Specific Drum Structure Patents (Class 34/602)
  • Patent number: 11976407
    Abstract: A clothing treating device comprises a first clothing treating bucket, a second clothing treating bucket and an air duct, wherein an air inlet end of the air duct respectively communicates with a first air inlet of the first clothing treating bucket and a second air inlet of the second clothing treating bucket through an air duct conversion device at the air inlet end, and the air duct conversion device at the air outlet end of the air duct respectively communicates with a first air outlet of the first clothing treating bucket and the second air outlet of the second clothing treating bucket. Through respectively arranging an air duct conversion device at two ends of the air duct, a single air duct can provide a circulating air flow for drying clothes to the first clothing treating bucket or the second clothing treating bucket, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignees: QINGDAO HAIER LAUNDRY ELECTRIC APPLIANCES CO., LTD., HAIER SMART HOME CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Leilei Ai, Wenwei Li, Benfu Xing, Shaolei Yi, Zhiwei Zhao
  • Patent number: 10781550
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a drum that processes laundry. A blower delivers process air from a heater to the drum via an airflow path. A structural panel defines a front aperture for accessing an interior of the drum and an air channel that defines a portion of the airflow path. The structural panel includes a lower first portion that is made of a first material and an upper second portion that is made of a second material that is different from the first material. The first and second materials meet at a predetermined seam that extends through the structural panel and the air channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Antonio Mazzarella, Samir Nimkar, Pedro A. Rouin, Gianbattista Pirola
  • Patent number: 9458563
    Abstract: A horizontal axis washing machine having a front opening clothes containing rotary basket with a plurality of elongated internally mounted baffles for agitating items within the basket during a washing operation. The baffles each have a solid outwardly extending rib which has a nonlinear curved configuration for defining a plurality of water lifting and agitating cavities on each side of the baffle. The cavities on one side of the baffle are effective for lifting and agitating wash water with a vortex movement as an incident to rotation of the basket in one rotary direction and the cavities on the opposite side of the baffle are operative for lifting and agitating water with an oppositely directed vortex movement as an incident to rotation of the basket in an opposite rotary direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Alliance Laundry Systems LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Kegler, Andrew Huerth
  • Patent number: 9096965
    Abstract: Provided is a laundry treating apparatus including a drum, a circular guide, and a panel. The drum holds laundry, has a front side and a rear side opened, and has a cross-section of a noncircular looped curve in which a distance from a rotation center is not uniform. The circular guide rotatably supports a portion of the drum in which a section curvature is uniform. The panel is provided on a front side or a rear side of the drum and supports the circular guide such that the circular guide is rotatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sogkie Hong, Jongseok Kim, Sungmin Kim, Daeyun Park, Sungryong Kim
  • Patent number: 8869427
    Abstract: A dryer having a drum, of high strength and which is easy to produce, is discussed such that the drum comprises a body formed b a rectangular metal sheet and a belt at the same length as the front side (K1) of the body, connected to said side through butt welding, and produced from a rectangular metal sheet with higher strength as compared with the body, said drum being constituted by bending and joining , so as to form a cylinder, the sides (K2, K3) that are perpendicular to the side (K1) connecting the body and the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventors: Ertan Cetinkaya, Ümit Gülbay, Egeman Köse, Sölen Özkan
  • Patent number: 8601719
    Abstract: A duct for a dryer includes an intake duct provided with a discharge part formed with a discharge hole for discharging air therethrough and a coupling hole formed around the discharge part; and a contact prevention part seated in the coupling hole and spaced apart from the discharge part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Ju Dong Lee, Chang Hoo Kim
  • Patent number: 8578626
    Abstract: A laundry dryer includes a drying chamber, a process air channel having a supply air opening for drawing in process air, an exhaust air opening for expelling process air, an exhaust air channel through which process air is conducted to the exhaust air opening, and a nebulizer that distributes condensate in process air. The dryer further includes a fan in the process air channel for driving process air through the drying chamber, and a heat exchanger that extracts heat from process air flowing out from the drying chamber, supplies heat to process air flowing into the drying chamber, and separates the condensate from the process air for the nebulizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Günter Steffens
  • Patent number: 8533975
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a mechanical refrigeration cycle arrangement having a working fluid, an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, and an expansion device, cooperatively interconnected and containing the working fluid. The apparatus also includes a drum to receive clothes, a duct and fan arrangement configured to pass air over the evaporator, condenser and through the drum, a sensor located to sense parameters, a working fluid accumulator, and a controller coupled to the sensor, accumulator and/or compressor. The controller is operative to control collection of refrigerant during a run cycle when pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold value, control retention of the collected refrigerant when the run cycle is completed, until a subsequent run cycle, control discharge of the retained refrigerant to an evaporator or condenser when the subsequent run cycle is started, and control use of discharged refrigerant to elevate the refrigeration cycle by modifying a start condition of the refrigeration cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David G. Beers, Brent Alden Junge, Nicholas Okruch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8528223
    Abstract: A laundry deflector apparatus is provided for a household appliance for handling items of laundry and the laundry deflector apparatus includes a deflector element that is wedge-shaped and has a flat edge in the direction of a first end on the side opposite a base side and a steep edge in the direction of a second end opposite the first end, on the side opposite the base side. The laundry deflector apparatus is undercut in sections on the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Alisch, Jaime Andia Laborda, Bernhard Heym, Rainer Jurmann
  • Patent number: 8438750
    Abstract: A dryer has a drying chamber to receive damp items and a process air duct to feed process air into and extract process air out of the drying chamber. The process air duct has a heat source and a heat sink to heat the process air before the process air enters the drying chamber and to cool the process air after the process air leaves the drying chamber, respectively. A cleaning device has an accumulator for a liquid; a rinsing line connected to the accumulator; a control organ in the rinsing line; a distributor connected to the rinsing line to distribute the liquid conveyed through the rinsing line on a lint filter and to receive the lint caught by the lint filter; and a drain line to drain the liquid with the received lint away from the lint filter and towards the accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Lothar Dittmer, Klaus Grunert, Thomas Nawrot, Andreas Ziemann
  • Patent number: 8371040
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a cover for a dryer. The dryer is adapted, when in operation, to heat a gas stream. The dryer includes a cover mounted to at least one section of an outer wall of the dryer, in particular a rear wall of the dryer. A passage through which the gas stream can flow is formed, at least sectionwise, by the cover. The cover can include a heating unit having at least one heating element such that the gas stream flows around the heating element when the dryer is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: DBK David + Baader GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Köhne, Ian Hopkin, Stephen Jones
  • Patent number: 8365437
    Abstract: Drum (1) for a washing machine or a dryer including a cylindrical metal body part (100). reduced parts (110) at opposite ends of the body part, each having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the body part. and bent parts (120) each having a folded edge of the reduced part, thereby providing a drum that preventing occurrence of vibration and noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Soon Jo Lee, In Hee Han
  • Patent number: 8112903
    Abstract: A clothes drying machine comprises a drum (1), a first fan (5) blowing a first flow of drying air through a drying-air conduit, a condenser (3) through which said flow of drying air passes, a cooling-air conduit conveying a second flow of fresh air through said condenser, said second flow being circulated by a second fan (6), and a motor adapted to drive said fans. There is provided an additional condensation element (11) run in parallel of said conduit of drying air, and a respective second air conduit connecting said additional condensation element to said drying air conduit; said additional condensation element is cooled by air at room temperature inside the dryer machine and/or by a wall of it, and the water there condensed is being passed to a common condense recovery reservoir (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Ugo Favret, Flavio Noviello
  • Patent number: 8087184
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Banta, Randall Calmeise, Michael Beyerle, Jason King, Rebecca Eakins, Derek Watkins, Eric K. Watson
  • Patent number: 8065816
    Abstract: A dryer has complex angled surfaces and a plurality of grip elements thereon. The angled surfaces have varying angles of inclination relative to a base of the dryer vane and the characteristics of the grip elements vary in relation to the angle of inclination of the surface portions upon which they are disposed. The grip elements may protrude from the vane surfaces and the height of the grip elements may vary in relation to the varying angle of inclination of the surfaces. Taller grip elements may be provided on the less inclined surfaces and shorter grip elements may be provided on the more inclined surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Paul Ricklefs, Brian Douglas Ripley, Steven John Joerger, Robin Alan Hultman, Charles Matthew Fischels, Renato Henriques Honfi, Melissa Michael Reim
  • Patent number: 8024871
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an exhaust structure for a clothes dryer in an apartment building. The exhaust structure includes at least one riser pipe mounted in a vertical direction crossing every floor of a building to discharge exhaust gas, a plurality of branch pipes branched from the riser pipe to a household in the every floor to guide exhaust gas from the household to the riser pipe, and a fan mounted above a top of the riser pipe and operating in proportion to the amount of exhaust gas in the riser pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: In Hee Han, Won Tug Son
  • Patent number: 8015727
    Abstract: A dryer rack for use with an apparatus for drying an object inside a drum is disclosed, wherein the dryer rack includes a platform for having an upper surface for supporting the object. The platform may include at least one grip for loading and unloading the dryer rack into an interior space of the drum. The at least one grip is flush with the upper surface of the platform. The at least one grip is formed in a forward portion of the platform, to be near an access point of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Geun Lee, Il Tak Han, Tae Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 7992321
    Abstract: A laundry dryer includes a cylindrical drum shell mounted for rotation on front and rear stationary bulkheads of the dryer. A drive system is configured to rotate the drum in first and second opposite directions. Three rollers are arranged about a lower portion of the drum circumference, on the rear bulkhead, to stably support the rotatable drum during rotation in the first and second directions. The arrangement can also avoid potential flexing and distortion of a cylindrical drum shell of relatively large diameter. In addition, a reversing idler assembly is provided for maintaining proper tension on a drive belt during drum rotation in the two directions. The assembly provides a biased mount for two pulleys on a pair of arms integrally formed with a spring as a single piece, in lieu of separate articulated mounting arms and a separate biasing spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products
    Inventors: Michael Paul Ricklefs, Brian Douglas Ripley, Robin Alan Hultman
  • Patent number: 7992322
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dryer having a heater-integrated intake duct capable of reducing thermal loss and preventing overheating of the dryer. The dryer includes a support panel having a through-hole, an intake duct communicating with the through-hole, a drum into which air flows via the through-hole, a heater disposed inside the intake duct to heat the air flowing into the drum, and a heat exchanging part transferring heat of the heated air into the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Chang Hoo Kim
  • Patent number: 7987616
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a laundry machine. The laundry machine includes a drum rotatably mounted in a cabinet, a hot air heater to heat air and supply hot air into the drum, a steam generator to supply steam into the drum, a water supply source detachably mounted in the cabinet to supply water into the steam generator, and a water leakage preventing unit to prevent water leakage when the water supply source is detachably mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 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: 7984568
    Abstract: A condensation washer-dryer, in particular, the air-guiding process. The base module is used to receive function parts and components of the air guide and is closed on the rear side by means of a process air cover and forms a plastic, stable support structure for the washer-dryer. The connecting surfaces are large and extend, preferably, over the entire width of the washer-dryer. Due to said embodiment, air guiding channels are formed in a simple manner on the rear side of the base module and the housing of the process air ventilator is closed on the rear side. Sealing elements are no longer required due to said welding of said type of connection and an exceptionally high mechanical rigidity is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Lothar Dittmer, Holger Löffler
  • Patent number: 7937974
    Abstract: A laundry processing apparatus is disclosed. The laundry processing apparatus includes a drum having a drum opening perforated in a circumferential surface thereof for entrance/exit of laundry, a drum door for opening and closing the drum opening, and a locking device for automatically coupling the drum and the drum door to each other while the drum and the drum door are rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Woong Kim, Na Eun Kim, Jae Won Chang
  • Patent number: 7921578
    Abstract: A nebulizer assembly for use in a fabrics revitalizing system having a fabric treatment chamber comprises a fluid reservoir configured to contain a fluid; an air flow channel in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir; a mist generator configured to generate a mist in the fluid reservoir; and a fan in fluid communication with the air flow channel to draw air through the air flow channel and transport the mist to the interior of the fabric treatment chamber. The nebulizer assembly can include a transitional assembly that communicates the nebulizer assembly with the fabric treatment chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Karl D. McAllister, Alexander V. Minkin
  • 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: 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: 7765716
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dryer having a heater-integrated intake duct capable of reducing thermal loss and preventing overheating of the dryer. The dryer includes a support panel having a through-hole, an intake duct communicating with the through-hole, a drum into which air flows via the through-hole, a heater disposed inside the intake duct to heat the air flowing into the drum, and an extended part configured to cause the heated air to be supplied into the drum after bypassing the extended part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Chang Hoo Kim
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20090320321
    Abstract: A mixing laundry dryer vane has a general profile which is scooped or “saddle” shaped. The mixing dryer vane has two relatively tall end portions and a reduced height central portion. The mixing dryer vane may have an upper surface that extends arcuately from one taller end portion to the other taller end portion. The arcuate shape may define along the length of the vane a relatively deep concavity which defines the reduced height central portion. The mixing dryer vane's taller end portions may be configured and positioned to cause “wiping” of clothes off and away from an exhaust duct grill within the dryer. The taller end portions of the vane may have a generally propeller-like twist that directs clothes towards the scooped central portion of the vane. The scooped mixing vane in combination with other non-scooped dryer vanes can reduce or eliminate the tendency of harmonic tumbling of a load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS
    Inventors: John M. Jergens, Michael P. Ricklefs, Brian D. Ripley
  • Publication number: 20090320323
    Abstract: This device comprises a drum having a lateral surface through which fluid can pass, and two flexible belts (2) which pass over the lateral surface of the drum (1) at a distance from one another, each of them on an idle guide roller (3) of its own. Each roller (3) is mounted so as to pivot about a vertical axis (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: RIETER PERFOJET
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Dubus
  • Patent number: 7627960
    Abstract: A plurality of dryer bumps for a dryer drum, wherein each bump includes a contact portion that is configured to be positioned within the drum proximate another bump contact portion, an outer portion that is configured to be positioned adjacent to the drum, and a body extending between the contact portion and the outer portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Thomas Beyerle, David Duane Warmuth
  • Patent number: 7526879
    Abstract: A drum washing machine and a clothes dryer equipped with a thermoelectric module are disclosed. The thermoelectric module includes a heat absorption side and a heat dissipation side which absorbs and dissipates heat at a junction between two dissimilar metals depending on direction of current flow through the junction. The heat absorption side is disposed at a hot air flowing passage. Accordingly, the drying apparatus can increase energy efficiency with minor structural modification and becomes environmentally friendly unlike a conventional drying apparatus using a heat pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sun Cheol Bae, Ja In Koo, Jin Seok Hu, Yang Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 7444843
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a drum (1), used in washing machines, preferably laundry machines, into which laundry to be washed is to be placed, capable of performing washing by rotational movement around its central axis, preferably made of plastic, comprising a main body (2) and a rear cover (3), whereby said rear cover (3) comprises a circular edge (10) which surrounds the main body (2) and the main body (2) comprises an edge socket (14) in which the rear cover edge is located, the main body (2) and the rear cover (3) being connected to each other without forming any protrusion on the outer face of the drum (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Inventors: Umud Esat Ozturk, Nihat Yavuz, Bertan Bayram, Avci Korkut, Dogan Demirhan, Nursan Kemerdere
  • Patent number: 7444762
    Abstract: A clothes dryer has a system for regulating the inlet air temperature. The system includes a first sensor located in an inlet of the dryer and including a thermistor and a thermostat, a heat source located in a heater box adjacent the first sensor, and a second sensor located in an exhaust of the dryer. The thermistor measures the inlet air temperature of the dryer and cooperates with the controller to prevent the thermostat from reaching its trip temperature and turning off the heat source. Thus, damage due to excessive air temperatures in the dryer is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew C. Reck, Shawn R. Oltz, Steven D. Ficke, Michele A. Paustian, Christopher J. Woerdehoff, Joshua P. Carroll, Mark E. Glotzbach, James P. Carow
  • Patent number: 7418789
    Abstract: A combination dryer and operation method are disclosed. The combination dryer and operation method for a combination dryer enable air in a drying drum and a cabinet for drying the laundry to circulate continuously and enable water generated in the circulation process to be used to perform a refreshing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Soung Bong Choi, Deug Hee Lee, Byung Hwan Ahn, Hung Myong Cho, Young Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 7395612
    Abstract: A drum for use in a dryer is provided. The drum includes a plurality of segments joined axially to form the drum's cylindrical shape. The drum has a simple structure enabling the use of standardized segments to facilitate dryer manufacture by reducing production costs, increasing productivity, and reducing failure rates. The drum, which has a cylindrical shape, is composed of a plurality of segments, preferably, three, each arranged axially with respect to the axis of the drum. The drum includes a coupling mechanism, provided on each side edge of each segment, for joining the segments to form the cylindrical shape of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seong Hai Jeong, Ju Han Yoon, Soo Won Park, In Hee Han
  • Patent number: 7340849
    Abstract: Drum in a laundry dryer, and method for fabricating the same, wherein the drum in a dryer including a steel layer which forms a base, anti-corrosive metal film on the steel layer, and an organic film on the metal film, and the method includes the steps of providing a metal sheet having a steel layer, a metal film thereon, and an organic film thereon, rolling the metal sheet into a cylinder, and welding abut joining parts, to form a cylindrical drum, reducing diameters of opposite ends of the cylindrical drum, forming beads in a middle portion of the cylindrical drum except the reduced diameter portions, and hemming opposite edges of the cylindrical drum of the reduced diameter portions, to fold the opposite edges, respectively, thereby reducing production cost significantly, preventing easy visibility of dents in an inside circumferential surface of the drum with naked eyes different from the related art, preventing occurrence of rust, and improving bonding strength of the felt which is a sealing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Myong Dok Kim
  • Patent number: 7325332
    Abstract: A clothing dryer capable of removing impurities, such as dust, accumulated in a hot air outlet duct thereof. The clothing dryer includes a drying tub to dry laundry contained therein using hot air supplied thereto, a hot air outlet duct to discharge the hot air, coming from the drying tub, to the outside, and a connecting unit to connect an external suction device to the hot air outlet duct. Accordingly, impurities, such as dust, accumulated in the hot air outlet duct can be removed by a suction force of the suction device, thereby enabling the cleaning of the hot air outlet duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Suk Chung, Jung Ho Lee
  • Publication number: 20080022552
    Abstract: A blower wheel for a clothes dryer has a plurality of radial fan blades and a hub having a central opening surrounding a center axis of the blower wheel. A first wall portion extends outwardly from the hub adjacent the central opening to at least partially surround the center axis. An electric motor has a shaft with a threaded shaft end portion extending through the central opening and the at least one first wall portion. The threaded shaft end portion has threads arranged in a predetermined orientation. A nut is held within the at least one first wall portion and secured to the threaded shaft end portion whereby the blower wheel rotates with rotation of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: MABE CANADA Inc.
    Inventor: Francis Forget
  • Publication number: 20080022551
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Mark A. Banta, Randall Calmeise, Michael Beyerle, Jason King, Rebecca Eakins, Derek Watkins, Eric K. Watson
  • Patent number: 7320185
    Abstract: A drive device for a household appliance, in which an electromotor is fixed by a fixing screw. An insulation layer of a material with a defined conductivity is located between the fixing screw and the electromotor. The fixing screw is tightened with a defined torque such that, due to the resultant defined contact pressure, a defined resistance for discharging electrostatic charges from the electromotor is obtained. This simultaneously ensures the suppression of leakage currents. A method for mounting an electric motor is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraeta GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Heyder, Jörg Skrippek
  • Publication number: 20080005925
    Abstract: A loading basket (6) for a washing machine (1) comprises a rear wall (8), a front wall (9) opposite the rear wall (8) and a side wall (7) defining an inner space (10) of the basket, as well as one or more dragging blades (12) arranged on the side wall (7) and projecting to the inside of the basket. The side wall (7) comprises a drilling with a plurality of small through holes (13), which are arranged at the vertex of respective domes (14) projecting to the outside of the basket (6), as well as a plurality of rounded projections (18) in the shape of a spherical dome without through holes and projecting to the inside (10) of the basket (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventor: Silvano Fumagalli
  • Publication number: 20070227035
    Abstract: A clothes dryer includes a hollow housing having a hinged door. A perforated drum is mounted for rotation within the housing and in alignment with the door aperture and is rotatable by an electric motor. An electrically operable oil-filled radiator is positioned within a bottom portion of the hollow housing and below the rotating drum and is connectable to a source of conventional household electrical power for generating radiant heat upon supply of the electrical power. The heat rises through the perforated rotating drum for drying wet clothes contained therein. The invention also provides a novel child safety device which is positioned within the door aperture for preventing passage of the child therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventor: Pierre Carol Leroy
  • Patent number: 7263787
    Abstract: A laundry dryer having a tumbler with airflow openings of generally triangular shape with rounded transverse sides and opposed ends configured to permit passage of round heads of standard drywall screws when oriented parallel to the long dimension of the opening, while preventing the passage of standard collar buttons having a diameter no greater than the diameter of the drywall screw heads. Loose drywall screws within the tumbler are thereby permitted to pass harmlessly through the air flow openings in the rotating drum into the lint filter of the dryer without damage to the dryer nor interruption of the dryer operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Alliance Laundry Systems LLC
    Inventor: Mike Besaw
  • Publication number: 20070199207
    Abstract: A drum for a clothes dryer in which an internal structure, especially, a baffle structure, of the drum is improved to prevent target items from being entangled and damaged during a drying operation to thereby improve the drying efficiency of the clothes dryer. Rotatable balls are inserted in the baffles mounted on an internal surface of the drum, the mounting arrangement of the baffles is changed, or the baffles are modified to thus improve the drying operation. In addition, an absorbent is filled in the baffles to thus increase the drying efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Inventors: Jung-Geun Oh, Sang-Ik Lee, Sang-Hun Bae, Sung-Ho Song, Jae-Hak Joung, Yoon-Seob Eom
  • Patent number: 7194824
    Abstract: A clothes drying apparatus in which lifters arranged on an inner peripheral surface of a rotating drum, while extending axially along the rotating drum, have an improved structure to achieve an enhancement in drying performance. The clothes drying apparatus includes a rotating drum to contain clothes to be dried, and a plurality of lifters arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating drum. Each lifter has at least one first step surface, and a second step surface. The first and second step surfaces are arranged at different levels to form a stepped structure, so that they cause the clothes to be easily dropped after being raised by the lifter. A pair of first step surfaces are arranged at opposite end portions of the lifter, respectively, and the second step surface is arranged between the first step surfaces at a level lower than that of the first step surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bong Hyun Wang
  • Patent number: 7178264
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a water tub for accommodating wash water therein; a drum rotatably installed in the water tub; and a drying device for supplying hot air into the drum. The drying device includes a blower unit for forcing air to flow; a hot air supply duct for generating the hot air, the hot air supply duct having a heater therein and being connected to the blower unit; and at least one hot air jetting portion for jetting the hot air generated by the hot air supply duct into the drum, each of the hot air jetting portions having a hot air supply line for guiding a flow of the hot air and a plurality of nozzles connected to the hot air supply line to communicate with the hot air supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Kyung Hag Kim
  • Patent number: 7055262
    Abstract: A drying apparatus for drying articles such as clothing is provided. The drying apparatus includes a chamber for containing articles to be dried and a system for supplying heated dry air at a first temperature to the chamber. The air supplying system comprises an air flow pathway having an evaporator for removing moisture from air exiting the chamber and for decreasing the temperature of the air to below dew point temperature. The air supply system further has a condenser for increasing the temperature of the air exiting the evaporator to the first temperature. The drying apparatus further has a heat pump system having a refrigerant loop which includes a compressor, the condenser, a TEV valve, and the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Self Propelled Research and Development Specialists, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Goldberg, James C. Truman, Alexander B. Kniffin