Gaseous Drier Patents (Class 68/20)
  • Patent number: 7735239
    Abstract: A drying machine according to the present invention includes an interface unit connected to a separate washing machine with a data communication line for receiving load information from the washing machine, a rotatable drum containing a load of wet clothes which are previously washed by the washing machine, and an air supply system coupled to the drum for supplying dry air into the drum. The machine further includes a heater coupled to the air supply system for heating the dry air, and a dryer controller generating a control signal to the heater in accordance with a set of operation values which are determined based on the load information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hae Deog Jeong, In Haeng Cho, Jae Suk Yang
  • Patent number: 7726157
    Abstract: A clothing managing apparatus is provided. In the clothing managing apparatus, a panel coupling protrusion (130) has a plurality of sub protrusions (131, 132) for supporting a control panel (150) in different directions, and protrusions coupling hole portion (160) receives the panel coupling protrusion (130). A holder (120) can be provided to support the control panel (150) and a top cover (100). The holder (12) includes one portion (123) coupled to the control panel (150) and the other portion (122) coupling to the top cover (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Gyu Lim, Jae Cheol Lyu
  • Publication number: 20100107703
    Abstract: A warm air inlet (10) and a warm air outlet (9) of a laterally provided cylindrical water tub (2) are separately arranged in the direction of the axis of the water tub (2). An airflow duct (32) connecting the warm air inlet (10) and the warm air outlet (9) is placed in the axis direction of the water tub (2), substantially directly below the water tub (2). A compressor (53) of a heat pump (57) having an evaporator (41) and a condenser (42) that are placed in the airflow duct (32) is placed at a position at a side of the airflow duct (32) so as to be orthogonal to the axis direction of the tub (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA HA PRODUCTS CO., LTD., TOSHIBA CONSUMER MARKETING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Hisano, Kazuo Funaki
  • Patent number: 7707858
    Abstract: A washing machine is provided. The washing machine includes a detergent box, a housing, and a filter. The detergent box is installed on one side of a main machine and connected to a flowing path of an exhaust duct through which air is exhausted. The housing is detachably installed in the detergent box. The filter is installed in the housing to collect lint while the exhaust air passes through the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Si Moon Jeon, Young Hwan Park
  • Patent number: 7707860
    Abstract: There is provided a washing machine combined with a dryer. In the washing machine, a tub is provided, a lint collector is connected to the tub to collect lint, an air-vent pipe is connected to the lint collector, a dryer duct is connected to the tub and it is provided with a blower fan therein, and a water drain line is provided to discharge water from the tub to an outside of the washing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sog Kie Hong, In Chul Jeong
  • Publication number: 20100077801
    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: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young Bok SON, Dong Joo HAN, Jong Chul BANG, Ki Chul CHO, Jae Yoen LIM
  • Patent number: 7685848
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a laundry treatment apparatus. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the laundry treatment apparatus includes shield means that shields the gap between a plurality of laundry treatment apparatus main bodies and a gap between a laundry treatment apparatus main body and a pedestal. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that the market quality can be enhanced since the togetherness and beauty of products are improved. Furthermore, the shield means includes a fixed part that fixes the laundry treatment apparatus main body disposed on an upper side. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that the laundry treatment apparatus main body can be fixed in a stable way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seong Hae Jeong, Hye Sun Jung, Hung Myong Cho
  • Patent number: 7681420
    Abstract: A washing machine and a method of controlling the same are provided. The washing machine includes an exhaust port, a filter, and a nozzle. Humid air in a tub is exhausted through the exhaust port to the outside. The filter filters is provided to the exhaust port to filter lint. The nozzle sprays air to the filter. The lint filtered by the filter is automatically removed, so that use convenience safety is enhanced and dry efficiency of the washing machine is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: In Chul Jeong, Si Moon Jeon
  • Patent number: 7661203
    Abstract: A loading basket (6) for a washing machine (1) comprises a rear wall (8), a front wall (9) opposite the rear wall (8) and a side wall (7) defining an inner space (10) of the basket, as well as one or more dragging blades (12) arranged on the side wall (7) and projecting to the inside of the basket. The side wall (7) comprises a drilling with a plurality of small through holes (13), which are arranged at the vertex of respective domes (14) projecting to the outside of the basket (6), as well as a plurality of rounded projections (18) in the shape of a spherical dome without through holes and projecting to the inside (10) of the basket (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Candy S.p.A.
    Inventor: Silvano Fumagalli
  • Patent number: 7658015
    Abstract: A clothes drying device for using a vacuum to dry clothes includes a housing being positioned on a support surface. The housing includes a top wall, a bottom wall and a perimeter wall extending between the bottom wall and the top wall to define an interior space of the housing. A drum assembly is mounted in the interior space of the housing. The drum assembly receives clothes to be dried. A hole in the perimeter wall of the housing is in communication with the drum assembly to allow the clothes to be placed in the drum assembly. A vacuum pump is mounted in the interior space of the housing. The vacuum pump is in fluid communication with drum assembly to create a vacuum in the drum assembly to draw moisture out of the clothes in the drum assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher M. Gardell
  • Patent number: 7647663
    Abstract: A combination laundry device and a method thereof are disclosed. The present invention relates to a combination laundry device that can interchange information between two laundry mechanisms, and that can automatically set operation conditions for a washing and a drying and/or a refreshing cycle based on information from each information tag attached on the laundry without a user's inputting additional conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc
    Inventors: Young Soo Kim, Soung Bong Choi, Byung Hwan Ahn, Deug Hee Lee, Hung Myong Cho
  • Patent number: 7634925
    Abstract: A washing and drying machine that is capable of performing heat exchange between outside air introduced into a cabinet and the circumferential surface of a tub so as to condense air used to dry laundry. No cooling water is used to condense air used to dry the laundry. Consumption of water is reduced, and therefore, the maintenance costs of the washing and drying machine are decreased. Furthermore, no condensing duct is necessary. Consequently, flow resistance is decreased, and drying efficiency is improved. In addition, sufficient space is provided between the rear surface of the tub and the cabinet. Consequently, the volume of the drum is increased, and the washing/drying capacity of the washing and drying machine is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hee Tae Lim, Sang Wook Hong
  • Patent number: 7628043
    Abstract: A modular laundry system comprises first and second laundry appliances in a horizontal arrangement and first and second single width horizontal modules. The first single width horizontal module is vertically arranged with the first laundry appliance, and the second single width horizontal module is vertically arranged with the second laundry appliance. At least one of the first and second single width horizontal modules is a laundry care module having an associated laundry care function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Sunshine, Donald M. Tomasi, Kristina K Underly, Daniel C. Conrad
  • Patent number: 7624600
    Abstract: A modular laundry system comprises a first laundry appliance, a second laundry appliance horizontally or vertically arranged relative to the first laundry appliance, and a cabinet module horizontally arranged relative to the first and second laundry appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Sunshine, Lorraine L. Achterberg, James William Kendall, Colleen Marie Doyle, Joel A. Luckman
  • Patent number: 7614261
    Abstract: A drum type washing machine includes a water tub adapted to contain wash water therein, and the water tub has first and second vent holes to circulate air to and from the water tub. The first vent hole is positioned higher than the second vent hole. Thereby, outside air is introduced into the water tub via the second vent hole, and interior air of the water tub is discharged to the outside of the water tub via the first vent hole, thereby allowing the relative humidity inside the water tub to be effectively lowered by virtue of air circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Je Jun Oh, Hyoung Hoon Roh, Jung Ho Lee
  • Publication number: 20090260404
    Abstract: The present invention provides a washing machine configured such that a gas having a cleaning function is prevented from leaking to the outside. The washing machine performs an ozone cleaning step for cleaning dry laundry by supplying ozone to the laundry prior to a washing step. Before the start of the ozone cleaning step, a dehumidification water valve (14) is opened to once retain dehumidification water in a bottom of an outer tub (7). Then, water is retained in an overflow trap (45) by utilizing the dehumidification water, whereby a flow passage extending from the outer tub (7) to the outside is sealed with the water. Further, a detergent valve (55) or a finishing agent valve (56) is opened to retain water in a water supply trap (24), whereby a flow passage extending from the outer tub (7) to the outside is sealed with the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD
    Inventors: Ryosuke Saito, Haruo Mamiya, Harumi Takeuchi, Kazumasa Danno
  • Patent number: 7603878
    Abstract: System and method for improved solvent recovery in a dry cleaning device includes a washer drum, a cleaning basket disposed in the washer drum and configured to receive articles and a solvent based cleaning fluid, a working tank configured to receive the solvent based cleaning fluid used in the washer drum and cleaning basket, an air management mechanism configured to drain cleaning fluid condensate produced from the washer drum and cleaning basket directly into the working tank, and a low mixing pump configured to pump the solvent based cleaning fluid from the cleaning basket to the working tank, the low mixing pump characterized by a Reynolds number of about 15,000 or less, wherein the Reynolds number is determined as a function of one or more properties associated with an impeller of the low mixing pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas Joseph Fyvie
  • Publication number: 20090249839
    Abstract: A laundry machine is disclosed. A laundry machine includes a main laundry machine washing or drying laundry and an auxiliary laundry machine comprising a body installed in a predetermined portion of the main laundry machine, a drawer detachably from the body and a steam supply device installed in the main laundry machine, the drawer supplying steam to the drawer selectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jung Wook Moon, Chang Gyu Choi, Hye Yong Park, Seung Gyu Ryu, Kwang Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 7594343
    Abstract: A method of drying clothes in a clothes dryer comprising a clothes chamber for receiving clothes, an air supply system for directing air through the clothes chamber, and a heater for heating the air supplied by the air supply system. The method comprises cycling the heater between an ON state by energizing the heater until a heater trip condition is met and an OFF state by deenergizing the heater until a heater reset condition is met, determining a heater off time by determining the time between the heater trip condition and the heater reset condition, and determining a drying time based on the heater off time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher John Woerdehoff, Andrew Charles Reck, David John Kmet, James Frederick Swanson
  • Publication number: 20090211309
    Abstract: A drum-type washing-drying machine having a drum (4) rotatably provided in a water tub (3); an air supply opening (20) and an air discharge opening (21) arranged at the water tub (3); a circulation path (10) whose both ends are individually connected to the air supply opening (21) and the air discharge opening (21); a heat pump mechanism (12) having a condenser (14) and an evaporator (15) that are arranged in the circulation path (10); and a blower fan (11) placed in the circulation path (10) and circulating air between the circulation path (10) and the water tub (3). The drum-type washing-drying machine has at least either branch paths (22a, 22b) provided between that portion of the circulation path (10) at which the condenser (14) is located and the air supply opening (20) or branch paths (23a, 23b) provided between that portion of the circulation path (10) at which the evaporator (15) is located and the air discharge opening (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Ha Products Co., Ltd., Toshiba Consumer Marketing Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichiro Kawabata, Masatsugu Wada, Hisao Tatsumi, Koji Kashima
  • Publication number: 20090178441
    Abstract: A laundry assembly is provided. The laundry assembly includes a pedestal, a washer on the pedestal, and a dryer on the pedestal, in which the washer is adjacent to the dryer in a horizontal plane, and a longitudinal extent of the pedestal is parallel to the horizontal plane of the washer and the dryer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: BSH Home Appliances Corporation
    Inventors: Paige Detrick, Huiyu Fang, Andreas Hanau, Robert Douglas Willhoit
  • Publication number: 20090178442
    Abstract: A washing and drying machine comprises a rotating tub (3) with small holes made in its circumferential wall to receive laundry, a water tub (2) provided around the outer periphery of the rotating tub (3) to store water, an air circulating passage (12) for communication between the inside and outside of the water tub (2) for air circulation, a warm air generation unit (40) to make air in air circulating passage (12) warm, an overflow stream outlet (17) provided at the water tub (2) to drain water when the water level of the water tub (2) is higher than a predetermined level. The washing and drying machine is characterized by an air stopping unit (41) provided in a water drain passage (21) communicating with the overflow stream outlet (17) so that water can be supplied and an sir flow can be stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Shinichiro Kawabata, Satoru Nishiwaki, Hisao Tatsumi
  • Patent number: 7520145
    Abstract: A washing machine combined with a dryer is provided. In the washing machine combined with a dryer, a tub is provided, a dryer duct is installed outside of the tub to introduce a surrounding air into the tub, a heater is installed in the dryer duct to apply heat to the surrounding air, a temperature sensor is installed in the dryer duct to measure temperature inside the tub or temperature inside the dryer duct, and a dryer fan is installed in the dryer duct to draw in the surrounding air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Sog Kie Hong, Young Hwan Park
  • Patent number: 7481083
    Abstract: A drum type washing and drying machine includes a rotary drum provided with drum perforations on the cylindrical surface thereof, a water tub elastically supported in a main body of the machine, for accommodating the rotary drum, a blower unit for circulating air into the rotary drum, a heating unit for heating the air to be circulated into the rotary drum, an air flow passage for directing air, which has been exhausted from the rotary drum into a space between the water tub and the rotary drum through the drum perforations, to the blower unit, a heat exchanging member installed in the air flow passage, and a cooling water supply unit for supplying cooling water to the heat-exchanging member. The heat-exchanging member is slantingly disposed in the air flow passage and has an upper and a lower surface and to form an approximately U-shaped heat exchanging path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Habu, Koji Nakai, Takahiro Inoue
  • Publication number: 20080282745
    Abstract: A laundry machine, more particularly a multi-laundry machine constructed by adding a new function to a conventional laundry machine, is disclosed. The multi-laundry machine includes a laundry machine and an auxiliary drying machine installed at one side of the laundry machine. The auxiliary drying machine includes a drawer, a module installed at one side of the drawer for generating air flow, and an air nozzle connected to the module for guiding the spray direction of the air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Dong Joo Han, Chul Jin Choi, Young Bok Son
  • Publication number: 20080276656
    Abstract: A drum type washing and drying machine has a water tank (4), a rotary drum rotatably provided in the water tank (5), a dehumidifying heat exchanger for dehumidifying air introduced from inside of the rotary drum (5), a heater unit for heating the air dehumidified by the dehumidifying heat exchanger, and a blower (131) for introducing the air in the rotary drum (5) into the dehumidifying heat exchanger and delivering into the rotary drum (5) the air heated by the heater unit. A filter (160) is placed in a suction-side channel between the rotary drum (5) and the blower and on an upstream side of air flow produced by the blower (131) in a drying process. The filter (160) is placed so as to be soaked in water supplied into the water tank in a washing process or in a rinsing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Susumu Kitamura, Hitoshi Fujita, Hiroichi Shibasaki, Masanori Komori, Nobutaka Matsunishi, Toshinari Miyoshi, Masashi Matsumoto, Takahisa Ikegami
  • Patent number: 7444843
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a drum (1), used in washing machines, preferably laundry machines, into which laundry to be washed is to be placed, capable of performing washing by rotational movement around its central axis, preferably made of plastic, comprising a main body (2) and a rear cover (3), whereby said rear cover (3) comprises a circular edge (10) which surrounds the main body (2) and the main body (2) comprises an edge socket (14) in which the rear cover edge is located, the main body (2) and the rear cover (3) being connected to each other without forming any protrusion on the outer face of the drum (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Inventors: Umud Esat Ozturk, Nihat Yavuz, Bertan Bayram, Avci Korkut, Dogan Demirhan, Nursan Kemerdere
  • Patent number: 7434333
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byoung-yull Yang, Hyung-kyoon Kim, Sang-yeon Pyo, Jae-ryong Park, Hwang-mook Cho
  • Publication number: 20080245113
    Abstract: A drum type washing machine which performs a drying function is provided having improved drying efficiency. The drum type washing machine includes a tub disposed inside a cabinet to receive water, a drum rotatably disposed inside the tub to receive laundry, and a suction duct communicating with the tub. One end of the suction duct communicates with the tub, and the opposed end of the suction duct is a free end which remains disconnected from nearby structures, and is located inside the cabinet. The tub further includes a discharge hole. The water and air passing through the discharge hole are separated and discharged outside the cabinet along a drainage pipe and an exhaust duct, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Daewoo Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Chang Hoo Kim
  • Publication number: 20080223084
    Abstract: A washing and drying machine has an object to improve a drying efficiency of a laundry and reduce a drying time, and includes an outer drum; an inner drum rotated in this outer drum and having a substantially cylindrical shape to constitute a storage chamber therein; a takeout port which is constituted in one end surface of a cylinder of this inner drum in an axial direction and via which the laundry is to be taken or introduced; a plurality of through holes which are formed around a side surface of the cylinder of the inner drum and in the other end surface of the cylinder in the axial direction and from which water is discharged during the washing and through which circulation air for drying circulates during the drying; and a blowing regulation unit which blows the air for drying into the storage chamber from the side of one end or the other end of the cylinder of the inner drum in the axial direction and which allows the air to flow from the through holes on the other end side or from the one end side and
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventor: Osamu Kuwabara
  • Publication number: 20080216517
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a washing machine with a drying unit and a drying control method of the same that is capable of controlling a drying time based on a temperature of condensed water used during a drying operation to accomplish optimum drying efficiency. The drying control method includes detecting the temperature of condensed water supplied during drying the laundry, setting the drying time based on the detected temperature of the condensed water, and operating the drying unit according to the set drying time to perform a drying operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young Suk Chung
  • Patent number: 7421865
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a washing machine with drying function. A heater is mounted in a tub for heating wash water or air in the tub. A circulating channel is connected to the tub for guiding air heated by the heater to the outside of the tub and then supplying the air into a drum such that the laundry in the drum is dried. Consequently, the structure of the washing machine with drying function is simplified, the manufacturing costs of the washing machine with drying function are reduced, and noise generated from the washing machine with drying function is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Tae Hee Lee, Byung Keol Choi, Hyun Seok Seo, Sang Wook Hong, Moon Hee Hong, Si Moon Jeon, Byoung Soo Je, Hee Tae Lim
  • Publication number: 20080209954
    Abstract: The washer dryer is capable of suppressing discomfort or uneasy feeling for the user without causing increases in manufacturing cost and moreover enhancing the drying efficiency for laundry. A water tank 3 is placed in a housing 1. Within the water tank 3, a drum 4 for accommodating laundry is rotatably placed. Part of a drying system 6 for drying the laundry in the drum 4 is provided between the water tank 3 and the drum 4. As a result of this, without using any heat insulating material, it becomes possible to prevent an upper portion outer wall of the housing 1 from elevating in temperature and to confine at least part of radiation heat of the drying system 6 to within the water tank 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Nakiri
  • Patent number: 7415848
    Abstract: A pulsator type washing machine having a washing function and a drying function in one unit, includes a first tub, a second tub disposed in the first tub, and a structure operatively coupled with at least one of the first and second tubs to receive air from the second tub, dehumidify the air and recirculate the dehumidified air back into the second tub to dry laundry in the second tub during a drying operation of the washing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: In Chul Jeong, Mu Yong Choi, Kyeong Hwan Kim, Bo Young Chang
  • Patent number: 7412853
    Abstract: There is provided a washing machine combined with a dryer. In the washing machine, a cabinet is provided, a tub is installed in the cabinet, an air-vent hose is installed to an outer surface of the tub, a lint filter assembly has one end connected to the air-vent hose to remove lint from air discharged from the tub, and an air-vent duct is connected to the other end of the lint filter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sog Kie Hong, Kyung Seop Hong
  • Patent number: 7404303
    Abstract: An automatic drop washer/dryer is disclosed. The automatic drop washer/dryer includes a dryer unit, a washer unit provided above the dryer unit and at least one gate provided between the dryer unit and the washer unit for closing the dryer unit from the washer unit during a washing cycle and allowing clothing to drop from the washer unit and into the dryer unit after the washing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Inventors: Domingos D. Barbosa, Maria F. Barbosa
  • Publication number: 20080136295
    Abstract: Clothes drying and dewrinkling cabinet that comprises a closed and static enclosure (2) that defines an inner space (3) for housing clothes, said inner space (3) comprising a main area (30) with a plurality of hangers (13), air supply means (4) for circulating an air flow through said inner space (3), the air supply means (4) being disposed beneath the inner space (3), and the cabinet also comprising at least one outlet (10) for the air flow in the upper part of the inner space (3). The cabinet comprises a small basket (11) for depositing small items of clothing, said small basket (11) being disposed in a substantially horizontal manner in the inner space (3) between the outlet (10) and the main area (30), and the small basket (11) having a base that covers the transverse surface of the inner space (3), in such a way that said basket (11) forms, along with the small items of clothing, an air intake area for the air flow that passes through the main area (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Aitor Aizpuru Borda, Mikel Markotegi Ijurko, Iban Rodriguez Olivenza
  • Patent number: 7380423
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Inventor: John P. Musone
  • Patent number: 7320234
    Abstract: A combined laundry washer and dryer system is provided so that the user can wash a first load of laundry, start drying the first load, and wash a second load while the first load is drying. The system comprises a front-loadable washer on top of a dryer, and a second load compartment on top of the washer. A load of laundry is placed in the washer and a second load in the second load compartment. After washing the first load, the washer drops it into the dryer for drying. The second load compartment then drops the second load into the washer for washing. A side-mounted closet may be used to steam clean, dried laundry with air from the dryer. Conveyor belts may be used to move dirty laundry into the second load compartment and clean laundry from the dryer to a sorting area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Inventors: John P. Hershey, Leticia Hershey
  • Patent number: 7308808
    Abstract: The present invention provides an article cleaning apparatus comprising an air management mechanism, a cleaning basket assembly, a fluid regeneration device, a working fluid device, a clean fluid device, and a controller. The working fluid device is coupled to the fluid regeneration device, the cleaning basket assembly, and the air management mechanism. The clean fluid device is coupled to the cleaning basket assembly and the fluid regeneration device. The controller is coupled to the air management mechanism, the cleaning basket assembly, the working fluid device, the regeneration device, and the clean fluid device. The controller is configured to control a cleaning process. The present invention also provides a method for performing the cleaning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Darren Lee Hallman, David Joseph Najewicz, Sung Jin Kim, Andrew Denise Varghese, Thomas Joseph Fyvie, Teresa Grocela-Rocha, Vanita Mani, Warren Frank Bessler
  • Patent number: 7305856
    Abstract: A cupboard-like washing machine includes a conveyer belt for moving the item to be washed in a cycle during a drying process. The dryer can be embodied as an air circulation dryer or an air evacuation dryer. Moving the item to be washed using the conveyer belt reduced the drying time. A rinsing container that is disposed in the rear wall of the housing is used as a heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Edwin Bolduan, Wolfgang Proppe
  • Patent number: 7275399
    Abstract: A condensing apparatus of a washing and drying machine includes a casing that forms an accommodating space therein; a tub installed in the casing; an air duct of which one end is connected to the tub to thus introduce air into the tub; a blower fan that blows air along the air duct; and a heater that heats air of the air duct before being introduced into the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young-Hwan Park, Kyung-Seop Hong, Choon-Myun Chung
  • Publication number: 20070220683
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device which is superior in writing and charge holding properties, including a semiconductor substrate in which a channel formation region is formed between a pair of impurity regions formed with an interval, and a first insulating layer, a floating gate, a second insulating layer, and a control gate over an upper layer portion of the semiconductor substrate. It is preferable that a band gap of a semiconductor material forming the floating gate be smaller than that of the semiconductor substrate. For example, it is preferable that the band gap of the semiconductor material forming the floating gate be smaller than that of the channel formation region in the semiconductor substrate by 0.1 eV or more. This is because, by decreasing the bottom energy level of a conduction band of the floating gate electrode to be lower than that of the channel formation region in the semiconductor substrate, carrier injecting and charge holding properties are improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Applicant: Daewoo Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Chang Hoo Kim
  • Patent number: 7269979
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Chul Lyu, Dong Yoon Kim
  • Patent number: 7263861
    Abstract: A washing and drying machine of the present invention includes a water tub elastically supported in a housing; a rotary drum being rotatably mounted in the water tub; a heat pump having a compressor, a heat radiator, a throttle valve, a heat absorber, a pipework, and an air guide duct for guiding air to the heat absorber and the heat radiator; an air passageway provided to the water tub for allowing the air to flow into the rotary drum; a blower for forcing the air heated by the heat radiator to flow through the air passageway into the rotary drum; and a flexible connection member. The flexible connection member connects the air passageway to the air guide duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetaka Yabuuchi, Shigeharu Nakamoto, Mikio Tahara
  • Patent number: 7254967
    Abstract: A drum-type washing machine is equipped with a drying device, which increases condensing efficiency by increasing the contact of air flowing along a condensing duct with cooling water, and prevents water formed in a condensing duct from flowing into a fixed drum. The washing machine is equipped with a drying device, which includes a discharging duct to connect an outlet of a blowing fan with an air inlet of a fixed drum and provided with a heater therein, and a condensing duct to connect an air inlet of the fixed drum with an inlet of the blowing fan and provided with a condensing unit to remove moisture. The condensing unit includes a cooling water dispersion member disposed in the lower portion of the inside of the condensing duct and a cooling water supply pipe configured to supply cooling water to the cooling water dispersion member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Myong Kim, Kwang-Su Kim
  • Patent number: 7249472
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for treating web-type textiles, nonwovens or paper in a continuous stream, uses a gaseous treatment agent that circulates in the device. The product lies on the exterior face of a permeable drum (5), which is subjected to an induced draught and has two base sections (11, 12) on its front face, more precisely on a sieve-type or perforated surface (9), which covers the drum structure. A perforated drum jacket (15), whose edges are merely clipped into the two base sections (11, 12) extends between said base sections (11, 12). To achieve this, an annular groove (17) is machined into the base sections (11, 12). The edge of the sheet metal (15) and a ring-shaped clip segment (23) are inserted into said groove and are retained there by means of screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Fleissner GmbH & Co. Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Gerold Fleissner
  • Patent number: 7213349
    Abstract: While venting clothes dryer heat outside may be acceptable during the summer months, it is desirable to reuse such heat once the outside temperature starts to fall. The disclosed heat recovery unit for a clothes dryer works towards meeting this need. The heat recovery unit may include a housing having a support box and a cover attached to the support box by a hinge. The cover may include an exhaust register and an indicator light cover through which a ‘clean filter now’ light, a ‘low flow’ light, and a ‘high temperature warning’ light may be viewed when lit. The heat recovery unit also may include a controls box positioned in the support box, where the controls box maintains electronic intelligence of the recovery unit. A recovery unit fan may be positioned in the support box to blow room temperature air up through a heat exchanger in the support box. An internal bypass channel may channel clothes dryer air around and outside of the heat exchanger during hot days.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Inventor: Richard A. Brunner
  • Patent number: 7168274
    Abstract: The combination washer/dryer and method for operating a combination washer/dryer. The washer/dryer has a containment drum which receives wash water, and includes a perforated clothes drum which rotates within the containment drum. A heat plenum is provided in heat transfer relationship with the containment drum, and a source of heat coupled to the heat plenum supplies heat for water in the containment drum. During a drying cycle, hot air from the heat source supplied from the fire box to the containment drum for heating wash water during a washing cycle, and for supplying hot air during a drying cycle. A drying air plenum is connected to receive drying air from the source of heat, delivering the drying air to the top of the containment drum, where it enters the rotating basket. An exhaust plenum discharges hot air laden with moisture from the containment drum through a lint filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: American Dryer Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis Slutsky, Craig F. Bliss
  • Patent number: 7043944
    Abstract: A drum type washing and drying apparatus comprising: a washing unit including a tub receiving a water for washing laundry and a first drum rotatably installed inside the tub; a drying unit including a second drum rotatably installed in the vicinity of the washing unit; a first airflow duct of which one end is connected to the inside of the tub and the other end is connected to the second drum; a blowing fan installed at the first airflow duct for introducing an air inside the tub into the second drum through the first airflow duct; a heating means for heating the air passing through the first airflow duct; and a second airflow duct of which one end is connected to the second drum and the other end is connected to the tub so that the air inside the second drum is introduced into the tub therethrough, thereby improving drying performance thereof and reducing fabrication costs and noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young-Hwan Park, Kyung-Seop Hong, Choon-Myun Chung