Abstract:
A dryer seal. The seal includes a first layer of fibrous material adapted to be disposed in contacting relation with a rotating dryer drum and at least one underlying layer held in melt bonded relation to a support structure.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application 60/657,675 having a filing date of Mar. 1, 2005, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     This invention relates to a dryer seal and more particularly to a dryer seal providing a bearing surface to support the drum. The seal is adapted to be suitable for meltable bonding to an underlying surface such as a portion of a forward air duct thereby providing a bearing seal that both supports the drum and blocks undesired air flow.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Automatic clothes dryers typically include a housing (also known as a bulkhead) and a rotating drum supported within the housing. It is known to use seal elements in the form of rings of felt which may be disposed between the housing and the drum so as to bear against the drum as it rotates. The use of a sealing element is desirable to prevent air leakage between the drum and the clothes dryer cabinet which could detrimentally affect the air flow system of the dryer.  
         [0004]     It is known to utilize seals in the form of ring structures of fibrous material adhesively bonded to a supporting structural member so as to block undesired air flow. While such structures may be effective in blocking the air flow, their assembly utilizing adhesives may be problematic due to the need for precision placement in order to meet tight tolerances. Moreover, over time and exposure to heat, the adhesives may begin to degrade thereby causing a loss of efficiency.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     This invention provides advantages and/or alternatives over the prior art by providing a dryer seal of multi-layer construction having a low friction bearing layer for disposition in contacting relation with a portion of the dryer drum and an underlying melt bonding layer adapted to be meltably attached to an underlying support surface within the dryer. The combination of the two layers provides an effective seal providing bearing support to the drum while eliminating the need for adhesives to hold the seal in place. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]     The following drawings which are incorporated in and which constitute a part of this specification illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and, together with the general description above and the detailed description set forth below, serve to explain the principles of the invention wherein:  
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary clothes dryer with the rotating drum and seal illustrated in phantom; and  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is an exploded cut-away view of a dryer with the seal arranged for mounting with the seal at the interior of the drum; and  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is a view illustrating the ring configuration of the seal.  
     
    
       [0010]     While the invention has been generally described above and will hereinafter be described in connection with certain potentially preferred embodiments and procedures, it is to be understood and appreciated that in no event is the invention to be limited to such illustrated and described embodiments and procedures. On the contrary, it is intended that the present invention shall extend to all alternatives and modifications as may embrace the broad principles of this invention within the true spirit and scope thereof.  
       DESCRIPTION  
       [0011]     Reference will now be made to the various drawings wherein to the extent possible like reference numerals are utilized to designate corresponding components throughout the various views. In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is illustrated a dryer  10  including a cabinet body  12  housing a heated rotating drum  14 . As illustrated, the cabinet body includes a door opening  16  for loading clothing articles into the mouth of the drum  14 . The door opening  16  may be closed by means of a door  18 .  
         [0012]     As shown, a seal  30  in the form of a ring is disposed at a position within the forward portion of the dryer drum  14  thereby providing support between the drum  14  and a supporting structural member  32  such as a flange or the like while also blocking undesired air flow from the drum  14  into the surrounding cabinet  12 . As shown, the seal  30  has a first or inner layer  36  arranged to be secured to the supporting structural member  32 . The seal  30  also includes an outer layer  38  arranged to define a support surface for the drum  14 . The seal  30  may also include various intermediate layers if desired. The layers may be joined to one another by needling such that fibers from the adjacent layers are intermingled into a cohesive structure at the interface.  
         [0013]     The inner layer  36  defines the interior of the seal  30  and is preferably formed of a meltably bondable material that can be welded to the supporting structural member  32  by techniques such as ultrasonic welding, RF welding, vibration welding and the like thereby eliminating the need for adhesives. One suitable material for the underlying layer  36  is believed to be a polypropylene based material such as a medium density polypropylene based felt. Such materials have similar melt temperatures to polypropylene structural members thereby facilitating adhesion. Of course, other suitable materials that can be meltably bonded to the supporting structural member  32  may likewise be utilized if desired.  
         [0014]     The outer layer  38  preferably provides a relatively low coefficient of friction with the supported drum while nonetheless retaining its structural integrity under heated conditions. It has been found that a wool/polyester blend needled felt may be particularly suitable. However, other materials may likewise be utilized if desired.  
         [0015]     If desired, it is also contemplated that the layers can be reversed such that the polypropylene layer may be bonded in sealing attachment to an interior portion of the drum  14 . The wool layer would then ride on the structural member.  
         [0016]     The structure of the present invention provides excellent load bearing performance thereby eliminating the need for rollers, glides and the like. In addition, it provides sealing performance without the need for adhesive attachment.  
         [0017]     While the present invention has been illustrated and described in relation to certain potentially preferred embodiments and practices, it is to be understood that such embodiments and practices are illustrative and exemplary only and that the present invention is in no event to be limited thereto. Rather, it is contemplated that modifications and variations to the present invention will no doubt occur to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description and/or through a practice of the invention. It is therefore contemplated and intended that the present invention shall extend to all such modifications and variations which incorporate the broad principles of the present invention within the full spirit and scope thereof.