Combination tumble and cabinet dryer

• US 20040194339A1
• Filed: 04/04/2003
• Published: 10/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Maytag Corporation (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Maytag Corporation (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Inventors: Roberts, Michael C., Schober, Stephen D., Johnson, Troy A., Tremel, Curtis J., Shipley, Kevin W., Bundy, Julie M., Nekic, Frank S., Birch, Lee R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,928,752 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 34/595
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 29/005 the other separate apparatus being a drying appliance
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/02 having dryer drums rotating about a horizontal axis
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/10 Drying cabinets or drying chambers having heating or ventilating means

Abstract

A combination tumble and cabinet dryer appliance includes a housing with a tumble dryer and a cabinet dryer therein. The tumble dryer and cabinet dryer are operable independently of one another. Separate sources of hot air are provided to each of the tumble and cabinet dryers. The cabinet dryer extends over and along one side of the tumble dryer. A portion of the cabinet dryer extends substantially along the height of the housing so as to receive long hanging clothes, such as a dress. Removable shelves are provided in the cabinet dryer for drying sweaters and the like.

Claims

1. A clothes drying appliance, comprising:

a housing;

a tumble dryer within the housing;

a cabinet dryer within the housing;

the tumble dryer and cabinet dryer being operable independently of one another.

2. The appliance of claim 1 further comprising a first source of heated air for the tumble dryer and a second source of heated air for the cabinet dryer.

3. The appliance of claim 1 further comprising independent heated air supplies for the tumble and cabinet dryers.

4. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the cabinet dryer extends over and along one side of the tumble dryer.

5. The appliance of claim 1 wherein a portion of the cabinet dryer extends along one side of the tumble dryer.

6. The appliance of claim 1 wherein a portion of the cabinet dryer extends substantially along the height of the housing.

7. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the cabinet dryer includes shelves.

8. The appliance of claim 7 wherein the shelves are removable.

9. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the cabinet dryer includes a shelf area and a hanging area.

10. A clothes drying appliance, comprising:

a tumble dryer;

a cabinet dryer; and

independent first and second sources of hot air for the tumble and cabinet dryers.

11. The appliance of claim 10 further comprising a single housing to integrally house the tumble and cabinet dryers.

12. The appliance of claim 11 wherein a portion of the cabinet dryer extends substantially along the height of the housing.

13. The appliance of claim 11 wherein the cabinet dryer is defined by a liner within the housing.

14. The appliance of claim 13 wherein the liner extends partially around the tumble dryer.

15. The appliance of claim 10 wherein the cabinet dryer extends over and along one side of the tumble dryer.

16. The appliance of claim 10 wherein a portion of the cabinet dryer extends along one side of the tumble dryer.

17. The appliance of claim 10 wherein the cabinet dryer includes shelves.

18. The appliance of claim 17 wherein the shelves are removable.

19. The appliance of claim 10 wherein the cabinet dryer includes a shelf area and a hanging area.

20. A clothes drying appliance, comprising:

a tumble dryer;

a cabinet dryer;

a housing enclosing both the tumble and cabinet dryers so as to define a portable unit.

21. The appliance of claim 20 further comprising independent heated air supplies for the tumble and cabinet dryers.

22. The appliance of claim 20 wherein the cabinet dryer extends over and along one side of the tumble dryer.

23. The appliance of claim 20 wherein a portion of the cabinet dryer extends along one side of the tumble dryer.

24. The appliance of claim 20 wherein a portion of the cabinet dryer extends substantially along the height of the housing.

25. The appliance of claim 20 wherein the cabinet dryer includes shelves.

26. The appliance of claim 25 wherein the shelves are removable.

27. The appliance of claim 20 wherein the cabinet dryer includes a shelf area and a hanging area.

28. The appliance of claim 20 wherein the cabinet dryer is defined by a liner within the housing.

29. The appliance of claim 28 wherein the liner extends partially around the tumble dryer.