The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 06, 1995
Filed:
May. 11, 1994
Charles W Hendren, West Chester, OH (US);
American Laundry Machinery, Inc., Cincinnati, OH (US);
Abstract
A laundry machine includes a drum having an opening through which launderable items may be delivered into and withdrawn from and a hopper unit that defines an internal passage between first and second open ends thereof. The hopper unit is pivotally attached to the laundry machine between an in-use position in which the second open end of the hopper unit is aligned with the drum opening for loading the machine and a non-use position in which the hopper unit is positioned remote from the drum opening to permit unloading of the drum. The hopper unit includes a closure member, mounted within the internal passage, that is movable between an open position wherein launderable items can freely pass through the internal passage and a closed position wherein the closure member closes the internal passage. With this arrangement, the hopper unit remains in its in-use position during both loading and laundering stages of operation of the machine and functions to reduce cycle time, increase machine capacity, improve safety and enhance machine efficiency.