Gaseous Drier Patents (Class 68/20)
  • Patent number: 12123125
    Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus includes a drum, a duct circulating air through the drum, a heat exchanger in the duct, a water collector configured to water separated from air through the heat exchanger, a spray configured to spray water to the heat exchanger, a pump housing that is connected to the water collector and defines first and second pump outlets, an impeller moving water in the pump housing to the first pump outlet, a drainage housing, a housing connecting pipe connecting the second pump outlet to the drainage housing, a drain pipe discharging water in the drainage housing, and a drain valve controlling the drain pipe, and a switch housing connected to the first pump outlet, a first supply pipe connecting the switch housing to the spray, a second supply pipe connecting the switch housing to the drain pipe, and a switch valve controlling the first and second supply pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kichul Cho, Youngjae Lee, Inbo Sim
  • Patent number: 11976406
    Abstract: A combination washer/dryer (20) has a cabinet (12) with an opening enabling access inside the cabinet (12). A drum and tub assembly (14) is positioned within the cabinet (12). A washing circuit (40) washes items in the drum and tub assembly (14). A drying circuit (50) dries the items in the drum and tub assembly (14). A door assembly (16) includes an outer door (18) and a floating inner door (20) sealing the drum and tub assembly (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Logan R. Urbanski, Joel Sells, Michael Vriezema
  • Patent number: 11944254
    Abstract: A dishwashing appliance includes a cabinet, a cabinet door for opening and closing the cabinet, a tub provided in the cabinet, the tub defining a wash chamber, an outlet defined at a first portion of the tub, an inlet defined at a second portion of the tub, an air flow duct defined between the inlet and the outlet, wherein air enters the air flow duct from the tub via the outlet and exits the air flow duct to the tub via the inlet, and an access panel removably attached to the air flow duct, the access panel defining a mounting plate protruding from an interior surface of the access panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Ramasamy Thiyagarajan
  • Patent number: 11920278
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a casing, a tub, a drum, a pump for sending water discharged from the tub, a gasket connecting an input port of the casing to an opening of the tub and having nozzles for spraying water into the drum, and a nozzle water supply pipe fixed to the gasket configured to guide water introduced through the opening into a first sub-flow and a second sub-flow. The nozzle water pipe includes first nozzle water supply ports, formed on a first flow path to which the first sub-flow is guided, for supplying the first sub-flow to any two or more nozzles among the plurality of nozzles, and second nozzle water supply ports, formed on a second flow path to which the second sub-flow is guided, for supplying the second sub-flow to other two or more nozzles among the plurality of nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hwanjin Jung, Myunghun Im, Junghoon Lee, Kyungchul Woo, Jaehyun Kim, Hyundong Kim
  • Patent number: 11807973
    Abstract: The airflow exhaust system for a combination washer/dryer includes an exit duct portion to couple with an exit from a tub. A lint screen box portion is associated with the exit duct. A transition duct portion is associated with the lint screen box portion. A fan is associated with the transition duct. The fan includes an outlet to couple with an exhaust tube. A mounting assembly stationarily fastens the airflow exhaust system within a housing of the combination washer/dryer machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Roy Edward Masters, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11592030
    Abstract: The washing machine includes a cabinet, a drum installed inside the cabinet, and a fan assembly to guide heated air into the drum. A fan assembly includes a shroud provided with an air inlet hole, a hub rotated by a driving motor, a plurality of blades provided along a circumferential direction of the hub to guide the air introduced through the air inlet hole in the circumferential direction of the hub, and a scroll guiding the air guided in the circumferential direction of the hub into the drum. A partition wall prevents the air guided in the circumferential direction of the hub from being re-introduced into the air inlet hole. The blade includes a shroud contact portion in contact with the shroud and a hub contact portion in contact with the hub. An inflection point is formed between the shroud contact portion and the hub contact portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Hun Kang, Geon Ung Lee, Hwang Mook Cho, Jin Baek Kim, Eung Ryeol Seo
  • Patent number: 11441257
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a clothes dryer capable of reducing pressure loss of air due to a lint removal device. The clothes dryer includes a case, a drum rotatably supported inside the case, an air supply port configured to guide air into the drum, an exhaust port configured to guide air inside the drum to the outside of the drum, an exhaust duct configured to guide air passed through the exhaust port to the air supply port, a connecting duct connecting the exhaust port and the exhaust duct, and a lint removal device configured to remove lint in the air passed through the exhaust port, wherein the lint removal device is disposed inside the exhaust duct and configured to communicate with the connecting duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigenori Hato, Toshifumi Hashimoto, Hitoshi Minai
  • Patent number: 11293134
    Abstract: A clothes treatment apparatus, including a drum rotatably provided within a cabinet to accommodate washing and drying objects; and a heat pump including an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion valve, through which refrigerant is circulated, to provide heat to air discharged from the drum and circulated to the drum, wherein the heat pump further includes an internal heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between refrigerant discharged from the condenser and refrigerant passing through the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sogkie Hong, Cheolsoo Ko, Hyeonjoong Kim, Hyojun Kim
  • Patent number: 11148159
    Abstract: A laundry center may include a washing machine appliance, a dryer appliance, and a dispensing assembly. The dryer appliance may be vertically-aligned with the washing machine appliance. The dispensing assembly may be disposed between the washing machine appliance and the dryer appliance. The dispensing assembly may include a flexible hose and a dispensing nozzle. The flexible hose may extend between a water supply and a region above the washing machine appliance. The flexible hose may be movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The dispensing nozzle may be fluidly coupled to the flexible hose for selectively dispensing water from the water supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander B. Leibman, Wayne E. Lawson
  • Patent number: 10988890
    Abstract: A laundry apparatus includes a drum rotatable on a shaft and including at least one predetermined region made of metal; a tub surrounding the drum; an inductor provided on the tub and heating the drum by generating an electromagnetic field; and an air passage duct including a first duct provided as a passage for exhausting air outside the tub, a second duct provided as a passage for sucking air into the tub, and a fan for generating air flow, wherein the air drawn into the tub via the second duct is supplied to an internal space of the drum via a penetrating hole provided in a circumferential surface of the drum by the fan and then exhausted to the first duct after passing through a drum opening provided in a front portion of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Woore Kim, Hyunwoo Noh, Sangwook Hong
  • Patent number: 10982380
    Abstract: A clothes treating apparatus includes: a heat pump cycle having an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser and an expansion valve, and configured to apply heat to air which circulates a clothes accommodation unit; a water cover configured to support the evaporator and the condenser on an upper surface thereof, and having therein a condensate water collection unit; and a condensate water separating unit protruding from the water cover to a space between the evaporator and the condenser, and configured to prevent scattering of condensate water to the condenser from the evaporator due to an air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Joosik Jung, Jaehyung Kim, Hyungha Kang
  • Patent number: 10876241
    Abstract: The specification discloses a basin disposed in a top portion of a drying appliance, the basin having a fluid drain therein connected to a basin drain line. The appliance includes a water valve in fluid communication with a water source having an outlet in fluid communication with the basin and a tee connector disposed in a drain line of a washing appliance for draining fluid from the basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ziqiang Hu, Paul R. Staun
  • Patent number: 10801149
    Abstract: A washing machine including a first tub accommodated in a housing and formed by assembling a first member disposed in the front portion with a second member disposed in the rear portion; a second tub disposed above the first tub, a drum rotatably disposed in the inside of the second tub; and a driving shaft connected to the drum, configured to transfer a driving force to the drum and located further behind than an engaged portion of the first member and the second member of the first tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kwang Min Chun, Jong Woon Park, Seon Ho Jeong
  • Patent number: 10793994
    Abstract: A clothes treatment apparatus, including a drum rotatably provided within a cabinet to accommodate washing and drying objects; and a heat pump including an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion valve, through which refrigerant is circulated, to provide heat to air discharged from the drum and circulated to the drum, wherein the heat pump further includes an internal heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between refrigerant discharged from the condenser and refrigerant passing through the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sogkie Hong, Cheolsoo Ko, Hyeongjoong Kim, Hyojun Kim
  • Patent number: 10793985
    Abstract: A washer and dryer unit offers gentle washing or drying of lingerie including bras and panties. The unit uses a series of reciprocating bristles made of a specific elastic material that does not damage the lingerie. A washer compartment of the unit is adjustable to allow insertion of different sized bras that are mounted on a support grille. A dryer compartment of the unit offers drying of the lingerie using air fans. The unit is portable and small to be placed in a bathroom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventor: Luz Andrea Salinas Torres
  • Patent number: 10745841
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling one appliance using another appliance communicatively coupled thereto are provided. In one example aspect, a system includes a first appliance and a second appliance communicatively coupled thereto. The first appliance includes features that allow a user to control the first appliance and the second appliance from a single user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Je Kwon Yoon, Woong Jeon
  • Patent number: 10738406
    Abstract: A washing machine of the present disclosure includes a cabinet having a first opening and a door assembly provided to open and close the first opening, wherein the door assembly includes a door main body having a second opening provided to be opened and closed independently of the first opening and a rear holder corresponding to the first opening, and the rear holder includes a door sealing unit spaced apart from the second opening and provided to come in contact with the diaphragm to seal the inside of the cabinet when the first opening is closed by a door assembly. By the configuration, the cabinet can be sealed more effectively, and laundry items or detergent may be additionally inserted even during a washing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Young Kim, Adam Wishney, Doo Young Ryu, In Ju Lee
  • Patent number: 10544540
    Abstract: A drying machine is provided that may include a drum configured to receive items to be dried, an air circulating device that circulates air through the drum, a motor that drives a drying fan for air circulation, a condenser that condenses moisture in circulating air introduced from the drum, a heater that heats the circulating air introduced from the condenser, and a base, which is provided under the drum to support the drum and which may form a lower portion of the drying machine. The air circulating device may include a condensation duct, which may change in structure in order to accommodate different types of condensers based on how the respective condensers perform heat exchange. The base may include a condensation duct mount having a consistent shape and size to accommodate the condensation duct regardless of a shape of the condensation duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Sangik Lee
  • Patent number: 10538870
    Abstract: An apparatus for dye application to textile manufactures, exhaustion of the applied dye, and drying of the textile manufacture. The apparatus, in some implementations, includes a dye applicator that applies dye evenly to a textile manufacture of varying length, one or more steam release conduits for heating the textile manufacture with applied dye to exhaust the dye, and a blower system to dry the textile manufacture after application of the applied dye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Inventor: Bekir Beyer
  • Patent number: 10538874
    Abstract: A heat pump mounting box for a heat pump dryer or washer-dryer, and a heat pump dryer or washer-dryer having the same are provided. The heat pump mounting box includes a base provided with an air suction port and a two-device mounting chamber; an air passage guide plate mounted on the base and defining, together with the base, an air guide passage that has a drying air inlet in communication with the air suction port and a drying air outlet in communication with the two-device mounting chamber; and a flock filter mesh assembly drawably mounted on at least one of the base and the air passage guide plate and located at the drying air outlet. The heat pump mounting box according to the present invention has good connection tightness and is easy to clean, thereby being less likely to cause air quantity loss and flock accumulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: WUXI LITTLE SWAN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Song Lu, Yulai Miao, Wei Qian
  • Patent number: 10513674
    Abstract: A method of treatment of one or more articles may comprise locating a stain on an article based on a tag on the article; placing the stain on a nose of a spotting board; positioning a steam gun at least two or more inches away from the stain; simultaneously activating a steam supply and a vacuum supply of the spotting board; moving the steam gun in a defined motion relative to the stain for at least 30 seconds; simultaneously activating the vacuum supply and an air supply of the spotting board; moving the steam gun in the defined motion relative to the stain until the article is at least partially dry; and inspecting the stain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: CAASTLE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Jerome Jackson, Andrew Demaray, Phillip Hoffman, Ericka Ponte
  • Patent number: 10233579
    Abstract: A blower for an airflow dyeing machine is provided. Each four nozzles of the airflow dyeing machine shares a blower, the blower being disposed at a central position of the four nozzles; wherein the blower comprises: a motor, a blowing machine, a primary air duct, a secondary air duct, an air inlet and an air outlet, the motor driving the blowing machine to rotate, the blowing machine comprising a blowing machine housing and impellers, the impellers being disposed inside the blowing machine housing, two air outlets of the blowing machine being oppositely arranged and are disposed on two sides of the blowing machine housing which respectively supply air to the two nozzles at the two sides, the air inlet of the blowing machine being on a side opposing the motor, the two air outlets of the blowing machine being respectively coupled to one ends of the two primary air ducts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG YINHE PRINTING & DYEING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hejun Chen
  • Patent number: 10145050
    Abstract: A descaling device is disposed in a washing machine for descaling. The descaling device includes a main body and a descaling assembly. The descaling assembly includes a connecting rod and a descaling rod which are connected to each other. The connecting rod is linked by the main body to rotate. The descaling rod is bent at an angle relative to the connecting rod. The descaling rod is a brush. The descaling rod is linked by the connecting rod to rotate for descaling. The descaling device can descale and clean a larger area of the inner and outer tanks of the washing machine efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Inventor: Meng-Lan Lee
  • Patent number: 9890488
    Abstract: Stain cleaning devices are presented including: a base forming a tapered cylinder and having a base upper opening and a base lower opening, the base configured for receiving a fabric; and a ring forming a tapered sleeve that is complementary with the base, where the ring includes a ring upper opening and a ring lower opening, and where the ring secures the fabric over the base. In some embodiments, devices further include: an insert disc having a top surface and a bottom surface, where the insert is positioned between the base upper opening and the fabric and where the insert includes, a washboard surface along the top surface and a soaking tray surface along the bottom surface. In some embodiments, the washboard surface includes a texture selected from the group consisting of: a raised cross texture, a raised parallel texture, and a number of raised individual features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventor: Alix B. Reed
  • Patent number: 9840800
    Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus including a drum holding a washing object, a drive unit rotating the drum, a drive controller, a display unit with an input unit accepting drive unit control orders, and a display communicating treating progress of the washing object. The display unit having a controller with an input data processing unit, an output data processing unit, and a processing unit control program for running the input and output data processing units. The laundry treating apparatus further including a system managing unit enabling the drive controller and display unit to exchange data with the display unit controller, ordering operation of the display unit, and running the processing unit control program, a list storage unit storing a program list the display unit controller runs, and a monitoring unit for initializing the system managing unit if the processing unit control program is not at the list storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hyosang Shin, Hyunsang Kim, Minkyu Park
  • Patent number: 9809914
    Abstract: Disclosed is a clothes treatment apparatus including a washing apparatus including a cabinet having an opening formed at an upper side thereof and a door configured to open and close the opening to perform a washing process, and a drying apparatus including a drying chamber provided on at least one side surface of the cabinet to dry laundry, and a heated air generating part to introduce heated air to the drying chamber, so that a washing process and a drying process are simultaneously or separately controlled, thereby enhancing the clothes treatment efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun Mook Kim, Amitoj Singh, Sung Ah Kim
  • Patent number: 9758918
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a rear panel mounted on a wall; a tub supported by the rear panel and configured to contain wash water; a front panel having an opening therein and on or in front of the tub; a rotatable drum in the tub; a driving unit providing power to the drum; a cover on the rear panel so as to cover the tub and the front panel; a water supply device supplying wash water to the tub; and a drain device having a drain filter in a wash water discharge path, the drain filter being configured to filter foreign matter in the wash water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Ui Kun Hwang
  • Patent number: 9725838
    Abstract: The present invention provides a portable washing and drying device in a form of a suitcase that is transportable and ergonomic to handle. The device includes a housing transformable into an open or closed state, and including a washing and drying assembly which is configured to wash and dry laundry items. The device further includes modular connections for supplying and removing water, and providing electric power to the assembly which may be removed after use, making the device compact. The device may additionally include suction cups to firmly attach itself with any surface and spring loaded rods for absorbing any shocks from washing/drying operations. The device may also include means like handles and wheels for lending the device to be portable and easily transportable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Socram Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Marcos Ribeiro
  • Patent number: 9609999
    Abstract: A dishwasher that includes a treatment chamber in which items to be washed are supplied with washing liquor; a reservoir to exchange heat; feed lines to fill the reservoir with fresh water; outlet lines to direct a pre-heated contents of the reservoir into the treatment chamber; and a recycler to deliver the washing liquor from the treatment chamber into the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Delle, Bernd Hesterberg, Helmut Jerg, Kai Paintner, Karlheinz Rehm, Michael Rosenbauer
  • Patent number: 9453298
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a household appliance (1) that can be changed to a mode other than the operating or stand-by modes when desired, but eliminating the possibility of changing to this mode unintentionally by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: ARCELIK ANONIM SIRKETI
    Inventors: Sefa Hazir, Ahmet Ihsan Yuce
  • Patent number: 9388523
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first device to perform a first laundry treating operation and a second device to perform a second laundry treating operation. The first device has a first space to receive laundry through a first opening and the second device has a second space to receive laundry through a second opening. A controller controls the first and second devices to perform the first and second laundry treating operations respectively. The first device is coupled over the first device, and the first and second laundry treating operations are both washing operations or the first and second laundry treating operations are both drying operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jonghee Han, Hoil Jeon, Junghwan Lee, Jaeseok Seong, Yeji Um, Nerry Son, Yoonsang Kim, On Kim, Wookjun Chung, Kyungah Lee
  • Patent number: 9212441
    Abstract: A laundry machine includes an integrated heat pump system. The laundry machine comprises a cabinet (10). A tub (12) is associated to the cabinet (10). An air line is fluidly connected to the tub and to the heat pump system for air recirculation. A rotatable drum (14) is arranged within the tub (12) and resiliently supported at the cabinet (10) and/or at the tub (12) so that the tub (12) is stationary with respect to the cabinet (10) during operation of the machine, in particular during rotation of the drum (14). At least a part of the components of the heat pump system is supported by the cabinet 10 and/or the tub (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Alberto Bison, Igor Colin, Maurizio Del Pos, Paolo Olivaro
  • Patent number: 9163345
    Abstract: A drum washing machine including a cabinet, a tub disposed at an inside of the cabinet, a drum rotatively disposed at an inside of the tub, a condensing duct configured to condense moisture in air that is introduced from an inside of the drum, and a drying duct configured to heat air being introduced from the condensing duct to supply the heated air to an inside of the drum, wherein the condensing duct is coupled to a rear of the tub, while the drying duct is positioned at an upper portion of the condensing duct and is coupled to the cabinet, and in between the condensing duct and the drying duct, a buffer coupling member configured to mediate the condensing duct and the drying duct is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tae Sung Gweon, Kyung Han Kim
  • Patent number: 9080271
    Abstract: A washing-drying system and a water supply controlling method, the system comprising: a first main body configured to perform washing; a second main body installed at one side of the first main body and configured to perform drying; water supply lines formed both in the first and second main bodies; and a water supply controlling unit configured to control an open or closed state or a connected or disconnected state of the water supply lines, wherein warm water and cold water respectively supplied from warm water source and cold water source both existing outside the system flow through the second main body to thusly be supplied into the first main body, whereby wastewater having high temperature generated after drying or dehumidifying laundry can be used for warm water washing, so as to save water required for the warm washing, and also to reduce energy consumed to generate warm water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Byeong-Jo Ryoo, Seung-Phyo Ahn, Sung-Ho Song, Yang-Hwan Kim, Dong-Hyun Kim, Yang-Ho Kim, Yoon-Seob Eom, Jae-Hyuk Wee, Jeong-Yun Kim, Sang-Ik Lee
  • Patent number: 8984767
    Abstract: A laundry drying unit includes a process air circuit and a component arranged in the process air circuit. Provided above the component is a washing tank for dispensing a cleaning fluid, with a flow of cleaning fluid dispensed from the washing tank to the component being controlled by a controllable valve. The valve can be controlled on the basis of an amount of cleaning fluid in the washing tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Grunert, Guido Sattler
  • Patent number: 8984692
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance having a treating chamber for receiving laundry and configured to perform one or more cycles of operation and method for actively dehumidifying the treating chamber of a laundry treating appliance to retard or eliminate the adverse effects of moisture-laden laundry remaining in the treating chamber or moisture remaining in the treating chamber or other areas of the laundry treating appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Barbara A. Balinski, Karl D. McAllister
  • Publication number: 20150059413
    Abstract: A laundry treatment apparatus including a circulation duct to guide air discharged from a tub back to the tub, a fan located in the circulation duct to circulate air from the tub, a heater located in the circulation duct to heat the air, an exhaust duct to discharge some of the air introduced into the tub from the tub, a suction duct to introduce air from outside of the tub into the tub, and a water supply unit to supply water into the tub so as to cool the tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Sanghee YOO, Sungmin LEE, Kusung GWON, Yeongkyeong CHOI, Gilnam LEE, Kwanghyun KIM, Bonggon RYU
  • Patent number: 8950084
    Abstract: A semi-drying method of a washing machine, and a ventilating structure and a control apparatus for the same. In the semi-drying method, the dehydration and disentanglement of cloth are repeated plural times, and a washing tub is rotated at a designated dehydration speed for a time longer than that of the conventional dehydrating operation so as to minimize the jamming of the cloth into water pores of the washing tub, thereby increasing the dehydration degree of the cloth compared to the conventional dehydrating operation, removing offensive odors from the cloth, preventing damage to the cloth, allowing a user to select the duration of a semi-drying operation and to see the state of the semi-drying operation, and ventilating the washing tub during the semi-drying operation to improve the dehydration degree of the cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seok Kyu Park, Ki Ho Kang, Yong Kyu Cho
  • Publication number: 20150020556
    Abstract: Disclosed is a clothes treatment apparatus including a washing apparatus including a cabinet having an opening formed at an upper side thereof and a door configured to open and close the opening to perform a washing process, and a drying apparatus including a drying chamber provided on at least one side surface of the cabinet to dry laundry, and a heated air generating part to introduce heated air to the drying chamber, so that a washing process and a drying process are simultaneously or separately controlled, thereby enhancing the clothes treatment efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun Mook KIM, Amitoj SINGH, Sung Ah KIM
  • Patent number: 8937625
    Abstract: Provided are a fabric dryer and a method of controlling the fabric dryer. The fabric dryer includes a drum, a driving unit, a steam supply unit, a radical supply unit, a contamination removal function selector, and a controller. The drum is rotatably disposed and receives laundry. The driver rotates the drum. The steam supply unit supplies steam into the drum. The radical supply unit supplies radical into the drum. The contamination removal function selector selects a water-soluble contaminant or a fat-soluble contaminant. The controller controls the steam supply unit to supply steam in response to selection of the water-soluble-contaminant by the contamination removal function selector, and controls the radical supply unit to supply radical in response to selection of fat-soluble contaminant by the contamination removal function selector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Deughee Lee
  • Patent number: 8935858
    Abstract: A garment drying device is provided. The garment drying device has a flexible outer layer, with a flexible inner layer attached. The outer layer may be substantially planar and may have an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner layer may be substantially planar and formed of an absorbent and flexible material. The device may further have a closure structure capable of holding the device in a rolled position when closed, and allowing the device to be in an unrolled position when open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Inventors: Michelle Cloutier, Tim Cloutier, Jeff Cloutier
  • Publication number: 20140352362
    Abstract: A blower is provided having a fan element that is directly connected to a drive shaft. The drive shaft is attached to a wash drum and is rotated by a washer motor. When the washer motor rotates the drive shaft, the fan element also rotates and can move air through the washing machine appliance without the use of an additional blower motor. Alternatively, the fan element of the blower is directly connected to a motor shaft extending from the motor, such that when the motor shaft is rotated, the blower can move air through the washing machine appliance without the use of an additional blower motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ashutosh Kulkarni, Gautam Subbarao, Chang Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 8869426
    Abstract: A washing and/or drying appliance includes a heating circuit (140) for heating a washing liquid and/or a drying air flow, connected to voltage distribution lines (105a,105b) distributing power inside the appliance. The heating circuit includes at least one heating resistor (205) in series to switch means (210a,210b) controlled by an appliance control unit (125) for selectively energizing the heating resistor when required. The switch means of the heating circuit includes a first and a second switch (210a,210b) in series to the heating resistor, the heating resistor being interposed between the first and second switches. A monitoring circuit arrangement is provided, which includes a first resistor (R1) in shunt to the heating resistor and having a resistance substantially higher than that of the heating resistor, and a pull-up network connected between a first terminal (215b;215a) of the heating resistor and one of the voltage distribution lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Marco Lorenzi, Paolo Driussi
  • Patent number: 8869569
    Abstract: A clothes washer is provided comprising one or more power consuming functions and a controller in signal communication with an associated utility. The controller can receive and process a signal from the associated utility indicative of current state of an associated utility. The controller operates the clothes washer in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to change the power consuming functions by modifying the spin cycle to achieve a lower remaining moisture content in the clothes load prior to going into a dryer, thus reducing overall total energy consumption to completely wash and dry a clothes load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jerrod Aaron Kappler
  • Patent number: 8857071
    Abstract: A laundry machine having a heat exchanger cleaning device may include a cabinet, a drum provided in the cabinet, a heat exchanger for heating air to dry laundry in the drum, air conduits to circulate the air between the heat exchanger and the drum, and a control valve that controls a flow of water to the heat exchanger to clean lint deposits on the heat exchanger. An area of the heat exchanger may be divided into a plurality of regions, such that a first nozzle is coupled to the first outlet port and provided above a first region of the plurality of regions and a second nozzle is coupled to the second outlet port and provided above a second region of the plurality of regions. The control valve may selectively direct the flow of water toward the first nozzle or the second nozzle to clean a desired region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Junseok Lee, Seonil Heo, Kiwook Jung
  • Publication number: 20140238086
    Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus is disclosed. The laundry treating apparatus includes a laundry support unit provided in a receiving space, in which laundry is received, to support the laundry and a machinery compartment located at a bottom of the receiving space to define a space separated from the receiving space, the machinery compartment being provided with at least one selected from between an air supply unit to supply air to the receiving space and a water supply unit to supply water to the receiving space. The machinery compartment has a smaller width than the receiving space to define a space to receive the laundry held by the laundry support unit between an outer circumference of the machinery compartment and an inner circumference of the receiving space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Junghoi CHOI, Jaemyung LIM, Jeaseok SEONG, Byeongkook KIM
  • Patent number: 8813287
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is directed to an automated laundry system. The system includes a number of perforated clothes drums, each of which holds a single load of laundry, and a washer/dryer unit. The washer/dryer unit includes a loading rack for queuing the drums for subsequent washing, a clothes washing component adapted to sequentially receive the drums from the loading rack and wash the respective loads of laundry therein, a clothes drying component adapted to sequentially receive the drums from the clothes washing component and dry the loads of laundry therein, and a holding rack for sequentially receiving the drums from the clothes drying component and holding the drums for a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Sears Brands, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michael Saubert
  • Patent number: 8806775
    Abstract: A method for operating a clothes treating apparatus having a dry function capable of reducing abrasion and crease of a dry object and improving a dry efficiency is provided. The method for operating a clothes treating apparatus having a dry function for drying the clothes by supplying hot air into the interior of a tub includes: supplying hot air into the interior of the tub while forwardly and reversely rotating the tub; detecting the moisture content of the clothes put into the interior of the tub; lowering the temperature of hot air and supplying the same when the detected moisture content is less than a first predetermined level; and supplying the hot air having a lower temperature to complete drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Minji Kim, Hyojin Ko, Yongcheol Jin, Sanghun Bae
  • Publication number: 20140223971
    Abstract: A washing machine including a drying function for drying laundry items received therein is provided. The washing machine may include an air circulating device that circulates air through a tub of the washing machine and heats air for re-supply to the tub, and an air discharge device that discharges a portion of moist air from the tub to an outside of the tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Sangwook HONG, Cheolsoo Ko, Hyojun Kim, Heakyung Yoo
  • Patent number: 8793899
    Abstract: A closed cycle dryer comprises a drum, an air blowing unit wherein the air is conveyed to the drum, a heating unit used to heat the air that is blown into the drum, and a condensing unit upstream the heating unit for removing moisture. The dryer further comprises a by-pass between a first portion of the air circuit downstream the condensing unit and a second portion downstream the drum in order to increase the energy efficiency of the drying process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Willy Kroeger, Ralf Haselmeier