Drying apparatus
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorsDonald Mark Tomasi, James I. Czech, David E. Scott, Brooke Lindsay-Steel Lau
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A drying apparatus for use in a drying device, having a surface and a first mechanism to at least partially hold an article relative to the surface. A second mechanism associated with the surface is operable to cooperatively engage with an air exit in the drying device, and is in air communication with an interior of the first mechanism. An airflow channel is formed between a portion of the drying device, the article, the interior of the first mechanism, the second mechanism, and an air exit in the drying device, facilitating more even drying of the article.
Claims21
A drying apparatus for use in a drum area of a drying device, the drying apparatus comprising:
- a substantially horizontal platform configured to at least partially support an article;
- a first mechanism on the platform, configured for at least partial insertion into the article, the first mechanism having an at least partially hollow interior, and the first mechanism including an air communication passage which allows air communication between the at least partially hollow interior of the first mechanism and the article;
- a second mechanism associated with the platform, the second mechanism operable to interface with an air exit in the drying device, the second mechanism in air communication with the at least partially hollow interior of the first mechanism, wherein
- an airflow channel is formed between the drum area, at least a portion of the article, the at least partially hollow interior of the first mechanism, the second mechanism, and the air exit.
A drying apparatus for use in a drum area of a drying device, the drying apparatus comprising:
- a platform configured to at least partially support an article;
- a cover configured to substantially enclose the platform;
- at least one air communication channel operatively connected to the platform and having an at least partially hollow interior, at least a portion of one air communication channel configured to be inserted in the article;
- and
- an air communication device operatively connected to the platform and in air communication with the at least partially hollow interior of the at least one air communication channel, wherein
- an airflow channel is formed between the drum area, an interior of the article, the at least partially hollow interior of the air communication channel, the air communication device, and an air exit in the drying device.
A drying apparatus for drying an article in a drying device, comprising:
- a duct unit having an at least partially hollow interior;
- a substantially rigid frame configured to extend from the back of the drum area to the front of the drum area for supporting one or more articles in the drum, the frame being connected to the duct unit and configured to hold the duct unit relative to the drying device;
- an air outlet member having an at least partially hollow interior and operatively connected to the duct unit, the outlet member having an opening, and the at least partially hollow interior of the air outlet member in air communication with the opening and the at least partially hollow interior of the duct unit;
- and
- at least one mount operatively connected to the duct unit;
- the mount having an at least partially hollow interior which is in air communication with the at least partially hollow interior of the duct unit, and the mount operable to hold the article, wherein
- the opening in the air outlet member cooperatively engages with an air exit in the drying device, and an airflow channel is formed between an interior portion of the drying device, at least a portion of the article, the at least partially hollow interior of the at least one mount, the at least partially hollow interior of the duct unit, the at least partially hollow interior of the air outlet member, the opening in the air outlet member, and the air exit.
A support device for use with a drying device, wherein the drying device includes a drying chamber for receiving articles to be dried with an airflow inlet and an airflow outlet communicating with the drying chamber and a mechanism for creating an airflow through the drying chamber via the airflow inlet and the airflow outlet during operation of the drying device, the support device comprising:
- a platform configured to at least partially support an article;
- a first support element on the platform, the first element configured to provide at least additional support for the article relative to the platform, the first support element having an at least partially hollow interior, and the first support element including an air communication passage which allows air communication between the at least partially hollow interior of the first support element and the article;
- a second support element associated with the platform, the second support element operable to interface with the airflow outlet of the drying device, the second support element in air communication with the at least partially hollow interior of the first support element, wherein
- an airflow channel is formed between the drying chamber, at least a portion of the article, the at least partially hollow interior of the first support element, the second support element, and the airflow outlet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.