Specific Housing Structure Patents (Class 34/603)
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Patent number: 7946057Abstract: A support structure for a clothes dryer comprising modular units for receiving functional parts and an air duct components. The modular units are incorporated into the support structure. The inventive support structure for stabilizing the clothes dryer comprises a front part in the form of a combined body provided with an end shield, a front wall, a base module on the bottom side comprising a base body and a process air lid, a rear module comprising the rear wall, a heating device and a cover. The joining surfaces between the modular units are located on a vertical plane. Connections are constructed in such a way that they are devoid of sealing elements which are currently used for joining surfaces. With respect to known embodiments, the inventive clothes dryer structural design is producible with a low material consumption and, in general, can be produced in a more rational manner.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2006Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbHInventors: Lothar Dittmer, Holger Löffler
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Patent number: 7942025Abstract: A combined washer dryer is provided. The combined washer dryer comprises an outer drum; a variable size inner drum that moves from a first position to a second position effective to increase the inner drum size; a water handling system; and an air handling system.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Inventor: John P. Musone
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Patent number: 7930838Abstract: The present invention relates to a laundry dryer that can prevent as well as remove wrinkles of laundry. A laundry dryer includes a drum in which laundry is held; a hot air heater that heats air to supply hot air to the drum; a steam generator that generates steam to supply the steam to the drum; and a water tank to hold water to supply to the steam generator, the water tank in flow communication with a water supply hole through which water is supplied into the water tank with the water tank kept in flow communication with the steam generator.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2007Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Sang Hun Bae, Chul Jin Choi, Dong Hyun Kim, Young Bok Son
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Patent number: 7921578Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 7, 2006Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Karl D. McAllister, Alexander V. Minkin
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Patent number: 7913419Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 30, 2005Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Donald M. Tomasi, Robert W. Meyer, Matthew D. Rhodes, Richard A. Sunshine
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Patent number: 7895771Abstract: A clothes dryer has a thermal insulation pad placed in a confined space in the dryer cabinet between the blower fan housing and the dryer cabinet side wall closest to the blower fan housing. The thermal insulation pad is press fit into the space so as to take up much of the volume of the confined space preventing the accumulation of dust or lint over time in the confined space while also preventing the flow of oxygen to the confined space. Accordingly, the thermal insulation pad reduces the risk of a fire starting in the confined area of the dryer cabinet between the blower wheel housing and the adjacent side wall of the cabinet. A thermal insulation pad also acts as sound insulation.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2008Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Mabe Canada Inc.Inventors: Silvia Ionelia Prajescu, Pasquale Antonio Renzo
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Patent number: 7836607Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 25, 2005Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Chang Wook Kim
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Patent number: 7802855Abstract: A front face for an appliance that is one of a washing machine and a clothes dryer includes a door panel having a transparent window defined thereon, a door handle including a handle body having an inner surface, an outer surface, and two end portions. The handle is coupled to the door panel and is configured such that a portion of the handle does not contact the door panel and defines an opening between the inner surface of the handle body and the door panel.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2005Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Randall W. Calmeise
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Patent number: 7762007Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet or surround structure with an attachment for a removable front panel and a removable front panel for attachment to the cabinet. The appliance is a drum and a drum support structure supporting the drum for rotation. There is a movement interface between the drum support structure and the cabinet or surround structure, allowing the drum support structure to move between an operating condition within the cabinet and a maintenance condition wherein the drum and drum support structure are at least substantially disposed outside the envelope defined by the cabinet. In the operating condition the drum and support structure are hidden behind the removable front panel. They may be moved out to the maintenance condition after removal of the front panel.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2007Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances LimitedInventors: Allen James Guinibert, Russell Joseph Jackson, Geoffrey Simon Frazerhurst
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Patent number: 7748139Abstract: A laundry dryer includes a dry drum in which laundry is loaded, a lower housing coupled to a rear wall of the dry drum by a rivet, an upper housing seated on the upper housing, and a journal bearing including a bearing inserted between the upper and lower housings and a shaft coupled to the bearing.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2004Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Kyung Seop Hong, Jun Seok Lee, Seong No Yoon
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Patent number: 7665228Abstract: A flow enhancing air grill for a laundry dryer includes a plurality of apertures through which air flows from a rotatable drum to an air duct. The air grill is positioned over the air duct and extends beyond the air duct. In addition, a primary surface of the air grill is positioned in spaced overlying relationship to a front bulkhead surface so as to form a gap between the primary air grill surface and the underlying front bulkhead surface. The air grill may extend arcuately in conformance to the circular shape of an access port of the dryer in which it is positioned, up inclined wall surfaces of the access port. The arrangement reduces airflow obstruction by allowing adequate air flow in the event the portion of the air grill directly overlying the air duct inlet becomes covered by items of the laundry load.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2007Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.Inventors: Michael Paul Ricklefs, Brian Douglas Ripley, Bradley Steven Hoogendoorn
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Patent number: 7658015Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 15, 2007Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Inventor: Christopher M. Gardell
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Patent number: 7644515Abstract: A lint filter assembly for a laundry dryer is provided. In the lint filter assembly, a door is provided, a lint filter has a filter housing installed at the rear of the door and a filter main body inserted into the filter housing, and at least one securing member is provided to secure the filter main body to the filter housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2005Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Young Jin Doh
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Patent number: 7627960Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 30, 2003Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Michael Thomas Beyerle, David Duane Warmuth
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Patent number: 7614162Abstract: A clothes dryer door assembly with a viewing window is adapted to be reversibly mounted to a clothes dryer cabinet and has an inner door assembly supporting an inner window and an outer door assembly supporting an outer window. The inner door assembly removably carries a hinge and the outer door assembly is removably secured with the inner door assembly. In order to reverse the door, the outer door assembly is removed from the inner door assembly and rotated 180 degrees. The hinge is removed from the inner door assembly and re-positioned 180 degrees on the inner door assembly. The outer door assembly is then reattached to the inner door assembly. This reversing of the door assembly of the present invention does not require complete disassembly of either of the inner or outer door assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2006Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Mabe Canada Inc.Inventor: Pasquale Antonio Renzo
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Patent number: 7559156Abstract: A door assembly having a viewing window for use with a clothes dryer cabinet has a mask frame for masking the view of the door assembly and for securing an inner window in the assembly. The door assembly further utilizes the hinge structure and a horizontally disposed retainer to retain the inner window in place when the door assembly is complete. The inner window is mounted within the door assembly to slope downwardly and rearwardly of the inner door frame support. When the door is closed, the sloping inner window is positioned to cover a lint trap opening in the dryer while optimizing space within the dryer due to the sloping window wall.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2006Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: Mabe Canada Inc.Inventor: Pasquale Antonio Renzo
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Publication number: 20090158617Abstract: A flow enhancing air grill for a laundry dryer includes a plurality of apertures through which air flows from a rotatable drum to an air duct. The air grill is positioned over the air duct and extends beyond the air duct. In addition, a primary surface of the air grill is positioned in spaced overlying relationship to a front bulkhead surface so as to form a gap between the primary air grill surface and the underlying front bulkhead surface. The air grill may extend arcuately in conformance to the circular shape of an access port of the dryer in which it is positioned, up inclined wall surfaces of the access port. The arrangement reduces airflow obstruction by allowing adequate air flow in the event the portion of the air grill directly overlying the air duct inlet becomes covered by items of the laundry load.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2007Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTSInventors: Michael Paul Ricklefs, Brian Douglas Ripley, Bradley Steven Hoogendoorn
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Publication number: 20090064534Abstract: A clothes dryer has a reclined front panel and a door mounted thereto by a hinge assembly. The assembly has a support plate and a pivoting member. The support plate is mounted to the rear of the front panel and has upper and lower hinge locating seat portions respectively recessed from the reclined front panel by first and second predetermined distances. The pivoting member has first and second end portions pivotally connected together along a vertical axis. The first end portion is mounted to the door. The second end portion is mounted with the front panel via the support plate. The second end portion has upper and lower horizontally extending arms respectively connected to the upper and lower hinge locating seat portions. The arms have lengths chosen relative to the first and second predetermined distances so as to vertically locate the vertical axis adjacent the reclined front panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2008Publication date: March 12, 2009Applicant: MABE CANADA INC.Inventor: Martin LeClerc
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Patent number: 7467483Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet or surround structure with an attachment for a removable front panel and a removable front panel for attachment to the cabinet. The appliance is a drum and a drum support structure supporting the drum for rotation. There is a movement interface between the drum support structure and the cabinet or surround structure, allowing the drum support structure to move between an operating condition within the cabinet and a maintenance condition wherein the drum and drum support structure are at least substantially disposed outside the envelope defined by the cabinet. In the operating condition the drum and support structure are hidden behind the removable front panel. They may be moved out to the maintenance condition after removal of the front panel.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2004Date of Patent: December 23, 2008Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances LimitedInventors: Allen James Guinibert, Russell Joseph Jackson, Hugh Griffith Johnson, Olaf Adrian Hojland Eskildsen, Geoffrey Simon Frazerhurst, Andy Alexander Hilgers, Daryl Leonard Hirst, Radu Gramada, Armando Morles Velandia
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Patent number: 7434333Abstract: A washing machine includes a drum; a discharging duct communicating with the drum, and discharging inner air of the drum; a supplying duct communicating with the drum, and supplying external air into the drum to make a flow direction of the external air pass across that of the inner air; and a heat exchanger connected to the discharging and supplying ducts, in which a first air flow path which passes therethrough the inner air discharged outward through the discharging duct and a second air flow path which passes therethrough the external air supplied into the drum through the supplying duct cross each other. The washing machine may also include a humidity regulating part which reduces the humidity of the inner air as it is discharged. Thus, the washing machine improves efficiency of heat exchange between the inner air and the external air through the heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2005Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Byoung-yull Yang, Hyung-kyoon Kim, Sang-yeon Pyo, Jae-ryong Park, Hwang-mook Cho
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Patent number: 7425688Abstract: A heating assembly for heating a hot air stream flowing in a flow passage of a tumble dryer. The heating assembly is configured for installation in the flow passage and comprises at least one heating element and at least one temperature sensor. The heating element is arranged such that the hot air stream can flow around it in a passing direction (D). The at least one temperature sensor can detect the temperature of the hot air stream and is arranged such that it projects into a core area of the hot air stream.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2005Date of Patent: September 16, 2008Assignee: DBK David + Baader GmbHInventors: Andreas Loesch, Ralf Frohn, Jerome Grunewald, Jens Koehne
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Publication number: 20080196268Abstract: Disclosed is a filter cleaning apparatus and a ductless dryer adopting the same, the dryer having a main body, a drum rotatably mounted at the main body, a hot air supplying unit supplying hot air into the drum, a heat exchanger condensing and removing moisture contained in air exhausted from the drum, a circulation duct conducing the air exhausted from the drum to the heat exchanger, a filter installed in the circulation duct and filtering foreign substances contained in the air discharged from the drum, and a filter cleaning apparatus removing the foreign substances caught by the filter, thereby enhancing a user's convenience and reducing indoor air contamination which may occur in the course of removing the foreign substances.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2008Publication date: August 21, 2008Inventors: Han-Yong Jung, Seung-Phyo Ahn, Sang-Ik Lee, Jea-Hyuk Wee, Yang-Ho Kim, Yoon-Seob Eom, Byeong-Jo Ryoo, Sung-Ho Song
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Patent number: 7404305Abstract: A washing machine and dryer is disclosed, in which a user can watch the inside thereof, and a user can put the laundry into the inside thereof, and draw out the same. The washing machine includes a cabinet having an opening at the front thereof; a tub provided inside the cabinet for storing washing water; a drum being rotatably provided to a spinning shaft by a motor inside the tub; and a door provided at the opening for being tilted to the inside of the washing machine. The dryer has the same structure as the washing machine.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2003Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Jong Seok Kim, Yang Hwan No, Han Ki Cho, Yeon Su Jung, Jung Hoon Kang, Myung Sik Park, Young Hoon Ha
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Publication number: 20080163510Abstract: An assembly which is a composite including an end shield and a front wall. The size and shape of the end shield are adapted to the inner face of the front wall. Both parts are dimensioned and formed in such a way that they can be interconnected in a fixed manner to form a stable composite resembling a sandwich assembly. The joint surfaces between the front wall and the end shield lie on perpendicular planes and extend for some distance. The construction and connection of the individual parts and of the composite give the front region of the tumble dryer a high degree of rigidity, which obviates the need for additional reinforcement measures. The assembly thus saves material and mounting costs and resources.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2006Publication date: July 10, 2008Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbHInventors: Lothar Dittmar, Holger Loffler
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Patent number: 7395612Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 15, 2004Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Seong Hai Jeong, Ju Han Yoon, Soo Won Park, In Hee Han
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Patent number: 7380423Abstract: A combined washer dryer is provided. The combined washer dryer comprises an outer drum; a rotatable cylindrical variable size inner drum arranged coaxially within the outer drum and movable from a first position to a second position; a water handling system adapted to intake water into the inner drum and to remove water from the outer drum; an air handling system adapted to intake air into the inner drum and to remove air from the outer drum; and a control system adapted to control the movement of the variable size inner drum.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2003Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Inventor: John P. Musone
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Patent number: 7350319Abstract: A clothing dryer is provided having improved blowing fan, fan casing, and motor bracket fixing structures. The clothing dryer includes a housing forming the appearance of the clothing dryer, a drying tub rotatably mounted in the housing, a blowing fan to discharge air out of the drying tub, a fan casing to guide the flow of air around the blowing fan, a driving motor to rotate the blowing fan, a motor bracket to support the driving motor, and a fixing part to temporarily fix the blowing fan to the fan casing when fixing units, by which the blowing fan is attached to a driving shaft of the driving motor, are loosened and tightened.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2005Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jin Doo Kim, Woo Sup Jung
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Patent number: 7322127Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for opening/closing a door of a dryer, by which the door is opened/closed more simply and swiftly. The present invention includes a housing, a drum rotatably installed in the housing, a heating apparatus for supplying hot air to the drum, a door opening/closing an entrance formed at the housing for putting a laundry in the drum, and an apparatus for opening/closing the door. And, the apparatus for opening/closing the door includes a hook provided at one side of the door of the dryer, the hook having a hanging portion at one end, a latch body provided to the housing in the vicinity of the entrance wherein the hanging portion is inserted the latch body, a pair of holders provided to confront each other in the latch body to hold the hanging portion, a pair of springs provided in rear of the holders, respectively, and a support member provided to the latch body to support each of the springs to move stably.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2003Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Sung Gi Hwang
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Patent number: 7320185Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 16, 2003Date of Patent: January 22, 2008Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraeta GmbHInventors: Reinhard Heyder, Jörg Skrippek
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Patent number: 7320186Abstract: A door for a household appliance comprising a door body having a cylindrical portal with a ridge extending radially inwardly from an end of the portal. The door body includes multiple receptacles disposed adjacent the portal and spaced around the portal. A rear glass piece is at least partially disposed within the portal and includes a flange extending around an outer edge of the rear glass. A view guide is at least partially disposed within the portal and includes a cylindrical portion having a lead edge and multiple hooks extending back from the lead edge with a barb disposed near an end of each hook. The hooks engage corresponding receptacles to connect the view guide to the door body and retain the rear glass within the door body. The flange of the rear glass is disposed between the ridge and the lead edge.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2005Date of Patent: January 22, 2008Assignee: BSH Home Appliances CorporationInventor: Oliver Schöne
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Publication number: 20070227035Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2007Publication date: October 4, 2007Inventor: Pierre Carol Leroy
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Patent number: 7269979Abstract: A washing system may include a washing machine and dryer set that, for example, include top covers provided at upper sides of the washing machine and dryer; rear covers interchangeably provided at rear sides of the top covers, wherein the rear covers can maintain a single, unified appearance, wherein a front side of the rear covers each include an opening having a predetermined shape; control units detachably fixed within the openings, wherein the control units are capable of displaying an operational status of the washing machine and dryer and wherein the control units enable a user to input operation instructions; and controllers provided at lower sides of the rear covers for controlling operations of the washing machine and dryer.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2003Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Jae Chul Lyu, Dong Yoon Kim
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Patent number: 7263787Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 19, 2005Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Alliance Laundry Systems LLCInventor: Mike Besaw
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Patent number: 7251905Abstract: Disclosed is a drawer structure for storing condensed water generated during the drying procedure. The drawer prevents the condensed water form being leaked out of the dryer though the condensed water is fully filled in the drawer and overflowed from the drawer. Thus, a user may not throw away the condensed water whenever the laundry is dried.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Young Jin Doh, Chang Wook Kim
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Patent number: 7251906Abstract: A drum type washing and drying machine includes a rotary drum for accommodating laundry therein; a front frame for forming a front surface of a main body of the washing and drying machine, wherein the front frame is provided with a laundry loading/unloading opening through which laundry is loaded into or unloaded from the rotary drum; a detergent dispenser accommodated in the front frame; a dryer filter, accommodated in the front frame, for collecting therein lint generated during a drying process; and a control panel for setting an operation of the main body and displaying an operating state thereof. The dryer filter and the detergent dispenser are substantially symmetrically disposed with respect to the control panel interposed therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Kajihara, Yoshitomo Kato, Satoshi Maeda
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Patent number: 7225562Abstract: A clothes drying appliance includes a cabinet and a drum inside the cabinet supported on a drum support structure. A belt passes around the drive pulley of a drive motor and around the drum for driving rotation of the drum in either direction. A belt tensioning device includes a pair of spaced apart tensioning pulleys each having an axis of rotation substantially parallel with the axis of rotation of the drive pulley. An imaginary line between the centres of the tensioning pulleys separates the drive pulley from the drum. The pulleys are supported on a yoke and the yoke passes around the drive pulley, with the tensioning pulleys spaced sufficiently close to impinge upon the path of the belt passing around the pulley and drum. A biasing agent such as a spring presses the pulleys toward the drum by urging the yoke toward the pulley.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2004Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances LimitedInventors: Allen James Guinibert, Russell Joseph Jackson, Hugh Griffith Johnson, Geoffrey Simon Frazerhurst, Daryl Leonard Hirst, Olaf Adrian Hojland Eskildsen, Radu Gramada, Armando Morles Velandia
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Patent number: 7208705Abstract: A heater bracket assembly for securing a heater case in a dryer is disclosed. The heater bracket assembly includes a supporting part secured to a bottom end of the heater case for supporting the heater case, a fixing part secured to a base plate of the dryer, and a connecting part connecting the supporting part and the fixing part, wherein the supporting part comprises a first extension member extended therefrom which engages with an aperture provided to the bottom end of the heater case such that the supporting part is initially secured to the heater case.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2004Date of Patent: April 24, 2007Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Sung Gi Hwang, Jung Woo Seo
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Patent number: 7093377Abstract: There is provided an air inlet structure of a laundry dryer. In the air inlet structure, a base defines an air inlet, a front cabinet is disposed in front of the base and defines a suction hole to pass ambient air into the base, a cooling fan is stably disposed in the base to suck the ambient air, a blower tube forms a flow passage for the ambient air, a blower cover is fixed to the base to connect the blower tube and the cooling fan, and an air guide is disposed between the base and the blower cover, the air guide having a shroud at a center portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2004Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Young Jin Doh, Soon Jo Lee, Young Hwan Park, Jun Seok Lee, Kyung Seop Hong, Soo Won Park, Hwan Joo Myung
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Patent number: 7069669Abstract: A clothes dryer comprises: a cabinet; a drum rotatably installed within the cabinet; and an exhaust port for discharging air having passed through the drum, wherein the exhaust port includes first and second exhaust pipes respectively diverged to both sides of the cabinet, and exits of the first and second exhaust pipes are arranged at positions rotationally symmetric to each other by 180° with respect to a vertical axis passing through the center of the cabinet. Since panels constituting right and left walls of the cabinet are fabricated by one process thus to be commonly applied to the right and left sides of the cabinet, the number of fabrication processes is reduced thus to enhance a productivity.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2004Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Young-Hwan Park, Si-Moon Jeon
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Patent number: 7065905Abstract: A laundry drying machine includes a cabinet and a laundry holding drum rotatably supported within said cabinet for rotation about a horizontal axis. The drum includes a cylindrical wall and a pair of ends. A drum hatch comprises a section of the cylindrical wall. A motor is connected to drive rotation of the drum via a drive belt. A hatch engaging member is actuable to grasp and hold the drum hatch relative to the cabinet. A controller operatively connected with the motor, is configured to operate the machine through each of: a) an opening operation in which the drum hatch is grabbed by the hatch engaging member and the drum is rotated to expose an opening, b) a closing operation, which follows a drum opening operation and in which the drum is rotated to re-close a the opening with the drum hatch, and c) a drying operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2004Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances LimitedInventors: Allen James Guinibert, Russell Joseph Jackson, Hugh Griffith Johnson, Bradley Clive Abraham, Daniel Keith Raphael Pitt, Bruce Reginald Frank McGregor, Geoffrey Simon Frazerhurst, Andy Alexander Hilgers, Daryl Leonard Hirst
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Patent number: 7024801Abstract: In a drying apparatus having a drum and a front support mounting assembly, a front support is fixed directly to a cabinet using fixing brackets, to maintain a consistent distance between opposing surfaces of the drum and the front support. The front support mounting assembly includes a cabinet; a rotatable drum, horizontally installed within the cabinet as a drying chamber for holding an object to be dried, the rotatable drum having an open end; a front support for rotatably supporting the open end of the rotatable drum; and a fixing bracket for fixing the front support directly to the cabinet.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2003Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Sung Gi Hwang
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Patent number: 7007409Abstract: A drying rack for the stationary drying of articles to be dried, which can be installed in the drum of a clothes dryer. The articles can be knitwear or shoes that must not be moved when dried even when the drum turns. For articles, especially, wool articles, to dry faster, the drying rack has at least two spaced-apart surfaces disposed one on top of the other on which the articles to be dried can be spread, thereby substantially enlarging the surface of the articles to be dried. As such, the drying air current can better remove the moisture and larger individual wool articles can be dried in the clothes dryer.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2003Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemeus Hausgeraete GmbHInventors: Harald Moschütz, Hans-Werner Stahn, Günter Steffens
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Patent number: 6978556Abstract: A combination washing machine and dryer having a trap door interposed between a washing machine and a fabric dryer. After the washing machine has finished washing the clothes contained therein, the trap door automatically opens to allow the wet clothing to fall into the fabric dryer, thereby obviating the need for the user to interrupt whatever he/she is doing in order to remove the wet clothing from the washing machine and to transfer the clothing to the fabric dryer for subsequent drying.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2005Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Inventor: Ephelius Cornelious
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Patent number: 6971189Abstract: The invention is a clothes dryer featuring an interior working volume that is adjustable to suit the size of the load and type of article(s) to be dried. Since the volume is adjusted to fit the load, only the necessary volume is heated. For large loads or bulky articles, the volume is set to full, while for small loads and small articles the volume may be decreased for faster drying and energy savings. The dryer working volume is adjusted by a simple manually operated linkage, or, in other embodiments, by motorized mechanisms.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Inventor: Kevin J. Anibas
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Patent number: 6954992Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for opening/closing a door of a dryer, by which the door is opened/closed more simply and swiftly. The present invention includes a housing, a drum rotatably installed in the housing, a heating apparatus for supplying hot air to the drum, a door opening/closing an entrance formed at the housing for putting a laundry in the drum, and an apparatus for opening/closing the door. And, the apparatus for opening/closing the door includes a hook provided at one side of the door of the dryer, the hook having a hanging portion formed at one end to have an incline surface, a latch body provided to the housing in the vicinity of the entrance wherein the hanging portion is inserted the latch body, a pair of holders provided to confront each other in the latch body to hold the hanging portion, a pair of springs provided in rear of the holders, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2003Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Sung Gi Hwang
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Patent number: 6951063Abstract: An intermediate assembly has a vertical plate with an orifice. The intermediate assembly also has a first and a second side wall and a top and a bottom wall. The walls extend rearwardly from the orifice with a rear wall. The walls are joined and form a generally rectilinear chamber. A lip has a planar surface parallel with the vertical plate with an intermediate surface coupling the planar surface of the lip and the vertical plate of the intermediate assembly. The lip forms an orifice essentially coextensive with the orifice of the intermediate assembly. The lip has an upper edge and a lower edge. Between the upper and lower edges are a first side edge and a second side edge. The edges of the lip each have a large radius of curvature. A circular air hole with a large diameter is located in the top wall. The intermediate member and lip are integrally fabricated.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2004Date of Patent: October 4, 2005Inventor: Rodolfo Hernandez-Zelaya
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Patent number: 6931761Abstract: An entrance sealing assembly for a hinged door of a laundry dryer provides a complete sealing of all gaps between the essential components of the entrance sealing assembly. The laundry dryer includes a door frame, the door frame being provided with a door glass; a frame cover having a frame cover panel in which an entrance hole is formed for receiving the door frame, the frame cover panel having an inner end surface; a front support, coupled with the frame cover, for supporting a drum, the front support having an inner end surface; and a unified sealing member having first and second ends, disposed between the frame cover and the front support, the second end of the unified sealing member providing for contact with the door glass when the hinged door is closed.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2003Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Sung Gi Hwang
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Patent number: 6928752Abstract: A combination tumble and cabinet dryer appliance includes a housing with a tumble dryer and a cabinet dryer therein. The tumble dryer and cabinet dryer are operable independently of one another. Separate sources of hot air are provided to each of the tumble and cabinet dryers. The cabinet dryer extends over and along one side of the tumble dryer. A portion of the cabinet dryer extends substantially along the height of the housing so as to receive long hanging clothes, such as a dress. Removable shelves are provided in the cabinet dryer for drying sweaters and the like.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2003Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: Troy A. Johnson, Lee R. Birch, Michael C. Roberts, Kevin W. Shipley, Julie M. Bundy, Frank S. Nekic, Stephen D. Schober, Curtis J. Tremel
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Patent number: 6922913Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet, a drying chamber, a door assembly, a blower assembly and an air passage for directing an airflow to the drying chamber. A media holder is removably positioned in the air passage to suspend a volatilizable media in the path of the airflow. The media holder includes a main body having rear wall formed from a latticework frame, an interior for receiving the volatilizable material, and a door member. The door member is also formed from a latticework frame. With this arrangement, both the rear wall and door member include a plurality of openings to allow an airflow to carry a fragrance or other substance from the volatilizable material through the air passage to treat clothes placed in the drying chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2003Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: Lisa J. Hood, Troy A. Johnson, Joseph M. Keeler, Paul E. Maass, Jeffrey D. Rupe, Dean L. Schaffran, Stephen D. Schober, Curtis J. Tremel
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Patent number: 6910286Abstract: A door sealing assembly in a laundry dryer having a hinged door employs a unified sealing member provided as a single sealing member including a large diameter part, a small diameter part, a tip and a lip disposed in correspondence to the various components of the laundry dryer. The reduced number of sealing members improves the sealing properties of the door sealing assembly, simplifies fabrication, and reduces production cost.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2003Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Sung Gi Hwang