. The treating apparatus includes one or more safety features, and/or it includes beneficial control concepts that enhance the effects of the benefit composition being dispensed through the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: The Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventors: Bradford Scott Barron, Mary Jane Combs, Dean Larry DuVal, Keith David Fanta, Paul Amaat Raymond Gerard France, Christian Gerhard Friedrich Gerlach, Laura Lynn Heilman, Eugene Joseph Pancheri, Paul Joseph Russo, Christopher Lawrence Smith, Pedro Vincent Vandecappelle
  • Publication number: 20080141558
    Abstract: A steam laundry dryer is disclosed. The steam laundry dryer includes a drum rotatably mounted in a cabinet, a hot air heater to heat air to supply hot air into the drum, a steam generator to supply steam into the drum, a water supply source to supply water into the steam generator, and a container drawably mounted in a portion of the cabinet. The water supply source is detachably mounted in the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sang Hun Bae, Chang Woo Son, Chul Jin Choi, Dong Hyun Kim, Young Bok Son, Heung Jae Kim
  • Patent number: 7373737
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for controlling a washing/drying system including a washing machine and a dryer used in one pair. Since the washing machine can communicate with the dryer according to a wireless communication regulation, the dryer can operate more conveniently. According to the apparatus and method, convenience in using the washing machine and the dryer together is further enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Cheol Lyu, Seong Jin Jo, Deug Hee Lee, Kwon Ki Hong, Byung Hwan Ahn
  • Patent number: 7367134
    Abstract: A mechanized vent for a dishwasher employs a vent plate moving about a hinge axis as driven by a cam mechanism at a surface of the vent plate removed from the hinge axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Osvatic, Michael K. Hintz, Joel C. Bragg, Jeffrey J. Krieger, Mark D. Rodaer
  • Patent number: 7325330
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for eliminating wrinkles in clothes in a washing or drying machine using steam to eliminate the wrinkles in clothes, in a state in which the clothes are worn by a user or stored, as well as in a state in which washing of the clothes is terminated. The method includes determining whether or not a wrinkle-eliminating course is selected; supplying hot air to the clothes to eliminate dust from the clothes when it is determined that the wrinkle-eliminating course is selected; and supplying steam to the clothes, from which the dust was eliminated, to eliminate the wrinkles in the clothes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun Suk Kim, Hyung Gyoon Kim, Seon Woo Park, Seong Min Oak, Jee Hun Park, Yoon Sook Lee
  • Patent number: 7322127
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for opening/closing a door of a dryer, by which the door is opened/closed more simply and swiftly. The present invention includes a housing, a drum rotatably installed in the housing, a heating apparatus for supplying hot air to the drum, a door opening/closing an entrance formed at the housing for putting a laundry in the drum, and an apparatus for opening/closing the door. And, the apparatus for opening/closing the door includes a hook provided at one side of the door of the dryer, the hook having a hanging portion at one end, a latch body provided to the housing in the vicinity of the entrance wherein the hanging portion is inserted the latch body, a pair of holders provided to confront each other in the latch body to hold the hanging portion, a pair of springs provided in rear of the holders, respectively, and a support member provided to the latch body to support each of the springs to move stably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Sung Gi Hwang
  • Patent number: 7311267
    Abstract: A product dispenser and carrier (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610) for attachment to a surface such as a dryer fin includes a plate member (11, 111, 211, 311, 411, 511) and a product carrier (21, 121, 221, 321, 421, 521). The plate member (11, 111, 211, 311, 411, 511) attaches to the surface and the product carrier (21, 121, 221, 321, 421, 521) releasably attaches to the plate member (11, 111, 211, 311, 411, 511). Product (31, 131, 431, 531) is operatively connected to the product carrier (21, 121, 221, 321, 421, 521).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory G. Griese, Steven E. Lentsch
  • Patent number: 7257905
    Abstract: A laundry drying machine includes a cabinet and a laundry holding drum rotatably supported within the cabinet for rotation. The drum includes a wall that is circumferential relative to the rotation and a drum hatch that is a section of the wall. The drum forms an enclosure together with at least one stationary end surface centred on the axis of rotation of the drum. A motor is connected to drive rotation of the drum and a fan provides a flow of air through the interior of the drum. The drum includes an outlet opening centred on the axis of rotation and an annular filter screen extending from the periphery of the drum outlet and rotating with the drum. The annular screen is connected along one circumferential edge to the drum. There is an annular sliding seal between the other annular edge of the screen and the outlet duct and an annular sliding seal between the outlet duct and the drum external to the annular filter screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances Limited
    Inventors: Allen James Guinibert, Russell Joseph Jackson, Hugh Griffith Johnson, Geoffrey Simon Frazerhurst, Bruce Reginald Frank McGregor
  • Patent number: 7254901
    Abstract: A tailpiece has been provided that includes a tubular member, a washing machine connector, and a dryer drainage connector. The washing machine connector can receive a fluid discharge from a washing machine drain line and the dryer drainage connector can receive a fluid discharge from a dryer drain line. In some configurations, the tailpiece include ports. The ports have a plug positioned within them when they are not being utilized and a connector positioned within them when they are being utilized. Additionally, a method of installing a tailpiece beneath a sink has been provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Contemporary Contractors, Inc.
    Inventors: Willie E. Blann, Richard A. Schlenk
  • Patent number: 7222439
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an appliance comprising at least one sub-program step “drying”, which permits appliances comprising at least one sub-program step “drying” to be operated in the most economic manner possible and permits the efficient drying of items with a minimum energy consumption. To achieve this, during the sub-program step(s) “drying”, air is conducted from a treatment chamber via a conduit system, in which at least one Peltier element is located, and the air is then recirculated to the chamber. During its passage through the conduit system, the air is cooled, moisture is removed and the air is subsequently reheated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Kai Paintner
  • Patent number: 7191548
    Abstract: A tumbler is provided for removing odors, such as smoke, from clothing. The tumbler comprises a rotating basket in which clothing tumbles, a blower which causes air to flow through said basket and an ozone source which releases ozone into the air which flows into the basket. The tumbler includes a controller which activates the ozone source after the basket and blower have been activated; and continues to operate the blower and basket after deactivation of the ozone source to provide for a purge period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Cissell Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Naom Salameh, Stanley T. Wheeler, Judith P. Folk
  • Patent number: 7188437
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a drying unit for washing machines that is capable of fully drying the wet laundry using hot wind. A condensing duct and a drying duct are connected to a tub to circulate air in the tub. Between the drying duct and the condensing duct is disposed a drying fan. To the condensing duct is attached air cooling device for condensing air in the condensing duct by means of cool air. In the drying duct is mounted a drying heater for heating air in the drying duct to change the air into hot wind. During the drying operation of the washing machine, the air passing through the condensing duct is condensed by air, which is an unlimited resource. Consequently, consumption of energy and resources is minimized during the drying operation of the washing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Tae Hee Lee, Si Moon Jeon, Hyun Seok Seo
  • Patent number: 7121018
    Abstract: A dryer and a drain structure of the same are provided. The drain structure of a dryer includes a base, a condenser mounted on the base, and a drain concaved from front to rear of a condenser mounting surface, which is provided on the base and mounts the condenser thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jun Seok Lee
  • Patent number: 7096601
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for controlling a washing/drying system including a washing machine and a dryer used in one pair. Since the washing machine can communicate with the dryer according to a wireless communication regulation, the dryer can operate more conveniently. According to the apparatus and method, convenience in using the washing machine and the dryer together is further enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Cheol Lyu, Seong Jin Jo, Deug Hee Lee, Kwon Ki Hong, Byung Hwan Ahn
  • Patent number: 7093374
    Abstract: A clothes dryer and a method of controlling the clothes dryer. The method detects conditions of clothes using a sensor, and performs at least one of: a complex drying function to perform a drying operation, a deodorizing operation, and a wrinkle removing operation; a wrinkle removing function to perform the wrinkle removing operation and the drying operation; and a drying function to perform the drying operation, according to the detected conditions of the clothes. Accordingly, the clothes dryer is capable of not only drying the clothes, but also deodorizing the clothes and removing wrinkles. Additionally, the clothes dryer is capable of detecting conditions of clothes accommodated in a chamber, and drying and deodorizing the clothes as occasion demands, thus maintaining the clothes for a long period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byoung Yull Yang, Hyung-Gyoon Kim, Sang-Yeon Pyo, Seon-Woo Park, Hye Soon Yang, Seong Min Oak, Jae-Ryong Park, Hyun Sook Kim
  • Patent number: 7073273
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a low temperature dryer which can dry the washing while preventing damage or deformation of the washing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Inventor: Eui-Seob Kim
  • Patent number: 7059065
    Abstract: A dispensing device for use in combination with a clothes dryer wherein the device is designed to uniformly treat fabric. The invention further relates to a method for treating a fabric article in need of treatment that combines a clothes dryer and liquid dispensing system designed to uniformly treat fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Christian Gerhard Friedrich Gerlach, Bradford Scott Barron, Dean Larry DuVal, Eugene Joseph Pancheri, Mary Jane Combs, Paul Eugene Rienzo
  • Patent number: 7050837
    Abstract: A mobile communication terminal device is disclosed having elements for detecting moisture in the device. These elements include the following precautionary features: a memory for recording a circumstance under which the detection of moisture takes place, a shutdown feature for shutting down the mobile communication terminal device at least partially if moisture has been detected, and a feature for determining two circumstances, namely that the mobile communications terminal has been at least partially shut down as a result of a detection of moisture and that the mobile communication terminal device has been connected to an external power supply and subsequent current is being drawn from the power supply. Once these two circumstances have been detected, a mode is activated by which the mobile communication terminal device is subjected to a heating phase and as a result, in turn, to a drying phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Menz, Thomas Plugge
  • Patent number: 7043855
    Abstract: A treating device for use with a fabric article drying appliance. The treating device dispenses a benefit composition into a chamber so as to provide benefits to fabric articles contained within the fabric article drying appliance. The treating device is comprised of at least two housings in communication with one another wherein at least one housing is located in the interior of a fabric article drying appliance and at least one housing is located outside of the fabric article drying appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Laura Lynn Heilman, Christopher Lawrence Smith, Keith David Fanta, Paul Amaat Raymond Gerard France, Dean Larry Du Val, Michael Joseph Orr, Jichun Shi
  • Patent number: 7040039
    Abstract: A device and method for detecting lint in a clothes dryer are disclosed. A lint detector is positioned within the clothes dryer. A light source is also positioned within the clothes dryer. The lint detector has a surface that receives light emitted by the light source. Further, the lint detector has a photocell that receives light reflected from the surface if lint covers the surface. A determination is made as to whether a threshold amount of light has been received. An indication such as the activation of a warning light can be provided if the threshold amount of light is received. Another response is shutting the clothes dryer down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventors: Richard Stein, David Whitehead, Richard Scholl, Mark Sumner
  • Patent number: 7036243
    Abstract: A laundry dryer includes a base, a condenser receiving unit formed in the base, and a condenser inserted in the condenser receiving unit and provided with an insertion member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young Jin Doh, Soon Jo Lee
  • Patent number: 7020985
    Abstract: A clothes dryer has a heat source, preferably a heat pump, a rotating drum, and means to generate flow of air from the heat source to an inlet in the drum. At least two outlets are separated from each other in the drum to enable higher air flow rates without increase in pressure drop, resulting in reduced drying time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Michael Casey, David Michael Martin, John Thomas Dieckmann, Peter Francis Pescatore, Philip C. Carbone, Warren James Ellis, Jr., Frederick E. Chernetski
  • Patent number: 6995965
    Abstract: An over-voltage control device for a clothes dryer including an electrical heater coupled to an alternating current power supply is provided. The device includes a switch device adapted to connect and disconnect the power supply from the heater, and a micro-controller coupled to the switch device. The switch device is responsive to said micro-controller, and the micro-controller is configured to operate said switch to maintain an effective heater voltage below a predetermined threshold to avoid tripping of a circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Zubair Hameed, Scott Wayne Lange, Douglas Allen Riddle
  • Patent number: 6957501
    Abstract: A clothes dryer and a method for controlling its operation are disclosed, in which the clothes dryer includes a second motor being separately driven from a drum or a circulation fan to control a cooling fan for cooling a condenser. As for the second motor, a variable speed motor is used and amount of heating of a heater of the clothes dryer is variable. In the method for controlling an operation of a clothes dryer, the cooling fan is operated when a predetermined period of time passes after the cooling fan being stopped during an initial operation, or the cooling fan is operated at a regular speed when a temperature of air circulating reaches a predetermined degree after the cooling fan being operated at a low speed during the initial operation of the clothes dryer. Also, the speed of the cooling fan is varied according to amount of heating of the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young Hwan Park, Choon Myun Chung, Mu Yong Choi, Dae Yun Park, Kyung Seop Hong
  • Patent number: 6935048
    Abstract: A device for supporting a burner (20) and a dryer having the same are disclosed, in which a structure for supporting the burner is simplified, thereby decreasing the manufacturing price and fabricating of the device is easy. The device for supporting the burner includes a base (70), a burner generating a hot air, a support member (60) having a main connecting part provided between the base and the burner for being detachably inserted to the base so as to support the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Soo Won Park, Kyoung Soo Kim
  • Patent number: RE40123
    Abstract: A water-driven jet or venturi extraction means is used to remove, capture and cool the hot, highly humid air created within commercial dishwashers during a wash rinse or sanitization cycle. A cold water spray is used to create a pressure reduction zone which serves to draw in hot, highly humid air from the dishwasher. Water vapor cools and condenses on contact with the cold water spray within the venturi. The invention also serves to help vent the dishwasher. Cool, fresh air is drawn into the dishwasher while the hot air is drawn into the venturi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Johansen, Kent R. Brittain, Lee J. Monsrud, Glen W. Davidson