Patent Publication Number: US-2023151537-A1

Title: Foreign substrate collector for a laundry appliance

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 63/280,312, filed on Nov. 17, 2021, entitled “FOREIGN SUBSTRATE COLLECTOR FOR A LAUNDRY APPLIANCE,” the disclosure to which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a laundry appliance, and more specifically, to a foreign substrate collector for a laundry appliance. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a laundry appliance includes a cabinet. A drum disposed within the cabinet and has an inner circumferential wall. At least one lifter is operably coupled to the inner circumferential wall of the drum. A motor is operably coupled to the drum and is disposed within the cabinet. A controller is disposed within the cabinet and is communicatively coupled to the motor. A negatively-charged member selectively disposed within the drum. A negative charge is configured to attract oppositely-charged foreign substrates to the negatively-charged member. The negatively-charged member is selectively coupled to the at least one lifter. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a laundry appliance includes a cabinet. A drum is disposed within the cabinet and has an inner circumferential wall. At least one lifter is operably coupled to the inner circumferential wall of the drum. A belt is disposed within the cabinet proximate the drum. A motor is operably coupled to the drum, is disposed within the cabinet, and is rearward of the belt. A controller is disposed within the cabinet and is communicatively coupled to the motor. A canister is disposed within the cabinet proximate the motor. The canister is configured to trap foreign substrates from the drum within the canister. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a laundry appliance includes a cabinet. A drum is disposed within the cabinet and having an inner circumferential wall. At least one lifter is operably coupled to the inner circumferential wall of the drum. A motor is operably coupled to the drum and is disposed within the cabinet. A controller is disposed within the cabinet and is communicatively coupled to the motor. The controller is configured with an algorithm configured to stop or alter rotational movement of the drum at a predetermined point in a laundry cycle. The algorithm is configured to stop a blower fan or alter a blower fan at the predetermined point in the laundry cycle. A foreign substrate collector is operably coupled to the drum. 
     These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG.  1    is a partially exploded front perspective view of a laundry appliance of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a flow diagram for a method of operating a laundry appliance of the present disclosure with a mid-cycle alteration; 
         FIG.  3    is a flow diagram for a method of operating a laundry appliance of the present disclosure with a post-cycle air tumble; 
         FIG.  4    is a side perspective view of a foreign substrate collector of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    is a side elevational view of a dryer ball of the present disclosure with a plurality of projections; 
         FIG.  6    is a partial enlarged side elevational view of a projection of the dryer ball of  FIG.  5    taken at area VI; 
         FIG.  7    is a side elevational view of a foreign substrate collector of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  8    is a partially enlarged elevational view of a material of the foreign substrate collector of  FIG.  7    taken at area VIII; 
         FIG.  9    is an exploded view of a foreign substrate collector and a lifter of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  10    is a side elevational view of a foreign substrate collector of the present disclosure with a negatively-charged coating; 
         FIG.  11    is a side perspective view of a foreign substrate collector of the present disclosure within a container; 
         FIG.  12    is a schematic diagram of a laundry appliance of the present disclosure with a motor coupled with a belt for driving a drum of the laundry appliance; 
         FIG.  13    is a top perspective view of an aspect of a canister of the laundry appliance of  FIG.  12   ; 
         FIG.  14    is a top perspective view of an aspect of a canister of the laundry appliance of  FIG.  12   ; 
         FIG.  15    is a side perspective view of an aspect of a canister of the laundry appliance of  FIG.  12   ; 
         FIG.  16    is a top perspective view of an aspect of a canister of the laundry appliance of  FIG.  12   ; 
         FIG.  17    is a top perspective view of an aspect of a canister of the laundry appliance of  FIG.  12   ; 
         FIG.  18    is a top perspective view of an aspect of a canister of the laundry appliance of  FIG.  12   ; and 
         FIG.  19    is a side perspective view of a pet hair/lint trap of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a foreign substrate collector for a laundry appliance. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements. 
     For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in  FIG.  1   . Unless stated otherwise, the term “front” shall refer to the surface of the element closer to an intended viewer, and the term “rear” shall refer to the surface of the element further from the intended viewer. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     The terms “including,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises a . . . ” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 19   , reference numeral  10  generally designates a laundry appliance that includes a cabinet  12  and a drum  14  disposed within the cabinet  12 . The drum  14  has an inner circumferential wall  16  that defines a laundry cavity  18 , and at least one lifter  20  is operably coupled to the inner circumferential wall  16  of the drum  14 . A motor  22  is operably coupled to the drum  14  and is disposed within the cabinet  12 . A controller  24  is disposed within the cabinet  12  and is communicatively coupled to the motor  22 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , the laundry appliance  10  is depicted as a frontload laundry appliance, such that the laundry appliance  10  may be a washer, dryer, and/or a combination washer/dryer. A user interface  30  can be coupled to the cabinet  12  to select and control various cycles of the laundry appliance  10 . In addition, a machine compartment  32  can be adjacent to a door  34  of the laundry appliance  10 . The machine compartment  32  includes the motor  22 , which is configured to operate the drum  14  within the cabinet  12 . The controller  24  is communicatively coupled to the motor  22  and the user interface  30 , such that the controller  24  can display user selections on the user interface  30 . The machine compartment  32  of the laundry appliance  10  defines a cavity  36  in which the motor  22  can be accessed. 
     The cabinet  12  of the laundry appliance  10  includes a cabinet shell  40  and the door  34 . The door  34  is hingedly coupled to the cabinet shell  40  and is configured to close an opening  42  defined by the cabinet shell  40  that provides access to the drum  14  within the cabinet  12 . The cabinet shell  40  also defines a slot  44 , in which a lint trap  46  can be selectively disposed in operable communication with the drum  14  of the laundry appliance  10 . The lint trap  46  is described in further detail below. 
     As mentioned above, the laundry appliance  10  includes the controller  24  that is operably and communicatively coupled to the motor  22  of the laundry appliance  10 . The controller  24  is configured with an algorithm of the laundry appliance  10  that is configured to stop or alter the rotational movement of the drum  14  at a predetermined point during a laundry cycle. By way of example, and not limitation, the algorithm can be configured to stop, start, and restart the motor  22  of the laundry appliance  10  mid cycle to liberate, transport, and collect foreign substrates  48  that can be disposed on articles  50 , such as clothing items, fabrics, shoes, hats, and other wearable items, disposed within the drum  14 . It is also contemplated that the algorithm can be configured to add an additional cycle at the end of a conventional laundry cycle to remove additional foreign substrates  48  from the articles  50  within the drum  14 . It is generally contemplated that the foreign substrates  48  are trapped or otherwise collected by a foreign substrate collector  52  of the laundry appliance  10 , described in detail below with respect to  FIGS.  4 - 20   . The foreign substrates  48  can be moved to the foreign substrate collector  52  through operation of a blower  154  that is configured to deliver process air through an airflow path  54  that includes the drum  14 . The foreign substrate collector  52  is selectively positioned within the airflow path  54  for separating the foreign substrates  48 , including pet hair, from the flow of process air moved through the airflow path  54 . Typically, the blower  154  is operated by the controller  24 . The blower can be operated by the motor  22  or can be operated by a dedicated blower motor that is separate from the motor  22 . 
     Additionally, the controller  24  can include a microprocessor and/or other analog circuitry and/or digital circuitry for processing one or more algorithms. Also, the controller  24  can include memory for storing one or more algorithms. It should be appreciated that the controller  24  may be a stand-alone dedicated controller or a shared controller integrated with other control functions. 
     With further reference to  FIGS.  1 - 3   , the first modification of the laundry cycle can include turning off the motor  22 , which halts the rotation of the drum  14  and allows the articles  50  within the drum  14  to fall and disrupt the rotational movement of the drum  14 , thereby causing an abrupt change in the movement of articles within the drum. This process can be programmed within the algorithm to repeat in order to maximize the amount of foreign substrates  48  dislodged from the articles  50  within the drum  14 . The second algorithm, mentioned above, can be configured as a post cycle alteration, such that the post cycle alteration adds a cycle of air drying after a normal drying cycle is complete. The additional drying time added in the post cycle alteration is generally contemplated to be free from heat in order to further dislodge the foreign substrates  48  from the articles  50 . 
     The controller  24  can be configured with various cycle selections including, but not limited to, a regular cycle, a delicate cycle, a bulky-items cycle, a steam cycle, a timed dry cycle, and/or a pet cycle. The controller  24  is configured to prompt a user via the user interface  30  to select a particular cycle for the laundry appliance  10 . It is also contemplated that the controller  24  can prompt the user to remove the lint trap  46  in order to remove any potential foreign substrates  48  disposed on the lint trap  46  prior to initiating a cycle of the laundry appliance  10 . The user can select the pet cycle of the laundry appliance  10 , which initiates at least one of the algorithms of the controller  24 . 
     It is generally contemplated that upon selection of the pet cycle, the user interface  30  can display an option between adding a post-cycle alteration or a mid-cycle alteration, or both. As illustrated in  FIGS.  1  and  3   , the post-cycle alteration is typically free from heat and extends the drying cycle by utilizing process air, driven by the blower  1534 , to remove the foreign substrates  48  remaining on the articles  50  within the drum  14 . The post-cycle alteration adds additional time after the selected laundry cycle in order to dislodge any remaining foreign substrates  48 . 
     By way of example, not limitation, the post-cycle alteration can add approximately 30-minutes of additional operation of at least the drum  14  and the blower  154 . It is also contemplated that the post-cycle modification can be greater than 30-minutes and/or less than 30-minutes. The mid-cycle alteration, illustrated in  FIG.  2   , is configured to adjust the selected laundry cycle by stopping the laundry cycle and restarting the laundry cycle at predetermined points in the cycle to allow the articles  50  to rest within the drum  14  and the foreign substrates  48  to dislodge from the articles  50 . When a user selects the desired pet cycle on the user interface  30 , the controller  24  stops the motor  22  at predetermined points during the pet cycle and restarts the motor  22  after a predetermined amount of time based on the programmed algorithm within the controller  24 . As mentioned above, the laundry appliance  10  includes the foreign substrate collector  52 . Various aspects of the foreign substrate collector  52  are described herein with respect to  FIGS.  4 - 19   . When the pet cycle is performed, the controller  24  stops operation of the motor  22  to stop rotation of the drum  14  for a predetermined period of time. The controller  24  then restarts the motor  22  to again rotate the drum  14 . In certain aspects of the device, when the controller  24  stops the motor  22 , the controller  24  can continue to operate the blower  154  to continue the flow of process air through the drum  14 . This movement of the process air can assist in dislodging and capturing the foreign substrates  48  on the foreign substrate collector  52 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  1  and  4   , it is generally contemplated that the foreign substrate collector  52  can be integrally formed with the at least one lifter  20 . The foreign substrate collector  52  illustrated in  FIG.  4    includes a housing  60 , a frame  62  disposed within the housing  60 , and a filter  64  operably coupled to the frame  62 . The housing  60  defines a plurality of slots  66  extending along a width of the frame  62  and are configured to receive foreign substrates  48  from the articles  50  within the drum  14 . 
     The housing  60  can be hingedly coupled to the drum  14 , such that a user can uncouple the housing  60  to access the frame  62  and the filter  64 . The foreign substrates  48  can be loosened from the articles  50  and collected on the filter  64  in response to airflow  56  within the drum  14 . It is generally contemplated that the airflow  56  may direct the foreign substrates  48  toward the foreign substrate collector  52 . Additionally or alternatively, the articles  50  engages with the housing  60  and the foreign substrates  48  can be agitated and removed from the articles  50  to pass through the plurality of slots  66 . Once removed, the foreign substrates  48  typically fit between each of the plurality of slots  66  and collect along the filter  64  within the frame  62  to be retained therewithin. 
     With further reference to  FIGS.  1  and  4   , the user can remove the frame  62  from the housing  60  to clean out and remove the foreign substrates  48  deposited along the filter  64 . As mentioned above, the user can lift the housing  60  to access and remove the frame  62  and the filter  64 . Additionally or alternatively, an end  78  of the housing  60  can provide access to the internal frame  62  and filter  64 . By way of example, not limitation, the end  78  of the housing  60  can flip open via actuation of a button or other coupling member on the end  78  of the housing  60 . The user can then slide or otherwise remove the filter  64  from the housing  60  remove the foreign substrates  48  therewithin. 
     As depicted, the filter  64  is illustrated as a mesh body. However, it is also contemplated that the filter  64  is a mesh insert disposed within the housing  60 . It is generally contemplated that the at least one lifter  20  can include a first lifter  80  and a second lifter  82  ( FIG.  1   ) disposed within the drum  14  along the inner circumferential wall  16 . The first and second lifter  80 ,  82  can be configured as a foreign substrate collector  52  as described above. Additionally or alternatively, the first lifter  80  can be a foreign substrate collector  52  and the second lifter  82  can be configured as a traditional lifter within the laundry appliance  10 . It is generally contemplated that in either configuration the foreign substrate collector  52  of the at least one lifter  20  generally extends along a length of the drum  14 , parallel with a rotational axis of the drum  14 . It is further generally contemplated that the at least one lifter  20  can be approximately 18 inches long. However, it is also contemplated that the at least one lifter  20  can be greater than 18 inches or less than 18 inches. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 ,  5 , and  6   , the foreign substrate collector  52  is illustrated as a dryer ball  90 . The dryer ball  90  includes a body  92  and a plurality of spiralized projections  94  configured to engage the articles  50  in the drum  14 . The spiralized projections  94  are closely arranged on the body  92  of the dryer ball  90 . The spiralized projections  94  generally engage, agitate, and remove foreign substrates  48  from the articles  50 . Once removed, the foreign substrates  48  can then be trapped by the spiralized projections  94  where the foreign substrates  48  are retained. The user can then remove the foreign substrates  48  from the dryer ball  90  once the laundry cycle is complete. It is also contemplated that the dryer ball  90  can be configured to minimize static electricity that accumulates on the articles  50  during the laundry cycle. In this manner, the dryer ball  90  can include a static mitigating material, such as aluminum, to minimize the electrostatic charges (or static electricity) present within the articles  50  being processed in the drum  14 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 ,  7 , and  8    and as mentioned herein, the cabinet shell  40  defines the slot  44  in which the lint trap  46  can be disposed. The lint trap  46  is illustrated as having an outer frame  100  and a central lining  102  disposed within the outer frame  100 . It is generally contemplated that the foreign substrate collector  52  can be configured as an alternate lint trap  104  specifically configured for use during the pet cycle of the laundry appliance  10 . The alternate lint trap  104  can be referred to as the pet lint trap  104 . The pet lint trap  104  includes a frame  106  and a collection body  108  disposed within the frame  106 . The frame  106  includes a tab  110  that outwardly extends from the frame  106  and is configured for the user to grab or otherwise adjust the pet lint trap  104  relative to the cabinet shell  40  and the airflow path  54 . The tab  110  can also serve to identify the pet lint trap  104  as compared to the lint trap  46 . By way of example, not limitation, the pet lint trap  104  as illustrated in  FIG.  7    includes the word “pet” to identify that the pet lint trap  104  is utilized when washing or drying the articles  50  or other user items typically associated with pets, such that those items may have accumulated more pet hair, as compared to other user items. 
     It is generally contemplated that the collection body  108  of the pet lint trap  104  can be larger than the central lining  102  of the lint trap  46 . In addition, the collection body  108  can include a plurality of micro hooks  112  along at least one side of the collection body  108 . The micro hooks  112  can trap the foreign substrates  48  along the collection body  108 . Further, the collection body  108  can include a plurality of corrugations  176  along at least one side of the collection body  108 . Additionally or alternatively, the collection body  108  can include a coating configured to attract and collect the foreign substrates  48 . For example, a negatively-charged coating can be disposed across the collection body  108 . The user can interchange the lint trap  46  with the pet lint trap  104  depending on the laundry cycle in operation. The separate lint traps  46 ,  104  allow the user to minimize cross-contamination between the pet lint trap  104  and the general use lint trap  46 . Stated differently, the pet-related foreign substrates  48  that collect on the pet lint trap  104  are able to be generally segregated from the lint trap  46  as the lint trap  46  is configured for use with user items that may infrequently contact the pet-related foreign substrates  48  outside of the laundry appliance  10 . Additionally, in settings where many animals are present or where a pet is present that undergoes significant shedding, the pet lint trap  104  can be the primary lint filter used within the laundry appliance  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  1  and  9 - 11   , it is generally contemplated that the at least one lifter  20  can include the first lifter  80  and the second lifter  82 , such that the first lifter  80  is the lifter described above with respect to  FIG.  4    and the second lifter  82  is the baffle illustrated with respect to  FIG.  9   . It is also contemplated the at least one lifter  20  include a plurality of lifters and can be configured as any one of the lifter  20  as described with respect to  FIGS.  4  and  9   . 
     The foreign substrate collector  52  is illustrated as a negatively-charged member  120 . As illustrated in  FIG.  9   , the negatively-charged member  120  is operably coupled to the at least one lifter  20 . The negatively-charged member  120  can be coupled to the at least one lifter  20  via an adhesive or other known coupling member, such as fasteners. The negative charge of the negatively-charged member  120  can be generated with an ionizer  122 . The ionizer  122  produces ions that are disposed on the negatively-charged member  120  to produce the negative charge. The ionizer  122  includes electrical circuitry  124  disposed within the ionizer  122  and configured to accumulate the negative ions disposed on the negatively-charged member  120 . The ionizer  122  can be operably coupled to the at least one lifter  20  proximate to the negatively-charged member  120 , and the electrical circuitry  124  of the ionizer  122  can be housed within the at least one lifter  20 . Additionally or alternatively, the ionizer  122  can include a separate housing in which the electrical circuitry  124  can be housed. 
     With further reference to  FIGS.  1  and  9 - 11   , in an alternate aspect of the negatively-charged member  120 , the negatively-charged member  120  can be disposed on the lint trap  46 . In this configuration, the negatively-charged member  120  may be a liner, coating, or other layer that is disposed on the lint trap  46  and is operably coupled to the ionizer  122  to maintain and recharge the negatively-charged member  120 . The ionizer  122  can be coupled to the cabinet shell  40  proximate to the slot  44  defined by the cabinet shell  40 , such that the ionizer  122  is proximate to the lint trap  46  and the negatively-charged member  120 . It is also contemplated that the lint trap  46 , mentioned above, can have an electrostatic field generated across the lint trap  46  via the ionizer  122 , such that the lint trap  46  is otherwise free from coatings or other liners disposed on the lint trap  46 . In this configuration, the ionizer  122  can utilize an electrical source of the laundry appliance  10  to accumulate the negative ions across the lint trap  46  or otherwise charge the lint trap  46 . 
     In an alternate aspect, the negatively-charged member  120  can take the form of a negatively-charged dryer sheet as illustrated in  FIG.  11   . In this aspect, the negative charge is pre-applied to the negatively-charged dryer sheet to form the negatively-charged member  120  and is stored within an external container  126  that is configured to maintain and retain the negative charge of the negatively-charged member  120 . The user can selectively dispose one of the negatively-charged members  120  from the container  126  into the laundry appliance  10 , during a laundry cycle. 
     With further reference to  FIGS.  1  and  9 - 11   , the negatively-charged member  120  is configured to attract the foreign substrates  48  to the negatively-charged member  120  in any one of the aspects described above. It is generally contemplated that the foreign substrates  48  typically have an opposite charge of the negatively-charged member  120 , such that the opposite charge of the foreign substrates  48  draws the oppositely-charged foreign substrates  48  to the negatively-charged member  120 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  1  and  12 - 19   , the foreign substrate collector  52  is illustrated as a canister  150  disposed within the cavity  36  positioned in a forward portion  152  of the laundry appliance  10 . Specifically, the cavity  36  is defined forward of the belt  38  of the laundry appliance  10 . In this configuration, the motor  22  is disposed between the belt  38  and the drum  14 , which provides an increased volume for the cavity  36  in the forward portion  152  of the laundry appliance  10 . The foreign substrate collector  52  can have a larger construction as a result of the increased size of the cavity  36  in which the foreign substrate collector  52  is disposed. Alternatively, the motor  22  can be disposed proximate the drum  14  and rearward of the belt  38 . In this configuration, the foreign substrate collector  52  can have a larger construction as a result of the increased size of the cavity  36  due to the rearward placement of the motor  22 . A blower fan  154  of the laundry appliance  10  is disposed within the cavity  36  proximate to the canister  150  to direct the foreign substrates  48  from within the cavity  36  toward the canister  150  within the cavity  36 . The cavity  36  is generally fluidly coupled to the air flow path of the laundry appliance  10 , such that the air that passes through the canister  150  within the cavity  36  can be circulated or recirculated into the drum  14 . For example, an airflow path  54  is directed by the blower fan  154  into the cavity  36 . The airflow path  54  passes through the canister  150  and filters out any potential foreign substrates  48  present in the airflow path  54 . The filtered process air can then be recycled through the laundry appliance  10 , and the foreign substrates  48  are retained within the canister  150 . 
     It is generally contemplated that the canister  150  is configured to receive foreign substrates  48  that can be loosened and deposited through a plurality of laundry cycles. Stated differently, the user can repeatedly run laundry cycles before removing the foreign substrates  48  from the canister  150 . The canister  150  can be communicatively coupled to the controller  24 , such that the controller  24  can detect when the foreign substrates  48  should be removed from the canister  150 . The controller  24  can be programmed with a predetermined number of cycles of the laundry appliance  10  that can run before the removal of the foreign substrates  48 . Additionally or alternatively, the canister  150  can be configured with a sensor  156  that is communicatively coupled to the controller  24 . The sensor  156  can detect when the amount of foreign substrates  48  within the canister  150  exceeds a predetermined level, and the sensor  156  sends a signal to the controller  24  to display a notification on the user interface  30 . Additionally or alternatively, the controller  24  can be configured to determine an amount of accumulated foreign particulates  48  in the canister  150  from the signal sent by the sensor  156 . The controller  24  can also be configured to display the amount of accumulated foreign particulates  48  on the user interface  30 . It is generally contemplated that the canister  150  may have a variety of shapes and configurations. By way of example, not limitation, the canister  150  may be circular, cylindrical, conical, rectangular, planar, and any other shape generally known in the art. 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIGS.  13 - 16   , the canister  150  can include mesh walls  158 . The mesh walls  158  are configured to trap the foreign substrates  48  within the canister  150 . The canister  150  illustrated in  FIG.  13    includes a top  160  and a solid base  162 , and the foreign substrates  48  can generally enter the canister  150  via the top  160  and are retained by the mesh walls  158  and the solid base  162 . This configuration generally maximizes the retention of the foreign substrates  48  within the canister  150  by providing selective access into the canister  150 . As illustrated in  FIG.  13   , the canister  150  may define a frustoconical shape where the top  160  has a greater diameter than the solid base  162  and the mesh walls  158  taper downward towards the solid base  162 . In such a configuration, the collection of the foreign substrates  48  can be maximized as the tapering of the mesh walls  158  increases airflow  56  through the mesh walls  158 . Additionally or alternatively, the canisters  150  illustrated in  FIGS.  14  and  15    have the solid base  162  and the mesh walls  158 , but are generally open to collect the foreign substrates  48  via a top portion  164  in addition to the mesh walls  158 . This configuration maximizes the collection of foreign substrates  48  by providing increased surface area through which the foreign substrates  48  pass. 
     Referring further to  FIG.  14   , the canister  150  can have a rectangular shape and an indented feature  165  at least partially defined on the top portion  164  and the mesh walls  158 . The indented feature  165  may be of various shapes and may at least partially comprise a mesh material of like quality or different quality to the mesh walls  158 . For example, the indented feature  165  can be a rectangular shaped recess defined on the top portion  164 , mesh walls  158 , and have a mesh material of like quality to the mesh walls  158 , as illustrated in  FIG.  14   . The indented feature  165  maximizes the collection of foreign substrates  48  by permitting airflow  56  and the foreign substrates  48  to enter into the canister  150  via the indented feature  165  and then allow for airflow  56  to exit through the mesh walls  158  apart from the foreign substrates  48 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  16 - 18   , the canister  150  can have a cylindrical and/or conical configuration, and the foreign substrates  48  may pass through a center  166  of the canister  150 . The canisters  150  illustrated in  FIGS.  17  and  18    include a paper filter wall  168  between a first end portion  170  and a second end portion  172 . The paper filter wall  168  retains the foreign substrates  48  within the canister  150 , while allowing the filtered air to pass through the canister  150 . It is generally contemplated that the filtered air can be recycled back through the drum  14  ( FIG.  1   ). 
     An alternate aspect of the canister  150  is illustrated in  FIG.  19   . In this aspect, the canister  150  is generally depicted as corrugated lint trap  174 , such that a surface area A c  of the canister  150  is corrugated to maximize the surface area A c . A greater number of foreign substrates  48  can be collected on the corrugated lint trap  174  as a result of corrugations  176  along the surface area A c . The canister  150 , in any one of the above described configurations, maximizes the amount of foreign substrates  48  that can be collected prior to cleaning or other discharging of the foreign substrates  48  within the canister  150 . Thus, the user can wait to empty the canister  150  after a predetermined number of laundry cycles, rather than emptying the canister  150  after every cycle. The canister  150  can include the sensor  156  that is communicatively coupled to the controller  24  ( FIG.  1   ), which prompts the user when the canister  150  is full and needs to be cleaned. 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  1 - 19   , the laundry appliance  10  described herein is configured to maximize the removal of foreign substrates  48  from articles items  50 . The foreign substrates  48  include, but are not limited to, pet hair that may be disposed on the articles  50  prior to and/or after a wash cycle. The laundry appliance  10  described herein is configured to remove the foreign substrates  48  via the various configurations of the foreign substrate collector  52 . The foreign substrate collector  52  can be used in either a washer and/or dryer construction of the laundry appliance  10 , depending on the needs of the user. Ultimately, the foreign substrate collector  52  allows the user to have articles  50  that are free from foreign substrates  48  by simply running a laundry cycle. 
     The invention disclosed herein is further summarized in the following paragraphs and is further characterized by combinations of any and all of the various aspects described therein. 
     According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a laundry appliance includes a cabinet. A drum disposed within the cabinet and has an inner circumferential wall. At least one lifter is operably coupled to the inner circumferential wall of the drum. A motor is operably coupled to the drum and is disposed within the cabinet. A controller is disposed within the cabinet and is communicatively coupled to the motor. A negatively-charged member selectively disposed within the drum. A negative charge is configured to attract oppositely-charged foreign substrates to the negatively-charged member. The negatively-charged member is selectively coupled to the at least one lifter. 
     According to another aspect, a negative charge of a negatively-charged member is defined by an ionizer. 
     According to another aspect, a laundry appliance includes a lint trap. A negatively-charged member is a coating that is disposed on the lint trap. 
     According to another aspect, a laundry appliance includes a lint trap. An electrostatic field is generated across the lint trap by an ionizer. 
     According to another aspect, a controller is configured with an algorithm configured to stop or alter rotational movement of the drum at a predetermined point in a laundry cycle. The algorithm is also configured to stop or alter a blower fan at the predetermined point in the laundry cycle. 
     According to another aspect, a controller algorithm is configured to add a post-cycle air dry phase that operates to dislodge foreign substrates from articles processed within the drum. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a laundry appliance includes a cabinet. A drum is disposed within the cabinet and has an inner circumferential wall. At least one lifter is operably coupled to the inner circumferential wall of the drum. A belt is disposed within the cabinet proximate the drum. A motor is operably coupled to the drum, is disposed within the cabinet, and is rearward of the belt. A controller is disposed within the cabinet and is communicatively coupled to the motor. A canister is disposed within the cabinet proximate the motor. The canister is configured to trap foreign substrates from the drum within the canister. According to another aspect, a canister is cylindrical and includes mesh to filter foreign substrates and contain the foreign substrates within the canister. 
     According to another aspect, a canister is cylindrical and includes mesh to filter the foreign substrates and contain the foreign substrates within the canister. 
     According to another aspect, a canister is rectangular and includes an indented feature at least partially defined on a top portion and a mesh wall adjacent the top portion, wherein the indented feature includes a mesh material. 
     According to another aspect, a canister is frustoconical and includes a mesh wall to filter the foreign substrates and contain the foreign substrates within the canister. 
     According to another aspect, a canister includes a top and a solid base, wherein a diameter of the top is greater than a diameter of the solid base. 
     According to another aspect, a mesh sidewall tapers downward towards the solid base. 
     According to another aspect, a canister sensor is coupled to a canister and is communicatively coupled to a controller. The canister sensor is configured to detect accumulated foreign substrates in the canister and send a signal to the controller and the controller is configured to determine an amount of accumulated foreign substrates in the canister from the signal. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a laundry appliance includes a cabinet. A drum is disposed within the cabinet and having an inner circumferential wall. At least one lifter is operably coupled to the inner circumferential wall of the drum. A motor is operably coupled to the drum and is disposed within the cabinet. A controller is disposed within the cabinet and is communicatively coupled to the motor. The controller is configured with an algorithm configured to stop or alter rotational movement of the drum at a predetermined point in a laundry cycle. The algorithm is configured to stop a blower fan or alter a blower fan at the predetermined point in the laundry cycle. A foreign substrate collector is operably coupled to the drum. 
     According to another aspect, a foreign substrate collector is coupled to at least one lifter and includes a housing, a frame coupled to the housing, and a filter operably coupled to the frame. 
     According to another aspect, a foreign substrate collector includes projections configured to collect foreign substrates from articles within a drum, wherein the projections are spirals configured to trap foreign substrates. 
     According to another aspect, a foreign substrate collector is a pet lint trap that is selectively disposed within a cabinet when a lint trap is removed from the cabinet. 
     According to another aspect, a pet lint trap has corrugations disposed along a surface area of the pet lint trap. 
     According to another aspect, a pet lint trap has a coating disposed along a surface area of the pet lint trap, wherein the coating is configured to attract and collect foreign substrates. 
     According to another aspect, an algorithm of a controller selectively adds a post-cycle air dry phase that is configured to dislodge foreign substrates from articles being processed in the drum after the laundry cycle is completed. 
     It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated. 
     It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations. 
     It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.