US2722057A - Clothes dryer - Google Patents

Description

Nov.' 1, 1955 Filed DeQ. 9, 1950 R. G. PUGH 2,722,057

CLOTHES DRYER 5 Sheets-Sheet l www,

'im unf y MM y @orggyf NOV- l, 1955 l R, G. PUGH 2,722,057

CLOTHES DRYER iled Dec. 9, 195C 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ZZ 97a R. G. PUGH CLOTHES DRYER Nov. 1, 1955 2,722,057

Filed Dec. 9, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 kia/@ggf R. G. PUGH CLOTHES DRYER Nov. 1, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed D60. 9, 1950 fzyefziar Win/W Rar/p 6. P/zgg MMM/n y 771W Nov. l, 1955 R. G. PUGH 2,722,057

CLOTHES DRYER Filed Dec. 9, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 nited States Patent() CLOTHES DRYER Ralph G. Pugh, Minneapolis, Minn.

- Application December 9, 1950, Serial No. 200,069

s claims. (cl. 34-75) l My invention relates to an improved clothes dryer characterized by highly efficient operation, low cost, and ability to produce dried clothes in good condition without discharging a damp air stream.

In clothes dryers for domestic use it is essential to provide a device that effectively and rapidly dries clothes without damage and yet requires low power in relation to the quantity of water removed from the clothes. In addition, it is highly desirable to provide a dryer that does not blow hot, humid, or lint-laden air into the room and yet at the same time embodies an air system that operates Without excessive cleaning requirements. The clothes dryer should also be of simple, inexpensive and readily manufactured construction and be small in size, and should produce odorless, well aerated clothes in a uffy, unsnarled condition, suitable for ironing or immediate use.

The clothes dryer of the present invention incorporates a completely closed air system which propels air longitudinally through a rotating tumbling drum. The tumbling drum is rotated at speed to cause the clothes to to drop from the upper portion of the drum to the bottom in a well defined orbit that is straddled by the longitudinal drying air stream. Just prior to passage through the drum, the air is heated to reduce its relative humidity so that as the clothes drop through the air stream the air rapidly takes up the moisture therein.

The closed air system which includes in part the rotating tumbling drum is defined by a duct structure in which an aspirator jet is located. The jet is positioned downstream of the tumbling drum and is supplied with cool water. As the water is propelled along the duct and reaches the zone of influence of the aspirator jet, considerable velocity is imparted to the air by aspirator action and at the same time the air is cooled and a considerable part of the evaporated moisture therein forms droplets which join the cooling water stream. The water stream further wets the lint in the air and causes the lint to deposit in part on the walls of the tube where it can be removed periodically or, in the case of light lint, the water droplets entrain the lint and carry it away. The Water droplets, together with the lint they entrain, are

caught in a suitable trap and discharged to a suitable sump. y

The cool air, having a low absolute humidity, is then ready for reheating and recycling.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an improved clothes dryer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved clothes dryer particularly suitable for domestic use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved clothes dryer embodying a completely closed air circulating system.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved clothes dryer that rapidly and effectively removes moisture from clothes and yet has small total power requirement in relation to the quantity of water removed from the clothes.

ice

Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved clothes dryer that aerates the clothes during the drying operation.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a clothes dryer that dries the clothes in a ulfy, unsnarled condition suitable for ironing.

Other and additional objects of the present invention are to provide an improved clothes dryer that does not discharge a heated, humid, or lint-laden air stream into the room; requires only readily available Water and electric services; is of small size and amenable to attractive cabinet design; and is so simple and automatic in operation that its operation can be mastered even by a casual user and yet is inherently safe.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. My invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a broken away view in perspective of a complete domestic clothes dryer constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and with the cabinet in phantom;

Figure 2 is a front elevation view of the dryer of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view through axis 3 3, Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view through axis 4 4, Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view through axis 5 5, Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view through axis 6 6, Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a View of the dryer of Figure 1 taken from the rear and in perspective with the cabinet broken away to show more clearly the interior thereof;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view through axis 8 8, Figure 4;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view along axis 9 9, Figure 4;

Figure l0 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view along axis lll-10, Figure 8;

Figure l1 is a schematic circuit diagram of the electrical energizing circuit for the dryer;

Figure l2 is a broken away view in perspective of an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and,

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view through axis 13 13, Figure l2.

Referring now to Figure l, the dryer comprises a horizontal tumbling drum 20 in which the clothes C are disposed for drying, the drum being mounted in a suitable cabinet K, Figure 2. Drying air is caused to flow longitudinally of the drum 20 from back to front as shown by the arrows A1. Upon travelling through the drum, the drying air evaporates and takes up moisture from the clothes C and then travels upwardly through the open end of the drum 2l) to the duct 22, as indicated by the arrows A2. The air is drawn through duct 22 (as well as the remaining portions of the closed air circulation path) by the aspirator jet 24 which is fed with cool water under pressure and is located at the .junction of ducts 22 and 26. At this time the air is cooled to a relatively low temperature and most of the evaporated moisture condenses out to join the droplets of water travelling through the duct 26.

After travelling through the duct 26, the dropletladen air enters the separating unit 28 which, as described in detail hereafter, removes the droplets from the air stream to produce at As an air stream of cool air without condensed moisture.

The air stream A3 travels into the rear disk-shaped air header 74 which has an array of fan-shaped openings 74a over its upper half. An electric heating element 78 covers each of these openings as shown so that as the air passes from the header 74 to the interior of the tumbling drum 20 as shown by arrows A4, the air is heated to a relatively low relative humidity to form an effective drying medium to take up moisture readily as it travels through the drum.

The construction of drum 20 is shown in Figures l, 4, and 9. As shown, the drum is dened in its interior by a relatively thin, impervious, metal jacket formed by ends disks 36 and 36a and by the intermediate cylinder portion 3S. The disk portion 36a is secured by welding or other suitable means to the arms 4Q, Figures 4 and 5, which come together at hub portion 40a to dene a spider. The hub 46a is joined to the shalt 42 which, as shown in Figure 4, extends backwardly from the rear of the drurn. As shown in Figure 4, the front end disk 36 extends forwardly at its inner periphery to form the sleeve 44 which in turn extends inwardly at 46 to mate with the outwardly ared end portion 48a of the access tube or sleeve 48.

The tumbling drum is supported for rotation about its longitudinal or horizontal axis by the sleeve bearing 49 which in turn is supported by the frame 50, Figure 7, this frame being defined by the three posts 50a and the horizontal rails 50h upon which they rest. A reinforcing plate 50c is welded to the junction of each post 50a and its rail 5011 as shown in Figures 4 and 7.

Each of the spider arms is joined at its end portion to an inwardly extending agitator blade or rib 52 as shown in Figure 5. These ribs are of rounded or U-shaped channel construction and extend to the front disk 36 of the tumbling drum. The ribs 52 aid in causing the clothes to partake of the inner peripheral velocity of the drum 20 to cause the clothes to travel upwardly with the inner surface of the drum.

Outwardly of the interior tube 38, the drum 2l) is encased in a relatively thick jacket of heat insulation, indicated at 54, Figure 5. This jacket is of light weight, lluffy fibrous material, such as cotton, and defines an effective heat insulating barrier to prevent escape of heat from the interior of the drum to the outer atmosphere. The jacket 54 is secured to the tube 38 by the straps 56. As shown in Figure 4, it extends over the front and rear disk-shaped walls 36 and 36a to prevent heat loss from them as well as from the tube portion 38 itself.

The drum 20 is rotated from shaft 42 by the driving connection that may be traced from shaft 42 to pulley 58 to belt 60 and pulley 62. Pulley 62 is driven by the pulley 64 from belt 66 which in turn is driven by motor 70 through pulley 68. These elements are shown in Figure 7.

Air is driven into the drum 20 from its rear end through the screen 72 (Figures 4 and 5) which is located within the confines of the rear disk 36a and is supported in part by the spider arms 40. The manifold or header 74, Figure 4, defines an air duct located directly behind the screen 72 and adjacent thereto. This header is formed in the shape of a half disk and at its front edge has a plurality of radially disposed support wings 76 which divide the same into a series of segments 74a as shown in Figure 8.

Each of the wings 76 has a plurality of holes which receive ceramic insulating grommets to support the heater coil 78 as shown in Figure 8, which coil at its end portions is connected to the insulated binding posts 80. The heater coil 78 is suitably energized as described hereafter to heat the air passing from header 74 into the drum 20 to a preset effective drying temperature.

The semi-circular baie plate 82 is positioned below and in the same plane as the front face of header 74, this plate being supported from the posts 59a and the tube 49a which carries the bearing sleeve 49. As seen best in Figure l, the screened end 72 of the tumbling drum 20 is positioned directly in front of and in line with the circle defined by the header 74 and the plate 82. Thus air from the header blows across the top half of the screen 72 and the bottom half of the screen is substantially sealed. This commutator action assures a uniform distribution of the drying air stream across the upper portion of the tumbling drum for rnost effective drying.

Air is discharged from the front end of the tumbling drum 20 through the discharge passage 84, Figure 4, which is formed in the upper portion of the fixed end ring and access passage sleeve 48. The discharge passage 84 is of rectangular cross-section and communicates directly with the rectangular duct 22 which extends above the drum 20. It will be noted that the air in travelling from the drum 20 to the passage 84 passes in a generally upward direction and partakes of this upward travel while still within the contines of the drum.

The xed access delining sleeve 48 is of shallow cylindrical shape. At its inner edge 48a it has a flange underlying the inwardly anged front edge 46 of the drum 20. At its front or outer edge 48b sleeve 48 is similarly llared outwardly as shown at Figure 4 and secured by welding or like means to the front wall plate 86. An access door 38 is hingedly secured to the wall plate S6 for movement to the open position (shown in dotted lines in Figure 9) for insertion or removal of clothes. This door is provided with an annular gasket 88a which lits snugly against the tlange portion 48!) of the element 48 to define an airtight closure.

A heavy lint trap, indicated generally at 90, Figure 4, is located at the bottom of access sleeve 4S in a position diametrically opposed to the outlet opening 84. This trap is defined by the arcuate U-shaped channel 94 which fits in a mating rectangular opening in the bottom of the access sleeve and is covered by a plurality of parallel arcuate ribs 92 to define a grating in registry with the inner facing of the sleeve 48.

In order to facilitate removal of heavy lint collecting in the channel 94, the entire lint trap unit is removably secured in the bottom of sleeve 43 by the use of a frictional fit or, alternatively, a drawer or similar means may be provided in the channel 94 and the channel and grating 92 permanently secured in place.

The duct 22 is of rectangular shape and guides the air radially outwardly and upwardly in relation to drum 29 as shown in Figure l. At the end of duct 22 the air travels into the circular duct 26 and into the Zone of immediate influence of the aspirator spray jet 24 which is located at the junction of these ducts as shown. This jet, as shown in Figure 9, propels a water spray backwardly along the tube or duct 26, which spray entrains the air and propels it backwardly as indicated at A5, Figure 9. The action of this spray in removing lint, cooling the air, and propelling the air, is described in further detail hereafter.

Water under pressure is fed to the aspirator nozzle 24 from the pipe 96, Figure l, which is connected to a suitable water source (not shown). Solenoid valve 98 is provided in pipe 96 to control the flow of water therethrough.

A circular access opening 97, Figure 9, is located on the front face of the duct 22 and is defined by mating openings in the duct 22 and the front plate 86 and by the bushing 97a. A rectangular hinged cover plate 9S covers or uncovers this opening as desired. Opening 97 is in registry with the duct 26 so that lint within the duct 26 may be readily removed by swinging clown the cover 9E and manually withdrawing the collected lint.

The separator 28 consists of a vertically extending unit reaching from the rear end of the duct 26 to the header 30. As seen in Figure l, this separator has a vertical duct portion 100 terminating in a tapered bottom 10011. Outlet pipe 102 extends from the bottom 100:1 to the pump 104 which in turn discharges collected water through hose 106 to a suitable water discharge sump (not shown).

A downwardly curved baffle or umbrella panel 100b is secured along one edge to the wall of separator 28 and in conjunction with the bottom 100:1 defines a U-shaped passage having its lower portion at the bottom 100a. The separator 28 has an opening immediately below this baille and is connected to the header 30 by the duct 108 which is tted over this opening and extends to a similar opening in the rear chamber of header 74.

As seen best in Figure 9, the header 74 is divided into a front chamber and a rear chamber by the perforated wall plate 31. The rear chamber `thus defined acts as a distributing chamber to provide air uniformly distributed to the front chamber 30 in which the wings 76 are located.

As the droplet-laden air travels downwardly along the duct portion 100, as indicated at A6, and then reverses its direction of travel as shown at A7, the heavy droplets continue their downward travel and collect at the bottom 100g. The air at A7 is accordingly freed of condensed moisture and is suitable for reheating by the heater 78 (Figure 8) to produce an effective drying medium.

Energizzng circuit The dryer is energized from a suitable voltage source, such as a center tapped 230 volt source, through the electrical circuit shown diagrammatically in Figure 1l, the source producing 115 Volts across terminals 108b and 108C and 230 volts across'terminals 10811 and 108e. When the unit is started from rest, the timer switch 110, Figure 2, is manually adjusted to the desired drying time and the operation initiated by axially shifting the control. knob of that switch. By this action the two time switch contact elements 112 and 114, Figure l1, are closed.

The time switch contact element 112 energizes motor '70, thereby starting the rotation of the drum 20 and the pump 104, the latter being driven directly by motor 70 through suitable means (not shown). At the same time the valve 9S is energized to release water'to aspirator jet 24 to cause the water spray in tube 26 to circulate air through the air system. Since the pump 104 is in operation, this water is collected and discharged through pipe 106. The switch 112 remains closed, and valve 98 and motor 70 remain energized for a time period indicated on the control dial of timer 110, Figure 2.

The timer switch 114 is closed upon initiation of the cycle of operation and remains closed until live minutes before the time period indicated on the dial of timer 110 expires. When this switch is closed, the source 109 energizes the heater 7 8 through the temperature control switch 116 and the temperature limit switch 118. Y

The temperature control switch 116 is actuated in response to the temperature of the air issuing from the drum to maintain the temperature thereof at a preset value, the value being determined by the position of the adjusting knob 116g, Figure l. The sensing element 116b is of the liquid expansion type and extends into the duct 22 as shown in Figure l. It communicates through Vthe tubing 116C with the switch unit proper (not shown) and acts to open the switch 116 when the temperature in duct 22 exceeds the value set by the control 116g.

The temperature control switch mechanism and time switch described above is well known in the art and need not be described in further detail here, since many known devices for this purpose will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

The temperature limit switch 118 is located at the inlet to the header 74 as shown in Figure 8. This may be any one of many switch structures wellknown in the art and acts, when heated above a predetermined safe operating temperature, such as 190 F., to open the energizing circuit to the heater 78. The switch 118 6 is of the automatic resetting typev to avoid the necessity of a manual resetting operation after it is actuated.

Operation Operation of the clothes dryer is initiated by placing clothes in the drum 20 through the access sleeve 48, the door 88 being opened for this purpose. The desired temperature and time for drying are then set by the control knobs at 116:1 and 110, Figure 1,4respectively, and the timer control knob shifted axially to close the switch contacts and start the unit, the door 88 being closed in the meantime to condition the unit for operation.

`Upon starting the unit, the motor 70, .Figure 7, is energized, thereby rotating the drum 20. The speed of rotation is such that the clothes C, Figures l and 5, ride up the side of the drum beyond the point B, Figure 5, and fall freely in a well defined path when they reach the areav of the top of the drum, indicated at D, Figure 5. In other words, the clothes adhere to the interior of the drum during part but not all of the cycle of rotation so that they drop freely during part of the orbit of motion.

As the clothes drop freely (as shown at E, Figure 5) thelongitudinal air stream issuing from the manifold or header 74` through the screen 72 irnpinges upon and straddles them. During this time the air stream is particularly effective for drying because it gains intimate contact with the various surfaces of the clothes due to their rotation and other movement and because the clothes atthis time are falling freely and are not supported in' any respect and assume a fluffy, easily penetrated condition.

When the dryer is operating most effectively it is possible by visual inspection to see a clear channel between the freely falling clothes and the wall of the drum in the region F, Figure 5, and a similar clear channel G on the other side of the falling clothes, together with a well defined path of fall of the clothes. In fact, by observing these channels alone, it is possible to determine whether the drum is being rotated at the best operating speed and to avoid deviations from this speed which reduce greatly the effectiveness of the drying apparatus;

The actual rotational velocity required to establish the abovel condition has been found to be approximately 9 percent greater than the peripheral velocity of the interior of the drum required to create centrifugal acceleration equal to the acceleration of gravity. Moreover, it has been found that this velocity is rather critical and that a one percent increase or decrease in relation to the optimum Value gives rise to a noticeable reduction in drying effectiveness.

The air stream flowing longitudinally of the drum 20 is a highly eilicient drying medium because of its temperature and low relative humidity. As it travels it evaporates water from the clothes and, in addition, entrains lint from the clothes. When the stream reaches the aspirator jet 24, it is propelled forwardly and, in addition, cooled. This cooling action drives the temperature below the dew point ofthe air and droplets of water condense out, adding to' the water spray. When this condensed water is removed by the separator 28, the absolute humidity of the air is equal to that of the air issuing through screen 72, although the air is saturated. Upon subsequent heating by the heater 78, the absolute humidity of the air stream is unchanged but the relative humidity falls to a very low value to create a highly effective drying medium.

Lint removed from the clothes by the air stream is collected in three ways, each effective as to one type of lint. The heavy lint, which separates by gravity from the column of air rising up to and in the opening 84, falls to the trap 90, Figure 4, from which it may be periodically removed. Lint so collected is shown at L, Figure 6. Fairly ne lint collects on the walls of the duct 26, as shown in L1, Figure 3, where it is periodically removed through the access cover 98. Finally, the very fine lint which normally tends to circulate repeatedly through the air system, becomes entrained in the water droplets from jet 24 or in the condensed vwater droplets and is disposed of by the pump 104.

It will be observed that the dryer 'of the present invention incorporates a sealed air system and neither removes substantial quantities of air from the space in which it is located nor discharges air thereto. Moreover, the heat introduced in the air stream by the heater 78 is largely removed in the water discharge of the vpump 104. Thus the dryer does not tend to heat the space in which it is located, humidify that space, or to discharge Vlint into that space.

Moreover, it has been found that the operation of the dryer above described is highly ecient and removes a relatively large quantity of water per kilowatt hour of expended energy. For example, an actual dryer was constructed in accordance with the following table and gave rise to an energy consumption of approximately one-third kilowatt hour per pound of water as indicated:

S21/ vf wide x 35%" high x 251/2" deep.

26" diameter X 161/2 12" diameter.

Galvanized steel (spotwelded). 48 R. P. M.

Cabinet dimensions Drum dimensionsn". (inside). Drum opening Type of drum Drum speed Insulation Glass wool. I-Ieate1 2 elements 2100 watts each. Motor 1t, l?

V 7l/q2 orifice.

Electric or mechanical (2 circuit). 140 to 190 F.

Water solenid Timer Adj. Oper. thermostat Hi-Temp thermostat-. 250 F. Max.

Water c0nsumption .5 gal. per min. at 20 lbs.

Watts (total) 4600.

Volts 230.

Water extraction rate. 9.37 lbs. per hr.

Energy consumptiom. 322.26 watt hours water removed.

The above power consumption is approximately half that required by dryers commonly used at the present time but not constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

The use of the critical speed wherein the clothes Vdrop through the current of cooling air not only gives rise to improved drying action as indicated by rapid drying, high eiciency, and maximum humidity of the air entering duct 84, but also liuffs the clothes in an attractive manner, assuring that no wadded wet spots exist and placing them in a convenient condition for pressing. In addition, the clothes are uniformly aerated to remove any odor and uniformly partake of the heat of the drying air stream, factors that contribute to the ease of ironing or otherwise treating the clothes and to the desirability of the dried clothes when used.

Figures 12 and 13 show an alternative form of the present invention. Each element corresponding to elements shown in Figures l to is indicated by like reference numerals and corresponding, though not identical elements, are indicated by like numbers with 200 added.

In the unit of Figures l2 and 13, the upward air flow through opening 84 passes into the generally horizontal outlet duct 222 which at its downstream end receives the downwardly directed aspirator jet unit 24 which is fed by pipe 96 in the same manner as described above in connection with Figures l to l0. Opposite jet 24 the duct 222 opens into the vertical aspirator tube 226 which receives the water issuing from aspirator jet unit 24. The lower terminus of tube 226 opens into the generally horizontal rearwardly directed separator tube 200 which at its downstream end opens into the generally vertical heater unit and intake duct 276 which heats the air and sup plies it to the header 274 for iiow into the drum 20.

The duct 222 is of generally horizontal orientation. However, its upper wall 222e has a denite downward slope to the aspirator jet unit 24. This slope aids in maintaining the dry condition of the duct portions adjacent the drum 20, particularly the vertically oriented per pound of portion 22-2b. This operation results from the fact that condensation in duct 222 takes place primarily on the upper wall or roof 222e and that the water so condensed adheres to 'this wall and rolls downwardly to the region of unit 24 where it combines into larger droplets which eventually fall into tube or duct 226.

The water from aspirator unit 24 which travels downwardly in tube 226 falls into the upstream end of separator tube 200. The drain 202g leading into pipe 202 is located in registry with tube 226 to receive the falling water so that 4it is rapidly removed from the circulating system. The floor 200e of the separator tube 200 is sloped towards the drain 202:1 as shown in Figure 13 so that any water droplets collecting on this floor travel towards the drain 202:1.

The aspirator jet unit 24 is oriented transversely to the general direction of air ow through outlet duct 222. This orientation O'f the aspirator jet is particularly effective in removing lint entrained in the air without causing the lint to mat into large clogging aggregations. It is particularly effective in this respect at relatively low water pressure at aspirator jet 24. The closed upstream end of separator tube 200 is provided with an access door 200b to facilitate removal of such lint as does collect.

The separator tube 200 is of relatively large size and does not involve abrupt change of direction of air ow. This tube accordingly presents relatively low resistance to air ilow. The heater 278, Figures l2 and 13, is disposed in the substantially vertical duct 276 so that the relatively dry air issuing from separator tube 200 is heated before it passes into the semi-circular disk-shaped header 274. The heater 278 is shielded from the interior of the drum 20 by the walls of duct 276 so that clothes in drum 20 are not exposed to direct radiation from the heater. In addition, the sensing element 216b of the temperature control unit is located in header 274 so as to be directly responsive to the temperature of the air actually impinging upon the clothes. The sensing unit 216b is connected to a thermostat switch such as 116, Figures 2 and 1l, and operates to deenergize heater 278 when the air temperature exceeds a preset maximum. The control thus achieved by the thermostat, together with the shielding of heater 278, prevents overheating and possible scorching of the clothes in the unit while at the same time permitting eicient drying operation.

In the appended claims I have referred to the end area of the drum 20 into which the air is injected as an incomplete part of the area swept by the end of the drum. Since this area is not a full annulus or a full circle coaxial with the drum, it is necessary to aperture the drum end in a way that inherently involves movement of the drum aperture outside the contines of the area into which the air is injected. Fixed baie 82 covers this area so that the drum is sealed despite this action.

Also, in the appended claims I have referred to the duct 222, Figure 12, as in part overlying the clothes container since drops of water can fall from this duct onto the access duct 48b. This drip is prevented by the slope on the roof 222e of the duct 222 which slopes to cause the droplets to fall into vertical tube 226.

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of my invention, it will of course be understood that I do not wish to be limited thereto and that many modications and alternative constructions may be made Without departing from the true spirit and scope thereof. I therefore intend by the appended claims to cover all modifications and alternative constructions coming within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim vas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. In a clothes dryer; a casing; a rotatable drum mounted within said casing, said drum having an open access end, the other end of the drum being closed by a foraminous screen; means to direct a stream of drying air into a restricted portion of said screen; a stationary imperforate baie tixedly mounted with respect to said casing exteriorly of and adjacent said screen and covering the remaining area of said screen; access door means in the casing adjacent the open end of the drum; means defining an air outlet duct located adjacent the access door means; and means operable to rotate the drum at a velocity to cause the clothes to fall freely in a well dened path through the air stream during part of their orbit of travel.

2. In a clothes dryer; a casing; a rotatable drum mounted within said casing, said drum having an open access end, the other end of the drum being closed by a circular foraminous screen; means to direct a stream of drying air into the upper half of said screen; a stationary imperforate baflle xedly mounted with respect to said casing exteriorly of and adjacent said screen and covering the lower half of said screen; access door means in the casing adjacent the open end of the drum; means deiining an air outlet duet located adjacent the access door means; and means operable to rotate the drum at a velocity to cause the clothes to fall freely in a well delined path through the air stream during part of their orbit of travel.

3. A clothes dryer including in combination, a clothes tumbling drum open at one end, means to direct a drying air stream into the drum through said end, means located at the opposite end of the drum defining a horizontal access duct, said means having an air escape opening on the top of the access duct, a heavy lint trap located below and in registry with the air escape opening, means defining an air return duct from the air escape opening to the first means, said last means including an elongated tube having an aspirator jet and a readily detachable access cover to expose said tube for cleaning,

and means to remove liquid water and lint entrained thereby from the air prior to reintroduction into the drum.

4. In a clothes dryer of the type wherein a stream of heated air travels through a clothes container to dry clothes therein, the improvement comprising a substantially horizontal outlet duct in part overlaying the container to receive air travelling in generally upward direction from the container, and a substantially vertical tube located downstream of the duct, said duct having a substantially horizontal bottom wall and a top wall slanting downwardly with respect to the bottom wall to drain moisture condensed on said top wall toward said vertical tube.

5. ln a clothes dryer of the type wherein a stream of heated air travels through a clothes container to dry clothes therein, the improvement comprising an outlet duct to receive air travelling in generally upward direction from the container and oriented in substantially a horizontal position with its roof sloping downwardly towards its downstream end to direct condensed moisture droplets in the downstream direction, a vertical tube disposed at the downstream end of the outlet duct, a substantially horizontal separator tube located at the downstream end of the vertical tube and having its loor sloping downwardly towards the vertical tube and a drain opening substantially in registry with the vertical tube.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 418,773 Van Osdel Ian. 7, 1890 1,179,192 Kleinschmidt Apr. 11, 1916 1,228,989 Tiemann June 5, 1917 1,442,179 Schneible Jan. 16, 1923 1,756,992 Quiggle May 6, 1930 1,828,877 Scott Oct. 27, 1931 2,057,259 Woli Oct. 13, 1936 2,074,508 Hetzer Mar. 23, 1937 2,079,280 Couch May 4, 1937 2,108,084 Strobridge Feb. 15, 1938 2,219,233 Locke Oct. 22, 1940 2,333,000 Goyrng Oct. 26, 1943 2,363,467 Strobridge Nov. 21, 1944 2,393,380 Jorgenson et al. Jan. 22, 1946 2,451,692 Pugh Oct. 19, 1948 2,453,859 Pugh Nov. 16, 1948 2,486,058 Patterson et al Oct. 25, 1949 2,503,329 Geldhof et al. Apr. 11, 1950 2,521,712 Geldhof Sept. 12, 1950 2,539,407 Dinley `lan. 30, 1951 2,589,284 ONeil Mar. 18, 1952 2,590,295 Constantine Mar. 25, 1952

Images