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US 11,767,633 B2Granted
Drying appliance having an accessory port for providing external airflow for powered accessories
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorsRyan R. Bellinger, Seth E. Bixby, Timothy E. Heater, Jacob C. Ickes, Sayer J. Murphy, Giuseppe Netti, Michael T. Roche
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A laundry appliance includes a processing chamber positioned within a cabinet. A blower delivers process air through an airflow path and through the processing chamber. An accessory port is positioned on an exterior surface of the cabinet and coupled with the airflow path. The accessory port selectively redirects the process air through an accessory airflow path to define accessory process air. An accessory tool that selectively engages the accessory port to define the accessory airflow path.
Claims20
A laundry appliance comprising:
- a processing chamber positioned within a cabinet;
- a blower that delivers process air through an airflow path and through the processing chamber;
- an accessory port positioned on an exterior surface of the cabinet and coupled with the airflow path, wherein the accessory port selectively redirects the process air through an accessory airflow path to define accessory process air;
- and
- an accessory tool having an interface at one end that selectively engages the accessory port to define the accessory airflow path that is in communication with the airflow path, and wherein the interface further includes an air inlet port and an air outlet port, the air inlet port drawing external air into the air flow path, the air outlet port directing the accessory process air from the airflow path, through the accessory airflow path, and to a function site disposed at an opposing end of the accessory tool.
2 more elements
A laundry appliance comprising:
- a processing chamber positioned within a cabinet;
- a blower that delivers process air through a recirculating airflow path that includes the processing chamber;
- an accessory port positioned on an exterior surface of the cabinet and coupled with the recirculating airflow path, wherein the accessory port selectively redirects the process air through an accessory airflow path to define accessory process air;
- and
- an accessory tool includes an interface end that selectively engages the accessory port to define the accessory airflow path, the accessory tool including an opposing end having a function site, wherein the interface end of the accessory tool includes an air inlet port and an air outlet port, wherein the air inlet port directs external air into the recirculating airflow path, and wherein the air outlet port directs accessory process air from the recirculating airflow path and to the accessory airflow path, wherein one of the air inlet port and the air outlet port are in communication with the function site via the accessory airflow path.
2 more elements
A laundry appliance comprising:
- a processing chamber positioned within a cabinet;
- a blower that delivers process air through a recirculating airflow path that includes the processing chamber;
- an accessory port positioned on an exterior surface of the cabinet and coupled with the recirculating airflow path, wherein the accessory port selectively redirects the process air through an accessory airflow path to define accessory process air;
- and
- an accessory tool that includes an interface end that selectively engages the accessory port and an opposing end that includes a function site, the interface end of the accessory tool further including an air inlet port and an air outlet port, wherein engagement of the interface end with the accessory port selectively places the air inlet port and the air outlet port in communication with the blower for drawing suction air through the air inlet port and into the recirculating airflow path, and directing the accessory process air from the recirculating airflow path and through the air outlet port, one of the air inlet port and the air outlet port being in communication with the function site via the accessory airflow path.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.