Gaseous Drier Patents (Class 68/20)
  • Patent number: 8739577
    Abstract: A washing machine is disclosed. A washing machine includes a cabinet configured to define an exterior appearance thereof; a tub installed in the cabinet to hold wash water therein; a drum rotatably installed in the tub to accommodate laundry therein; at least one venting portion provided in an upper portion of the tub to communicate with an outside of the tub; and a ventilation part (300) provided in a lower portion of the tub to communicate with an inside of the tub. The above configuration enables convection current of internal air of the tub generated via the venting portion and the ventilation part (300).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dae Wook Kwak, Jong Min Kim, Cheol Kang Heo, Han Ki Cho, Gyung Hun Nho, Soon Jo Lee, Kyu Chul Lee
  • Patent number: 8733134
    Abstract: An auxiliary laundry treating machine that is capable of improving energy efficiency and maximally securing a laundry receiving space and a multiple treating system including the same are disclosed. The auxiliary laundry treating machine includes a machine body mounted at one side of a main laundry treating machine that washes or dries laundry, a container for receiving laundry, the container being configured to be inserted into and withdrawn from the machine body, and an air supply unit mounted in the main laundry treating machine for supplying air into the container. The air supply unit includes a blowing fan for suctioning and blowing air in the main laundry treating machine and a heater for heating the air blown by the blowing fan. Also, the multiple treating system includes a main laundry treating machine for washing or drying laundry and the auxiliary laundry treating machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Joo Han, Chul Jin Choi, Young Bok Son
  • Patent number: 8732975
    Abstract: A work surface device for a domestic household appliance and a household appliance having a work surface. The work surface device includes a housing having a cavity accessible by an opening formed in a sidewall of the housing, and a pivotally-deployable work surface supported by the housing at a pivot point, wherein the pivotally-deployable work surface is movable about the pivot point from a stored position within the cavity to a deployed position outside of the housing, and wherein the pivotally-deployable work surface has a planar upper support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: BSH Home Appliances Corporation
    Inventors: Sam Rhodes, Oliver Schöne
  • Publication number: 20140123712
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a washing device. The washing device comprises: a case; a tub supported by the case, the tub having a laundry entrance hole for taking laundry in or out in a front portion thereof and an external-air inflow hole for introducing external air therethrough; an external-air inflow tube passing through the case and connected to the external-air inflow hole so as to guide the external air outside the case into the external-air inflow hole; a drum having a laundry entrance hole corresponding to the laundry entrance hole of the tub, the drum being rotatably installed within the tub; a shaft connected to a rear portion of the drum; a bearing housing rotatably supporting the shaft; and a suspension assembly for decreasing the vibration of the drum and of a driving part comprising a motor for rotating the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventors: Youngmin Kim, Dongwon Kim, Jinwoong Kim
  • Patent number: 8707580
    Abstract: A dryer having an improved automatic dryness detection circuit is provided. Wet clothing in the dryer bin contacts a sensor and causes a pulse to be sent to a microcontroller if the resistance of the clothes is low enough. The microcontroller disregards pulses which are shorter than a threshold time and counts pulses which are longer than a threshold time. The microcontroller issues a termination signal if the rate of pulses is lower than a threshold rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 8691257
    Abstract: A water soluble bag for containing soiled textiles, said bag having an open end, a closed end, and sides extending therebetween, said bag made of a plastic film having a thickness of at least 1.3 mils, wherein said bag dissolves in water at a temperature of 165° F. in less than about 250 seconds and does not dissolve in water at a temperature of 85° F. in 7 days, and said bag being capable of containing at least 175 lbs. of soiled textiles and having a capacity of at least 50 gallons. Also disclosed is a receptacle for collecting soiled textiles comprising a container and a water soluble bag. Also disclosed is a receptacle for collecting soiled textiles comprising a container, a sling, and a water soluble bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Cintas Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Hartman, David Mesko, Tim Magee, Richard Gerlach
  • Patent number: 8677785
    Abstract: A laundry machine includes a first laundry treatment space configured to receive laundry therein, a second laundry treatment space configured to receive laundry therein, and an air supply unit configured to supply air to the second laundry treatment space, the air supply unit comprising a fan, a heating part, a first sensor part for sensing a temperature of air supplied by the air supply unit, and a control part for controlling a temperature of the supplied air to be within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Joo Han, Young Bok Son, Jae Yoen Lim, Jong Chul Bang, Ki Chul Cho, In Ho Cho
  • Publication number: 20140076002
    Abstract: There is disclosed a washing machine including a spouting module with a variable spouting direction. The washing machine includes a cabinet forming an external appearance, an accommodating module arranged in the cabinet and including an accommodating case in which a space for accommodating laundry is formed, spouting units formed in a horizontal direction and arranged in the accommodating case to spout water, and a driving unit for having the spouting units perform reciprocating rotational motions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: Young Suk Kim, Sang Wook Hong
  • Patent number: 8667705
    Abstract: A clothes dryer having a lint cleaning device to collect and store lint generated during drying through a simple structure. The lint cleaning device, including a filter, a rectilinear blade performing a rectilinear motion to collect lint, and a rotary blade performing a rotary motion interlocking with the rectilinear motion of the rectilinear blade to collect lint, collects lint at a spot and stores the collected lint in a compressed state. The lint cleaning device is used for a long time without replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang Bong Shin, Sung Jin Park, Jin Wook Yoon
  • Patent number: 8656604
    Abstract: A condensation dryer includes a housing having a wall area which forms a rear side, and a process air circuit for circulating process air. The process air circuit has a first section outside the housing and running along the wall area and a remaining second section inside the housing. The first section which is located at the wall area is formed by a profile part placed on the wall area and is covered by a hood placed in sealing fashion on the wall area. A fan is arranged in the process air circuit for circulating the process air, and a drying chamber is arranged in the process air circuit for holding objects to be dried. A heat pump is disposed in the housing and includes a heat sink which is thermally coupled to the process air circuit, and a heat source, which is thermally coupled to the process air circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Ediger, Thomas Nawrot
  • Patent number: 8656745
    Abstract: A washing machine is provided that is capable of efficiently draining condensed fluid discharged by a heat pump module. The washing machine may include a first cabinet, a tub installed in the first cabinet, a drum rotatably installed in the tub, a second cabinet detachably coupled to the first cabinet, a heat pump module mounted in the second cabinet so as to supply hot air into the drum, a condensed fluid drain pump that pumps condensed fluid generated by the heat pump module, and a condensed fluid drain hose, one end of which is connected to the condensed fluid drain pump and the other end of which is connected to the tub, to discharge the condensed fluid pumped by the condensed fluid drain pump to the inside of the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sung Ryong Kim, Na Eun Kim, Dong Won Kim, Young Min Kim, Cheol Soo Ko, Hea Kyung Yoo, Dong Soo Lee
  • Publication number: 20140026313
    Abstract: The invention concerns a system for stain removing, washing, drying and ironing treatment of garments and/or washing of dishes in pre-existing plumbing fixtures like showers, bathtubs, combined shower—bathtub and shower—sauna, each provided with a protective stall. The system comprises a frame, composed of at least two posts (15) connected by a top crossbeam (16), placed inside the stall; collapsible or foldable hangers or models (18), assembled on the frame for hanging garments thereon; means (19, 20) for supplying and delivering a washing and rinsing fluid for garments supported by hangers or models (18); and means per supplying airflow in the stall for drying and ironing said garments, while the latter are hung up on said hangers or models. Alternatively to hangers or models, the system comprises plate-rack for dishes to be washed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventor: Sergio Zaglio
  • Patent number: 8627580
    Abstract: A dryer is provided. The dryer may include a main body having an inner space formed therein, a fixed drum provided in the inner space of the main body, and a tumbling device coupled to the drum. The fixed drum may have a non-circular cross-section as it is rotated. The tumbling device may tumble laundry items received in the fixed drum as it slides along an inner circumferential surface of the fixed drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sungmin Kim, Jongseok Kim, Daeyun Park, Sogkie Hong
  • Patent number: 8615898
    Abstract: A dryer is provided. The dryer may include a main body having an inner space formed therein, a support body arranged in the main body so as to form a frame of the main body, a flexible drum rotatably installed on the support body so as to have a non-circular cross-section as it is rotated, and rotation guides arranged between the support body and the flexible drum so as to guide rotation of the flexible drum. A distance from a center of rotation of an inscribed circle contacting the inner circumferential surface of the flexible drum to one random point on the inner circumferential surface of the flexible drum is greater than a distance from the center of rotation of the inscribed circle to another point on the inscribed circle such that the drum maintains a non-circular cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sungmin Kim, Jongseok Kim, Daeyun Park, Sogkie Hong
  • Patent number: 8607471
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for operating a clothes dryer, the dryer including a drum rotatably installed within a cabinet, a blow fan configured to supply air into the drum, a heater configured to heat air, and a liquid injection means configured to inject liquid into the drum, the method including a drying step of supplying hot air heated by the heater into the drum to dry clothes, a preprocessing step of cooling the inside of the drum with supplying air in a turn-off state of the heater, and a liquid injection step of injecting the liquid into the drum after performing the preprocessing step, wherein the liquid injection step is repeatedly performed in plural times, whereby the liquid can be injected into clothes after the preprocessing step, so as to allow an effective deposition of the liquid onto the clothes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sanghun Bae, Minji Kim
  • Publication number: 20130318813
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a laundry machine in which the lint filter can be cleaned even at low water pressure and a method for cleaning the lint filter, wherein the invention comprises: a tub in which washing water is accommodated; a drum which is rotatably disposed in said tub; an air circulating unit which supplies air to said tub; an air returning hole which returns the air of said tub to said air circulating unit; a lint filter which filters lint contained in the air which is circulated by said air circulating unit; and a filter cleaning unit which sprays the washing water through a plurality of nozzle holes such that said lint is separated from said lint filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Sangwook Hong, Cheolsoo Ko, Hyojun Kim
  • Patent number: 8590172
    Abstract: A dehumidifying apparatus is provided for a dryer, the dryer including a case; a drum disposed inside the case that receives objects to be dried therein; and a hot air supplying device that supplies hot air into the drum and dry the objects to be dried. The dehumidifying apparatus includes a plurality of dehumidifying devices, and is thereby capable of controlling humidity of exhausted air to a required level of humidity by removing moisture contained in air exhausted from the plurality of dehumidifying devices in multiple steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seung-Phyo Ahn, Sang-Ik Lee, Byeong-Jo Ryoo, Sung-Ho Song, Jeong-Yun Kim, Yang-Hwan Kim, Jae-Hyuk Wee, Dong-Hyun Kim, Yoon-Seob Eom, Yang-Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 8572865
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a mechanical refrigeration cycle arrangement having a working fluid and an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, and an expansion device, cooperatively interconnected and containing the working fluid. The apparatus also includes a sensor located to sense at least one parameter, a controller coupled to said sensor and said compressor, a drum to receive clothes to be dried, wherein a rear portion of the drum is equipped with multiple perforations, and a perimeter portion of the drum is equipped with multiple perforations, and a duct and fan arrangement configured to pass air over said condenser and through said drum, wherein the duct and fan arrangement is configured to facilitate airflow through the perforations on the rear portion of the drum into the drum, and out of the drum through the perforations on the perimeter portion of the drum to enable an increased airflow without an increased power input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Beers, Nicholas Okruch, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130276327
    Abstract: A method for controlling a laundry machine is provided, including an air supply cycle in which heated or unheated air is supplied to items received in a holding space. The air supply cycle may include initiating operation of a fan for circulating the air in the holding space, the fan being provided in a duct that forms a flow passage for circulating the air in the holding space, and spraying cleaning water onto a filter for removing foreign matter from the filter, the filter being positioned under the fan for removing foreign matter from air being introduced into the duct from the holding space. Spraying cleaning water onto the filter for removing foreign matter from the filter is not performed at the same time as initiating operation of the fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Youngjin DOH, Jihong Lee, Hyunchul Choi, Kyuhwan Lee
  • Publication number: 20130263630
    Abstract: A laundry treating machine is provided. The laundry treating machine may include a tub to receive wash water, a drum rotatably provided in the tub, an air supply device to supply air to the tub, a lint filter to filter lint from the air circulated by the air supply device, a filter cleaning device to supply cleaning water to the lint filter to remove the lint from the lint filter, and a cooling water supply device to supply cooling water to an inner surface of the tub such that moisture contained in air is condensed at the inner surface of the tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Youngjin Doh, Jihong Lee, Hong Namgoong, Kyuhwan Lee
  • Patent number: 8549770
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of drying laundry in a treating chamber with a partially dry laundry load determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan R. Bellinger, Andrew E. Spangler, Christopher J. Woerdehoff
  • Patent number: 8539694
    Abstract: A clothes treatment apparatus is disclosed. The clothes treatment apparatus includes a cabinet comprising an accommodating space formed therein to accommodate clothes, an air supply device configured to supply air or heated air to the accommodating space, a duct configured to guide the air or the heated air supplied by the air supply device toward the accommodating space, the duct comprising a communication part configured to draw external air into the accommodating space and a circulation fan configured to flow air along the duct, wherein the communication part is located in a rear portion of the circulation fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jung Wook Moon, Sog Kie Hong, Dong Won Kim, Seung Gyu Ryu, Hye Yong Park, Chang Gyu Choi, Dae Yun Park, Jong Seok Kim
  • Publication number: 20130219741
    Abstract: A washing machine and a control method therefore are disclosed. The washing machine includes a cabinet (10); a tub (100) fixed to the cabinet (10); a drum (300) rotatably provided in the tub (100); a dry duct (20) which heats air exhausted from the tub (100) a predetermined temperature, to re-supply the heated air to the tub (100); condensation unit (170) which condenses moisture on at least a predetermined area of an inner circumferential surface of the tub (100) by heat-exchanging external air of the cabinet (10) with at least predetermined area of an outer circumferential surface of the tub (100); and sensing unit (410) which senses the amount of condensate generated in the tub (100). A washing machine and a control method thereof are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventor: Sangwook Hong
  • Patent number: 8516860
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a washing machine with a drying function, capable of performing a washing program and a drying program. The machine comprises a cabinet (1), a tub (9) in the cabinet and a door (3), through which access to the tub interior can be achieved, and further an air evacuation chamber (37) which comprises an upper section (59) and a lower section (57), wherein the upper section is connected to the tub in order to allow an air flow from the tub to the upper section, and the upper section is connected to the lower section at a connection point which is higher than the maximum water level during the washing program, such that air can flow to the lower section during the drying program while water is prevented from flowing from the tub to the lower section during the washing program. This allows the lower part to contain parts of the drying system that are to be kept dry, which allows a more compact machine to be built.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventors: Leif Persson, Anders Brun, Jorgen Martinsson, Jonny Persson, Johnny Olsson
  • Patent number: 8511116
    Abstract: The inventive washing/drying machine is capable of cleaning water while performing a laundry process, and uses water filtered by a filter for dehumidification in a drying process, thereby achieving water saving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignees: Haier Group Corporation, Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Nakamura, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Yoshikazu Bamba, Takahiro Tsuji
  • Publication number: 20130205840
    Abstract: A washing machine having a drying function is disclosed. The washing machine having a drying function may include a tub to receive wash water therein, a drum rotatably provided in the tub, to receive drying objects therein, a heater and a ventilation fan to generate hot air, a dry duct to guide the hot air into the drum, and cooling water supply means to supply cooling water to an outer circumferential surface of the drum to form a condensation surface, on which condensate is generated, on a surface of the drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Sangwook Hong, Cheolsoo Ko, Hyojun Kim
  • Patent number: 8490438
    Abstract: A laundry treatment device is provided which includes a first space for laundry treatment, a second space formed separate from the first space, and an air supply device provided in the second space, the air supply device supplying heated dry air to the first space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Na Eun Kim, Cheol Soo Ko, Dong Soo Lee, Young Min Kim, Hea Kyung Yoo, Sung Ryong Kim
  • Publication number: 20130180291
    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: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
  • Publication number: 20130160219
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance has a rotatable drum at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving a laundry load for treatment according to at least one cycle of operation and operated such that the extraction of liquid from the laundry load is controlled based on the inertia of the laundry load so that the total energy usage by the laundry treating appliance and a laundry drying appliance with which it is operably coupled may be minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: FARHAD ASHRAFZADEH, BRIAN P. JANKE, PETER E. ZASOWSKI
  • Patent number: 8468711
    Abstract: Disclosed is a clothes dryer, comprising: a body; a drum rotatably installed at the body; a duct for guiding air exhausted from the drum; and a filter assembly for filtering lint included in the air exhausted from the drum. The filter assembly includes a lint filter and a cover filter, and a lint collector encompassed by the lint filter and the cover filter. The clothes dryer includes sensing means for sensing whether the lint filter has been mounted to a precise position or not. The sensing means consists of a magnet mounted to a mesh frame of the lint filter, and a reed switch mounted to a cover guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae-Seok Kim, Ju-Han Yoon
  • Publication number: 20130152422
    Abstract: A washer dryer comprising a tub, a drum mounted in the tub to be rotatable around an essentially horizontal axis for receiving laundry items, a process air circuit comprising an air heater and a blower to heat and circulate the heated air through the drum, a heat exchanger to condense moisture from the process air coming out of the drum, and a first temperature sensor in the connecting part between the tub and the heat exchanger, whereby the first temperature sensor is located at a height that is above the lower end of the drum and below the heat exchanger to allow the first temperature sensor to be at least partially immersed in an aqueous liquid contained in the tub when the washer dryer is operated in a washing or rinsing phase. The invention also relates to a method for the operation of this washer dryer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: BSH HOME APPLIANCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yanhong Chen, Harald Moschütz, Vladimir Proseanic, Svetlana Visnepolschi
  • Publication number: 20130145644
    Abstract: A method for operating a washer dryer comprising a tub, a drum mounted in the tub to be rotatable around an essentially horizontal axis for receiving laundry items, a process air circuit comprising an air heater and a blower to heat and circulate the heated air through the drum, a heat exchanger to condense moisture from the process air coming out of the drum, a sensor placed in the process air circuit between the tub and the heat exchanger, and a rinsing device, whereby the rinsing device flushes the sensor in a flushing phase with an aqueous cleaning liquid when the temperature T in the process air circuit between the tub and the heat exchanger is in a temperature range between an upper temperature limit Tmaxset and a lower temperature limit Tminset. The invention also relates to a washer dryer for performing this method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: BSH HOME APPLIANCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Harald Moschütz, Vladimir Proseanic, Svetlana Visnepolschi
  • Patent number: 8448478
    Abstract: Disclosed is the washing/drying machine including a fragrance supplying means for supplying fragrance, and a heat supplying means for supplying heat to promote evaporation of a fragrance source stored in the fragrance supplying means. The washing/drying machine uses heat supplied by the heat supplying means so as to promote evaporation of a fragrance source in the fragrance supplying means, thereby increasing efficiency in fragrance supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Myong-Hun Im, Jin-Ho Chang, Kyung-Chul Woo, Kyeong-Hwan Kim
  • 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: 8435311
    Abstract: A method of collecting soiled textiles to be cleaned, comprising the steps of providing a container having an open end, a closed end, and sides extending therebetween, providing a sling having an open end, a second end, and sides extending therebetween disposed in and supported by said container, providing a water soluble bag having an open end, a closed end, and sides extending therebetween and made of a plastic film having a thickness of at least 1.3 mils, wherein said bag dissolves in water at a temperature of 165° F. in less than about 250 seconds, does not dissolve in water at a temperature of 85° F. in 7 days, being capable of containing at least 175 lbs. of soiled textiles, and having a capacity of at least 50 gallons, wherein said bag is disposed in and supported by said sling, and wherein soiled textiles deposited in said container are contained in said bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Cintas Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Hartman, David Mesko, Tim Magee, Richard Gerlach
  • Publication number: 20130104605
    Abstract: The combination washer/dryer with flow drum is an apparatus that directs the movement of fluids through the drum to improve the laundering of clothing. The apparatus comprises a tub, a drum, an air barrier, an actuator, a hot air duct, and an exhaust duct. The tub comprises a drain, a spout, and an inner space. The air barrier comprises a drum mount and a flow opening. The drum comprises a lateral wall, a first side, and a second side, each of which comprise a plurality of fluid directing blades and fluid openings. Additionally, the drum comprises a cavity. The configuration of these components and sub-components allows the apparatus to use the rotation of the fluid directing blades to direct the flow of fluids through the cavity of the drum during the washing cycle and drying cycle to providing more efficient laundering of the articles of clothing present within the drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventor: Sergey NADTOKA
  • Patent number: 8424347
    Abstract: A washer dryer including a DC power supply generator that generates a DC power supply from an AC power supply; a heat pump that circulates refrigerant between a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator; an air circulatory path that circulates air between the condenser and the evaporator; a first inverter circuit that receives the DC power supply to drive a compressor motor; a rotary tub disposed rotatably within an exterior tub; a rotary tub motor that directly drives the rotary tub at least during dehydration; a second inverter circuit that receives the DC power supply having an output terminal connected to windings of the rotary tub motor; a voltage detector that detects DC voltage occurring between the second inverter circuit and a power supply bus; a brake controller that controls the DC voltage within a predetermined range by controlling a regenerative electric power when braking is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Consumer Electronics Holdings Corporation, Toshiba Home Appliances Corporation
    Inventors: Sari Maekawa, Kazunobu Nagai, Tsuyoshi Hosoito
  • Patent number: 8418377
    Abstract: A dryer with a drying chamber that includes a process air duct for guiding process air through the drying chamber, a heat pump with a heat sink in the process air duct and through which air can flow in an outlet air direction for cooling down the process air, and a heat source arranged in the process air duct and through which air can flow in an inlet air direction for heating up the process air. The outlet air direction and the inlet air direction are substantially parallel to one another. The heat sink and the heat source are in a plane substantially perpendicular to the outlet air direction and to the inlet air direction alongside one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Grunert, Günter Steffens, Andreas Stolze
  • Patent number: 8413471
    Abstract: A cloth treating apparatus is disclose. The cloth treating apparatus comprises an auxiliary treating apparatus which includes a main body washing or drying clothes; a cabinet provided at one side of the main body; and a drawer slidably provided in the cabinet to form an accommodating space, having a hot air supply device provided in the accommodating space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Joo Han, Chul Jin Choi, Young Bok Son
  • Patent number: 8402796
    Abstract: A laundry machine includes a first laundry treatment apparatus, second laundry treatment apparatus including an air supply unit, a first course selection part for a user to select a treating course for the first laundry treatment apparatus, and a second course selection part provided together with the first course selection part, the second course selection part for the user to select a treating course for the second laundry treatment apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Joo Han, In Ho Cho
  • Patent number: 8387274
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance and a method for operating the appliance to supply air into a treating chamber through an air inlet and controlling the supplied air by varying the effective area of the air inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Farhad Ashrafzadeh, Michael T. Dalton, Layne E. Heilman
  • Patent number: 8387272
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a clogging detecting system for a dryer which can display a clogging degree or state of an air passage to the user through a remote controlling device. The clogging detecting system for the dryer includes the dryer for judging the clogging degree of the air passage, and sending the clogging degree to a remote controlling device, and the remote controlling device for receiving the clogging degree from the dryer, and displaying the clogging degree through a display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yang-hwan Kim, Kyung-hun Kim, Ja-in Koo, Ju-hyun Kim, Sun-cheol Bae, Ju-young Min, Jin-seok Hu
  • Publication number: 20130047680
    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: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Jonghee HAN, Hoil JEON, Junghwan LEE, Jaeseok SEONG, Yeji UM, Nerry SON, Yoonsang KIM, On KIM, Wookjun CHUNG, Kyungah LEE
  • Patent number: 8356496
    Abstract: An apparatus for loading items to be washed with an air flow, comprising a substantially closed first channel system for guiding an air flow which loads the items to be washed. A treatment chamber for receiving the items to be washed, a blower for driving the air flow, a heater for heating the air flow before the items to be washed are loaded, and a cooler for cooling the air flow after the items to be washed have been loaded are arranged in the first channel system. Here, the first channel system has outside the treatment chamber and the blower, two branches and which are connected to one another in parallel and can be flowed through in parallel by corresponding parts of the air flow. Here, the heater is arranged in a first branch and the cooler is arranged in a second branch of said branches. The invention likewise relates to a corresponding method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Harald Moschütz
  • Publication number: 20120272689
    Abstract: A laundry washing and drying machine (1) includes a casing (2) and, inside the casing, a laundry container (3, 6) for housing the laundry to be washed and dried, and a heat-pump-type, hot-air generator (10) able to circulate a stream of hot air inside the laundry-container (3, 6), and to heat up the washing water supplied to said laundry container (3, 6). The hot-air generator (10) includes a heat-pump assembly (21) which is provided with a first air/refrigerant heat exchanger (23) which is located along the air recirculating conduit (19) for heating up the airflow (f) directed to the laundry container (3, 6). A second water/refrigerant heat exchanger (24) is located out of the air recirculating conduit (19), and heats up or cools down the water arriving from the laundry container (3, 6). A third air/water heat exchanger (25) is located along the air recirculating conduit (19), upstream of the first air/refrigerant heat exchanger (23), for cooling the airflow (f) arriving from the laundry container (3, 6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Gordon Elger, Alberto Bison, Massimiliano Vignocchi, Jean-Yves Noel
  • Patent number: 8297082
    Abstract: A laundry machine includes a first laundry treatment space configured to receive laundry therein, a second laundry treatment space configured to receive laundry therein and an air supply unit configured to supply air to the second laundry treatment space, the air supply unit comprising a fan, a heater and a housing, and wherein the housing accommodates the fan, the heater, an inlet and an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young Bok Son, Dong Joo Han, Jong Chul Bang, Ki Chul Cho, Jae Yoen Lim
  • Patent number: 8261466
    Abstract: An automatic clothes dryer having separately driven drum and blower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Latack, James P. Carow, Christopher A. Jones, William L. Frantz
  • Patent number: 8256139
    Abstract: A method of reducing the risk of fire or containing fire in a laundry appliance and an appliance incorporating said method. The appliance includes a sensor means capable of sensing an abnormal fault condition indicative of an increased fire risk or a fire within the appliance drum. In response to sensing the abnormal fault condition, the appliance controller enters a fire containment cycle which rotates the drum at a tumbling speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances Limited
    Inventors: John Richard James Morrison, Seth Fischer, Lindsey Jack Roke
  • Patent number: 8250886
    Abstract: A washing-drying/drying machine includes a tub mounted in a cabinet; a drum rotatably disposed in the tub for receiving laundry; a cooling water supply unit for supplying cooling water to condense moisture in air discharged from the drum; and a condensing plate mounted between the drum and an inner wall of the tub for receiving the cooling water to condense the moisture in the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hee Tae Lim, Sang Wook Hong
  • Patent number: 8250885
    Abstract: A laundry machine includes a cabinet and a partition wall dividing an inner space of the cabinet into a first space for main laundry treatment and a second space for auxiliary laundry treatment. An air supply unit is provided outside of the second space and supplies a downward airflow into the second space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Joo Han, Young Bok Son, Jae Yoen Lim, Ki Chul Cho