Abstract: An apparatus and method towards a laundry treating appliance for drying laundry comprising a rotatable drum at least partially defining a treating chamber and having a front and a rear and a motor rotating the drum that tumbles laundry within the treating chamber while also including a separate container for drying a second load of laundry simultaneously.

Abstract: I have invented a partially magnetic apparatus (2) that will consist of stretchable band (80) and a rectangular rod (14) is to be inserted into the upper lacing area of the athletic shoe (3) width wise magnetically attaching athletic shoe (3) to dryer's drum (55) while dryer is in motion.

Abstract: A drying basket for a clothes dryer, comprising a longitudinal support and a wire basket fastened thereto. A connecting device is integrally configured on the longitudinal support and can be engaged with an opening provided on the clothes dryer. For this purpose, an opening is provided on the clothes dryer in a section of the clothes dryer housing, with which the connecting device of a drying basket can be engaged.

Abstract: A method for drying sensitive articles, essentially textiles made of wool, which are to be dried in the washing drum of a clothes dryer using a computer program. According to known methods for protecting sensitive articles to be dried during a drying program, the articles to be dried are introduced into a protective device which, filled with the articles to be dried, is then inserted into the washing drum before the start of the drying program. In order to prevent damage to the sensitive articles to be dried whenever the protective device is not used, a warning signal is generated prior to the start of the drying program when the protective device containing the sensitive articles to be dried is not properly fixed to the clothes dryer.

Abstract: A drum for a clothes dryer includes a generally cylindrical sidewall rotatable about a horizontal axis. The sidewall has an outer wall and an inner wall. The inner wall defines an interior volume for receiving articles to be dried. A hanger mechanism is coupled to the inner wall. The hanger mechanism is configured to support items hanged therefrom for drying without rotation of the drum. A shelf is coupled to the inner wall. The shelf is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. When extended, the shelf is configured to support articles to be dried. The drum is stationary during drying cycles wherein the hanger mechanism and the retractable shelf are in use. A heat source is operated at a reduced power level when the drum is not rotated.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods of disinfecting and/or decontaminating articles, and more specifically to a system and method of efficiently disinfecting and/or decontaminating articles such as pieces of mail that may have been exposed to diverse biological and/or chemical contaminants.

Abstract: There is provided a dry board received and fixed in a dry drum. The dry board is mounted in the dry drum and laundry such as shoes can be stably dried.

Abstract: A control user interface for laundry appliances, such as a clothes dryer or washing machine, enables a user to control multiple modes of operation and a variable associated with at least one mode of operation by manipulating a single control element. In one arrangement, the variable is time and multiple time increments are associated with at least one mode of operation. One embodiment includes a rotatable single control knob. Upon detecting the rotation of the control knob, a determination is made whether the currently selected operation mode has associated operation times to be presented to the user. If no associated operation times are presented, the user interface display is updated to reflect the next mode of operation. The operation mode and operation times may be part of different display region within the dryer control user interface.

Abstract: A drying rack assembly, for use in a clothes dryer with a rotatable tumbler, is constructed with a perforated tray to support clothing in a stationary manner within the tumbler. A duct is attached to the perforated tray to direct a primary airflow through the perforated tray and to at least a portion of air outlet opening in the tumbler cavity. The duct further includes openings to provide a secondary path by which a portion of the total airflow is allowed to bypass the perforated tray. A movable damper is provided to allow variable bypass airflow. An air outlet cover, attached to the combination of the duct and perforated tray, is adapted to cover the portion of the air outlet opening that does not interface with the duct. The air outlet cover is movable to a second position to enable compact storage. A hanging feature is further provided on the side of the dryer cabinet to provide a convenient storage space.

Abstract: A shoe drying rack to fit a dryer's drum, comprised of an open container divided into two mirror imaged halves joined together by an adjustable connector arm. In one embodiment, the adjustable connector arm is a telescopic arm, allowing for the sizing of the shoe drying rack to fit different size drums of a clothes dryer. A strap and holding posts located in each of the half cylinders keep one or more shoes in place during drying. A shoe drying rack in which the two containers are mirror-imaged half cylinders fits best within the round dryer drums, allowing for a large surface area of contact for stability and balance during drying.

Abstract: A drum for a clothes dryer includes a generally cylindrical sidewall rotatable about a horizontal axis. The sidewall has an outer wall and an inner wall. The inner wall defines an interior volume for receiving articles to be dried. A hanger mechanism is coupled to the inner wall. The hanger mechanism is configured to support items hanged therefrom for drying without rotation of the drum. A shelf is coupled to the inner wall. The shelf is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. When extended, the shelf is configured to support articles to be dried. The drum is stationary during drying cycles wherein the hanger mechanism and the retractable shelf are in use. A heat source is operated at a reduced power level when the drum is not rotated.

Abstract: A washing machine and method of controlling a drying process thereof is provided. The washing machine includes a water temperature detecting unit and a controller. The water temperature detecting unit is disposed in a condensing duct to detect temperatures of condensed water. The controller determines whether an end of a drying process is reached based upon the water temperatures detected by the water temperature detecting unit, and terminates the drying process depending on a result of the determination. Accordingly, the drying process may be terminated without delay, irrespective of various factors, such as a weight of the laundry, moisture contained in the laundry, and the temperature of cold water supplied to an inside of the condensing duct, so that a drying performance is improved, excessive drying and damage to the laundry are prevented and energy is saved.

Abstract: A drying rack can be fixed in the drum of a tumble dryer to dispose items to be dried in a static manner. The items can be, for example, woolens or shoes that should not be rotated with the moving drum during the drying process. To prevent the items to be dried from coming into contact with the rotating drum, the drying rack includes an external casing, which seals the rack off from the periphery of the drum. An internal rack, in particular, including several levels, can be located inside the external casing. The items to be dried can be distributed on the levels.

Abstract: A shoe drying device having two arms and an airflow channel extending therethrough. A spring exerts an outward force on the arms. Each arm includes a member for holding a shoe at an end thereof. During a drying cycle, convection air enters through an air inlet towards the center of the device, flows through the airflow channel, and exits through air outlets in the members for holding a shoe at the ends of the arms. This facilitates more even drying of shoes held in the members for holding shoes.

Abstract: A drying apparatus for use in a drying device, having a surface and a first mechanism to at least partially hold an article relative to the surface. A second mechanism associated with the surface is operable to cooperatively engage with an air exit in the drying device, and is in air communication with an interior of the first mechanism. An airflow channel is formed between a portion of the drying device, the article, the interior of the first mechanism, the second mechanism, and an air exit in the drying device, facilitating more even drying of the article.

Abstract: A reusable device, and alternative methods of manufacture, for fast, efficient, fingernail preserving, and unfragmented removal of accumulated lint from clothes dryer filters. Each embodiment comprises a mitt and an attached storage pouch having upper and lower ends that can be independently manipulated for the addition and removal of lint. It also comprises magnetic means for attachment of the pouch to a dryer so that it remains conveniently accessible for use. The mitt preferably has two thumbs for interchangeable right-handed and left-handed use.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in drying articles defining internal cavities within a conventional clothes dryer includes a manifold and a plurality of tubes extending therefrom. Each of the tubes is provided with various, circumferentially spaced and longitudinally extending ribs. The apparatus is adapted to be mounted within the clothes dryer, with the manifold being seated about an exhaust outlet of the dryer and a shoe, glove or the like to be dried being placed over a respective tube. Air flow into the dryer is caused to flow along the tubes, between adjacent ribs, into an internal cavity of the article, then into the manifold through the tube, and finally out of the dryer through the exhaust outlet.

Abstract: A shoe holder for attaching a shoe to a dryer for preventing the tennis shoes from banging in the drum of the dryer while being dried. The shoe holder for attaching a shoe to a dryer includes a piece of material being adapted to fasten about a sole of a shoe; and also includes fastening members for fastening the piece of material about the sole of the shoe; and further includes dryer attachment members securely attached to the piece of material and being adapted to detachably attach to a drum of a dryer.

Abstract: A basket or dryer liner that has the usual basket shape, i.e, generally cylindrical, but is resiliently compressible or deformable along multiple axes for reshaping into irregular shapes. It has perforate bottom wall and side walls and an open top and is generally symmetrical about x, y, and z axes that are orthogonal to each other. The basket may be manually compressed alone these axes and then allowed to return to its normal shape when released. Thus, it has a non-compressed, relaxed state wherein it has maximum exterior dimensions and can stand-alone and serve the normal functions of a basket. The basket also has a compressed condition wherein at least certain of the dimensions of the basket are less than said maximum dimensions so that it can be fitted into a dryer, allowed to expand, and serve as a dryer liner. Wet clothes and other items can then be placed in the basket through the dryer opening in the normal manner.

Abstract: A washing machine insert for holding athletic shoes therein when washing the athletic shoes in a washing machine. The washing machine insert includes a member designed for insertion into a washing tub of a front loading style washing machine. The member has a plurality of bores extending therethrough between a pair of opposite faces of the member. Each of the bores is designed for receiving a shoe therein.

Abstract: The device consisting of a hollow body made of foam rubber or other shock absorbing material defining an enclosed chamber and having a plurality of holes therein. A closeable opening is provided that is of adequate size to allow wet tennis shoes or other objects in need of drying to be placed inside said enclosed chamber. The unit with the articles to be dried within are inserted into a rotary drum clothes dryer and the loud thumping and banging noise normally associated with drying heavy shoes in a rotating metal drum are significantly reduced or eliminated. Further, the padding and shock absorbing shape of the envelope prevents the dryer's door from being knocked open from the inside as often happens when hard shoes hit the back of the door during the tumbling and drying process. Furthermore, shoes and delicate fabrics may safely be dried in the same load as they are effectively separated by the device.

Abstract: A shoe bar is useful for drying shoes in a conventional clothes dryer. The shoe bar has a relaxed length that is equal to or slightly greater than the inner diameter of the drum of the clothes dryer. The bar ends are inserted into the shoes. The bar is manually bent and placed in the drum. One shoe is placed against the drum inner diameter, and the other shoe is placed proximate the drum diametrically opposite the first shoe. The bar is released. The elastic material exerts a restoring force that tends to return the bar toward its relaxed configuration. The bar is too long to relax completely, so it remains at a working configuration whereat it urges the shoes against the drum. The shoes remain pressed against the drum, so they do not tumble when the clothes dryer is operated to rotate the drum.

Abstract: A hanging feature is provided for a clothes dryer. The hanging feature is included on the door, or on the cabinet adjacent the door opening so that shoes or other objects can be hung from the hanging feature and suspended in a position exposed to the hot air within the rotating drum while at the same time being held free from rotation with the rotating drum.

Abstract: A stationary drying rack of the present invention is used in a clothes dryer for drying articles of clothing which cannot be tumbled by the dryer. The stationary rack is capable of using the electronic control drying circuitry of the dryer by making electrical contact with the sensor bars of the dryer and providing additional sets of sensor bars disposed on the drying rack. As a result, the sensor bars on the drying rack are electrically connected to the sensor bars on the dryer.

Abstract: A footwear drying rack and a method for its use within automatic dryers having a rotating drum, the framework of the rack having one outwardly spring-biased main actuator arm and one telescoping main actuator arm placed in opposition thereto; two rack holders secured to opposite sides of the inside surface of the dryer drum and between which the two main actuator arms are firmly fixed during use; and a plurality of outwardly spring-biased shoe bracket subassemblies upon which wet footwear may be placed to allow the footwear to dry within an automatic clothes dryer more rapidly than if it were placed loose within the dryer drum.

Abstract: A dryer basket for sneakers including a plurality of baskets. A plurality of mounting brackets are secured within a dryer drum of a dryer adjacent to tumblers of the dryer. The mounting brackets each are removably secured to the baskets whereby the baskets are removably secured within the dryer drum adjacent to the tumblers.

Abstract: An improved clothes dryer includes a heated drying chamber, a drum mounted for rotation in the drying chamber to tumble articles of clothing, and a door which is opened to permit placement and removal of articles in the dryer and is closed during the drying process. The improvement is tumble-preventing means for positioning an article in the drying chamber for drying without tumbling. The tumble-preventing means includes a clothes bag for being trapped between the dryer door and the drying chamber for restraining in the drying chamber the article to be dried. The clothes bag positions the article at a height within the drying chamber sufficient to prevent rotation-causing contact between the article and the rotating drum. A locking clip is located outside of the dryer for being attached to the clothes bag. The locking clip prevents the clothes bag from being dislodged by rotation of the drum from its trapped condition between the dryer door and drying chamber during the drying process.

Abstract: First and second telescoping support tubes are arranged for securement relative to one another in an extended orientation and provided with respective first and second rigid foot members, wherein the foot members are arranged to be received within respective shoes to be imposed to the interior surface of a conventional rotary drying machine.

Abstract: A more economical, efficient, portable and versatile apparatus for drying tennis shoes within rotary drum dryers, which comprises a fixed main tube (11), a pair of telescoping members (12), a pair of heel support crossbars (14), and an urging means (20) that interact to provide a platform with an automatic compression and expansion range. The apparatus can be used in various sizes of home and commercial dryer drums. Tennis shoes are fastened directly to the apparatus by inserting a shoe toe into a continuous angular loop (18). The user can secure a predetermined size shoe 23 to heel support crossbar (14) by attaching a flexible cord component (19) and heel clip (16). The heel clip (16) is attached to a back spine area of a predetermined tennis shoe, and the resulting pressure leverages the toe of the shoe against a strut (17).

Abstract: An apparatus (12) for retaining a shoe (18) within a clothes dryer (10) having a rotatable chamber (16), the apparatus (12) having a shoe tree (28) with a toe support member (38) and a heel support member (36) for maintaining the inner shape of the shoe (18), a bracket (26) interconnecting the shoe tree (28) and a clamp (20) which is releasably secured to the rotatable chamber (16) of the dryer (10).

Abstract: An apparatus known per se for the thermal treatment of a mixture of solids and gases, comprising a vessel having an axially symmetrical interior, which vessel has in the lower part and in the upper part in each case at least one tangentially arranged opening, in the interior of the vessel at least one annular baffle tightly sealing to the vessel wall being arranged between the two openings, and the lower part of the vessel having a smaller diameter, is operated or is designed so that in the lower part a high radial velocity and short residence time prevail and in the upper part a low radial velocity and long residence time prevail.