Laundry drum insulation
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorMatthew E. BORGERSON
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A laundry appliance includes a cylindrical drum including a drum wall defining a receptacle for receiving laundry items. The drum wall includes a curved portion and a rear wall portion which define an outer surface which is susceptible to heat loss. The laundry appliance further includes an insulation composite secured to at least a portion of the outer surface to reduce the heat loss from the drum. The insulation composite includes a polyester material and an air barrier layer, with the polyester material being sandwiched between the drum wall and the air barrier layer.
Claims20
A laundry appliance comprising:
- a cylindrical drum including a drum wall defining a receptacle for receiving laundry items, the drum wall including a curved portion and a rear wall portion which define an outer surface which is susceptible to heat loss;
- and
- an insulation composite secured to at least a portion of the outer surface to reduce the heat loss from the drum, the insulation composite including a polyester material and an air barrier layer, the polyester material being sandwiched between the drum wall and the air barrier layer.
An insulation composite for a laundry appliance, comprising:
- a polyester material having a first side for securing the polyester material to a laundry drum, and a second side opposite the first side;
- and
- an air barrier layer attached to the second side and being substantially impermeable to air,
- wherein the air barrier layer traps heated air within the polyester material and between an outer surface of the laundry drum and the air barrier layer to reduce heat loss from the drum.
A method of providing a laundry appliance, comprising:
- providing a drum having a receptacle for receiving laundry items, the drum being configured to be mounted within an appliance body;
- and
- attaching a polyester material to at least a portion of an outer surface of the drum, wherein the polyester material is positioned on the outer surface to reduce convective heat loss from the drum.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.