US3866333A — Dehumidifier for air utilized in laundry drying

Claim 1

Independent Claim 213 words

A dehumidifier for removing water from heated, moisture laden air produced during the drying of laundry, the dehumidifier being mounted in a laundry machine of the type having a generally rectangular cabinet provided with a generally vertical forward wall, the dehumidifier comprising, a generally rectangular housing mounted within the cabinet, a plurality of generally horizontal, water filled, shallow trays mounted within said housing in overlapped, vertically spaced relation, said trays extending in a generally longitudinal direction with the flow of water along each said tray being from one longitudinal end to the other, each said tray further including adjacent its downstream end an overflow pipe positioned transversely at approximately the center of said tray, said overflow pipe extending upwardly in such relation to the vertical dimensions of said tray that overflow of water occurs only when said tray is nearly filled with water, each being configured so as to have longitudinally extending, downwardly curved portions positioned on either transverse side of said overflow pipe with a drain opening positioned at the lowest point of curvature, said trays being arranged to cause a downward zigzag flow of water from one said tray to the next, and means for guiding the air across said trays to cause the air to be cooled and dehumidified thereby.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 213 words

A dehumidifier for removing water from heated, moisture laden air produced during the drying of laundry, the dehumidifier being mounted in a laundry machine of the type having a generally rectangular cabinet provided with a generally vertical forward wall, the dehumidifier comprising, a generally rectangular housing mounted within the cabinet, a plurality of generally horizontal, water filled, shallow trays mounted within said housing in overlapped, vertically spaced relation, said trays extending in a generally longitudinal direction with the flow of water along each said tray being from one longitudinal end to the other, each said tray further including adjacent its downstream end an overflow pipe positioned transversely at approximately the center of said tray, said overflow pipe extending upwardly in such relation to the vertical dimensions of said tray that overflow of water occurs only when said tray is nearly filled with water, each being configured so as to have longitudinally extending, downwardly curved portions positioned on either transverse side of said overflow pipe with a drain opening positioned at the lowest point of curvature, said trays being arranged to cause a downward zigzag flow of water from one said tray to the next, and means for guiding the air across said trays to cause the air to be cooled and dehumidified thereby.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 207 words

A dehumidifier for removing water from heated, moistuRe laden air produced during the drying of laundry the dehumidifier being mounted in a laundry machine of the type having a generally rectangular cabinet provided with a generally vertical forward wall, the dehumidifier comprising, a plurality of generally horizontal, water filled, shallow trays, a generally rectangular housing mounted within the cabinet, said trays being mounted within said housing in overlapped, vertically spaced relation and being arranged so as to cause a downward zigzag flow of water from one tray to the next, said housing extending in a rearward direction from the forward wall of the cabinet, and including a first downwardly and rearwardly inclined protion spaced above and adjacent a leading end of the uppermost of said trays, said first portion of said housing directing the flow of air downwardly against said tray, a second inclined portion of said housing extending from a position adjacent the rear edge of said first portion inclined upwardly and extending rearwardly, and a third portion of said housing extending vertically between the adjacent ends of said first and second inclined portions of said housing, and means for guiding the air across said trays to cause the air to be cooled and dehumidified thereby.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 207 words

A dehumidifier for removing water from heated, moistuRe laden air produced during the drying of laundry the dehumidifier being mounted in a laundry machine of the type having a generally rectangular cabinet provided with a generally vertical forward wall, the dehumidifier comprising, a plurality of generally horizontal, water filled, shallow trays, a generally rectangular housing mounted within the cabinet, said trays being mounted within said housing in overlapped, vertically spaced relation and being arranged so as to cause a downward zigzag flow of water from one tray to the next, said housing extending in a rearward direction from the forward wall of the cabinet, and including a first downwardly and rearwardly inclined protion spaced above and adjacent a leading end of the uppermost of said trays, said first portion of said housing directing the flow of air downwardly against said tray, a second inclined portion of said housing extending from a position adjacent the rear edge of said first portion inclined upwardly and extending rearwardly, and a third portion of said housing extending vertically between the adjacent ends of said first and second inclined portions of said housing, and means for guiding the air across said trays to cause the air to be cooled and dehumidified thereby.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 204 words

A dehumidifier for removing water from heated, moisture laden air produced during the drying of laundry, the dehumidifier being mounted in a laundry machine of the type having a generally rectangular cabinet provided with a generally vertical forward wall, the dehumidifier comprising, a plurality of generally horizontal, water filled shallow trays, a generally rectangular housing mounted within the cabinet, said trays being mounted within said housing in overlapped, vertically spaced relation and being arranged so as to cause a downward zigzag flow of water from one tray to the next, said housing extending in a rearward direction from the forward wall of the cabinet and including a first downwardly and rearwardly inclined portion spaced above and adjacent a leading end of the uppermost of said trays, said first portion of said housing directing the flow of air downwardly against said tray, a second inclined portion of said housing extending from a position adjacent the rear edge of said first portion inclined upwardly and extending rearwardly, and a dependent, transversely extending lip secured to said second inclined portion of said housing adjacent the rear end thereof, and means for guiding the air across said trays to cause the air to be cooled and dehumidified thereby.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 204 words

A dehumidifier for removing water from heated, moisture laden air produced during the drying of laundry, the dehumidifier being mounted in a laundry machine of the type having a generally rectangular cabinet provided with a generally vertical forward wall, the dehumidifier comprising, a plurality of generally horizontal, water filled shallow trays, a generally rectangular housing mounted within the cabinet, said trays being mounted within said housing in overlapped, vertically spaced relation and being arranged so as to cause a downward zigzag flow of water from one tray to the next, said housing extending in a rearward direction from the forward wall of the cabinet and including a first downwardly and rearwardly inclined portion spaced above and adjacent a leading end of the uppermost of said trays, said first portion of said housing directing the flow of air downwardly against said tray, a second inclined portion of said housing extending from a position adjacent the rear edge of said first portion inclined upwardly and extending rearwardly, and a dependent, transversely extending lip secured to said second inclined portion of said housing adjacent the rear end thereof, and means for guiding the air across said trays to cause the air to be cooled and dehumidified thereby.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 188 words

A dehumidifier for removing water from heated, moisture laden air produced during the drying of laundry, the dehumidifier being mounted in a laundry machine of the type having a generally rectangular cabinet provided with a generally vertical forward wall, the dehumidifier comprising, a generally rectangular housing mounted within the cabinet, a plurality of generally horizontal, water filled, shallow trays mounted within said housing in overlapped, vertically spaced relation, said trays being arranged to cause a downward zigzag flow of water from one said tray to the next; means for guiding the air across said trays to cause the air to be cooled and dehumidified thereby; a vertical duct extending into a forward end of said housing, said duct having an upper end positioned outside said housing supplied with the heated, moisture laden air, and an open, discharge end positioned near the bottom of said housing adjacent a forward end thereof, said trays having their forward ends positioned adjacent and spaced from said duct extending rearwardly therefrom, said duct decreasing progressively in cross-sectional area toward said discharge end thereby increasing the velocity of the air flow entering said housing.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 188 words

A dehumidifier for removing water from heated, moisture laden air produced during the drying of laundry, the dehumidifier being mounted in a laundry machine of the type having a generally rectangular cabinet provided with a generally vertical forward wall, the dehumidifier comprising, a generally rectangular housing mounted within the cabinet, a plurality of generally horizontal, water filled, shallow trays mounted within said housing in overlapped, vertically spaced relation, said trays being arranged to cause a downward zigzag flow of water from one said tray to the next; means for guiding the air across said trays to cause the air to be cooled and dehumidified thereby; a vertical duct extending into a forward end of said housing, said duct having an upper end positioned outside said housing supplied with the heated, moisture laden air, and an open, discharge end positioned near the bottom of said housing adjacent a forward end thereof, said trays having their forward ends positioned adjacent and spaced from said duct extending rearwardly therefrom, said duct decreasing progressively in cross-sectional area toward said discharge end thereby increasing the velocity of the air flow entering said housing.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 69 words

A dehumidifier as defined in claim 4 wherein said housing is positioned adjacent the front wall of the cabinet of the machine, and includes a forward wall defined by an adjacent portion of the forward wall of the cabinet, said housing further comprising a service door mounted in said housing forward wall for providing access to the interior of said housing and means for removably mounting said trays therewithin.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 55 words

A dehumidifier as defined in claim 4 wherein each of said trays is formed of sheet material provided with raised beads along its peripheral edges, said trays being arranged at a slight inclination to the horizontal and being provided with raised projections extending substantially transversely to the flow direction of the water within said tray.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 31 words

A dehumidifier as defined in claim 4 further including, a sump in the bottom of said housing for collecting water, said sump positioned vertically beneath said discharge end of said duct.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 46 words

A dehumidifier as defined in claim 4 wherein said housing further includes, guiding surfaces connected with said housing extending downwardly and toward the upper surface of the uppermost of said trays for guiding the flow of air against the water in said uppermost of said trays.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 182 words

A dehumidifier for removing water from heated, moisture laden air produced during the drying of laundry, the dehumidifier being mounted in a laundry machine of the type having a generally rectangular cabinet provided with a generally vertical forward wall, the dehumidifier comprising, a generally rectangular housing mounted within the cabinet, a plurality of generally horizontal, water filled, shallow trays mounted within said housing in overlapped, vertically spaced relation, said trays being arranged to cause a downward zigzag flow of water from one said try to the next, said trays extending in a generally longitudinal direction with the flow of water along each said tray being from one longitudinal end to the other, each of said trays further including adjacent its downstream end, and overflow pipe positioned transversely at approximately the center of said tray, said overflow pipe extending upwardly in such relation to the vertical dimensions of said tray that overflow of water occurs only when said tray is nearly filled with water; and means for guiding the air across said trays to cause the air to be cooled and dehumidified thereby.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 182 words

A dehumidifier for removing water from heated, moisture laden air produced during the drying of laundry, the dehumidifier being mounted in a laundry machine of the type having a generally rectangular cabinet provided with a generally vertical forward wall, the dehumidifier comprising, a generally rectangular housing mounted within the cabinet, a plurality of generally horizontal, water filled, shallow trays mounted within said housing in overlapped, vertically spaced relation, said trays being arranged to cause a downward zigzag flow of water from one said try to the next, said trays extending in a generally longitudinal direction with the flow of water along each said tray being from one longitudinal end to the other, each of said trays further including adjacent its downstream end, and overflow pipe positioned transversely at approximately the center of said tray, said overflow pipe extending upwardly in such relation to the vertical dimensions of said tray that overflow of water occurs only when said tray is nearly filled with water; and means for guiding the air across said trays to cause the air to be cooled and dehumidified thereby.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 70 words

A dehumidifier as defined in claim 9 further including, a vertical duct extending into a forward end of said housing, said duct having, an upper end positioned outside said housing supplied with the heated, moisture laden air; and an open, discharge end positioned near the bottom of said housing adjacent a forward end thereof, said trays having their forward ends positioned adjacent and spaced from said duct extending rearwardly therefrom.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 37 words

A dehumidifier as defined in claim 9 wherein said overflow pipe of at least one of said trays has its lower end immersed below the water level in the next of said trays underneath said one tray.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 206 words

A laundry dryer of the type including a generally rectangular cabinet in which is mounted a perforated drum rotating about a horizontal axis and in which heated air is passed through the drum to dry the laundry, access to the interior of the drum being through an opening defined by an annular wall extending concentrically into the drum through the cabinet, the annular wall being provided at one point with a peripherally extending outlet slot for the passage of air leaving the drum, the laundry dryer including, a generally rectangular housing mounted within the cabinet below the drum, a plurality of generally horizontal, water filled shallow trays mounted within said housing in overlapped vertically spaced relation, said trays being arranged to cause a downward zigzag flow of water from one said try to the next, a duct communicating with said opening in said annular wall, said duct extending downwardly through said housing to a position adjacent the bottom thereof, air discharged from said drum passing across the trays within said housing thereby cooling and dehumidifying the Air; and a lint filter connected with said duct overlying said opening, said lint filter having a narrow slit shaped opening therein extending across the entire width of said filter.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 206 words

A laundry dryer of the type including a generally rectangular cabinet in which is mounted a perforated drum rotating about a horizontal axis and in which heated air is passed through the drum to dry the laundry, access to the interior of the drum being through an opening defined by an annular wall extending concentrically into the drum through the cabinet, the annular wall being provided at one point with a peripherally extending outlet slot for the passage of air leaving the drum, the laundry dryer including, a generally rectangular housing mounted within the cabinet below the drum, a plurality of generally horizontal, water filled shallow trays mounted within said housing in overlapped vertically spaced relation, said trays being arranged to cause a downward zigzag flow of water from one said try to the next, a duct communicating with said opening in said annular wall, said duct extending downwardly through said housing to a position adjacent the bottom thereof, air discharged from said drum passing across the trays within said housing thereby cooling and dehumidifying the Air; and a lint filter connected with said duct overlying said opening, said lint filter having a narrow slit shaped opening therein extending across the entire width of said filter.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 29 words

A dehumididfier as defined in claim 12 wherein said slit is positioned peripherally in the last third of said lint filter in the direction of rotation of the drum.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 30 words

A laundry dryer as defined in claim 12 further includding, rigid flanges connected with said annular wall extending along and stiffening the edges of said slit in said lint filter.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 201 words

A dehumidifier for removing water from heated, moisture laden air produced during the drying of laundry, the dehumidifier being mounted in a laundry machine of the type having a generally rectangular cabinet provided with a generally vertical forward wall, the dehumidifier comprising, a generally rectangular housing mounted within the cabinet, a plurality of generlly horizontal, water filled, shallow trays mounted within said housing in overlapped, vertically spaced relation, said trays being arranged to cause a downward zigzag flow of water from one said tray to the next; means for guiding the air across said trays to cause the air to be cooled and dehumidified thereby; a vertical duct extending into a forward end of said housing, said duct having an upper end positioned outside said housing supplied with the heated, moisture laden air, and an open, discharge end positioned near the bottom of said housing adjacent a forward end thereof, said trays having their forward ends positioned adjacent and spaced from said duct extending rearwardly therefrom, said duct further including a vertically extending rear wall adjacent said trays, and a second wall disposed in closely spaced generally coextensive, parallel relation to said rear wall, said walls defining an insulating space therebetween.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 201 words

A dehumidifier for removing water from heated, moisture laden air produced during the drying of laundry, the dehumidifier being mounted in a laundry machine of the type having a generally rectangular cabinet provided with a generally vertical forward wall, the dehumidifier comprising, a generally rectangular housing mounted within the cabinet, a plurality of generlly horizontal, water filled, shallow trays mounted within said housing in overlapped, vertically spaced relation, said trays being arranged to cause a downward zigzag flow of water from one said tray to the next; means for guiding the air across said trays to cause the air to be cooled and dehumidified thereby; a vertical duct extending into a forward end of said housing, said duct having an upper end positioned outside said housing supplied with the heated, moisture laden air, and an open, discharge end positioned near the bottom of said housing adjacent a forward end thereof, said trays having their forward ends positioned adjacent and spaced from said duct extending rearwardly therefrom, said duct further including a vertically extending rear wall adjacent said trays, and a second wall disposed in closely spaced generally coextensive, parallel relation to said rear wall, said walls defining an insulating space therebetween.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1978-02-17	1978-08-19	1979-02-18	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1982-02-17	1982-08-19	1983-02-18	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1986-02-17	1986-08-19	1987-02-18	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Dehumidifier for air utilized in laundry drying

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