Towel washing and drying appliance

• US 9,027,369 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2012
• Issued: 05/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stephen M. Mueller
• Original Assignee: Stephen M. Mueller
• Inventors: Mueller, Stephen M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barr, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): OSTERHOUT, BENJAMIN LEE
• Application Number:
  US13/372,994
• Publication Number:
  US 20120222453A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,183 Days
• Field of Search: 68/17.R, 68/3.R, 68/13.R
• US Class Current: 68/13.R
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 35/001 using ozone
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 45/12 combined with washing machines
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/12 having conveying means for moving clothes, e.g. along an endless track
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/16 having heatable surfaces for contacting the laundry D06F59/00 takes precedence

Abstract

The high energy usage and high water usage of conventional washing and drying, specifically for towels, is addressed with the present invention. The “towel-station” of the invention is a single-piece sheet-fed appliance to be located at or near the bathroom, shower or pool to efficiently wash, sanitize, dry and warm a towel. Dramatic savings of energy and water result over that of conventional washing and drying. An additional benefit is the availability to the user of a warm towel after bathing without the use of additional energy since warming is performed as part of the drying process.

Claims

1. A towel washing and drying appliance comprising:

a housing, said housing including an opening for introducing the leading free edge of a towel into the interior of said housing;

a feed table adjacent the housing for supporting said towel thereon;

gripping means within said housing for temporarily gripping the leading free edge of said towel as it is introduced through said opening;

drive means within said housing for holding said towel and moving it through the interior of said housing;

washing means within said housing for spraying water onto said towel as it is being moved;

electric heating means within said housing for heating said towel after it passes through said washing means;

said drive means being arranged so as to totally release said towel after it has been washed and dried and allowing the towel to fall downwardly, and

towel storage means located beneath said housing for storing towels that have been washed and dried and that have been released from said drive means.

2. The towel washing and drying appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein said housing includes an opening adjacent the bottom thereof and wherein towels that have been washed and dried pass through said opening into said storage means.

3. The towel washing and drying appliance as claimed in claim 1 further including a drying fan within said housing for directing heat from said heaters toward said towel being dried.

4. The towel washing and drying appliance as claimed in claim 1 further including an ozone generator and means for infusing ozone into said water.

5. The towel washing and drying appliance as claimed in claim 1 further including ultra violet lights located adjacent said storage means for sanitizing said towel as it enters said storage means.

6. The towel washing and drying appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein said towel storage means includes a door for gaining access to towels stored therein.

7. The towel washing and drying appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein said drive means includes a web that supports said towel as it is transported through said housing.