By Filter Patents (Class 34/82)
  • Patent number: 11976411
    Abstract: A laundry processing apparatus includes a filter assembly that is detachably supported by a filter holder positioned between a processing module and a guide duct, and an inner filter and an outer filter that are overlappingly assembled with each other, and removes debris contained in circulated air and then supplies the circulated air into the guide duct. The filter holder is assembled with a sealing member, and the sealing member is provided to cover at least a part of an outer surface of the outer filter to seal a gap between the outer filter and the filter holder, and a part of the sealing member protrudes toward the inner filter to seal a gap between the inner filter and the outer filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun Su Nam, Jun Seok Lee, In Baeg Jang
  • Patent number: 11828017
    Abstract: A laundry treatment appliance includes a cabinet, a door to selectively open and close the cabinet, a tub mounted within the cabinet, a drum rotatably mounted within the tub, an air circulation duct provided in the cabinet and having a first end connected to an air outlet of the tub and a second end connected to an air inlet of the tub, and a filter provided within the air circulation duct. The filter defines a cool air end having a perimeter thereof attached to an interior wall of the circulation duct and a warm air end having a perimeter thereof spaced apart from the interior wall of the circulation duct, and the second end is positioned below the first end in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Dority & Manning, P.A.
    Inventor: David Zhou
  • Patent number: 11811800
    Abstract: A traffic characteristic information extracting device includes a memory, and processing circuitry coupled to the memory and configured to acquire traffic information satisfying a predetermined condition from network traffic data, extract characteristic information from the acquired traffic information, classify the traffic information based on the extracted characteristic information, analyze a classification result obtained at the classifying and generate signatures, and output a signature satisfying a predetermined condition among the generated signatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuma Shinomiya, Kazunori Kamiya, Bo Hu
  • Patent number: 11807981
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a clothing treatment device comprising: a cabinet having a first lateral panel and a second lateral panel which are disposed so as to face each other, an upper panel and a lower panel which connect the first lateral panel and the second lateral panel and respectively form the upper surface and the floor surface, a first rear panel which connects the first lateral panel, the second lateral panel and the upper panel and forms the rear surface, and a second rear panel which connects the first lateral panel and the second lateral panel and is positioned below the first rear panel; a first base having a front panel which is fixed to the first lateral panel, the second lateral panel, the upper panel and the lower panel and forms the front surface of the cabinet and an input port which is provided through the front panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Junyoung Choi, Wansik Nam, Sunghoo Park, Hyeyong Park
  • Patent number: 11807979
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a laundry treatment machine and a filter arrangement for therefor, comprising a filter receptacle, a filter, a flap that can pivot about a pivot axis, and a blocking device having a blocking part that is preloaded by means of a spring. The filter is configured to be transferred back and forth between a receiving position and an extraction position, the flap configured to be transferred back and forth along an actuation path between a closed position and an open position. A blocking part is configured to be transferred back and forth between a blocking position which prevents the flap from being transferred to the closed position, and a release position which enables the flap to be transferred to the closed position. The blocking part can be a slide movably mounted in a slide guide which runs transversely to the actuation path of the flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: MIELE & CIE. KG
    Inventors: Fabian Weirauch, Thomas Vartmann
  • Patent number: 11739472
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a drum for processing laundry. A blower delivers process air through an airflow path that includes the drum. A lint filter is positioned within the airflow path that separates particulate matter from the process air. A lint disposal mechanism removes entrapped lint particles from a surface of the lint filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jordan Grider, Alexander Halbleib, Christopher A. Jones, Roy E. Masters, Jr., Rodney M. Welch, Anthony B. Welsh, Erica L. Roberts, Thomas Kessler
  • Patent number: 11634856
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a rotating drum for processing laundry. A blower directs process air through an airflow path that includes the rotating drum. A heat exchanger is positioned within the airflow path that dehumidifies the process air. A fixedly-secured lint filter captures lint from the process air at a position upstream of the heat exchanger. A fluid spray system has spray nozzles that deliver fluid to a surface of the fixedly-secured lint filter. Each spray nozzle of the plurality of spray nozzles directs captured lint away from the fixedly-secured lint filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Gianluca Bocchino, Arun Rajendran
  • Patent number: 11603623
    Abstract: A lint filter includes a first housing and a second housing pivotally connected to the first housing, the first housing including a first latch having a first hook and a second latch having a second hook, the second housing defining a handle groove and including a first protrusion and a second protrusion, the first latch corresponding to the first protrusion and the second latch corresponding to the second protrusion such that when the lint filter is in a closed position, the first latch is latched to the first protrusion and the second latch is latched to the second protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert V. MacDonald, III
  • Patent number: 11603624
    Abstract: A laundry appliance uses a determination of volumetric airflow rate after a steady state condition is reached to determine the accumulation of lint in filter. Based on the determination, various actions can be taken including notifying the user, shutting off the appliance, initiating an automatic cleaning sequence for one or more lint filters, and combinations thereof. One or more temperature sensors, relative humidity sensors, and weight sensors are used to provide measurements for determining the volumetric airflow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarah Heiniger, David Scott Dunn, Jivko Ognianov Djerekarov, Ionelia Silvia Prajescu
  • Patent number: 11519129
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a drum for processing laundry. A blower delivers process air through an airflow path that includes the drum. A lint filter is positioned within the airflow path that separates particulate matter from the process air to define entrapped lint particles. A lint disposal mechanism removes the entrapped lint particles from a surface of the lint filter to define removed lint. A holding compartment receives the removed lint for disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Roy E. Masters, Brian K. Rogers, Robert J. Pinkowski, Erica L. Roberts
  • Patent number: 11505890
    Abstract: A clothes dryer has a front support and a filter apparatus. The front support includes a drying air duct having an air outlet that communicates with a circulation air duct arranged inside the clothes dryer. An air inlet of the drying air duct communicates with a clothes treating chamber of the clothes dryer. The filter apparatus is inserted into and mounted in the air duct from the air inlet and covers the whole cross section of the drying air duct. The entire filter apparatus can be accommodated and mounted in the internal space of the front support, so that the area of the filter apparatus blocking thread scraps is increased, and the filtering efficiency is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignees: CHONGQING HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD., HAIER SMART HOME CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wenwei Li, Benfu Xing, Jinkai Wang, Jihui Pan, Leilei Ai, Zhiwei Zhao
  • Patent number: 11319661
    Abstract: A drying appliance includes a cabinet. A drum processes articles of laundry. The drum is positioned for rotational operation within the cabinet. A blower directs process air through a recirculating airflow path that includes the drum. The drum and the blower are activated in an operating state and deactivated in an idle state. A first operable vent is positioned proximate a front of the cabinet. A second operable vent is positioned proximate a rear of the cabinet. The first and second operable vents define an open position after the drum and the blower define the idle state. The first and second operable vents define a closed position after the drum and the blower define the operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Nolan R. Maryanski, Antonio Mazzarella, Justin Nguyen, Pedro A. Rouin, Daniel A. Schurr
  • Patent number: 11154910
    Abstract: A laundry dryer having a cabinet with a plinth, a first door on the plinth, a drum rotatable in the cabinet, a process air flow duct exiting the drum, and a filter assembly behind the first door in the a duct section inside the plinth. The filter assembly includes a frame, a filter supported by the frame, and a cleaning device. The cleaning device has a slidable wiper and a fluff collector. The cleaning device is movable within the frame to cause the wiper to wipe the filter, and to collect material wiped from the filter in the fluff collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Inventors: Rudy Dal Molin, Nicola Reid, Giuseppe Rossi, Michael Edenius, Gabriele Missio, Nadir Antonello Mazzarotto
  • Patent number: 11118304
    Abstract: A clothes dryer comprises a drum to stir clothes accommodated therein, an exhaust duct configured to discharge air inside the drum, a lint removing device including a filter to remove lint in air discharged to the exhaust duct, and a foreign-substance separating plate installed between the exhaust duct and the lint removing device to separate solid foreign substances in the air discharged to the exhaust duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigenori Hato, Toshifumi Hashimoto, Yuji Aoshima, Hitoshi Minai
  • Patent number: 11087997
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to substrate processing apparatus, with a first and second reactor, each reactor configured for processing a plurality of substrates; and, a substrate handling robot constructed and arranged to transfer substrates between a substrate cassette at a substrate transfer position and the first and second reactor. The apparatus is constructed and arranged with a maintenance area between the first and second reactors to allow maintenance of the reactors from the maintenance area to both the first and second reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Theodorus Oosterlaken, Chris de Ridder
  • Patent number: 11085144
    Abstract: A washing machine and a control method therefor are disclosed. The washing machine according to the present invention comprises: a drum for receiving laundry; a drying unit for adjusting the temperature of air in the drum so as to dry the laundry; a filter unit for filtering lint generated from the laundry; a cleaning unit for cleaning the filter unit; and a control unit for controlling the cleaning unit such that the filter unit is periodically cleaned during rotation of the drum. Accordingly, the washing machine can reduce the amount of lint generated from laundry during a drying process. Further, the washing machine according to the disclosure periodically cleans a filter for filtering lint generated from laundry, so as to facilitate circulation of air in the drum during a drying process, thereby improving the drying efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min-hee Kang, Sung-gyu Shin, Hong-yeol Lee, Hyung-sub Lim, Seung-hun Choi
  • Patent number: 11047085
    Abstract: A laundry dryer having a cabinet, a rotatable drum, a duct defining a flow passage for process air, and a filter assembly positioned in the duct. The filter assembly includes a frame, a filter surface, and a cleaning device. The cleaning device includes wiper seat, a wiper, and a handle portion connected to the wiper portion. The cleaning device is pivotally attached to the frame to rotate around an axis, to be movable from a first resting position in which the handle is substantially completely housed in the wiper seat, to a plurality of wiping positions in which the wiper portion wipes the first filtering surface. In at least in one of the wiping positions, the handle portion protrudes from the wiper seat, and the handle portion is operable to perform the transition from the first resting position to any of the wiping positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventors: Rudy Dal Molin, Michael Edenius, Nadir Mazzarotto, Gabriele Missio, Nicola Reid, Giuseppe Rossi
  • Patent number: 11015281
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a drum for processing laundry. A blower delivers process air through an airflow path that includes the drum. A lint filter is positioned within the airflow path that separates particulate matter from the process air. A lint disposal mechanism removes entrapped lint particles from a surface of the lint filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jordan Grider, Alexander Halbleib, Christopher A. Jones, Roy E. Masters, Jr., Rodney M. Welch, Anthony B. Welsh, Erica L. Roberts, Thomas Kessler
  • Patent number: 10869529
    Abstract: A haircare appliance includes a handle having a fluid inlet at one end and a power cable, wherein the fluid inlet is formed at least partially around the power cable and the fluid inlet comprises a filter grille, wherein the filter grille is formed from two parts. The filter grille may extend at least partially along the length of the handle. The handle and the filter grille may be cylindrical. The two parts of the filter grille may join together to produce an assembled grille. The assembled grille may be removable from the handle of the appliance. The assembled grille may be retained around the power cable when the assembled grilled is removed from the handle of the appliance. The two parts of the filter grille may be united via a lap joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Weiyi Chia, Eric Purnama Utama Ng
  • Patent number: 10765974
    Abstract: A lint collection assembly for a dryer appliance includes a filter housing defining an aperture through which a flow of air exits the drying chamber. A roller assembly includes a supply roller for unrolling clean filter medium over the aperture and a collection roller for simultaneously receiving a used section of the filter medium. A drive mechanism, such as an electric motor is coupled directly to the collection roller or to a separate drive roller for moving the filter medium over the aperture between drying cycles to automatically and conveniently collect filtered lint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Stephen Renz, Peter Heiniger, Grafton Cook
  • Patent number: 10753034
    Abstract: A clothes dryer filter cleaning apparatus which has a top opening for receiving the dryer filter. The opening includes a pair of rubber flaps which help to prevent dust and lint from escaping the cleaning apparatus. The filter then passes through several sets of flexible cleaning fingers. The dryer filter is then pulled back out of the opening, pulling the screen of the filter back past the cleaning fingers. The manual function can be replaced or enhanced with a pair of motorized fingers on axles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Inventor: Charles M. Dolbeare
  • Patent number: 10738411
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a blower that directs process air along an airflow path. A condensing heat exchanger heats the process air to define heated process air. A drum receives the heated process air to dry laundry. A pump directs fluid along a fluid path. An evaporating heat exchanger cools the fluid to define a cooled fluid. A refrigerant circuit directs a refrigerant between the condensing and evaporating heat exchangers. A shower area in which the cooled fluid is showered through the heated process air after the heated process air exits the drum to wash particulate matter out of the heated process air. The pump directs the fluid towards the evaporating heat exchanger in order to cool the fluid, and directs the cooled fluid to the shower area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Claudio Civanelli, Daniele Martinello
  • Patent number: 10683604
    Abstract: A dryer, particularly for drying clean-room garments and accessories, includes a dryer body, a drying chamber, and a system for circulating air between an air intake and the drying chamber. The system includes an air aspiration device giving a direction of air flow from the air intake towards the drying chamber, a device for heating the aspirated air placed upstream of said drying chamber, and an absolute filter provided upstream of the drying chamber. The dryer further includes, upstream of the absolute filter, a connector arranged so as to be connected to a device for supplying air charged with a predetermined quantity of droplets of an aerosol, and in that it has an access to a space located downstream of the absolute filter and upstream of the drying chamber, the access to a space being arranged so as to be able to receive a measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: MANOHA
    Inventor: Patrick Gérard
  • Patent number: 10458057
    Abstract: A clothes dryer with a first bulkhead having an access opening and a first edge defining a front opening confronting the access opening. The clothes dryer has a composite seal located between the first bulkhead and the first edge which has a foam layer comprising memory foam and a low-friction layer having a coefficient of kinetic friction less than 0.3, with the low friction layer confronting the first edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Antonio Mazzarella, Davide Parachini, Gianbattista Pirola, George F. Seiffert
  • Patent number: 10443181
    Abstract: The invention relates to a washing/drying machine equipped with a filter cleaning device for removing filaments released by laundry items during the washing/drying cycle. For this purpose, the cleaning device comprises nozzles arranged in a spider-like pattern, which spray water onto the filtering wall, on the side thereof facing towards the drying tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL EMEA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Giovanni Bombardieri
  • Patent number: 10329708
    Abstract: Provided is a dryer for clothes. The dryer for the clothes includes a cabinet, a drying drum accommodated in the cabinet, a suction passage supplying hot air into the drying drum, a heating unit disposed on one position of the suction passage to heat the air introduced into the suction passage at a high temperature, an exhaust passage through the hot air discharged from the drying drum flows, a blower mounted on one position of the exhaust passage to forcibly blow the air within the drying drum, a lint filter mounted on the other position of the exhaust passage, a guide duct defining a portion of the exhaust passage to accommodate the lint filter therein, and a blocking member disposed at a position where the air discharged from the drying drum flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jinhyouk Shin, Woocheol Kang, Minseong Kim, Sungjun Kim
  • Patent number: 10251911
    Abstract: The technology relates to spray dried plasma and methods of making the same. The method includes providing plasma to a spray drying apparatus, spray drying the plasma, at the spray drying apparatus, to form physiologically active plasma powder, the spray drying apparatus configured utilizing one or more parameters, and storing the physiologically active plasma powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: ENTEGRION, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph A. DaCorta, Keith Rosiello
  • Patent number: 9988757
    Abstract: The invention relates to an accommodating device for a removable filter in a domestic appliance, having an accommodating opening for accommodating the filter at least in part, and having a seal which, with the filter inserted, seals the accommodating opening in relation to the filter. In order for fluff, hair and other deposits and contaminants both adhering to the filter and deposited in the vicinity of the accommodating opening to be reliably kept away from the accommodating opening when the filter is being removed, the seal is arranged at the accommodating opening and has at least one sealing element which, when the filter is being removed, passes out of a sealing operating position into a screening position, in which it encloses at least part of the accommodating opening with screening action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander John, Martin Korte
  • Patent number: 9951464
    Abstract: A clothes dryer includes a rotatable drum, a drum supporter for supporting the drum, the drum supporter being provided with a discharge port for discharging air from the drum, a circulation channel for guiding air discharged through the discharge port into the drum, and a filter cartridge for filtering air in the circulation channel, wherein the filter cartridge includes an inside filter cartridge for filtering air discharged from the drum and an outside filter cartridge disposed in the circulation channel in a state of being supported by the drum supporter, the outside filter cartridge including a front filter for filtering air that passes through the inside filter cartridge and flows forward, a rear filter for filtering air that passes through the inside filter cartridge and flows rearward, and a lateral filter for filtering air that passes through the inside filter cartridge and flows in the lateral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Manseok Lee, Haeyoon Je
  • Patent number: 9896797
    Abstract: Provided is a dryer for clothes. The dryer for the clothes includes a lint filter assembly, and a lint filter cleaning device for removing lint attached to the lint filter assembly. The lint filter assembly includes a filter frame defining an edge thereof, a mesh member attached to the filter frame to cover an inner region of the filter frame, and a partition rib including a plurality of horizontal ribs and vertical ribs which are disposed inside the filter frame. The mesh member is partitioned into a plurality of filtering blocks by the plurality of horizontal ribs and vertical ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jinhyouk Shin, Woocheol Kang, Minseong Kim, Sungjun Kim
  • Patent number: 9897377
    Abstract: An exhaust system includes a filter; and a fan downstream for the filter whereby activating the fan clears the filter. The exhaust system may form part of a lint collection system that is for attachment to a dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: BOEMAR INC.
    Inventor: Bart Donald Beaumont
  • Patent number: 9885144
    Abstract: A clothes dryer with a filter unit and a filter cover having a coupling structure corresponding to each other. The clothes dryer includes a body, a drum installed inside the body, a drying unit configured to dry air passed through the drum, a filter unit disposed on the drying unit and detachably installed on the body, a filter cover fixed by provided with one side thereof being installed on the body and the other side thereof being coupled to the filter unit. When the filter unit is not assembled, a user may notice the filter unit not being assembled due to the filter unit and the filter cover, both of which are provided with a coupling structure corresponding to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seong Joon Cho, Jin Woo So, Yun Hwan Lee
  • Patent number: 9638465
    Abstract: A clothes treating apparatus having a drying function comprises a cabinet to receive a rotatable drum therein, the cabinet defining an appearance of the apparatus, a module part mounted onto an outer surface of the cabinet, the module part comprising a heater assembly, a blower assembly, and a housing for accommodating the heater assembly and the blower assembly, and a link unit to connect the module part onto the rear side of the cabinet, wherein the heater assembly includes a heater module as an air heating device, a thermostat installed at a position adjacent to an outlet side of the heater module to turn the heater module on or off according to air temperature, and a slit formed between the thermostat and the heater module to allow for introduction of external air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yongju Lee, Sangik Lee
  • Patent number: 9574298
    Abstract: A laundry dryer is provided with an air recirculation channel which recirculates air from an air exhaust channel to an air supply channel. The air recirculation channel comprises a recirculation air filter which removes debris from the recirculated air before it is redirected to the air supply channel. The recirculation air filter is removably accessible behind an access door at a peripheral region of an access passage to the drying chamber such that it may be easily serviced by a user of the laundry dryer. In some embodiments, the air recirculation channel may comprise a nozzle with an outlet which is concentrically arranged at an inlet of the air supply channel. In these embodiments, the nozzle may direct the recirculated air to the air supply channel such that it is enveloped by fresh air entering from within a cabinet of the laundry dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Luciano Sartor, Nicola Baruffaldi, Flavio Noviello
  • Patent number: 9574824
    Abstract: A laundry treatment apparatus includes a connection duct into which air inside a drum, in which laundry is received, is discharged, and a discharge duct that extends in a longitudinal direction of the drum and that is connected to the connection duct. The laundry treatment apparatus also includes a filter assembly that has a filter unit located in the discharge duct and configured to filter air introduced into the discharge duct and an impurity remover unit configured to separate, from the filter unit, impurities remaining on the filter unit. The laundry treatment apparatus further includes an impurity storage device separable from the discharge duct. The impurity storage device is located below the filter unit and configured to store impurities separated from the filter unit by the impurity remover unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sangik Lee, Jeongyun Kim
  • Patent number: 9476158
    Abstract: Provided is a dryer. In the dryer, foreign substances such naps generated during a drying process are filtered by a filter unit, and the foreign substances attached to the filter unit are automatically removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Seung-Phyo Ahn, Jeong-Yun Kim, Sang-Ik Lee
  • Patent number: 9382658
    Abstract: A dryer lint trap has one opening operable to receive exhaust from a dryer and another opening to discharge the relatively lint free air flow into a high-rise building exhaust stack. The lint trap can remove lint with a water bath onto which dryer exhaust flows therein. The lint trap is totally sealed and the relatively lint free exhaust air is discharged into building exhaust stack by a duct that may have an in-line exhaust fan and connects to the discharge side of a bathroom exhaust fan. The in-line exhaust fan along with the bathroom exhaust fan and the dryer may be interlocked to affect simultaneous start and stop. In addition, the in-line exhaust fan works synergistically with the bathroom fan and the on-roof exhaust fan to efficiently discharge exhaust air into the atmosphere. This arrangement assures that no exhaust air is released into the living space and precludes mold generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Inventor: Mohamed H. Tarifi
  • Patent number: 9228293
    Abstract: The clothing dryer includes a filter device to filter foreign matter in a flow channel along which high-temperature, high-humidity air having dried an object to be dried is discharged. The filter device is mounted so as to be moved inward into and outward from a cabinet in a horizontal state. Usability and reliability of the clothing dryer are improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chang Bae Yeom
  • Patent number: 9200838
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a laundry machine having a drying function for drying an object to be dried, especially clothes. In the laundry machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, lint and the like that may be contained in the hot air are removed by the filter, whereby the lint and the like can be prevented from being piled on the duct. Also, the filter is placed in a way that it is exposed into the tub, whereby the filter can be cleaned automatically while it is being driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Ig Geun Kwon, Sangwook Hong, Youngsuk Kim, Hyunseok Seo
  • Patent number: 9139950
    Abstract: An automatic lint filter cleaning and lint collection system for a laundry dryer. The apparatus comprises a lint filter pivot chamber, a lint collection chamber, a lint filter housing pivotably mounted between the pivot chamber and collection chamber, a flange between the pivot chamber and collection chamber wherein the filter housing is biased into abutment with the flange, a lint collection container, an auger rotatably mounted within the collection chamber, and a drive assembly operably connected to the lint filter housing and auger. The drive assembly is operable to pivot the filter housing away from the flange and then to release the filter housing such that the filter housing forcibly returns into abutment with the flange and thereby causes the lint filter to release lint into the collection chamber. The drive assembly is operable to rotate the auger and thereby move lint from the collection chamber into the collection container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Barrett, Roderic N. Uphaus
  • Patent number: 9139949
    Abstract: Device for drying laundry by means of a current of air comprises a drum to accommodate the laundry and a ducting system to direct said current of air. The ducting system has a section arranged downstream of the drum, in which the current of air is directed downwards and in which is arranged a filter to capture lint from the current of air. A scraper is assigned to the filter, in order to scrape off the lint. The receptacle has a handle and two interlinked shell elements which can be separated from each other, and which define a storage volume to accommodate the scraped-off lint. According to the invention, lint thus scraped off can be removed from the device and disposed of, without the user needing to come into direct contact with the lint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Roman Goldberg, Kai Nitschmann
  • Publication number: 20150121719
    Abstract: An automatic lint filter cleaning and lint collection system for a laundry dryer. The apparatus comprises a lint filter pivot chamber, a lint collection chamber, a lint filter housing pivotably mounted between the pivot chamber and collection chamber, a flange between the pivot chamber and collection chamber wherein the filter housing is biased into abutment with the flange, a lint collection container, an auger rotatably mounted within the collection chamber, and a drive assembly operably connected to the lint filter housing and auger. The drive assembly is operable to pivot the filter housing away from the flange and then to release the filter housing such that the filter housing forcibly returns into abutment with the flange and thereby causes the lint filter to release lint into the collection chamber. The drive assembly is operable to rotate the auger and thereby move lint from the collection chamber into the collection container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Barrett
  • Publication number: 20150113827
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wardrobe for storage and drying of sports equipment and/or clothes. This wardrobe has an opening, an air circulation fan and an exhaust vent at the bottom, an intake vent at the top, and suspending means for suspending articles such as sports equipment or clothes. Turning on the fan activates active drying of the articles. Additionally, the present invention relates to a method of storing and drying articles comprising suspending the articles in a wardrobe, the interior of said wardrobe comprising an air circulation fan and an exhaust vent at the bottom; an intake vent at the top; and suspending means for suspending the articles. The articles that are difficult or take more time to dry can be placed closest to the fan. The wardrobe can have a rigid or flexible interior cavity and the flexible wardrobe can be capable of hanging on a rod and additionally can be packed in a bag with or without a kit with support poles and feet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Richard Goulet
  • Patent number: 8991066
    Abstract: An adaptor can convert a conventional hot air clothes dryer to draw air from outside instead of inside a building, and comprises an adaptor housing securable over the air intake region of the dryer in fluid communication with the air inlet of the dryer, with an adaptor housing inlet connectable to an air intake linkage. A filter and filter bypass assembly can be used in combination with the adaptor. The assembly comprises an outer enclosure and an inner enclosure inside the outer enclosure. An inner enclosure inlet and inner enclosure outlet define a first airflow path through the inner enclosure and an outer enclosure inlet and outer enclosure outlet define a second airflow path through the outer enclosure and bypassing the inner enclosure. The inner enclosure and the outer enclosure have a common aperture for insertion of a filter into the inner enclosure across the first airflow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventor: Bradley J. Goemans
  • Patent number: 8973282
    Abstract: A secondary lint trap couplable between a laundry dryer and a building-embedded vent duct. The trap has an elongate housing. Aligned inlet and outlet apertures are formed in bottom and top sides of the housing's rearward ends. A tray is removably insertable within the housing. A screened aperture in the tray is aligned between the inlet and outlet apertures when the tray is inserted within the housing. The housing is mountable above the dryer such that the inlet and outlet apertures extend rearwardly of the dryer. This facilitates coupling of the dryer's exhaust outlet to the inlet aperture through one 90° elbow via a first short, substantially straight, elbowless conduit; and facilitates coupling of the vent duct to the outlet aperture through one other 90° elbow collar via a second short, substantially straight, elbowless conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ecco Heating Products Ltd.
    Inventor: David Thomas Mackay
  • Patent number: 8966780
    Abstract: A tumble dryer includes a housing, which has an enclosable drying chamber, a heater mounted in the enclosable drying chamber, a gate for closing/opening the enclosable drying chamber and a tumbler rotatably mounted in the drying chamber, an intake pipeline equipped with an intake control valve for guiding outside air into the drying chamber, an exhaust pipeline equipped with an exhaust control valve for guiding air out of the drying chamber to the atmosphere, an air-suction pipeline equipped with a pipeline control valve and having a pump installed therein for pumping air out of the drying chamber to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventor: Hui-Li Lin
  • Patent number: 8950084
    Abstract: A semi-drying method of a washing machine, and a ventilating structure and a control apparatus for the same. In the semi-drying method, the dehydration and disentanglement of cloth are repeated plural times, and a washing tub is rotated at a designated dehydration speed for a time longer than that of the conventional dehydrating operation so as to minimize the jamming of the cloth into water pores of the washing tub, thereby increasing the dehydration degree of the cloth compared to the conventional dehydrating operation, removing offensive odors from the cloth, preventing damage to the cloth, allowing a user to select the duration of a semi-drying operation and to see the state of the semi-drying operation, and ventilating the washing tub during the semi-drying operation to improve the dehydration degree of the cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seok Kyu Park, Ki Ho Kang, Yong Kyu Cho
  • Publication number: 20150020399
    Abstract: A laundry drying apparatus having a cabinet including a front panel with an opening for introduction and removal of laundry, a drying drum horizontally installed within the cabinet, and an air supply device to collect air from inside the drying drum, direct the air through ducts, and then return the air into the drying drum. The front panel includes an upper region where a door is installed and a lower region located below the upper region, and the upper region is tilted rearward by a predetermined tilt angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sanghun BAE, Hongjun CHO
  • Patent number: 8919006
    Abstract: A laundry drying machine (1) includes a casing (2) containing a rotatable drum (4) for holding the laundry (5) to dry, and a drying air circuit (6) for conveying a drying air flow towards the inside of the drum (6) and from it to the outside. At least one filter (12) is provided for intercepting the fluff dragged out of the laundry (5) by the drying air flow. Vibrating means (19) are adapted to cause the filter (12) to vibrate, so as to drop down the fluff from the filter (12). The filter (12) is selectively positionable between an operational position in which the filter (12) is arranged in a seat (11) intercepting the drying air circuit (6), and an extracted position in which the filter (12) is removed from the seat (11), outside the drying air circuit (6). The vibrating means includes an exciter, associated to the casing (2), and an exciter-responsive element, associated to the filter (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Giancarlo Arrigoni, Carlo Urbanet, Alberto Bison, Maurizio Ugel, Giancarlo Gerolin
  • Publication number: 20140360040
    Abstract: A laundry dryer is provided with an air recirculation channel which recirculates air from an air exhaust channel to an air supply channel. The air recirculation channel comprises a recirculation air filter which removes debris from the recirculated air before it is redirected to the air supply channel. The recirculation air filter is removably accessible behind an access door at a peripheral region of an access passage to the drying chamber such that it may be easily serviced by a user of the laundry dryer. In some embodiments, the air recirculation channel may comprise a nozzle with an outlet which is concentrically arranged at an inlet of the air supply channel. In these embodiments, the nozzle may direct the recirculated air to the air supply channel such that it is enveloped by fresh air entering from within a cabinet of the laundry dryer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Luciano SARTOR, Nicola BARUFFALDI, Flavio NOVIELLO