US2722751A - Fluid conductor and lint collector for clothes drier - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 8, 1955 c. w. STEWARD 2,722,751

FLUID CONDUCTOR AND LINT COLLECTOR FOR CLOTHES DRIER Filed Feb. 18, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

BY @16 @1230 515M 1955 c. w. STEWARD 2,722,751

FLUID CONDUCTOR AND LINT COLLECTOR FOR CLOTHES DRIER Filed Feb. 18, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet '2 INVENTOR.

Nov. 8, 1955 c. w. STEWARD 2,722,75

FLUID CONDUCTOR AND LINT COLLECTOR FOR CLOTHES DRIER Filed Feb. 18, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 3rmentor ma 14491281 rm Qttorneg Nov. 8, 1955 FLUID CONDUCTOR AND LINT COLLECTOR FOR CLOTHES DRIER Filed Feb. 18, 1952 c. w. STEWARD 2,722,751

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 ll Fla 6 3nventor C o/6 Wfdfon X 12W W Nov. 8, 1955 c. w. STEWARD FLUID CONDUCTOR AND LINT COLLECTOR FOR CLOTHES DRIER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 18, 1952 INVENTOR.

W RNEY.

United States Patent G FLUID CONDUCTOR AND LINE COLLECTOR FQR CLOTHES DRIER Coiby Weston Steward, Newton, Iowa, assignor to Maytag Company, Newton, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Application February 18, 1952, Serial No. 272,016

21 Claims. (Cl. 34-82) The invention relates to driers, and more particularly to clothes driers wherein the clothes to be dried are tumbled in a heated substantially imperforate rotatable drum.

Heretofore it has been customary in tumbling apparatus utilized for drying clothes, to include air motivating fans or blowers or the like, to circulate relatively large quantities of heated air through the clothing being dried in order to remove the moisture therefrom. The use of fans or blowers requires, in most instances, special duct work to direct the air from one part of the drier to another, across heating elements, thermostats, etc., for the proper control of both temperature and total volume of flow. This all materially increases the over-all manufacturing cost of the drying unit.

In the disclosed construction, a drum is mounted for rotation on a horizontal axis and is provided with a single access opening about that axis and is imperforate elsewhere. Adjacent the opening in the drum there is provided an open-ended duct or passage in communication with the access opening intermediate its ends. The lower portion of this passage terminates adjacent the base of the drier and is adapted to permit the inflow of relatively cool and dry ambient air. Also, a tray or trap is provided adjacent the lower end of the passage for collecting vapor condensed therein and to collect heavy particles of lint thrown from the access opening of the drum during the tumbling operation. The upper portion of the passage is open to the ambient air and is provided with an additional lint trap which is adapted to collect the finer or airborne lint discharged through the access opening of the drum. When the ttnnbler is in operation, the passage acts in effect as a chimney or stack and creates a flow of air therethrough from its inlet through its outlet. A portion of this air enters the drum through the access opening, while the remainder flows past the opening, co-mingles with the vapor and heated air leaving the drum and moves upwardly through the upper lint trap, and both the vapor and now heated air are discharged into the ambient atmosphere.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide an improved clothes drier which eliminates the necessity of air translating or circulating fans and the special duct work therefor required for inducing the circulation of air through the tumbling apparatus, and to depend entirely upon the action of the clothes being dried and vapor pressure generated to effect the proper circulation of air into and out of the drum and to provide an open-ended passage having a portion in communication with the access opening of the drum to conduct the moisture laden air and lint away from the drier.

it is another object of the invention to provide a tumbler type clothes drier provided with a single access opening of smaller diameter than the diameter of the tumbler and imperforate elsewhere with an improved air and vapor conducting means and lint trap.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a tumbler type clothes drier construction of the domestic type wherein the tumbler is mounted on a horizontal axis ice and has an access opening on that axis and is imperforate elsewhere, and wherein the tumbling action of the clothes being dried provides pumping means for circulating the ambient air into and out of the chamber into an openended passage which conducts the moisture laden air away from the access opening.

it is another object of the invention to provide a horizontally mounted tumbler type clothes drier having a central access opening with an open-ended duct extending across the access opening and to provide a lint trap in the upper portion thereof to intercept and hold the air-borne lint and a trap in the lower portion to collect heavy lint and moisture.

it is another object of the invention to provide a horizontally mounted tumbler type clothes drier having a central access opening with a single vertical open-ended passage adjacent the opening which is adapted to produce a flow of air upwardly when the tumbler is operating to supply relatively cool dry air to, and conduct heated moisture laden air away from, the tumbler.

it is still another object of the invention to provide a horizontally mounted tumbler type clothes drier having a single access opening which has a vapor conducting passage extending upwardly from the opening with a lint trap therein.

it is another object of the invention to provide a horizontaliy mounted tumbler type clothes drier with a relatively simple and effective lint trap and moisture collecting means.

it is yet another object of the invention to provide a tumbler type clothes drier with an improved air and moisture conducting means and lint trap.

Other objects, features, capabilities, and advantages are comprehended by the invention as will later appear and as are inherently possessed thereby.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a front elevational view of the improved clothes drier with the door open and showing the front access opening;

Figure 2 is a partial vertical longitudinal sectional view of the tumbler type clothes drier constructed in accordance with the present invention and taken generally along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a partial vertical transverse sectional view of the drier taken on the line 33 of Figure 2 showing the fluid conducting passage and the upper and lower traps;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the upper lint trap with a portion of the fluid conducting passage broken away;

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the lower moisture and heavy lint collecting tray;

Figure 6 is a vertical longitudinal partial sectional view of a clothes drier showing a modified fluid conducting passage and lint trap construction;

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the modified lint trap construction with a portion of the fluid conducting passage broken away for clearness; and,

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the general relationship of the fluid conducting passage and rotatable drier drum.

Referring now more in detail to the drawings for one form of clothes drier embodying the features of the present invention, there is shown an outer cabinet or casing 10 secured to a base or frame structure 11, having adjustable legs 12, for completely enclosing the operating parts of the clothes drier. The base 11 further provides a support for a hollow clothes receiving rotatable tumbler or drum 13 mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis within a cradle 14, formed by four spaced hard rubber rollers 15, and rotated by means of a pivotally mounted electric drive motor 16 in a manner as will be herein- 3 after more fully described. The drier further includes control mechanism 17, the details of which are not shown, for automatically controlling the operation and duration of the drying cycle.

The cabinet it) has its main body portion formed with side panels 18, a louvered back panel 19 for permitting flow of cooling air about the drive motor 16, a front panel 21 having a substantially centrally located square opening 22 therein with an inwardly directed flange or skirt portion 23 disposed about the horizontal axis of the drum 13, whereby the operator may gain access to the interior of the drum, and a top panel 24 to provide a substantially rectangular unitary structure. The top panel 24 is pref rably formed with an opening adjacent one of the front corners through which an upwardly projecting control shaft having a control knob 26 thereon is adapted to be grasped by the operator for manipulation to effect automatic operation of the drier.

The horizontally mounted drum or tumbler 13 within the casing 16 includes an imperforate cylindrical wall 27,, disposed between a vertical front wall or header 28 havmg a single centrally located access opening 29 with an outwardly directed cylindrical flange 31 facing the opening 22 in the front panel 21, and a vertical imperforate rear wall or header 32 spaced in parallel relation to the front Wall. All three elements are welded or secured together, in any suitable manner, to form a unitary rigid structure to define a drying chamber 33 therein. A plurality of parallel, horizontal and radially inwardly directed clothes lifting ribs or elevating vanes 34 are secured to the inner periphery of the cylindrical wall 27 in any suitable manner.

The front and rear walls 28 and 32 have identical flange portions 35 extending radially outward beyond the outer periphery of the cylindrical wall 27 which are rolled or formed with flat horizontal cylindrical supporting sur faces or ribs 36, adapted to rest on the rollers 15 to provide the sole supporting means for holding the drum in its horizontal position.

In order to evaporate the moisture in the clothing within the drum, heat must be supplied thereto. One means for heating the drum is shown in the form of an electrical heating element 37 formed by a single, flat, long,

thin and relatively wide strip of stainless steel, or other material, having somewhat similar characteristics. This heating element is preferably tightly wound in an open spiral to cover substantially the entire outer periphery of the imperforate cylindrical wall 27, and a thin layer of electrical insulation 38, such as, for example, asbestos or the like, is placed therebetween to prevent electrical contact with the drum and the opposite or free ends 39. of the heating element are secured to suitable terminal posts 41 disposed in the recess'provided in one of the ribs 34. A heating element of this type uniformly heats the entire periphery of the drum, which, of course, heats the clothing in thc'drying chamber 33 to drive off the. moisture or a high percentage thereof, and the over-all temperature of the entire heating element is reduced con: siderably.

To improve the efliciency of the drier, insulating pads 42 are attached to the outer surface of the front and rear walls 28 and 32, and a layer of thermal insulation 43 of any suitable di-electric type is wrapped about the outer periphery of the heating element 37 to totally enclose the same. Therefore, any lint shaken off-the clothing during the drying operation which may enter the interior of the casing 1d cannot accumulate on the heating element, thus an additional fire hazard is eliminated.

In order to support the rotatable drum in its horizontal position, a pair of parallel horizontally spaced tubular bridging members 44 are disposed parallel with the drum and rigidly secured to the upper outer ends of the oppositely disposed webs 45 to provide a'relatively simple rigid supporting structure, and eachtubular mem-.

ber 4-4 journals a horizontal'shaft 46 with outwardly pro-v jecting ends with the supporting rollers secured thereto in any suitable manner. In addition, each supporting roller 15 has its outermost end provided with a radial projecting flange 47 to constitute a thrust collar or surface extending inwardly adjacent the rims 36 on both of the end walls and are relatively closely spaced thereto in such manner as to limit axialshifting movement of the drum 13 when it is rotated about its horizontal axis.

The drive motor 16 has a driving pulley 48 secured thereto and is flexibly mounted for rotation on an axis parallel to the drum axis, and is connected bymeans of a belt 49 to a driven pulley 51 rigidly secured to aprojecting end of one of the horizontal supporting shafts 46 adjacent one of the rollers 15. .When the-motor is energized, the driven pulley 51 rotates one of the shafts 46 and the friction between the engaging portions of the rollers 15 and the rims 36 cause the drum 13 to rotate about its horizontal axis at a considerable speed reduc- I tion; i. e. between 34 and 50 R. P. M.,'while the opposite suitable manner.

shaft carrying its pair of rollers merely acts as a rolling support.

While various means may be'employed for energizing the heating element 37, there is diagrammatically disclosed a collector 'ring assembly 52 mounted on the back portion of the rear wall 32 at the approximate axis of rotation of the drum; This collector ring assembly includes arelatively stationary non-metallic support 53 which carries the usual carbon brushes held in engagement with a pair of spaced concentricmetallic slip rings, mounted on the outer face of agenerally disc-shaped rotatable-insulating block 54 which is in'turn anchored or secured to the wall 32 of the drum, and, ofcourse, rotates therewith. "The stationary support 53 is centered by means of-a pin- 56' and held against rotational movement by' means of a combination flexible holding arm and ground strip 57-whose lower end is'anchored to the base 11. Electrical energy is supplied to the brushes from any suitable'source andelectrical- conductors 58 and 59 extending from the block 54 radially outward along the back of the drum are directlyconnected to opposite ends of the heating element 37 at the terminal blocks 41 in any 'One ofthe'conductors isconnected in series with a temperature responsive thermostat or limit switch 61' secured to the rear-wall 32 of the drum adjacent its inner'periphery 27 which deenergizes the heating element 37 when thetemperature-within thedrying chamber 33 reaches or tends to'exceed a predetermined safe value.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 2, it can be seen that the front header or wall 28 and the rims 36 on the drum 13'are spaced from the cabinets front and top panels or walls 21 and 24; respectively, to provide room for receiving an open-endedfluidconducting inverted L- shaped rectangular duct or conduit 62," having a vertical front-section 63 with parallel walls and a rearwnrdly extending top horizontal section 64 'forproviding a fluid conducting passage 66. The'upper end 67 of the vertical section 63 is secured to the front portion 68 of the horizontal top section 64 to provide a unitary structure. This inverted L-shaped duct is held in spaced relation to the about a mating discharge opening 77 provided at the rear central portion of the top Wall 24 of the drier cabinet. A removable louvredgrill 78 is adapted to fit within the opening 77 inthetop wall to-direct the heatedair and vapor in a forward direction and at the same time provide 7 a pleasing appearance-to the exterior of the cabinet. -This grill may be dispensedwith should itbe desired to -cone9 nect the opening 77 to a duct system for conducting the heated vapor for discharge to a point remote from the cabinet. Suitable insulation material 79 maybe placed on the top wall 74 of the horizontal duct to minimize the flow of heat to the top panel 24 of the cabinet. The vertical section 63 of the duct 62 has its lower open end 80 disposed adjacent the lower portion of the front panel 21 of the cabinet and is in direct communication with the relatively cool air adjacent the base 11 within the confines of the cabinet.

Intermediate the lower and upper ends of the vertical section 63 of the duct and in alignment with the aligned access openings 22 and 29 in the front wall 21 of the cabinet and the front wall 28 of the drum, respectively, the duct is provided with a short horizontal cylindrical passage or opening 81 of approximately the same size as the access opening 29 in the drum. This passage is formed in any suitable manner, such as, for example, by cutting an opening 82 in the back wall 83 of the vertical duct 63 and punching a similar opening in its front wall 84 with a drawn portion or collar 35 extending toward and overlapping a portion of the outwardly directed flange 31 about the access opening 29 in the front wall 28 of the drum. It is to be understood of course that any suitable construction may be incorporated at this point. The main reason for incorporating the cylindrical portion 51 is to prevent articles of clothing from falling into the vertical duct 63 when they are being inserted or removed from the drying chamber 33, and to prevent them from falling into the passage when the clothing is being tumbled during the drying operation. An annular ring 86 of sealing material is clamped on the outer periphery of the outwardly projecting flange 31 and it has a forwardly projecting edge for engaging the rear Wall 83 of the duct to provide a rotating seal to restrict the flow of vapor and lint into the interior of the cabinet. r

In order to provide means for connecting the drying chamber 33 with the ambient atmosphere and to allow the vapor evaporated from the clothing to escape, the upper portion or sector of the horizontal cylindrical passage 81 is provided with a relatively large slot 87 directly communicating with the upper portion of the vertical duct above the horizontal center line of the drum 13. The lower portion or sector of the cylindrical passage 81 is provided with a series of relatively large openings or perforations 88 which directly communicate with the lower portion of the duct. While during the drying operation a certain percentage of the air entering the lower open end 80 of the vertical portion of the duct flows upwardly through the perforations 88, they also provide a means for permitting the heavy lint thrown through the opening 29 and the vapor condensed in the duct 62 to pass therethrough and fall downward through the open end 80 of the duct, to be collected or caught in a spaced combination heavy lint and moisture collecting trap or tray 89 disposed directly therebelow.

This tray is, in this instance, rigidly mounted on the backside of a removable toeboard construction 90 which is detachably secured to the base frame 11 by means of a pair of laterally extending spaced clips 91 having downturned edge portions 92 for engaging the upper ends of a pair of aligned upstanding arms 93 secured to the base frame. The toeboard 90 extends for substantially the entire width of the cabinet and fits under the lower inturned edge 94- of the front panel 21 to provide a pleasing appearance when in position.

It is to be noted the lower end 80 of the vertical duct 63 terminates short of the inturned end 94 of the front panel of the cabinet and the toeboard is spaced slightly below the inturned end 94 to provide clearance for the free flow of air into the fluid conducting passage 66. Also, the collecting tray 89 carried by the toeboard is elongated and is both wider and longer than the lower end of the vertical duct in order to prevent the moisture and heavy lint from falling on the floor or support for the drum. In order to gain access to the tray for cleaning and disposing of the condensed vapor collected therein, the operator grasps the toeboard and raises the same upwardly to release the catches 92 from the upstanding arms 93, and then moves it forwardly in a horizontal direction to clear the front panel 21 of the cabinet. After removal, the drip tray may be readily cleaned and may be placed in position by merely reversing the aforementioned procedure.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that a conveniently located collecting tray for heavy lint and moisture has been provided which is readily accessible for cleaning, and since it is mounted on the back of the toeboard, a more attractive appearance is provided.

In order to insure the proper direction of flow of the air and vapor discharged from the drum and to prevent the tumbling clothing from being thrown out of the aligned openings, the access opening 22 in the front panel 21 has mounted therein an imperforate closure or door 96. This door is generally square in front plan and hinged at 97 to pivot about a vertical axis and is provided with the usual handle or grip device (not shown) to permit the operator to grasp the same to open or close the door at will. The door 96 is preferably constructed with inner and outer panels 98 and 99, respectively, having their major portions separated to provide an insulating space 101 and a rubber or other suitable gasket 102 is carried by the inner panel 98 to contact the forward wall 84 of the duct 63 about the cylindrical passage 81. In this manner the inner panel 98 will heat up at a relatively rapid rate and any vapor condensing on the inner panel is restrained from flowing out of the front access opening 22 by means of the gasket 102. At the same time the front or outer panel 99 is shielded from direct contact with the heated vapor and air and is therefore maintained at a much lower temperature, thus the danger of injuring or annoying the operator is reduced considerably.

While the heavy lint leaving the drying chamber 33 and the condensed vapor pass through the large perforations 88 in the vertical portion of the passage 66 and are safely directed from the lower end of the duct into the collecting tray 89, the light air-borne lint will travel with the vapor and heated air upwardly through the duct, and unless means are provided it will enter the ambient atmosphere and, of course, eventually settle on a major portion of the surrounding surfaces. This fine air-borne lint is a particularly vexing problem on all types of driers, especially so with driers employing air-motivating fans which force large quantities of air through the drum during the drying operation, even when lint traps of various types are utilized.

Accordingly, in order to overcome the air-borne lint problem, a lint trap 104 is detachably mounted in the upper portion of the vertical duct 63. The lint trap shown in the preferred modification is adapted to be inserted and removed from the upper portion of the vertical duct 63 through the access opening 22 when the door is in its open position, and in order to present as large an area to the fluid flow as possible, the lint trap comprises an inverted V-shaped fine mesh screen 106 held in shape by means of a pair of resilient reinforcing edge bands 107 and a pair of spaced arcuate end strips 108. An arcuate skirt or grip element 109 is welded on the inner surfaces of each of the arcuate end strips 108 and cooperates therewith to provide a pair of outer corners or edges 111 which, when placed in position in the duct, snap over upwardly directed flanges 112 formed about the upper slot 87 in the horizontal passage 81 with the grip elements 109 extending downwardly in the passage. In this manner the lint trap is held in position during normal operation.

In order to remove the trap for cleaning, the operator merely reaches through the access opening 22, grasps the grip elements 109 and compresses the same to release -the,;edges or ,corners' lll 'frorri-the' upturned flanges, then ,pulls=the'lint" trap downwardly until it clears the duct. After cleaning, "tha procedure -for inserting the lint-trap is'reversedt Sh'ouldthe' operator fail to clean the lint trapfor an extended periodof tiine, theaccumulated lint'rnay slide or-rolloff the screen in the general form ofa ball or wadytherefore,apairofinwardly directed bent'arrns' 113-are secured to the inner'surface of the grip elements "109; the main-function of which is to hold the wads of fin'e lint to prevent them from fall-" ing back into the fabrics being dried. in addition, the opposite sides of the screen engage-and are guided by a pair of upwardly'directedwalls 114 which at the same time seal the edges of the trap andprevent-by-passing of lint around the screen.

Thus, it can be'seenthat as the heated air, vapor, and air-borne lint' travel or flowupwardly in the-vertical portion of the-duct, arelatively large screen area is presented" which preventsthe passage of lint-therethrough and collects the same on-the-under-or inside of-the' screen. 'Also, it is to be noted that since the 'air and vapor are merely rising by means 'of natural convec' tion currents and only a very low pressure is involved, the tendency for the lint to pack and be matted on'the screen Hi6 and choke oif the flow of 'fluid-through the same is for all practical purposes eliminated, "Due to the very loose accumulation of lint on'thescreen without packing or-matting, the'initially collected'lint acts in efifect as a filter for the later arriving'lintand it has a tendency to improve the filtering actionand' at the same-time offers very little or no'resistance to-the fiow of air and vapor therethrough.

The operation of a tumbler 'typeclothes drier of the type hereinabove described andg'incorporating the-fluid conducting, -moisture' collecting: and" lint trap features made in accordance :with'the" present invention is as follows:

The operator opens the door 96 and inserts the damp clothing to be dried into theinterior ofthe'imperforate drum 13 and the door is closed. Next, 'the' operator' manipulates the'control knob 26 to the-setting-correspending to the desired-"condition" ofdryness; 'This manipulation also energizes thedrive 'motor 16 to retatethe drum 13' about its horizontal axis and energizes the heatingelement 37" until -the-major portion-of the moisture is removed from the olothing.

As the interior ordryingchamber 33 of the drum is heated by means of the heating element 37,-aportion of the moisture in the clothing is evaporated along "with the air in the drum, and due to -the rotation-of'the drum the clothing is'agitated or tumbled in such a manner as to uniformly heat-the samez" By'referring toFigure 3 it can be' seen-that as-the drum 13 is rotated counterclockwise, looking in front plan, the elevating vanes 34 pick up the clothes inthe'lower-poition o'i' the drum and elevate-thesame upwardlyon the right hand side to adjacent the upper portion thereof; "*At this point the weight of-the-clothes and-the speed of rotation of thedrum aresuchthat gravity actingon the clothing-causes thesame to falldownwardly. in a tumbling manner to the bottom of -the drum out'of-contact with the now downwardly moving side of-=the drurn'. In-view of the-fact that the-drum is imperforate,

"with the-exception of--.the single central access opening 29, as the clothes-fall toward the bottomthe airand. -vapor beneath the same is-trapped between-the parallel sidewalls 28- and 32 and the--cylindrical--wall 27." Due to "the weight and speed of the falling-clothes, it com- -pressesslightlythe airandvapor thereunder andforces aportion of the same-"out-ofthe reduced access opening: 29 into the-cylindrical'passage 81'; thus the falling olothes act in effect as a pumping means. As theheated air-and evaporated-moisture leave the drying chamber" 33 thrdugh theraecess opening tit enters the cylindrical-portion? of -thw passag' S'I and; heoause? 'tfiroutlet'topening 'll'lz' dlSPOSCd above; thepmois ure colle tit is -hotter than the surrounding air, it flows-upwardly through-theslot 87-, through the-lint-trap-IM and-into I the-spassage 66 to produce a stack or chimney-effect in Y the ductsystem. With this arrangement a certain quantity of air will be drawn from within the confines of the-cabinet as shown bythe arrows in Figures 2 and3 upwardly through the lower open end 80 of the verticalportion 63 of the duct. Some of this airbypasses the collar 85 directly to the upper portion of the duct while the remainder passes through the openings or perforations 88 into the space 81- where it co-mingles with the heated air and vapor and passes through the airborne-lint trap 104 thence into the upper portion ofthe ;-duct-, through the horizontal section 64- and is discharged into the ambient atmosphere at the louvred opening 77 provided in the: rear portion of the. top of the cabinet.

In, addition, a portion ofthe air flowing past the access .opening 29 in the drum will be drawn into-the drying and be deposited on the lint screen 106 in the upper portion of the duct.

- Since the duct 63 and innerwall 98 of the closure 96 maybe at a temperature below the dew point of the w vapor, condensation may'takeuplace to acertain degree and as this occurs the condensate flows downwardly toward the bottom: of. the: cylindrical passage 81, passes through thelargetperforations 88 in the bottom .sector thereofand isdirected by the end 80 of the duct to themoisture collecting tray 89 disposed 'belowthe bot- "tom of the duct-and is collected therein. Also, during thetumbling operation, heavy :particles of lint may be thrown through the access opening intothe cylindrical section 81, and'when this occurs the heavier lint falls to-thebottom of the passage and a large portion is graduallyforced through the perforations 81 by articles the duct.

of clothing which occasionally, momentarily fall or are .wiped over the perforated portion of the passage.

vAs the'drum continues to rotate and while moisture is being. evaporated from the clothing, the vapor pressure building up within the imperforate drum also aids in the discharge of. vapor through the upper portion of When. the .major portion of the vapor is evaporated from the clothing, the temperature of the interior of the drum begins to rise and when ittapproachcs a predetermined high value the thermostat 61 carried by the drum is'actuated to de-energize the heating element I 37, howevenzthe rotation of the drum is continued for a:predetermined length of time in order to reduce-the -.z,-temperature: of the drum and the fabrics being dried. Afterthe drying operation has been completed, rotation of the'drum isstopped and the operator need but open the door 96 and remove. thedried articles from the chamber 33 through :then access opening.

"Referring now to .Figures 6.311(1 7, there is shown a tumbler-type clothes-driergenerally similar in construction' and, .operation to the previously described drier.

,withthe exceptions that the horizontal section 64 of the .fiuidgconducting passage 66.has been eliminated and iptheqairsbornelint,collecting traps location and construcl tion hasbeen'modified, Since like. .parts are given-like reference; characters, a detailed description of the general drier construction isnot deemed. necessary.

In this construction, as in the first-modification. the access opening-29 in the front wall or header 28 en- I compassesnthe horizontal passage 81 with the enlarged perforations 88 in the lower portion thereof and the .Lelongated slot'or opening 87 in its upper portion, and the'doublegwalledclosure or-door 96 carrying its gasket 102seals .ahoutthe'passage 81.

. JZThe lower; portion of the;;vertical; duct 3116 has its ing and heavy lint trap 89 in the usual manner, while the upper end 118 of the duct is flared slightly at 119 and terminates adjacent the top panel or wall 24 of the cabinet. The top panel is provided with a rectangular mating opening 120 having a downwardly directed flange 121 which fits within the flared portion 119 of the duct to position the same and to provide for direct communication with the ambient atmosphere.

As in the previously described modification, means in the form of a lint trap 122 having a relatively close mesh screen 123 held by a supporting frame 124 is provided to collect the light air-borne lint being discharged from the drying chamber 33 as it moves along with the vapor and heated air flowing upwardly through the vertical duct. In order to provide a screen with as large an area as possible to collect the lint and at the same time provide a minimum of resistance to the flow of vapor and air therethrough, the screen is disposed in the duct 116 at a relatively small included angle with respect to the front and back walls 126 and 127 of the duct. Thus, the lint collects on the underside of the rearwardly sloping screen over a large area with respect to the cross sectional area of the duct and remains relatively loose, and, due to the low air velocities, packing or matting of the screen is eliminated.

In order to readily remove the upper lint trap 122, the upper side of the frame 124 for the screen is rigidly secured to one side of the lower edge of a grilled frame construction 128 which is adapted to be disposed in the opening 119 in the top panel 24 of the cabinet to present a pleasing appearance.

Since the lint screen as formed must extend downwardly through the upper opened end of the vertical duct 116 and it is desirable to have the screens frame 124 engage the side walls of the duct at all points to prevent by-passing of the lint about the screen, the duct is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed tapered shoulders or lugs 129 for guiding or directing the lower end of the screen frame 124 into engagement with the back wall 127 of the duct. Also, the particular forward location and slope of the lugs 129 is such as to prevent the lint trap from being inserted improperly.

Whenever the operator wishes to clean this air-borne lint trap 122, she need merely grasp the grill 128 and lift upwardly and the screen carrying the lint on its underside is removed. Then, by merely washing or rapping the same lightly, a major portion of the lint will fall off the screen, and by inserting the lint trap with the proper side forward, the screen is again conditioned for collecting additional lint. However, should the operator fail to clean the upper lint trap and an excessive quantity of lint accumulate thereon, portions may fall Off from time to time, and in doing so a relatively large portion of this lint will fall through the enlarged openings or perforations 88 in the lower portion of the passage 81 and eventually be deposited in the heavy lint trap and moisture collecting tray 89.

During the drying cycle, the operation of the drier with the modified fluid conducting duct construction and lint trap is identical to the operation of the previously described construction in all phases, therefore, a further detailed description is not deemed necessary.

From the foregoing it can be seen that a tumbler type clothes drier has been provided with a means for collecting heavy particles of lint and moisture in the lower portion of the cabinet and fine or air-borne lint in the upper portion of a fluid conducting passage, and that this collecting of the lint and the disposal of the evaporated vapor is accomplished without the use of airmotivating fans or blowers and the like and is dependent entirely upon the natural convection currents created in a vertical duct or passage.

While I have herein described and upon the drawings shown illustrative embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto id but may comprehend other constructions, arrangements of parts, details and features without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. In a drier for damp clothing, the combination of a casing, a horizontally mounted drum within said casing, said drum having an access opening and being imperforate elsewhere, drive means for rotating said drum about its horizontal axis, means for heating said drum to evaporate the moisture therein, and an open-ended duct Within said casing defining a passageway that is substantially isolated from the remainder of the interior thereof, said duct having upper and lower ends in communication with the ambient atmosphere, said duct being disposed adjacent to and communicating with said access opening intermediate its ends for conducting the vapor from said drum upwardly through said duct for discharge into the ambient atmosphere.

2. In a drier for damp clothing, the combination of a drum mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis and having a single access opening about said axis and being imperforate elsewhere, means for rotating said drum about its horizontal axis, means for heating said drum to evaporate the moisture in said clothing, means including an open-ended duct communicating with the ambient atmosphere and said access opening for conducting the evaporated moisture therethrough for discharge into the ambient atmosphere, means for collecting air-borne lint in the upper portion of said duct, and means for collecting condensed vapor adjacent the lower portion of said duct.

3. In a drier for damp clothing, the combination of a drum for receiving said clothing mounted for rotation about its horizontal axis and having an access opening therein about said axis and being imperforate elsewhere, means for rotating said drum, means for heating said drum to evaporate the moisture in said clothing, a duct having upper and lower ends with an intermediate portion in direct communication with the interior of said drum, the upper end of said duct being in communication with the ambient atmosphere and the lower end of said duct being open to the ambient atmosphere adjacent the lower portion of said drum to permit the flow of air upwardly therethrough, a lint trap disposed in the upper portion of said duct for collecting air-borne lint, and a second trap disposed adjacent the lower end of said duct to collect condensed vapor and heavier lint falling downwardly through said duct.

4. In a drier for damp clothing, the combination of a drum mounted for rotation about its horizontal axis and having an access opening therein about said axis and being otherwise closed, means for rotating said drum, means for heating said drum to evaporate the moisture in said clothes, a casing for enclosing said drum and having an access opening therein in alignment with the access opening in said drum, a closure for said opening in said casing, a duct having upper and lower open ends with a horizontal passage therethrough intermediate the ends in alignment with said openings in said casing and drum and a vertical passage in direct communication with said horizontal passage, the upper end of said duct being in communication with the ambient atmosphere and the lower end of said duct opening adjacent the bottom of said casing to permit the entrance of air upwardly therethrough, a lint trap disposed in the upper portion of said vertical passage for collecting air-borne lint discharged from said drum, and a second lint trap disposed adjacent the lower end of said vertical passage to collect heavier lint falling downwardly through said passage.

5. In a drier for damp clothing, the combination of a base construction, a drum for receiving said clothes mounted on said base for rotation about its horizontal axis and having an access opening therein about said axis and being imperforate elsewhere, means for rotating said drum,- means-for heatingsaiddrum to evaporate the moisture in said clothingacasingfor enclosing said drum and having an access opening in 'alignmenfiwiththe access opening in said drum, aclosure -forsaid access -opening in said casing-ant inverted L shaped open- -ended duct-having a vertical sectionand a=horizontal section disposed-=between-said casing and said drum with itsupperopen -endindirect communication with the 'ambient'atmosphere and its-lower end open to theam- 'bientatmosphereadjacentsaid base topermit-thefiow of air upwardly therethrough; said ductfurther including a horizontalpassage in alignment with said access openings in'said cabinet and drum and indirect communication with the interior of the vertical portionof-said duct, a removable linttrap disposed in theupper portion of the vertical portion of saidduct for' filtering the-air-and ---vapor and collecting the'air-borne lint thereon, said trap being insertable and removable throughs'aid access opening in saidcasing, a'second: trap disposed adjacent the --lower end of-said-vertical portion of'said passageto:

collect condensed vaporand heavy -lint falling downwardly-therethrough, and-means -for-detachably securing saidlast mentioned trap to said base'construction.

6a A- lint trap for a' -horizon'tally"rotatable tumbler type clothes-drier,- said tumbler-having anaccess open? ing therein on its horizontal axis andbeing imperforate elsewhere, comprising anupwardly-extending duct providing a passageway'd-isposed adjacent said opening and in communication therewith; and a linttrap disposed in said-passageway for collectingtheair-borne'lint'flowing' from said drier through said duct.

7-. A drier fordampfabricsycomprising 'a horizontally mounted-tumbler for-receiving the damp fabrics and having an opening-about its horizontal axis; an upwardly extending open-ended-ducthaving upper and lower- -portions communicating"with -the-ambient atmosphere and having-anopening'intermediate its ends in communication"withsaid'opening in said tumbler, means for collecting air-borne lint in the upper portion of said -duct,-and means including a" trap for'collecting lintheavier than-air adjacent the lower portion of said duct.

8; A- 'drier for damp fabrics; comprising a rotatable container-defining a drying chamber, a'cabinetrsurrounding said container, aduct having upper and lower portions-directly'communicating with the ambient atmosphere disposed between said cabinet and said container and in communication with said container, theinterior of said duct being substantially isolatedfromthe interior of-said cabinet; and amoisture collecting tray and lint w trap disposed 'below i said duct for collecting condensed -vapor-and-lintfalling downwardly through said duct.

9. A'drier for damp-fabrics,-comprisingmeans defining a-drying-chamber, a cabinet or surrounding said means and having a front panel-terminating short of the rew inder f said cabinet, a duct having upper and lower.

. portions directly-communicating with the ambient atmospheredisposed between said front panel and said means and in communication withsaid'means, the interior of said ductbeing substantially isolated from the interior ofsaid cabinet, and a moisture collecting tray and lint I trap disposed belowsaid duct and front panel for collecting'condensed 'vapor-andlint falling downwardly through said duct.

= 10-; Adrier for damp-fabrics; comprising a base. member;. means defining a-drying chamber mounted on said basemember, acabinet surrounding said means and --having a front panel terminating short of said base member, aducthaving a*vertical-'portion disposed between said front paneland s'aidmeans and in communication with said means, the interior of said duct being substan-, tiallyisolated:fiom-the interior ofsaidcabinet, a-comr rtbinedurnoisture collectingtray and lint-trap disposed belowlsaid duct-for collecting condensed vapor" and lint mz'falling downwardly-through said duct, andmeans for a rdetachably securingsaid tray tosaid basemember. 1 1

12 11 A-drien -fopdamp 'fabrics comprisinga base mem- 'ber, ayhorizontally mountedrotatable drum having an ---access':opening-about its horizontalt'axis-and being imperforate elsewhere,-means for rotating said drum'about its horizontal axis, means for-supplying heat to said-drum to evaporatethemoisture in said fabrics, a casingsurrounding said drum-and having an access opening in alignment with said accesspopening in said-drum,- aninverted L shapedopen-ended-ductdisposed between said cas- :ing and said drum an'd having ahorizontal passage in alignment With-said access-openings and indirect communication withthe interior of'said-open-ended duct to conduct the vapor and lint away from said drum, a closure carried-bysaidtasingto'seal its access opening, a re- 15 rovable trap= for-collecting air and vapor borne lint-disposed in the upper'portion ofsaidduct, and a combined moisture and-=heavylint collecting t-rap disposed adjacent the lower open end of said duct.

12. A vapor and air -conducting--means--for a drum type clothes drierincluding a-- drum havingan I access-opening won its horizontal axis, comprising an open-'ended--duct havingavertical portion with a'horizon'tally disposed passage -therethr ough inalignment with the-opening in'said 1, drum whereby'access is gainedto said drum,-said-horizontal passage being provided-with'a wall-spaced from said. duct r and having means in direct communication with said open-ended ductintermediate its ends topermit the-flow of -air-upwardly--from--the-bottom of'said -duct,= around andacross said'horizontalpassage and for conductingheated'air and vaporientering said horizontal passage upwardly through the upper portion of said duct to discharge the air-'and-vapor from the upper end thereof, and means-for closing said horizontal passage on the side opposite said-access-opening in said drum.

13. A vaporand-air-conductingmeans for 'ahori- --zontally mounted clothes drier including a drum-having antaccess opening on its horizontal axis, comprising an open-ended duct having a vertical portion 'with a front -wall and-a rear-.wall'andopenings through said walls in- 40- termediatethe'ends of saidduct in-alignment with said access opening whereby-access is'gained to'said-drum, an

annular ring disposed in theopenings in'said front and rear walls to provide a'horizontal passage, said ring hav- 4 ing an uppefienlarged-opening and a series of lower perforationswherebysaid passage is indirect-communication with theinteriorf of-said-drum and said duct, and

closure means-for sealingsaid passageadjacent the front wall of said duct to permit the flow of airyupwardly from -the-lower-open-end of saidduct, around-andacross said horizontal-passageand'for conducting the heated air and I vapor entering said horizontal passage upwardly through the-upperportion Ofthfi duct'todischarge the air and vapor from the upper'end thereof.

it 14. In adrier f01'm0iSt" ClOflIiiflg,ih combination of a cas ing, a 'drum within said casin'gfor-receivingqsaid clothing, means-for rotating said drum about an axis within said casing, said-drum being imperforate except for an accessopening-coaxial with'saidaxis means for heating said-clothing to evaporate the moisture within said clothing, ductmeans having upper and lower portions vented to the-ambient;atmosphere in substantially isolated relation to the "interior; of-said casing, said duct meanshaving' an; intermediate portion, in. communicationwith saidopening for conduc,ting air-borne lint and vapor --away from said drum, and ,lint collecting. means disposed in said duct means.

15. In a-drienfor-moist clothing, the combination of a casing, a--drum-' within said casing for receiving said clothing, means-'for'rotating said drum about an axis within said' casing, said drum being imperforate except for an access-opening'coaxialwith said axis, means for heating said clothing to evaporate 'themoisturejwithin :said clothing,duct--mcanshaYiBgflPPQr and lower portions vented to the ambient-atmosphere in substantially -isolated relation to theinterior-of said casing,'said duct means having an intermediate portion in communication with said opening for conducting air-borne lint and vapor away from said drum, and lint collecting means remov ably disposed in said upper portion.

16. In a drier for moist clothing, the combination of a casing, a drum mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis within said casing and having an opening about said axis, means for heating said clothing to evaporate the moisture within said clothing, duct means having upper and lower portions vented to the ambient atmosphere and communicating with said opening for conducting lint and evaporated moisture from said drum, means for collecting lint in said upper portion, and means for collecting condensed vapor adjacent said lower portion.

17. A drier for damp fabrics comprising a rotatable drum having an access opening, a substantially vertical duct having upper and lower portions communicating with the ambient atmosphere and having an opening intermediate said upper and lower portions in direct com munication with said access opening, lint collecting means in said upper portion, and means for collecting heavy lint and condensed vapors adjacent said lower portion.

18. In a clothes drier, a casing; a rotatable drum having an open end, said drum being mounted in said casing; an unobstructed access duct extending from the open end of said drum to an adjacent wall of said casing; a door mounted exteriorly of said casing closing said access duct; the access duct having an air exhaust opening at its top portion, said exhaust opening communicating with an exhaust duct, a second opening located below and diametrically opposite said exhaust opening; and walls defining an enclosure below said second opening to receive heavy lint passing through said second opening.

19. In a clothes drier; a casing; a rotatable drum having an open end, said drum being mounted in said casing; an unobstructed cylindrical access duct extending from the open end of said drum to an adjacent wall of said casing; a door mounted exteriorly of said casing closing said access duct; the access duct having an air exhaust opening at its top portion, said exhaust opening communicating with an exhaust duct, a second opening hav- 14- ing the same circumferential extent as said air exhaust opening located below and diametrically opposite said exhaust opening, and walls defining an enclosure below said second opening to receive heavy lint passing through said second opening.

20. In a drier for moist fabrics, a rotatable drum adapted for rotation about a horizontal axis, said drum being imperforate except for an access opening therein arranged coaxially with the rotational axis of said drum, means for evaporating moisture from fabrics placed Within said drum, an upright duct having upper and lower ends communicating with the ambient atmosphere, said duct having front and back walls each being provided with access openings aligned with the access opening of said drum, the access opening in the back wall of said duct being connected to the access opening of said drum, and closure means for the access opening in the front wall of said duct.

21. In a drier for moist fabrics, the combination of a casing, a rotatable drum within said casing for receiving moist fabrics, said drum being imperforate except for an access opening therein arranged coaxially with the rotational axis of said drum, means for evaporating moisture from fabrics placed within said drum, an upright passageway having upper and lower ends communicating with the ambient atmosphere, said passageway having front and back walls each being provided with access openings therein aligned with the access opening of said drum, and closure means for said access opening in said front wall.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 996,700 Brinser July 4, 1911 1,160,650 Prims Nov. 16, 1915 1,358,599 White Nov; 9, 1920 2,262,186 Lindberg Nov. 11, 1941 2,424,737 Broglie July 29, 1947 2,486,058 Patterson et a1. Oct. 25, 1949 2,589,284 ONeil Mar. 18, 1952

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