Abstract: A clothes dryer assembly includes a drum made of two molded halves, each being perforated. The drum is mounted for rotation on a frame and enclosed within a housing also made of two molded halves and having a large number of openings for free air flow. The drum is supported on rollers on the frame and has a side door for access. A motor is mounted on the frame to drive the drum.

Abstract: A dryer which employs open air and solar energy for tumble drying of such items as clothes comprises a rotatable, closed drum and a frame. The drum has first and second end surfaces and a lateral surface. Each of the end surfaces and lateral surface has a plurality of orifices for permitting open air and solar energy to enter and moisture to exit the drum. An access door is attached to the drum and is movable between open and closed positions to permit loading and unloading of the drum. The frame on which the drum is mounted exposes the drum interior to open air and solar energy. Bearings are coupled to the drum and frame for rotatably supporting the drum on the frame. A mechanism for rotating the drum is mounted on the frame and coupled to the drum. The method of drying comprises loading the items to be dried in the drum and exposing the drum loaded with the items to the open air and solar energy while simultaneously rotating the drum to tumble dry the items in the drum.