Maytag Corporation

J Christopher Millet

Gary B Jackovin

Michael D Lafrenz

Pamela M Kuecker

Gregory K Harmelink

An improved access laundry appliance is provided for a cabinet defining an enclosed compartment. A cylindrical drum is rotatably mounted within the compartment and forms a fabric enclosure for containing laundry therein. The drum has an uncovered drum access opening through which laundry may be placed into and removed from the fabric enclosure. The cabinet has exterior front and top cabinet surfaces formed by cabinet front and top walls and includes a cabinet access opening therein adjacent the drum access opening providing direct communication through the cabinet and the drum access opening into the fabric enclosure. The cabinet access opening is formed at least partially in the cabinet front wall and at least partially in the cabinet top wall and has a perimeter extending therearound. The perimeter extends between first and second substantially vertical planes which are spaced apart from one another. A cabinet door is moveable from an open position providing unhindered access into the fabric enclosure to a closed position in covering relation over the cabinet access opening.

Access laundry appliance

Cabinet for clothes washer or dryer

A microprocessor controlled clothes dryer wherein the posture of a switch in the lint filter system is monitored and a signal to CHECK FILTER is displayed if the switch posture has not changed. The switched is a reed switch mounted stationary on the lint filter assembly and a magnet operator is attached to the removable filter screen. Movement of the filter screen into and out of filtering position in the lint filter assembly of the exhaust duct changes the posture of the magnet operated reed switch. Change of posture of the switch through its cycle impresses a change of voltage on the microprocessor. The microprocessor effects control over the CHECK FILTER signal that is visually illuminated on a VFD tube; such that, if the microprocessor sees the cycling of the switch the CHECK FILTER signal is extinguished.

Growing community of inventors

Newton, IA, United States of America

J Christopher Millet