WO2013064578A1

WO2013064578A1 - A laundry dryer comprising a carrier

Info

Publication number: WO2013064578A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/071630
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bora Abdik; Serkan Kasapoglu; Can Sar
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2011-11-04
Filing date: 2012-10-31
Publication date: 2013-05-10
Also published as: EP2773805B1; TR201718650T3; EP2773805A1; EP3392394B1; EP3392394A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laundry dryer (1) comprising a drum (2) wherein the items to be dried are placed, a frame (4) located at the front side of the drum (2), having a loading port (3) that enables the laundry to be loaded into the drum (2) and to be unloaded therefrom, at least one connection member (5) that is located at the side of the frame (4) facing the drum (2) and a carrier (7) that is mounted to the connection member (5) to prevent the deformation of the items to be dried.

Description

A LAUNDRY DRYER COMPRISING A CARRIER

The present invention relates to a laundry dryer comprising a carrier wherein items to be washed are placed.

In laundry dryers, delicate items are damaged during the rotation of the drum in the drying process and items such as shoes may damage the laundry dryer during the drying process. For this purpose, carriers that can be mounted to/dismounted from inside the laundry dryer are known in the state of the art. However, in the state of the art while these carriers are mounted to the frame, the access of the user into the drum, especially under the carrier becomes difficult.

In the state of the art European Patent Application No. EP1690973 and Japanese Patent Application No. JP9220399, a carrier is disclosed, that can be detachably mounted to the frame in the laundry dryers.

In the state of the art United States Patent Application No. US2007119071, a carrier is disclosed, that can be detachably mounted to the lower portion of the frame in the laundry dryers. In the document, it is explained that in order to mount the carrier, first the filter has to be dismounted.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a laundry dryer comprising a carrier that provides ease of utilization.

The laundry dryer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof comprises a drum, a frame having a loading port, a connection member mounted onto the frame and a carrier that does not rotate together with the drum, having a body wherein items produced from materials such as satin, silk, etc. that are desired not to be damaged during the rotation of the drum.

In the laundry dryer of the present invention, the connection member is positioned on the frame at the level of the upper half of the drum. When desired to be used, the carrier is hung over the connection member. The connection member is positioned above the rotational axis of the drum. When delicate clothes or shoes are not desired to be dried, the carrier is dismounted from the connection member and taken out of the laundry dryer. Thus, more items are provided to be dried.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the carrier is hung over the connection member, the user may reach the base of the drum.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the connection member is mounted to the frame so as to allow the carrier hung over the connection member to sway back and forth when the carrier is pushed. Thus, the user reaches the portion of the drum remaining under the carrier body by moving the carrier.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier can be in two positions being hung over the connection member. In the first position, the base of the carrier touches the loading port during the rotation of the drum. In the second position, the user pushes the carrier, providing the carrier to move into the drum. The carrier may partially rotate with its center being the connection point.

In a derivative of this embodiment, when the user stops contacting the carrier while the carrier is the in the second position, the carrier returns to the first position with the effect of the gravitational force. This situation eliminates the need for the user to pull the carrier towards himself/herself in order to bring the carrier to the first position.

In another derivative of this embodiment, the laundry dryer comprises a stopper that enables the carrier to remain in the second position even if the user stops contacting the carrier while the carrier is in the second position.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the laundry dryer comprises an opening that provides to reach the base of the drum from under the carrier body. Thus, the user can reach the laundry located at the lower portion of the drum without contacting the carrier while the carrier is hung over the connection member.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier is produced by twisting and bending a wire. Thus, the carrier is easily shaped as desired.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier is of perforated structure. Thus, the surfaces of the items to be dried are provided to contact more hot air.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier comprises a U-shaped protrusion at its ends hung over the connection member, that is seated into the housing on the connection member and an extension disposed between the body and the protrusion, providing the carrier to extend from the loading port towards the drum.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the filter placed to the frame in order to retain particles such as lint, dust, etc. in the air in the drum is desired to be dislocated, the carrier does not prevent this action from being performed. The user can remove the filter by pushing the carrier to clean it, then mount it to its place.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the connection member is produced as integrated with the frame. Thus, production errors and waste of time are eliminated, that may occur during the assembly if these components are not produced in an integrated manner.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier comprises a foot that extends downwards from the body, providing the carrier to bear against the frame to be supported.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier comprises at least one handle that provides ease of utilization while the carrier is being mounted to the connection member and while it is carried by the user.

The model embodiments relating to a laundry dryer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention are illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 – is the perspective view of a laundry dryer.

Figure 2 - is the rear perspective view of a frame, a connection member and a carrier in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 - is the sideways view of a frame, a connection member and a carrier while the carrier is in the first position in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 - is the sideways view of a frame, a connection member and a carrier while the carrier is in the second position in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 – is the detailed view of a connection member and a protrusion.

Figure 6 – is the perspective view of a connection member.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Laundry dryer
Drum
Loading port
Frame
Connection member
Body
Carrier
Stopper
Housing
Protrusion
Extension
Filter
Foot
Handle
Opening

The laundry dryer (1) comprises

a drum (2) wherein the items to be dried are placed,
a frame (4) located at the front side of the drum (2), having a loading port (3) that enables the laundry to be loaded into the drum (2) and to be unloaded therefrom,
at least one connection member (5) that is located at the side of the frame (4) facing the drum (2) and
a carrier (7) that is detachably mounted to the connection member (5), having a body (6) extending into the drum (2), whereon the items to be dried are placed.

The connection member (5) used in the laundry dryer (1) of the present invention is positioned on the frame (4) at the level of the upper half of the drum (2).

When the user wants to dry delicate items in the laundry dryer (1), he/she mounts the carrier (7) to the connection member (5) and puts the delicate laundry into the body (6) of the carrier (7). When the user needs to access the base of the drum (2) during the use of the laundry dryer (1) with the carrier (7) or when the drying process is completed, it is not required to remove the carrier (7) in order to unload the items in the drum (2). The connection member (5) being aligned with the upper half of the drum (2) and over the frame (4) allows the user to reach the items in the drum (2) without taking the carrier (7) out of the drum (2).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier (7) is mounted to the connection member (5) by being hung.

In an embodiment of the present invention, while the carrier (7) is in the position of being hung over the connection member (5), it is allowed to access the portion of the drum (2) remaining under the body (6) of the carrier (7). Thus, the user can reach every point in the drum (2) when the carrier (7) is mounted.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when a force is applied to the carrier (7) while it is in the position of being hung over the connection member (5), it is allowed to access the portion of the drum (2) remaining under the body (6) of the carrier (7).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier (7) has a first position wherein it extends into the drum (2) by being hung over the connection member (5) and the items to be dried are loaded onto the body (6) and a second position it is brought by the user applying a force thereon and wherein it allows access at least into the drum (2). Thus, when the carrier (7) is mounted, the user can easily move the desired item from inside the drum (2) to the carrier (7) or from the carrier (7) into the drum (2) (Figure 3).

In a derivative of this embodiment, if no force is applied on the carrier (7) while in the second position, the carrier (7) automatically returns to the first position. Thus, it is not required for the user to apply additional force in order to change the carrier (7) from the second position to the first position.

In another derivative of this embodiment, the laundry dryer (1) comprises a stopper (8) that prevents the carrier (7) from returning to the first position when no force is applied on the carrier (7) while in the second position. Thus, it is not required for the user to apply additional force for the duration he/she desires to keep the carrier (7) in the second position.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry dryer (1) comprises an opening (15) arranged so as to allow the user to access at least partially inside the drum (2) through between the base of the carrier (7) and the side of the frame (4) facing the loading port (3). Thus, the user can reach the base of the drum (2) without applying force onto the carrier (7) when the carrier (7) is in the hanging position.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier (7) is produced by shaping a wire. Thus, the production cost of the carrier (7) is decreased.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier (7) is of perforated structure. Thus, the items in the carrier (7) contact more with air.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the laundry dryer (1) comprises a housing (9) arranged on the connection member (5) so that its mouth faces the drum (2) and the carrier (7) having a U-shaped protrusion (10) that is seated into the housing (9). Thus, the carrier (7) is provided to be easily mounted to/dismounted from the connection member (5) (Figure 5, Figure 6).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier (7) comprises an extension (11) that provides the body (6) to be kept spaced apart from the loading port (3) in the drum (2) by extending from the body (6) towards the connection member (5). Thus, the items in the carrier (7) are provided to be more efficiently dried (Figure 3).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the laundry dryer (1) comprises a filter (12) that is placed to the side of the frame (4) facing the loading port (3). In this embodiment, when moved, the carrier (7) allows the mounting/dismounting of the filter (12). Thus, the user can clean the filter (12) when the carrier (7) is mounted into the laundry dryer (1) (Figure 1).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the connection member (5) is produced as one piece with the frame (4). Thus, additional costs that may arise in terms of assembly are prevented.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier (7) comprises at least one foot (13) that bears against the side of the frame (4) facing the loading port (3) by extending from the body (6) towards the frame (4). Thus, the carrier (7) is provided to be properly supported during the drying process (Figure 2).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier (7) comprises at least one handle (14) on the body (6). Thus, the carrier (7) is effectively grasped by the user (Figure 2).

In the laundry dryer (1) of the present invention, with the carrier (7) being hung over the connection member (5) disposed at the upper half of the frame (4), loading and unloading processes can be performed while the carrier (7) is mounted into the laundry dryer (1), thus providing ease of utilization.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments. These should be considered within the scope of the protection postulated by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

A laundry dryer (1) comprising

- a drum (2) wherein the items to be dried are placed,

- a frame (4) located at the front side of the drum (2), having a loading port (3) that enables the laundry to be loaded into the drum (2) and to be unloaded therefrom,

- at least one connection member (5) that is located at the side of the frame (4) facing the drum (2) and

- a carrier (7) that is detachably mounted to the connection member (5), having a body (6) extending into the drum (2), whereon the items to be dried are placed.

characterized by

- the connection member (5) aligned with the upper half of the drum (2) over the frame (4).
A laundry dryer (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the carrier (7) that allows to access the portion of the drum (2) remaining under the body (6) thereof, while being hung over the connection member (5).
A laundry dryer (1) as in any one of the claims above, characterized by the carrier (7) that allows to access the portion of the drum (2) remaining under the body (6) thereof by moving when a force is applied thereon while being hung over the connection member (5).
A laundry dryer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the carrier (7) that has a first position wherein it extends into the drum (2) by being hung over the connection member (5) and the items to be dried are loaded onto the body (6) and a second position it is brought to by the user applying a force thereon when being hung over the connection member (5) and wherein it allows access at least into the drum (2).
A laundry dryer (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by the carrier (7) that automatically returns to the first position when no force is applied thereon while in the second position.
A laundry dryer (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by a stopper (8) that prevents the carrier (7) from returning to the first position when no force is applied thereon while in the second position.
A laundry dryer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by an opening (15) that is arranged so as to allow the user to access inside the drum (2) through between the base of the body (6) and the side of the frame (4) facing the loading port (3).
A laundry dryer (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the carrier (7) produced from wire.
A laundry dryer (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the carrier (7) that is of perforated structure.
A laundry dryer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a housing (9) arranged on the connection member (5) so that its mouth faces the drum (2) and the carrier (7) having a U-shaped protrusion (10) that is seated into the housing (9).
A laundry dryer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the carrier (7) that has an extension (11) that provides the body (6) to be kept spaced apart from the loading port (3) in the drum (2) by extending from the body (6) towards the connection member (5).
A laundry dryer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a filter (12) that is disposed on the side of the frame (4) facing the loading port (3) and the carrier (7) that allows the filter (12) to be mounted/dismounted when it is moved.
A laundry dryer (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the connection member (5) produced as one piece together with the frame (4).
A laundry dryer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the carrier (7) comprising at least one foot (13) that bears against the side of the frame (4) facing the loading port (3) by extending from the body (6) towards the frame (4).
A laundry dryer (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the carrier (7) comprising at least one handle (14) disposed on the body (6), that is used for carrying the body (6).